| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/23/2008 10:01:11 AM | Awhile back, in another thread, it was eluded that someone should try to organize a trip to Vegas for PoFers when the snow is deep and the weather is chilly here.
This is to see if there really is some sincere interest in going south for a weekend to escape the coldness of Alberta!!
A year and a half ago we tried this and I was the only one to go on the "planned" trip, some went on their own elsewhere. If I do get some positive input, I would be willing to do the leg work to find what may be the best deal we can find. One must remember, if you book as 2 people, the savings are a lot better so we could draw straws to see who rooms and books together (if you don't mind co-ed), or jsut ensure that someone is in there with you. My last two trips there I was only in the room about 3-4 hours a day!! I am quite willing to take pj's so if a female were to share the room, she should know how to tie up the waist string so tight I would have trouble getting them off!!
There are lots of hotels, but some are not as nice as others, and if one joins the "Players Club" aspect, any time sitting at a machine or a table will earn points (credits) for some freebees.
Gambling is not the only thing that can be done! There are a lot of things to be seen in and around Vegas, and of course the pool side relaxation with a tall cool drink is always good.
So,
what time frame would people want to stay (3 or 4 days/nights),
when to go (end of Jan. or middle of Feb-Valentines day in Vegas  ) and what quality of hotel (3 or 4 *)??
Group bookings for shows is always a thought as well, some savings can be had or a tour out to the desert to find an oasis or even the Grand Canyon.
Time to get on the thinking caps and put forth some suggestions and later I will do a sign up event thread, and set up a time to meet as a group and go over all the pros and cons of various aspects. The best prices come up less than 4 weeks of the planned trip, so we would have to pick the dates as a group and work from there!!
Share your thoughts please. | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/23/2008 10:07:33 AM | "I am quite willing to take pj's so if a female were to share the room, she should know how to tie up the waist string so tight I would have trouble getting them off!!"
A roll of duct tape should do the trick!!! lol | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/23/2008 12:18:58 PM | guess first thing is people should get their passports! important now to go anywhere outside of Canada. Some of us with kids would not be able to go around the valentines weekend, or the family day holiday....as we will be planning family things with our kids....but, cant please everyone....so, find the best deals, talk about it....and go forward with the majority! I am planning on going away in the new year....but realize it might not be workable with a larger group....would like to know the details though, in case it can be worked out. I personally would like to check out an all inclusive, but would also like to go to vegas for the shows & shopping.....so....plan away.....hopefully a few can get together & enjoy a warm vacation.....somewhere!   | |
|
| |
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/23/2008 1:42:35 PM | | When our work is done and we're all settled again, we're planning on having our nervous breakdowns on a beach somewhere. So if a locale of that nature is being considered, we just might be interested! | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/23/2008 2:11:50 PM | I went to Mexico a year ago March and it cost me an extra $1000.00 because I went solo!! If people would rather do that, I could handle a week in the sun at an all inclusive!!
Figure on about 13 -1400.00 each for that where as 4 days is Vegas is about 700 each. These estimated prices include rountrip air.
 | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/23/2008 5:34:00 PM | I am all into a week in an all inclusive....sun, beach, relaxing, water sports, swim up bar.....cabana boys....that is all I need....oh, perhaps a roomie....just for the week (to make sure we get the cheapest deal)! lol! would be first before vegas on my list!!! I know I looked up a 5 star in jamaica a few months ago (before our dollar dipped), and for air fare, the all inclusive, 8 days( seems if you book for one day over the week it is cheaper) - lots of tricks to find out about for the best deals, everything.....for 2 was under 3500....which I thought was a great deal, sometimes if you go through the all inclusive site itself....way cheaper than travel agents or even sales.....plus you can plan in advance....I will continue to look...but not really picky on where I go....just at least a 4 star...lol! but, have heard cuba, dominican, etc....and some of the more out of the way places are fabulous.....so, lets try and get paired up (just on paper) and herd onto an all inclusive, 2 x 2 as it is cheaper!!!  | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/23/2008 6:43:48 PM | I would be interested in a 3 day weekend jaunt but I think that's about all I can get away with since I'll be spending most of my 2009 vacation time in BC helping my daughter plan her upcoming wedding next fall.
OE: I'm picky who I would share a room with so I might be into paying the extra and rooming alone or pick my own roomie in advance. | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/23/2008 7:30:08 PM | lol....mon cherie, I am picky too, but will probably not be spending much time in my room....probably will want to stay out side most of the time.....and sleep on the beach, under the ocean breeze & sun! or moon.....heehee.....I also put down - on paper....if we are an even bunch, dosent matter.....but, the finances will work out nicely then....so, guess we will see what is in the works....could do both.......perhaps......or either or......depending.....good luck and enjoy planning for your daughters wedding, that is very exciting! Congrats! | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/23/2008 8:53:06 PM | Hey Duffy,
come chat with me some time, I was looking at planning a group trip somewhere warmer when the cold weather hits, we might be able to bang out some ideas, you down in calgary me up in E-town, should be able to russel up some takers, you won't even have to do that much leg work since this is what I kind of do for a living LOL | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/23/2008 10:49:18 PM | He!!s yeah...I'm in !!!!!!!!!!!
Anything to escape even a bit of winter in Alberta!
( except...no Vegas..cause we're going in two weeks ) | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/24/2008 6:09:00 AM | ......no Vegas..cause we're going in two weeks ...
I just got back Sept 22 and am ready to go again!! There is a lot to see and do and three days is not enough time to do it all.
....come chat with me some time...
Meet in the middle and get those Red Deer activists (polite word for rednecks!)involved too??? LOL | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/24/2008 8:35:42 AM | | In the 4 years I've been here...I've found that the 2nd last week of November...and the last week of January/first week or two of February....are the coldest times. Might be good weeks to book such a trip. Just food for thought... | |
|
| |
| |
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/26/2008 12:04:23 PM | duff
i am in
Vegas baby Vegas...
just need time to get my passport...
roomie's..eh..whatever works
3-4 days is fine
jan feb mar april may..teehee is fine.. | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/29/2008 2:11:40 PM | it s awesome down south, i really love it there, and go as much as possible.....warm,wet and generally a bit of fur, what guy wouldn t love it????
wait a minute, i think i'm in the wrong category.... | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 10/29/2008 3:09:12 PM | | I usually go back to Texas to visit my Dad in December. But with the way the Loonie is going I might just be staying home this year. | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 11/3/2008 5:44:22 PM | Currently, the Canadian dollar is worth 85 cents U.S. (plus a service charge), and the Mexican peso is 10.8814 (plus a service charge).
But 3 days in Mexico is not worth the expense, so it would have to be a bit longer!! Prices range from 1250 to 2800 per person (double occupancy), 35 to 40 % more for single occupancy in Mexico!!
Keeping an eye on the value and will look more intently closer to the end of the year. There are some good deals to be had going to Vegas, and some for Mexico, so which would be the better??
Just wanted to keep this one alive, will need a break from the cold!!
(These prices are for the first week of February) | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 11/3/2008 6:36:27 PM | It would be nice to lay in the warm sun, even nicer to have a warm body in the air conditioned room in the evenings.  (sigh, a girl can dream)
I'm still hoping for the short weekend Vegas trip, but maybe there will be two options! Vegas for the weekend and/or week in the south for those who can do that!! | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 11/3/2008 7:11:38 PM | You can do places like PV for about $1,200 per person...that is flight/accomodations/all inclusive.
If a certain resident travel agent is involved, I'm sure he can find some stellar deals for a group.
Yes, there are some cheaper flights and hotel deals for Vegas...but...remember that if you want a warm get away...the average daily temp for Feb in Vegas is about 65 F. NOT laying around the pool weather at all. Factor in also....drinks average about $10 - $15 each. Meals start at $25 - $30 each.
With an all inclusive you don't need to worry about any extra costs...no food, no drinks.
Went down to Ixtapa 2 years ago for a week and spent a total of $100 outside of the resort. Vegas is going to be well over $100 a day just for food and drinks.
If I'm going to go on a winter vacation...I want to get out of the cold for more than a few days...and want it to be hot enough to lay by the pool or on the beach !!! | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 11/3/2008 9:47:04 PM | ???Coldness in Alberta???
WHAT coldness in Alberta? Sheesh...spoiled Albertans
I can see Duffy now pulling a Bugs Bunny and making a wrong turn at Alburquerque | |
|
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 11/7/2008 5:37:32 PM | Duffy - got this in an email today. I'll forward it to you and you check into it for our trip. Now I could go for New Year on the Beach!!!
HAPPY NEW YEARS, on the Beach!!
Depart December 31 for Mazatlan, Mexico.
Package includes: Roundtrip airfare from Calgary; return airport/hotel transfers and 7-Nights at the All-Inclusive “Oceano Palace”. (oceanview room)
ONLY $598.00 cad per person, plus tax.
Hotel Description: A long-time Canadian favourite for its great location - and even better value - the informal Oceano Palace is now all-inclusive. Enjoy a super setting on one of the finest beaches in the area; handy to shops, dining and nightlife.
Space is limited!
LAS VEGAS – lowest prices ever!
Package includes: Roundtrip airfare from Calgary, and
4 Nights at the 4+ Star “Monte Carlo Hotel”.
Dec 14 departure- return Dec 18, or Dec 15 departure - return Dec 19, 2008.
ONLY $292.55 cad per person
Plus taxes.
Hotel Facilities:
9 restaurants: Buffet; À la carte restaurants featuring Italian, Asian, French and International cuisine; Food Court offering Starbucks, McDonald's, Manchu Wok, Rubio's, Sbarro's and Subway
5 bars: Monte Carlo Micro Brewery featuring special beers brewed on the premises and Houdini's lounge
5 pools: 1 kids' , Pool with waterfalls and wave pool
Other facilities: Boutiques Beauty salon Games room Meeting facilities Tour desk Business centre Internet station Massages available Live entertainment Theatre; 1,200 seat showroom featuring world-renowned master magician Lance Burton Sauna Casino on site; 100,000 square foot. | |
|
| |
| Warmer down South!! Vacation Planning
Posted: 11/8/2008 8:16:52 AM | Would you be interested in the NYE one? That one really appeals to me. I might even look into going myself if it doesn't work for the group. The Vegas one interests me too.
Duffy, how's your research going?? | |
|
Home
login 
