Holidays

[Ed Hardy]

Anyone here been to Cancun/Riviera Maya? What did you's make of it? Thinking of going this year with the wife for a week or so after a week in Florida, any hotels/resorts I should look out for or avoid?

[gallsman]

Cancun is just a resort, and a party resort at that. If you're not already in that part of the world you'd be far better off going to Spain or Greece.

[gallsman]

Rois, i flew into Cuba from Toronto so can't speak for the US but there are direct flights these days. If you decide to go ahead with it, give me a shout and I'll send you some info

[Rois]

Rois, i flew into Cuba from Toronto so can't speak for the US but there are direct flights these days. If you decide to go ahead with it, give me a shout and I'll send you some info

Thanks - yeah the direct flights are really reasonable, just have to be prepared to sign some sort of affidavit to say we're going to do a "people to people" tour. I think one of those G-Adventures tours or Intrepid tours would fit the bill as a "people to people" thing but they are pricey and include things we're not too bothered about doing.  Did you do any organised tours?

Anyone here been to Cancun/Riviera Maya? What did you's make of it? Thinking of going this year with the wife for a week or so after a week in Florida, any hotels/resorts I should look out for or avoid?

I really wasn't a fan of the all-inclusiveness.  We stayed at Sandos Playacar in Playa del Carmen and the restaurants were pretty rubbish - it was the second-cheapest option if I remember correctly.  Plenty of drinks though, our room was nice, and there was a good adults-only pool so just depends what you want from the trip. 

[Ball Hopper]

I'm heading off to S.America in three weeks to join a motorcycle tour through Chile, Bolivia and Peru.  The highlight will be waking up on my birthday and fulfilling a long-held ambition of going to Machu Picchu.  Can't wait.  Oh, and there's Death Road Bolivia thrown in for good measure, as is Lake Titicaca and some other things I can't spell.

Firstly, how was the trip Aerlik?

Secondly, has anyone on here flown from the US to Cuba recently?  I want to combine both on a holiday (beach time in Florida, cultural excursions in Cuba) and have read loads about the US-enforced requirements to leave the US for Cuba.  Just wanted to check if anyone's done it and had to explain themselves to the US officials on re-entry to the states (I've been reading that virtually no one has been questioned on their self-certification).

Use skyscanner.com for cheapest fares...looks like Delta and American Airlines fly Miami-Havana.  I'm told credit cards don't work in Cuba, so plan on taking USD and exchange to the local peso  or whatever.  Remember hotel will have to be paid in cash as well, so don't get caught short.  Of course, things may change quickly on the technology front, so be sure to verify all this, including exchange rates and expected prices of hotels, rental cars etc.


Also look at Southwest's website for general info... https://www.southwest.com/html/promotions/new-service-cuba.html

[gallsman]

Rois, i flew into Cuba from Toronto so can't speak for the US but there are direct flights these days. If you decide to go ahead with it, give me a shout and I'll send you some info

Thanks - yeah the direct flights are really reasonable, just have to be prepared to sign some sort of affidavit to say we're going to do a "people to people" tour. I think one of those G-Adventures tours or Intrepid tours would fit the bill as a "people to people" thing but they are pricey and include things we're not too bothered about doing.  Did you do any organised tours?

We did a guided private tour around Havana for a bit and another walking tour in Santa Clara. Other than that we just did our own thing.

[JimStynes]

Looking a week in the sun in July. We just want a decent hotel and a quiet place to dander about at night and grab a bite to eat. Any hotel or location recommendations. Im just back from Vegas so we are only looking to spend £1500 between us.

[Milltown Row2]

Looking a week in the sun in July. We just want a decent hotel and a quiet place to dander about at night and grab a bite to eat. Any hotel or location recommendations. Im just back from Vegas so we are only looking to spend £1500 between us.

Benidorm


Crazy looking back over the holidays that people can afford nowadays considering the austerity going on.... my parents could only afford Tramore and Galway the odd year or Ballycastle!! How many holidays are paid with your current accounts? I'd say most are on a credit card with high interest rates from the get go !

[Tony Baloney]

Looking a week in the sun in July. We just want a decent hotel and a quiet place to dander about at night and grab a bite to eat. Any hotel or location recommendations. Im just back from Vegas so we are only looking to spend £1500 between us.

Benidorm


Crazy looking back over the holidays that people can afford nowadays considering the austerity going on.... my parents could only afford Tramore and Galway the odd year or Ballycastle!! How many holidays are paid with your current accounts? I'd say most are on a credit card with high interest rates from the get go !

And Jim a teacher too like your missus (and mine!) and he has the life of a millionaire. Where did it all go wrong Milltown! 

[Rois]

Crazy looking back over the holidays that people can afford nowadays considering the austerity going on.... my parents could only afford Tramore and Galway the odd year or Ballycastle!! How many holidays are paid with your current accounts? I'd say most are on a credit card with high interest rates from the get go !

Current accounts for us cause we're DINKY - dual income, no kids yet.

Jim - wee Air BnB or owners direct apt in Vilamoura and you could do for less than £750. I was checking for w/c 23 July.

[Franko]

Crazy looking back over the holidays that people can afford nowadays considering the austerity going on.... my parents could only afford Tramore and Galway the odd year or Ballycastle!! How many holidays are paid with your current accounts? I'd say most are on a credit card with high interest rates from the get go !

Current accounts for us cause we're DINKY - dual income, no kids yet.

Jim - wee Air BnB or owners direct apt in Vilamoura and you could do for less than £750. I was checking for w/c 23 July.

Portugal is a good shout but unless you are into your golf I wouldn't recommend Vilamoura.  I found it very commercialised and massively overpriced.  It all seemed very 'manufactured' around a marina that was built solely to attract tourists. (think the 70's/80's - it's the Blackpool of the Algarve).  You'll get cheap flights to Faro from any number of airlines - from there you've a choice of many nice places - Lagos, Praia de Rocha, Monte Gordo, Tavira, Luz.

[Newbridge Exile]

Crazy looking back over the holidays that people can afford nowadays considering the austerity going on.... my parents could only afford Tramore and Galway the odd year or Ballycastle!! How many holidays are paid with your current accounts? I'd say most are on a credit card with high interest rates from the get go !

Current accounts for us cause we're DINKY - dual income, no kids yet.

Jim - wee Air BnB or owners direct apt in Vilamoura and you could do for less than £750. I was checking for w/c 23 July.

Portugal is a good shout but unless you are into your golf I wouldn't recommend Vilamoura.  I found it very commercialised and massively overpriced.  It all seemed very 'manufactured' around a marina that was built solely to attract tourists. (think the 70's/80's - it's the Blackpool of the Algarve).  You'll get cheap flights to Faro from any number of airlines - from there you've a choice of many nice places - Lagos, Praia de Rocha, Monte Gordo, Tavira, Luz.

We have ben to Vilamoura for the last 6 years now and would only spend maybe  a day or two  in around the Marina itself,  we spend a lot of time in Quarteria which  is only a 20 minute walk away ( via a new  seafront walkway) and is miles part in terms of cost of   restaurants / shops  etc

[AZOffaly]

Love Portugal. Been there many times. Lagos, Galé, Albufeira, Alvor etc. This year heading to Porches.

[Milltown Row2]

Portugal on my list, never been but a lot of friends (albeit golfers) love the area and go twice a year...

[mouview]

Love Portugal. Been there many times. Lagos, Galé, Albufeira, Alvor etc. This year heading to Porches.

Alvor nice? May go in near future....