I want to go south

[M007]

Dam it. Everybody in Asia and I want to go south. Anyone? Thinking of Cuba or Cancun. Lucky Sean gets to go for work. :sick:

[oyster]

Dam it. Everybody in Asia and I want to go south. Anyone? Thinking of Cuba or Cancun. Lucky Sean gets to go for work. :sick:

south? Jamaica is nice and wild

I want to go east.....east like nova scotia....

further east, europe...

I dream every week of a high speed train that goes underneath the atlantic sea bed....get to Europe in say 4-6 hours.

[M007]

KEEP DREAMING until you get there. :D

[christyles]

Dam it. Everybody in Asia and I want to go south. Anyone? Thinking of Cuba or Cancun. Lucky Sean gets to go for work. :sick:
i was planning Cuba in February. We'll see... I don't like cold weather.

[Santiago]

Yup, planning to take the clan to a beach this winter. I think because of the strong Canadian dollar we should get some breaks.

I will likely use http://www.travellastminute.ca about 3-4 weeks before I decide to go. What do you guys use?

[alexm520]

Dam it. Everybody in Asia and I want to go south. Anyone? Thinking of Cuba or Cancun. Lucky Sean gets to go for work. :sick:

If you are going to Caribbean (incl Cuba/Mexico), checkout areas/beaches of interest on their state after several big hurricanes earlier this year.

http://stormcarib.com/index.htm
http://stormcarib.com/index.htm#disc

Once you narrow down to a specific island or area of the island, it is best to hit a forum for that area to get up-to date state of the beaches/hotels/any cleanup effort after hurricane.

As far as excellent deals for some of Caribbean islands, you cannot beat: http://www.selloffvacations.com/ I used them for 3 consecutive years in December except last one and every time I check their rates for the same hotel/type of room/view, they are always cheaper. But to get a very good price you need to be flexible a bit with the deaparture date and book 1 - 2 weeks before leaving.
They do have a physical office location and you can go there to pickup your tickets if booked at least 72 hours before departure; otherwise it will be ready at the airport.

[M007]

Yup, planning to take the clan to a beach this winter. I think because of the strong Canadian dollar we should get some breaks.

I will likely use http://www.travellastminute.ca about 3-4 weeks before I decide to go. What do you guys use?How about last minute club?

[M007]

If you are going to Caribbean (incl Cuba/Mexico), checkout areas/beaches of interest on their state after several big hurricanes earlier this year.

http://stormcarib.com/index.htm
http://stormcarib.com/index.htm#disc

Once you narrow down to a specific island or area of the island, it is best to hit a forum for that area to get up-to date state of the beaches/hotels/any cleanup effort after hurricane.

As far as excellent deals for some of Caribbean islands, you cannot beat: http://www.selloffvacations.com/ I used them for 3 consecutive years in December except last one and every time I check their rates for the same hotel/type of room/view, they are always cheaper. But to get a very good price you need to be flexible a bit with the deaparture date and book 1 - 2 weeks before leaving.
They do have a physical office location and you can go there to pickup your tickets if booked at least 72 hours before departure; otherwise it will be ready at the airport.Thanks , I'll check it out. :)

[dieselgrl]

I want to go somewhere far, far away....need a break.

I just went to Cancun (or more specifically Mayan riviera) back in June...and i got a deal for $650 all inclusive, tax included for a week. i went through www.itravel2000.com you can also check out www.belairtravel.ca i've also checked out lastminuteclub.com but their prices are pretty much the same as the other two places.

hope that helps.

[christyles]

Gary, I thought you were going to Philippines with Buddy Steve.

[M333ee]

JAPAN!!!!! :}:

I second Nassau Bahamas or the Mayan riviera like Di.
Both amazing places to just sit back and relax or party if you want to.

[Chopper]

It all sounds nice for people not saving up for a wedding and a house purchase :D

[Canuck328i]

Cuba in January - great deals, great people, worth every penny. We have used http://www.sunholidays.ca for our last 4 trips and they have been outstanding. Sell off is the way to go.

Mark

[jessica]

It all sounds nice for people not saving up for a wedding and a house purchase :D


Aren't you planning to go somewhere for your honeymoon?

[Regin8r]

Gary,

I am going to Cancun from Thursday January 13-20 at OASIS PLAYA. There is a group of about 8 of us going. 4 of us have confirmed and paid already. I was supposed to go last year, but SunWing Vacations overbooked the OASIS PLAYA (4star) and upgraded us to SUN PALACE (5 star), AND they threw in an 7 DAY ALL INCLUSIVE credit for OASIS PLAYA valid for in a year, so that's why we are going again this year.

I highly recommend the Palace Resorts (Sun Palace, Moon Palace, Cancun Palace) as they include a tour with your stay, and have free 24 hour room service, mini bar, safety deposit box, spectacular ocean view and a real jacuzzi in your suite. If I could have stayed there again, I would have. My friends last year stayed at OASIS CANCUN (3 star) and had to pay extra for all those little things. The food wasn't good there.

Other friends who have gone always stay at the OASIS PLAYA, so they highly recommend it for both food and atmosphere.

Stay away from those bargain basement places like Dos Playas. They really do suck.

Flight Centre will beat www.selloffvacations.com by $5. On the day you are ready to book, just go into the cheapest web site and Flight Centre will look up the price on that day. They will beat whatever price you find by $5 per booking.

Around the time we are going, it is considered high season. The price is about $1500CDN after all the taxes, etc. ($241 is taxes)

For budgeting purposes IF going to Cancun:

You need about $30 US per night that we go all you can drink clubbing
(usually 2-3 nights). If you don't go all you can drink, I think it is
about $10 US cover.
Senior Frogs
Phat Tuesdays
Coco Bongo
Oasis Foam Party

Tours are about $50US per tour (whole day) and includes meals (usually 1-2
tours).
Jungle Boat Tour (you get your own boat!)
Tulum
Chichinitza
Isla Munares

Local bus fare is only $0.60 US.

Because I just went last year, and I'm going again this year, I familiarized myself with that place. It's a pretty crazy party!

Reg

[oyster]

Chichinitza is a great place, did you buy some marble or onix chest set?

[M333ee]

I highly recommend the Palace Resorts (Sun Palace, Moon Palace, Cancun Palace) as they include a tour with your stay, and have free 24 hour room service, mini bar, safety deposit box, spectacular ocean view and a real jacuzzi in your suite. If I could have stayed there again, I would have. My friends last year stayed at OASIS CANCUN (3 star) and had to pay extra for all those little things. The food wasn't good there.

Reg

We went to the Moon Palace last year. Very, very good place. You can actually take the shuttle bus from each of the Palace resorts and use all the facilities at each.

The Adventura Palace Spa & Restort was amazing!!!!

[STALKER]

I was living large in Grand Cayman till damn Hurricane Ivan, now im stuck in Maine for a few months.

[Regin8r]

Chichinitza is a great place, did you buy some marble or onix chest set?

I bought some obsidian statues that are supposed to bring "good luck". What can I say? I'm a damn tourist when it comes to folklore.


We went to the Moon Palace last year. Very, very good place. You can actually take the shuttle bus from each of the Palace resorts and use all the facilities at each.

The Adventura Palace Spa & Restort was amazing!!!!

Yup, it's great. :thumbsup:

[M007]

Gary,

I am going to Cancun from Thursday January 13-20 at OASIS PLAYA. There is a group of about 8 of us going. 4 of us have confirmed and paid already. I was supposed to go last year, but SunWing Vacations overbooked the OASIS PLAYA (4star) and upgraded us to SUN PALACE (5 star), AND they threw in an 7 DAY ALL INCLUSIVE credit for OASIS PLAYA valid for in a year, so that's why we are going again this year.

I highly recommend the Palace Resorts (Sun Palace, Moon Palace, Cancun Palace) as they include a tour with your stay, and have free 24 hour room service, mini bar, safety deposit box, spectacular ocean view and a real jacuzzi in your suite. If I could have stayed there again, I would have. My friends last year stayed at OASIS CANCUN (3 star) and had to pay extra for all those little things. The food wasn't good there.

Other friends who have gone always stay at the OASIS PLAYA, so they highly recommend it for both food and atmosphere.

Stay away from those bargain basement places like Dos Playas. They really do suck.

Flight Centre will beat www.selloffvacations.com by $5. On the day you are ready to book, just go into the cheapest web site and Flight Centre will look up the price on that day. They will beat whatever price you find by $5 per booking.

Around the time we are going, it is considered high season. The price is about $1500CDN after all the taxes, etc. ($241 is taxes)

For budgeting purposes IF going to Cancun:

You need about $30 US per night that we go all you can drink clubbing
(usually 2-3 nights). If you don't go all you can drink, I think it is
about $10 US cover.
Senior Frogs
Phat Tuesdays
Coco Bongo
Oasis Foam Party

Tours are about $50US per tour (whole day) and includes meals (usually 1-2
tours).
Jungle Boat Tour (you get your own boat!)
Tulum
Chichinitza
Isla Munares

Local bus fare is only $0.60 US.

Because I just went last year, and I'm going again this year, I familiarized myself with that place. It's a pretty crazy party!

RegI heard that hotel is either very good or very bad. I'm sure the 4 star is much much better then 3 star. :)

[M007]

Cuba in January - great deals, great people, worth every penny. We have used http://www.sunholidays.ca for our last 4 trips and they have been outstanding. Sell off is the way to go.

MarkIsn't Jamuary consider a low season vacation. If kind of want a off season vacation because too many people isn't good either. :)

[M007]

I want to go somewhere far, far away....need a break.

I just went to Cancun (or more specifically Mayan riviera) back in June...and i got a deal for $650 all inclusive, tax included for a week. i went through www.itravel2000.com you can also check out www.belairtravel.ca i've also checked out lastminuteclub.com but their prices are pretty much the same as the other two places.

hope that helps.Thanks Di. I'm checking for a good deal right now. :)

[M007]

Gary, I thought you were going to Philippines with Buddy Steve.
Well, he's leaving next week for a month. I have to feel about it in Dec. I might good nut and take off. :D

[Canuck328i]

Isn't Jamuary consider a low season vacation. If kind of want a off season vacation because too many people isn't good either. :)

We go in January or late December. The resorts aren't mad with people, so the service and "elbow room" are at a prime. I like to go away just when winter hits to get away from the early winter blahs, then settle in with the good memories!

Also the prices are great. With the selloffs we've wangled plus the time of year we go, our most recent sun vacation was practically "free".

Mark

[Santiago]

I haven't decided whether to go in late January or early-to-mid February. Do prices climb in February? How is it going down south during Feb?

[alexm520]

Well, he's leaving next week for a month. I have to feel about it in Dec. I might good nut and take off. :D

A month of this ....
http://www.geocities.com/alexm520/boracay1-1.jpg
I want to go back there :D

Santiago, for Caribbean:
Mid-to-End of December - prices go Up significantly
January - prices go down a lot
February - first week, prices are still down, but go Up for the university study week (this year it was Feb 14 - 22 ... I was at Holguin because my ex was on her study week). Cuba was practically sold out during that week .... book at least 2 or 3 weeks in advance if going at that time.
Prices go down again after the study week, until the March break.

From cost and deals perspective, the best time to go is before December 15th or in January.

[Santiago]

A month of this ....
http://www.geocities.com/alexm520/boracay1-1.jpg
I want to go back there :D

Santiago, for Caribbean:
Mid-to-End of December - prices go Up significantly
January - prices go down a lot
February - first week, prices are still down, but go Up for the university study week (this year it was Feb 14 - 22 ... I was at Holguin because my ex was on her study week). Cuba was practically sold out during that week .... book at least 2 or 3 weeks in advance if going at that time.
Prices go down again after the study week, until the March break.

From cost and deals perspective, the best time to go is before December 15th or in January.


Thanks for the info. We were originally looking at mid-Feb but it makes sense now to go at the end of Jan. Thanks again for the tips.

[dieselgrl]

Other friends who have gone always stay at the OASIS PLAYA, so they highly recommend it for both food and atmosphere.

Stay away from those bargain basement places like Dos Playas. They really do suck.

You need about $30 US per night that we go all you can drink clubbing
(usually 2-3 nights). If you don't go all you can drink, I think it is
about $10 US cover.
Senior Frogs
Phat Tuesdays
Coco Bongo
Oasis Foam Party

Tours are about $50US per tour (whole day) and includes meals (usually 1-2
tours).
Jungle Boat Tour (you get your own boat!)
Tulum
Chichinitza
Isla Munares

Local bus fare is only $0.60 US.


I stayed at Oasis Puerto Aventuras in the mayan riviera and it was pretty nice. I agree that the Oasis chain of hotels are a good choice. I had lots of activities to do during the day at the hotel (like snorkeling, bike tours, etc that were free). As for the local buses....my crazy experience was walking on the side of the highway with two of my girlfriends to find a bus stop so we could go to Tulum on our own...we found out about 2km later after walking on the highway shoulder that you can stop at any side of the road, and the local shuttle bus will pick you up!!! My friends and I nearly got run over by the vehicles on the highway...cause we found out later on that drivers can actually drive on the shoulder!!! So if you decide to take local transit...just wait on the side of the road for a shuttle bus van and flag them down.

[SmoothMoka]

Other friends who have gone always stay at the OASIS PLAYA, so they highly recommend it for both food and atmosphere.
Reg
Wife and I also stayed at the OASIS PLAYA - didn't like it very much...food was not that great :thumbsdow ...but then again for the price we paid it was ok.
We've gone to RUI resorts in Negril and Puerto Vallarta...recommended resorts!:thumbsup:
Couplewise...Sandal's Rule! St. Lucia was wonderful! amazing food and entertainment!:thumbsup:
Beachwise...St.John is absolutely heavenly!...but not alot of all inclusive resorts and nightlife!

Aruba is beautiful...weather is always nice, crystal clear beaches, very friendly people(locals), natural wonders, awesome nightlife...highly recommended! :thumbsup:

other than that, Buffalo is nice...it's south! :D

[M007]

all right! we do you guys reconment me to go? There is so many choices. I might even go alone. :confused: