Honeymoon location for young 20s couple

crb2013

So my grandma has a timeshare with RCI in Aruba, but she can trade it for one basically anywhere in the world, literally. The thing is, she has to put the request in literally years in advance. As a wedding gift, she's going to give us one week of her timeshare, wherever we want, for our honeymoon. It can be Aruba, or it can pretty much be anywhere else we want. But, we have to decide soon, like by Easter preferably. I never thought it would be so hard to have someone say to you, "Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the world?" But we honestly cannot decide. So, any suggestions on where a young, early twenties couple should go on their honeymoon?

strlzfan11

Well I think you have a couple things to consider in making this decision:

a) what is your budget for airfare, excursions, and other miscellaneous expenses?

b) what options do you have available to you?

Once you figure those things out, you should be able to weed out a few places.  If you still can't decide, each of you pick your top three, throw them in a hat, and then pick one.

Sue-n-Kevin

In addition to the above suggestions, I'd also recommend thinking about what you like to do? Do you want hiking, biking, mountain climbing, or beach sitting with umbrella drinks? Do you like history, want to be near a small town, large town, etc.

Once you think all of this over, I think you will you can do a search online.......also, try www.budgettravel.com, they have a lot of suggestions.

crb2013

Well the unit will be all-inclusive so as far as food, drinks, etc. we're not really worried about that. And my mother offered to cover the airfare roundtrip, so that is also not a concern.

There are so many places in the world I want to visit but one thing I have always wanted for my honeymoon is to just be able to relax on the beach somewhere.

But I do like exploring through like tiny towns and seeing some of the local sights, but mostly I think we're looking for a beach.

MrsGandthebeag

Having come back from Cancun recently, I'd highly recommend it.  While we were there we went to a time share presentation on RCI.  So, I believe you could stay at the resort we went to which was the Sun Palace.  Anyway, the beach was great, the water beautiful and you can go on a few different excursions.  There are also clubs on the strip if that's your thing.  

Tandra&Devin

I love to travel and would go anywhere if I could afford it, but since my FI hates PA winters and wants to do nothing but sit around or rent some big-boy toys (aka jet skis), we decided on Cancun.  I've never been anywhere overseas except England, but Cancun looks great.  We chose a timeshare week (also given to us by my grandmother, lol) at the Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort. 

Starfish0116

I would just take into consideration what types of things you like to do. Since it seems that airfare and meals/drinks aren't a concern, just think about how much you'd like to spend on your activities.

For me, If I could go and have my accommodations taken care of I'd say Hawaii. BUT, I probably wouldn't do it in your case because if I'm making the trip out there from the East Coast I want to go for at least two weeks. That wouldn't work with a one week time share.

I would get on the RCI website and look at some of the places offered. There will options everywhere, but one thing I've learned with time share properties is that they aren't all nice and luxurious. My aunt has two, and one year I planned a trip and the place we ended up was a DUMP through her RCI time share. There were nice properties, but because we booked last minute they were all booked up.

strlzfan11

If your mom is covering the airfare (and you know this for sure), I'd suggest you ask her what her budget for airfare is so that you can look at ticket prices for where you're considering only plugging in this year's dates. 

If she hasn't actually offered the airfare, I'd take a look at my finances and see how much you could put away each month between now and then so that you an idea for what you can spend between travel, excursions and anything else the all-inclusive option might not cover (because it most likely won't cover everything).

Another thing to consider is, which PPs have suggested: do you want to sit around and relax a lot, do you want a lot of activity, or do you want a mix of both?

arrestclementine

Also... what time of the year are you planning to take your honeymoon?  As much as I LOVE Cancun (we've been there three times during spring break).  I'm not sure that I would want to go to Cancun during spring break for my HM.  But maybe that's me?  I mean we LOVE to hang out with other people and have fun and are crazy and all that.. but spring break in cancun is a WHOLE other level.  Just my opinion though.

hz80408

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_honeymoon-location-for-young-20s-couple?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:b8b10414-b84c-4703-a440-6d59fba08257Post:94e257d6-3650-499b-b9cb-e422751774d5">Re: Honeymoon location for young 20s couple</a>:
[QUOTE]Well the unit will be all-inclusive so as far as food, drinks, etc. we're not really worried about that. And my mother offered to cover the airfare roundtrip, so that is also not a concern. There are so many places in the world I want to visit but one thing I have always wanted for my honeymoon is to just be able to relax on the beach somewhere. But I do like exploring through like tiny towns and seeing some of the local sights, but mostly I think we're looking for a beach.
Posted by crb2013[/QUOTE]

So you're limited to somewhere that has all-inclusives and a beach; what time of year?

crb2013

Well it'd be late June / early July.
I've been contemplating a bit about St. Lucia, does anyone know anything about it?

Jells2dot0

FYI- not every timeshare is all inclusive. You'll only be limited to those properties that offer that option and unfortunately that is not anywhere in the world. you are pretty much limited to Aruba, St. Lucia, the Domincian Republic, and Mexico.

Jen6862

Have you done Aruba? I've heard good things about how fun/great it is--and I think they have some of the best weather because of their location. My other choice would be St. Lucia.

Good luck!