More time in Hvar my dude. I would try to break it up: Tues aft: Fly Budapest to Split Tues-Wed: Split --> go to Hvar on Wednesday Thurs: Hvar Fri: Hvar Saturday: ferry to Dubrovnik Sun: Dubrovnik (maybe one night in another Croatia town on the way down?) I only spent a few hours in Split while we waited on the ferry to Hvar, so can't really comment.
Are there like cultural/historical things to do in Hvar or is most of the attraction for the partying/relaxing/beaches/etc.? Seems like a good amount of cultural/historical stuff in Dubrovnik
There are wineries and old city shit away from the main party/port area. Right on top of the main port there's a really cool old fort that's good for s couple hours on a hike
Dubrovnik is nicest when the day trippers have gone. Great place to relax in the evenings, although I'm sure there are other nice places along the Croatian coast to do that too. Got into Boston this evening. Ride in from Logan to the North End was fast and easy, then a quick dinner of gnocci di vitello at Riccardo's
How long are yall planning to go? Where are yall wanting to stay? Any particular things you are interested in? A few quick thoughts- - Go ahead and get the Visa online ahead of time. Just easier not to deal with it later on. The website looks sketchy and fake but it's legit, the symbol on the website is an old plane. - Download Maps.Me and pre-download a map of Havana. This worked pretty dang well on the trip. Not perfect but still worked well so I never felt really lost. - Everything is in cash so take around $100-$150 per day per person down there and exchange it as you go along. I took out a fair amount of money at the airport (first floor right before you exit and head to the taxis). Then you can go to the bank to exchange, which is a process and I would only recommend if you or your wife speak Spanish. Or some of the nicer hotels do it as well. Be warned though, we tried on the final day and the internet was down (apparently for the entire country) so we couldn't do the bank or the hotel. - Pre-pay for as many things as you can before heading down there. It makes things easier. We pre-paid for the AirBnb, a cooking class (HIGHLY recommend), our day trip to Vinales, and a few other odds and ends. Made things easier. - Stay in the Old Havana area. We stayed at this AirBnb (Casa O'Reilly, O'Reilly 164) and it was a fantastic location and the host was great (her neighbor even moonlighted as our taxi driver when we needed it). She gave us a local phone to use, plus had a wifi hotspot so we could contact our family each night. Also, our AirBnb host scheduled a taxi to pick us up from the airport, which was nice not to worry about the hustle and bustle of finding a cab. - There isn't really wifi and your phones (nor CCs) will work so you have to purchase internet cards that cost 2 CUCs for an hour of internet, though you still need a hotspot. They have them in the public parks so you could sit out there if you wanted but it's easier if your AirBnb has it for you. - Everything about your surroundings will scream that you are in an unsafe area, but in reality, I felt perfectly fine the entire time we were there (with a little issue the last night though I think that was more so in our heads instead of an actual issue at all). Since so much of their economy is based on tourism, they have some really harsh penalties for Cuban nationals who accost or assault foreigners (5 years in jail if a police officer sees you being accosted and feels its too much; 25 years if they assault a foreigner and we press charges). I have plenty of other recommendations and advice to give you but I need some guidance as to what you are looking for on the trip. A few places to eat, things to do/see regardless of your plans would be: - Fabrica de Arte- its a warehouse that was turned into a bar/art museum. Really cool but get there early to avoid a massive, very slow moving line. Also, if possible, have a cab lined up ahead of time for when you are ready to leave because outside of there is a little sketchy. It was the only place I was offered drugs while in Cuba and I was offered it about 5x. So it can get a little weird. - Sign up for the cooking/mojito class at Ajiaco Cafe. You will have to take a cab out there which should run you $15-$20 CUCs but it is worth it. Fantastic time with all you can eat food (the food is fantastic) and all you can drink (they make mojitos a little different using honey and it is now my preferred way). Plus, afterwards you can walk down to the water that inspired Hemingway to write Old Man and the Sea. This was probably my favorite thing we did while there. - La Bodeguita del Medio is ok but it is overly crowded and the drinks are not strong. However, right up the road from there is a pirate ship looking bar on the side of the road. it was right around the corner from where we stayed and we loved grabbing drinks there at the end of each night and watching the craziness of the crowds and people selling trinkets outside of La Bodeguita. - Eat at El Chanchullero (dinner) and El Cafe (breakfast/brunch) - Everyone will suggest La Guarida and I found it to be a really cool venue with decent food but nothing outrageously amazing. However, they do have a rooftop bar and right up the road from it (diagonally across the street from the entrance facing away from the Capital) is another rooftop bar which is nice for sunset, La Concordia. - A nice hotel that had a good rooftop bar in Old Havana was Ambos Mundos Hotel (can also exchange money at the front desk if they are not busy and the staffer feels up to it). Those are some good starting points. I can give you a bit more information as well, just give me some idea of what y'all are looking for on the trip.
Belize should be the last Central American country you go to before El Salvador IMO. CR, Guate, Belize
FROM: Chicago (ORD) Brussels (BRU) - $273 Vienna (VIE) - $289 Zurich (ZRH) - $274 FROM: Newark (EWR) Geneva (GVA) - $304 Paris (CDG) - $278 Vienna (VIE) - $328 FROM: New York City (JFK) Geneva (GVA) - $265 Paris (CDG) - $291 Vienna (VIE) - $289 FROM: New York City (LGA) Paris (CDG) - $249 FROM: Baltimore (BWI) Dublin (DUB) - $290 Geneva (GVA) - $304 Lisbon (LIS) - $306 Vienna (VIE) - $328 Zurich (ZRH) - $284 FROM: Washington DC (DCA) Dublin (DUB) - $272 Zurich (ZRH) - $284 FROM: Washington DC (IAD) Brussels (BRU) - $312 Geneva (GVA) - $304 Lisbon (LIS) - $306 Vienna (VIE) - $328 Zurich (ZRH) - $313 FROM: San Francisco (SFO) Zurich (ZRH) - $304 WHEN: Late October 2019 through March 2020, including Thanksgiving, but excluding Xmas/NYE
I had the same question before I went and consensus was pretty heavy in favor of south. So I only did south and Wellington but loved it and if going back would probably opt to go explore more of the south before doing north.
i'll be doing North in September saving South for next time when I spend >5 days in the country in retrospect I should have booked a longer stopover but that fare deal was like a 30 minute window
Just got back from there a couple weeks ago. There’s a summary a couple pages back if you’re interested. I focused on the South, but stopped in Auckland. Ponsonby is a good place to stay in Auckland. Highly recommend Queenstown, Wanaka and Kaikoura. I enjoyed the ride out to Milford but weather is hit or miss. Would love to do Nelson, Mt Cook and the ferry between Picton/Wellington. Would love to explore the North at some point, too, so just a matter of personal preference of what you want to do first. If you go to Queenstown then check out my buddy’s brewery, Altitude Brewing. We were short on time so flew to different regions instead of driving. There’s literally no airport security so flying is pretty efficient.
TO: Ponta Delgada (PDL) FROM: Baltimore (BWI) - $584 New York City (JFK) - $470* Pittsburgh (PIT) - $584 Richmond (RIC) - $584 Washington DC (DCA) - $584 Washington DC (IAD) - $584 * - nonstop / direct WHEN: July through August 2019
Atlanta to Ponta Delgada (Azores) for $684 during July. (I did this using google flights and the dates I chose were random, but 7/16-7/30)
You’re the man We are staying 4 nights/5 days Have an all day Airbnb-tour to Vinales cuba one day, where you get to ride horses and also go to a cigar farm Doing a snorkeling Airbnb tour in Varadero one day Both tours Provide the transportation So we will have 1.5 days to explore Havana
We did the Vinales tour as well. It is a long day and a lot of time spent in the car. But it is neat seeing the tobacco farm and you can purchase cigars directly from the farm (so bring some cash...and if you don't mind picking me up a few of them, I wouldn't be mad about it and would be happy to pay you for them), which are pretty solid cigars. The horse riding was nice but pretty quick. We did a lunch on the way out and it had an amazing view of the valley.
I loved the cooking class but with only 1.5 days to explore, you might not want to dedicate that long to it. There is so much to see just walking around Old Havana. I still suggest Fabrica de Arte one night (maybe before the Vinales tour as yall can sleep on the ride there). As far as food, I would still suggest El Cafe (breakfast/brunch), Orielly 304 (lunch/dinner), and El Chanchullero (dinner). And I still suggest sun set cocktails on the roof of Ambos Mundos Hotel. Drink as many mojitos as possible and don't be afraid to ask them to top you off with some more rum.
TO: Paris (CDG) FROM: Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $265 Miami (MIA) - $265 WHEN: Generally September 2019 through April 2020, including Thanksgiving but excluding Xmas/NYE
Who was the OSU poster (I think) that had good experience with Banff? Corch marcus ? Have some questions about camping and reservations.
That the Cuban government will hold us captive in revenge because they will be mad at Americans Hopefully we will have a Ben Afflek movie made about our escape
Best quote I heard while down there was our AirBnb host's neighbor who also helped taxi us around. He said, "it's a government to government issue, not a people to people issue."
Staying at Windsor court for first time for a conference. Was debating whether it was better or equal to the Ritz. The rooms may be nicer. Just had mother's for breakfast. The grits and biscuit were the highlight. The ham is not the best in the world contrary to the slogan. I'd argue plain ole honey baked ham is better. Liked the hole in the wall atmosphere.
Windsor Court rooms are better than Ritz NOLA for sure, but outside of that I'd probably take the Ritz for its bars and proximity to other things. Windsor Court is kind of "stuffy" for the French Quarter. Go hit up Manolito for some great cuban food and one of the best mojitos around.
Have stayed in both Poble Sec and Eixample and liked both. Eixample is a little more centrally located, especially for standard tourist type stuff, but Poble Sec has more of a local, less touristy vibe.
Decent fairs to Saigon TO: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) FROM: Los Angeles (LAX) - $580 New York City (JFK) - $641 Ontario (ONT) - $619 San Francisco (SFO) - $563 Seattle (SEA) - $609 Vancouver (YVR) - $732 CAD Washington DC (DCA) - $551 Washington DC (IAD) - $539 WHEN: Varies by route. Generally August through November 2019, including Thanksgiving NORMAL PRICE: $1,000+ AIRLINE(S): ANA, Asiana, China Airlines, United BUY BY: We think these fares will last less than 24 hours
FROM: Newark (EWR) Basel (BSL) - $321 Frankfurt (FRA) - $359 Geneva (GVA) - $305 Glasgow (GLA) - $350 Lisbon (LIS) - $304 Madrid (MAD) - $248 Malaga (AGP) - $357 Manchester (MAN) - $367 Oslo (OSL) - $274 Stockholm (ARN) - $302 Zurich (ZRH) - $274 FROM: New York City (JFK) Barcelona (BCN) - $294 Basel (BSL) - $309 Berlin (TXL) - $387 Brussels (BRU) - $317 Frankfurt (FRA) - $368 Geneva (GVA) - $292 Glasgow (GLA) - $339 Lisbon (LIS) - $295 Madrid (MAD) - $224* Malaga (AGP) - $343 Manchester (MAN) - $371 Oslo (OSL) - $243 Prague (PRG) - $393 Stockholm (ARN) - $271 Zurich (ZRH) - $262 FROM: New York City (LGA) Barcelona (BCN) - $292 Basel (BSL) - $328 Frankfurt (FRA) - $357 Geneva (GVA) - $312 Glasgow (GLA) - $357 Lisbon (LIS) - $295 Madrid (MAD) - $239 Malaga (AGP) - $356 Manchester (MAN) - $349 Oslo (OSL) - $281 Stockholm (ARN) - $309 Zurich (ZRH) - $245 FROM: Boston (BOS) Barcelona (BCN) - $256 Brussels (BRU) - $369 Copenhagen (CPH) - $262 Frankfurt (FRA) - $343 Glasgow (GLA) - $349 Helsinki (HEL) - $227 Lisbon (LIS) - $381 Madrid (MAD) - $286 Malaga (AGP) - $246 Oslo (OSL) - $293 Stockholm (ARN) - $282 Venice (VCE) - $334 * - nonstop / direct WHEN: Varies greatly by route. Generally September 2019 through April 2020, including Thanksgiving but excluding Xmas/NYE
Catching a red eye to A Whale’s Vagina tonight, will be the first time leaving Hawaii in a year. Already kinda dreading the crowds and counting down the days to our return trip. I went to Honolulu last month and it was fun but I couldn’t wait to come home.
Planning a two week trip to Europe. Would like one stop to be Munich during Oktoberfest. Will we “miss out” by only going to oktoberfest on weekdays instead of being there on a Saturday or Sunday?
CoastalOrange Did I read it right that I can exchange my money to Cuban currency at the Cuban Airport in Havana? Is it better to do it there or the Miami airport or no difference