Suggestions of - dare I say - another destination

lpowmacback · Post by **lpowmacback** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:18 am

My husband & I are looking for a 5-7 night getaway -our first real trip ALONE - without our son (19 1/2 years)!!! While we LOVE STJ - we are looking for a new place to explore and where we can get a little more bang for our buck (so we can afford to go to STJ TOO - the same year). Perhaps some place a little more glitzy (but not stuffy or trashy)- with lush, beautiful natural terrain. We were thinking of Puerto Rico - but where? Yucatan (if Dean doesn't wipe it out)...

I figured all of you here are excellent judges of what a perfect destination is (STJ)... so I'll look forward to receiving and greatly value your suggestions

augie · Post by **augie** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:07 pm

Depends on what you want to do during the day, what kind of nightlife you're looking for, etc.

Next summer I'm planning a 10 day trip to Cozumel.
That's mainly because I love the diving there, and that will be the centerpiece of our activities. By going during the summer it won't be as crowded with cruise ship visitors, and during the day (after our morning dive trips) we'll take advantage of the Mexican culture by enjoying a post lunch siesta, or going to the beaches on the "wild" side of the island away from most of the tourists. After the ships leave we'll go into town to shop, eat, and take in some of the local atmosphere.

In doing my research I've found that there's more to do there than I first thought, but we plan a lot of doing nothing as well.

Don't know if it would be a good fit for you or not, but it's an option...

DCphoto · Post by **DCphoto** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:45 pm

The other day I read that Portugal is a great place to go, They said in the off season, hotels can be as low as $100.00 a night. They have a fabulous coast line and a nice cultural experience. I have not done much research on it but sounds like a place I want to visit at sometime. Good luck!

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:54 pm

DCphoto wrote:The other day I read that Portugal is a great place to go, They said in the off season, hotels can be as low as $100.00 a night. They have a fabulous coast line and a nice cultural experience. I have not done much research on it but sounds like a place I want to visit at sometime. Good luck!

what is off season there? any idea?

DCphoto · Post by **DCphoto** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:12 pm

I believe it is in the winter months, I'm trying to google it. I through away the paper I read it in. I believe the climate is simular to Southern California in the winter. I'll do some more research on it and try to find out more. What I read so far it sounds like a great place to visit.

DCphoto · Post by **DCphoto** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:33 pm

Novemeber through January is the rainy months. There is ton of info on the web. If anyone has been I would love to hear from you. They also have Villa rentals there as well.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:38 pm

We are doing 10 days in the Czech Republic in January. They are not on the Euro so prices are much cheaper.

I have friends who swear by Costa Rica and St. Martin.

Cheers, RickG

steveo2916 · Post by **steveo2916** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:12 pm

Well, while the restaurants are not cheap in general, Anguilla is a great place to visit. We honeymooned at this cute little one-bedroom place:

http://www.greatrentals.com/anguilla/4372.html

It's got a great location, right on the water, view of St Martin. The beaches on Anguilla rival STJ. There are fabulous restaurants, or you can cook in.

SteveO.

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:08 pm

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Suds · Post by **Suds** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:08 pm

Yes. I enjoyed St Martin very much -topless beaches (on the French side of course) & gambling very exciting...lush and beautiful. Expensive. Did you know that from now to 2nd week of September rates are the lowest for Hawaii. Last year rates from Phila w/ 2 quick stops to fill the plane in Chicago and LAX were $438 pp RT!!! I haven't checked this year. Rates are low because tourism drops off because people are doing other things. Having been to Hawaii the big island I cannot wait to get back. It simply does not disappoint.
It is a great big world try some new places. "Travel" isn't just mindlessly returning year after year to the exact same place. Just my distorted opinion.

Enjoy your travels,

Suds

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:32 pm

I've also heard good things about Costa Rica. I met a family at Caneel the other day that said their favorite vacation so far was to Turtle Inn in Belize. It is owned by Francis Ford Coppola and one of those luxury-eco friendy kind of places. It does not sound too cheap or easy to get to, so it's probably not what you're looking for, but I Googled it and it looks pretty awesome.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:35 pm

Wishwewerethere - We took the in-laws to Punta Cana in 2003. It was an ok trip, the price was right for an AI.

The beach was nice and we were lucky to stay at a resort bordered on one side by a nature preserve so there was miles of undeveloped land to the left of the resort.

What we didn't like was the resort atmosphere in general and not being able to leave the resort. Against the wishes of the staff, we walked down the road to take a look around, there was literally nothing in the area.

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:41 pm

I stayed near Playa Del Carmen a little over a year ago (April 2006) with a couple of girlfriends and swore I'd be back. You fly into the Cancun airport (typically fairly inexpensive and QUICK from the East Coast which I love) Left on a direct flight at 7 am or so and was at the resort by 12 (4-6 hours less than STJ depending on connections) The cancun airport SUCKS but you get a taxi and head to Playa. It is NOT Cancun at all. Quiet lovely, rustic. The road itself is a huge divided highway but when you turn into a property and head toward the water its just a totally different place. We stayed at a larger resort the Mayan something, but if I went again I'd definitely stay somewhere smaller and more intimate. Lovely people, great weather. Just a great trip.

Not STJ, but not much is, but a great alternative.
Just my 2 cents.

lpowmacback · Post by **lpowmacback** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:12 pm

Thanks everyone! Some great suggestions!

Flip-flop -My friend and her large family had gone to the Mayan Riviera - I believe that is near where you had gone - they also LOVED it! Lots to do... and the snorkeling is fantastic. Also, I believe, a reasonably priced vacation (they had done an all-inclusive).

Costa Rica is also a place we have thought about - although in the past, the time we were interested in going was their rainy season. Also, if we were to go to Costa Rica, we'd want to take our son.

Anyone like Puerto Rico?

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:30 pm

We did a company freebie trip to Puerto Rico several years ago. I can't remember the name of the resort we stayed, but it was across the island from San Juan, so we got to see a lot of PR. It has it's lovely parts, but I would not feel as safe on PR as I do in the USVI. We did spend one night in San Juan and it is really a fun city. We went to a Salsa Night Club and sat in the corner and just watched everyone. It was like watching a combination of Dirty Dancing and Dancing With The Stars. Amazing. There is also gambling, if that interests you. I'm not sure about the prices. It may not be much cheaper than STJ.

If your looking for beautiful water and snorkeling, then a Playa Del Carmen all-inclusive might be a great choice for you. There are tons to pick from.......budget to really expensive. We stayed at one years ago between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen called Maroma. It has gotten great reviews. It was new when we were there and we really loved it. Very quaint and romantic. Not a place you'd take small kids, or any kids for that matter. I'm not sure of the price. I just hope Dean doesn't make a shambles of that area.

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