NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Mar 21, 2015 12:11:51 GMT -5
I love NYC; I am from there. Big issue with the city in the summer: many buildings are not air-conditioned at what I'd call a modern standard (that would be sub-freezing, like Florida summer standard. ). The big buildings don't allow for breezes to get down to street level, so in the city itself, it can be a bit oppressive. But some of the beach areas around the city, and along the Jersey shore, can be really nice. We are stopping at this place later this year for BMW/Mini Cooper Ofest, which is near the shore. Golf, spa, beach, tennis, trails, volleyball, formal and informal dining and bar/lounge. www.stocktonseaview.com/If you want something very rustic and not at all fancy, I'd recommend one of the small family hotels on Hutchinson Island, near Fort Pierce, FL. It's way off the beaten path (not even much in the way of car traffic) but I just love it up there. Then there's this place, owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Not a place where you would expect this kind of luxury, but it is pretty stunning: www.costadeste.com/
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Mar 21, 2015 12:23:24 GMT -5
I'm the one who started "ragging" on NYC even though I really didn't. It's just not what I would think of when someone says "vacation". I am more in line with Sam_2.0 - I want a warm beach with no kids and lots of margaritas.
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Mar 21, 2015 13:19:45 GMT -5
I second or 3rd Puerto Rico or the USVI. Went to Puerto Rico 2 years ago ( but with 3 kids) and it was great. Heading to St. Thomas in 2 weeks!!! Puerto Rico was cheaper even with 4 vs 3 people. We took a day catamaran trip in PR and it was AMAZING!!! Most beautiful water I have ever swam in (and the Cat had free Rum drinks I will report back on St. Thomas and St. Johns. I love NYC and am taking my daughter and mom next year for my daughter's 16th bday.
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NancysSummerSip
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Joined: Dec 19, 2010 19:19:42 GMT -5
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Today's Mood: Full of piss and vinegar
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Mar 21, 2015 14:25:22 GMT -5
I'm the one who started "ragging" on NYC even though I really didn't. It's just not what I would think of when someone says "vacation". I am more in line with Sam_2.0 - I want a warm beach with no kids and lots of margaritas. Aw, I'm the lunatic who went to NYC on vacation...of course, it was in October. A very nice time to go, BTW. Can be a bit chilly on the ferries and piers, but otherwise, it is a great place to be. Can't argue with St. John, St. Thomas, USVI or parts of Jamaica. The thing is to stay away from the really tourist-clogged areas and find a quiet spot. Summer isn't the season for U.S. tourists in the islands, so prices are lower. Just get travel insurance if you are going at that time. It's hurricane season from June 1- November 30.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Mar 21, 2015 23:35:13 GMT -5
Thanks for all the suggestions! We have been looking up everything and we are having fun planning it for this trip we really just want a beach and something relaxing. But we are up for adventure in the future! With or without the kids. DD just asked today if we would take her to Disney, lol!
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quince
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Post by quince on Mar 22, 2015 0:57:22 GMT -5
I like the idea of NYC because I grew up in Hawaii so perfect sunny beaches with perfect weather are boring to me. Every damned weekend, another cookout at the beach. Blah. Except now that I've been to beaches in California, I miss Hawaii beaches. Plus watching husband and son playing in the sand and water kind of makes it new again. (Kind of. Two or three beach visits a year are still PLENTY for me.) Enjoy your relaxing honeymoon!
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Mar 22, 2015 9:49:32 GMT -5
St. Thomas or St. John's, or any of the U.S. virgin islands. Easy access, no passports required, and great all-inclusive resorts.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2015 9:52:43 GMT -5
I've been to Hawaii several times, but honestly, I liked Puerto Rico more. Of course, we stayed at a really awesome time share there that was next to a closed down resort that it shared facilities with, so it was completely empty. We had all the pools, beach, hot tubs and lazy river practically to ourselves. It's just a fun place. We drove around and ate the most amazing food at roadside stands. Key West is fun like that too. Every night it's a party at the harbor. Man, I miss being able to vacation.
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WholeLottaNothin
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VACATION!
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Post by WholeLottaNothin on Mar 22, 2015 15:48:55 GMT -5
I went to NY city for my honeymoon back in 2007. We went around Christmas time even though we were married in the summer. I had been at Christmas time before but my husband hadn't. We ended up getting stuck there because of a storm. I like April in New York City. For future reference. That being said I would have loved to go somewhere tropical. I vote us virgin Islands.
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CarolinaKat
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Post by CarolinaKat on Mar 23, 2015 9:41:53 GMT -5
I like the idea of NYC because I grew up in Hawaii so perfect sunny beaches with perfect weather are boring to me. Every damned weekend, another cookout at the beach. Blah. Except now that I've been to beaches in California, I miss Hawaii beaches. Plus watching husband and son playing in the sand and water kind of makes it new again. (Kind of. Two or three beach visits a year are still PLENTY for me.) Enjoy your relaxing honeymoon! Hawaii beaches made me miss Carolina beaches. They had rocks everywhere!!!
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justme
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Post by justme on Mar 23, 2015 9:54:57 GMT -5
So there is someone more annoying than a Florida native - a Hawaii native!
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Mar 23, 2015 11:25:38 GMT -5
I think you'll have a hard time keeping it under $5k at a US based island resort. If I were you I'd suck it up and get passports. I hear there are some very nice resorts in Mexico that would keep you under budget.
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greeniis10
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Post by greeniis10 on Mar 23, 2015 11:29:29 GMT -5
Go on a cruise. There's no hassels. Unless you get stranded at sea... Sent from my HTC One_M8 using proboards And / or die of food poisoning! Just kidding. I'm not a fan of cruises, but to each their own.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Mar 23, 2015 12:00:29 GMT -5
If you decide to get passports, friends of mine got married at an all-inclusive in St. Lucia and loved it. They live in the same metro area as us, Sam, and said the flights weren't bad. It does involve flying over the water, though.
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cael
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Post by cael on Mar 23, 2015 12:09:01 GMT -5
Yay Sam! I'm sure wherever you decide you'll have a blast! I'd like to do an all-inclusive resort trip somewhere warm for our next trip over the next few years, I'm thinking of looking at USVI , Mexico or DR. Also, has anyone mentioned passport cards? If you cruise, many Caribbean destinations don't require the book, they take the card. Problem w/ the card is that next time you want to go somewhere else beyond that, you have to get the book - I have to get DH a book for Greece.
We did a cruise to Bermuda for our honeymoon and loved it, want to do that again sometime too (and passport cards were all we needed). We chose Bermuda because it went right out of Boston, so we didn't even have to fly anywhere.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Mar 24, 2015 11:34:40 GMT -5
We fly to see DH's family in NM, so I can handle flights. It's just the one I took to India that left me rattled - 22 hrs over the ocean. GAH! Of course this will be much shorter. Give me a drink and a xanax and I will be just fine Better get our papers all in order before we go though. Hahah! Gives me a good deadline to have that all happen too. DH is pretty set on Mexico so we will be getting passports. I think he's already decided on a place. They are all starting to look the same to me, so I am fine with whatever. A week without kiddos or work will be awesome no matter where we are
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imawino
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Post by imawino on Mar 24, 2015 11:51:12 GMT -5
If you are looking for a Caribbean all inclusive there are so many wonderful options! The Riviera Maya are of Mexico has gorgeous beaches and tons of all inclusive resorts. You fly into Cancun, and it's just south of there. It is less crowded and annoying than Cancun itself. You'd likely be pretty close to Playa del Carmen if you wanted to check out a town, and the smaller town of Puerto Moreles is cute as well.
I've had good experiences with AM Resorts - they run several brands throughout Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and now even Costa Rica and St. Thomas. For going without kids I would check out their adult only options. Secrets is the less expensive of their adult only resorts. We have been to the Dreams line when we take the kids and they are very nice as well, and we never were actually surrounded by screaming kids or anything. But if we are not taking any, I'd just prefer not to deal with anyone else's.
We just spent a week in St. Maarten in February and had an absolute blast. We didn't do an all inclusive resort, although they have a few on the island. We just rented a car and went to a bunch of beaches and had a lot of seafood and adult beverages. Love it there. And it ended up being fairly reasonable, all things considered.
Cruises can be a great option if you've never really been to the Caribbean and want to get a taste of several islands in a pretty hassle free way.
Really, it's tough to go too wrong in the Caribbean. If you decide on the Dominican or Jamaica I'd probably stick to all-inclusive. Many of the other islands are easier and safer to do more exploring though.
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imawino
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Post by imawino on Mar 24, 2015 12:03:30 GMT -5
We fly to see DH's family in NM, so I can handle flights. It's just the one I took to India that left me rattled - 22 hrs over the ocean. GAH! Of course this will be much shorter. Give me a drink and a xanax and I will be just fine Better get our papers all in order before we go though. Hahah! Gives me a good deadline to have that all happen too. DH is pretty set on Mexico so we will be getting passports. I think he's already decided on a place. They are all starting to look the same to me, so I am fine with whatever. A week without kiddos or work will be awesome no matter where we are well, now I want to know what place! LOL
I've also heard good things about Riu resorts. And maybe Paradisus?
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