Help me find a honeymoon...

[jomar]

Mils, North Carolina has definite possibilities. There's the islands and the coast: Hilton Head (SC) and Nags Head are both beautiful (I like Nags Head better). Then there's Asheville and the Smokies within a couple of hours drive. It's a place I'd definitely consider, and early fall there is beyond beautiful.

I was lucky enough to live there for awhile.

Nags Head is great. Kill Devil Hills - hang gliding, the Wright brothers, good beaches, and local restaurants - excellent. And just up the road is Duck, which is also great.

 

[Vermilion]

I'm so bemused and baffled. Booking a holiday is so stressful at the best of times, never mind when it's a 'once in a lifetime' type holiday.

Perhaps we'd do better to find a very luxurious hotel in the Uk for a week... <sigh>

x
V

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

VERMILION

Have you considered Hawaii?

I blew it off until my girlfriend went there with her family. They went to one of the smaller islands, and its beautiful and uncrowded and inexpensive.

 

[alyxen]

Ugh. a) I wouldn;t go to those kind of places on a *normal* holiday, never mind my fucking honeymoon. b) It's cheap, quick and easy to get to places in Europe. eg- we can go there any time. This needs to be a 'something special' holiday...
Say we did consider New England - what state should be top of our list and why? Would there be any leaf colour in the second week of September? What would a really *nice* hotel cost?

x
V

Mid September might be a wee bit early for the full fall colors. Later Sept/early October would be my recommendation. I freely admit this is probably what I miss the most from moving away from the east coast. LA is nice and all, but nothing beats the fall foliage. (course then I see the sub zero temps in the winter, glance outside to decide whether to wear pants or shorts, and this feeling fades...quickly)

Here is a link that highlights places to stay and activites in the New England area in case it helps!

http://www.yankeemagazine.com/travel/index.php

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Flying time from Gatwick to Atlanta is 10 hours, to Florida add another hour and a half. From Heathrow would be the same.

Always took my vacation, since the kids grew up, after Labor day in Florida. Could get a nice room on the beach cheap, half the rate during the rest of the year. And that was for three people.

Last time I went I got a room for $39 a night at a middle of the class hotel right on the beach in Datona Beach. Now that was a couple of years ago but after Labor day they are hurting as all their rooms are empty after that weekend.

 

[cloudy]

VERMILION

Have you considered Hawaii?

I blew it off until my girlfriend went there with her family. They went to one of the smaller islands, and its beautiful and uncrowded and inexpensive.

Inexpensive? According to who?

Its one of the most expensive places on earth.

 

[Vermilion]

Mid September might be a wee bit early for the full fall colors. Later Sept/early October would be my recommendation. I freely admit this is probably what I miss the most from moving away from the east coast. LA is nice and all, but nothing beats the fall foliage. (course then I see the sub zero temps in the winter, glance outside to decide whether to wear pants or shorts, and this feeling fades...quickly)

Here is a link that highlights places to stay and activites in the New England area in case it helps!

http://www.yankeemagazine.com/travel/index.php

Unfortunately <wry smile> the wedding date is already booked...
and it's early September

x
V

 

[colddiesel]

1 Costa Rica reasonably priced , the most stable country in Central America, Beautiful with good people.

2 Dalmatian coast Dubrovnik or Split.

3 Forget New England that early, it'll still be green.

4 Sardinia.

 

[colddiesel]

1 Costa Rica reasonably priced , the most stable country in Central America, Beautiful with good people.

2 Dalmatian coast Dubrovnik or Split.

3 Forget New England that early, it'll still be green.

4 Sardinia.

 

[3113]

Make it Easy on Yourself!

I'm so bemused and baffled. Booking a holiday is so stressful at the best of times, never mind when it's a 'once in a lifetime' type holiday.

Here's my advice: you need to stop complicating matters, and see this Honeymoon as something other than a "once in a lifetime" type holiday. That is the WORST way to view it because if anything goes wrong, you're going to be all broken up about it--your "once in a lifetime holiday" was ruined!

No. Bad. Stop viewing it that way. That way lies madness. Either:

1) Accept that the Honeymoon for what it is, a get-away after one of the most exhausting weeks of your life. This isn't the 19th century. You're not escaping so that you can lose your virginity and get to know each other as a couple--which would be a "once in a lifetime" type experience. So don't think that way. Think of it as a rest, a relaxing, mellow time, after a very stressful time.

Which mean that you must NOT try to go anywhere that's complicated and that you have to research and investigate, and that you're unsure of, and that's going to require you spend hours on a plane. To me, that's just silly. Go on a vacation that's all set up for you and all you have to do is pay a flat fee. Like a boat trip about the Greek Islands--the boat is your hotel, they feed you and take care of you, and all you have to do is lounge and enjoy the islands. Something like that.

OR

2) Put off the Honeymoon. Go away for a few days instead of a week to someplace close that will pamper you and all you have to do is relax. Then, plan something big and wonderful for later. Something really exciting that you've both always wanted to do. This will give you more time to plan, and more time to save up more money. It's ludricrous to try and create a "one time!" vacation while you're also working on the wedding, the guests, and everything else that has to be done.

In short, do not give yourself another headache. As beautiful as the places recommended by everyone, you don't know squat about them. You don't know where to stay, you don't know what restaurants to go to, what to do, how best to enjoy yourself in these places. AND, they require a long flight, jet lag, passports, going through customs on both ends....this is NOT a good idea. Find a package deal. Something that takes care of everything for you with minimal hassle. A honeymoon should not be the vacation of a lifetime, a "one time thing"--it should be a time where you and new husband can just enjoy each other. You and the new husband ARE the honeymoon, not where you go or what you do. If that can be achieved close to home, by all means, do it close to home. Save the vacation of a lifetime, the trip to Alaska to Whale Watch or to Africa for a safari or to the Himalayas for mountain climbing for later.

You're going to have a lifetime together for "once in a lifetime" vacations. No need to put that burden on the honeymoon.

 

[Vermilion]

Here's my advice: you need to stop complicating matters, and see this Honeymoon as something other than a "once in a lifetime" type holiday. That is the WORST way to view it because if anything goes wrong, you're going to be all broken up about it--your "once in a lifetime holiday" was ruined!

No. Bad. Stop viewing it that way. That way lies madness. Either:

1) Accept that the Honeymoon for what it is, a get-away after one of the most exhausting weeks of your life. This isn't the 19th century. You're not escaping so that you can lose your virginity and get to know each other as a couple--which would be a "once in a lifetime" type experience. So don't think that way. Think of it as a rest, a relaxing, mellow time, after a very stressful time.

Which mean that you must NOT try to go anywhere that's complicated and that you have to research and investigate, and that you're unsure of, and that's going to require you spend hours on a plane. To me, that's just silly. Go on a vacation that's all set up for you and all you have to do is pay a flat fee. Like a boat trip about the Greek Islands--the boat is your hotel, they feed you and take care of you, and all you have to do is lounge and enjoy the islands. Something like that.

OR

2) Put off the Honeymoon. Go away for a few days instead of a week to someplace close that will pamper you and all you have to do is relax. Then, plan something big and wonderful for later. Something really exciting that you've both always wanted to do. This will give you more time to plan, and more time to save up more money. It's ludricrous to try and create a "one time!" vacation while you're also working on the wedding, the guests, and everything else that has to be done.

In short, do not give yourself another headache. As beautiful as the places recommended by everyone, you don't know squat about them. You don't know where to stay, you don't know what restaurants to go to, what to do, how best to enjoy yourself in these places. AND, they require a long flight, jet lag, passports, going through customs on both ends....this is NOT a good idea. Find a package deal. Something that takes care of everything for you with minimal hassle. A honeymoon should not be the vacation of a lifetime, a "one time thing"--it should be a time where you and new husband can just enjoy each other. You and the new husband ARE the honeymoon, not where you go or what you do. If that can be achieved close to home, by all means, do it close to home. Save the vacation of a lifetime, the trip to Alaska to Whale Watch or to Africa for a safari or to the Himalayas for mountain climbing for later.

You're going to have a lifetime together for "once in a lifetime" vacations. No need to put that burden on the honeymoon.

you're a very sensible woman and that was sage advice. I think I'll save my sanity and pay attention to it.

I wouldn't mind holing up in a lovely hotel in the Scottish Highlands or something... as long as the midges weren't about.

I'm going to forward your advice to the fiance and we'll start again

Love you 3113

Thanks everyone
Will let you know what's decided

x
V

 

[SlickTony]

If it's possible, I'd consider an all-inclusive resort. Yeah, I know it's a tad more than $2K--a big tad more--but consider this: you're not going to just be paying for airfare and lodging, there's all your meals and amenities once you get there. At an all-inclusive resort, all your meals and drinks and amenities are prepaid for. You can eat and drink your head off without having to spend a moment's worry wondering if you can afford that second round of drinks, or that dessert. Where I and my family were this last summer there was one brand of wine that was free with all your meals if you wanted it, and you only had to pay extra for a bottle of wine if it was one of the non-included, special ones. You can get beer and cocktails all the time--as well as meals--and not once have to haul out your wallet. There is nary a tip jar anywhere. We had to pay extra for our dive certifications, but that was the conclusion of the course we'd started at home--had we been certified already, the dives would have been free. The only thing we had to pay for was massages and hair braiding and stuff that we bought at the gift shop.

 

[3113]

If it's possible, I'd consider an all-inclusive resort. Yeah, I know it's a tad more than $2K--a big tad more

Actually, she's got 2K in British Pounds; switch to American dollars and she'd got $4K.

 

[Whisky7up]

Hurghada?

Loads of 5 star places, all inclusive for well under £1000 each.

Have a quick look on this

 

[TheEarl]

September would be gorgeous there. North Carolina is probably one of the most beautiful states in the country, if not the most beautiful. Asheville's within driving distance of the Smokies, too.

Thirded on that recommendation. I travelled there last August on my North America tour and it was beautiful beyond belief.

In addition to that, there were some beautiful watersports activity. Lake Lure has wonderful waterskiing and wakeboarding.

The Earl

 

[SlickTony]

Actually, she's got 2K in British Pounds; switch to American dollars and she'd got $4K.

Oh, well, then she's got it made in the shade. She can pay for the all-inclusive and have money left over for ziplines through the rain forest and tours on horseback and head-to-toe massages and native art and such.

 

[Handprints]

Leaving from the UK

Early next September

Can only be a week long

Must cost about £2,000 or less for *both*

Prefer beaches, watersports, pampering

x
V

Tunis fits all of the above - it's basically Paris in North Africa and is where the chic but cash-starved go instead of Cap d'Antibes. Wonderful beaches within 20 minutes of the capital (you can find beach hotels if you'd prefer), tons of watersports, pampering to Paris standards, food you'll adore, plus it's a hotbed for Roman and Carthaginian culture. The weather in September will be perfect.

Here's a link to get you started:
http://www.cntraveller.com/Guides/Tunisia/Tunis/Default.aspx?Page=2

Hope you have a wonderful time,
H

 

[SlickTony]

Tunis fits all of the above - it's basically Paris in North Africa and is where the chic but cash-starved go instead of Cap d'Antibes. Wonderful beaches within 20 minutes of the capital (you can find beach hotels if you'd prefer), tons of watersports, pampering to Paris standards, food you'll adore, plus it's a hotbed for Roman and Carthaginian culture. The weather in September will be perfect.

Here's a link to get you started:
http://www.cntraveller.com/Guides/Tunisia/Tunis/Default.aspx?Page=2

Hope you have a wonderful time,
H

Wow, that sounds wonderful. If not for the expense of flying across the ocean, I might want to check that out. As it is, I'll mention it to my daughter--she travels a lot, although it's almost all business. But it seems to me that there must be something that an art history professor can research in Tunis.

 

[SensualCealy]

We took our honeymoon in Ocean City Maryland, USA. Only problem was, it shuts down the last week in September/ first week in October. On the bright side, water wasnt THAT cold, cheap prices, hardly any vacationers left so it was nice and quiet.

Our 15th anniversary was spent in Florida, USA. We took the kids to Disney World, because it's still off-season, we had awesome prices and stayed right in the park at the Music Motels (dont remember the actual name). You have to remember too, the time of year you are looking at is Hurricane season, no hurricanes, you have a great trip at low cost. If they do, well makes it all that more exciting! lol

If you dont mind not having a beach but a great hotel pool, have you concidered Quebec City, Quebec , Canada? The leaves will have started to change, and the kids are back in school so less tourists, costs should be down. I can look for more info if you want it. One suggestion, Chateau Frontinac (sp) would likely be too expensive for anyone that isn't a millionaire, but there are lots of really really nice hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts etc.
I was there in June of 06 and May of 04, it is what I always dreamt that France is like, cobble stone walks, narrow, roads, twisty, hilly and full of culture streets.
I am trying to convince hubby to go there for our 20th next year.

C

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Then again there is always Hedonism I, II or III.

 

[Vermilion]

We took our honeymoon in Ocean City Maryland, USA. Only problem was, it shuts down the last week in September/ first week in October. On the bright side, water wasnt THAT cold, cheap prices, hardly any vacationers left so it was nice and quiet.

Our 15th anniversary was spent in Florida, USA. We took the kids to Disney World, because it's still off-season, we had awesome prices and stayed right in the park at the Music Motels (dont remember the actual name). You have to remember too, the time of year you are looking at is Hurricane season, no hurricanes, you have a great trip at low cost. If they do, well makes it all that more exciting! lol

If you dont mind not having a beach but a great hotel pool, have you concidered Quebec City, Quebec , Canada? The leaves will have started to change, and the kids are back in school so less tourists, costs should be down. I can look for more info if you want it. One suggestion, Chateau Frontinac (sp) would likely be too expensive for anyone that isn't a millionaire, but there are lots of really really nice hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts etc.
I was there in June of 06 and May of 04, it is what I always dreamt that France is like, cobble stone walks, narrow, roads, twisty, hilly and full of culture streets.
I am trying to convince hubby to go there for our 20th next year.

C

Canada really is too far away...

Fiance and I need to sit down and bash some ideas around... maybe when he's stopped being grumpy.
x
V

 

[MarshAlien]

Provincetown, Massachusetts. My impression is that during the summer, it's the biggest gay and lesbian resort on the East Coast, but after Labor Day (the first Monday in September), it should empty out. Great restaurants, wonderful B&Bs, nothing but beach.

You fly into Boston, and rent a car (or take a bus?). I don't know if the water will be swimmable then, but the beaches are lovely.

 

[SensualCealy]

What about Cuba?
C

 

[R. Richard]

Provincetown, Massachusetts. My impression is that during the summer, it's the biggest gay and lesbian resort on the East Coast, but after Labor Day (the first Monday in September), it should empty out. Great restaurants, wonderful B&Bs, nothing but beach.

You fly into Boston, and rent a car (or take a bus?). I don't know if the water will be swimmable then, but the beaches are lovely.

After labor day, Provincetown, MA doe indeed empty out. The restaurants close, the B&Bs, in general close. There are just a very few palces that are open and the 'resort' closes for the winter. I used to live in North Truro.

 

[R. Richard]

What about Cuba?
C

Try Puerto Vallarta, Mexico if you want a tropical resort. In early September, the snowbirds won't have arrived yet and it shouldn't be ctowded, but there are some nice hotels at under $60 IIRC. There are some expensive restaurants, but there are also some very inexpensive places. [If you should happen to encounter the police chief, DON'T mention the name R. Richard.]