Life What a great time to travel!!

BIG_DADDY · 12-14-2020, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

My family owns a Travel Agency. It has been a very challenging year, to say the least, but it is a great time to travel as far as prices go. Airfare is super cheap and hotels/resorts have great deals as well.

My advice:

* Check the Covid restrictions first. Example: Aspen has great deals right now and we were putting together a Ski Package until I researched it. Aspen has very strict Covid guidelines and you have to sign an Affidavit. You can be fined up to $5,000 as well as being put on mandatory quarantine. As an agency, we do not want to put our customers into that situation. So we will be putting out a Breckenridge Package this week instead.

* Check the fine print and State Covid Guidelines. My wife and I took a trip around Lake Michigan for a Lighthouse tour. Michigan hotels are restricted from serving the Hot Breakfast they promise online. Make sure if you are expecting a breakfast it does not end up being a water bottle and granola bar like we were stuck with.

* Book now for cheap prices, but look into travel insurance if you think there is a chance your future plans might fall through.

* You will need a US Passport for anything out of the States now. A valid driver's license used to work for Canada and Mexico- but not any longer.

* Some Countries and States are requiring a Covid test within 72 hours of traveling.

* No go zone sections in cities within the United States. Check for current Safety issues. We were in Chicago recently and as soon as night hit- BLM took over the streets. Do you really want to go to New York right now with crime up 500%?

* What are your goals? If it is to relax in a Spa and go to some nice restaurants, museums, and other indoor activities- make sure the city or state is not locked down- Like Chicago and Michigan. Michigan makes you buy an extra Covid Pass to walk through their State Parks now. Make sure there are no curfews.

I would recommend the US Virgin Islands right now. No Passport needed. You need a current Covid test, but most everything including bars are open. My company can book you through the Wholesale Travel portals at up to 65% off with travel dates into August. You can also make payments. Mexico and the Caribbean have amazing All-Inclusive deals as well. PM me if you are ready to travel! Be safe!

* Before I get a bunch of responses that booking through an agency is more expensive / I book my own travel with my phone, ect- No it is not cheaper. We have access to the Wholesale Travel Portals.

I have never been to the US Virgin Islands. You have some favorite spots?

Halfcan · 12-14-2020, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

I have never been to the US Virgin Islands. You have some favorite spots?

I am planning on going this year. We are researching it now and putting some nice packages together. A friend just got back and said it is amazing, but some parts of the island still have storm damage. The resorts are offering some really great deals and airfare is cheap.

I think it will be a great place to go right now because- No Passport, everything is open, beautiful beaches, pretty safe and great prices. It has been on my list for a long time and can't wait to go.

BIG_DADDY · 12-14-2020, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

I am planning on going this year. We are researching it now and putting some nice packages together. A friend just got back and said it is amazing, but some parts of the island still have storm damage. The resorts are offering some really great deals and airfare is cheap.

I think it will be a great place to go right now because- No Passport, everything is open, beautiful beaches, pretty safe and great prices. It has been on my list for a long time and can't wait to go.

My wife works for United so airfare is free it's all about where.

**banyon** · 12-14-2020, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

I have never been to the US Virgin Islands. You have some favorite spots?

The beaches of St. John are the best out there. Also try the fresh snapper at a beach dive off Coki Point (next to Coral World) some of the best fish I ever had in my life.

**Donger** · 12-14-2020, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banyon

The beaches of St. John are the best out there. Also try the fresh snapper at a beach dive off Coki Point (next to Coral World) some of the best fish I ever had in my life.

Yep, St. John is better than St. Thomas. Add Cinnamon, Trunk and, of course, Oppenheimer's Beach.

If you stay on St. Thomas, try to get a place on Peterborg with a view of Magen's Bay.

Also, be aware that parts of St. Thomas are quite poor. And, if you drive, have fun....

**banyon** · 12-14-2020, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Yep, St. John is better than St. Thomas. Add Cinnamon, Trunk and, of course, Oppenheimer's Beach.

If you stay on St. Thomas, try to get a place on Peterborg with a view of Magen's Bay.

Also, be aware that parts of St. Thomas are quite poor. And, if you drive, have fun....

This was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. My father in law rented a vehicle, but before he rented it, the guy gave us literally a 30 minute lecture on how to drive and the problems we were going to encounter. He drove us around the island and pointed stuff out like "Hey in this parking lot people are going to back out here and try to hit you" "Around this corner someone will come out of this drive and forget which side of the road to drive on", etc. He then made us take a written test before the car would be rented out.

Literally everything he showed us about traffic we saw happen (though not to us) at some point during the trip.

Still had a great time and would go back.

**Donger** · 12-14-2020, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banyon

This was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. My father in law rented a vehicle, but before he rented it, the guy gave us literally a 30 minute lecture on how to drive and the problems we were going to encounter. He drove us around the island and pointed stuff out like "Hey in this parking lot people are going to back out here and try to hit you" "Around this corner someone will come out of this drive and forget which side of the road to drive on", etc. He then made us take a written test before the car would be rented out.

Literally everything he showed us about traffic we saw happen (though not to us) at some point during the trip.

Still had a great time and would go back.

A test? I rent from Hertz and they just handed me the keys.

They did mention the first time that the bus drivers do drive in the middle of the road and I'd need to learn to drive with the driver's side mirror in the vegetation.

IowaHawkeyeChief · 12-14-2020, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Yep, St. John is better than St. Thomas. Add Cinnamon, Trunk and, of course, Oppenheimer's Beach.

If you stay on St. Thomas, try to get a place on Peterborg with a view of Magen's Bay.

Also, be aware that parts of St. Thomas are quite poor. And, if you drive, have fun....

I agree with Dong. St. Johns is cool. You need a passport for St. Johns though. It is very cool and there are sugar mill ruins that are pretty cool to see. Best Snorkeling ever for me, and I've been a lot of cool places, is the Ritz Carlton hotel bay area on St. Thomas. The Marriott property on St. Thomas, pre storm, was also a very cool property. The have beach front villas which are nice, and right on the beach or they have a typical resort hotel on the "cliff" with free shuttles to downtown and the straw markets.
I've done 3 Kat sails out of Tortolla as well, best Trips ever, and the cost are pretty reasonable if you have a family or some other couples then you can see much more, Virgin Gorda, the Baths, the Indians, Jost Van Dyke-Soggy Dollar, Willy-Ts Bay Bar...

**Donger** · 12-15-2020, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IowaHawkeyeChief

I agree with Dong. St. Johns is cool. You need a passport for St. Johns though. It is very cool and there are sugar mill ruins that are pretty cool to see. Best Snorkeling ever for me, and I've been a lot of cool places, is the Ritz Carlton hotel bay area on St. Thomas. The Marriott property on St. Thomas, pre storm, was also a very cool property. The have beach front villas which are nice, and right on the beach or they have a typical resort hotel on the "cliff" with free shuttles to downtown and the straw markets.
I've done 3 Kat sails out of Tortolla as well, best Trips ever, and the cost are pretty reasonable if you have a family or some other couples then you can see much more, Virgin Gorda, the Baths, the Indians, Jost Van Dyke-Soggy Dollar, Willy-Ts Bay Bar...

St. John is part of USVI. You don't need a passport.

IowaHawkeyeChief · 12-15-2020, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

St. John is part of USVI. You don't need a passport.

I stand corrected. I needed to show my passport and go through customs because we sailed out of Tortolla, which is a BVI.

DawgDays · 01-13-2021, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banyon

The beaches of St. John are the best out there. Also try the fresh snapper at a beach dive off Coki Point (next to Coral World) some of the best fish I ever had in my life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Yep, St. John is better than St. Thomas. Add Cinnamon, Trunk and, of course, Oppenheimer's Beach.

If you stay on St. Thomas, try to get a place on Peterborg with a view of Magen's Bay.

Also, be aware that parts of St. Thomas are quite poor. And, if you drive, have fun....

Big YES to both. Went to St Johns and St Thomas last January. First time @ Johns, multiple times to Thomas. Megan's Bay is one of the most beautiful, serene places on earth. Get there at sunrise, dare to ever leave.