Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[MoneyGuy]

Looking for ideas for a two-month winter getaway. Maybe someone here is renting one or has leads. Criteria: warm climate, one- or two-bedroom unit, beach within walking distance, cafes and restaurants, culture, relatively easy flights from Alberta, safe, sights within a half-day drive.

Maybe Mexico, or Costa Rica. Prefer non-U.S.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Looking for ideas for a two-month winter getaway. Maybe someone here is renting one or has leads. Criteria: warm climate, one- or two-bedroom unit, beach within walking distance, cafes and restaurants, culture, relatively easy flights from Alberta, safe, sights within a half-day drive.

Maybe Mexico, or Costa Rica. Prefer non-U.S.

Look into Panama as well. We enjoyed our trip there a few years ago. Base out of the Panama City area and you can make trips to both oceans on either side.

[MoneyGuy]

Thanks, I’ll look at Panama. We’ve sailed through the canal twice so have seen both oceans but, you’re right, the country looks interesting.

[Weitz]

Punta Mita or Bucerias.

[topfiverecords]

Any suggestions for a good data only sim to get for a Europe trip? We’ll be needing something that will work in Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Scotland. About 14 days.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Any suggestions for a good data only sim to get for a Europe trip? We’ll be needing something that will work in Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Scotland. About 14 days.

Physical may be tough with UK and mainland Europe. But I’ve used wind in the past and it was good. 20 gig for like $25.

I’d go E- sim these days now though. Airalo or similar.

[InglewoodFan]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Any suggestions for a good data only sim to get for a Europe trip? We’ll be needing something that will work in Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Scotland. About 14 days.

I've use "Orange Holiday Europe Prepaid SIM" that I buy off Amazon for the past few trips. Has worked fine in all the countries you list. But I am very much looking at switching to Airolo next trip, my son is travelling with one right now and it seems to be doing the job.

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Looking for ideas for a two-month winter getaway. Maybe someone here is renting one or has leads. Criteria: warm climate, one- or two-bedroom unit, beach within walking distance, cafes and restaurants, culture, relatively easy flights from Alberta, safe, sights within a half-day drive.

Maybe Mexico, or Costa Rica. Prefer non-U.S.

I have a 2 bed/2 bath condo beachside in Manzanillo Mexico that I rent out when Im not using it - if you do a search in the buy/sell forum for manzanillo, there should be an old post of mine - PM me if you would like more details

[STeeLy]

Double post

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Any suggestions for a good data only sim to get for a Europe trip? We’ll be needing something that will work in Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Scotland. About 14 days.

My last trip over to Europe, I ordered 3 UK (3 is the Mobile operator) Sim cards from Amazon (Their UK Website) and shipped it to a pick up point at Heathrow and picked it up on arrival. I think it was 16GB for about

£8-10.

Not sure if Spain would have something similar if that's where you're landing first, but it's definitely something you can look into.

Quick search seems like Movistar, Vodafone, and Yoigo in Spain all have EU and UK roaming included in their prepaid plans, prices also seem reasonable. At least 20GB of data for €10-15, all valid for 4 weeks.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Any suggestions for a good data only sim to get for a Europe trip? We’ll be needing something that will work in Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Scotland. About 14 days.

My daughter used HolaFly, said is was very good. That was an e-sim.

[ryeguy252]

First time going to Maui next month. Any suggestions for activities/restaurants, hidden gem cheap eats etc?

The one common recommendation is to book a car to get around vs Oahu where you can get away without one.

[MoneyGuy]

People hate on the road to Hana but get an audio tour and you’ll find all sorts of gems along the way. It’s a great drive. You’re not doing it for Hana but for the drive up.

[sleepingmoose]

Finding anything "cheap" will be a challenge - prices have gone up everywhere, but since everything is 'imported' there, expect things to cost a lot.

If you're staying in a condo with your own kitchen, my biggest recommendation would be to stop at Costco in Kahului (which is right as you leave the airport) to stock up on food and other necessities even before driving to your accommodations.

[woob]

Originally Posted by sleepingmoose

Finding anything "cheap" will be a challenge - prices have gone up everywhere, but since everything is 'imported' there, expect things to cost a lot.

If you're staying in a condo with your own kitchen, my biggest recommendation would be to stop at Costco in Kahului (which is right as you leave the airport) to stock up on food and other necessities even before driving to your accommodations.

One note on Costco - Have a plan. It's very easy to go there and spend far too much time browsing/shopping instead of lounging on a beach or snorkelling. Especially when you factor in all the tantalizing booze options.

[Weitz]

Anyone have any suggestions for an all inclusive in the Caribbean for November for a couple with an infant? Budget would be no more than $9,000 probably.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by ryeguy252

First time going to Maui next month. Any suggestions for activities/restaurants, hidden gem cheap eats etc?

The one common recommendation is to book a car to get around vs Oahu where you can get away without one.

If you are up for getting up early before sunrise, go see the sea turtles chilling on the beach here before heading out into the ocean for the day:

https://goo.gl/maps/w2gCYs79F622NqNL8

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Anyone have any suggestions for an all inclusive in the Caribbean for November for a couple with an infant? Budget would be no more than $9,0000 probably.

Wow, $90,000? Will you be wearing your monocle, Billy Moneybags?

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Anyone have any suggestions for an all inclusive in the Caribbean for November for a couple with an infant? Budget would be no more than $9,0000 probably.

Probably Necker Island. Should still have $50k to spare.

[Weitz]

Heh wouldn’t that be nice…