stormygirl

Steve, we booked our trip thru Costco Travel and saved almost $3K. We stayed in an OWB on Moorea.

But now you know, I wasn't exagerating when I brought up the cost. It is steep. Here is my trip report....

www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=3

Orcas

Club Med Bora Bora is supposed to be the most beautiful in the world. You might look at that.

Again, check out the Cook Islands.

cousin

Been to both. Depends on which senses you want stimulate. Bora Bora is beautiful. So is Italy, in a different way, of course. I guess it comes down to how much you want to "relax" vs. how much you want to "explore nearby areas". Bora Bora for the former, Italy for the latter. I would go with Italy. My wife would go with Bora Bora. She's into the physical beauty of a locale plus the relaxation offered by the South Pacific venues. I'm into the food, people, history, etc. Amount of time available plus distance to travel would also be a consideration for me.

stever

Thanks everyone, again! We just did Provence last year and loved that, so that is out. We'll take all your suggestions and weigh it carefully. We LOVE to plan for that next year in advance, as this is all I have to look forward to after working a very hard day sometimes. I have that website now from Positano and it looks great for the money. We spent more like 230 euros per night in Lake Como and Venice this year so 150 euros a night is sounding resplendent (is that a word?)

If we don't do French Polynesia in 2006, we'll probably just do it the very next year, so it's no big deal if we pick one or another for 2006 - we'll still get to that next place soon enough. Also want to do the Netherlands, Africa, Australia and New Zealand in the next 5-6 years. It's all good.

Leaning towards Italy now... we'll see after getting on the other boards. Thanks for that trip report!!!

Steve
Maryland

TC

Why repeat Italy if you've never been to Africa or Australia? Both are spectacular - the best trips of my life. I would definately move both up on the list over a repeat of Italy or FP. The reef and rain forest in Australia are spectacular and a fraction of the cost. (Like a big half price sale compared to the US dollar)
Africa is......well, AFRICA! You could do the most luxurious safari camps for much less than over-the-waters in Bora Bora. Rounding a corner at sunrise our first morning to find two magnificent giraffe munching leaves from a roadside tree took my breath away more than anything I saw in Italy. Sitting under a tree for breakfast at Little Govenor's Camp watching hippos emerge from the grassy swamp and saunter through camp, finding our tent surrounded by elephants one night after dinner, spending hours observing a pride of lion with ten cubs, -- I could go on, and on, and on. It was awe inspiring. Go to Africa.

stever

Thanks TC - Just talked to the wife and she's not sure about going to Africa now!!! I even printed out your response but she's indifferent to it and keeps saying, "yeah, but, it'll have been 2 years since we last went to Italy and I REALLY wanted to go back and see southern Italy..." and here's the best part "like you promised"!

Oh well - unless I can come up with something more dramatic, I think it's going to be Italy, AGAIN in 2006. Life could be worse, right?

Steve

stormygirl

oops!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...archText=wendy

stever

NOW I see the link and your excellent trip report. It turns out the Sheraton Moorea only requires 10000 starwood pts but the Bora Bora Sheraton in 26000 pts in season!!! Quite a difference.

Steve

tilburg

We visited Bora Bora and other islands for our honeymoon. It was wonderful. We stayed at the Hotel Bora Bora in an over water bungalow. That was 14 years ago. We hoped to go back, but at this time it's unrealistic with our children. Besides Bora Bora would be too quiet for them. I am in the process of planning an Italian trip with my family now. My point is that Italy is an easier trip for another time and place. However, Tahiti is a very very quiet version of Kauai. So it depends if you want a venue change. As everybody stated, it's hard to compare. Good luck.

hugglynn

As someone else suggested, possibly a less expensive way to see FP is on a cruise. We did that several years ago on Princess--Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Christmas Island and then one day stops in Kauai, Maui, Hawaii and Oahu. The only problem with this, depending on your preferences, is only one day in each place, with the exception of Tahiti, there is an extra day after flying in. Personally, I would much rather take a trip to either Hawaii alone or Italy, because as another poster said, I get downright bored after too many days of relaxing no matter how pristine the place and I prefer exploring, people, cultures, etc. The nice thing about the cruise is when you get to an island, you could possibly arrange a day trip to a remote beach area or resort for your "relaxation" time. And as another poster stated, Tahiti central is dirty and polluted. On all stops, avoid the cruise ship "island tours" if possible. The last thing I'll say is I recall the worst flying experience of my life was the flight to Tahiti. Also the longest day of my life...flew from the east coast to Chicago, then LAX--sat two hours on the tarmack before take-off, then on to Tahiti--I think that was about 7 hours itself from LAX. The approach to Tahiti was in dark skies over the dark Pacific with terrible turbulence in a cramped 747--I was sure I was going to die...obviously I didn't, but at the time it was sheer torture.

stever

I'm glad you folks posted that info. While Bora Bora and Moorea sound so great, I think I'd be happier with the trip to southern Italy for the culture, diversity, museums, great food, interesting coastline sights, history, etc. Too bad the dollar is so pathetic. I think we'll be staying in less expensive places than we'd typically stay at, all due to the terrible exchange rates.

Peace,
Steve
Maryland

artlover

I'd pick Italy in a heartbeat, (infact we're going there in May), but as others have pointed out, it depends on the kind of trip you want.