Help us decide where to go for our 15th Wedding Anniversary!!!

[dtuleya]

DH and I are "kicking around" the idea of going away this summer since we'll be married 15 years on September 10. Here's what we're thinking. I work 9 months a year for our local school district. I only get 2 personal days a year and I'd like to be able to save this coming years for the 2004-2005 school year because we might be taking a trip with DH's work then. That means we will have to take our trip before the beginning of the 2003-04 school year starts. School starts on August 25. We will be going to Myrtle Beach on our family vacation August 2-9. We'd have to squeeze in our trip between the 11th and 24th of August if we're able to do it. We also are going to Williamsburg with our two DS in June the month of July is out due to summer camps and other plans.

IF we're able to swing it, I'll probably try to do it on a budget and book throught Priceline. We're thinking of a 2 or 3 night stay at one of the following places with possible places we'd be able to book through Priceline that are listed on Biddingfortravel.com)

**Key Largo (Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort or Westin Beach Resort Key Largo)

**Key West (Wyndham Casa Marina Resort or Wyndhan Reach Key West Resort)

**Cancun (Sheraton Cancun Resort & Towers, Marriot Casa Magna, Westin Regina Resort, Hilton Cancun Beach and Golf Resort, Omni Cancun Hotel & Villas)

We probably will just relax on the beach/by the pool and chill. I'd love to hear from anyone with any experiences or any recommendations for other areas to visit on the Atlantic/Gulf that would get us a big bang for our buck! TIA!

 

[Pebblszzz]

Unless you've been there before and enjoyed it, I wouldn't recommend Cancun. I went there when I was in my 30's, and felt like a complete OLD FART!!!

It was loud, full of young party-animals.

Key Largo - Nahhhh, if you're gonna do the Keys, do Key West.

Personally? Bahamas is inexpensive. But don't go to Nassau, too crowded. Port Lucaya is a nice romantic spot for honeymooners and those celebrating their love for however many years.

If it were me, I'd contact the Princess Casino and find out about their "Casino Junket" flights - they used to have flights from ANYWHERE for $99. Otherwise, fly into Miami and take the Sea Escape or Discovery Cruise Ship (about 6 hour cruise time) to Freeport. Another alternative is to fly into Orlando, get yourselves to Cape Canaveral and take the "Hydro-foil" (fast boat) to Freeport.

If I wanted to hang out on a romantic beach, and cost was an issue, I would most certainly visit Freeport/Port Lucaya. There are many deserted beaches (WAY ROMANTIC) that Taxi Drivers know about. And if you rent a car, remember - DRIVE ON THE LEFT.

Have fun, and let us know what you decide!

(can ya tell I used to live in Freeport?)

 

[dtuleya]

Where is the Princess Casino? I did a search and couldn't find anything.

 

[Pebblszzz]

One Linky-dinky: http://www.fortmyers.com/../Turks/crbbprc.htm

Two Linky-dinky: http://atomiclink.com/findhotelink.cfm/_11259637

Three Linky-dinky: http://www.jmtravel.com/grand.htm

The 3rd link has links to Lucaya hotels, also. I'd stay in Port Lucaya if I were going...but Princess isn't far from Lucaya.

If memory serves, the entire island is like 3 miles wide by 17 miles long. Doesn't take but a few minutes to get ANYWHERE.

Have fun!

 

[dtuleya]

I know what I wanted to also ask. When is hurrican season? If we decide to wait and go in October, will the weather still be wonderful?

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by Pebblszzz

Personally? Bahamas is inexpensive. But don't go to Nassau, too crowded.

Just what I wanted to hear! We're going there, for our 25th anniversary, in July! Exactly, how crowded is too crowded?

 

[*Flower*]

Hurricane season starts on June 1 and ends on November 30.

I hope that this helps with your decision........

 

[Zurg]

Cancun was ok but not great IMHO. I don't like bargening for stuff that is no bargen.

Also almost every bag on our return flight had been broken into, ours looked so crappy I thnk they let it go.

I am sure we'll end up as WDW. I hear Old Key West in nice. LOL

 

[bsnyder]

Denise,

If you're looking for a great value, check out the Hyatt Coconut Point Resort. It's listed on biddingfortravel.com under South/Central Beaches in Florida.

It's a gorgeous resort that's only been opened about a year or so. It's not right on the beach, but it's on Estido (sp?) Bay in Bonita Springs, about 30 minutes north of Naples. My DH and I spent our 10th wedding anniversary there last October and we loved it. Our nightly rate was $70.00 but that was for a holiday weekend. I've seen others post winning priceline bids for this hotel as low as $55.00 a night, which is an unbelievable bargain for the quality of this resort!

There's also a hotel review listed on biddingfortravel.com that will give you more details about the resort.

Just pm me if you are interested in this and have any questions!

Have fun planning!

 

[Pebblszzz]

to answer the "how crowded is too crowded?" question about Nassau:

It's not crowded with people, necessarily - just very populated, and not much "natural" stuff.

I prefer Freeport for it's natural beauty, whereas Nassau is all buildings, shops, cars, etc...not much beach. I've not explored the entire island, so I'm no expert on Nassau. Maybe there are some nice deserted areas there, too.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by Pebblszzz

, whereas Nassau is all buildings, shops, cars, etc...not much beach.

That's good...my DH HATES the beach! LOL I'm going for the beach...he's going for the casino!