The Travel Thread

[npv708]

Why are you looking to take your son to the USVI? I can see if it's a couples only thing, but there is no way I would go through the logistics and cost of bringing my kid to the Virgin Islands. If you want to take your kid to the beach, go to the Outer Banks, Virginia Beach, Ocean City, etc.

I mean, even the family friendly resorts there are going to cost a fortune.

Because I want him to experience new places. I've considered 4 days in the UK or Germany as well.

You could do the French Riveria for less than what you said it would cost for the USVI.

[mac5155]

It cost us about $12,000 for a group of 7 to go to the third highest rated resort in Riviera Maya. Not trying to humble brag, but what's essentially $5k a person is an insane amount of money for any vacation.

[count2infinity]

I'm a little sad that I won't be going on a full vacation (likely) until next summer, and haven't been on one since my honeymoon (fall 2013). We have some little weekend trips planned to Pittsburgh, and we're going to Boston for a conference, but that's hardly a vacation as we'll be at the conference for most of the 3 days we'll be there. Might see about maybe getting a hotel or hop on airbnb and check out something in somewhere weird like Quebec or Montreal and go for a long weekend. Just something to take a break from work. Anyone been? Have suggestions?

[The U]

Long shot...

Anyone know of/have any experience with kid friendly resorts in the US Virgin Islands?

Have stayed at both the Frenchmans Reef Marriott and The Ritz on St. Thomas. Both very kid friendly. The pricing you mention in another post seems incredibly high. Of course, your cost will change dramatically depending on when you go. We are in spring break season now and prices are all jacked up. Things will drop a bit in May.

Hurricane season starts in June....so keep that in mind as well if you are thinking of Caribbean in the summer.

Not USVI, but Aruba is always a good choice. Not overly expensive, many resorts to choose from, and out of the hurricane belt due to how far south it is. Also worth mentioning that even if a legit hurricane isn't around, the thunderstorm/rain potential during the hurricane season can be annoying and will keep you watching weather/radar leading up to your trip.

[Gabe]

Why are you looking to take your son to the USVI? I can see if it's a couples only thing, but there is no way I would go through the logistics and cost of bringing my kid to the Virgin Islands. If you want to take your kid to the beach, go to the Outer Banks, Virginia Beach, Ocean City, etc.

I mean, even the family friendly resorts there are going to cost a fortune.

Because I want him to experience new places. I've considered 4 days in the UK or Germany as well.

PFIDC,
Consider doing a cruise? We go on one every year. My kids have been to the USVI a half dozen times now. Yeah, you only get to stay for the day, but they have gotten to go to a variety of places that they never would have been able to see. It's nice to have the on board kids club as well. Mom and Dad get to have some time without the kiddos and the kids have a great time.

[count2infinity]

speaking of cruises, has anyone done a new england/canada cruise in the fall? It was something that I thought briefly about, but never really gave it much serious thought.

[columbia]

If I were planning to spend my money on travel this year, I would definitely be leaving the country.
Gotta take advantage of the crazy strong dollar overseas...

U.S. dollar's strength makes travel to Europe a bargain
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-dollars- ... a-bargain/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Letang Is The Truth]

if i am planning to go to europe this fall, should i buy my euro now?

[Gaucho]

The caliphate is nice in the fall.

[columbia]

if i am planning to go to europe this fall, should i buy my euro now?

Maybe? Or maybe it will get even stronger?
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/exchang ... sd.en.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Sam's Drunk Dog]

Sweet. Going to Italy in May.

[shoeshine boy]

Sweet. Going to Italy in May.

I'm headed there in September. keep tanking Euro!!!!

[Sam's Drunk Dog]

I'll be in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Positano. Can not wait. Other than the obvious tourist stops, does any one have suggestions on what to or places to eat?

[shoeshine boy]

I'll be in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Positano. Can not wait. Other than the obvious tourist stops, does any one have suggestions on what to or places to eat?

we're taking a very similar path. we're doing Venice, Florence, Rome and Milan. starting and ending in Milan because we have friends that are living there for a few years and can stay in their guest room.
my sister went to Positano many years ago and just loved it.
the only thing I know about Italy is that you should get gelato every night.

[mac5155]

Gatlinburg was pretty cool. I definitely recommend it to families with kids. There wasnt a whole ton for us 20-somethings to do. We did taste almost every liquor distilled in the county, though

Ole Smoky Moonshine was cool, 13 shots right in a row. Can't even get that in a bar

[BuckintheLou]

Gatlinburg was pretty cool. I definitely recommend it to families with kids. There wasnt a whole ton for us 20-somethings to do. We did taste almost every liquor distilled in the county, though

Ole Smoky Moonshine was cool, 13 shots right in a row. Can't even get that in a bar

Lived just north of there (White Pine/Talbott) for a couple of years back in the 80's. Used to trout fish over in Cherokee, NC and had to drive thru G-burg to get there. Not bad at o-dark-thirty in the AM. But coming back home. No thanks Broh! I'd drive out of my way to avoid it. I hear it's busier now than it was back then. I think it largely depends on the time of year as well. As for the booze....you're more man than I!

[llipgh2]

I'm a little sad that I won't be going on a full vacation (likely) until next summer, and haven't been on one since my honeymoon (fall 2013). We have some little weekend trips planned to Pittsburgh, and we're going to Boston for a conference, but that's hardly a vacation as we'll be at the conference for most of the 3 days we'll be there. Might see about maybe getting a hotel or hop on airbnb and check out something in somewhere weird like Quebec or Montreal and go for a long weekend. Just something to take a break from work. Anyone been? Have suggestions?

I love Montreal. If you go, be sure to go to Old Montreal. Like a European city.

Not sure were you live, but a long weekend in Niagara Falls (Canadian side) is nice. 4 hour drive from Pittsburgh. Kitchy, but fun kitchy. And the falls are pretty.

[Idoit40fans]

We have been doing small trips the last few summers. We are thinking montreal this year as well.

[shafnutz05]

If you are going to make the long trip to Montreal, you have to go the extra couple of hours to Quebec City. Absolutely loved it, much more European feel to it than the more urban Montreal. Definitely worth the trip

[Eismann]

If you are going to make the long trip to Montreal, you have to go the extra couple of hours to Quebec City. Absolutely loved it, much more European feel to it than the more urban Montreal. Definitely worth the trip

Yeah, I'll second QC. Totally beautiful, loads of fun stuff to see and do.

I speak/understand French serviceably, but dont know if that'd be a hindrance anymore if one didn't.

[llipgh2]

If you are going to make the long trip to Montreal, you have to go the extra couple of hours to Quebec City. Absolutely loved it, much more European feel to it than the more urban Montreal. Definitely worth the trip

Yeah, I'll second QC. Totally beautiful, loads of fun stuff to see and do.

I speak/understand French serviceably, but dont know if that'd be a hindrance anymore if one didn't.

I don't speak French, and had no issues in Montreal. Although everyone thought I was French Canadian. I was always getting stopped and asked for directions, even by Quebecers. It was funny.

[tifosi77]

I'll be in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Positano. Can not wait. Other than the obvious tourist stops, does any one have suggestions on what to or places to eat?

If you are going to have a car and can get south of Florence about 20 miles, there's an excellent restaurant outside San Donato called La Locanda di Pietracupa. Had a truly outstanding meal here on my honeymoon.

For super cool cheap eats in Florence, there's a place called Casa del Vino. I think it's about halfway between the train station and the Galleria Dell'Academia. There's a 3-Michelin star restaurant called Enoteca Pinchiorri, which is off Santa Croce; but that's super spendy (like a couple hundo per person).

There's a pizza place in Rome called Pizzarium, near the Vatican, that I'd really like to go to if I ever find myself in Rome. Apparently their bacteria culture for dough making is 200 years old.

Honestly, just avoid restaurants with menus printed in English first and you'll be fine.

[Sam's Drunk Dog]

I'll be in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Positano. Can not wait. Other than the obvious tourist stops, does any one have suggestions on what to or places to eat?

If you are going to have a car and can get south of Florence about 20 miles, there's an excellent restaurant outside San Donato called La Locanda di Pietracupa. Had a truly outstanding meal here on my honeymoon.

For super cool cheap eats in Florence, there's a place called Casa del Vino. I think it's about halfway between the train station and the Galleria Dell'Academia. There's a 3-Michelin star restaurant called Enoteca Pinchiorri, which is off Santa Croce; but that's super spendy (like a couple hundo per person).

There's a pizza place in Rome called Pizzarium, near the Vatican, that I'd really like to go to if I ever find myself in Rome. Apparently their bacteria culture for dough making is 200 years old.

Honestly, just avoid restaurants with menus printed in English first and you'll be fine.

Thanks for the suggestions. I won't have a car. I'm traveling by train and taxi in between cities.

[Dickie Dunn]

Wife and I are looking to take a weekend trip to Chicago at some point this summer. Any tips? Hotel suggestions? The best place to get the weird pizza they eat?

[shoeshine boy]

Wife and I are looking to take a weekend trip to Chicago at some point this summer. Any tips? Hotel suggestions? The best place to get the weird pizza they eat?

there's only one place for deep dish in Chicago, Lou Malnati's: http://www.loumalnatis.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;