where is paradise?

[chimpy]

im off on honeymoon next june,but unsure where to choose.we want a relaxing romantic break in paradise but love to be able to walk to towns and explore(ie.we hate complexes).we dont mind near or far as long as its warm....................any ideas,suggestions or experiences?

[geofbob]

Except, oxide987 & chimpy, that in June Capetown will be in the middle of winter, with cold winds and rain that might dampen romantic ardour! If Paradise has to have a beach, chimpy, then your criteria might not be too easy to satisfy, but you may wish to consider a small/medium hotel in Lagos on the Algarve coast of Portugal (not the one in Nigeria!) The town itself is interesting, and you're also close to some pleasant excursions, including Sagres with associations with early Portugese explorations, and Cape St Vincent the most south-westerly point of Europe.

[quattro]

How about the Amalfi coastline in Italy the scenery is spectacular and beautiful there are many towns to explore Amalfi ,Positano ,Maiori , Minori and Sorrento .Pompei Herculaneum and Naples are'nt far away the food is excellent and the weather is hot and it's not too expensive .Public transport (bus and ferry) are very good the one downside is Naples airport is one of the most chaotic I've been to.Staying with Italy you could stay in Lido De Jesolo a nice seaside town in the north and catch the bus and ferry to Venice for the day as Venice can be a bit expensive to stay in but is also a beautiful place

[coggles]

Hubby and I went to a beautiful island in the Maldives 10 years ago - it was absolutely wonderful. It took 40 minutes to walk round the island, snorkeling, night fishing, island hopping by dhoni boat, walk to other islands (depending on which one you are staying), snail racing, (yes, really), hire a boat to COMPLETELY uninhabited islands....... (lots of fun!!!!) I hope we can go back again for a special anniversary! I mean me and my husband, not you and me! Whatever you do and wherever you go, enjoy it!

[coggles]

You may witness a couple of monsoons in June but they are spectacular! The tops of the palm trees bend to touch the sand! All very sudden and over in a few hours.......!

[archbishop]

Coggles - The Maldives are great if you want to chill out but no towns to walk round and the only exploring is the seabed.Personally I liked quattros' answer and the Neapolitan coast is beautiful and perfect for honeymooners.

[coggles]

I agree - we stayed in Sorrento, (Grand Hotel Capodimonte, which I would recommend) 4 years ago and had a great, but busy time travelling around all the sites. Pompeii and Herculano are so interesting, Amalfi coastline is superb but don't look over the edge if you're scared of heights! Rome is a bit of a trek but worth seeing but I thought Capri was over-rated and over-expensive though.

[chimpy]

great ideas guys,the Amalfi coast+Rome was near the top of our list as was the Seychelles?????? a bit worried about the rain in Maldives.Oxide, can i let you know nearer the time about the spare place?!!

[coggles]

We had 2 monsoons in the 2 weeks we were there and they started very suddenly at about 10 at night, while we were holed up in the bar snail racing. They were over and done with by about 3 in the morning - we were otherwise occupied while they were going on, so didn't notice them much!) By morning there wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sea was like a still, warm bath. Bliss!

[archbishop]

Have to say that when I was in The Maldives it rained every day but only for about 10 minutes and it was hot enough to walk in.The place was completely dry 15 minutes later. Coggles - we had hermit crab racing.

[coggles]

That's what they were but the people who organised it called it snail racing - maybe crab racing didn't sound as good! The next day, you could spot some of them on the beach with their number in chalk still on the shell!

[garcia]

Have you considered some of the islands off the east coast of malaysia? You'd probably be able to stay 3 times as long for the amount it'll cost for a week in the maldives. Head for Pulau Redang....rustic, pristine, exotic...right out of a tropical travel brochure. They've got nice trails in the rainforest if you get tired of lazing by the beach. And in June you'll get nothing but blazingly hot sun. If you don't need 5 star hotel levels of facilities/service, a holiday in redang would be perfect for chilling out.

[chimpy]

cheers garcia.....is it backpacker land,sounds interresting,have you been,if so please tell me more as malaysia was an option

[dave_in_cw]

How about Croatia? Very close and cheap (fly Croatian Airlines and book directly with the airline, of course Ryanair might be doing that route next year too), very hot and beautiful scenery with lovely Mediterranean food.

[sft42]

Surely paradise will be anywhere in the world as long as you are with the person that you love? Or if you want a more literal answer then According to the U.S. Government gazetteer there are 26 places called Paradise, and many more called Paradise Springs, Paradise Valley or other such variations on the theme. Of those 26, only 18 exist on modern maps, and of those 18, only 10 exist as separate identifiable communities. Some of those eight that have disappeared since the maps were printed (like Paradise, Louisiana and Paradise, Illinois) have been absorbed by growing towns. Others, like the Paradises in Kentucky or Florida, have been built over by modern industrial progress. The ten that remain vary in size from 11 to 29,000 inhabitants. Mostly they have between four and six hundred residents within their boundaries. The Collins English Dictionary defines Paradise as 'any place or condition that fulfils all ones desires or aspirations,' and while the ten Paradises are all different, in location and in character, they all have that definition in common. Almost all of these different communities' residents consider themselves to have found Paradise, their own little spot of Heaven on Earth.

And click here for some photos of paradise http://www.grosset.co.uk/Paradise/index.html

[Caladon]

Have you considered New Zealand? I lived there for a year for my OE (overseas experience) 2 years ago. The country has every type of climate, from desert, rain forest, their "alps", to our type of peak district climate. The South Island has the mountains running down the western side, and has mountains, valleys and farming. www.newzealand.com has everything you need to know. It is also home to all extreme sports. Highly recommendable if you love the outdoors and beautiful landscapes (where they filmed lord of the rings).

[Caladon]

oh yes....and they speak english and its about $3 to �1 so your money goes a long way.

[brenna_806]

What about Thailand? OF course the hotels are very expensive if want to stay there in a nice place. Or maybe Fiji or Tahiti. I lived in Italy, and that was one of the best experiances in my life. Greece, our class just went to Greece, that's gorgeous. But if you're looking for a paradise I'd say an island.