Emma Alexandra 123368 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 I'm wanted to take a nice sunny vacation...as i'm sure many of you do as well. So I'm wondering where to go...Cuba, Mexico,Costa Rica and so on...where do the rest of you go for fun in the sun? I want something with beaches for sure. When is the cheapest time to go? The safest places to go? Best sites to book from? thanks, Emma 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest D****5 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Good evening Emma I personally like Punta Cana in Dominican Republic, pretty much always get nice weather and the beach is nice. Look for a last minute deal there's so many sites such as: tripcentral.ca sunquest sunwing nolitours and then some... Best of luck in your research!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ou**or**n Report post Posted January 3, 2012 General rules of thumb... Cuba - interesting if you just hang out in Havana, all inclusive resorts have rep for poor food DR - good beaches, food still an issue although some swear by anything in the RIU chain Mexico - many find this a good mix of price and quality, safe if you stick with established tourist areas like Cancun or the Mayan Riveriera Costa Rica - very nice, on the higher end of southern vacations but of course more costly I'd check out tripcentral.ca - once you get the hang of their interface it is quite powerful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fortunateone 156618 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 From what I can see from my own research, Costa Rica is incredibly difficult to get to without stops and lengthy delays. If you do decide on it, check Air Canada flights with one single stop connection in Toronto. You have to play with the dates and schedule until you find that non-stop from toronto. If not, the flight can have 3-4 stops, layovers, and can take 12-15 or more hours lol. You can lose one full day there, and another full day back. In spite of this, I do plan to get there some time this year lol, to check out the volcano areas. From your side of the country, you may also want to look at the other Caribbean Islands besides DR. Mexico I'd go back to any time. Easy to reach, usually great charter deals, and set up for tourists. Easy choice for short trips like 7-14 day vacations. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Metalsmith 2983 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Malta. Go to Malta. Some very nice spots there, lots of stuff within walking distance, some good history/culture if you're into that. I stayed at the Grand Hotel Excelsior there, and it's got a beautiful view, a real nice pool, a spa, and is worth the $$$. 5 Stars, and worth every one of them. MS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boomer 33202 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 From what I can see from my own research, Costa Rica is incredibly difficult to get to without stops and lengthy delays. If you do decide on it, check Air Canada flights with one single stop connection in Toronto. You have to play with the dates and schedule until you find that non-stop from toronto. If not, the flight can have 3-4 stops, layovers, and can take 12-15 or more hours lol. You can lose one full day there, and another full day back. In spite of this, I do plan to get there some time this year lol, to check out the volcano areas. I've had luck with one stop to Costa Rica, if you transfer to a Taca flight in the US. It's a large central American and Caribbean carrier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
antlerman 17064 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 One thing to do.....what ever you choose use "trip advisor" to look at the reviews and photos. I have found this very informative when traveling for vacation....mexico...dr....africa....south pacific....anywhere it is pretty accurate. Not to mention it is actually followed by the resorts and people post their own pics there Posted via Mobile Device Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newboy 4919 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 I cannot give advice on the best, but when I went to Dominican Republic last winter, (Punta Cana), the beach was endless. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cara Silver 32412 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Can I come? xoxo 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeeRichards 177238 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 In my experience, I recommend the Mayan Riviera. Particularily from Playa Del Carmen south. I have stayed in two different resorts south of Playa that were fantastic ! Xel ha is awesome, snorkeling through cenotes (if that is your bag baby ;) ) waterparks, zip lining, Mayan ruins at Tulum etc... Lots to do. If you want to shop lots Emma ???? then you best stay at Playa del Carmen....nice resorts there too or closer to Cancun. Water is beautiful there and clear. ps... if you take Amelia with you .... there are no Ptarmigans there fyi ;) 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest **cely***r***ne Report post Posted January 3, 2012 I have never been anywhere...but I have always wanted to visit Brazil. Ponta dos Ganchos Resort! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loopie 15358 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Spain is really nice. I briefly lived in Alicante (a few months) and found the weather was always nice and the beach never too crowded. I didn't stay in a hotel, I rented a flat, but it was very cheap as was the food. I had a really nice vacation in Israel a few years ago. It was not cheap, but the weather was really nice and the beach in Tel Aviv was never crowded and there was lots of neat stuff to do and learn if you are into history. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squid 196 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Carribean Cruises are cheap these days and you can sample a number lovely spots without committing to one and being disappointed . If you find a place you enjoy file it away for your next trip. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phaedrus 209521 Report post Posted January 4, 2012 I can't usefully comment on most of this since sitting on the beach really isn't my thing, but I suspect the cheapest time to go is in the run-up to Christmas. Christmas itself is expensive, but just beforehand - when everyone else is panicking over the shopping they haven't done yet and going to parties - is cheap. Too late for this year, of course, but maybe next time... I think round about now is also a fairly cheap time to go - it may be worth hopping on some of the usual websites and see what you can pick up on a last-minute basis, if you aren't committed to anything too far ahead. In fact, if you're flexible on where you go and not too fussy about the resort, the last-minute thing may be a good option anyway - set a week aside and start shopping around a bit beforehand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karunaone 123 Report post Posted January 4, 2012 I always check hotel out on trip advisor....their recommendations are usually accurate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spud271 47779 Report post Posted January 4, 2012 Two favorite vacation spots are Costa Rica and Malta. You would not be disappointed in either spot! I am most likely heading back to Costa Rica this winter at one point, bring on the black sand beaches!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoji 307 Report post Posted January 6, 2012 Bali Indonesia, heaven on earth! Google "images if flowers of Bali" I want to go back there. You awaken to the sight of flowers. As the evening approaches you drift into a floral slumber. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karunaone 123 Report post Posted January 15, 2012 We shouldn't forget beautiful St. Lucia. It's beauty and friendliness Will captivate you.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
backrubman 64800 Report post Posted January 17, 2012 My favorite is Riu in República Dominicana. No doubt about it, DR is a very special country. When compared to Mexico, Jamaica or many other Caribbean choices it is safer, cheaper and even nicer. If you go to Punta Cana then you are in the middle of the jungle with a bunch of large resorts around, surrounded by small villages of people who work at the resorts so I prefer Puerto Plata (the beaches are not quite as nice but very very close) and there is so much more to see and do off the resort. I just came back from 3 weeks there (spent Christmas and New Years) for the 6th time. It's only 3h45m from Halifax or 4h from Toronto to go from -27 to +27. I couldn't have stayed at the flea-bag hotel down the street from my home for 3 weeks at as good a price and that includes airfare. If anyone is seriously considering it, I almost live there so can provide all kinds of local knowledge, just PM me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NotchJohnson 214123 Report post Posted January 17, 2012 My suggestion will depend on what you are looking for in a getaway. If you are looking for beaches and sun or do you want to do any excursions? Most places down south will offer the beaches but the nicest ones that I have seen are in DR (Punta Cana). I enjoyed the sunset in Jamaica (Negril), the service and pool in Montego Bay and the Climbing of the falls in Ocho Rios(a must if you are there). Mexico, Acapulco for the night time parties and the warm weather. Cancun great food and good service also good shopping. Mayan Riviera beautiful beach excellent shopping we did go to Playa Del Carmen for shopping also. St Maarten Good shopping and in St Martin(the french side) nice beaches with full clothed, topless and full nude beaches. Antigua we had beautiful weather and every thing else was fair. Puerto Rico had a beautiful ambiance in the streets made with rocks and the terrace restaurants. Martinique was also fair on beaches and shopping. There is a wide choice of resort to go to but ask your travel agent for the deals seems like Punta Cana is the hot spot this year. Enjoy your trips folks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riverrat 100 Report post Posted November 20, 2013 Hi Folks, I have to go to Puerto Rico in early Dec. Interested if anyone has escorts or contacts to recommend ... Thanks! River rat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
