General Rant
 

Just thought I'd rant about my recent frustrations -- actually it may seem more like whining, but thought I'd do it anyways, just to release some steam and maybe get some opinions while I am at it.

So I am planning on getting married next year around the August timeframe, and I decided to see what I should do for a honeymoon. Being a workaholic and what-not, I rarely get to take a long time off work. But due to circumstances and the fact that I am getting married, I decided to take anywhere from 3-4 weeks off. I know that may not seem like much to others, but it is a long time for me to take off in one stretch.

Anyways, so I decided to look for spots to go to based on some criteria:
1. I should have never travelled to that destination before (eliminates all of Western Europe, some eastern Europe, India, Nepal, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, some parts of Mexico, USA, Canada).
2. It should be something exotic
3. I have to visit a nice (non-overcrowded, non-big city) beach resort (white sand, clear water) for a week or so (think Tahiti, Carribean etc.)
4. The rest of the weeks should be spent advenventuring -- I am fine if I stay in B&Bs, drive around in a rental and visit spots)
5. None of the weeks should be spent in anything under 15-20 degrees (celsius).
6. The final price of the trip should not be something outrageous (under 15k is OK).

(BTW, I live in Western USA).

My first idea was to go to Tahiti and New Zealand. This was perfect since a large number of flights to NZ stopover in Tahiti. However NZ is damn cold in August so that idea went out the window. I have considered Australia instead, but for some reason Australia does not seem exotic to me...not sure why.

South America is good, but then I dont know where to go for a beach resort.

Africa is good, but again the beach resort problem + I believe expenses climb rapidly.

Anyways, I am almost giving up on the idea that I can achieve all of the above and probably just going to settle on a 1 week vacation in one place like Tahiti...

Just thought I'd rant... :)

Gee, I saw the thread title and thought it would be about some military commander. I had this image in my head of "General Rant" shouting at "Major Complaint" ;)

Seriously, though, you should check out Bermuda. My wife and I went there for our honeymoon. It seems to meet your criteria, although we went in May...I don't know what August temps are like. We had the time of our life and can't wait to go back.

And congrats on getting hitched!

Can't really add much here but that it sounds like a match made in heaven.

:D

I was going to ask what the OP's fiance(e)'s ideas were on the subject, but I think you've nailed it! ;)

Costa Rica or Bali

1) Tanzania safari followed by Zanzibar

2) Sir Lanka - if you time it right you may be in Kandy for the Esala Perahera

3) Reunion & Mauritius

4) Egypt / Jordan / Israel (extremely hot & the beaches aren't much cop)

Malaysia (peninsular East Coast -- Tioman, Redang, Perhentians -- or Borneo) or Indonesia (Bali, Bali, Bali!) would seem to fit all your criteria. I'd also have suggested Okinawa, which is quite different from mainland Japan, but August isn't the best time of year to go unless you like pressure cookers with the occasional typhoon.

Morocco, hands down. http://web2.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301347.

Someone mentioned Jordan; Petra, in southern Jordan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra%2C_Jordan) has to be seen to be believed. The town of Wadi Mousa, a short walk from Petra, has at least one decent hotel (I stayed at the Movenpick and it was quite nice.) Allow no less than one full day (stay 2 nights) though I've been told that you can spend 5 days there and not see anything twice.

Enjoy!

How about Belize? There are great opportunities to combine adventure travel and a beach vacation. We're headed there for a delayed honeymoon in late January.

As already mentioned Costa Rica and Belize are good choices, as are Chile and Turkey! They would each pretty much satisfy all your requirements. Since you plan on 3-4 weeks and you like to explore, Bermuda (as someone else suggested) would most probably be too limiting.

... with Private Moment over in the corner just observing. :D

Wasn't General Rant the last Northern commander-in-chief during the U.S. Civil War?

I believe there is a colonel of truth here.

Rolling in Laughter.....
 

"Snippagio Grandioso"

I am overcome with delirious howls of mirth at the perspective of a grand Blivet....

Hey, guy, here at the moement before you enter a contractual attangement in which the only future selections which will be left to you may be the choice of boxers or briefs (and even that uncertain), in which the risk of great mistreatment, disdain by your in laws to be, freezing out of the connubial couch, and the sort of verbal harassment sure to reduce you to a quivering blob of bleeding flesh is immeasurably high if you tattoo indelibly upon your spouse to be any honeymoon choices without more than substantial prior consulation (or for any other "big decisions"), stop a moment before walking off a steep cliff....

Having both honeymooned and taken several second versions thereof, I can assure you your imagination has gotten ahead of your intellect (and capacity for rational thought).

Then there's the matter (unless you've been cohabiting for an extended period) of the connubial couch and adjustment to using the same toilet facilities (and exercise at its worst when conducted in semi-primitive conditions such as a hole in the floor, a bucket of water and a dipper as may be found in a few Sri Lankan and Malayasian resorts).

Luxury, an absence of insect life, pleny of hot water, and a chance for her to see a bit of the world she has not previously experienced ought to be your bywords. Given the season, I might opt for a small ship cruise to Northern Europe, as my favorite Med ports are often unsalubriously torrid in August. In any case , I'd bookend the trip wiith 2 nights in a apir of luxurious hotels, modest suites with tubs designed for mutual bathing/and find the soap submarine exercises....

The inevitable result of unavoidable activities during tropical beach front honeymoons is an ancient condition known as "Sandf in Crack", AKA "Itching & .....ing".

TMO

If I was your fiancee and I stumbled upon your thread I think I'd smack you. Not only are you thinking of just your self and where YOU'D like to go but hello! there is another person in the equation now and maybe you should think about where SHE wants to go. Mybe sitting on a beach in the middle of nowhere isn't her idea of fun. Maybe shopping in some (oh my!) European (!) city that SHE has never been to is what SHE would like to do. Give it up dude...there are two of you now.