Getaway Trip Help

[imhammer]

Tina has been working hard for the last year and a half trying to get finished with school and even took classes all summer. We didn't get a vacation since she went to school all the way through, so I am thinking about surprising her with a trip for our anniversary in December after she gets out but before the kids get out. I have my sister all set up to stay at my house and watch the kids.
I was hoping to get some advice on where to go to just hang out, relax and have a little fun. I was thinking Hawaii (she has always wanted to go there), All inclusive to the Caribbean, a nice cruise etc.
If anyone on the board knows a good travel agent that could help that may be an option also. There is just so much out there on the internet that it is overwhelming and you never know what is on the up and up.
Remember, this is not a fishing trip for me but a nice getaway for US!
Thanks,

[Gilbert]

go on a cruise. you can't beat a 5 or 7 day out of galveston.

[Robalo]

Chip:

Very reasonable and nice-check out Akumalvacations.com. Look at the condo rentals. American owned condos on beach, fly into Cancun-take cheapest flight you can find, rent a car thru Avis (here you make the reservations, not there) for a week, 2 hour drive from Cancun on decent hiway, beautiful beaches, ruins to visit, cenotes (underwater caves that open at the beach) fishing (cheap charters), no bunch of college kids around-quiet, secluded and not a big time tourist trap. Full kitchen, a/c, 30 yards off beach, snorkeling, swimming and romantic. Total cost around $2500 for 5-7 days including air, rent car but excluding food-ya stop in Playa Del Carmen at Walmart and load up on food/supplies, plus several restaurants in and around Akumal-fairly isolated. I can't stand Cancun, Cabo or many other "Resort" areas-just a bunch of tourist traps to me-I prefer seclusion, relaxation and playing-not a bunch of fat Germans in g-strings or college kids or 10 hours of flying.

[Robalo]

Correction to my post: The college girls are OK-especially the ones in skimpy bikinis or getting a total tan-but I'm old enough to be their dad-hmmm, thinkin Arkansas now... not sure why.....!!! Ohh...... I know!!

[Curmudgeon]

Akumal is extremely nice. We stayed in the Villas Mayas in a little bungalow. The toughest thing we faced was deciding which palapa we were going to lounge under.

[lurefisher]

All I got to say hammer is walker,thats where I would be

[imhammer]

Thanks for the info guys. I an a little worried about Mexico with all the issues down there right now. I have a friend that has a house in Cabo that I might be able to get. It is 2 miles off the coast in a gated community but I think I would rather be right on the water if I am going on a water oriented trip.
I am leaning toward an all inclusive trip. I don't want either of us yo have to do any cooking. Tina lives to eat do food is of the utmost importance.
The travel would be with it to her to go to Hawii also so that isn't a factor at this point.
Keep the ideas coming fellas!
Walker's place may be a little remote for Tina

[Oleander Kayaker]

Check out Costa Rica or Peru.
Plenty of spectrum in Peru for tours.
Costa Rica is becoming as touristy as Mexico and may be absorbing some of their business.
Belize has some nice spots (other than Belize City).

If I went on a Caribbean cruise I'd find one that stopped for awhile in Jamaica. A couple Galveston cruises stop there.

Oddly enough, Spain has some fair deals to.

Do you both have passports? It takes from 4-6 weeks to get them. 2 weeks for a renewal.

[imhammer]

I need to renew my passport but she has hers. Should have plenty of time to get it. Will be sending it off shortly.

[Reef Drifter]

Caymen Islands !!!!!!!!!!!! we took a cruise that went through there and the next year said the hell with the cruise and stayed all week in all inclusive at Caymen, favorite trip so far

[imhammer]

OK.....Looking at British Virgin Islands, Hawaii or maybe southern Europe at this point. Anyone have any experience with Hawaii? Looks pretty affordable and what she always talks about but Europe would be nice too.

[imhammer]

One of my friends talked to her and #1 on her list is Hawaii.....so Hawaii it is. Thinking about hitting a couple of islands. Anyone ever been island hopping over there. Any good or bad experiences? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,

[WestEndAngler]

Chip. Please call me. I am going to Costa Rica for the 3rd time next year. I have been to almost every major Island in the Caribbean. I have traveled to Hawaii as well. I'm glad I saw it but for the time it takes to get over there... There is water & islands just as beautiful with only a 3 hour plane ride from Houston.

Costa Rica, Caymans, BVI's, U.S.VI, Nevis, Aruba, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos are all some of my favorite places to visit.

[WestEndAngler]

One of my friends talked to her and #1 on her list is Hawaii.....so Hawaii it is. Thinking about hitting a couple of islands. Anyone ever been island hopping over there. Any good or bad experiences? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,

If your heart is set on Hawaii, go directly to Kauai or Maui. Make sure you hit both. Those two are favorite Islands in the Hawaiian chain.

I stopped by the Arizona but the boats were not running. Disappointed of course, I did see the grave from the air when we left the Island.

[Booyah Red]

Been to Hawaii, and I agree go to Maui or Kauai and relax on the beach. If you go to Maui take the road trip to Hauna, go to Safeway for snacks, drinks and a ice chest.