December Romantic Getaway

acinod on 23/10/2012 - 11:11
Last edited 23/10/2012 - 11:45

Hey guys,

I live in Melbourne and was thinking of a romantic getaway with my girlfriend this December. But the problem is neither of us have ever planned a trip before so we are clueless on where to go and how to plan.

Our budget is quite low since we are students so we were thinking of going somewhere cheap overseas or just staying within Australia. I think she wanted to go Thailand.

Also someone linked me this: http://saffire-freycinet.com.au/stay/packages
The Romantic Getaway Package there is $4300 and I have no idea whether that's a good price or not.

It'd be great if I could get some tips or deals on good romantic getaways this December within a budget of $2,000.

Cheers!

Travel

Comments

  • tanoshiiki on 23/10/2012 - 11:20
    +1

    I think $4300 for a two-night trip for students is way too much! Sure you would be in luxury, but I don't think the value is there, especially for students. Even as a full-time worker, I wouldn't even consider it!

    Some basic questions. How long do you want to go for? What locations would you consider? Where are you located now? Do you have a planned budget in mind? A minimum and maximum spend?

    I'm thinking either cheap local Asian city getaway in resort style place or a cosy B&B in the Australian country somewhere…

    • acinod on 23/10/2012 - 11:25

      Thanks tanoshiiki for replying. I agree that $4300 is also too much, I just don't really know how much people spend on holiday trips.

      We want to go for few days. Considered Thailand and Tasmania but not Queensland because we're scared we'll get sun-burnt. Currently located in Inner Melbourne and thinking of spending minimum $500 and maximum $3000? Again I'm not really sure about the budget since I've never spent money on a trip before but if it's a good deal I'll take it.

      • tanoshiiki on 23/10/2012 - 11:39

        I'm in inner Melbourne too. Might be worth checking out some of those daily deals websites to check if there are any good travel deals at the moment? Can you drive? A drive up to some Victorian country wineries, sampling local restaurants, with a B&B would be very typically romantic.

        Different people spend different amounts depending on what they want their holidays to be: luxury, backpacker and any where in between. For $4k, you can even stretch out for a Japan trip(!), but you would definitely have to be very careful and look out for great deals (check out the recent OzBargain Japan on a budget thread).

        I'm presuming a few days is like 3-4 days? The great thing about a close Asian city (like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia (Bali)) is that your daily expenditure will be cheap, especially with food. However, this will be offset by the price of an air-ticket, unless you find a great deal.

        It's just as possible to get sunburnt in Thailand as it is in Queensland. Just depends on what you do and how sun safe you are.

        Everyone has a different lifestyle and comfort needs, but I think for a first short trip, I think a reasonable budget would be around $250/day (including accommodation, not including transport).

        Note that December is a hard time to get a cheap special since it's the time most other people take holidays too.

  • zhenjie on 23/10/2012 - 11:35
    +1

    Anywhere in SE Asia will be good for the budget. If you wanted strictly romantic though, I would consider a pacific island (still relatively cheap) vs SE Asian.

    • kirasuran on 26/10/2012 - 12:33

      suggestions on which islands please?

  • arcticmonkey on 23/10/2012 - 12:29
    +2

    How about having a romantic getaway to the Lunar drive-in cinema in Dandenong? You could go back there 3-4 nights in a row if you want to extend the occasion and you won't get sunburnt!

  • nickj on 23/10/2012 - 13:23
    +1

    The south pacific islands are great for romance, but could easily go beyond your budget, to say $2k per person, inc travel/accom/food, e.g. For what you pay, this: http://www.coralseas.com.au/travel-deals/fafa-island-resort/ is pretty good - been there and it's very romantic (quiet island in Tonga, surrounded by coral, eating good food, in a quiet fale, with a view of the sunset, no phones, for a week, what's not to like?!), but if I was a student I don't know if I'd able to spend that much. To keep it in budget, what about http://www.coralseas.com.au/travel-deals/hideaway-island-res… - been there and it's also nice, but not in the same class (it's more kids, more family, less intimate, more basic), but still good, and you need to add food, but it's half the price, and you're overseas, in a nice place. And within Australia, you could also try Heron Island (good but probably too pricey) or Lady Elliot (I've heard good though not luxurious, but have not been) - you can get 7 days there with meals and local flight transfer for a little more than your budget: http://www.ladyelliot.com.au/rates/packages/detail.asp?ID=13 . There's also Treasure Island in Fiji (good but more family, and maybe $1.6k each?). But $4300 for 2 days is way too much, you want a week, because it takes a few days for you both to relax and really enter holiday mode. 7 days in Lady Elliot or Hideaway, or something similar, is probably the best way to go.

    • acinod on 23/10/2012 - 18:43

      Thank you for referring me to those deals nickj! I'm actually really interested in Fafa Island but it's a bit too expensive so I might go with Hideaway or Lady Elliot. Though Hideaway doesn't seem romantic enough and Lady Elliot I'll have to fly to Queensland.

      Any other good deals around December for a romantic getaway? :)

  • acinod on 23/10/2012 - 23:24

    Just realised my budget was not as great as I thought so think I'll just stay within Victoria.

    Thinking of going somewhere nice like Torquay. Is this a good deal?

    http://www.lovebirds.com.au/accommodation/listing/?id=598&pa…

    I can't drive so have no idea how to get there.

    • voteoften on 23/10/2012 - 23:59

      Most of the Great Ocean Road day trips will allow you to get off the bus and get back on days later. Some may even package it for you.

      I think VIC has country trains. Find out where they go.

      Also, consider going to Tasmania. It is brilliant.

      You could also go to sydney or canberra for low airfares. It doesn't sound like you have travelled a lot, so start out close and cheap until you get your groove.

      Don't buy any group buy vouchers until you are sure you can use them.

      Have fun.

  • obses2ion on 23/10/2012 - 23:45

    Heh, when I need a romantic getaway I go to Melbourne ;)

    Student and frequent (overseas and interstate) traveler here. Honestly, the maximum I'd spend anywhere on a nights' accommodation is about $160-$170. That usually gets me somewhere slightly above-average (not your cheap sort of hotel) with a good location. Anything more than that probably isn't worth it, or within a student budget imo.

    How about Sydney? Since I'm fairly sure Tiger flies there for $40 return or similar. The problem with overseas trips during December is of course, peak season - jacked up hotels and flights.

  • acinod on 24/10/2012 - 00:15

    This looks good: http://www.whitesbeachtorquay.com.au/Rates.asp

    It seems I can get to there via public transport in 2 hours.
    Though the reviews here kind of turn me off a bit. Still staying positive about it though.

    If only I had this voucher: http://www.groupon.com.au/deals/melbourne-premium/whitesbeac…

    • voteoften on 24/10/2012 - 00:59

      Just be sure you can get the dates you want before buying a group buy voucher.

  • Pat Dawson on 05/11/2012 - 10:22
    -4

    Hiho, just read your post and hope I'm not too late with advice. We are lucky enough to have stayed in a lot of really nice places around Australia and our favourite is the 5 STAR 'Riverview Rise Retreats' on the Murray River some 80km from Adelaide. This place is built for romantic getaways, their packages are superb yet very reasonably priced and only an 8 hour drive from Melbourne or they will pick you up from the airport. Do your self a favour and check them out http://www.romanticgetawayaustralia.com.au

  • acinod on 19/11/2012 - 09:28

    Hey everyone I'm back and still looking for a good place to stay in Victoria.

    My girlfriend wanted to go Torquay and I recommended Peppers The Sands Resort here: http://www.peppers.com.au/sands/rooms-and-suites/
    However it seems quite a lot of the places are booked out.
    There is also Point of View in Apollo Bay but at $380 per night it seems quite expensive: http://www.pointofview.com.au/

    Does anyone know of any nice accommodation deals for a romantic getaway this summer?

    Thanks

    • voteoften on 19/11/2012 - 11:45

      If you have never planned a trip before, I reckon you should consider fairly inexpensive. As you haven't travelled before, it'll still seem great. I think you may find that the hotels in the price range you are talking do not offer a silver bullet for a perfect vacation. There will still be all the other potential hassles of travel. Go cheap and you will still have money for another holiday in Feb where you can go top notch and still save as it'll be less peak.

      Why don't you hop the ferry and go to Tasmania? That would be quite special.

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