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Need advice on where to travel
My fiance and I are looking for somewhere to travel after our june wedding. My fiance suggested Hawaii, Europe, or the Grand Canyon. We both have a variety of interests and are very easy to please. I would just like some opinions on where the best places to travel are, keeping in mind that its gonna be early June, neither one of us like crowds. We love being outdoors, and exploring, but we also enjoy taking some quiet time and relaxing at a nice resteraunt, or a nice night in a gorgeous cabin, condo, hotel whatever...
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I would not mind comments about other romantic getaways even if the location is not listed about. I'm not the biggest fan of being treated like a tourist, but I'll put up with it if its a romantic location.
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Can you tell us how long the trip will be and the budget, please?
What's your definition "of being treated like a tourist"? |
Definition of being treated like a tourist... guided tours and always with groups of yanks with cameras.
We have not really made a budget for the trip yet as I am both working full time and building a business full time with the current goal being wedding, honeymoon, and first home/apartment. Vacation time will be 1-2 weeks depending on how long he can get off work. Right now money is no issue. |
Well, you've suggested three wildly different locations. Each are fabulous in their own way, so it really depends on what type of trip you are looking for. A few thoughts on each..
Grand Canyon- a good choice if you love hiking and the great outdoors. With a 1-2 week trip you could add in Zion and Bryce National parks. Accommodations on a trip like this would be more at the rustic cabin level, rather than luxury hotel level. Not really any fancy restaurants. Some people would find this type of trip very romantic, others would not. Europe- in 1-2 weeks, you are certainly not going to experience all of Europe, but you could have a lovely visit to one or two cities. Paris would be a classic romantic choice, and June would be a lovely time to go. Italy would be great too .If you are flying from the US, I would suggest a two week trip, as you'll use a full day at either end just for travel. A trip like this is usually about urban sightseeing rather than relaxing in nature, if that's what you want to do. Lots of choices for hotels and restaurants at every price point. Hawaii- probably the most traditionally romantic honeymoon choice of the three. If you want relaxation and beaches this may be the choice for you. With a 1-2 week time frame, you could visit 1 island or possibly 2. There are many luxury hotel options, as well as many condos to choose from. Nothing is cheap in Hawaii. It would also be helpful to know where you are starting from as the airfare costs and travel time may greatly impact your choices. You certainly could have a fabulous time in any of these locations, but only you know what would suit you and your fiancé best. It may be helpful to check some guidebooks out from your local library and see which of these places "speaks" to you the most. Best wishes for a wonderful honeymoon! |
It just depends what you want from your honeymoon. Obviously going to Europe will be an entirely different experience than going to Hawaii.
Personally I love both places. I disagree with the "nothing is cheap in Hawaii" comment. Just depends what you do once you arrive, where you stay, where you eat, etc. As far as avoiding tourists, again I believe that's more about what you choose to do, than where you are. Certainly there are tourists taking organized tours in Hawaii, doesn't mean you have to join them :-) |
Oh, and the Grand Canyon is spectacular. But for me personally doesn't really cry out "romantic honeymoon destination".
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Given the wide range of things you like, the Big Island might be the way to go; anyway, lots of variety for any budget, so here is a tiny overview of one of my favorite places!
We love the Waikoloa resort area, and the pricecan be very reasonable (I can vouch for this place,http://www.vrbo.com/413069, but there are plenty others). A-Bay is beautiful, has nearby amenities, and it's a perfect location to access the great Kohala coast beaches, Kona, north, south, and Saddle Road to the east side. Kona is fun; up the mountain, the artist colony of Holualoa is a scenic visit (and a meal at Holuakoa cafe is wonderful in a beautiful setting: http://www.holuakoacafe.com/). South from Kona, Place of Refuge is fascinating, good snorkeling at nearby Two-step, plus Captain Cook, of course. North of Waikoloa, there's Puukohola National Historic Site heiau, and Lapakahi State Historic Site (fishing village) gorgeous setting. North to the Pololu Valley overlook is wow, and a not-difficult hike to the black sand beach. Nice little towns to visit along the way, lots of interesting side roads to the ocean. Lunch or dinner at Bamboo in Hawi is great. Tours of the volcano by helicopter, ATV the Waipio Valley rim, boat to Captain Cook or other for snorkeling, night manta ray snorkeling, fishing, zip lines, private botanical gardens and waterfalls, coffee plantation tours, etc., if you want to spend a little $$. On the north, and then east and south sides, there's too much to do; volcano tube caves hidden along the old Mamalohoa highway, Waipio overlook, Akaka Falls, Onomea scenic drive, gorgeous Lapapoepoe Point, Hilo city waterfalls (etc.),Pane'ewa tropical zoo in Hilo with beautiful grounds. Chain of lovely beach parks on Kalanianaolo drive (south Hilo) with short walks to crashing surf views, and of course Volcano National Park: check out the crater (at night is terrific), Thurston Lava Tube, trails from lush rainforest loops to barren volcanic with terrific geological features, myriad other hiking trails in and around the park. $55 gets you a scenic Namakanipaio campground cabin near the crater with clean linens and close bathroom and showers (BTW, dining hall at the nearby Kilauea Military Camp is open to civilians, a great inexpensive option). Or go upscale at the Volcano House. Lots of VRBO places outside the park, too. Visit Lava Tree State Park on the way to the South side beach parks(black sand, snorkeling warm pools at Kapoho, etc.) This is a nice option, esp. for a honeymoon: http://www.vrbo.com/188845. South Point has beautiful scenery; hike to the green sand beach. Just a few options for a place that can combine all kinds of memories for a fabulous honeymoon. |
Go to Bali for 2 weeks. I think it's a perfect romantic destination. Nowhere else like it.
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Since you used the term "Yanks", do we presume you are coming from England? If so, are you up for long flights to get to either the Grand Canyon or Hawaii? (I've seen some posts to indicated that British travel agents seem to enjoy sending people to Vegas, LA and on to Hawaii. *I* would skip Vegas and LA!)
Since I'm replying on the "Hawaii" forum, I'll second Sylvia3's suggestions for Big Island, and add that there are many other nice places you could enjoy on Kauai, Maui, Lanai -- even Oahu. In June American families will be visiting Hawaii because mainland schools are on summer holiday. (May is also lovely in Hawaii, and you'd beat the family groups.) My DH and I visit Hawaii to escape winter weather at our home -- not AS lovley as other seasons, but still something you might keep in mind. |
the high mountains are all abloom in june
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I'd vote for Hawaii, either Kauai or Big Island although with two weeks you could visit both. Early June should not be as busy as later in the summer.
Europe is too expensive for me, I just am not getting value for my dollar and then there is the jetlag issue. |
Living in Arizona, I can tell you that the Grand Canyon will be crowded and HOT in June. Kids will be out of school and it's a major destination for families. I agree I wouldn't consider it "romantic" either. You've listed two different extremes - desert and ocean. Where are you getting married? Maybe that will help people give you some ideas.
How about the Amalfi Coast in Italy? Beautiful views of the ocean, things to see, etc. |
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Everything is going to be getting a little crowded in early June and the deserts (AZ) will get hot.
Hawaii has it's appeal too because you can rent a condo and stay for a week with quite a bit to do if you enjoy the beaches. The Arizona trip offers you a couple of nights here and a couple of nights there. It's pretty, the desert is a slow vacation full of quiet beauty and some oddity. |
Wow thank you for all the replies!
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Hawaii gets my vote.
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