Aloysius Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 [quote name='Nicole8223' date='Feb 19 2006, 10:29 PM']I should have clarified. We live in Philadelphia, and we are on a tight budget. Europe is out of the question, and so is anything really far away (Fiji, Tahiti, Bora Bora). I don't want it to be just another Caribbean vacation, because we can do that anytime in our life. And we've done it together before with my family. I want it to stand out... Ok...so there are the clarifications. Thanks!!!! [right][snapback]892388[/snapback][/right] [/quote] assuming on the last Caribbean vacation you went on together you were uh.. "good catholics", then I'm pretty sure this one will stand out We got a couple years yet (2008), but my fiance and I are probably going to a ski resort or some such thing, one reason why we chose January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole8223 Posted February 20, 2006 Author Share Posted February 20, 2006 Haha...we were definitely good Catholics on our last trip. We're getting married in August, so no winter fun for us! We'll have lots of toursists though. I think we are leaning towards the Caribbean or Central America, although I'm still voting for Cove Haven's Champagne Tower. It looks so pretty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 [quote name='Fides_et_Ratio' date='Feb 19 2006, 10:42 PM']I vote for Rome (aka "other"). You can go to a Wednesday Audience and have your marriage blessed by the Pope! (and who says you'll only wear your wedding dress once?) [right][snapback]892293[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I concur and add that you should stop over at the Island of Capri off the coast of Naples and see the Blue Grotto. Given your clarification, I don't know...I've never been to any of those places. I've already agreed with StColette that if we can't afford anything, we'll just take a random road trip and stop wherever we like on the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janana8706 Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 The couple from my church is going to Ireland. I think that sounds cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quietfire Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 I love to travel although I have never been to Europe....yet(still working on the hubby) so if I may?... Aruba is beautiful. But...alot of flesh, and Im not kidding. If you arent put off by people going topless (its very normal there) then it isnt a problem. Choose a hotel on the south side of the island, the north side isnt that great and the sharks are fed there (allows the south side to stay safer) Dont leave the resort unless you plan it at the resort itself like jeep rides or such, prices in town are so inflated (in some places 8$ for a soda)and youre not missing much in the way of nightlife. We stay at the Holiday Inn there, it isnt the swankiest resort but they know us and make us feel very much at home. I go to Aruba to unwind, not to party (I can party at home thank you) and spend every second on the beach reading and relaxing. Now, I am NOT a beach person..you will never see me do this on American soil...honestly. But the water there is warm and clear and the sand is gorgeous. Its not overcrowded and its actually pretty quiet. Unfortunately, our last trip was somewhat dissappointing. Drugs are becoming more prevailant there, so at night its best to avoid going off on your own. We walked the boardwalk but stayed only within the limits of the hotels. Its sad but the first time this may have been like that but we never noticed it. The hotel kept us so busy (the first time) that we were sad to go. I modeled for the hotel so that ate up a whole day, we participated in alot of the games that the hotel offered on the beach at night. It was fun and we made alot of friends. Its was funny cause we were only there three days and everyone knew us. Our last trip, we kept a very low profile since we were so burned out from our jobs we just wanted to sleep and enjoy the sun. To me...and from what my travel agent tells me, "Sandals" are kind of like an "anything goes" resort. Im not into that personally. Im reminded of a movie, cant remember the name, where one moment the nightclub at the resort was celebrating a 'getting to know other people' theme. Then suddenly everyone was removing clothing. That is my understanding of a 'sandals' resort. One of our local radio stations for years would have contests for tickets to resorts like this and I tried one year to win tickets...glad I didnt...when they got back that is all I heard about on the radio. Id rather be at a resort that is more family oriented, whether you're there with or without the kids. Hawaii...Very beautiful..very crowded. Oahu especially. Its like a honeymooners stop. The beaches were so crowded that I couldnt enjoy them. But the sites are fantastic. Diamondhead, the USS Arizona...very moving. The pineapple farms..where my husband found out that pineapples dont grow on trees...we still laugh about that. The mountains are jawdropping. I even saw a manaquin that looked exactly like my brother...freaky!!! But I dont plan to go there again anytime soon. Poconos...uh. Let's just say that I wasnt impressed. My hubby thought he was getting the deal of a lifetime. We chose to go when it wasnt so crowded and still wasnt impressed with it. But thats just MHO. Bahamas...depending on where exactly you want to go. If you know your travel agent, talk to her/him for crying out loud. Tell them exactly what it is you are looking for. Believe me, they dont want you angry and out of the country. There are some nice islands but for example...Jamaica..wouldnt recommend..not for a honeymoon...unless you enjoy telling every other person that you really arent interested in buying weed. Ok...I like the Rome thing. Mostly cause I want to go. There is a company in NYC that specializes in Italy tours. Its called Perillo Tours. They will even send you a dvd of Italy so you can get a feel for it. And I love the idea that you can have your marriage blessed by the Pope. All I can recommend is that if you have a budget, you need to talk to your travel agent. Even if in the end you dont go through an agent, you can still get a lot of input from them. We have one that is very accomodating, and there have been times that we havent used her, but rather used her advice in finding the perfect vacation spot for a particular vacation. I would though, recommend 'all inclusive' type resorts. That much I am grateful for. Had we not done that on some of our 'out of country' trips, it would have cost us alot more. Ok, my fingers hurt from typing too fast...gotta rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole8223 Posted February 20, 2006 Author Share Posted February 20, 2006 Quietfire, your post is just what I needed. I am the type of person that needs things broken down. Thank you!! Your sore fingers are greatly appreciated! We were thinking Aruba because it rarely rains there, but I wouldn't be comfortable with topless sunbathing. Hawaii would be a long flight and a little more than we can spend. We don't have a travel agent yet, but I think we are going to find one this week. How does that work? Does it cost a lot of money to use a travel agent or do they get commission or what? Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quietfire Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 (edited) Travel agents dont 'charge' for their work. The price you may end up paying in the end would be a bit more than if you had done ALL the work yourself. They save you the legwork. Its important to start a relationship early though. I've known my agent now for about 7 years. She's great. and I refer alot of people to her, so she owes me big time..LOL. Travel agents can offer packages that you may not have access to. They buy these packages directly from the source, and offer them to their clients. Some of these packages are great cause they may have more than what you could get on your own, which would then save you money in the long run. Its important to know what you want, what you can afford and then go from there. What is your budget, you said you are in Philly and youre only a few hours from me in NY. So I can contact my agent and get some ideas for you on what your budget allows. Its a starting point, and something you can work on from there. Youre getting married this August so you need to book early to avoid paying more. So get cracking girl!!!!! Edited February 20, 2006 by Quietfire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quietfire Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 (edited) I have seen a total of 3 women go topless in the 2 trips I made to Aruba, so it isnt rampant. And those women didnt flaunt themselves around either. I would never had known they were topless if some stupid American men didnt make such a fuss. (and no...not my husband..just in case someone is wondering LOL) I could give you the details, but not here. Edited February 20, 2006 by Quietfire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole8223 Posted February 20, 2006 Author Share Posted February 20, 2006 I'm thinking around $3000 including airfare, food, taxes/gratuities, and all that jazz. I've been begging my fiance' to pick a night when we go make some plans, and we are FINALLY going to sit down on Wednesday, but I want to make sure I have info to show him. Otherwise, we'll get no where! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quietfire Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 Actually, 3K is great. Give me about an hour and let me see what I can find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole8223 Posted February 20, 2006 Author Share Posted February 20, 2006 Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 I have no idea. But I wanted to say hello. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole8223 Posted February 20, 2006 Author Share Posted February 20, 2006 hahaha...hi!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quietfire Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 I just got off the phone with my TA. Gave her some rough info to start with. She assured me that unless you specify "hedonistic sites" then Sandals are great choices. "Hedonistic sites" are specific beaches for topless (or whatever) sunbathing. Obviously, she will not be looking into those for you. She is strongly suggesting "all inclusive" which means you leave your wallet home. Btw, you two have passports right? Not always needed but it recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quietfire Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 Tell me what you think of this.... [url="http://www.sandals.com/main/whitehouse/wh-home.cfm"]click here.[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now