A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

[jmh]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Well, after a lot of searching and several locales seemingly being the choice, we have decided on St. Lucia. Of all the places I looked at - and I looked at literally every single island in the Caribbean - I kept coming back to St. Lucia.

Had a conference call with the fam tonight and now it's just a matter of choosing the rooms and paying the deposit. Will be staying at Anse Chastanet which is right near the Pitons (with a view of them!!!) and right on a marine preserve.

It's a 600 acre property with a few restaurants, two bays/beaches, a spa, onsite dive shop, quality snorkeling from the beaches, private mountain bike trails and private hiking trails.

This resort was one of my first choices, but I thought the price tag would scare some off. To my surprise (and delight), everyone is on board and excited.

Just under a year away!


Just under a year away... sigh.

Fantastic choice! The Pitons are truly breathtaking. I have plenty more to add if you're curious.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Fantastic choice! The Pitons are truly breathtaking. I have plenty more to add if you're curious.

Yes please!

Deposit made yesterday (half )... we're really going!


My push for this place was so that we'd have a view of the Pitons every day instead of maybe seeing them one day on an excursion. In addition, the best snorkeling is right at our resort and the best diving is in the vicinity (reportedly-multiple sources on both).

Like I said, was looking at this place from the start (3-4 months ago). Very pleased that everyone was/is on board.

 

[jmh]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Yes please!

Deposit made yesterday (half )... we're really going!


My push for this place was so that we'd have a view of the Pitons every day instead of maybe seeing them one day on an excursion. In addition, the best snorkeling is right at our resort and the best diving is in the vicinity (reportedly-multiple sources on both).

Like I said, was looking at this place from the start (3-4 months ago). Very pleased that everyone was/is on board.

Awesome. OK, so a couple of thoughts...

I'm not sure why this is the case, but all beaches on St. Lucia, even those that "belong" to specific resorts, are open to the public. This being the case, for a cool different angle on the Pitons, I recommend the beach in Pitons Bay at the Viceroy Sugar Beach. The first hotel we stayed at (we split our stay between two) was up in the hills and didn't have its own beach but provided a shuttle down to this one, and the location is awesome. It's between the Pitons, practically right at the base of Petit Piton, and the view looking upward is really cool. The hotel staff will try to get you to pay to use a fancy beach chair, which you can if you feel like it of course, but it's quite lovely if you just throw a towel down on the sand too. They also have a beach bar that I would describe as "good enough," though the drinks probably aren't as good as what you make for yourself.

The mud bath at Sulphur Springs is cool too. It's literally a drive-in volcano. I don't know if the mud bath actually makes your skin any better but it was a fun experience. If you're going to do it, pack crappy clothes that you don't mind getting ruined because that stuff stains. If your hotel offers it as a tour or spa, go with them; the water gets really hot and it's maybe not safe to explore by yourself.

Reiterating what I said upthread, go to Hotel Chocolat and do their plantation tour and chocolate making experience. It's educational and a lot of fun. The way ours was set up, the tour was in the late morning and while we were waiting for our self-made chocolate bars to set, we had lunch in their restaurant, which we also liked a lot. They put chocolate in EVERYTHING. So, I guess, not a great pick if you don't like chocolate, but if you do...

Let me think about it. I'm sure there's more.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Thanks!

We looked at Sugar beach. I think we might even be able to gat a water taxi to their beach. Definitely want to see that view.

I believe the mud baths are right near where we are staying and I've never seen anything that is active in a volcanic sense, so that's a sure thing. Resort has guided excursions.

I'll look into Hotel Chocolat.


This is the fun part after the stress of trying to make a good decision choosing a place.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Oh yeah, gonna hit Disney for a couple of days on the way down. One last time for the younger boy although the teen is excited for some of it too.

Truth told... so am I. LOVE Disney and the illusion they create.


Drive to Miami from there to catch our plane to St. Lucia.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Oh yeah, gonna hit Disney for a couple of days on the way down. One last time for the younger boy although the teen is excited for some of it too.

Truth told... so am I. LOVE Disney and the illusion they create.

Disney is great; you walk in, give them your credit card, and tell them to take what they want.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Disney is great; you walk in, give them your credit card, and tell them to take what they want.

Yeah, but when the boys were younger, there wasn't much better than walking around those parks with them on your shoulders.


Might look awkward now though...

 

[JuveGG24]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

I just spend 5 nights on the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica. We stayed in Santa Teresa, which is a expat surfer hangout. Beautiful beaches, really good food (maybe not too authentic, but embracing the wonderful seafood available), and because it's all stoned surfers a very chill attitude. I didn't want to leave and can't wait to go back.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Yes please!

Deposit made yesterday (half )... we're really going!


My push for this place was so that we'd have a view of the Pitons every day instead of maybe seeing them one day on an excursion. In addition, the best snorkeling is right at our resort and the best diving is in the vicinity (reportedly-multiple sources on both).

Like I said, was looking at this place from the start (3-4 months ago). Very pleased that everyone was/is on board.

from what I've heard you'll not be disappointed. everyone I know who has been there raves about it. looks pretty from the air.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Any one been to Lisbon? Looking at going in July.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

I just spend 5 nights on the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica. We stayed in Santa Teresa, which is a expat surfer hangout. Beautiful beaches, really good food (maybe not too authentic, but embracing the wonderful seafood available), and because it's all stoned surfers a very chill attitude. I didn't want to leave and can't wait to go back.

That sounds wonderful.

 

[DaveStPaul]

Any one been to Lisbon? Looking at going in July.

Yes, in 2004. Great city, great region. I'd go back in a second. Any specifics? Questions?

 

[jmh]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Leaving for Greece on Thursday. Athens Friday-Monday, Santorini Tuesday-Saturday, Athens Sunday-Monday and then back home.

One question from the discussion upthread: is the Acropolis a doable walk for a senior citizen? I know it's on a hill, obviously, but I'm not really sure how high or steep, and my wife's grandmother doesn't handle stairs so well.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Leaving for Greece on Thursday. Athens Friday-Monday, Santorini Tuesday-Saturday, Athens Sunday-Monday and then back home.

One question from the discussion upthread: is the Acropolis a doable walk for a senior citizen? I know it's on a hill, obviously, but I'm not really sure how high or steep, and my wife's grandmother doesn't handle stairs so well.

It is a bit of a hike. However, according to TripAdvisor and frommers, they do have an elevator installed now for the older/handicapped/less agile.

 

[jmh]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

It is a bit of a hike. However, according to TripAdvisor and frommers, they do have an elevator installed now for the older/handicapped/less agile.

I've seen that as well, but also read that it's only available for guests in wheelchairs, which she is not.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

I've seen that as well, but also read that it's only available for guests in wheelchairs, which she is not.

Hm, I would hope they would accommodate those who would struggle/endanger themselves trying to climb the steps. Hope they do, it is certainly a magnificent site to see.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Yes, in 2004. Great city, great region. I'd go back in a second. Any specifics? Questions?

Well we are going to Barcelona in late june and then from there to Lisbon. So the question is what to see, where to stay, how long to be there and what's the best way to leave? Air connections on the way out look kind of scarce. We are thinking of going to Paris or Amsterdam and flying out of one of those. But the big question is how long do we need?

 

[DaveStPaul]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Well we are going to Barcelona in late june and then from there to Lisbon. So the question is what to see, where to stay, how long to be there and what's the best way to leave? Air connections on the way out look kind of scarce. We are thinking of going to Paris or Amsterdam and flying out of one of those. But the big question is how long do we need?

Getting there and back:
Yeah, it's tricky. You can see why Portugal was the only continental western European country Napoleon didn't conquer -- it's a pain to get through those mountains, man. The train from Barcelona to Madrid is about 3 hours; from Madrid on to Lisbon -- same distance, 390 miles -- is 10. The air connections might be scarce, but they're usually much more worth it. (FYI, we flew direct from New York to Lisbon on Continental, so that's obviously not going to work anymore.)

How long do you need:
I'd say three days. One of those days would be going up to Sintra (under an hour by train) to see the palaces and the castles ruins; you'll be back in Lisbon for dinner in the evening, no problem. It would also include at least half a day going out to Belém to see the monastery, cloisters, maritime sights, and have a pastéis or three at the amazing, famous cafe out there.

Most of the must-sees I read about in Lisbon were worth it: the old Castelo Sao Jorge and the amazing views from up there; a tram ride through the old Alfama district; Belém; Sintra. We didn't make it to the Botanical Gardens or the Gulbenkian Museum, though they're supposed to be amazing. I really enjoyed just walking around. It felt somewhat like San Francisco that way: it's a beautiful city, warm weather, strong breeze off the ocean; and though there are major sites you should see, a lot of it was just walking around and seeing those crazy mosaic sidewalks, finding a funicular and taking it up to the neighborhood above, stopping at a bar at 5pm or so where everybody drops in for a beer and whatever little snacks they set out before heading home.

Hope that helps. If you want I can talk about the food and the wine, but we might be here for a month.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Well we are going to Barcelona in late june and then from there to Lisbon. So the question is what to see, where to stay, how long to be there and what's the best way to leave? Air connections on the way out look kind of scarce. We are thinking of going to Paris or Amsterdam and flying out of one of those. But the big question is how long do we need?

Rick Steve's program covered Lisbon recently. In fact, they might have handled much of the Iberian penninsula in a series of shows. You might want to see if they're at your local library.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Getting there and back:
Yeah, it's tricky. You can see why Portugal was the only continental western European country Napoleon didn't conquer -- it's a pain to get through those mountains, man. The train from Barcelona to Madrid is about 3 hours; from Madrid on to Lisbon -- same distance, 390 miles -- is 10. The air connections might be scarce, but they're usually much more worth it. (FYI, we flew direct from New York to Lisbon on Continental, so that's obviously not going to work anymore.)

How long do you need:
I'd say three days. One of those days would be going up to Sintra (under an hour by train) to see the palaces and the castles ruins; you'll be back in Lisbon for dinner in the evening, no problem. It would also include at least half a day going out to Belém to see the monastery, cloisters, maritime sights, and have a pastéis or three at the amazing, famous cafe out there.

Most of the must-sees I read about in Lisbon were worth it: the old Castelo Sao Jorge and the amazing views from up there; a tram ride through the old Alfama district; Belém; Sintra. We didn't make it to the Botanical Gardens or the Gulbenkian Museum, though they're supposed to be amazing. I really enjoyed just walking around. It felt somewhat like San Francisco that way: it's a beautiful city, warm weather, strong breeze off the ocean; and though there are major sites you should see, a lot of it was just walking around and seeing those crazy mosaic sidewalks, finding a funicular and taking it up to the neighborhood above, stopping at a bar at 5pm or so where everybody drops in for a beer and whatever little snacks they set out before heading home.

Hope that helps. If you want I can talk about the food and the wine, but we might be here for a month.

thanks, that helps a lot. !