OT - Romantic getaway advice

[deccan]

Ok, I need to think of a romantic getaway for the me and a girl around Christmas / New Year, for about a week or so. It can be anywhere in the world. I have a budget of a little over USD5,000 for this, which is quite a lot I should think. Any suggestions?

The girl suggested a Club Med, somewhere in Africa or South America. I've never been to Club Med before, but it seems to me that it mostly caters to an older population. We're both aged 27.

[ October 12, 2003, 10:38: Message edited by: deccan ]

[dogscoff]

Anywhere in the world, eh? Nice. Maybe it's just my northern-hemisphere upbringing but for Xmas and new Year's I'd suggest going somewhere that makes the most of cold weather rather than trying to escape to somewhere hot. But then I like winter, and I think if it's 'romantic' you're after then the colder the better (to a point- Antarctica/ Siberia would be a little extreme). Stomping in from the snow to a cozy pub with roaring log fire, huddling together for warmth around hot drinks in some grand olde hotel bar, watchig the Northern Lights from a frosty hillside etc etc etc.
:-) :-)

So then, how about Iceland. (I always wanted to go there.) It's an expensive country, but if you can afford it stay in that hotel that's carved entirely out of ice.

Failing that, how about Edinburgh, which is (apparently- I've never been there) a lovely city. Lots of culture, history, architecture etc, but also excellent nightlife for mid-late twenties like you and I. Excellent live comedy and music scenes if that's what floats your boat. Oh, and not forgetting that Scotland is *the* place to be for Hogmanay (Scottish New Year).

Or maybe ex-eastern bloc: Moscow is also supposed
to be fantastic, and I'm told Prague is (as yet) largely unspoiled by the tourist industry.

Man, now I'm wishing I could go to all those places. Still, can't moan, this time next week I'll be in Sri Lanka http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

[Thermodyne]

I think we need a little more info as to your idea of a Xmas getaway. Do you want warm beaches that cater to tourists? Warm out of the way beaches where your money has staying power and the people will leave you alone? Or perhaps you would like something where there will be some winter weather? Do you want lots of shopping or perhaps some gambling? IIRC, you live in the tropics? A cold weather spot could take longer than the time allotted just to adjust to the climate.

[Lord Chane]

Originally posted by deccan:
Ok, I need to think of a romantic getaway for the me and a girl around Christmas / New Year, for about a week or so. It can be anywhere in the world. I have a budget of a little over USD5,000 for this, which is quite a lot I should think. Any suggestions?

The girl suggested a Club Med, somewhere in Africa or South America. I've never been to Club Med before, but it seems to me that it mostly caters to an older population. We're both aged 27.<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">What does the lady in question like to do? Has she ever talked about a place she'd like to visit? What are her interests? Art, nature, wildlife, shopping, etc. If this is to be a romantic getaway, then you definitely want to go somewhere that she'll like, where there are activities that she'll be sure to enjoy. After nearly 30 years of being married I can assure you that if the lady isn't happy, then you won't be either. It's less important where you go than making sure you go somewhere and do something that'll make both of you happy.

[TerranC]

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/theme/

[primitive]

Re: Iceland
Nice country to visit in the summertime with great nightlife and great nature (especially if you like horses). But in wintertime it's not really that "Icy". Around new years eve you will probably have more rain than snow around Reykjavik.

And the Ice Hotel; It's in Sweden http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

What about Cuba. Some friends of mine was there for their honeymoon a couple of years ago and they loved it. Certainly something different.

Or climb a mountain. Equador have some nice, high and easily available peaks. Rest out afterwards on the Galapagos.

[deccan]

The lady appears to want a "get away from the world" kind of vacation. I'm currently checking out Club Med Mauritius.

[minipol]

How about Bruges. Can't get more romatic that this. It's a very nice city, lovely to strawl in. OK, i'm biased since i was born there but it's a very old city, lot's of nice restaurants, good beer, chocolats, waffels, ...
Other nice cities are within half an hour/an hour.

[Thermodyne]

Mullumbimby, New South Wales

Close to the sea, quaint, and you'll live like a king on 2 grand for a week.

[Karibu]

Lappland in Finland. It is a cold, dark and very beautiful place in winter. Lots of changes for all kind of winter sports. I know, I am a finn. I would recommend a trip in top of some fjeld and make a tent up there and fire. If night is clear, you can see totally clear milky way. Though if you don't like cold and little discomfort, that is not a place for you.

I mihgt go into Thailand or some place like that. Warm and beautiful.

[jimbob]

Are you from Solomon Islands, or currently living in Solomon Islands? This distinction could significantly alter my suggestions (unless 5,000 dollars is only a "ballpark" number)

[zen.]

On my list at least is Greece (wanna see the architecture!) and New Zealand (fell in love with the scenery watching Xena and Hercules).

zen

[tesco samoa]

Malta http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
Channel Islands
Casa del Mar Dominican republic.

Is get away from it all... Isolation or hang out at beach and get drunk every day ??

[ October 15, 2003, 20:29: Message edited by: tesco samoa ]

[deccan]

Originally posted by jimbob:
Are you from Solomon Islands, or currently living in Solomon Islands? This distinction could significantly alter my suggestions (unless 5,000 dollars is only a "ballpark" number)<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I am Malaysian and the trip would be departing from Malaysia / Singapore. I am currently living in the Solomon Islands but that doesn't matter. The Solomon Islands - Malaysia air ticket is covered by my company, not me. My budget is in US dollars.

[deccan]

In case anyone was wondering, I've decided on Club Med - La Pointe aux Cannonniers, Mauritius. The lady suggested a Club Med in South America or Africa, and since South America is just too far, well... Another selling point is that they speak French there. I speak French but lady doesn't but keeps telling me that she wants to learn, so...

At Club Med's all-inclusive package of 6 nights for less than USD1200 per person, it's well within my budget.

[ October 27, 2003, 10:36: Message edited by: deccan ]