Vacation Sites

[Ndaccountant]

Buy the bracelet or bring your own.

I never understood the appeal of going to some exotic destination to get wasted. It's much cheaper to get wasted at home.

Just Googled Punta Cana. Gross. How old are you guys? I would want a full-body condom just to get off the airplane.

If you are going to spend $1500 p/p in the Caribbean at an all-inclusive, you will probably need one anywhere. Plenty of nice places in the D/R if you are willing to spend the money.

 

[koonja]

How was snorkeling in Punta Cana for all of you who went? I'm reading reviews and it basically says nothing like Jamaica/Bahamas. I'm guessing some resorts are better than others.

 

[Henges24]

Me and my girlfriend just booked an all inclusive trip to DR in June for about 1K each. There's plenty of other cheap deals on this site cheapcarribean.com. I highly recommend.

I'd love to hear about your experience in the DR. I have seen a ton of trips for about 1K there and have been having a little speculation about it. My gf and I are also looking it doing one of these this year so love to hear feedback from anyone's experience, places to stay, stay away from, etc.

 

[RDU Irish]

Buy the bracelet or bring your own.

I never understood the appeal of going to some exotic destination to get wasted. It's much cheaper to get wasted at home.

Just Googled Punta Cana. Gross. How old are you guys?

Vacation loses enjoyment pretty quick for me if I have to worry about the bar bill. I like to have a drink or two by the pool. In warm climates, it is only going to be good for the first 50% before it is too warm and or watered down from ice melt. Plus I like to try new things, which I am not apt to do if I am paying by the drink since I don't want to drop $10 on something I might hate but feel compelled to choke down due to cost.

Since I am not getting "wasted" and the wife drinks less than me the prepaid all you can drink bands make zero sense - those are value priced for lushes.

 

[dublinirish]

Wouldn't be into beach/resort type holidays myself. Especially when you are young you should be trying to go and see as many new places as possible and experience other cultures. You can sit by the pool when you are old and nearly dead.

My brother in law insists that every year him and his wife go to the Caribbean and stay in American style hotels where they experience no foreign culture, eat american food and hang out with other americans for two weeks. Never saw the point of that. You might as well just go to Florida.

 

[RDU Irish]

We stay on resort and have always felt safe, off resort is a different ballgame. 4 star and up have plenty of good options out there. Been to three different resorts and all were on par from a cleanliness/quality perspective. Just be ready to move slow, it is island time.

Keep in mind this is the perspective of someone traveling with young kids. Not looking for a rocking night life and people puking in the pool all hours of the day. Foam parties until 2AM aren't happening.

 

[wizards8507]

We stay on resort and have always felt safe, off resort is a different ballgame. 4 star and up have plenty of good options out there. Been to three different resorts and all were on par from a cleanliness/quality perspective. Just be ready to move slow, it is island time.

Keep in mind this is the perspective of someone traveling with young kids. Not looking for a rocking night life and people puking in the pool all hours of the day. Foam parties until 2AM aren't happening.

I don't know what that is, but I suspect I shouldn't Google it on my work computer. Sounds AIDS-y.

 

[woolybug25]

Wouldn't be into beach/resort type holidays myself. Especially when you are young you should be trying to go and see as many new places as possible and experience other cultures. You can sit by the pool when you are old and nearly dead.

My brother in law insists that every year him and his wife go to the Caribbean and stay in American style hotels where they experience no foreign culture, eat american food and hang out with other americans for two weeks. Never saw the point of that. You might as well just go to Florida.

Totally agree. I really never got the all-inclusive thing. It's a vacation where you don't actually have to experience the place you are visiting. Seems like an incredibly lame way to see the world.

 

[Irish2155]

How was snorkeling in Punta Cana for all of you who went? I'm reading reviews and it basically says nothing like Jamaica/Bahamas. I'm guessing some resorts are better than others.

I went on a snorkeling trip but stayed on the boat, and was happy I did. Seemed like half those who went were puking their Mama Juana up the whole trip back.

 

[Irish2155]

Piece of advise if I may...if going to the all-inclusive resort be sure to take a Bubba mug with a lid...you'll be glad you did. Those little cups only do so much when one is thirsty for adult beverages.

And it is not "Coke and Rum"...it's "Rum and Coke". Don't confuse the bartender.

 

[RDU Irish]

Totally agree. I really never got the all-inclusive thing. It's a vacation where you don't actually have to experience the place you are visiting. Seems like an incredibly lame way to see the world.

I'm guessing you have never had to coordinate a trip with three kids and a wife that can't show up on time for anything to save her life. Getting everyone on the same page is torture.

We have a busy life, taking time to decompress and chill with the family is what we value. Also gets pretty damn expensive to do anything with a family of five, all those wonderful sights and restaurants blow up a budget pretty quick.

Convenience is also a thing. Kids are obnoxiously eaters. Pretty hard to figure out what they will want and when and if they will decide they just don't want the $15 chicken nuggets you just bought or this authentic local fare is toxic. Or they aren't hungry one minute and starving five minutes after you are done eating. All inclusive place with access to snack bars most of the day and large buffets for most meals relieve a ton of PIA over dealing with kids.

 

[dublinirish]

I'm guessing you have never had to coordinate a trip with three kids and a wife that can't show up on time for anything to save her life. Getting everyone on the same page is torture.

We have a busy life, taking time to decompress and chill with the family is what we value. Also gets pretty damn expensive to do anything with a family of five, all those wonderful sights and restaurants blow up a budget pretty quick.

Convenience is also a thing. Kids are obnoxiously eaters. Pretty hard to figure out what they will want and when and if they will decide they just don't want the $15 chicken nuggets you just bought or this authentic local fare is toxic. Or they aren't hungry one minute and starving five minutes after you are done eating. All inclusive place with access to snack bars most of the day and large buffets for most meals relieve a ton of PIA over dealing with kids.

Koon ain't good no kids though (at least he ain't told us)

 

[Irish#1]

How have I not been repped for this? Mods can I rep myself?

Self repping. Just one of the forms of self gratification Koon enjoys.


That A+ material there.

 

[wizards8507]

Self repping. Just one of the forms of self gratification Koon enjoys.

Koon ain't good no kids though (at least he ain't told us)

Cause and effect.

 

[woolybug25]

I'm guessing you have never had to coordinate a trip with three kids and a wife that can't show up on time for anything to save her life. Getting everyone on the same page is torture.

We have a busy life, taking time to decompress and chill with the family is what we value. Also gets pretty damn expensive to do anything with a family of five, all those wonderful sights and restaurants blow up a budget pretty quick.

Convenience is also a thing. Kids are obnoxiously eaters. Pretty hard to figure out what they will want and when and if they will decide they just don't want the $15 chicken nuggets you just bought or this authentic local fare is toxic. Or they aren't hungry one minute and starving five minutes after you are done eating. All inclusive place with access to snack bars most of the day and large buffets for most meals relieve a ton of PIA over dealing with kids.

I get what you're saying, but then why go somewhere exotic at all? What's the point of going to Punta Gorda if it's not gonna be really any different than Florida? Also, there are tons of great travel companies that can put you in unique accommodations and plan your events/food through local sources.

It just drives me crazy when someone tells me how much they love... say... Honduras, because they stopped onto a private resort beach there for a three hour stop on a cruise. They didn't meet one single Honduran, walk through a single neighborhood or frankly do anything that they couldn't have done at any Club Med in the world.

 

[#1rish]

Booked an all-inclusive in the DR with my fiancee a few years ago through LivingSocial via Apple Vacations. Highly recommended.

 

[kmoose]

Since this has turned into much more than koon once again punting decisions in his life to those of us on IE; some cool places that you probably have never heard of, or never considered for a vacation:

Malta: Small island in the Med., about halfway between Sicily and Lybia. Official language is Maltese, but nearly everyone speaks English. Even 90% of the signage is in English. Eclectic culture since every dynasty that has ever existed has owned Malta at one time or another)

Aqaba, Jordan: Resort area on the Red Sea(Gulf of Aqaba). Incredibly historic, yet modern Arabian city. This is the city that Lawrence of Arabia liberated, in the classic stories of his exploits. Not far from Aqaba (about a $40 cab ride(roughly 2 hrs), I think I remember) is Petra, the ancient city that is chiseled out of the cliffs that was featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Also add a day or two to visit the Dead Sea, not far from Amman.

Varna, Bulgaria: Resort area on the Black Sea. Lots of Western hotels. Being a vacation-ey area, lots of hotel and restaurant workers speak English. Some "Old World" European charm.

Kiev, Ukraine: I would wait until the political situation settles down a bit. Once it is stable, you can't get much better in terms of Old World Charm. Fantastic city. But cold as balls in the Winter. Make it a Summer trip if possible.

Vienna, Austria: One of the exceptions to the idea that you can't get much more Old World Charm than Kiev. Fantastic city!! Tons of gothic architecture and cultural attractions.

Now that I think about it............ I think that, if you are going to go to Europe, look into the Viking River Cruises. That will let you get to many of the cultural capitals.

 

[koonja]

I'm not looking to experience other culture's lifestyle on this trip, I'm looking to experience their habitat.

 

[dublinirish]

I get what you're saying, but then why go somewhere exotic at all? What's the point of going to Punta Gorda if it's not gonna be really any different than Florida? Also, there are tons of great travel companies that can put you in unique accommodations and plan your events/food through local sources.

It just drives me crazy when someone tells me how much they love... say... Honduras, because they stopped onto a private resort beach there for a three hour stop on a cruise. They didn't meet one single Honduran, walk through a single neighborhood or frankly do anything that they couldn't have done at any Club Med in the world.

yep i've known people to go to Costa Rica and say the same. They get a glimpse of the culture of the nation only on their way to and from the airport. it's really depressing. I've never understood why Americans don't visit South America more. There's a whole continent a 3/4 hour flight away - jungles/deserts/snowscapes that not enough people take advantage of.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Since this has turned into much more than koon once again punting decisions in his life to those of us on IE; some cool places that you probably have never heard of, or never considered for a vacation:

Malta: Small island in the Med., about halfway between Sicily and Lybia. Official language is Maltese, but nearly everyone speaks English. Even 90% of the signage is in English. Eclectic culture since every dynasty that has ever existed has owned Malta at one time or another)

Aqaba, Jordan: Resort area on the Red Sea(Gulf of Aqaba). Incredibly historic, yet modern Arabian city. This is the city that Lawrence of Arabia liberated, in the classic stories of his exploits. Not far from Aqaba (about a $40 cab ride(roughly 2 hrs), I think I remember) is Petra, the ancient city that is chiseled out of the cliffs that was featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Also add a day or two to visit the Dead Sea, not far from Amman.

Varna, Bulgaria: Resort area on the Black Sea. Lots of Western hotels. Being a vacation-ey area, lots of hotel and restaurant workers speak English. Some "Old World" European charm.

Kiev, Ukraine: I would wait until the political situation settles down a bit. Once it is stable, you can't get much better in terms of Old World Charm. Fantastic city. But cold as balls in the Winter. Make it a Summer trip if possible.

Vienna, Austria: One of the exceptions to the idea that you can't get much more Old World Charm than Kiev. Fantastic city!! Tons of gothic architecture and cultural attractions.

Now that I think about it............ I think that, if you are going to go to Europe, look into the Viking River Cruises. That will let you get to many of the cultural capitals.

Vienna is awesome. I need to get back to Central Europe.

And Koon have you been ice fishing yet? Maybe you should go ice fishing.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[kmoose]

I'm not looking to experience other culture's lifestyle on this trip, I'm looking to experience their habitat.

So you were specific about going out of the country, just to try to impress the folks at work with your worldly adventures of sitting in a bar in Thailand?

 

[koonja]

So you were specific about going out of the country, just to try to impress the folks at work with your worldly adventures of sitting in a bar in Thailand?

Have I once said anything about drinking/bar/alcohol? Or are you just being 7 again?

 

[Ndaccountant]

You can stay at AI resorts and still get a feel for the island / country. Anytime my wife and I have gone to one we typically spend 2 days outside the resort, visiting local cities/villages and natural attractions. They don't have to be mutually exclusive.

 

[kmoose]

Have I once said anything about drinking/bar/alcohol? Or are you just being 7 again?

I. will. slow. down. for. you. If. you. are. not. going. to. get. out. and. experience. the. culture., then. what. else. are. you. going. to. do., other. than. sit. in. a. hotel. bar.? If. you, are. just. going. to. sit. in. a. hotel. bar., then. why. go. overseas. for. that.?

 

[IrishLion]

So you were specific about going out of the country, just to try to impress the folks at work with your worldly adventures of sitting in a bar in Thailand?

I. will. slow. down. for. you. If. you. are. not. going. to. get. out. and. experience. the. culture., then. what. else. are. you. going. to. do., other. than. sit. in. a. hotel. bar.? If. you, are. just. going. to. sit. in. a. hotel. bar., then. why. go. overseas. for. that.?

EDIT: Allow me to rephrase... don't start in on Koon. There is literally no reason for your above posts.

 

[koonja]

I. will. slow. down. for. you. If. you. are. not. going. to. get. out. and. experience. the. culture., then. what. else. are. you. going. to. do., other. than. sit. in. a. hotel. bar.? If. you, are. just. going. to. sit. in. a. hotel. bar., then. why. go. overseas. for. that.?

It's warmer, it's prettier, it's another country, it's a different government, it's a different language (potentially), there's more marine life, there are different rules, it's typically cheaper, I haven't been to the Ocean in 8 years. Do I need to go on? Next time you want to put words into my mouth to try to lift yourself up, just eat them, please.

 

[kmoose]

It's warmer, it's prettier, it's another country, it's a different government, it's a different language (potentially), there's more marine life, there are different rules, it's typically cheaper, I haven't been to the Ocean in 8 years. Do I need to go on? Next time you want to put words into my mouth to try to lift yourself up, just eat them, please.

If you don't call that experiencing another culture/lifestyle, then what DO you consider it?

 

[kmoose]

EDIT: Allow me to rephrase... don't start in on Koon. There is literally no reason for your above posts.

I asked an honest question, and he didn't seem to understand what I meant. So he accused me of being childish. I answered in a manner that I thought he might better understand.

 

[IrishLion]

I asked an honest question, and he didn't seem to understand what I meant. So he accused me of being childish. I answered in a manner that I thought he might better understand.

You were starting sh*t and you know it. Your first question was intentionally condescending.

I just don't get the need for confrontation when there wasn't anything wrong with the thread. Even the usual "give Koon a hard time" stuff was normal.

 

[RDU Irish]

So Koon should drop $1100 on his RT flight and spend $100 accommodations and food? $1200 might get you one night on a Viking cruise. Some cool ideas in there but I'll need a few more commas in my paycheck before I think about paying for five people to take on those trips. Club Med? Seriously? Feeling kinda vacation snobby in here.