I enjoyed Athens as well, but worth mentioning the air pollution there is pretty bad. Although now of course the air quality is fine. I had a pretty bad headache when I was there because of the air quality. But besides that, cool city to visit for sure.
Vacation Destination Thread
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I enjoyed Athens as well, but worth mentioning the air pollution there is pretty bad. Although now of course the air quality is fine. I had a pretty bad headache when I was there because of the air quality. But besides that, cool city to visit for sure.
Yep Norway ain't exactly the place to go if you want a cheap vacation, that is for sure. The people there are awesome and if you manage to get outside the cities and take the train into the countryside you will see some incredible views that is for sure.
Sandals Resorts
Sandals Resorts
Antigua (Grande Antigua)
We were in Antigua at the Sandals Grande Antigua resort when the shit really started to hit the fan with the corona virus outbreak. Luckily, we made it back without issue.
Of all the Sandals resorts we've been to, this is my wife's favorite and it would be mine if it had a golf course (like some of the others). It has the best beach of any of the locations we've been to, even though it is a public beach. The view is great from the beach because there is a cliff overhanging the water on the right and a small island out in the distance to the left. The water was blue like you see in the advertisements, so at least I know it does look like that somewhere.
20 minute shuttle from the airport, which is the cleanest, most modern of any we've been to in the Caribbean.
We don't do excursions or leave the properties any more, but they have all kinds of options if you're into that. Since it is a public beach, the place is crawling with people offering cheaper options than the typical Island Routes excursions Sandals offers.
Saint Lucia (La Toc)
This is my personal favorite. The flight is long, the shuttle is pushing two hours, but once you get there it is pretty awesome. The landscape is on a steep incline from the water to the highest point. That creates some great views but makes for some tough walking. This resort has a golf course right on the property so I get up, have coffee, and walk right to the course at 7:30am and start playing when it opens at 8am. I'm usually done by 10:30am so my wife barely even notices I'm gone.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
This used to be my wife's favorite but Antigua overtook it. It's right next to the airport so the occasional plane will be right overhead and it can get loud but the resort is really nice. When we first went to this one in 2008, the decor was straight out of 1983. It has been remodeled slowly over time and it is amazing what they've done with it. They have done a great job of adding small pools all over the resort which keeps the beach from getting over crowded.
Montego Bay, Jamaica (Royal Caribbean)
This one is a couple miles away from the airport and a little smaller than the flagship Montego Bay resort mentioned above. It's fine, but I like the other one. The one unique option is that it has a small private island you can take a small ferry to. Sounds cool, but ends up being more hassle than I think it is worth.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica (Ochi)
I really like this resort because it has a golf course and my favorite swimming area. The beach is tiny, but they have a dock next to the beach that extends out into the water then returns to the other end of the beach creating an enclosed swimming area. What's cool about it is it's like swimming in an aquarium, so I spend a lot of time swimming with my goggles on looking at the fish.
The resort has two levels to it so if you stay in the cheaper rooms, you are up on the hill and have to take a shuttle down to the beach. Knowing that they don't want everyone crowding the beach, they put an incredible pool on the top side that overlooks the water (from a distance). The pool is the party area and it's where a lot of the younger couples hang.
This resort is a solid hour and forty minutes from the airport, so the shuttle ride is a bitch. But, it typically comes in as the cheapest resort so it's been our "go to" option especially with Southwest flying to the island now so the flights are even cheaper than they used to be.
Bahamas (Royal Bahamian)
This was the first one we stayed at and we got married there. I don't remember much about it other than it wasn't nearly as nice as the other ones we've been to and American Airlines lost my luggage for a few days. There's a good chance the place has been renovated, but unless they come up with a great deal, we'll go with one of the others.
Sandals (general comments)
If you aren't familiar with Sandals, they have adults only all-inclusive resorts throughout the Caribbean islands. They have a version that allows kids branded as Beaches. I've been to 3 different brands of all-inclusive resorts and Sandals is easily the best of them. We've settled on it as our main vacation destination and have been to one of their resorts ~ 14 times. We got married at the one in the Bahamas (Royal Bahamian) but mostly visit the ones in Jamaica since the flights are relatively short/cheap.
The advertised prices tend to be steep but they always cut those down significantly if you look for the deals. If you are a returning guest, they cut the crap and usually just start offering the deals up front (50 - 60% off list price). The more nights you accumulate, the higher your status in the rewards program gets. The higher the level, the more perks you get and the more points you earn per dollar spent, which translates into $ off future trips.
The reason we like this better that the other brands is the food. They have several different restaurants throughout the resorts so you have all kinds of options. They all share a lot of the same type of restaurants so they all feel pretty familiar. For example, they all have a buffet place near the beach called the Bayside. Most have a sushi place called Soy, a stir fry place called Tokyo Jo's, a hibachi place called Kimono's, a french restaurant, a brick oven pizza place, a British Pub and a bunch more. Other brands we went to had one big buffet place and one sit down place so Sandals really separates themselves in this area.
Each resort has several different classes of room. We usually pick the cheapest category and hope for an upgrade, which we almost always get thanks to our rewards program status. They have a premium option which includes butler service but we've never forked over the money for it since it runs about twice as much. The service has nice perks, but it just doesn't seem worth it.
They have golf courses at 4 of the resorts. If you want to play, take your clubs if you can. The greens fees are waived but you'll have to pay for a caddie (and tip) and cart if you ride. If you bring your own clubs and walk, you'll still dish out around $50 per round for the caddie. If you need to rent clubs ($60), ride in a cart ($40 if solo), and pay a caddie $50, it can get expensive for a track that isn't all that nice. But, if you bring your stuff and walk, you can bust out 18 holes in 2 to 2.5 hours if you go to the course first thing in the morning.
Sandals Resorts
Antigua (Grande Antigua)
We were in Antigua at the Sandals Grande Antigua resort when the shit really started to hit the fan with the corona virus outbreak. Luckily, we made it back without issue.
Of all the Sandals resorts we've been to, this is my wife's favorite and it would be mine if it had a golf course (like some of the others). It has the best beach of any of the locations we've been to, even though it is a public beach. The view is great from the beach because there is a cliff overhanging the water on the right and a small island out in the distance to the left. The water was blue like you see in the advertisements, so at least I know it does look like that somewhere.
20 minute shuttle from the airport, which is the cleanest, most modern of any we've been to in the Caribbean.
We don't do excursions or leave the properties any more, but they have all kinds of options if you're into that. Since it is a public beach, the place is crawling with people offering cheaper options than the typical Island Routes excursions Sandals offers.
Saint Lucia (La Toc)
This is my personal favorite. The flight is long, the shuttle is pushing two hours, but once you get there it is pretty awesome. The landscape is on a steep incline from the water to the highest point. That creates some great views but makes for some tough walking. This resort has a golf course right on the property so I get up, have coffee, and walk right to the course at 7:30am and start playing when it opens at 8am. I'm usually done by 10:30am so my wife barely even notices I'm gone.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
This used to be my wife's favorite but Antigua overtook it. It's right next to the airport so the occasional plane will be right overhead and it can get loud but the resort is really nice. When we first went to this one in 2008, the decor was straight out of 1983. It has been remodeled slowly over time and it is amazing what they've done with it. They have done a great job of adding small pools all over the resort which keeps the beach from getting over crowded.
Montego Bay, Jamaica (Royal Caribbean)
This one is a couple miles away from the airport and a little smaller than the flagship Montego Bay resort mentioned above. It's fine, but I like the other one. The one unique option is that it has a small private island you can take a small ferry to. Sounds cool, but ends up being more hassle than I think it is worth.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica (Ochi)
I really like this resort because it has a golf course and my favorite swimming area. The beach is tiny, but they have a dock next to the beach that extends out into the water then returns to the other end of the beach creating an enclosed swimming area. What's cool about it is it's like swimming in an aquarium, so I spend a lot of time swimming with my goggles on looking at the fish.
The resort has two levels to it so if you stay in the cheaper rooms, you are up on the hill and have to take a shuttle down to the beach. Knowing that they don't want everyone crowding the beach, they put an incredible pool on the top side that overlooks the water (from a distance). The pool is the party area and it's where a lot of the younger couples hang.
This resort is a solid hour and forty minutes from the airport, so the shuttle ride is a bitch. But, it typically comes in as the cheapest resort so it's been our "go to" option especially with Southwest flying to the island now so the flights are even cheaper than they used to be.
Bahamas (Royal Bahamian)
This was the first one we stayed at and we got married there. I don't remember much about it other than it wasn't nearly as nice as the other ones we've been to and American Airlines lost my luggage for a few days. There's a good chance the place has been renovated, but unless they come up with a great deal, we'll go with one of the others.
Sandals (general comments)
If you aren't familiar with Sandals, they have adults only all-inclusive resorts throughout the Caribbean islands. They have a version that allows kids branded as Beaches. I've been to 3 different brands of all-inclusive resorts and Sandals is easily the best of them. We've settled on it as our main vacation destination and have been to one of their resorts ~ 14 times. We got married at the one in the Bahamas (Royal Bahamian) but mostly visit the ones in Jamaica since the flights are relatively short/cheap.
The advertised prices tend to be steep but they always cut those down significantly if you look for the deals. If you are a returning guest, they cut the crap and usually just start offering the deals up front (50 - 60% off list price). The more nights you accumulate, the higher your status in the rewards program gets. The higher the level, the more perks you get and the more points you earn per dollar spent, which translates into $ off future trips.
The reason we like this better that the other brands is the food. They have several different restaurants throughout the resorts so you have all kinds of options. They all share a lot of the same type of restaurants so they all feel pretty familiar. For example, they all have a buffet place near the beach called the Bayside. Most have a sushi place called Soy, a stir fry place called Tokyo Jo's, a hibachi place called Kimono's, a french restaurant, a brick oven pizza place, a British Pub and a bunch more. Other brands we went to had one big buffet place and one sit down place so Sandals really separates themselves in this area.
Each resort has several different classes of room. We usually pick the cheapest category and hope for an upgrade, which we almost always get thanks to our rewards program status. They have a premium option which includes butler service but we've never forked over the money for it since it runs about twice as much. The service has nice perks, but it just doesn't seem worth it.
They have golf courses at 4 of the resorts. If you want to play, take your clubs if you can. The greens fees are waived but you'll have to pay for a caddie (and tip) and cart if you ride. If you bring your own clubs and walk, you'll still dish out around $50 per round for the caddie. If you need to rent clubs ($60), ride in a cart ($40 if solo), and pay a caddie $50, it can get expensive for a track that isn't all that nice. But, if you bring your stuff and walk, you can bust out 18 holes in 2 to 2.5 hours if you go to the course first thing in the morning.
As a rule every summer we headed off to some sunny country for a week or two at the seaside but in 2020 this tradition was broken for the first time in recent years. Now after all these pandemic news I guess that when the lockdown is over we will go to the British Isles, to be on the safe side
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OK, I will post about many places this week if anyone cares, because what Gary posts in similar places are similar thoughts by us. Need to figure out movies kickserv, a lot of my things are in .mov for some reason?
Sandals Update:
Sandals South Coast (Whitehouse, Jamaica)
Every time I think I make up my mind on which Jamaican Sandals resort is best, I end up stepping foot on a different property and my mind is changed. For now, this is my new favorite. The beach is very long and 4 of the pools are right on the beach so you get the beach views without the hassle of sand getting on/in everything. This resort has two new(er) higher end options that are pretty cool but I can't see how anyone justifies the price hike (an over the water bungalow or a private area bungalow that connects to a lazy river or private pool type thingy). The difference between the standard rooms and one of these options can run over $6k for the week....no thanks.
Restaurants here are just like the other Sandals resorts, so no big insights to share. We spend a lot of nights at the sushi place on the beach, so that's my favorite. The one place this resort doesn't have is an English style pub, which my wife usually likes because they have some Indian dishes she likes.
If there are drawbacks to South Coast, it's the water. Pretty to look at but swimming isn't as pleasant. The sandy areas tend to be rocky and there is a lot of seaweed in and around the swimming areas.
New Resorts Coming
Curacao
Dunn's River Falls, Jamaica
They have done a lot with improvements at existing resorts and are now investing in an expansion.
Sandals South Coast (Whitehouse, Jamaica)
Every time I think I make up my mind on which Jamaican Sandals resort is best, I end up stepping foot on a different property and my mind is changed. For now, this is my new favorite. The beach is very long and 4 of the pools are right on the beach so you get the beach views without the hassle of sand getting on/in everything. This resort has two new(er) higher end options that are pretty cool but I can't see how anyone justifies the price hike (an over the water bungalow or a private area bungalow that connects to a lazy river or private pool type thingy). The difference between the standard rooms and one of these options can run over $6k for the week....no thanks.
Restaurants here are just like the other Sandals resorts, so no big insights to share. We spend a lot of nights at the sushi place on the beach, so that's my favorite. The one place this resort doesn't have is an English style pub, which my wife usually likes because they have some Indian dishes she likes.
If there are drawbacks to South Coast, it's the water. Pretty to look at but swimming isn't as pleasant. The sandy areas tend to be rocky and there is a lot of seaweed in and around the swimming areas.
New Resorts Coming
Curacao
Dunn's River Falls, Jamaica
They have done a lot with improvements at existing resorts and are now investing in an expansion.
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They have all kinds of excursions and activities.....of which I don't partake. I get exercise going back and forth to the bar.
Time to knock the dust off this thread!
We decided to put a hold on travel till things settled down a bit and now that things seem a little more normal we decided to book something.
We were between 3 places. Mexico, but the beaches have a lot of seaweed this time of year, Jamaica where the vaccination rate is only 20% and Aruba.
Looked around and got a good price so we booked it.
Can't wait. Anyone else going anywhere?
We decided to put a hold on travel till things settled down a bit and now that things seem a little more normal we decided to book something.
We were between 3 places. Mexico, but the beaches have a lot of seaweed this time of year, Jamaica where the vaccination rate is only 20% and Aruba.
Looked around and got a good price so we booked it.
Can't wait. Anyone else going anywhere?
Hey Mo! We're heading back to Jamaica (Sandals Ochi) in May with two other couples. The country and airport COVID protocols are solid, so you don't really have to worry about it. Essentially, everyone coming in is treated as if they are being quarantined on their resort and the resort takes care of the testing requirements for flying home.
In the last year, we've also been to Mexico and St Lucia and both of those were a struggle. Both airports were cluster fucks with Cancun clearly being the worst. Until things ease up, I think we'll be sticking with Jamaica since they seem to have the best program (that we've been through).
Make sure you check with the Aruba protocols. Everywhere we've been makes you register in advance, upload your negative test results, and agree to their terms if you end up infected while there. The test requirements are the biggest pain because you have to get tested and provide the results within 48 - 72 hours. They all say it has to be a PCR test but they do accept rapid tests, which is the only way you can guarantee you can make the narrow testing window.
