March 18-31...where to vacation?

Mazeroth

My wife and I still haven't taken our honeymoon after getting married in December and she just found out the family she works for (she's a nanny, GOOD money) is taking a vacation from March 18-31. I talked to my boss at work and he said I could take that time off as well, so we're pretty excited.

With that, we're looking for suggestions on where to go? We were thinking about flying to Orlando, going to Disney for a few days then having our friends in Tampa pick us up, spend the night with them and renting a car in the morning. We would then spend two nights or so in the Florida Keys, then fly to Mexico for a week, most likely to Playa De Carmen. One thing we forgot about is how we'll need passports to get into Mexico and time is running out to do that. We can do the express passports but aren't those a ton of money?

Anywho. If you guys have any cool suggestions for a trip for us please let me know. It would be nice to be able to stay in the states to save money, but at the end of March the weather isn't so great in most places. Also, spring breakers will probably be out and about during the end of March and we'd like to avoid the partying college crowd.

Budget = Under $3000

Thanks!

bobman1235

Well here's a recent thread about Punta Cana (DR), which I've only heard great things about, and is pretty close and not obscenely expensive.

As for a fast passport, it's like 70 bucks to get a passport, and I think they throw another 60 on top of that for express (where you get it in like a week), plus you pay for any express shipping. Go here for a new passport, or here for a renewal (if you've had a valid passport in the past 15 years and still have it).

Shizelbs

You could do the Disney World thing for a while, and then do a cruise. I have always thought that cruises would make for good honeymoons. Lots of food, fun, booze, nice ports, seems like a winner to me.

Demiurge

Cruises are usually good times!

steveinaz

Easy.....

Vegas Baby!!!

Seriously, you will have a blast. Look at Plane ticket/hotel packages....you don't need a car in vegas, so skip a rental.

kingtut

Beautiful and sunny San Diego, CA. Daytime temp. is in the low to high 60's.

Mazeroth

Vegas is a no go. I'd like it, but she has no desire to go there.

As far as SoCal, what sort of activites are there to do there in mid-late March?

Willow

Until 2007 , For Dominican ...as far as I know you don't need a passport. We have ours, but there were kids on our flight who only brought picture ID. Just incase the stress of passport was to much at this time for you. (the above is true for Canadian citizens...not sure about US).
Mexico is known to be party time during spring break.
BTW- we booked our trip with extra insurance for about 3K cad. So for 3KUSD you should be fine.

billbillw

For $3k, I think you could find an all inclusive in the Carribean. All that traveling Orlando/Tampa/Keys, would eat up valuable time and add headaches. If its supposed to be your Honeymoon, make it a memorable location, and keep friends out of it. It should be just the two of you in a relaxing place.
As far as the Passport, I think you have enough time. The State department says within 6 weeks. When I got mine a couple years ago, it actaully came much quicker, like 2-3 weeks.
Jamaica and the Dominican Republic both have some excellent "all inclusives". My wife and I went to Couple Swept Away in Negril for our Honeymoon. I would highly recommend that resort to anyone. It has one of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Carribean with sunset views every night and calm waters. There are some great resorts in Punta Cana, but the water there is quite rough because it is open to the Atlantic. All inclusives seem pricey, but I would recommend them over normal resorts because once you get there, you don't have to worry about money at all! Nothing ruins a vacation more than worrying about money instead of having fun.

keith allen

Man,skip Orlando and all that stuff,head straight to the keys!

Polkapops

Check Apple vacations or FunJet - We usually do the last minute deals (can save a TON of money that way) but since you have a specific week planned you'd probably want to book ahead. As for Mexico, you only need a certified (raised seal) birth certificate and your license. We have our passports now but I wouldn't spend the extra $$ on the express option. But that's just the cheap **** in me!

janmike

What are you looking for?
Warm climate, beaches, lots of drinks, site seeing, history...
I would determine what you I wanted in a vacation first and then begin to narrow it down. The world is a pretty big place.

markmarc

Go skiing in the Colorado Rockies, snow is great this year. Best value mountain communities go to either Steamboat Springs or Crested Butte. Both have the old ski town feel and great eating.

Sami

billbillw wrote:

All inclusives seem pricey, but I would recommend them over normal resorts because once you get there, you don't have to worry about money at all! Nothing ruins a vacation more than worrying about money instead of having fun.

When I go on a trip, I want to have fun, and part of the fun is to dine in different places. All-inclusives are out of the picture for me, unless of course it is really cheap and ALL means also alcohol...

I would definately get a trip outside of the US.

Driver

come to new zealand, its actualy quite cheap down here, and the south island is breath taking

kingtut

Mazeroth wrote:

...
As far as SoCal, what sort of activites are there to do there in mid-late March?

Sea World, Wild Animal Park, Zoo, the beaches, different bays for water skiing/ wind-surfing/ wave-runners/ para-sailing, Gas Lamp Quarter for food, drinks and/or partying, Coronado Island for romantic wining/dining/beach, mountain biking, hiking; 45 minutes to Temecula for wine-tasting; 1.75 hr to Anaheim for Disneyland; 2 hrs to Los Angeles for Hollywood, Universal Studio, Six Flags Magic Mountain. Temperature is always mild and nice.

Mazeroth

Thanks for all the replies!

Right now we're looking at just taking the trip to Playa De Carmen for 7-10 days. I also had my Mom certify mail me my original birth certificate so that should be here tomorrow.

The trip isn't set in stone, and I'll be sure to let you guys know what we choose.