Trip Coach: February 6, 2007

Dallas, TX: Hi! My husband and I got married in Cancun nearly five years ago and I would love to go back for our anniversary. I'm worried about damage from Hurricane Wilma, though. What would you suggest? Thanks, Mary

Paris Permenter & John Bigley: Definitely go! We were in Cancun in September and the progress since the storm is remarkable. You will see a few properties still undergoing work but many are actually undergoing extensive renovations that they planned for the future.

We stayed at the JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa which was wonderful; the hotel was in pristine condition for its reopening in September, and we had a great time. (We'd also suggest you check out the hotel's Mayan-inspired spa; we had a couples' massage there and would recommend it!)

One of the most remarkable things about Cancun's renovations is its beach recovery. The sand that washed away during the storm was dredged up and brought back in and now the beach is larger than ever.

Another plus for romantic travelers: the "new" Cancun is more upscale and elegant than its former self. Once a favorite with spring breakers, Cancun is now attracting more couples and experienced travelers thanks to its renovated hotels that are more elegant than ever before; spas, upgraded rooms, and fine dining are now seen more and more throughout Cancun.

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Springfield, MO: I would like to plan an all-inclusive getaway (possibly in Jamaica) for our anniversary this summer but people have warned me that the all-inclusives really encourage you to stay on property. I think I would like the convenience of an all-inclusive, as we have a limited vacation budget, but I would like to get out and explore, too. Any ideas?

Paris Permenter & John Bigley: Sometimes travelers make the mistake of feeling that they have to stay on property at an all-inclusive since their meals and drinks are already paid for as part of their stay. However, we really encourage travelers to get out and explore; even with some day trips and meals off property, you'll find that you're not "wasting" your all-inclusive package and you'll get plenty of benefit from it in terms of transfers, all the other meals you have on property, drinks, and, often, freedom from tipping.

Since you'd like to get out and explore, check out the quieter South Coast of Jamaica. Sandals Whitehouse European Village and Spa is the first all-inclusive to be built on the South Coast, and we found that it really makes it easy for couples to get out and explore the region with many optional tours. It's also very easy to set up a private driver for the day to take you to local jerk stands (we recommend Billy's Place, just a short drive from Sandals Whitehouse) and seaside restaurants (check out Little Ochie, a beachside restaurant that's very popular with local residents).

Another benefit of the South Coast is that you won't find the hassling that bothers many visitors on the busier North Coast. Because tourist development is new on that side of the island, the pace is very relaxed and visitors feel freer to get out, explore, and take part in the community. There are also several unique attractions on the South Coast like Black River where you can take a cruise up the Black River to spot crocodiles. Appleton Estate offers an excellent tour of its distillery that includes some history about how the island's most popular product was produced in the early days.

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Baltimore, MD: Good day. The coastlines of Italy, Greece and Croatia fascinate me. I can see it now; A beautiful cruise on a small chartered sea vessel along the edge of these most awesome coasts with my fiance (who doesn't know how to swim). Imagine scenes from the movie "The Talented Mr. Ripley". Just not as rich as the characters. An ideal cruise would be as few people on board as possible, maybe 12 or fewer including crew, stops in small ports, maybe some fishing, diving, and plenty of opportunity to enjoy life. September 2007 sounds like a great time to explore. Our gateway would be either Atlanta or NY Kennedy. Thank you so much for your consideraton. Christa