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Message |
    
TK South Orange
Citizen
Username: Tk_south_orange
Post Number: 339
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 10:15 am: |     |
Months ago I had asked around- and now I am at it again. My boyfriend (will be just past our 8th anniversary together) and I are going away together the last week of February or first week of March. We haven't booked anything yet - can't even seem to decide on a location.
Here is what we are looking for:
No cruises
No place w/ too many kids
6-7 nights
Looking for great experience.
Looking for someplace warm.
Looking for around $2000 - $2500 all together
Looking for fun (snorkling, water sports, Nightlife)
Also looking for Romance
Looking for good beaches/water
He would be going there from FL - me from NJ
Any ideas? We were looking at Carribbean - south america.
We are so clueless. Neither of us has really been anywhere (i went on a cruise recently -first one- and you don't really get a feel for a place for a few hours - especially when you had a walking cast on!) |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3717
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 11:06 am: | |
Do you want an all inclusive or not?
If I were you, I'd call a travel agent. They would be able to give you more specific info re: resorts that would not have too many kids (it's not a school break, so you should be ok no matter what) and within your budget. Look online to get some ideas at Liberty Travel, Apple Vacations, etc.
My parents loved the Paradisius in Punta Cana when they went a few years ago.
Re: travel agents, I always shop around for deals online, etc. and use Great Vacations Inc. on Morris Ave in Union. They meet or beat the best prices I have found. |
TK South Orange
Citizen
Username: Tk_south_orange
Post Number: 340
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 11:23 am: | |
Thanks!~ |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 2988
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 1:02 pm: | |
If, by the last week of February, you mean 2/19-2/26, that IS the school break here, with Monday being Presidents Day. So that is a peak travel week. The following week (2/26 - 3/4) would be lighter. |
microgem
Citizen
Username: Microgem
Post Number: 68
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 2:18 pm: | |
Our favorite place in the Caribbean is St. John, USVI. They don't even have an airport, you fly into St. Thomas and take a ferry over to St. John. There are only two hotels on the island. We stay at the Westin. Everything else is vacation villas. We always rent a jeep when we go because you have to explore the island to see the most beautiful and secluded beaches. Every beach has a different snorkling environment. Some are right off the road, others you hike to.
Also, great restaurants, bars and shopping. It's a very casual relaxed place. We love it! |
Grrrrrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Oldsctls67
Post Number: 180
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 2:53 pm: | |
My sister lives on St. John, I would second that. We go every year at least once and I never get tired of it. The Westin, however, would not fit into your budget. Try this website: www.maho.org. I've never stayed there, but I've heard from a lot of people it's pretty cool, and inexpensive too. There are also lots of websites for finding vacation villas there as well. If you so decide on St. John, I can also give you the down-low on all the restaurants, etc.
|
Robert Little
Citizen
Username: Boblittle
Post Number: 278
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 5:20 pm: | |
To stay in that price range, try Club Med. The non-kid resorts Turks & Caicos and Cancun. |
TK South Orange
Citizen
Username: Tk_south_orange
Post Number: 341
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 12:18 pm: | |
PRESIDENT's WEEK _ totally forgot - better remind him and see what he says!
Thanks - I am waiting for him to wake up - called and he was still asleep! This way he can log on and see this. |
Cleve Dark
Citizen
Username: Clevedark
Post Number: 185
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 3:52 pm: | |
Miami Beach is a lot of fun. Clubs, restaurants, beaches, shopping. But if you go during presidents week the airfare will eat up your entire budget. |
Jennifer Pickett
Citizen
Username: Jpickett
Post Number: 110
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 6:40 pm: | |
I recommend the Riviera Maya in Mexico- Cancun is highrise hotel/nightlife, Playa del Carmen retains more Mexican character, and Tulum is a quiet town. There are plenty of resorts with no kids at varying price ranges. Beach, culture, ancient ruins, snorkeling, scuba, hiking, ecotourism, great Mayan and Mexican food. Cancun is very easy to fly into. We booked our trip through Liberty Travel. |
Reesa
Citizen
Username: Reesa
Post Number: 93
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 7:36 pm: | |
Aruba - the weather is always perfect, the food is great, there is gambling if you're into that...Airfare can be really pricey though, especially that week, so not sure if it would end up too expensive. |
Cleve Dark
Citizen
Username: Clevedark
Post Number: 187
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 8:19 pm: | |
What about Costa Rica, Rio De Janeiro,or the Dominican Republic? |
lizzyr
Citizen
Username: Lizzyr
Post Number: 222
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 10:05 pm: | |
Curacao - American flies non-stop daily from Miami & Continental has a Saturday only non-stop from Newark. It's not a real place for kids and there is plenty to do, the weather is always great and it's much cheaper than Aruba and the Virgin Islands. (The trade off is not as much nightlife) |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1179
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 10:22 pm: | |
I recommend the west coast of Costa Rica, either stationary at one of the fabulous beach places, or on a small 60 passenger ship with private staterooms like the Tempest, sailing up and down the coast and pulling in for daytime jaunts, sightseeing, nature walks, or loafing on the beach. The Tempest may have been replaced by other craft but was one of the best 10 day cruises I've been on. |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 1144
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 11:11 am: | |
Cancun. On your budget, the airfare and all-inclusives can be prohibitive but Cancun generally works. |
Mummite
Citizen
Username: Mummite
Post Number: 195
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 11:20 am: | |
I think Cancun is still recovering from the hurricanes so could be a bit soggy under foot there. Some hotels are still closed.
Puerto Vallarta is beautiful on west coast of Mexico.
Paradise Island, Bahamas is sunny and fun. Accomodation for all budgets. |
TK South Orange
Citizen
Username: Tk_south_orange
Post Number: 342
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 1:27 pm: | |
Thanks all. Still deciding.
|
campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 307
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 3:19 pm: | |
We're trying Puerto Rico - airfares seem pretty cheap. |
connied76
Citizen
Username: Connied76
Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 11:17 am: | |
We love the Sandals resort all-inclusive chain in Jamaica. Often have some pretty good deals if you try sandals.com. February week usually isn't bad there because it is couples only , you they don't get packed because most people who leave their kids behind DON"T do it on the week they are off. |
Katy M.
Citizen
Username: Katymcf
Post Number: 86
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 3:38 pm: | |
TK, let me know what you find. My husband and I are trying to take a vacation around that time in that price range. We just got married last year. We had a bit of a high adventure honeymoon...spent mostly on a schooner off the coast of Maine. It was awesome...but a lot of work.
Now we seek an ultra-relaxing vacation. As much as we don't LOVE cruises, that seems to be the easiest, most affordable option right now. It's just so easy to leave right from NY.
If you find any other good deals, let me know. 
|
Lemonhead
Citizen
Username: Lemonhead
Post Number: 41
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 6:25 pm: | |
The French side of Saint Martin. My husband and I took a long weekend there last February and had a wonderful time. Great food,warm weather, lots of beaches to explore. I researched and planned evreything using tripadvisor.com. Terrific resource and proved to be pretty accurate. Enjoy! |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 999
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 3:35 pm: | |
Been all over & when it's time for the beach I have to agree with Lemonhead , Orient Beach St. Martin . Palm Court Hotel , dinner in Grand Case .Rent a car from Tropical car rental, EWR TO SXM. BTW about 25% of the beach {the right side if your looking @ the ocean } is a natural resort. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1000
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 3:47 pm: | |
If your really looking for something cheap . Try Rincon in PR one of the best breaks in the world . But it has now become a tourist destination. Continental non stop to Aquidilla 30 min drive to a place called Besides the Point. About $70.00 bucks a nite. Nice beach ,cheap eats , Flight is about $300.00 |
Colleen
Citizen
Username: Cbroderick
Post Number: 166
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 11:21 pm: | |
Have you been to Grenada? They have awesome beaches, it's low-key, great food, and the people are wonderful.
I love Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, too. |
TK South Orange
Citizen
Username: Tk_south_orange
Post Number: 343
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 7, 2006 - 2:41 pm: | |
Haven't really been many places. Went on a cruise (not doing that again ever!) in November (with a walking cast on) and stopped in Cozumel for a few hrs - totally devastated from hurricane - we were first ship there in 22 days, stopped in grand cayman - really didnt like it - and ochos rios - which was gorgeous - but all the offers of drugs, sex, moving there to live with someone and begging turned me off.
I want it to be perfect when we go away and I am in a state of paralysis it seems w/ planning.
was looking at frommers and they mentioned funjet.com has some great deals - gosh this is just hard.
|
TK South Orange
Citizen
Username: Tk_south_orange
Post Number: 344
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 9:47 pm: | |
well - looks like we decided on st. kitts/nevis. now to find deals!!!!!!!!!! oh - and changed dates - March 18 or 6-8 nights. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1301
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 9:54 pm: | |
I'd rent you my house in Vermont- 10 acres, 5 bedrooms, 15-20 minutes drive to 4 ski areas...
Ah, that's right--- you want south... |
TK South Orange
Citizen
Username: Tk_south_orange
Post Number: 345
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 10:16 am: | |
LOL! |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 897
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 10:55 am: | |
You have been dating 8 years?!
Yikes...make this a good trip and "close the deal"!
BTW: try Travelzoo.com They post the "Top ten deals of the week" and twice I used them to places I had already planned to go. |
TK South Orange
Citizen
Username: Tk_south_orange
Post Number: 346
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 10:32 am: | |
wow - promotions at one hotel
can get air + hotel for under 2000 for the two of us! Woo Hoo |
r2boy
Supporter
Username: R2boy
Post Number: 253
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 6:42 am: | |
Stayed at the Marriott in St. Kitts last month.
Lovely island,lovely beach,good food and great spa.No direct flights except from Philadelphia.We flew to San Juan and then on to St Kitts on one of those little planes...American Airlines |
TK South Orange
Citizen
Username: Tk_south_orange
Post Number: 347
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 12:28 pm: | |
Just wanted to let you all know that we booked our trip for march on St. Kitts at Ocean Terrace Inn -
Airfare, 8 nights hotel, transfers and insurance all for 2040!
Airfare was Non-Stop!!! (from Miami - he is in FL so we are meeting up there) |
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