Quick survey: where did you go on your honeymoon, and why/what did you like?
I’m trying to plan mine, and we are pretty much set on the Caribbean area, but can’t choose which island. We are not scuba divers nor serious outdoorsy people, but I will certainly get out and do a hike and some water sports. We really enjoy good food and want a romantic spot, but definitely not a “spring break” atmosphere. Anywhere you know of that fits those criteria? I respect your opinions, fire away. (This is one of the few (read: only) areas where I have control of wedding planning…)
Paris for three days
Mauritius for six days
Paris for two more days
It was spectacular. Spending time in Paris (where we had both been several times) gave us time to relax after the wedding craziness. Mauritius was fantastic; we didn’t feel compelled to do anything really, but the options were plenty. I’d highly recommend any city/beachy combo.
if your main criteria are food and romantic place, then South of France (Provence) or Italy (Tuscany). That’s where you’ll find the best food and lots of old little villages to visit and nice romantic places to stay with “Cachet”.
We went to Tahiti and I would highly recommend it. If you want to visit multiple islands, there is a nice cruise available or you could just go to Moorea.
If you are set on the caribean then St. John’s fits your criteria to a T. Beautiful beaches, some that are very isolated, a huge nature preserve with excellent hiking options, fancy hotels, etc.
I will be heading to Fiji for my honeymoon in about a month, we picked it because of the relative isolation of the small resorts there.
I honeymooned in Bar Harbor, ME and I loved it. We stayed at a great bed and breakfast and took in a lot of the things Bar Harbor has to offer. It’s a pretty out-doors place with a lot of hiking and running trails and then things to do on the water, so it might not be what you’re looking for.
As an island destination, I’ve been down to St. John in the USVI a few times. You fly into St. Thomas and then take a ferry to St. John. It’s a very low-key, quiet place with great beaches. The beaches all public so you can use the resorts’ waterfronts even if you’re not staying in a resort. Most of the island is a national park, so there are hiking trails and it’s not as built up as many of the other islands. I liked it how it was a bit off the beaten path of most of the other island visitors, so you can really have a nice romantic time with your new wife.
If you want some more info on St. John, let me know and I can email you some things directly.
He said “we are pretty much set on the Caribbean area” people…
My wife and I went to Tortola, one of the British Virgin Islands. Great beaches, fairly good number of restaurants, can take day trips to other islands, including the US Virgin Islands, which are all very close to each other. Virgin Gorda, another BVI, has a lot of nice hotels. Very high end is Peter Island, if you really want to “get away”.
D’Wife and I went to Tenerife … we wanted to go someplace no one we knew had been to (or maybe never even heard of)
The price was comparable to Hawaii, but the food was better, locals were nicer, Guinness and Cuban cigars were readily available.
If I had it to do again, I’d either go back or go to USVI (our daughter’s a souvenir from our trip in 1999). St. Thomas is high energy, St. John’s is low energy, St. Croix is … well there’s only ONE reason to go to St. Croix.
A trip to USVI also gives you the opportunity to hit two of the world’s best beach bars … Foxy’s and the Soggy Dollar on Jost van Dyke, BVI. Bring your passport and some money, and have the missus be prepared to leave her undies behind.
we went to Bermuda for 8 days. Beautiful beaches and water, that’s what we were looking for. Food is expensive, but we had a breakfast and lunch meal plan that worked out very well. Sight seeing was nice. And they speak English and use the US $ which made it easier all around. If I could, I’d go back there before anywhere else. But with 4 little ones under 7, that’s not likely soon.
When you’re with your new bride, most any destination will be enjoyable
Last summer we went on a Med. Cruise. Spent a night in Barcelona, got on the ship, Marseille, Nice/Monaco, Livorno(Pisa/Florence), Civettavechia (Rome), Naples, day at seas and then a full day and night in Barcelona. A bit rushed at times as we did the “On your Own” days in each city, so we wlaked Rome for six hours before meeting the bus back to the ship, but you see a lot of stuff and except for getting back to the bus on time you have nothing you have to be concerned with. I am a bit adventurous(compared to my wife who stays on the planned route!) so we ate at some great out of the way places and saw some things the other people on the ship didn’t (I am a college soccer coach and after 30 minutes in Pisa at the Leaning Tower I was bored and we had 30 more minutes so we walked over to the soccer stadium, seeing more of the city then probably 90% of the tourists who go there.)
Best 11 days ever. If/when given the chance, would do it all over again. In fact, we’re thinking about doing just that (with kids in tow) for our 10 year anniversary.
We’re not really “relaxing on a beach” people, so Italy offered the perfect mix of wine, food, culture & history. And did I mention the wine & food?
A couple of the places we were thinking of so far are Curaco (near aruba) and Turks and Caicos and possibly St. Vincent and the Grenadines…anyone been to any of those. St. Thomas is starting to sound attractive.
Wife and I went to Club Med Cancun last year in the off season - only 30% full. I think you can’t go wrong with a Club Med, no matter where. You can do as much or as little as you want, or just decide after you awaken. Food was great, especially the white chocolate bread! The all inclusive price is just an easy, simple way high on the no hassle factor. Just remember to walk slowly and enjoy every minute of it.
My sister-in-law is actually from St. Vincent. I’ve never been, but apparently it’s quite nice and relaxing. There’s also lots of private islands surrounding St. Vincent that you can charter boats to.
I lived in the Caribean (Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and the Dominican Republic), and there certainly are a lot of nice destinations there. Aruba is a favorite, and it’s hard to beat Grand Cayman, but there a lots of others as well. As for my own honeymoon, we went to Duck, North Carolina (on the outer banks, near Kitty Hawk), stayed at the Sanderling Inn. Quiet, beautiful beaches, we had an amazing time. I’d go back in a heartbeat. We also did a second honeymoon of sorts in Kauai, and I think it was one of our most memorable trips ever… ranks right up there with four trips to Kona for IM, but definitely more laid back. We stayed at Poipu Bay. Beautiful place.
Truth be told, however. If you’re anything like me anyplace with a sturdy bed and room service would do for the honeymoon. Save the exotic trip for when you’re paying attention. Enjoy!
Yeah, not a bad programme. If I ever want to go for a honeymoon again, I’ll ask you to be my bride
I recommend eating (as this was one of the original poster’s prorities) some Spaghetti alle seppie once in Venezia. Very yummy, although you end up with a black tongue afterwards.
i spent my honeymoon this past april on st. croix (us virgin islands). there are some great restaurants and plenty of outdoor activities including hiking, diving, snorkeling, kayaking. there is a shop to rent some pretty decent bikes if you want to test your mettle on the beast:) there are 2 big resorts on the island: the buccaneer and carambola. buccaneer is closer to everything. carambola is out of the way (15 -20 minute drive to either of the towns, christiansted/fredriksted), really pretty, and quiet. many hotels and condos, too. if you have any other questions email me: trirn at hotmail dot com.
Save the exotic trip for when you’re paying attention. Enjoy!