Vacation ideas needed

[MichelleCarmen]

Hi everyone,

The first beach seen photo Nicrez posted of the US Virgin Islands was breathtaking (but of course not as amazing as her ring

) and got me thinking that I really want another vacation this spring. In fact, I mentioned this idea to my husband and now we''ve decided to go on a trip this spring/summer.

We''ve got a limited amount of money since we have two very young children, both still in diapers, and I''m a SAHM/no income. . .You know how it is. . .

So anyway, I want someplace fun, romantic, QUIET, beautiful AND affordable and has to be a new place I''ve never been (no CA, FL, OR, VA, WA STATE, WA DC, MEXICO, NV, BC Can . . . I think that''s all the places I''ve been - not too many

). Any recommendations? It''d be nice to go somewhere invigorating and uplifting and I need ideas quickly before my husband books us down in Vegas again, which he''s seriously considering

and I''m a bit embarrassed by the number of times we''ve already been

Please suggest away!

What''s the best vacation spot you''ve discovered?

Michelle

 

[fire&ice]

We like going on cruises. You have little to no decisions to make. And, no work whatsoever. Hubby's cell phone doesn't work at sea.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

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On 3/27/2004 9:32:33 AM fire&ice wrote:

We like going on cruises. You have little to no decisions to make. And, no work whatsoever. Hubby's cell phone doesn't work at sea. ----------------

Ah, the no work part sounds really nice! Very soothing to my ears! lol My DH and I need something where we can lounge around and relax. Thanks for the idea. . . I'll see what DH thinks. This SHOULD be within our slim budget

What destinations have you been to on your cruises?

Michelle

 

[daboyzmomi]

Michelle

Well you pretty much eliminated all the spots I would tell you , but I will post a few anyways..lol.

We stayed at this beachfront home in Mexico with our family (5) and my friends family (3) and we had a blast! It is on a private, gated beach area. Only residents allowed. You can walk for miles on the beautiful beach and see no one. Not sure its in your budget, but for beachfront it is an excellent deal. The pictures don't do this place justice at all. It is HUGE.

http://www.mexicobeachhouse.com/amenities.htm

Our other favorite spot to go if you want a weekend away without kids is in Big Bear. They are theme cottages done up very nicely. Not tacky like some. Fun place to go.
We have stayed in the Gone With the Wind 2 story cottage, The Enchanted Forest, and the AWESOME Woodland Treehouse. The Treehouse is actually built up in the trees and is sooooooo romantic. The jacuzzi tubs in each room are fabulous on a cold evening. The Enchanted Forest was amazing as well.

http://www.castlewoodcottages.com/

I have tons more but they are all in areas you said you have already been, but I had to share a few of my favorites. Good luck on your search. We are currently looking for our vacation as well. Going back to Mexico in late summer, but need to go NOW,,,lol.

 

[fire&ice]

----------------
On 3/27/2004 12:31:54 PM MichelleCarmen wrote:

----------------
On 3/27/2004 9:32:33 AM fire&ice wrote:

We like going on cruises. You have little to no decisions to make. And, no work whatsoever. Hubby's cell phone doesn't work at sea. ----------------

Ah, the no work part sounds really nice! Very soothing to my ears! lol My DH and I need something where we can lounge around and relax. Thanks for the idea. . . I'll see what DH thinks. This SHOULD be within our slim budget

What destinations have you been to on your cruises?

Michelle
----------------

I've been to just about anywhere in the carribean. Since I am eastcoast, it's an easier destination. My whole extended family goes every few years as well. No arguments about what or where to have dinner. And, the teens can't get into but some much trouble.

My parents are veterns & have been everyplace from the Panama, Alaska, Canada, the mediterean & cross the atlantic.

My favorite is the carribean. I think they have boats out of LA that cruise another tropical destinations. Research the boats & if you can go last minute - that's your best deals.

 

[ClownFishFunk]

I've always loved Bermuda! I'm not sure how much it costs to go there, but I think its a gorgeous place. Just a thought.

 

[sumi]

I hear there are some really great deals to Hawaii these days.

 

[luckyhonu]

How about a Disney cruise? They're kid friendly and I heard they have their own island in the Caribbean.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Great, thanks so much everyone. All these places sound wonderful! This is a trip WITHOUT the toddlers so the less kid friendly the better, because the last thing we need is to hear other fit throwing three year olds while we're trying to meditate and pretend we're not parents to two out-of-control little boys! Just the other day, my son came up to me while I was trying to relax and grabbed a handful of my hair and said, "Ryan is going to cut mommy's hair!"

He actually fought with me about this and I eventually had to hide the scissors from him! SCARY, HUH? He hasn't even finished beauty school yet!

Hey, has anyone done the disney cruise, out of curiosity? This actually is a PERFECT future get away idea for our whole family! I'd like to do this. Do they serve alcohol on those cruises??? lol

Also, I'm going to check into mex, bermuda and hawaii in a sec and I was wondering if anyone has been to Bermuda or Hawaii lately and can recommend an inexpensive place to stay? Thanks for the Mexico suggestions, Daboyzmomi, this may actually be a good idea as it's so cheap down there AND fun. Ah, doesn't a margarita sound good about now. lol

michelle

 

[aneelcon]

Hey! I love Hawai'i. Will be going in May for my cousin's wedding and to plan my own. I've been there several times I just have to say check out www.2hawaii.com. It's the Pleasant Hawaiian site. It's cheap. We went for 2.5 weeks, two islands (Oahu, Maui), a car on maui, an beachfront hotel on maui, all for about $2k. Oh yeah, RT flights were included and transfers to and from the airports. We came from SFO and I know they do LAX stuff.

Also, we went again right after the terrorist attacks. We spend $1800 on three weeks in Oahu with rt air. we didn't really need a car because we have family there. But 3 weeks for 1800!

I'm going there again in may and I'm going to check the travel section of the sunday paper for any deals. You can just call these people up or go to AAA to set up a vacation. You can tell them your budget and they'll work around it.

good luck.

 

[fire&ice]

Michelle, many cruises are kid friendly. Most have children's programs, etc. Yes, they serve alcohol on the Disney cruise. They do not have casino's though (or at least they didn't). Most cruise lines have their own Island. So, you can have the best of both worlds if you choose the line & the time wisely (like spring break). Also, the Atlantis in Bahamas is kid friendly & adult friendly. They have an aquarium & huge water slide, etc. for the young & old alike.

All the big ones have a website. If it is easier & cheaper for you to debark from L.A., then you could just pull up cruises which leave from there.

Cruise Lines

Royal Carribean
Carnival
Celebrity
Costa
Disney
Do not look into "The Big Red Boat" - this *used* to be the Disney cruises. Now they are just dopey ageing boats.

Some others that escape me.

 

[kleggett]

Might i suggest the outer banks of North Carolina. OBX..it's the best kept secret in america in my opinion! Very relaxing place...

 

[Rand_alThor]

MichelleCarmen,


Here's our travel secret http://www.site59.com for excellent last minute travel deals . I booked our flights & car (not hotel) to USVI from here. There is a deal to Honalulu Hawaii which includes Flights, Hotels, Taxes and fees from $594 pp.link






Another suggestion is to try Key West in Florida. You could fly in to MIA (Miami International), rent a car and drive down to the keys. It is a beautiful & very scenic drive.

 

[Mara]

I've always wanted to take a cruise to the Carribbean, I heard it was the best way to visit because alot of people tend to get bored with just going to one island for an entire week. So if you find something that is Western Carribbean, you can hit 3 island in a week. I've always been intrigued, and they often have great deals online! Be sure to get a good cruise company and ship, I would stay away from Carnival because though their prices may be low, I have heard that the clientele is more young and loud, or families and there are lots of children on the voyages, not what you want if you are leaving yours behind! Royal Carribbean and Norweigan are two that have been recommended to me.




Would also suggest Hawaii, they have cruises as well, and again, if you have never been or want to go, doing a cruise and hitting all 3 islands makes more sense than staying on one for a week. Personally I have not heard glowing things about Oahu...too commercial...the big island is supposed to be very nice, lots of volcanic rock and mountains, Maui is more the ritzy island, some areas are party town and others are more private but more expensive and then we love Kauai, its small, quiet, more lush, more private and less expensive than the other two (seemingly!). But again, a cruise could be fun! Then you can figure out which island you like best for a longer trip later in life!




My two cents!

How fun!! I really want to go where Rand/Nic were...I'm adding it to my list!

 

[Jennifer5973]

I don't have many suggestions, as everyone's ideas here sound fabulous. but I'd thought I'd warn you about a place we HATED--Sandals.

We asked for a no-kids, relaxing, no stress vacation and were sold a trip to Sandals on St. Lucia. It was horrendous. I could write a 50-page post. It was dirty; the food STUNK. The room was horrible--we paid hundreds of extra dollars to have a "caribbean front suite" and if I walked out our front door and stood on my tippy tippy toes and craned my neck, I could see a patch of blue that I suppose was the sea.

We did complain and they moved us to their other, larger resort but it was mediocre at best, and everyone was obsessed with these stupid activities and contests. Needless to say, we will not be going back ever.

Ironically, we literally have met a dozen couples over the last few years who also had gone to the same resort and EVERYONE--I'm not kidding-- said the same things about how horrible it was. We all bonded over it. I'd be very wary of the all-inclusives...through this experience and a lot of hearsay from friends, I've come to think they are not first-rate places to stay.

Good luck! BTW, we are booked for Vegas at the Bellagio! That Vegas thread you started was so helpful!

 

[daboyzmomi]

We took the Norweigan 7 day Mexican Riveria cruise for our honeymoon and had a blast. The only thing I hated was on the way home our cruise ship lost one engine which left us wobbly for a day going back into LA. It was awful. Hardly anybody came to dinner because everyone was so sea sick. I hear the Carnival Cruises are better if you want a younger party type crowd, and Princess if you like an older and I mean OLDER,,lol, crowd.

 

[fire&ice]

Most of the cruise ships are owned by the same people. I'm too lazy to look at who owns what.

I have been on all of them. Bar none, the last Carnival cruise was the best run cruise I have been on. I don't know if it was the debarkment port or the time; but, it was not a young crowd. Though, they have that reputation ,this one was much more my age. They had a piano bar that was the most fun - tons of stuff to do all their "bars" with a theme. Costa has the best food. Celebrity is the nicest - but too old a crowd for me. Royal Carribean was horrible. They ran out of towels on the pool decks & quite frankly, I was board. And, I doubt whether they are stopping on their private isle as it's in Haiti.

All in all, Carnival knows how to have a good time. But, if class & a relaxing time is what you are looking for then it may not be the boat you want. We live such a relaxing life here in the country. I'm lookin for action. We somewhat become nocturnal. Funny, as usually, I am asleep by 10:00.

Costa has the *best* wine list. Royal C. is pretty good also.

 

[pqcollectibles]

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On 3/28/2004 10:56:22 AM kleggett wrote:

Might i suggest the outer banks of North Carolina. OBX..it's the best kept secret in america in my opinion! Very relaxing place...

----------------

Been there and it was WONDERFUL!!!

Lots of sightseeing, sun, surf, fabulous food, and best of all,..... very relaxing!!

 

[Kamuelamom]

Michelle spend your money in Hawaii! I'm on the Big Island and it's still a little chunk of paradise as far as I'm concerned.

Not that I'm partial or anything.

 

[Nicrez]

Michelle you are close to Hawaii, and may I suggest a nice trip to the island of Lana'i...I hear it's a nice exclusive spot, but the best best to stay there is at the Hotel Lana'i, where rooms can be as low as $100 a night, but there are only 10 rooms, so book quickly. It's a private beach area, and it also is a resort to many stars, as I have seen on the Travel Channel just recently...

Also, if you take a ferry to other parts of the island, there is a huge resort hotel with pool and luxurious gardens that allows "day trippers" to take advantage of their premesis...FOR FREE!!! I say that's a deal if I ever heard one!!! Good luck and don't dare come back without some tantilizing beach pictures!!!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Jennifer,
Hope you and your hubbie have a great time in Vegas! When are you going?


Everyone,

Thanks so much for all your help. We ARE going to go to Hawaii

! My husband was very intriqued. He told me we have a budget of $500

but of course he was kidding (he had had about three rum/cokes when he said that). lol But, anyhow, we had planned to go there to renew our vows in a few years from now, but looks like we're going to go for a preliminary visit!!!

AH, okay, have to look around for these deals now (while my little one plays with the stapler

). HEHEHE


Nicrez, we'll be sure to take lots of photos. Ahhhh, I think I'm going to have to do some crunches beforing putting on my suit. lol

Michelle

 

[Mara]

One thing to note about Lanai is that its a tiny, secluded island and only has something like 2 hotels. So if you are looking for lots of activities other than laying around and eating, it's not the island for you. Our TA recommended that we spend no more than 3 days on it. But it's a good side visit or if you want to do a busier island for 4 days then Lanai for 3. That type of thing. Just something to keep in mind.

Our fave is Kauai.

Of course! We'll be there in MAY!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

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On 3/29/2004 2:04:26 PM Mara wrote:


One thing to note about Lanai is that its a tiny, secluded island and only has something like 2 hotels. So if you are looking for lots of activities other than laying around and eating, it's not the island for you. Our TA recommended that we spend no more than 3 days on it. But it's a good side visit or if you want to do a busier island for 4 days then Lanai for 3. That type of thing. Just something to keep in mind.

Our fave is Kauai.

Of course! We'll be there in MAY!
----------------

Okay, great, thanks! We definetly want seclusion/non tourist trappy parts. To tell you the truth, I'm not at all familiar with Hawaii, so the more advice, the better!

Michelle

 

[innerkitten]

How about Hawaii?

 

[luckyhonu]

I've never been to Maui but heard it's beautiful. I've only been to the Big Island (where Kamuelamom is from) and it was very tranquil. I've also been to Oahu where my boyfriend's from, and though touristy in some spots, is not as bad if you stay in a place that's a little more secluded (Ihilani Marriott at the North Shore). I heard the Halekulani in Waikiki is a nice resort as well.

 

[Heyjud]

The most amazing trip we've ever had was a cruise to Alaska! Everything you've ever heard about it couldn't possibly equal this breathtaking place. It honestly felt like we were at the edge of the world and if you sailed past the glacier in front of us....you'd fall off the planet! It was fantastic! At one point I was standing on deck looking at the Hubbard Glacier and some guy next to me said "how will we ever find the words to tell our family and friends about what we are seeing". He then said "you'd have to be a poet". I of course replied "funny you should mention that"!! I did find the words....but that's for another time.

Anyway, Inside Passage cruise to Alaska.....highly recommended!

 

[Nicrez]

Michelle, found this today, hope it may help at all...

Fairmont Orchid Hawaii - Double Upgrade To Partial Ocean View
For $299/night Relax in luxury at the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii situated on 32 acres of ocean front property on the pristine Kohala Coast of the Island of Hawaii. Plus, receive a double upgrade to a partial ocean view room for just $299 per night and save $150 per night!

http://go3.travelpn.com/ct/click?q=10-YXrqI9NDnx95H52PfPJcLHNe7ASec3FR

 

[Mafia]

If you've never been to Hawaii, I would suggest going to Kauai. Sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for: beautiful and private. Rent a Jeep and go off the beaten path at least once to really see the island. Lots of outdoor stuff to do, just make sure you get dinner by 9 or else you'll have to wait till morning to get any food.

This is a picture of one of the hikes along the coast on Kauai.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Wow, thanks for sharing that photo! Absolutely amazing! Do you live in Hawaii or did you just have the vacation of a lifetime?

We're still not officially in the planning stages as we had to sink $1200 into fixing a bunch of problems with my Explorer just this last week, but I'm hoping my husband and I can book the trip within the next two months! I wish sooner

but, with two kids and one income we sometimes have to save a few months before shelling out the bucks for fun stuff! I'll be showing this photo to my husband to motivate him

"Work more hours honey!" hahaha

Oh, actually I'm going to put this photo as our desktop. I hope you don't mind! It's a sure way to get my hubby to pay attention. I'll photo shop in some bikinis/girls for him! lol (ah . . .okay, it's my desktop picture now and just looking at this makes me super relaxed

)

Michelle

 

[69gm]

hi folks,

i'm just putting in my $.02 for...hawaii of course!

i've been to lots of different places, and though i love traveling, it's always nice to come home to the 50th state.

if you want the simple hawaii, kauai or the big island of hawaii is your island. if you want something a little more modern, oahu (and even maui these days) is your best bet. keep in mind all our islands have something modern as well as breath-taking views so you won't make a wrong choice.

if you can afford it, there is also a cruise between the islands that might be nice to give you a little flavor of each.

no matter what, good luck!