Recommendation for a great beach/island relaxation holiday - where?

I am sure some of you guys have been to some amazing places.

I am taking a trip with the lady in July. This is a pure relaxation holiday... somewhere that we can forget about life for couple of weeks.

I wanna go somewhere with white sand beaches, blue oceans... think sipping pina coladas in hammocks on the beach kind of place. I would like to do a little fishing and maybe some snorkeling. It would be nice if there was some interesting stuff to do like see some nature and history... just stuff to do when we've had our fill of the beach... maybe some tennis, a spa, whatever.

She is working in Paris right now so we will be leaving from there. It has to be somewhere that we can both go to because she is in Europe on a temp visa. So ideally a territory of a European country where Euros can go in the same way we go to Hawaii.

I was thinking of French Polynesia... but... it's a frickin 22 hour flight from Paris and plane tickets are majorly expensive. I don't really want to go somewhere that will be inundated with 8 million tourists all clicking off photographs and wearing banana huggers on the beach.

Any suggestions? I'm not a baller with an unlimited budget either, so keep that in mind


See pics for the kind of thing I'm talkin about. I'm thinking within maybe a 10-hour plane ride from Paris would be ideal.
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Tambor Costa Rica.... Another world.

These are your guys to arrange it: www.tourtech.net

 

I have not been a world traveler.....

Yet...as a regular guy and someone who likes simplicity and low key status (no matter what your actuall net worth), you cannot beat Sanibel & Captiva Islands. You can sit down at a local spot in your cutt-offs next to a $zillionaire (or be the zillionaire your self.....), it's that kind of place where it only matters that you are freindly.

My family has been there for 30+ years, (but never past april), so July is a little out of my range.

Either way, Captiva is a really cool Island in the last 1/2 of Sept/Oct/Nov and Feb/Mar/& the 1st 1/2 of April.

I know it's not the question you asked, but once your relationship progress's, look into Sanibel/Captiva during the months I mentioned....

P.S. thanks for your help on the CC default thread!

 

SRT, If CR is an option, this is the hotel you want in Tambor....

http://www.tangomar.com/

 

Meister, glad I was able to help with the CC info!

Captiva looks cool - although it would present some visa issues since she is not an American, so it would likely end up being impossible. I'll let my parents know though, they've apparently gotten bitten by the Florida bug


Darth, thanks for the info - I checked out the tours company... actually pretty cheap (well under what I had budgeted), so it would definitely work. Thanks for the info on the hotel, I am checking their website now. So you did the whole relaxation thing there and liked it? And it wasn't clogged with a bazillion tourists and the locals were good with foreigners?

I have an e-friend that goes to Costa Rica fishing twice a year and he talks about how good it is.

 

That part of CR is very remote. It takes a car ride, a ferry crossing and another car ride to get there from San Jose. Once you're there it's very tranquil. CR is also about adventure. If you go there, you will want to take day trips to the sites, there are volcanos, river raft trips, hot springs and all sorts of great things to do there. If you want to see the country, stay in San Jose and take day trips then go to Tambor to relax for a while. Those guys can tell you whatever you need to know about CR....

You will definitely enjoy it and want to go back.

 

That is *exactly* what I am looking for... tranquility and relative isolation but with adventure and fun not too far away for when the mood strikes. Thank you very much! I'm the type that doesn't like to plan things out too much, so having options for things to do when we want to is perfect.

Good prices too - the Tiki Suites are priced right. And no visas needed!

Thanks again!

 

Is this the place you're talking about? The reviews are awful.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g309249-d300734-r23332251-Barcelo_Tambor_Beach-Playa_Tambor_Province_of_Puntarenas.html

 

Awesome! Yeah, I stayed in a Tiki Suite too. The closest one to the dining room, If you find my glasses, lemme know! LOLOLOOL

 

No...

Tango Mar. Tour-tech is a travel agent

 

Seychelles are ten (+/-) hours from Paris

 

Oh- ok this place.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g644052-d300969-r18856961-Tango_Mar_Beach_Spa_Golf_Resort-Tambor_Province_of_Puntarenas.html#TOPC

better reviews generally - sounds like they have magor construction going on a few months ago. might need to check that.

 

dupe

 

have you been there?

any comments about it in relation to the sort of stay I'm looking for?

thanks!

 

Maldive Islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean off the south west coast of India.

That is a MUST do place, ESPECIALLY if you scuba dive. The Atoll Walls are some of the tallest on earth. You can be standing in ankle deep water, take another step, and fall off a 1/4 - 1/2 mile high (or even higher) curb. The word "awesome" is not in any sense descriptive. I have pics of my son swimming with 20+ sharks I'll post if some what to see it. Another of him "calling-in" sharks. Got lots of other great pics I took too.

Some of the islands intentionally have NO internet, no phone, and the news paper is 3+ days old (Marine Radio for emergencies). You better like fish for meals

Nothing short of Nirvana to me.

 

EDIT

Mark,

Thanks for the info. The only thing about the Maldives from what I've been reading is that pretty much the things to do there are fishing, scuba diving and hanging out on the beach and that's about it. It's also a muslim country and all the wonderful things that go along with that like no alcohol (except in resorts), women should "dress modestly" when in populated areas, etc. Not that it's a huge deal but it would be nice to do some shopping and some other stuff like maybe cave exploring or horse riding or whatever. It seems like the Maldives are an awesome place for the beach-relaxation thing if you don't leave the resort. Any comments? am I off base on what I gather from reading stuff?

It seems real expensive too... island hotels seem to start around 600 euro a night up to 1000+ euro if you want oneof those bungalow things on the ocean. For 2 weeks that could easily get up to $20k... which is steep!

 

In my limited experience it seems the more exotic places can get to be a PITA to get to and that might impact your ability to relax. Would you feel refreshed after a 22 hour trip, and would you dread the 22 hour trip home?

We have done some all-inlcusives in Mexico and Jamaica. Quick plane flight, easy travel in-country, and you don't even have to take your wallet out once if you don't want to. In each of the ones we went to you could also have some measure of privacy as well. I know it is not something out Richard Branson's travel journal, but for us plebs it is pretty nice.

 

It's been a few years but Sardinia is/was the perfect beach vacation this side of Destin, Florida or Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys

http://www.emeraldgrande.com/PhotoGallery.asp

http://www.littlepalmisland.com/
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one of my choices would be ST. Maarten / St. Martin. Air france has a direct flight from paris. The island is half french half dutch and there are several resorts that are out of the way and secluded beaches. Plenty of shopping in Phillipsburg and great dinning in Margiot. The time you are looking at traveling it is off peak so rates are good and beaches not so crowded.

 

ATLANTIS Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas.

It is great for couples, families who either want to be together, or parents who want to be alone while their kids are entertained all day under supervision.

Very safe!

http://www.atlantis.com/marinehabitat.aspx

 

Good choice, Sardinia. never been there, but I know some relatives in Italy who have. My suggestion could also be Taormina (Sicily). It's the best kept secret of the Italian Jet Set. Forget the crowds/glitz of the Italian Riviera scene up north. You mentioned Paris......well, Taormina is a hop away, and no 3rd world country problems, etc. The food will be 1st class, as expected in Italy. Water is crystal clear (Ive been there). Just a shuttle/taxi cab ride away is the famous Greek/Roman Amphitheater, with shops around.

Dunno.....depends on what you want.......good luck.

Joe

 

Haven't been, but from what I've seen in pics of the place and read about it, it might fit your needs well.

 

A lot of crime though, can be pretty busy (but as you say, he's off season so unlikely).

I've been to the maldives before. never been to anywhere more beautiful yet (if thats possible), but as you say the costs will be huge. I dont think you wont see much change for the $20K for 2 persons for the 2 weeks you plan on staying.

Off season Aruba isn't very busy. low crime and a great island. Visit costa linda (resort), which is fantastic imo. I would recommend curacao too, but crime has risen recently and (albeit rarely on tourists).

 

If St. Martin is an option, I strongly recommend finding a place to stay in Marigot over on the French side. Much nicer, less traffic. Anguilla would be a good off the beaten path place as well. Not much to do there other than sit on the beach and eat out, however.

 

Oahu in Hawaii, stayed at the Outrigger Reef Resort and it was paradise! Not as many tourists as you would think.

Mike