Expert: Stephen Tanenbaum - 9/11/2007

Question
Hello, next October my future wife and I are taking a week long honeymoon and are looking for some ideas on places to go. We have a $4000 budget. We were thinking and island somewhere but are not opposed to other places in the world. If you could offer some advise about where we might be able to go and how we can accomplish that I would really appreciate it. My fiance loves Ireland, is that a possibility. Thanks for the help and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Andrew

Answer
Hi Andrew:

Let me give you my 'easy' answer.  And that answer is.... hands down..... MAUI aka Hawaii's VALLEY ISLE.

For many years Conde Nest, as I recall, took  polls and found Maui the most popular tropical destination in the world. Maui is also the most popular island destination for weddings and honeymoons.

We have a special nexus with Maui since the early 80's when we purchased two studios at the Royal Kahana Resort. In my book, the Cheapskate's Guide to Vacations I wrote 30 pages on Maui and in a very self serving manor recommended our studios specifically, the Royal Kahana in general and any other  good, cheap lodging one can find SO LONG AS ONE HEADS TO MAUI. Your question prompted me upload to YouTube a neat tour of the RK I filmed about four years ago. Actually my wife and I plus two dear friends will be staying in our studios in October. Despite this the units are available 3 weeks out of October.

Here is my YouTube video tour of the Royal Kahana Resort.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dvWSK-_GSE

NOTE: We almost NEVER rent the studios since Outrigger, who manages them, has them renting 98% of the year.  So we ‘usually’ have no need of direct rental dealings.

Too late for you to do what we do....FLY FREE...just as we fly free to Maui in October. But following our advice your next trip, almost anywhere in the world, can easily be FREE. See LINKS at the end of this page.

Back to Maui. Awesome scenery, sun, weather, people, snorkeling diving, biking down a 10,000ft volcano (dormant), best beaches in the world, historic whaling town of Lahaina etc. etc.

Since we specialize in FREE flights you will be paying more especially if you are leaving in 2-4 weeks. Figure $700 per ticket.

A 50 sq. ft. studio like ours runs about $1500 per week for BOTH OF YOU.  If it would help owners,like us, can discount about 50% to maybe $800 BUT you may get just as good a FLY/CONDO deal online.

Check  http://www.pleasantholidays.com/   I JUST CHECKED AND THEY OFFER  Maui 8 days in October including RT air for TWO, rental economy car AND Royal Kahana Studio (garden view) ALL FOR : $2,700.  Oh, this was based on flights from  Chicago. So a bit more from NY and less from the west coast.

Also, check : www.royalkahana.com  For a quote from Outrigger who manages the RK.   Usually the AIR/CAR/CONDO packages can not be beat.  For a quick heads up on Maui

For general cool info see Haleakala: http://www.haleakala.national-park.com/

For Maui activities (just to give you an idea) http://www.hawaiiactivityworld.com/maui/

Here is a mini Maui photo album I put together:
http://imageevent.com/worldromer/royalkahanamauipix

And to better savor Maui Google:

Lahaina (the whaling town) just ten minutes from RK
Kapalua beach (voted best beach in the world) Five minutes from RK
Road to Hana    And Seven Sacred Pools      

FREE GLOBAL TRAVEL CONTACTS:

My YouTube FREE TRAVEL video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ0zl1jVhPI
Our Free Travel newsletter Summer 2007 edition: www.freeCTNsummer2007.blog.com   
My article on FREE travel (needs to be updated but still good general reading):
www.cheapskatetravel.blogspot.com

Other than Maui...Ireland etc. To cut costs you must  find an air/hotel/car (if car needed) package at this late date.
I'd check the NY and LA Sunday Travel Sections next weekend for best advertised deals. Otherwise web research. For hotels we often use www.tripadvosor.com for great USER reviews.

Good luck.  Steve T.