Suggestion for the Caribbean

Hi,

We are getting married in August and were thinking of maybe some island in the Caribbean for our honeymoon. We dont really mind which, but would like a honeymoon (probably around 3 weeks long) where we could relax on the beach for the first 7-10 days, and then go sight seeing or something more active for the next week or so. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to go, or also, what would be the best travel agent to go looking for advice on this.

Any help gratefully received

Tobago for the first week, then a 20 minute flight over to Trinidad for the next 2 weeks.
Plenty to do in Trinidad. Check out Coco's Hut on the North coast; run by Freddie Zolner the Krazy Kraut; he was extending the small hotel he had there the last time we were over but don't know whether completed or not. Can't put my hands on a website at the moment but will try to find one for you.

Be aware that August is the hurricane season in the Caribbean BUT Trinidad & Tobago has not had one for over 70 years.

Hi,

You may find something useful in these previous threads on Caribbean hols.

Why the Caribbean? It's an awful long flight. Why not somewhere cheap & cheerful in Europe? You'll probably end up sleeping for most of the day as you recover from the stresses of the wedding (if you're like us).

Thanks for the replies. Good point Rainy Day, kind of wanted to go somewhere where we wouldn't probably go again though, and seeing as Europe is so accesible now, we said we'd try somewhere different.

Have no set ideas, and just came up with the Caribbean out of the blue. If anyone can suggest different feel free! Thought it might be nice there though

I would recommand in the carribean, Martinique or Guadeloupe, these two islands are French department therefore the EUR is the local currency and you are covered by the European Heath card as well. Both islands are magnificient, there is plenty to visit and see. You can fly there with Aer France from either Dublin or Cork via Paris. Really worth it.

We were in St Lucia some years ago and weren't very impressed - a few hotels set in banana plantations. Very little to do except beach/pool. Abject poverty everwhere outside the hotel, tin huts etc. Constantly pestered on the beach by locals selling sun hats,sun screen and the like. Very long flight and August is the wet season. Dubai the following year was an infinitely nicer spot imo. - fab weather and much more to see and do and a much shorter flight ! To be honest though 3 weeks is a long holiday imo - I would consider the States for that duration where there is an awful lot to see/do and you can get the good weather and beaches too.

Yeah I was thinking 3 weeks may be a bit long and will probably reduce it to around two weeks, plus it will help on the budget a bit!

I asked a friend of mine who works for Gohop.ie on the August situation. Firstly she mentioned that you should avoid the Islands that are in the Hurricane belt like Cuba/Domincan Republic/Antigua etc for that time. So you should maybe look at doing a two centre Holiday in the Dutch Antilles (Aruba & Curacou) which are the southernmost set of Caribbean Islands. One week in Aruba and the second week in Curacou. Prices will vary depending on your budget and the accommodation you wish to book. You can her a shout on 01-2412310 and her name is Mary Dargan They have a holiday listed for Aruba as follows albeit for March.. [broken link removed]

Aruba is among the most southern of the Dutch Lesser Antilles islands and is the farthest west of that group. It is a mere 15 miles (24 km) from the coast of Venezuela. On a clear day the Venezuelan mainland is visible from the South-Eastern coast. Aruba’s attractions include miles of beaches, to start with, some quiet and smooth and others with stiff winds and a choppy surf, as well as first-class resorts, gambling casinos, shopping, and dozens of opportunities for fine dining. The visitor looking for glamour, glitz, fine beaches, and plenty to do, choose Aruba.

Curacou : There's more than enough to see and do in this large, lively island that has for centuries been a major cultural and trading crossroads. When you hear salsa and merengue on the buses and glimpse the Latin style and verve of the islanders, you'll know you're not very far from South America. Neither, culturally, will you be that far from the Old World. The Dutch merchants who colonised the island and built the capital, Willemstad, had the brightly-coloured houses and warehouses designed to remind them of their homes in Amsterdam.

Sunbathers will find 38 popular beaches, from large strands to secluded sun-traps cut into the rocks on the craggy coast, while the Curaçao Underwater Park is a haven for divers and snorkellers - a 12-mile (19km) reef with coral beds, walls and shallow wrecks. Watersports such as fishing, windsurfing and water-skiing are major island activities, as is golf. For exciting after-dark entertainment, there are smart casinos, discos and dozens of restaurants offering Caribbean and international cuisines. Curaçao is an island of salsa, jazz and tumba - a local specialty.

Best of luck

What about a caribbean cruise. We spent a week in Floriday first then spent seven days on a western caribbean cruise.

We would go again in a flash if we get a chance. The cruise was absolutely brilliant. You get to see lots of Islands and the service and food on the cruise was 5 star.

We went to Venezuela on our honeymoon a couple of years ago. Went Tretkking up the andies, in a canoe up to Angel falls, done some camping and then went to Isla La Margarita Island off the coast of Venezuela and stayed in a fantastic all inclusive resort that had a golf course. We paid 50 us dollars a night each and that included all meals, drinks, entertainment and free golf on the 18 hole golf course....

Here's the hotel....you can fly directly to Isla Margarita from the UK:

[broken link removed]

(rates have increased since we were there)

Thanks for all the replies guys. Very helpful. What type of money did any of you pay for a 2 week holiday. Just wondering how much it should cost in total for two weeks for 2.

Thanks again

What dates will you be travelling to the Caribbean..

Leaving Ireland on the 5th or 6th August for two weeks

Have a look at Barbados.........fantastic Island. Or what about British Virgin Islands? If you are into boats its the best for sailing. You could take a yacht for a couple of days which has a crew of 2. Check out Moorings website. You only go on Honeymoon once so be a bit adventurous!

daithid2000.
August is not a good time to go to the caribbean.
Bonvoyage123's advice is spot on.These are the best options for the caribbean for that time of year.
Im sure there are a multitude of place around europe that time of year but for a honeymoon I assume you would like somewhere exclusive. Check a few exclusive holiday brochures, kuoni,hayes & jarvis,BA Travel..etc they will give you some ideas. Some also feature the caribbean.
Finally, if you can afford it and it is the perfect time of year to go , the top end of Australia. Anywhere above Brisbane.Any of the Whitsunday Island would be nice to say the least.Now is the ideal time to check out the brochures, read them compare them for the best deal.

Best of luck and let us know what you eventually decided.

Port Douglas in North Queensland is great and within a shortish drive of Cairns. BUT a flight to oz is a helluva lot longer than going to the Caribbean. ( 20 + hours against 8 hours to Trinidad) Okay if you stop off in Singapore/Thailand/Hongkong or wherever on the way there and back, the journey there can be part of the holiday, but there is no way that I would fly to Oz in one stretch.

Thanks guys for all the advice. Am being turned off the Caribbean now, as dont want to risk running into any hurricanes. Am at a loss where to go now. Want guaranteed sunshine ( I know nowhere can be guaranteed, but want a very very good chance of it) and also some place with a bit of stuff to see. Oz is too far away. We were thinking of Thailand, but am wary about the rainy season.

Suggestions greatly welcomed

Egypt, the weather will be nice

Security in Egypt is a bit iffy unless your name is T. Blair and you are protected by half the Egyptian army.

Daithid2000, You wouldn't have much risk of a hurricane in Trinidad & Tobago. We were there for 2 years and only had one period of a day with strong winds. There was the slight earthquake od course......