Travel

POLL: Places and Travel!!!

07bride — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:56:33 GMT

1. Where would you most like to live? (city/town)

2. What is your favorite place in the US?

3. What is your favorite place in the world?

4. Where have you traveled to that you didn't like?

5. How much $ do you spend on travel per year?

6. Is there any place you go to every year as a tradition?

7. What's the best part about traveling?

8. What's the worst part of traveling?

9. If you had only a few hours left to live where would you regret not having traveled to or seen?

10. Do you prefer to travel alone, with spouse, family or friends?

All inclusive help!!

LillyPad109 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:38:42 GMT

So every year we go on a cruise with my husband's fire fighter shift.. this year we decided maybe an all inclusive would be better.. So I went to talk to the travel agent (the one I've used in the past for our cruises) and told her the criteria...

We want to either go to Mexico (Cancun/Riveria Maya) or Jamacia.. (We thought Punta Cana-- but I fear it's just too unsafe- so I ruled that out). Ideally we'd like to go 5 nights (maybe leave on Sunday and come back on Friday--giving the rest of us time to catch up/relax before work again). We want to stay around $700 per person.. And we want to go at the end of August/September.. but really flexible about when in that time.

She emails me back 1 hotel. For 4 nights. No other options-- no nothing. I've been looking at Apple Vacations-- and I'm pretty sure I could probably find us something nicer/with more activities/more restraunts for exactly what I'm looking for. But I think it might turn into a headache trying to get everyone arranged/signed up without the help of a travel lady.. so....

Have you been to any GREAT all inclusives in either of these places?!?

Where to go?

angeliza — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:21:17 GMT

Planning a vacation shouldn't stress me out this much. DH and I decided to postpone our honeymoon until we could afford a better trip. Now that we're trying to plan in earnest we can't decide where to go. Hubby doesn't have a lot of opinions on where he does want to go, just where he doesn't. He said he just wanted warm weather and beaches and told me to pick a place. The only places I've suggested that he's seemed excited about were Antigua and Hawaii. When he realized that travel to Hawaii for us would be something like 15 hours and heard from several sources that we'd have to budget like $250 a day just for food, he became much less enthusiastic about that option and said he might consider Mexico.

So here's my question... out of the options of Hawaii (probably Maui), Mexico (specifically Cancun/Riviera Maya) or Antigua, where do you think we'd get the most bang for our buck so to speak? The things that are most important to us are nice beaches, opportunities for snorkeling, and ideally the option to do some off resort excursions... either kayaking, hiking, horseback riding or just exploring some famous historical site. We'd like to travel anytime in March or April, stay for 7-10 days, and our budget is about $4000 to include airfare, accommodations and hopefully our food/drink budget.

International Trips Pregnant?

kandjrolls2 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:18:34 GMT

I was planning a Paris trip when I found out I was pregnant. We still want to go somewhere in March but nothing sounds good. I think I just had my heart stuck on Paris. So should I still go? Or do you think all the flying and walking around would put a damper on the trip. Plus, I can't drink. Opinions, ladies? I'm not due until July.

Frequent Flyer Mile Cost Fluctuation?

Christine.Louie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:27:28 GMT

Trying to book a flight to Maui for my cousin's wedding next October. I know when you buy regular flights the price can fluctuate (ie: as you get near to the date and if tickets don't sell out, price will drop)...is the same true of using frequent flyer miles or once it says "high" it's just always "high"?

Do you bring a passport with you on cruise excursions?

jackieo1309 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:17:46 GMT

For anyone who's done port excursions in another country...did you bring your passport with you or leave it on the ship? I don't like the idea of bringing it with us since it might get lost or something (and I don't think we even can bring them for the snorkeling excursions) but I'm also worried about being in a foreign country without a passport in case we did need to fly home for some reason. Do most people just leave them in their safes?

Big Island of Hawaii - Waikoloa/Kohala Coast area

410bride — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:51:08 GMT

We're going to Hawaii in 3 weeks. Staying at the Fairmont Orchid, near Waikoloa Village on the Kohala Coast. Anyone been to the area and have any recommendations for things to do? We're mostly interested in exploring cool beaches, eating at great restaurants and maybe some water sports such as snorkeing, scuba or surfing. We went there once before many years ago, but I can't remember the names of anywhere we went!

Hotel Recs: Lima, Peru (in El Centro neighborhood)

britandchris — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:33:42 GMT

I will be in Lima for a few days over the next few weeks. I have two nights booked at a hotel in Miraflores for the first time that I am in Lima. I will be back to Lima a week later and I want to stay in El Centro. I was considering the Grand Bolivar, but it has mixed reviews. (It was a grand old hotel, but has deteriorated.) Has anyone stayed there or anywhere else that they liked? I am not looking for the most new/beautiful hotel necessarily, mostly just reasonably clean and within my budget. We are hoping to spend $40 -$100 per night. The Grand Bolivar is $46/night.

Thanks for any reviews/suggestions!

Another Hawaii Question - Which islands?

manther225 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:35:44 GMT

We are thinking about 10 days, 5 on Oahu and 5 on another island. Would you go to Maui or Kauai?

What are some must-sees?

Plan my trip for me! Anywhere!

Sayulita — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:48:00 GMT

We have an unexpected week to take a vacation, Dec 1 - 6 before DH starts a new job. We want to spend under $2k all up (food, hotel, car, etc).

We live in Seattle, and we do not want to go to Hawaii or Mexico. We can go anywhere - warm, cold, US or abroad. I don't want to go somewhere that involves really long flights (Asia, etc) Help! I need ideas. I have no idea why I can't think of anything fabulous.

Favorites in La Jolla, San Diego?

badbridey — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:05:20 GMT

We'll be out in La Jolla for a few days this weekend/week, and I'm just looking for some good places to eat, and maybe a few fun outings. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Recommend your favorite Vegas restaurants/buffets

andricjl — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:14:33 GMT

Looking for dinner suggestions - will take cheap or expensive and buffets can be included too...

Thanks!!

Jessica

NYC/Central Park Questions

KAandJJ — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:57:20 GMT

Hi, I will be visiting NYC for a few days next month and wanted to get everyone's take on the Wollman Rink in Central Park. Should we visit it during the day or night? Is it better than the Rockefeller rink? Is the horse drawn carriage rides in Central Park worth it?

Taking children out of country

cfoley80 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:08:45 GMT

I will be traveling to St.Thomas in march w/ my 2 sons and my H (not their Dad). I have never taken them out of the country before and I am curious if I will get any problems from customs. I know they don't need passports because it's a U.S territory but do I need something from their dad giving permission for them to go.I have physical custody of them and don't know where their dad is.

Cruise gurus... come in!

luckygirl07 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:53:27 GMT

I have never been on a cruise before and I'm trying to book one and I'm a little confused by all the cabin choices...

Inside or outside stateroom? Is it really worth the upgrades as the cabins get higher?

Can you feel more motion on the lower / higher decks, does that make a difference?

Anyone cruise with an infant/toddler? advice?

It will be a disney cruise if that makes a difference. Thanks!

Estes Park, CO Recs

Eriksgal — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:51:18 GMT

Please rec some resturants/bars and fun activities. We are headed there next week for TG.

Asheville

ElonCouple — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:19:39 GMT

Headed there for New Years 30th - 2nd....

Any luck with a hotel on Priceline?

Shoji Retreats?

Hiking at Chimney Rock?

Any recommendations!

Family kicked off flight w/out refund

GilliC — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:32:30 GMT

Even though I'm not a parent, and I have my own reservations about unruly children on long flights, I think this is completely outrageous!

http://consumerist.com/5404231/family-kicked-off-flight-for-misbehaving-kids-no-refund

The children were misbehaving, so the flight attendants kicked the family off the plane. The next available flight wasn't until a day or two later and would have cost them $900 to rebook. And the airline refused to refund their tickets.

I can't imagine how awful the kids would have to be behaving to justify this kind of reaction. And it makes me worry about where the line is, and what other rights the airlines might exercise to deny other passengers w/out compensation.

EDIT - My issue isn't so much with the family being asked to leave the plane. It's that they airline didn't give them the option of transferring to the later flight or a refund (even partial).

Miami Recs?

B&K706 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:38:41 GMT

We are leaving for our W. Carribbean cruise in a couple weeks and are trying to plan something to fill a little time on the day we return. We will get off the ship at about 9:00, but we don't fly out of Miami until 5:30. We've already rented a car, we are just looking for a good way to fill 4-5 hours. We are open to about anything except the beach. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Recommend a vacation spot with a 9 mo. old for this summer

05/06 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:11:49 GMT

Our daughter will be 9 months this coming up summer and we would like to start planning our summer vacation as we take one every year. I enjoy going to the beach etc. What destination would be good. TIA

NEW YORK tips needed

kgail11 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:57:49 GMT

I think I've posted on this board twice EVER, so really, I am not sure of the 'dynamic'... I hope this post doesn't get a lot of eye rolls.... anywho! We are planning a short (4 nights) trip to NYC in May, and I needed some advice. We will have our 2 yr old with us, and this may make the trip way more fun, seeing through the eyes of a child thing... or quite hellish for obvious reasons. But we lack a good babysitter (or family), so where we go he goes! I want to do kid-friendly things, but dangit, I also want to do some fun 'normal' things. We're staying at the Doubletree Suites in times square, I am 90% sure.

So, questions! How hard is it to bring an umbrella stroller on the subway? Or buses?

How pricey is a cab from LGA?

What is an absolute MUST see that is not in walking distance of Times Square?

And, a topic of most interest to me, FOOD!!! I know the options are endless and opinions vary widely, but can I get some anyways??

Any other tips, appreciated. :)

barbados

jill1231 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:57:53 GMT

we are heading down in a week anyone have suggestions on places to eat, things to do, ect..<a href="Cuisine - if it was just me, i would eat anything - however, my husband is more of a picky eater...so I think we need to stick with either Steak/Fish, Italian, etc.

Also, any other places we should try - for more casual lunch & dinners? Pizza places? Sandwich/Soup shops?

TIA