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

[matt_thatsme]

Hilton Head/Savannah in May. Any suggestions?

I will be heading that way myself in May. Savannah and Sea Island / St. Simon Island. Looking forward to a little fun in the sun and some good eats.

Has anyone had any experience using airbnb.com? I rented a place through there for an Alabama golf trip in early May.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Anyone ever been to Antigua? What about Aruba? I'm about a year out for my honeymoon and I'm still doing research on where I want to go.

Anyone been to St. Lucia? I'm kind of worried about rain/hurricanes for this honeymoon (June 2014) and I'm starting to look at some locations outside of the hurricane belt.

Note: Hurricanes can be almost anywhere in the Caribbean; however June is a little early in the hurricane season and most do go north of the ABC islands (i.e. Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. You never know about hurricanes though, I was at a resort in Jamaica on 20 Aug 2007 when a category 5 one named Dean went by. Fortunately it grazed Jamaica's south coast and I was on the north coast; however, there was still damage to the resort.

If you are thinking about someplace like Antigua or St. Lucia for a honeymoon, I'd consider a Sandals (all inclusive) Resort. Their properties are large & nice, all food/drinks/activities are included, and best of all they don't allow kids there.

http://www.honeymoonsinc.com/Sandal...Antigua_Bahamas/Sandals_Grande_St_Lucian.aspx

http://www.honeymoonsinc.com/Sandal...a_Antigua_Bahamas/Sandals_Grande_Antigua.aspx

Of course what do I know, 40 years ago I didn't know any better just went to Cove Haven in the Poconos for my honeymoon.

 

[BigWoof31]

Anyone been to St. Lucia? I'm kind of worried about rain/hurricanes for this honeymoon (June 2014) and I'm starting to look at some locations outside of the hurricane belt.

You doing the "All Inclusive" thing?

I leave for my honeymoon in 14 days and absolutely cannot wait. Felt like I researched every option and Cabo seemed right for us.
You're right to worry about some of the rain, but my good friend spent 8 days in St. Lucia last year and said that they got "summer showers" lasting between 40 minutes to an hour only twice.

It was nice - he said it cooled things down a bit and everyone flocked to the bar. He did mention that it would have ruined any excursions had he been on one.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Going to Cairns, Australia in early June to do Ironman Cairns, and then dive the Great Barrier Reef and ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

 

[southcampus]

You doing the "All Inclusive" thing?

I leave for my honeymoon in 14 days and absolutely cannot wait. Felt like I researched every option and Cabo seemed right for us.
You're right to worry about some of the rain, but my good friend spent 8 days in St. Lucia last year and said that they got "summer showers" lasting between 40 minutes to an hour only twice.

It was nice - he said it cooled things down a bit and everyone flocked to the bar. He did mention that it would have ruined any excursions had he been on one.

I want to do Cabo. It's safe, it's not that far, and the weather/food are amazing. My fiancee is all worried about the crime as soon as she hears "Mexico," which is dumb, considering I live in Chicago.

 

[southcampus]

Chances are, I'll end up doing something in Jamaica. Seems like really good value, relatively close, sufficiently safe, good mixture of foods and culture, and exotic. I hear good things about the weather in Negril, especially since it's on the west side of Jamaica. People I know say it's relatively a safe bet that I'd be fine in June visiting that part of the country.

We're not looking to do too much on the trip, other than relax and maybe do some typical beach stuff like snorkeling, possibly some deep see fishing, etc.. So I think that would sufficiently meet our needs.

 

[Jimmy Carter]

Chances are, I'll end up doing something in Jamaica. Seems like really good value, relatively close, sufficiently safe, good mixture of foods and culture, and exotic. I hear good things about the weather in Negril, especially since it's on the west side of Jamaica. People I know say it's relatively a safe bet that I'd be fine in June visiting that part of the country.

We're not looking to do too much on the trip, other than relax and maybe do some typical beach stuff like snorkeling, possibly some deep see fishing, etc.. So I think that would sufficiently meet our needs.

I sea.

 

[gbearbuck]

Note: Hurricanes can be almost anywhere in the Caribbean; however June is a little early in the hurricane season and most do go north of the ABC islands (i.e. Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. You never know about hurricanes though, I was at a resort in Jamaica on 20 Aug 2007 when a category 5 one named Dean went by. Fortunately it grazed Jamaica's south coast and I was on the north coast; however, there was still damage to the resort.

If you are thinking about someplace like Antigua or St. Lucia for a honeymoon, I'd consider a Sandals (all inclusive) Resort. Their properties are large & nice, all food/drinks/activities are included, and best of all they don't allow kids there.

http://www.honeymoonsinc.com/Sandal...Antigua_Bahamas/Sandals_Grande_St_Lucian.aspx

http://www.honeymoonsinc.com/Sandal...a_Antigua_Bahamas/Sandals_Grande_Antigua.aspx

Of course what do I know, 40 years ago I didn't know any better just went to Cove Haven in the Poconos for my honeymoon.

You're fine in June... technically hurricane season doesn't start until July and the first tropical storm usually doesn't roll through until late July or early August. We actually enjoy the Caribbean during hurricane season. September is peak season: prices are dirt cheap and there aren't any crowds (the kids are back in school and the older folks don't want to risk heading down when it is hot and hurricane season is in full swing.

As Script said, the ABC's (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) are your best bet if you are concerned about hurricanes (they are a dozen or so miles off central America and are well outside the hurricane belt).

Rain in June will be scattered (meaning it is unlikely that it will rain all day). You might have a day or two where half the day it rains, however the trade-winds keep things moving so storms don't just sit over the islands...

The Jamaica resorts are great... just walking around in the towns is not so great (you're safe in the resorts... off the resorts you are open game for the "element"). Basically stay at a resort not a random hotel in town if heading to Jamaica... Same goes for Mexico, if you're in the resort/tourist areas they keep you safe, if you wander out on your own into a random town, do so at your own risk...

 

[gbearbuck]

Going to Cairns, Australia in early June to do Ironman Cairns, and then dive the Great Barrier Reef and ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Take a boat out and dive the reef (scuba or just snorkle). You will not regret it. We need to meet up if you're going to LA for the Rose or BCS National Championship... BTW Maui was great (and expensive, Waikiki was cheap compared to Maui... as I'm sure you know).

 

[BayBuck]

Posting from here on our last vacation day:

www.sanctuarycapcana.com

Fu. King. Ama. Zing.

I think I'll miss Bernardo at the swim-up bar the most...

 

[THEWOOD]

Any BPers ever been to either Seaside or Rosemary Beach in Florida? Everything I read says they are both nice.

Any insights on which is better or why to pick one over another would be beneficial. Any decent golf courses in the area?

 

[Magua]

Looking for a 5-7 day getaway for me and the lady for the first week of September. Nothing over the top honeymoon like but a nice relaxing/romantic trip will do us well. I know it's hurricane season so the ABCs are what everyone tries to follow but does anyone have suggestions or ideas? I have never done an all inclusive Caribbean trip and have heard both good and bad things. Money is obviously something to consider, but not as big a deal to me than it is her (even though I am the one paying lol).

 

[gbearbuck]

Looking for a 5-7 day getaway for me and the lady for the first week of September. Nothing over the top honeymoon like but a nice relaxing/romantic trip will do us well. I know it's hurricane season so the ABCs are what everyone tries to follow but does anyone have suggestions or ideas? I have never done an all inclusive Caribbean trip and have heard both good and bad things. Money is obviously something to consider, but not as big a deal to me than it is her (even though I am the one paying lol).

Go with the ABC's or a cruise (the ship can divert to a different area if a hurricane is rolling in). Regarding the ABC's you will likely wind up in Aruba or Curacao (Bonaire doesn't have a lot of hotels/resorts so most that go are looking to primarily dive)... all-inclusive not doesn't really matter there (plenty of places to get food/drink if not an all inclusive, and with a car anything is reachable and safe)...

 

[buckeyebri]

Wife and I are in Galveston for a wedding and decided to make it a little vacation as well. Not a fan by any means and looking forward to heading home. We have driven around the island and out towards Freeport and Pelican. To us it is just industrial, noisy, beaches are tiny and kind of dirty. Just not a lot to do. The Strand is an alright area for an afternoon and on the plus side I have enjoyed some good beer.

Give me Kiawah, Hilton Head, etc. any day....

 

[BayBuck]

Looking for recommendations/reviews for a beach destination to plan a family summer vacation within reasonable driving distance... We have done Florida 30A (love it) the past few years but missed out on our preferred bungalow for 2016, so looking for fall back options.

Anybody been to Tybee Island? Outer Banks in the summer? Virginia, South Carolina, even New York?