My fiance and I have pretty much never been ANYWHERE. We are at a total LOSS planning our honeymoon. We are seeking ANY advice! Neither of us have been outside of the US, Canada and Mexico. So, we thought a foreign country for our honeymoon might be nice, but recently we've been thinking about Hawaii as well. (I've only been to Honolulu, which doesn't count I don't think). The basic problem is that we don't know ANYTHING about ANY of these places and how a honeymoon would be at them.

Here are our considerations:

--We want to spend about $5K total, including airfare, expenses, food, and so forth. Getting a lot for our money would be good. How long we stay depends on this. We're thinking 10 days to 2 weeks, with 1 week being on the low end and not very probable, but maybe. I'd rather stay 10 days and stay somewhere REALLY nice than 14 days and stay somewhere OKAY. Pretty much, I want to stay someplace nice. Insight on which places you can get more for your money at, where airfare is expensive to, etc. is helpful.

-- We want to go someplace romantic and extremely beautiful. Somewhere where we can do water sports and hiking but where that's not the only thing to do. I'd like to do some romantic things like go to some nice restaurants, go sightseeing maybe, etc.

- The wedding is June 29, so the honeymoon would be the first week in July or so. Weather/seasonal travel comments welcome.

-- We live in California now, so Hawaii is much closer, and may save us on airfare, but will it cost us more than other honeymoon destinations (see our choices below) for lodging, food, etc.? It seems like Hawaii is so pricey.


-- If there's a lot of crime there, I don't want to go. It just sounds stressful. I've heard bad things about Jamaica and Nassau, and have pretty much written them off. I want to go somewhere where I can forget about bad things.

-- We are thinking that wherever we go (if it's an island) we might stay a few nights in a nice hotel or resort and a few nights in a rental cottage for a little more privacy if that might save some money. Any suggestions about this are welcome.

-- These are the places that have been suggested to us:
- Hawaii (in general)(maybe 2 islands?)
- Caribbean (maybe 2 islands?)
- Tahiti (I know NOTHING about this place.)
- Italy (We don't speak Italian but everyone says it is so romantic)
- England/Ireland (just somewhere I'd like to go someday)

ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER LOCATIONS ARE COMPLETELY WELCOME.
The first 3 are the main contendors right now. Where would you go, given our criteria above?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!!!!

Also, we'd prefer privacy to a lot of people, if that makes a difference.

Maybe a cruise would work for you. Just plan on upgrading to a nicer cabin. A cruise would offer you plenty to do, nice meals, nighttime entertainment and you'd get to leave the ship at the ports to do some sightseeing. But you wouldn't have to do any planning.

I've been to all the places you mentioned, and if your travel experience is limited, you live in CA, and your budget is $5K, you cannot beat Hawaii. Maui and Kauai would be my recommendation.
Tahiti is a close second, but longer flight, more expensive, less diversity.
Italy would be my number one recommendation, but based on your specifics, and for all the above reasons, I'd recommend going there for a nice fall vacation in a few years.
The Caribbean is farther for you and offers less than Hawaii in almost every respect except cost.

If you want more specifics, there are weeks worth of reading in the archives here (do a search, above).

I doubt that you can afford Tahiti on 5K unless you stayed only a week in a place that's just "okay". The Caribbean is farther for you than Hawaii (so airfare would probably be more) but for the most part it's also cheaper than Hawaii. The decision depends on what you're looking for. The Caribbean will have a little more of a foreign feel (for instance, you wouldn't find a McDonalds on most islands). The water is calmer and there is better swimming and snorkeling. Beaches are also a little nicer (whiter, softer sand). Hawaii is more rugged and dramatic in terms of its terrain, and has a little more to do in the way of activities. FYI--Jamaica has some nice all-inclusive resorts that are significantly cheaper than most of Hawaii's options (assuming a/i is the kind of experience you're looking for). You might check out a place like Grand Lido in Negril.

We've been to Hawaii, Italy, and the UK; and considered the first two at the top of our list of romantic spots. HOWEVER, Hawaii is FAR superior for a honeymoon spot. The reason? The honeymoon is a time to slow down, relax, and get used to the fact that your life has just made a MAJOR change. Hawaii is perfect for that; Italy is a bit of a challenge to the traveler (crowds, inefficient system, people less than welcoming).

U.K. is a wonderful destination but not all that romantic (unless you're really into history), and water sports are just not there. Tahiti is further away from Hawaii so you'd pay more for what you get (although I can't say it wouldn't be worth the extra money).

Overall I think Hawaii would be the perfect choice. Best wishes no matter what you pick!

If you go to Italy and park yourself on the Amalfi Coast, or Capri, you'll have a fantastically beautiful honeymoon. It really isn't the hassle people claim it is. Fly into Naples, then ferry to Capri. Another option is to fly into Nice and stay on the French Riviera and then drive to the Italian Riviera for a few days. You could surely do this on your budget and would have a vacation to remember forever. Living on the west coast you'll have far more opportunities to visit Hawaii, especially if you have children. It will be an ideal vacation spot for families. How many other chances will you have to spend that much money on a trip to Europe? Right now your dollar will go far in Europe as well. I've been all over and for a honeymoon, I'd definetely go to the above spots. Add Venice to my list too!

It sounds like a lot of people are really into the Hawaii idea, and I think we're leaning that way now. We ruled out cruises a long time ago (we don't want to be stuck on a boat; we really want to be active), and we're definitely not into Jamaica. But thanks for all the great feedback!

Sherry we also felt that way about Jamaica, but we took a week's vacation there anyway. We stayed at Ciboney which I believe is now Beaches. It was true paradise. Small with a lodge, but then built into a hill were all these little duplexes each with their own pool and depending on what package you pick your own chef. It's also a spa so you are able to pamper yourself. Little golf carts would shuttle you up and down the hill if you felt lazy. The main lodge and restaurants were all done in faux painting with skies and birds and many other scenes and the large gated property is gorgeous with natural beauty. Have never been so pampered. We stayed in the main lodge which faced the ocean. We took an off property trip horsebacking riding through a sugar plantation and then took our horses galloping out in the ocean. The plus of this place is it's small, very pretty, and you can be as active or as lazy as you want both on or off property. I too was turned off by Jamaica and all inclusive packages but this really was special. Also, at the time we went it was for adults only.

Sherry, My husband and I honeymooned in Spain a couple of years ago and thought that it was fantastic. You can spend 10 days there for 5k. I would suggest the city of Marbella, Spain which has beautiful hotels, beaches, casinos, good nightlife, shopping, restaurants, etc. . . There are also a couple of islands off of the coast of Spain that are supposed to be fantastic, Majorca and Ibiza. Lastly, someone mentioned Capri in Italy in one of their comments and you might want to check into it - everything I've read about it makes it look like a paradise - that's where I am going the next time I go to Europe.

Since you will be travelling at the beginning of hurricane season I would rule out the Carribean. Tahiti is the most exotic of the places, but the people aren't as friendly and it's pricey. I love Italy, but the downside is the travel time. Southern Spain will be very hot. Ireland could work, especially if you spend some time at Ashford Castle - very romantic.

Wow, all there destinations sound really good. I'd be thinking Hawaii, too. Don't write off a cruise just because you like being active, however. I've never played the casino, etc., on a cruise, but I've done some pretty active things like sea kayaking, a lot of snorkeling, hiking, dancing etc. It all depends on the cruise line and their orientation. Sounds like you wouldn't want too many "days at sea".

I meant "those", not "there".

Hawaii best meets all your criteria.
I wouldn't even send my mother-in-law to Jamaica.
Italy can be very relaxing if you're in Tuscany, the Lakes Region up north (one of the most romantic spots on earth), or Amalfi Coast.
Capri is a great day trip but not for a honeymoon.
England would be OK if you went to the Cotswolds, but Ireland's best spots are much more romantic feeling.
Ibiza and Mallorca are for hormone-raging Spring Breakers, not honeymooners.

IMO, the most romantic place imaginable for a honeymoon is the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort in Tahiti. It is an Orient Express property and the setting is georgeous. They have guest "huts" out over the water that open up completely on one full side out to the lagoon. These huts are very luxurious and each has a private deck with a ladder down to the water. Motu Toopua Volcano makes a beautiful backdrop. It's very pricey, but well worth it. The only bad part is the long and tedious travel to get there, including several transfers and a launch to the island. Once you're there, it's well worth it. I'm sure they have a website if you want to take a look. Have fun planning and enjoy.