BP Vacation Thread: What To Do Where You're Going

[southcampus]

I'm planning a honeymoon for summer 2014 and looking for suggestions as well. What's a reasonable price range for that type of thing typically? I don't want to spend like more than 5-6k...

 

[BigWoof31]

I'm planning a honeymoon for summer 2014 and looking for suggestions as well. What's a reasonable price range for that type of thing typically? I don't want to spend like more than 5-6k...

I have just paid mine off and we leave in May. I have some definative "do's and dont's" in my experience.

1. DO come up with an absolute rock solid amount so you will not go over budget. Share this number with everyone you work with in your planning so that they won't dangle add-ons that will push you over your amount. For me, the number with lodging, flights and excursions - the number was $4500.

2. DO use a travel agent! Every resort and airline has their own online booking system but the travel agent has almost always stayed at every single resort they can consider (or close to it) and they can recommend views, request higher floors and can book other excursions for you prior to your trip.
As a bonus - they'll accept payment plans! I was able to pay 400/month over the course of several months. This is much, much easier than having to pay it all in one lump sum at the end.

3. DON'T go someplace very remote or hard to get to. You'll lose two days of travel getting there and coming back. I originally wanted to stay at Sandal's Antigua. Would have taken me 16 hours and two different flights to get there and back. 100% not worth it.

4. DON'T be afraid to combine two different destinations into one. I've had recommendations from couples friends who spent two days in Napa and 5 days in Hawaii or 5 days in Punta Cana and 2 days on South Beach.
We're doing 5 days in Cabo and 3 days in Las Vegas. Combining both a relaxed 100% pampered environment of all inclusive with the go-go-go fine dining, gambling and shows of Las Vegas.

5. DO be careful with Cruise bookings. If you decide to book a cruise, watch the cost with the alcohol and watch the schedule of when they sail. Many won't sail to exotic locations in the summer because of the heat and storm season.


Good luck!

 

[BayBuck]

2. DO use a travel agent! Every resort and airline has their own online booking system but the travel agent has almost always stayed at every single resort they can consider (or close to it) and they can recommend views, request higher floors and can book other excursions for you prior to your trip.

On the other hand, the best alternative to using a travel agent has always been to research, research, research. For me, planning a vacation is always a huge part of the fun--to really feel like I know a place before I even get there, which allows for more spontenaity even within a structured schedule--and an informed traveler can always find their own deals.

 

[southcampus]

I have just paid mine off and we leave in May. I have some definative "do's and dont's" in my experience.

1. DO come up with an absolute rock solid amount so you will not go over budget. Share this number with everyone you work with in your planning so that they won't dangle add-ons that will push you over your amount. For me, the number with lodging, flights and excursions - the number was $4500.

2. DO use a travel agent! Every resort and airline has their own online booking system but the travel agent has almost always stayed at every single resort they can consider (or close to it) and they can recommend views, request higher floors and can book other excursions for you prior to your trip.
As a bonus - they'll accept payment plans! I was able to pay 400/month over the course of several months. This is much, much easier than having to pay it all in one lump sum at the end.

3. DON'T go someplace very remote or hard to get to. You'll lose two days of travel getting there and coming back. I originally wanted to stay at Sandal's Antigua. Would have taken me 16 hours and two different flights to get there and back. 100% not worth it.

4. DON'T be afraid to combine two different destinations into one. I've had recommendations from couples friends who spent two days in Napa and 5 days in Hawaii or 5 days in Punta Cana and 2 days on South Beach.
We're doing 5 days in Cabo and 3 days in Las Vegas. Combining both a relaxed 100% pampered environment of all inclusive with the go-go-go fine dining, gambling and shows of Las Vegas.

5. DO be careful with Cruise bookings. If you decide to book a cruise, watch the cost with the alcohol and watch the schedule of when they sail. Many won't sail to exotic locations in the summer because of the heat and storm season.


Good luck!

I hadn't thought about the split vacation thing. I've always wanted to spend like 2 days on south beach but not an entire week there. I've also seen that a lot of those resorts have like 4 day specials. Might have to look into doing something like that.

I'll have to have the talk with my fiancee about the wedding. I don't want to spend more than $5k, especially after what I just paid for an engagement ring. Really interested in how far $5k will go as opposed to $3k.

 

[BigWoof31]

I hadn't thought about the split vacation thing. I've always wanted to spend like 2 days on south beach but not an entire week there. I've also seen that a lot of those resorts have like 4 day specials. Might have to look into doing something like that.

I'll have to have the talk with my fiancee about the wedding. I don't want to spend more than $5k, especially after what I just paid for an engagement ring. Really interested in how far $5k will go as opposed to $3k.

Good luck in your planning - it is really a fun time.
Two more small pointers:

1. The all inclusive resorts tend to operate on "Turf's" - I'm not kidding. Sandal's has a foothold on most of Jamaica, the Bahamas and other Carribbean Islands.

2. Dreams/Secrets is more heavily invested in Mexico with a few in Jamaica

3. Iberostar is in Mexico and throughout South America. With a couple in Jamaica too!

 

[WolverineMike]

the last time we used a travel agent, they sat there looking at expedia.........never again.

 

[Al Bundy]

I'm planning a honeymoon for summer 2014 and looking for suggestions as well. What's a reasonable price range for that type of thing typically? I don't want to spend like more than 5-6k...

My best advise is to cancel the wedding and just spend the money at the "nudie bar". I got married and look what I ended up with, don't you make the same mistake.

 

[BadMouse]

The sears3820 family is heading to Darby, MT for a 2 week vacation in July.

Going to be doing a little hiking, rafting, and tour some Montana's finest microbreweries.

Driving out there or flying? If you have time, I highly recommend a trip on the Bear Tooth Highway between Red Lodge MT and Yellowstone Park. Spectacular views.

Edit: Heck, you will only be 4 hours from Glacier National Park. Also a kick @ss place to go (brown trout as big as your leg, crystal clear water, fantastic hikes, etc).

 

[gbearbuck]

Oahu on business last week (well, not totally true... Mrs. Gbearbuck was at the conference, I was drinking with Mililanibuckeye)... On Maui now for some r&r.

 

[BoxCar_Willie]

Going to Paris this weekend. Oh la la. Ugh, this is gonna suck for me but the kids are excited. I hate crowds.

 

[DGADBTWSOM]

Going to Paris this weekend. Oh la la. Ugh, this is gonna suck for me but the kids are excited. I hate crowds.

If it were spring or summer or fall I could not recommend Versailles enough. The Louvre is a can't miss, I get chills still thinking about standing inches away from Hammurabi's Code, and if you walk around the gardens outside the museum, you can find some of these:

Enjoy it, the people are pretty and accommodating to Americans, even if you don't speak french.

Oh, and if you get sick of baguettes and you stumble across a little place called Pizza Tina, go have a slice with some wine.

 

[buckeyegrad]

My best advise is to cancel the wedding and just spend the money at the "nudie bar". I got married and look what I ended up with, don't you make the same mistake.

However, Al did get a major trade up and is doing pretty good for himself these days.

 

[WolverineMike]

We enjoyed Paris when we went. It's the Americans that go over there thinking they own the place that are treated bad. Act like you have some common sense it's lovely place.

 

[Merih]

If it were spring or summer or fall I could not recommend Versailles enough. The Louvre is a can't miss, I get chills still thinking about standing inches away from Hammurabi's Code, and if you walk around the gardens outside the museum, you can find some of these:

Enjoy it, the people are pretty and accommodating to Americans, even if you don't speak french.

Oh, and if you get sick of baguettes and you stumble across a little place called Pizza Tina, go have a slice with some wine.

I was next to Hammurabi's code a few weeks ago at the Louvre. I was literally standing there with my mouth agape. There were a few others around doing the same and giving each other "I can't believe this" eyes.

It's neat how a shared interest in humanities and history connected that little group of people from all over the world.

 

[Mac]

Driving down to Ormond (or Ormund) beach, FL in early June. Can't wait