In these times, why travel far? Why FLY if you can rent a car or use one or two tanks of gas and go on a romantic drive? I remember driving for 2 hours with my new DH in anticipation of the week to come...no flight delays, no luggage nightmare, no turbulance.....
If you must fly, save on overseas flights by flying local to another state...Or even Puerto Rico, Alaska, or the US Virgin Islands....Here are some of my fave places (I'm a FL girl through and through), and some other places I have heard others rave about, and places I looked for...These are not as popular, but may be the spot just for you and your new DH....Enjoy!
FLORIDA
1. Sanibel Island: SW Florida, south of Tampa on the Gulf Coast Sanibel Island
2. Marco Island: SW Florida, South of Tama also on the Gulf Marco Island
3. Destin, FL: Northwest Florida near Panama City. We honeymooned here...Its 2 hours west of Tallahassee. Be careful! Prices go up after March 30....I recommend the Embassy Suites Destin, FL
4. Ft. Lauderdale, FL: My HOMETOWN! 45 Minutes North of Miami, even in FTL, the beaches, food, and shopping is 1st rate...Also 30 minutes south of the Palm Beaches...more shopping, food, and beaches!
Lauderdale Baby!
5.The Keys! Key West, and the Florida Keys: I know many who have honeymooned here....Their favorite activities: Clubs, Scooter Rentals, AWESOME Seafood!, SUNRISE, SUNSET! On Marathon Island there is a park where you can swim with Dolphins or the Sharks! Florida Keys
6. Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersberg: I went to a conference here as an undergrad....The Sunset on the West of FL is absolutely divine! Shopping, Beautiful Tampa Bay, Skyline Bridge (This bridge is in the "sky")....Amazing! Tampa Area
Other FL Sites:
Daytona (East FL)
Sarasota (West FL, near Tampa)
Cocoa Beach (East FL)
South Carolina
1. Myrtle Beach an other Islands: I have always wanted to go here...This is family friendly, and any beach=sexy. The Dean of my college, and mentor vacations on Hilton Head Island Every Year...its her fave getaway...She has impeccable taste so I believe her when she says its fab!...I hear the food here is great too! Myrtle Beach and other Islands
North Carolina
1. Outerbanks, NC...Undiscovered jewel...Supposedly Blackbeard was captured and killed here....Also, The Outer Banks of North Carolina ranks #3 in TripAdvisor
In these times, why travel far? Why FLY if you can rent a car or use one or two tanks of gas and go on a romantic drive? I remember driving for 2 hours with my new DH in anticipation of the week to come...no flight delays, no luggage nightmare, no turbulance.....
If you must fly, save on overseas flights by flying local to another state...Or even Puerto Rico, Alaska, or the US Virgin Islands....Here are some of my fave places (I'm a FL girl through and through), and some other places I have heard others rave about, and places I looked for...These are not as popular, but may be the spot just for you and your new DH....Enjoy!
FLORIDA
1. Sanibel Island: SW Florida, south of Tampa on the Gulf Coast Sanibel Island
2. Marco Island: SW Florida, South of Tama also on the Gulf Marco Island
3. Destin, FL: Northwest Florida near Panama City. We honeymooned here...Its 2 hours west of Tallahassee. Be careful! Prices go up after March 30....I recommend the Embassy Suites Destin, FL
4. Ft. Lauderdale, FL: My HOMETOWN! 45 Minutes North of Miami, even in FTL, the beaches, food, and shopping is 1st rate...Also 30 minutes south of the Palm Beaches...more shopping, food, and beaches!
Lauderdale Baby!
5.The Keys! Key West, and the Florida Keys: I know many who have honeymooned here....Their favorite activities: Clubs, Scooter Rentals, AWESOME Seafood!, SUNRISE, SUNSET! On Marathon Island there is a park where you can swim with Dolphins or the Sharks! Florida Keys
6. Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersberg: I went to a conference here as an undergrad....The Sunset on the West of FL is absolutely divine! Shopping, Beautiful Tampa Bay, Skyline Bridge (This bridge is in the "sky")....Amazing! Tampa Area
Other FL Sites:
Daytona (East FL)
Sarasota (West FL, near Tampa)
Cocoa Beach (East FL)
South Carolina
1. Myrtle Beach an other Islands: I have always wanted to go here...This is family friendly, and any beach=sexy. The Dean of my college, and mentor vacations on Hilton Head Island Every Year...its her fave getaway...She has impeccable taste so I believe her when she says its fab!...I hear the food here is great too! Myrtle Beach and other Islands
North Carolina
1. Outerbanks, NC...Undiscovered jewel...Supposedly Blackbeard was captured and killed here....Also, The Outer Banks of North Carolina ranks #3 in TripAdvisor
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Sometimes people dont realize that you dont have to go so far away from home to have an enjoyable time. I know I dont, just give me a 2 or 3 days without the kids and I am having a ball! lol.
Me and my DH went to the Poconos, PA for a short honeymoon. It was inexpensive, a nice drive away from home and very romantic. We went to a couples resort, Caesars Poconos Resorts, they have 4 different locations out there. Even though we went during the between weather(they werent sure of the weather, so alot of the activities were not up). they have indoor and outdoor sports, celebrity performances, comedy shows, bands, photographers everywhere, game shows that you are apart of, horse back riding, horse and carriage rides, and many different choices of suites. during the winter you can go skiing, in the hot weather there is jet skiing. We plan to go back during the summer. this is their website
wwww.caesarspoconosresorts.com
Being a Florida girl myself, I could always find something to do that won't cost me too much money. Bumble is so right. I love the Florida keys and visiting Hemingway's home. I love Miami and visiting the Viscaya ~wonderful mansion, I love Ft Lauderdale ~ can someone say "Sawgrass Mills" HEYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! I love Palm Beach ~ my home town where everywhere you turn has a bridge and huge bodies of water. I love North Palm Beach ~ FH loves to golf. I LOVE FLORIDA!!!!! Don't even get me started on St. Augustine, Cape Canaveral and Disney, Disnery is not just for kids anymore!!! And I absolutely love Amelia Island.
That was my 2 cents into loving Florida!!!
If you go the Disney route, I'd recommend Universal Studios. I had a ball here, nice spot for grown folk. I'm trying to go back now and check out the new waterpark Aquatica!
What an awesome thread Pastor Bumble (lol!!!). This is so helpful. We want to incorporate a family vacation and a vacation just for me and DH at least once a year (hopefully a few quick get-aways too). Your suggestions just gave me some wonderful ideas. Thanks a million!
Delight yourself in The Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart!Ps 37
[quote="DaughterRhonda"]What an awesome thread Pastor Bumble (lol!!!). This is so helpful. We want to incorporate a family vacation and a vacation just for me and DH at least once a year (hopefully a few quick get-aways too). Your suggestions just gave me some wonderful ideas. Thanks a million!
[/quote]
Now thats good info!!!
I would also suggest that everyone consider Virginia: you have VA Beach and Williamsburg. Both are great. and williamsburg has Bush Gardens which is soooo much fun.
We plan on heading there next month!
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There's also Wisconsin Dells. It's a city full of water and amusement parks. I recommend the Kalahari Resort for families (there's also one in Ohio). They have a huge indoor waterpark so it's a good year-round retreat. For couples I like the Chula Vista resort. They have all-inclusive packages there as well. Both resorts also have spas.
There's also a private island in Michigan that can be rented - and the price is not bad at all: [url]http://www.island-for-rent.com/island-for-rent.php[/url]. I think its $600 for a week's rental. For a private island I don't think that's bad!
2BMrsPotts and Future MrsKeep Up, those are great suggestions as well. I am so excited. I have just started a vacation folder. Thanks for the great ideas!
Delight yourself in The Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart!Ps 37
[quote="Bumblebeekee"]New York
1. I don't know much but here are some sites with the different beaches NY state has to offer....Enjoy northerners...I hear the Hamptons are celebs favorite summer haunts[/quote]
The Hamptons is a place that i frequent 1 weekend every summer. and I love it. It is a well known celeb spot although I have never run into any. But my mom on the other hand saw usher in a baby blue drop top benz. Man was I jealous.
[quote="Ginoue"]Being a Florida girl myself, I could always find something to do that won't cost me too much money. Bumble is so right. I love the Florida keys and visiting Hemingway's home. I love Miami and visiting the Viscaya ~wonderful mansion, I love Ft Lauderdale ~ can someone say "Sawgrass Mills" HEYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! I love Palm Beach ~ my home town where everywhere you turn has a bridge and huge bodies of water. I love North Palm Beach ~ FH loves to golf. I LOVE FLORIDA!!!!! Don't even get me started on St. Augustine, Cape Canaveral and Disney, Disnery is not just for kids anymore!!! And I absolutely love Amelia Island.
That was my 2 cents into loving Florida!!!
[/quote]
My first job when I turned 16 was at Sawgrass Mills!
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Bumble. What an awesome post. You did it again. I just love that they are US destinations. No Passport required. People travel from all over the world to honeymoon in the US. We need to take advantage of the fact we can get to anywhere in the US in under 3 hours by plane!
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Thanks everyone. I got the idea when I was posting somewhere else and one of the vibrides mentioned vacationing in the US and saving money. I also was inspired even more when I saw that many vibrides did do this including myself....Some visited the Poconos, Florida Beaches, and I wanted to also see what locations are available near the vibrides....You all are just inspiring!
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Bump for shaz!
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LOL Most places you listed we have already visited. Even though we both have been to Cali I was thinking about Napa Valley or Sonoma Valley.
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[quote="Shy41208"]Sometimes people dont realize that you dont have to go so far away from home to have an enjoyable time. I know I dont, just give me a 2 or 3 days without the kids and I am having a ball! lol.
Me and my DH went to the Poconos, PA for a short honeymoon. It was inexpensive, a nice drive away from home and very romantic. We went to a couples resort, Caesars Poconos Resorts, they have 4 different locations out there. Even though we went during the between weather(they werent sure of the weather, so alot of the activities were not up). they have indoor and outdoor sports, celebrity performances, comedy shows, bands, photographers everywhere, game shows that you are apart of, horse back riding, horse and carriage rides, and many different choices of suites. during the winter you can go skiing, in the hot weather there is jet skiing. We plan to go back during the summer. this is their website
wwww.caesarspoconosresorts.com
[/quote]
I checked out that website and let me just say I'm impressed! I am really thinking about going here for our next anniversary. This is a great post...I'm going to look into some of the other suggestions these ladies have posted on.....great post!
we are going back for ours but to one of the other locations. At first DH didnt wanna go there because when he thinks of honeymoon, he thinks you have to go to an island or something but when we got there, he loved it.
I know! My DH thinks that if its not a popular island its not worth going but he doesn't realize you can find some nice areas even on these popular places that are fun and very very inexpensive....I found a nice bed and breakfast on the OTHER side of Mexico, south of Alcupoco that is nice...It would have costed us less than 100/night and it includes a full kitchen and everything...Yes its in the city and the beach is about 15 minutes away, but we could have rented a car or scooter with the savings....Plus being in the city you get the non-tourist view of Mexico...Plus the non-tourist prices....Sometimes I AM interested in being pampered but I don't think that foriegn hotels no matter how much you spend don't compare to the US!...there are 300+/night hotels overseas but the service and quality amount to what we pay for a 39.99 night motel...And sometimes even those are better. At a luxury resort in South FL you can pay about 189.00 night, but that includes your valet, spa services, most meals, and delicious restauraunts at a great price are within walking distances, as is the beach...You get a beach or beautiful garden view, there is boating, golf, and you don't have to worry if you can handle the food, or if its good, or whatever.....For a 6 hour drive south of where I live it was like being in another world...But NOOOOo DH insists he must travel outside this country to some beach place to feel on vacation...I have already prices these things and we are looking at about 2500 round trip including hotels...On the cheaper end! He doesn't know this yet, but he will! Stay tuned while we plan this vacation next year!
All I can say is if you are trying to save money: USA USA USA...FL FL FL!
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BUMP!
Anyone modifying plans for their honeymoon?
I have decided not to participate in this recession, so DH and I are going to go to the Bahamas for his 30th birthday in May. After searching for vacations since September, we found a great deal with the Breezes Resort in the Bahamas. It was for a 4th night free if you pay for 3 nights. We had to pay a deposit by January 31st, and its all-inclusive of course. We paid a total of 700.00 per person for 5 days/4 nights including round-trip airfare from Orlando (1 hr flight-yay!)....With the savings he decided to pay for his parents to come with. They needed a vacation badly, so its now a family trip too. We paid the balance 2 weeks ago so now its official.
I think the time we put in looking for deals really helped. Don't exclude a trip in the US too.
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FH and I are going for a small road trip from Miami Beach through the Florida Keys for our honeymoon. We are on a budget at this point, so I went digging for some "off the beaten path" ideas and found this:
[i]1)[/i][u]Go bridge-jumping in Sugarloaf Key during the day![/u]
[img]http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/14/aa/ff/mom-take-me-take-me-take.jpg[/img]
[img]http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/14/ab/01/hanging-out-in-the-water.jpg[/img]
[i][/i]
[i]Drive up US-1to a little past MM17; turn right onto Sugarloaf Blvd (Sugarloaf Shores housing development); follow road straight back until it takes a sharp right - look left you will see a yellow fence; Park - lock your car - go through yellow fence (yes its legal - walk to bridge - water is about 16 - 18 feet (check water level - should be about 1-2 feet below flat rocks) - Local kids will be jumping already! [/i]
[i]
Distance from Key West - 18 miles
Transportation by car - less than a gallon of gas - $3.77
Water Shoes - $5.99
Sunblock - $3.99
Look on your face when jumping - HILARIOUS!!![/i]
This article is about a year old, I'll ask around to see if there has been any changes before I go, but I'm really looking forward to doing this.
We didnt do the bridge jumping because I forgot the directions to this place in Sugarloaf, but we had sooo much fun anyway in Key West. We enjoyed ourselves more there than at Miami Beach. I'm just sorry that we didn't take as many pictures as I wanted.
Hubby bike riding around the island:
[img]http://i43.tinypic.com/2lj4bdg.jpg[/img]
Watching the sun going down once we reached a pier:
[img]http://i41.tinypic.com/4v4l6r.jpg[/img]
I love where we stayed. It was on the quiet side of the island and was called the Coconut Mallory Resort and Marina.
Our view outside the front door:
[img]http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/26/f0/51/the-view-outside-of-the.jpg[/img]
the living area
[img]http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/26/f0/52/the-living-room.jpg[/img]
Stairway leading up to the bungalow:
[img]http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/26/f0/4f/stairway-leading-up-to.jpg[/img]
Looks like you all are having some fun! Its definitely a great way to vacate and save $$$.
Right now we got our Bahamas vacation for about 700.00 pp at the Breezes-Its all inclusive and it includes our flight. Its not the Atlantis, but I am still looking forward to the break. This is a good time to take advantage of deals because they REALLY need the business, so they are dropping prices. Plus our deal included a 4th night free so we saved about 300.00.
Deepak Chopra (Motivational Speaker) said on GMA a few weeks ago that for many of us who DO save our $$ we can help stimulate the economy by taking advantage of these deep discounts and reward ourselves accordingly!....We will...We will!
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