Caribbean ?
By Barry Ritholtz - January 24th, 2011, 8:00PM
So it was 4 damned degrees this morning — that is straight up Fahrenheit, no wind chill — and there is another storm coming up in two days.
* sigh *I really would love to get the hell out of NY for a week next month.
I am thinking about Barbados — never been there (Has anyone ever vacationed in ? Where did you stay?) Most of my regular haunts are fully booked, with shockingly expensive flights and accommodations.
Thoughts on some place warm?
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January 24th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
No idea, but Bajans are the nicest people I’ve ever known.
January 24th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
I’ve heard that!
January 24th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
I hear the arctic is unseasonably warm right about now:
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2011/01/holy-fracking-climate-frack.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BradDelongsSemi-dailyJournal+%28Brad+DeLong%27s+Semi-Daily+Journal%29
January 24th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
BR,
remember, C. America has ‘mucho’ Caribbean shoreline..
http://www.travelzoo.com/vacations/south-america/
and, on the ‘other side’ of the Equator, it’s Summer~
January 24th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
If you like unspoiled, empty beaches; few tourists and decent food at low prices, Vieques is a hidden gem. No glitz but a beautiful island offering complete relaxation. Visited over the holidays and happy to share tips if you get interested.
January 24th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
We’ve had highs in the low 70s for most of the past week in the SF bay area (I’m in silicon Valley, SF proper may have been a bit chillier), I was running around in a tank top much of the weekend, felt almost guilty. Almost…
January 24th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Why Carribean?
I’m in Los Angeles, It’s Sunny, and it’s in high 70′s all week long.
If you go to travelzoo and other last minute vacation site, you could probably get a good deal on a beach-side hotel in Orange county, La Jolla or San Diego.
You are welcome!
January 24th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
I have not been to all the Caribbean islands but of those I have been, I thought its the nicest – undeveloped, un-touristy, un-glitzy. Zero shopping and no obviously fancy people – an anti-St. Barts. Dirt roads to the beaches reminded of Nantucket. Nice.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
Go to Miami or most any place in South FLA.
You can buy a fricken condo for 5-10 vacations worth of cash!
January 24th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
I know 80% of Caribbean Islands. I choose Anguilla to live and trade from there. After one year I can confirm, that’s the best mix you can find.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
kissandfly:
Sounds terrific
I heard the Anguilla Cuisinart is also lovely
http://www.cuisinartresort.com/
January 24th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Barry,
In April 1989 we honeymooned on a Caribbean cruise where the first stop was Barbados for one day (so I can’t help out on where to stay). We went to Gun Hill Signal Station which has a great view, a military museum, and a lion carved out of a single piece of rock. Not too much to do tourist-wise, but Barbados is a fine place to relax in the heat, snorkel, and enjoy some alcoholic beverages at a restaurant or hotel. The people were friendly, as was our experience on all the islands we visited.
If you want to get out the cold and just relax for a week, almost anywhere in the Caribbean will work for you and Mrs. Big Picture. Otherwise depending on what you want to do for a week you may or may not get bored on any given island. Our experience on a cruise was perfect for us because we saw a little bit of six islands (Barbados, Antigua, Sint Maarten, Martinique, St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico), all of which are somewhat different. Not sure what cruise options are like now in the Caribbean, but a problem with cruises in general are the ships are so damned big with thousands of tourists that overwhelm many ports (we had 700 passengers on our cruise and this did not cause that sort of problem).
Hawaii would work, although that may fall under your “shockingly expensive flights and accommodations” comment. You know about La Jolla (high temps in soCal are presently not hot but very pleasant in the mid to high 70′s).
January 24th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Yes, Barbados is a great tranquil winter getaway.
The small and lush villa property at Settlers Inn (a steal and a gem) has all of the tropical luxury trappings sans the clap-trappy blowhardiness found amongst the in your face cosmopolitan clientèle at the larger resorts and hotels.
Take a shuttle to Settlers Inn and then rent a bike to really explore this beautiful island of gracious locals, cuisine and culture – that is, if you can tear yourself away from the beach and the pool. After ten days, you’ll feel like a million bucks…refreshed and ready to head back to the old grind.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Barry – 4 degrees? PULLLEASE.. It got up to 4 degrees at high noon today in NH in the sun. It was negative 10 degrees at 8am when I took the dogs out. They took 15 steps, looked at me, and lifted their paws up. It’s so cold that your nose hair freezes in 90 seconds.
Negative 10 again just now on our evening walk. way too cold.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
You’re welcome to spend a week or so here in Minnesota. The thing is, when you get back home – home will feel tropical.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
My wife and I went to Playa del Carmen, Mexico a month ago. Loved it. Lots of direct flights into Cancun, immigration/customs is a breeze, take 45-min taxi ride and you are on the beach with a drink in hand. Stunning sand/ocean. Wonderful people. We stayed at the Royal Playa del Carmen, as we wanted to be close to town. However, there are a lot of beach/golf resorts along the coast.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
THE place on Barbados is Sandy Lane, but IMHO its a little over the top. I will be at the Coral Reef Club starting Feb 1, which I like a lot.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
Tip: clear your browser “cookies” before getting a price quote on a fare you’ve been watching for a while. Of course, only do this with a browser (or on a machine) where you don’t care about losing the unrelated cookie info.
Airline sites remember what fares you’ve been looking at and jack up the price over time (price testing). I started looking at June fares to Cayman a few months ago. $700, plenty of seats. A few weeks later $850. Today? $1100, few seats. Remembered the cookie trick. Boom. $700 — any day I wanted. Got to seat assignments. Plane was empty. Saved me $2800 today.
Bastards should be sharing the jail cells with the mortgage people.
This tip also worked with 3rd party sites (Expedia, Kayak, et al) that showed the $700 price but failed with “fare unavailable” at the very end when confirming with the airline.
~~~
BR: Good tip — I’ll give that a try . . .
January 24th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
it is perfect weather here in phoenix. low 70s. cheap cheap cheap. to vacation or to live.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
St. John….Caneel Bay.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
how about Hawaii? almost never cold (unless you are on a mountain top). Kuaii is beautiful (only down side, chickens!)
~~~
BR: Too much flying for less than 10 days !
January 24th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
I hear that Elephant Island is a lovely little spot to install oneself this time of year.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Join us in west Texas. Cheap Southwest flights, plentiful hotels, golf, 50-70 every day, sunny, and it hasn’t rained in 4 months.
The only downside is, it’s west Texas. Oh, well, can’t have everything!!!
January 24th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Just kidding. Try Austin instead. Lots to do and really nice this time of year.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
I second scratching the caribbean for Orange County, CA. In my opinion, this is the best time of year with respect to weather. For future reference, do not vacation in Southern California in June due to the so-called “June Gloom”.
Two recommendations: Montage in Laguna Beach or Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Coast. Pelican hill just completed a huge renovation, and there is no one there this time of year.
If you decide on the Caribbean, however, I recommend The Palms in Turks and Caicos.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Love Aruba and Antigua, St Martins is fantastic but if you are looking to work, El Conquistador in San Juan PR is fantastic.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
If you want to try something different, go to Vieques. Most of the island was off limits from 1942 until a few years ago, since it was used by the Navy. The island is like being in a time warp — at least it was 5 years ago. There are miles of deserted beaches, sophisticated restaurants and a beautiful Inn: the Inn of the Blue Horizon.
It really depends on what you want to do. I have sailed to most of the islands in the Caribbean and they are all very different. Guadalupe is as French as France, St Barts is a French version of Nantucket; Antigua has many different flavors, from the original harbor used by Nelson with restored boat yards and sail lofts to beautiful deserted places like Green Island; Guana Island in the BVIs has one hotel that takes up the entire island with only 14 or so rooms. If you like diving, Bonaire, Grand Caymen and Caymen Brac are the best.
If you can’t get a good room at this late date, charter a boat with a captain and a cook and visit a few islands.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Go to the Gansevoort Turks and Caicos. There’s a direct flight from JFK on American or Jet Blue, you’ll be on the beach in about 4 hours. The hotel is nice, quiet and upscale. Its basically made for New Yorkers. The beach is unbeatable. Oh yeah, and the room has the best shower I’ve ever experienced.
~~~
BR: I love Turks and Caicos — but we are traveling Presdient’s week, and everything is booked!
January 24th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
I’m a fan of Mazatlan on the Mexican Pacific coast. Enjoy the colonial center, the market, and then hang out on the beach. Or, you could run over to Singapore for a week, a great place to be in the winter. Hop the all business class flight from Newark. Walk around, eat, and call it research on southeast Asian investment ideas.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
Barry,
I just booked a week long trip to the Barbados in mid-February, I’ve never been before but I did some research and it sounds great. I’m staying at the Southern Palms right in the middle of St Lawrence Gap – supposed to be one of the most active parts of the island. Best part, direct flight from JFK on Jet Blue for $450 round trip.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
It’s going to be 40 later this week in Chicago – and sunny too! GREAT time for a visit…
My wife and I are off to Costa Rica in February – 2 1/2 hrs from Miami, wonderful people, too many things to see and do (or not do) and affordable to boot.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Forego the vacation, donate the money you would spend to the DD and homeless folks and help feed them. Sorry to add to the cold and bleakness, but I have found helping others is better than a vacation. Namaste.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Why not Carnival in Rio???
January 24th, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Forget the vacation. Just turn on the heater.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
BR, if you are looking to stay stateside and Eastern seaboard, I highly recommend the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne. Had the time of my life at this wonderful hotel. I dreaded having to fly back to Philly after enjoying 80 degree days and laying on the beach in January.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:24 pm
I would skip the Carribean and head straight to Miami, you’ll have the best of both worlds… Great food, great nightlife, great music, clubs, hotels, Cubanitas (to look at, not touch)… A beautiful modern, international city with a great attitude… I’m moving my operation to the design district in May of this year….
Check it out, and it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg…
Best regards,
Econolicious
January 24th, 2011 at 11:45 pm
As someone married to a bajan, I would of course have a significant bias. Yes, the island is beautiful. The people are friendly and warm people. As a former british colony, it is mostly visited by britts and still has strong ties to the UK. The beaches are beautiful, calm on the west coast and it is rugged towards the atlantic east coast. If you don’t mind driving on the left side of the road, I would suggest renting a car for a day and drive around the west coast. Personally I have taken the bus (yellow for private) which gives you quite the soca and reggae experience. If you like surfing, Bathshebais a great spot. Barbados is a coral island, so somewhat flat, although the scotland districs is fairly elevated (~300m). Barbados is a developed country, stable and to the average tourist may seem somewhat expensive (clearly depends on how you travel). If you prefer something fancy and can afford it there’s always Sandy lane, which some people consider the #1 hotel in the carribean. The hilton is popular, so is the sandpiper, the treasure beach, bougainvillea beach resort. Some are closer to the gap and other’s are closer to holetown. The cariba restaurant in St James is popular. I can’t say that I’m an expert as I personally stay with family when I visit and eat true bajan food (don’t miss out on flying fish).
January 24th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Seeing more and more “East Coast” trading (mostly energy) firms/migrating to Houston, TX last few years….
Join us.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:56 pm
Buenos Aires is beautiful this time of year.
Or you could always go to Houston, I hear that’s nice too.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:11 am
Grand Caymans, Ritz Carlton..
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/GrandCayman/Default.htm
~~~
BR: One of my favorite places — I went to give a speech to an insurance conference in January 2009, and I had Mrs BP to fly down and stay an extended weekend.
And, as it turns out, a friend owns a time share at the Ritz. We may go back in April or May.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:43 am
Vieques is a pit, excuse my French. The Gansevoort Turks and Caicos is fabulous but pricey and like being in NY, you may as well stay at home. My vote would be Guadeloupe or Aruba, both for that “really getting away from it all” feel, one in France, the other in the Netherlands. Both great but not cheap. For cheap go to Mexico.
January 25th, 2011 at 1:02 am
Barry,
I lived there for a year and my daughter went to school there. Bajans do not like Americans or white males. Sorry, but that is the way it is. They are, however, nice to tourists spending money. We found it expensive compared to other islands. And the food is nothing to write home about. I would suggest The Dominican Republic instead.
Evan
January 25th, 2011 at 1:04 am
I spent four years writing about hotels for Expedia, and I traveled throughout the Caribbean four or five times for weeks at a time. At one time, every writeup of a Caribbean hotel on expedia.com was mine, and that covered 95% of Caribbean resorts that are not on French islands. I’m not boasting, just establishing credentials.
Disclosure: My last trip was four years ago, and resort hotels change frequently. But usually they change for the better, as competition forces constant upgrades. New resorts pop up all the time so I’m not fully up to date. Moreover, expedia.com has a new format, and few of my writeups now exist as I wrote them.
Second disclosure: I like all Caribbean islands.
That said . . .
Where to go depends, of course, on what you’re seeking, in addition to sun and warmth. Golf? Tennis? Snorkeling/diving? Windsurfing? Romance? Or just an uncrowded beach and a good book, and early bedtimes.
Expedia.com is as reliable source as there is for information and photos. This time of year, prices foretell quality and social status.
Barbados is a good island, though the beaches are not the greatest. Interesting bajan food and strolling possibilities. Calm water for paddling around in between book chapters. Colony Club is a good place and not as pricey as the top-drawer hotels. (Stay away from St. Lawrence Gap hotels.) If you go, be sure to go to Oistins Fish Fry one night for food and music and locals mingling with visitors.
All the recommendations made by other commenters are worthy. Bearing in mind your comment about prices, here are my thoughts:
* Cancun offers the best value, because many would-be visitors are fearful of violence, unjustifiably, and business is down. But I find it to be dull.
* Also high on the value scale is the Dominican. Lots of slocky resorts that, I’m sure, would not suit you. But The PUNTACANA Hotel is an undiscovered gem. And dirt cheap. (Don’t be wary of the cheap price. That’s because it’s out of the way – though close to the airport – and does not appeal to tourists as opposed to travelers.) I highly recommend it frequently to friends (not because of the low price), even those with children, who want lots of peace and quiet and ample opportunity to change their internal clocks for a week or two. The resort is part of a massive, 30-square-mile eco-friendly development (including the Punta Cana International Airport!) begun four decades ago by a group that included famed labor lawyer Theodore Kheel and Oscar de La Renta. Check it out.
* Providenciales in Turks and Caicos is a 2.5-hour flight from NYC, and the beaches are sensational. Calm waters, too. Good conch and spiny lobsters. Rent a boat and motor out to a deserted beach. Anchor in calm, translucent turquoise water just off the beach, jump in, loll on the beach, and clamber back aboard any time you want a beer and some shade.
* If your internal clock is likely to make you restless in too isolated a place, consider the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Huge beach. Great Spanish tapas restaurant outside the hotel but part of the complex. Old San Juan a short taxi-ride away for food and history and strolling.
* My favorite Caribbean resort? Jumby Bay, a 300-acre private island off Antigua. I first visited in the ’80s when it opened as a small resort. Now Rosewood Resorts runs it, and after extensive upgrades and expansion, it’s expensive even for a money manager. But it’s a wonderful place. Turtle-nesting beach. Long sunning beach with widely spaced thatched shades. Calm water. Classic plantation-age bar in Plantation House for after dinner relaxation. Fat-tired bikes for riding around the island and glimpsing billionaires’ hideaways. Herd of feral sheep dating from the 15th century. Sugar mill offering great views. 10-minute boat ride from Antigua proper, which is itself an interesting place.
* Price by damned, where else would I go for a personal Caribbean vacation? The Jalousie Plantation on St. Lucia. It’s isolated between the magnificent twin Pitons (the most glorious sight in the Caribbean), and one can snorkel along the wall of one Piton. For strolling around, Soufriere is just a water-taxi ride away, on the other side of that same Piton.
If you want more recommendations, just let me know what you’re looking for in a vacation and your price range. E-mail me and I’ll be happy to help. I’m retired, and being useful is a rare treat.
January 25th, 2011 at 1:19 am
My fiancée and I got engaged over Christmas and went island hopping throughout the Caribbean for three weeks checking our wedding sites. We visited Paradise Island, Bahamas (Ocean Club and Cove), Harbour Island, Bahamas (The Landing and Coral Sands), Turks and Caicos (Regent Palms), St Thomas (Ritz Carlton) and Anguilla (Viceroy). Our favorite island was Turks and Caicos but the best hotel BY FAR was the Viceroy in Anguilla. Great people, amazing food and beaches. 20 min boat ride from St. Martin. Have been to a lot of other spots in the Caribbean and Mexico (PR, DR, Jamaica, Cancun, Playa de Carmen, etc.) but nothing has come close to the Viceroy.
January 25th, 2011 at 1:31 am
Stay in NY. Sit by a fireplace in Saranac Lake.
It’s warm, friendly, and scenic.
January 25th, 2011 at 1:35 am
I hate to tell you, mate, but it’s not all that warm down here. I live in Florida, and by Thursday it’s going to be a high of 67. We’re just a stone’s throw away. Not quite tanning weather, now is it?
January 25th, 2011 at 2:51 am
Tunisia is warm. Interesting reporting. Club Med Djerba is a great to catch up on reading.
January 25th, 2011 at 5:11 am
This looks like a charming spot in Barbados
Colony Club Hotel
http://www.colonyclubhotel.com/
January 25th, 2011 at 6:06 am
Ambergris Caye off Belize is a lovely place, provided you like to snorkel/dive. I’ve spent a lot of time in Mexico, but I am not big on that at the moment. For sheer ridiculousness I like Jalousie Plantation on St. Lucia, might not be booked even if Turks and Caicos is. Puerto Rico is a friend’s new favorite place.
January 25th, 2011 at 6:58 am
Just to be geographically correct, Barbados is in the Atlantic, not the Carribbean
January 25th, 2011 at 7:25 am
ANTIGUA. fabulous…
http://www.hermitagebay.com/
See this as well
http://www.luxurylink.com/destinations/caribbean-and-bermuda
January 25th, 2011 at 7:27 am
@ Sandy Lane is top knotch, lots of Irishmen, $$
Royal Pavilion also very nice … stay on the west coast. Dinner at the Cliffs, if you are into golf: The Green Monkey course.
January 25th, 2011 at 7:30 am
Barry — you are talking to an ex travel agency owner (we had 200 stores at one time, and yes I started as a travel agent).
Asking a travel agent this is like telling a doctor you dont feel well and need a diagnosis — my follow up is 1,532 questions to narrow down the spectrum for the RIGHT trip… anyway, i’ll give u some guidelines…
1- if its a QUICK getaway (ie 2-4 days) then dont bother with places that require changing flights — go nonstop only to minimize air travel and maximize ground time. This will immediately cut out 2/3′ds of the caribbean. consider Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Barbados does have nonstops – BTW – but longer 5-hr flights….
(Conversely, if you are staying for a week, going nonstop doesnt matter — you have the whole caribbean at your fingertips).
2- Do you want a hideaway or resort? Hideaway places are like St. Barths or Anquilla where you tend to have bungalow type accommodations… Resort places are more often big monster concerete hotels – with casinos (depending on island), 25 tennis courts, snack bars, bla bla — they are mini cities, full service. lots of amenities. A lot of this is preference… hideaway ? kicking it at the beach? then bungalow hotels/islands. High energy, lots of activities, and a bit more partying… than go for the big resort. (Resorts destinations are Cancun, Bahamas, Jamaica).
A couple of “Hybrid” places — cayman has a bungalow feel with some resort infrastructure. Same goes for Turks and Caicos — there are a lot of lux resorts there. 4 Seasons Nevis also is a very bungalow feel with a major resort…
3- What are your activities? Some places are really specialized by activity type — Casa De Campo/Dominican is famous for Golf. Jamaica has fantastic golf too. Caymans are a scuba divers dream etc. So if you have an activity in mind — then narrow down your choice based on that…
4- Finally are you a princess or indiana jones? if you are a princess – then also overlay your list with the quality AND NEWNESS of the resort. If you wnat to rough it and be in a hammock then your options are very different. IF you want POSH then go to your Conde Nast best of the best list and work down from there….
Good luck…
January 25th, 2011 at 7:42 am
BR, I understand your dilemma. Why don’t you move down to South Florida like the rest of us Long Islanders? :-)
But if you really must go to the Islands, my favorites have always been Antigua (if you like colonial style living) and the St. John (if you like beaches).
January 25th, 2011 at 8:08 am
Bermuda is only a 2 hour flight from NY.
It’s more like spring/fall weather this time of year, but good for a quick weekend trip.
January 25th, 2011 at 8:21 am
I am at our place in Playa del Carmen, MX and will be until March. I have had long pants on once since I arrived two weeks ago and had to wear a long sleeve shirt one night when it dropped into the low 60s. Yesterday, we piled the dog (a toy pom) into the car and did a day trip to Puerto Adventuras to see the dolphins, the yachts and the fishing boats and then to Akumal for a fabulous lunch of fish tacos outdoors overlooking the bay at La Buena Vida. (The Good Life, for those who don’t speak Spanish.) Here’s the 10 day forecast. http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/MXQR0076
Last year when were were in NYC visiting our daughter, a Ph.D. student at CUNY, I took a Jet Blue non-stop from JFK (yeah, nothing perfect) to Cancun, less than an hour from Playa) and was in the sun in a little under 4 hours.
Res ipsa loquitor, as you attorneys are fond of saying….
January 25th, 2011 at 8:54 am
Hey Barry, I’ve been to Barbados and thought it was fantastic.
This is one of the nicest little places that I’d recommend:
http://www.thelonestar.com/
Great beach right in front and wonderfull food at the restaurant. Often gets booked, so might not be any availability.
I’m sure there are nicer places to eat somewhere, the best meal I’ve ever had anywhere was at a place on Barbados called ‘The Cliff’. Just fantastic food, service, location, etc. I can’t speak highly enough about it.
January 25th, 2011 at 9:06 am
Culebra is a tiny island off the east coast of Puerto Rico (about ten miles north of Vieques). Requires that you fly a puddlejumper (like a six seater) from the main island or take a ferry to get there. It’s absolutely the wrong place to go if you want first class accommodations with evening turndown service and top rated white tablecloth dining. We love it.
Jim W.
January 25th, 2011 at 9:08 am
its summer in South america.
just got back from Chile, beautiful west coast like an SA california but no people.
lake district great, cruise the andes
also hike the andes made wonderful kayak, rafting and fishing buddies.
many here have good carib spots like St john, get a casa
caneel there not bad little stuffy, BUT
weather is iffy in jan in carib less you go all the way to grenadines
p tit st vincent mustique or to the ABCs
January 25th, 2011 at 9:50 am
I always found Barbados a little bit too flat and non-descript for my taste.
I went there regularly on my way to Grenada, which I highly recommend.
Lance Aux Epines Cottages, not to be confused with the Lance Aux Epines House, were very nice.
http://www.laecottages.com/
January 25th, 2011 at 10:17 am
current events and politics aside, this time of year is heaven in scottsdale, az. spent last weekend sitting by the pool, hiking in the mcdowell mountains with the dogs, and playing tennis. the forecast for the next 10 days: 70 and sunny, everyday.
it feels like tourism has picked up this year, but there’s still a surplus of rooms at the resorts so deals can be found.
January 25th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Live a little bit and head down to Cartagena, Colombia. Sun & beach, fascinating architecture, and an economic history to nerd out on. Throw in nightlife (with a minimum of gringos who have unfortunately taken the nostrum “dance like nobody is watching” to heart) with killer live music and you’re all set.
BT
January 25th, 2011 at 10:45 am
I hear that young and old from Green Bay and Pittsburgh are taking a trip to Dallas. You might find it a little difficult to find accommodations, but there might be a certain annual event worth going to. They say it’s Super!
January 25th, 2011 at 11:06 am
@FredBrack,
Lots of good ideas and I concur that Cancun is “dull” to say the least, which is why we bought a place in Playa del Carmen, an hour south. It’s a much more international community with many Europeans and South Americans with great restaurants at all price points. In fact, the area north of “old Playa” where we are is called “Little Italy” by the locals because there are so many Italian restaurants here run by Italians and Argentines of Italian descent. We’re only 3 blocks from Mamitas Beach and Kool Beach Club (topless optional because of all the Europeans, so if you’re a prude, go somewhere else) with great possibilities of day trips. I know I sound like the Chamber of Commerce for Playa, so I won’t post again re: the subject, but all I can say is I keep getting nasty, only marginally humorous threats from my friends back in the Midwest because they know I’m here and am not going back until the Spring. My response? “Assuming you have a passport and can afford a ticket, quit bitching about the weather and come on down! I’ll even buy the first round of drinks on the beach.”
January 25th, 2011 at 11:18 am
Might I suggest Santa Monica CA? The 10-day forecast is for sunny skies and highs in the lower to mid-70’s. Across from the Pacific Ocean on Ocean Avenue and Wilshire is the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows, with wonderful service, lush grounds and the Fig restaurant. The national treasures – Getty Villa and Getty Center are nearby, while the Petersen Automotive Museum is worth a trip for any enthusiast. The Hillstone is across Wilshire from the Fairmont. It is a site of good food and martinis served in chilled glasses. Half-way through the martini they bring you another chilled glass to finish off the drink – attention to details. Of course there is shopping and entertainment on the Third Street Promenande and if you get homesick for the cold, there is outdoor ice skating at 5th and Arizona.
January 25th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Hi Barry,
I highly recommend the island of St. John for your trip. Fly to St. Thomas–boat to St. John. Rent a jeep (drive on the left side of the road!), and drive over to the other side of the island–Coral Bay area. I can give further recommendations if you are interested. My wife, Joanna, has volunteered to guide you and Mrs. BP, provided she can get away from her professor duties :-)
Not knowing if you like to completely unplug, I could also suggest Kamalame Cay:
http://www.kamalame.com/
J & I stayed here as well.
January 25th, 2011 at 11:35 am
Barry,
My family have been going to Barbados on and off for about 20 years. We have stayed at various places throughout the years but the place we have stayed at most consistently is the St.James Hotel (http://www.the-stjames.com/). It’s a boutique hotel right on the beach. It’s owned by a former cruise line medical doctor (Nigel). There is no pool (or other amenities but the setting is one of the better ones), the rooms are fine (nothing over the top, have kitchens and are a good size) as long as you get one overlooking the ocean. Sometimes the cruise ship crowds can land on the beach in front of the hotel which crowds things up (interesting people watching) but otherwise its quiet and laid back and peaceful (and warm).
The hotel is well situated not too far from the Sandy Lane Hotel (worth eating the Brunch on Sunday and/or playing a round of golf) and other restaurants (The Cliff (http://www.thecliffbarbados.com/) is a drive but not too far…fantastic restaurant and overlooking the beach in a fantastic setting). Another restaurant closer then the Cliffs is The Tides (http://www.tidesbarbados.com/) these two restaurants battle it out for best on the island.
If you do contact the St. James let them know you are friends with our family.
Hope this info proves helpful.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Spent the weekend in VT…it was under 10 below when I bounced Sunday night. 10 above to 10 below is the same kind of cold. It’s really the lack of any 45 – 55 that’s the downer.
St. Lucia is out of the question for you (you can speculate as to why).
I always tell people that I won’t go any place I might need my gun, but can’t bring it. You don’t have that problem in Barbados…or, for that matter, anywhere in the Windward or Leeward Antillies (unless van der Sloot is out on bail). The people are just too damned happy to see you.
However, if you get frisky and head on to mainland VZ, see if you can at least procure a machete.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
> Thoughts on some place warm?
When it was below zero around here, I went downstairs and sat by the furnace. Nice and warm there. :)
January 25th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Come visit Orlando. For less than the price of a late model 747 you can visit Harry Potter World, and still have time left over for culture (Gatorland). Bonus: Recently named one of the rudest cities in America, pushing Atlanta (I know, Atlanta!) out of the top ten.
And the weather. Wow. It is like living in the Sahara but taking your winter vacations in Greenland.
January 25th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
We just returned from a cruise in the Caribbean last week out of San Juan, Puerto Rico on Celebrity. The islands were great but not a whole lot to do (St. Thomas, St. Johns, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados). The highlight of the trip for us was meeting a bunch of people while smoking cigars on the stern of the ship that I think will become good friend. One of the guys thought Royal Caribbean was a better experience but I was pleased with Celebrity.
I would avoid the Western Caribbean. Having been on a number a cruises there, the Southern or Easter Caribbean beaches and islands are much nicer.
One of friends has been to St. Lucia a number of times visiting a plantation owner friend and recommends Jade Mountain. Pricey but spectacular.
Net, it was great getting warm for a week – just go!
January 25th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Nothing compares to St John in the USVI. A U.S. National Park just like Yosemite. No stop lights, no houses etc on any of the pristine beaches. Go online and rent a small villa, rent a four wheel drive, snorkel, dive, deep sea fish if you like at a different beach every day. The island is only 21 sq miles with four thousand residents. It is as close to paradise as you will find anywhere. Non stops from JFK, 3 1/2 hour flight usually on American. Then a ferry to St John, rent your car near the dock and drive to your villa. Cook in or eat out at a long list of excellent restaurants. Hire a small speed boat with or without a Captain and visit any number of other islands not more than 5-10 miles away. Have entire small reefs/beaches to yourself. Hike to the abandoned sugar plantations.
http://www.visitusvi.com/stjohn/homepage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trunk_Bay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJd0tn0YNbw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p-c0aNPWIc&feature=related
January 25th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Pro: Barbados is a lovely island with great restaurants. I think others have mentioned The Cliff, which I would also put near the top of my all-time-favorite dining experiences.
Con: The culture of Barbados is a mixture of British & Bajan, which means that it is very socially conservative by Caribbean standards. In particular, women must keep their tops on, and outwardly gay men will be greeted with open hostility by the Bajans. Also, the island is in the upper price range across the board.
So-So: diving and snorkeling are enjoyable, but not world-class like the Turks & Caicos. Barbados is not a low island, so when it rains, there is a lot of run-off from the interior and I would not advise swimming for 24 hours after a heavy downpour. But this is no big deal if you avoid the rainy season.
Summary: very pleasant if you find yourself there, but other islands are better. I recommend the Turks and Caicos, especially the outer less-visited islands.
January 25th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
BARBADOS.
YES. Go there.
Why?
1) Weather will be fantastic. It’s normally hot, but NOT too hot. You’re going to get a nice breeze coming off the coast at any time of year.
2) Beautiful Beaches (CLEAR WATER, WHITE SAND). Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you go, make sure you travel all around the island. Driving is the best, but not easy. At minimum take a day tour.
Best beaches:
-Accra. (good place to get accomodation)
-Enterprise / Miami Beach (east of Oistins on the South Coast)
-The Crane (picturesque beauty)
-The Hilton (you can drive up next to the hotel and just park there)
you can find decent beaches all over the west coast too
Sites:
-North Point (you can go into animal flower cave)
-Harrison’s Cave
-Bathseba. beach isn’t white, but views of the coast, rocks and reef are stunning.
-Driving up into the hills is fun, with terrific views
3) Good Food. Traditional Bajan food is excellent.
- Flying Fish Cutters (sandwiches)
- Roti
- Fried Fish (make sure you try some baracuda if you can. Oistins fish fry is a good spot for very casual dinner)
- Must try Side Dishes: Macaroni Pie, Cou cou
- snacks: guava cheese, tamarind balls, sugar cakes
There are also world class restaurants that I’m sure you can find easily
4) Bajans are VERY friendly
Biggest con is the cost. Everything is expensive because it’s imported. (except Rum, bring back some Mount Gay XO, best rum in the world)
-Thomas
January 25th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
If you use Barbados as a jumping off point both PSV and Mustique are doable. Did both on honeymoon and was very happy. Very romantic – Not cheap.
http://www.psvresort.com
http://www.mustique-island.com
January 26th, 2011 at 9:47 am
Barry – thanks for the blogging. I just thought I would pass on what worldly knowledge I had in return.
In regards to your “Caribbean Vacation” post – I HAVE to recommend The Bitter End in the BVI. The villas are amazing, and it’s fantastic for both the times you want to be active and the times you just want to relax. Check out the website, it will give you a bit of an idea of what they have in store.
January 26th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Micronesia — but don’t tell anyone else.
January 26th, 2011 at 11:35 am
Reading through those, I’d put in a second on Viecques, off Puerto R, and also for Caneel Bay St John’s. Also somebody said he lives in Anguilla. My best friend before I divorced built a beautiful house down there, and loves it there.
February 20th, 2011 at 9:01 am
[...] Thus, I am heading off to warmer climes this week for a little R&R. [...]