Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Weitz

This isn’t really accurate.

WestJet vacations can package things cheaper to certain places that booking through them as an example is cheaper. I just booked an 8 night trip that was cheaper through WestJet vacations then booking direct and booking flights. But another resort we were deciding between would have been the opposite. Just have to look at it all.

As for where to start Flamesfan1297:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...drivesdk&pli=1

Check out this spreadsheet. It will have all the info you need. Just click make a copy and work through it.

Package deals, definitely you can find better deals than directly at the hotel. But for major hotel chains, booking direct is by far the best way to go.

One reason is, if they have to walk anyone they start with people who booked third party. Of course, the best reason is 90% of the time, you're going to get the best rate, easiest to cancel, etc.

For the other 10% of the time, often the chains will match whatever you got third party, too. Here's the form for Marriott (who will go one step further and give you a 25% discount on what you found third party) - https://www.marriott.com/look/claimForm.mi

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

Wife and I are planning on going to Cancun in December for 6 or 7 nights. Ive been to Puerto Vallarta a couple years ago but other than that neither of us have much Mexico experience. Anyone have any suggestions on best sites to book through or where the cheapest prices are? So far I've just been casually looking on Expedia

Just went through this for Mexico and asked the same here. We ended up booking directly. Furthermore we called the hotel and they upgraded our booking to include more than it would have on the site.
We were booking 3 rooms.

I do recommend checking all options; particularly if getting a travel package or all inclusive.
The Westjet travel packages will likely be cheaper if including flight in your booking.

If you're a Costco member, check Costco Travel as well. Usually they have some decent deals and you can get some extra Costco vouchers, resort fees included & sometimes included breakfast or things like that.

I didn't find any value in the other 3rd party hotel apps like Trivago etc.

[BigThief]

How's Croatia in the spring? Would April be too early? Partner and I have a good chunk of time and would like to go during the off peak season of summer. Never been myself but from everything I've seen and heard it's absolutely bonkers in July and August. Don't mind a crowd but looking for a nice more relaxed time.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

Three best things to do in Dublin, Ireland? We have a list but need to narrow it down. In May.

Dub here, though I haven't lived there in 20 years.

As well as what others have mentioned, I'll throw in some lesser suggested ideas -

The National Museum and National Gallery are free. The Natural History museum is my favourite with its Victorian achitecture and taxidermied animals from that era. Also free, although google says it's temporaily closed right now.

You can visit Christchurch and it's vaults (as well as the Dublinia museum attached to it if you want to know more of Dublin's history. St. Patrick's Cathedral is also a nice place to visit. I've found both to be overrun with tourists last time I visited though. Didn't used to be like that back in my time.

St. Michan's Church has a guided tour of it's small vaults containing hundreds year old preserved dead bodies. Macabre obviously, but really neat.

Croke Park is the biggest stadium in the country and you can do a guided tour there, or alternatively you can just do the tour which allows you to walk around the rooftop. Really cool.

There are quite a few nice parks in the city, if you just want to grab a sandwich and go have lunch - St. Stephen's Green, Merrion Square (with its kitschy Oscar Wilde statue - he was born just around the corner), Iveagh Gardens and heading west out of the city is the Phoenix Park, which I believe is the biggest city park in Europe, or at least one of them.

Howth was mentioned (Beshoff's is the place to go for classic fish and chips; also there's a guy who does a boat trip out to Ireland's Eye weather permitting) but if you fancy another pier on the opposite side of the city, you can take the DART to Dun Laoighaire. Further down the line are Dalkey and Killiney, I wouldn't say there's anything specific to check out there but this is where the wealthy and famous live (Bono, Enya etc) and on nice summer days, the ocean views can look almost Mediterranean. It's a lovely area if you just fancy a random aimless stroll but again, not specifically suggesting you need to go there.

[Johnny199r]

Was just in the Balkans for the last 2 weeks. Loved the region, but my favourite country was Bosnia. Such a fascinating country.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Johnny199r

Was just in the Balkans for the last 2 weeks. Loved the region, but my favourite country was Bosnia. Such a fascinating country.

Those Balkan countries are amazing. So much rich history intertwined with suffering and perseverance, very fascinating cultures.

Did you hit up Georgia by any chance? If you like wine you have to go to Georgia and as an added bonus you can go to Stalin's house!

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Johnny199r

Was just in the Balkans for the last 2 weeks. Loved the region, but my favourite country was Bosnia. Such a fascinating country.

Planning a trip to the region next year to meet two of my Serbian friends
Really can't wait

Anything in particular you'd recommend?

[CofR]

Originally Posted by Johnny199r

Was just in the Balkans for the last 2 weeks. Loved the region, but my favourite country was Bosnia. Such a fascinating country.

Maybe my favourite place I’ve ever travelled to. Absolutely fell in love with Bosnia

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Swift

Dub here, though I haven't lived there in 20 years.

As well as what others have mentioned, I'll throw in some lesser suggested ideas -

The National Museum and National Gallery are free. The Natural History museum is my favourite with its Victorian achitecture and taxidermied animals from that era. Also free, although google says it's temporaily closed right now.

You can visit Christchurch and it's vaults (as well as the Dublinia museum attached to it if you want to know more of Dublin's history. St. Patrick's Cathedral is also a nice place to visit. I've found both to be overrun with tourists last time I visited though. Didn't used to be like that back in my time.

St. Michan's Church has a guided tour of it's small vaults containing hundreds year old preserved dead bodies. Macabre obviously, but really neat.

Croke Park is the biggest stadium in the country and you can do a guided tour there, or alternatively you can just do the tour which allows you to walk around the rooftop. Really cool.

There are quite a few nice parks in the city, if you just want to grab a sandwich and go have lunch - St. Stephen's Green, Merrion Square (with its kitschy Oscar Wilde statue - he was born just around the corner), Iveagh Gardens and heading west out of the city is the Phoenix Park, which I believe is the biggest city park in Europe, or at least one of them.

Howth was mentioned (Beshoff's is the place to go for classic fish and chips; also there's a guy who does a boat trip out to Ireland's Eye weather permitting) but if you fancy another pier on the opposite side of the city, you can take the DART to Dun Laoighaire. Further down the line are Dalkey and Killiney, I wouldn't say there's anything specific to check out there but this is where the wealthy and famous live (Bono, Enya etc) and on nice summer days, the ocean views can look almost Mediterranean. It's a lovely area if you just fancy a random aimless stroll but again, not specifically suggesting you need to go there.

Agree on Beshoff's for fish and chips. I'd also recommend the Bewley's tea rooms.

The Irish Emigration museum is also well worth a visit, especially if the weather isn't up to scratch.

Another idea, if you've three days, is spending one of them up in Belfast. It is just two hours away on the Enterprise train which runs every hour. The Titanic Museum is an incredible exhibition. I've been twice with family, and it is the best and most moving historical attraction I've ever visited.

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Planning a trip to the region next year to meet two of my Serbian friends
Really can't wait

Anything in particular you'd recommend?

I did Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia.

The Croatian coast is stunning of course, as is Montenegro's but Bosnia (Mostar, Sarajevo etc) was so damn interesting.

Some of the less travelled areas of Balkan countries look like they are in a time warp from 1990 USSR.

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by Locke

Those Balkan countries are amazing. So much rich history intertwined with suffering and perseverance, very fascinating cultures.

Did you hit up Georgia by any chance? If you like wine you have to go to Georgia and as an added bonus you can go to Stalin's house!

Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia is my next European/Asian trip I think.