Random Travel Thread

posted by justincredible

Has anyone done an all-inclusive in Costa Rica? Or have any recommendations for anything in Costa Rica? We want to do an all-inclusive every other year, and have tapped Costa Rica as our 2020 trip.

CR is amazing, you won't be disappointed. Beaches are amazing, Indian Ruins, Rain Forest, etc. Crime/etc away from tourist areas are FAR less than other Central American countries (still can happen, but much better). 

CR maybe my favorite country on the planet, it has been 10 years but I definitely plan on going back 

posted by iclfan2

To keep it cheaper, I would imagine Punta Cana is your best bet. Cheaper flights and the rates seem cheaper (always iffy during hurricane season though). Costa Rica would probably be a waste if you don't want to do the activities associated with the jungle and stuff. Cancun would probably be cheap too unless that isn't tropical enough.  I haven't been to an all inclusive in Puerto Rico but when I looked for locations I didn't see that in my budget.

Edit to add: The bahamas are trash.  

Also, the food is way hit or miss, probably the most important part. You'll get beer, liquor, pool, beach, everywhere. Make sure the food reviews are good. I'd also recommend staying in an adults only part if they have one, as well as a resort with room service. We went on a faux honeymoon and 1) kids suck and 2) lunch back at the room to recover, or at midnight was clutch. 

Agreed, if one goes to CR they need to travel/visit not just sit on the beach. It has so much more to offer than other places. If you want to go/sit/relax there are plenty in Mexico to fit that bill.

posted by justincredible

^ Aruba is great. We went there on our honeymoon (not all-inclusive) and had a great time.

Aruba and Curacao are my favorite, by far, Caribbean Islands. 

Heading to Hilton Head in August. With a 6 month old it’s only 1.5 hours away and we can’t do much anyway with her around. Anyone been lately? 

posted by iclfan2

Heading to Hilton Head in August. With a 6 month old it’s only 1.5 hours away and we can’t do much anyway with her around. Anyone been lately? 

My wife and I were there in April...we've been there about 6-7 times now and enjoy it immensely--but for the relaxation more than anything. This trip, however, we went to Savannah for the day and had an awesome time--it was only a 35 minute drive, and we were amazed at how easy it was to navigate around the city...will do again for sure.

Thanks all for the replies. For some reason I didn’t see them 4 days ago so just now reading them. Going to take a few recommendations and look into them. Will report back with what we decide. 

posted by vball10set

My wife and I were there in April...we've been there about 6-7 times now and enjoy it immensely--but for the relaxation more than anything. This trip, however, we went to Savannah for the day and had an awesome time--it was only a 35 minute drive, and we were amazed at how easy it was to navigate around the city...will do again for sure.

What location do you like to stay there? We are looking around Coligny Park area (The Breakers, specifically, North forest Beach).  We won't be doing shit but beach, pool, drinking and eating.  We have been to Savannah a few times, we live in Charleston, so it is pretty much just a different version.  Any recommendations on places to eat/ drink in HH?.

posted by iclfan2

What location do you like to stay there? We are looking around Coligny Park area (The Breakers, specifically, North forest Beach).  We won't be doing shit but beach, pool, drinking and eating.  We have been to Savannah a few times, we live in Charleston, so it is pretty much just a different version.  Any recommendations on places to eat/ drink in HH?.

I'm going to Charleston for a bachelorette party next spring. Tell me where to eat, lol.

posted by iclfan2

What location do you like to stay there? We are looking around Coligny Park area (The Breakers, specifically, North forest Beach).  We won't be doing shit but beach, pool, drinking and eating.  We have been to Savannah a few times, we live in Charleston, so it is pretty much just a different version.  Any recommendations on places to eat/ drink in HH?.

We stayed at the Blue Water Resort this past visit, and the Skull Creek Boathouse is a great place to drink/dine (there are also two other waterfront eateries on either side as well). In the past we stayed at the Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Club on Folly Field, which is at the opposite end of Coligny/Sea Pines, but we'd frequent the restaurants on both sides of the Island. Some of our favorites are the aforementioned Skull Creek Boathouse, Mangiamos (a huge OSU Buckeye establishment), Amigos, and the Sea Shack.

Spent a week in PIgeon Forge/Gatlinburg this past week. Was there for a baseball tournament. Ripken exerpience has a really nice setup down there.  Was a miserable week weather wise for the games as it rained almost each day, but got them all in as they played in heavy rain stopping only for lightening.

Pigeon Forge...sucks.  Gatlinburg was much nicer.

HIt up the local places. Wife wanted to eat at Paula Deen's place. It was okay. Fried Chicken was good, Creamed corn was the best and the desserts......sucked really.

On the way back we hit up the Cubs AA team, The Smokies for a game and then Saturday the Reds/Brewers.

posted by Fab4Runner

I'm going to Charleston for a bachelorette party next spring. Tell me where to eat, lol.

If you want a really nice dinner/steak I recommend Halls Chophouse one of the best steaks I've ever had. 

I'm trying to arrange a family trip to somewhere warm over Thanksgiving. My dad is incompetent and does not care about getting cheap flights, hell...even reasonable flights. So I've taken on the task of finding a somewhat affordable location regarding flights and Air BnB.

I'm beginning to realize we didn't start this search early enough. First choices are the gulf side of FL, but so far the flights are rather expensive. Checked Destin, Sarasota, and Tampa. I don't mind overpaying, but my sister and brother in law are coming from Denver, so I have to keep them in mind. Ideally I'd leave the country, but at the moment my GF can only travel domestically, so that comes into play. I suggested PR, got shot down. We went 2 years ago, my mom did not enjoy, but I loved it.

Now since we're gonna get fucked with flights anyway, I'm thinking US Virgin islands. They are almost the same cost from NYC to the gulf FL locations.

St. Croix looks nice. Thoughts? I don't know anything about the Virgin Islands. 

A few years ago my family spent Thanksgiving in Palm Springs, CA.  The flights weren't bad from what I recall. 

Much of the Virgin Islands were slammed with recent hurricanes; I might be leery about going during rebuilding phase, not to mention a lot of the vegetation was destroyed.  I saw before and after satellite photos of several of the islands - wow. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/10/us/virgin-islands-hurricanes.html

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/02/615309394/virgin-islands-still-recovering-from-2017-hurricanes-as-new-season-begins

I'm assuming it's just like PR, tourist areas were rebuilt quickly. I had friends just go there last month.

Currently trying to figure out the non-US citizen travel options. She's not a citizen, no green card yet, but has a work visa and NY State ID. I think she'd be good.

How about Marco Island, near Naples. 

I looked at Naples airport too. $700ish. 

Can fly into Fort Myers ........Frontier is usually very cheap into that airport. 

My brother spent a week in St. Thomas for his honeymoon and really liked it. I've heard Magens Bay is beautiful. 

heading to Chicago on the 5th.