^Kekoa, I'm not sure I would recommend Buenos Aires in terms of safety. I had a friend who just studied abroad there and even though he's a big, scary guy, he said it was kind of sketchy. If she's looking for somewhere she can wander around by herself and feel very safe, it may not be the place to go. Certain parts are perfectly fine, I think, but he said it was one of those places where you really had to know which neighborhoods were okay and which ones you should stay away from.

YumYumDoughnut, you should definitely go to the Turks and Caicos! I went there last January with my boyfriend and it's absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Very romantic, good food, the most gorgeous beaches I've ever seen, lots of stuff to do. It was absolutely idyllic. And if you're looking for somewhere you can swim, definitely go to the Turks. It felt like summer there, we went swimming and snorkeling every day. It was such a great break from winter weather. I highly recommend the Turks, some of my favorite memories with my boyfriend are from that trip. I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could.

If you want warm weather, I'd suggest Turks and Caicos. Beautiful, safe, very relaxing. When I was there, I stayed at the Royal West Indies. My parents have stayed there three times. It was awesome. You do have to drive on the "other" side of the road there, but at least it's a safe place where you can leave the resort. I've been to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico (2x), and I wouldn't really suggest leaving the resorts, especially alone. Then again, I don't suggest you go strolling anywhere alone. Especially if you're looking like a prostitute.

Aruba and Grand Cayman are also supposed to be beautiful.

New Orleans is a great town to visit! I haven't been since before Katrina, but I hear the French Quarter is pretty much intact. If you go in January, everyone will be gearing up for Mardi Gras. You'll get the flavor of Mardi Gras but the parades don't start til February 4.

www.mardigrasneworleans.com

kk~

Mardi Gras isn't til February 21st. In (the beginning of) January they'll be celebrating the Sugar Bowl and the home team playing in the BCS National Championship. That said, it's not warm in Louisiana right now, or in January. But it is the best place it the world, so...

Yeah, I want to stay close to home ( like in the United States) but I am willing to consider areas around the USA. Not just on the clear across side of the world like my bf suggested (Australia)

I have been to Hawaii 3 times, but I have always gone in March and it has been too cold for me to swim. I am thinking that the weather is going to be cold in January.

I am writing down each ones suggestions to share with my bf in the next few days. I am starting to drool over some of the suggestions like crazy!

Question for you guys about the water. Is the water usually safe to drink at these resorts? I made the mistake once with having ice cubes in my coke. I was sick for days after!

Where on earth did you go in Hawaii where it was too cold to swim? The temperature variation between summer and winter is minimal. I lived there for 3 years, swimming/surfing 1-3 times a week that entire time, on multiple parts of the island (and more than one island).

Yeah Australia would definitely be a no, you'd be looking at $2-3k for flights each, so on a budget of $5000 it's not really worth it. However for future reference, it takes two days to get to Australia, but you gain a day going back, so it cancels out in the end anyway. (I did Australia to LA and back last year)

As for the Mexico haters, *shrug*. It's your loss!

Kekoa, it was like 60 degrees when I went to Hawaii. That is the temperature of where I live in the Winter. I was hoping to get to warm swimming weather that is maybe like 85+. I was on the Island of Oahu all 3 times.

You said before that you would like to "explore", relax and go out at night. I don't know if I would recommend an island resort for all of those things. There really won't be exploring, unless you want to pay money for a long cab ride into the cities. So if you decide on a resort like that find out ahead of time if you can prepay for any adventures (scuba diving, bus tours, etc). I still think that a short cruise is the best bet. You can relax on the boat at the pool, you can go into the might clubs/casino on the ship (or out in the city if you are docked over night), and you can explore and go on excursions when you get to a port. Go the link I gave earlier for last minute deal vacations, in regards to staying close to the US I would recommend one that takes you to the Bahamas, Jamaica (which would probably include a stop in the Caymans) or the Virgin Islands. The typical length of those cruises are how I listed them Bahamas being the shortest. For any of those the easiest place to leave would probably be out of Miami/Ft Lauderdale, so you could even spend a day/night there before and after the cruise to vary your vacation a little.

I am doing a Bahamas cruise in late February, I never thought I would be interested in visiting but now I am excited. Jamaica is really beautiful, so are the Virgin Islands with the added bonus of being really cultural.

Strange, in the whole time I lived there, it got down in the lower 60's a few times. The water in Hawaii isn't warm, which often surprised people, but it's never been cold for an extended period of time. What bad luck!

Playa del Carmen in Mexico!
I went there in an all-inclusive resort and it was great. There are a lot of clubs so it was fun to go out each night to a different club. The water is beautiful also and you can do lots of activities. The hotels were all beautiful but we stayed at Gran Porto Real. There is also a public beach and there is a lot of things going on there during the day. Usually a live dj and a dancefloor on the beach.

All inclusive is fun if you wanna party (free alcohol!) or relax (beach or pool all day!)

We even had a spa, a game room with pool tables, babyfoot, etc.

Lots of restaurant (sushi bar, 24h snack bar, mexican restaurant, italian restaurant, buffet, etc.)

For a week, you don't have MUCH time to visit so I find resorts are perfect.

That sums it up for me:
drinks, fun and beach

My vote is for French Polynesia. Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Moorea are exquisite.

Have you ever seen the movie Couples' Retreat? It was filmed in this area.

My husband and I were married in Las Vegas and we loved it. Plenty to see and do. You also won't be out of place regardless of what you wear (although it's always fun to get all dolled up!)

My husband and I honeymooned in Las Vegas on a budget, and we still felt pampered! With the money you'd save in travel for staying so close to home, you could really go all-out with accommodations and dining. We ate at the rotating restaurant on top of the Stratosphere, and it was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip (and our FABULOUS waiter seemed to be exclusive to our table for some reason and treated us like royalty). You can also take day trips out to the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam, or even rent a car and visit a "chicken ranch" if you're feeling risque (they have tours on certain days for the public sometimes, so it's not like you have to go specifically to 'party').

I've had friends stay in Belize and they say it's amazing, beautiful, and safe, and the beaches are to die for. Also, since the official language is English there's hardly any language barrier.

We decided to do a super short trip to Vegas. We want to go to Hawaii when the weather is actually warmer.

Plus, I get to visit Dust2dust and she is going to show us all the local spots.

I will revisit this thread next year for vacation ideas!

I know you've already vetoed Mexico - but for the record, I'd like to jump on the "dont stereotype" bandwagon. For what its worth, I spend a good chunk of my time working down there... and while in certain areas, it is dangerous... in a great number of places, it is incredible and safe. One of the most warming, welcoming cultures as well. (And, not that it matters, but in my job, I too am in contact with gvt people from their side, and ours - as well as very intensively getting to knwo the people within the communities. The media can paint an ugly picture - and what is transmitted here to the USA is very agenda-oriented)

That said, the islands are beautiful. If you are going to the Bahamas, check out the different islands depending on the experience you want. All have a very different culture (some are more low key, others are known for their resorts/parties, others yet for the culture) Bermuda is also beautiful. Close. Easily accessible - but pricey (and small).

Jamaica and other islands there are beautiful from what I've heard - but generally travelers are advised to not go beyond the resorts themselves.

Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica I've also heard to be amazing. Same with St. Lucia! I know residents of all these places, but have never been there myself.

One place that I'd love to go that may be an option for you is Curacao. I know a few people from there, I know plenty who have visited. All have nothing but amazing things to say. Safe, tourist friendly, but also totally unique in language and culture. Might be a place you'd consider?

Hope that helps! Have fun! Regardless of where you go - what an awesome chance to relax and enjoy one another's company

I'm so jealous! I love Vegas. Maybe I should start planning a trip back there...

mandakp wrote:

Dancing_EMT wrote:



Also, my husband says stay out of Mexico at all costs, it's not a safe place to be.

Actually, that just depends on where you go in Mexico. My sister and I went on a trip there in January for 2 weeks, and it was amazing. We spent most of the time just wandering around the towns, which were beautiful. It was one of the safest places I have ever been to. Obviously if you go to Tijuana you're just asking for it, but please don't stereotype Mexico, because I had an amazing trip there and would definitely recommend it!

I agree with not sterotyping a country but January was a year ago and a lot has changed since then. It's definitely not the safest place to travel, especially if you are planning to go outside of a resort