We're Engaged! Honeymoon spot for Oct. '06?
 

We are getting married in early October 2006 - we would really like advice on where we should head for two weeks.

I think our most important needs are beach, warmth, nice restaurants and resort premium hotel options.

Some initial thoughts we had: Aruba, Curacao or Cabo San Lucas.

Please send any and all advice and info.

Can't wait to see everyone's suggestions.

Thank you!

Congratulations!!! Where will you be traveling from? Are you on a certain budget?

My initial thoughts right off the top of my head would be Fiji or one of the Hawaiian islands.

If you want to go to the Carribean, I would suggest perhaps Anguilla.

I've only been to the Cancun/Mayan Riviera area of Mexico. Friends who have been to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta thought that Puerto Vallarta was a nicer area than Cabo.

I'd stay away from the Caribbean (and Florida) in October - hurricane season will be at its peak.

Thanks for the advice!

We are going to probably fly out of Detroit or Chicago, so that leaves a lot of options. We hope to go on a trip that we will never do again, so we are looking into traveling outside of the US. We don't have a set budget - but really want to do it up for our big two weeks!

Do you think Anguilla will be in the path of any hurricanes?

Maui has perfect weather in October, we have been their three times, this time of year, and see alot of honeymooning couples.

Didn't notice your October date, but I agree with previous poster about avoiding the Carribean during hurricane season. The only island if I'm not mistaken that is out of the hurricane belt is Aruba.

If this is going to be a once in a life time trip, then I would definitely look at Fiji then, although the Hawaiian islands are great too and not quite as far to travel. We just went to Maui over the Christmas holidays and loved it. We will definitely go back.

I'm not too sure what you mean by 'resort premium hotel options'

We stayed at the Bucuti Beach on Eagle beach in Aruba in June 2004 and loved it - we're thinking of going back in June.

A quiet romantic resort that doesn't encourage children on the best beach in Aruba - Palm beach where the big resorts are is very thin and crowded.

Check out the Tara Suites, we stayed in them and totally recommend them.

I loved that the hotel gives you a flag and while on the beach when you need another cocktail/beer, you stick it in the sand and the barman comes and takes your order! YOu don't even need to move :-)

Aruba is an easy island to relax on or to get out and about, If you book a trip they will come and collect you from your resort.

The buses are inexpensive, clean, well used and fun - so you don't need to rely on cabs.

You are probably thinking the Hyatt but the Bucuti Beach is worth a look.

Congratulations and I'm sure wherever you decided you will have a wonderful time :-)

I would recommend going to Curacao for your honeymoon. I have been to both Aruba and Curacao- both are beneath the hurricane belt. Aruba is lovely but very touristy now with extreme trade winds- you will end up getting sand blown in your face on the beach. Curacao is gorgeous- very european feel, non-touristy- the bluest waters with the best snorkeling- amazing food and nightlife. It gets overlooked quite a bit for some reason but that is what makes it charming. Try the Marriott or a new hotel called Hotel Kurawanda. My husband and I go back for our second honeymoon in one week and we can't wait!!

I'm not sure I understand what makes any Caribbean island a once in a lifetime thing. This may in fact be the last time you have 2 weeks free. Go some place further than the Caribbean. Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, or even one of the beach areas in Europe. I spent my honeymoon in the south of France in mid-late Sept. and it was idyllic.

Given that you'd prefer going outside the US, why don't you post on some of the other boards here rather than the US board?

Lots of good luck!

Hayman or Lizard Island in Australia, throw in a trip to sydney as well. October is spring there so the weather should start to be getting very nice around that time. Or go to Tahiti but it's kind of quiet.

We honeymooned in Aruba in October and it was gorgeous -- there was literally three minutes of drizzle in the eight days we were there, and the rest of the time it was sunny and breezy and fabulous. Aruba is outside of the hurricane belt. That doesn't mean it'll never get a hurricane; it just means its odds are about the same as the US Northeast. The two nicest resorts on the island (according to popular opinion) are the Radisson and the Hyatt, and both are around $200 a night, which leaves you lots of money for four-wheeling, horseback riding, tubing, sunset cruises, and the amazing food.

That said...I saw everything I wanted to see in eight days, and that included A LOT of beach time. If you're not beach bums, you might want to consider somewhere with more activities and sightseeing, like Hawaii, as some other posters suggested.

Congratulations! The year we were engaged was one of the most fun ever. I hope you enjoy every minute of it.

We got married in October 1996 and spent a wonderful honeymoon in Fiji. It was incredible and certainly qualifies for that once-in-a-lifetime feeling. We have travelled to Hawaii and all over the Caribbean - and we love those islands, but when you're in Fiji, you are keenly aware that you are on the other side of the earth...some place very different and very special.

You could think about breaking up the trip by flying through Hawaii and spending a few nights there. We had to stop and deplane in Hawaii anyway so it would be a great opportunity to have two trips in one.

And remember, wherever you go, the fact that it's your 'moon will make it a once-in-a-lifetime event! Enjoy.

Magicone - that was exactly what I was thinking. Fiji is definitely that once in a lifetime trip that you take and the couple of days stop on one of the Hawsiian islands is just the frosting on the cake.

I just have to say that I am 52 years away from my honeymoon, (and still married to the same wonderful DH,) but I also just got back from Argentina, and if you want the trip of a lifetime, I'd go to Argentina's Mendoza wine areas, where you can stay at the Wine bodegas which have the most luxurious private suites, which I decided would be a perfect honeymoon getaway place, and so totally different from the "usual." Let me know if you want any more info, but I could suggest Club Tapiz and or Las Terrazas or Cavas Wine Lodge in Mendoza, or go to Patios de Cafayate in Cafayate in the Salta province, for a never to be forgotten spa experience. Best of luck.

Hurricanes can happen just about anywhere on the planet including Aruba, Fiji, and Hawaii so please don't let hurricane season alter your plans.

Just purchase travel insurance.

Four new resorts are opening in Bora Bora this year including a St. Regis and a Ritz-Carlton. I think Fiji is a little less expensive.

I would definitely go for the South Pacific but if time constraints make this not possible (plan on traveling 24 hours each way), I second Anguilla.

On Anguilla either Cap Julaca or CuizinArt.

Just wanted to add that the odds are almost the same of a hurricane making landfall anywhere on the US coast.

Congrats!
My dear friend got married in October a couple of years ago and they honeymooned on Menorca and Barcelona.

While it's true that hurricanes *can* happen almost anywhere, saying that your odds are the same everywhere is the same as saying your odds of a tornado are the same in Oklahoma and New York City. Plain and simple, different areas have different climates.

Southern Florida and the northern Caribbean are called the Hurricane Belt for a reason -- go there ONLY if your vacation days are flexible and you can change the dates of your trip if needed. If you really want to go to the Caribbean but would rather not have to worry so much about hurricanes, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao have much lower odds of a direct hit. It's certainly possible, but it's a 50-year thing. Again, odds there are similar to the Northeast U.S. Still, you might get rainy days if a hurricane is passing anywhere nearby. Even below the Hurricane Belt, trip insurance is a good idea.

If your dates are set in stone, stay away from hurricane-prone areas and go for South Pacific or somewhere else that's out of the meteorological line of fire. :)

kara, your information is grossly incorrect.

Do a search on this board for Florida Hurricanes and go back to the winter of 2004 and people insisted the odds of a hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast of Florida were almost impossible.

New York City has the same chance of being hit by a hurricane that Miami has.

The South Pacific is just as at risk for hurricanes as the Caribbean.

THE BIG ONE
Experts say it’s only a matter of time before a major hurricane strikes New York City. When it comes, you may want to have your evacuation plan nearby. If not, meet the fishes.

http://www.nypress.com/18/29/news&co...nnaparstek.cfm

If you are traveling to the Carribean during hurricane season, just make sure you have travel insurance, a back-up plan and are prepared to be flexible. Hurricane Wilma hit the day I was scheduled to land in Cancun. What are the odds of that happening? Fortunately, I had travel insurance so I never worried about cancelling the trip. We ended up taking a last minute hiking trip in Utah. Probably, not what you would want for your honeymoon, so just keep some other options in the back of your mind.

I agree..purchase that trip insurance. If it were me, I would try to pick a place that, historically, doesn't experience hurricanes since it would be a shame to postpone a major event, such as this. I have been to Aruba. IMHO (please anyone feel free to disagree) it is very Americanized and the food is so-so. We enjoyed our stay at the Marriott, but would not return to that particular island. I have read very good things about Curacao and did consider it for this year's trip. I love St. Kitts and Nevis and will be returning this summer. I like the fact that you can visit both islands easily by plane or ferry. I also will check out Anguilla this summer. Again, I have heard great things about it, but haven't been. I did love Maui! So much to see and do! Good luck!

We got married in early October and took our honeymoon in Greece. Went to several islands, Mykonos,Delos but by far the best place was Santorini. We stayed at Perivolos Villas. It was right on the caldera ("mouth" of inactive volcano) overlooking the ocean. Great archealogocial site when you're motiviated to do something other than lounge in the sun. Food was amazing (there and everywhere throughout Greece). I still dream about it!

Definitely Kauai! It is so beautiful.

Seasons are reversed in the Pouth Pacific. October is spring there, so no typhoons. If there are any in the South Pacific, it would be around Feb-April. Hurricanes are very rare in Hawaii, with Maui the least susceptible. This is because a hurricane approaching from the east gets weakened by cool ocean waters to the east of the islands, while an approach from the south/southeast is blocked by the big island and weakened.

Aruba is incredibly beautiful. Plus, there is a lot to do. Also, the Bahamas are very nice.
After our wedding, I was quite content to just sit on the beach, relax and think about my beautiful wedding and the rest of my life with my fabulous husband. You probably don't want to go somewhere where you will run around all the time. Enjoy your honeymoon- life will come at you quick when you get home!!

HI..
Congrat's!!
I say Moorea, Tahiti versus Fiji just because the Sea Snakes are the most poisonious creature on the planet and they are swimming amongst you and they come up to land at night...they have very small mouths but they are called 3 strokers in Fiji because that is how long you live..
Enjoy French Polynesia or somewhere really exotic like the Seychilles..
I have been to Cabo at least 20+ times and I love it but hate what it has become..Aruba, Pass...no, hurricane season still in Curacao, gorgeous but a different time of year than Oct.to be safe..
Maybe Kauai..
I am getting remarried in Kauai in Mid Sept and I am really looking forward to it after the beautiful Moorea experience..
I wish you all the best!

I'd recommend Hawaii over Tahiti or Fiji if you haven't been to any of them. Reasoning: You're going to be totally exhausted after your wedding, and Hawaii is beautiful and exotic but still easy to navigate (no dealing with customs, passports, foreign language, etc.).

Hawaii is not the most original honeymoon destination, but it's popular for a reason...it's just a great place to visit. Really exotic "getaway" feeling, lots of fantastic restaurants, beautiful resorts, great weather, many things to see, etc.

Also, the flight from the midwest is gonna be brutal enough just to Hawaii alone. We were dying on our flight to Tahiti from the WEST COAST!

If you don't think you will be overly fazed by the travel time and foreign aspects, I'd recommend Tahiti. A couple things to keep in mind about Tahiti, though--it's exceedingly expensive, food options are limited, and we found the people there aren't particularly friendly. That said, we stayed at the nicest resorts of our LIVES there. And you feel like you are on the other end of the earth!

If you decide to go that route I'd break the trip up with a stay in Los Angeles or Las Vegas. The flight will take you about 9 hrs from California or Nevada. (They say 7 and a half on the tourism sites, but total b.s.).

Also--Cabo is becoming quite the hip spot. I haven't been since my college days, but friends have visited recently and came back with fantastic photos! That would be a great choice for a honeymoon too IMO--not a very long flight and you can choose one of the beautiful new resorts there.

If you do decide on Hawaii--do a couple of islands. Our honeymoon was 2 weeks and we did 6 days on the Big Island, 5 on Maui, and 3 on Lanai. Smashing! :)

My husband and I were JUST talking about how much we enjoyed our stay at Bucuti in Aruba a few years ago. I commented that I had expected Aruba to feel too Americanized but it didn't and I think that was in part due to staying at the Bucuti, smaller, and many Europeans stay there. We also loved putting up our little flag on the beach for drink service!

Curacao is wonderful also, we loved the great snorkeling right off the beaches.

If you had three full weeks I'd agree with Hawaii, or Fiji, but with "only" two, I think Curacao or Aruba would be fully enjoyable and relaxing for you. After all, you'll be coming down from some pretty high stress months beforehand, not to mention the wedding itself!

Congratulations, have a great time whatever you decide to do and enjoy your wedding day!

You have all been so helpful! I was getting a laugh out of the hurricane blog :)

We have it down to Cabo and Hawaii.

The first week we will select a resort and the second week of the trip we were given a week at a Marriot time share. So does anyone have a suggestion of where to use it in Puerta Vallerta or Aculpuco?

This is a really great time - thanks for the great honeymoon advice!

Choose Hawaii over Cabo-no question about it. If you want to visit Cabo at a later date, do that-it's so much closer and cheaper than Hawaii, and it certainly doesn't fit the "once in a lifetime" clause.

I second Hawaii, especially for the "Once in a Lifetime" experience. Cabo can not compare and I would be willing to be that JUST ABOUT everyone here would tell you the same thing.

With all the great advice...we are thinking Hawaii. We received some great magazines on it today from the travel agent.

Any high end resorts that we should take a closer look at?

Also, we are thinking Maui and Kauai - good choices of islands?

Thanks!

You have pinned it down to either Hawaii or Cabo...Do you travel much?
Hawaii hands down..
Cabo is something you do over a 4 day weekend.. 5 star prices with 3 star hotels and the town still has dirt streets and you are harassed all day long by timeshare people and street vendors..
Go enjoy the islands and please go to two islands..2 weeks in Cabo is way too much time..
Have you thought about the south of France? That is worth 2 weeks of bliss during that time..sun,fab bistros and great classic Hotels..

Have Fun..

Definitely go to Hawaii. You have chosen Maui and Kauai and I think they are excellent choices. High end resorts on Kauai are the Hyatt(sunny side) and the Princeville(rainier side). Maui has many high end resorts: Four Seasons, Grand Wailea, etc....
There are usually not many times you will get two weeks off together while you are young and working. The Caribbean or Mexico are great one week vacations. With the choice, Hawaii is a destination that is far and expensive. Unlike this board, most people don't go there to often.
To me, it is like enjoying another culture and yet it is american. There is a big asian influence in the culture and food. The people are very friendly and we enjoyed our trip there just a few weeks ago very much!

Ladera Resort in St. Lucia. Very romantic, says my business partner who honeymooned there. A lot of privacy, of which you will enjoy. I wish my wife and I had honeymooned there.

Just one more thought: Hawaii is fantastic, and you could have a great honeymoon there. But, if you are still looking at something in the "once in a lifeime" category, Hawaii wouldn't be it. Plenty of people go there every year, and it's a great family destination, so you could easily (if kids are in your future) go there throughout your married/family life.

If you still want the once in a lifetime thing, I'd urge you to broaden your horizens a bit and do something like the South Pacific (Tahiti, Cook Islands), Greek Islands or some other romantic European destination, or someplace that you know might be more challenging with kids (again, sorry if I'm assuming wrongly) and that you won't get back to for a long time.

Maui and Kuaui are great choices. I agree wholeheartedly with girlonthego for resorts. Hyatt on Kuaui and Four Seasons or Grand Wailea on Maui. Haven't been to the Fairmont, but that is also a possibilty?