Warmth, comfort and adventure - on a budget

February 1, 2008 at 9:36PM
Jim and Roxanne McGurk, of taylors Falls, looking to plan a second honeymoon,- ' honeymoon0203' - 3rd of 3 couples
Jim and Roxanne McGurk, of Taylors Falls. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The couple: Jim and Roxanne McGurk of Taylors Falls, Minn. The McGurks celebrate 25 years of marriage in March and are planning their second honeymoon for next winter.

What they want: Says Jim: "My wife really desires a beach. I prefer a quaint locale, unlike what I perceive Cancun to be. My wife wants an all-inclusive resort. I like opportunities to explore the natural surroundings and quiet times away from the crowds."

Budget: $3,000 to $5,000.

Agent idea: By flying into Cancun, the McGurks save on air fare. By heading south, they can avoid the crowds. Shangri-La Caribe is a low-key, all-inclusive resort with palm-shaded bungalows on a private, white-sand beach, a little more than a mile from Playa del Carmen. Luxury is abundant (they can nap in their front-porch hammocks while recovering from massages), and adventure is close at hand. The Mayan ruins of Tulum and Coba are possible day trips, along with snorkeling or scuba-diving on the pristine coral reefs offshore. (Green turtles are frequently seen in these parts). The budget: $3,800 to $4,500, depending on air fare and optional add-ons.

The agent: Teri Wataaja of Preferred Adventures; 651-222-8131; www.preferredadventures.com.

Our option: Kauai is the most romantic of Hawaiian Islands, and while it can be a budget-crusher, some adjustments can make it fit the bill. First, the McGurks should travel in early November or just after Thanksgiving, when rates are a bit lower. Second, they can rent a house or condo through a booking site such as www.vrbo.com (where private parties rent out their vacation homes). They could stay on the northeast side of the island, near Kilauea, far from the touristy crowds. They can sample exotic fruits such as custard apple at area farmers' markets and visit the National Botanical Garden, with the world's largest collection of rare and endangered plants. For pampering, they'll also need to budget $250 for two, two-person massages at the Tri-Health Ayurveda Spa, about a 20-minute drive from their cottage. Budget: $4,500.

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