Vacation next month..any suggestions?

[The Saint]

Money is tight so we (2) are looking for a place that we can golf and swim (in an ocean) for 7 days. We like the Dominican. However we are trying to keep our costs to around $1500 a piece. Any suggestions?

Includes meals, accomodation and air fare.

[mcgoo]

Tobago

[jeffc]

Cuba. Before the death of Castro. Florida is also a great place for the kids if you want to keep it really reasonable.

[The Saint]

Do you have names of resorts and golf courses near by?

[jeffc]

We stayed at the Sandals Royal Hicacos but it's more of a couples kinda place. I hear the Paradisus is nice - we stayed in one in Dominica (Punta Cana) and it was great.

http://www.solmeliacuba.com/hotels/index.php?hotel=7

Varadero Golf course is close by - about 6km away. I never played but it looked decent.

As for Florida, it's been so long since we went but there was a disney world thread not too long ago....

[The Saint]

Just looking for two adults...

no kids

[Pinshark]

I would stay away from Cuba for golf. The Veradero golf course is the ONLY one in the country. I was there last April and did not play but checked out a few holes across the street from our hotel, these few holes were sandwiched between the highway and the road to a lot of hotels from Veradero virtually no trees as you would expect but the holes I saw looked flat and boring. I cant say for the rest of the course but it was I believe $75 for green fees and I wasn't going to find out for that price. If you do go to Cuba expect to be eating less then good food, unless you go to a higher end hotel.

[jmr73]

Money is tight so we (2) are looking for a place that we can golf and swim (in an ocean) for 7 days. We like the Dominican. However we are trying to keep our costs to around $1500 a piece. Any suggestions?

Includes meals, accomodation and air fare.

I am looking for something similar and found this place which you may be interested in. Depending on the departure and the company you book with you should be able to get it for around $1500-1600 taxes and golf included.... It is a 5 star, has good reviews . I will likely be there mid Feb if you want to book a game

Melia Caribe in Punta Cana
http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hotel...digoHotel=5896

[jeffc]

Bavaro Beach at Punta Cana is one of the nicest beaches you will find anywhere. Not much to do outside the resort (other than golf) but we didn't care since our resort had everything we needed.....

[jmr73]

Just saw the other reply regarding Paradisus. They are both Melia hotels and have the same deal at the Cocotal Golf course (decent course) but the Paradisus is of superior quality and is quite a bit more expensive ($2000 +). Melia Caribe/Tropical is still nice but not as expensive.

Another option including golf are the Barcelo resorts. It is 5 resorts in one and the Casino/golf sections are the cheapest. You should be able to find a package there under $1500. You get access to all facilities at the 4 4star sections so there is lots of variety. Resort and course are not as nice as Melia.

[Keithsguy]

If you have the flexibility to decide last minute check out gotraveldirect.com for some decent deals.

[jmr73]

If you have the flexibility to decide last minute check out gotraveldirect.com for some decent deals.

I have not found http://gotraveldirect.com to be that great. However they may beat any other price if you give them the chance

Here are some sites to check out

http://travellastminute.ca ( I have found them to be the best... although no online booking system to check prices... give them a call)

http://canadatravels.com (very good prices.. I would look up a trip here and give travellastminute a call and they should beat it)


http://tripcentral.ca
http://travel222.com/
http://itravel2000.com/
http://www.selloffvacations.com
http://yourtraveltickets.com/
http://www.travelwave.ca/
http://expedia.ca
http://flightcentre.ca
http://sunwing.ca
http://bookitforless.ca

[DimaX]

I have not found http://gotraveldirect.com to be that great. However they may beat any other price if you give them the chance

Here are some sites to check out

http://travellastminute.ca ( I have found them to be the best... although no online booking system to check prices... give them a call)

http://canadatravels.com (very good prices.. I would look up a trip here and give travellastminute a call and they should beat it)


http://tripcentral.ca
http://travel222.com/
http://itravel2000.com/
http://www.selloffvacations.com
http://yourtraveltickets.com/
http://www.travelwave.ca/
http://expedia.ca
http://flightcentre.ca
http://sunwing.ca
http://bookitforless.ca

Nice useful links! i go on vacantion in july, so long waiting !

[fundonny]

Chris, my family is heading to Orlando, well actually just outside Orlando. We're staying on Southern Dunes golf club, at a great great price for two weeks. We're renting directly from the owner of the condo (he posted it on websites) and the airfare is dirt cheap. What's better then staying on a great course, a short driving distance from many others?

[The Saint]

Thanks to all who replied.. We're heading to Punta Cana Resort. They have a P.Dye course along the ocean that has over 900 sand traps . Ended up using points to get to Philadelphia then paid for the one week package.. $1100.

[Ginker]

Chris that looks Awsome!! You and Mrs. Saint will have a blast (literally with all those bunkers).

[Go_Leafs_Go]

What resort? I just got back from there a week ago. Stayed at the RIU Palace Punta Cana. No time for golf though, went with 18 other people for my wedding.

[jmr73]

Thanks to all who replied.. We're heading to Punta Cana Resort. They have a P.Dye course along the ocean that has over 900 sand traps . Ended up using points to get to Philadelphia then paid for the one week package.. $1100.

I played that course last May. Very nice choice. Does your package include the golf? I always thought that resort was an expensive one and golf rounds were $110+

Awesome course although the conditions were not the best in May... they had just aerated the greens. Should not be a problem at the time you are going. There are at least a half dozen holes right along the ocean.

[rezadue]

I have been to both Barcelo in the Dominican and Paradisus in Varadero.
If Golf and Ocean swimming is your top priority, then go with Barcelo. You can read a review of it from me on the travel section. If you care about service and quality of resort, go to Paradisus. Ditto on the comments from above with respect to the quality of the course in Varadero.

Just saw the other reply regarding Paradisus. They are both Melia hotels and have the same deal at the Cocotal Golf course (decent course) but the Paradisus is of superior quality and is quite a bit more expensive ($2000 +). Melia Caribe/Tropical is still nice but not as expensive.

Another option including golf are the Barcelo resorts. It is 5 resorts in one and the Casino/golf sections are the cheapest. You should be able to find a package there under $1500. You get access to all facilities at the 4 4star sections so there is lots of variety. Resort and course are not as nice as Melia.

[The Saint]

What course did you play in Barcelo?

[jmr73]

What course did you play in Barcelo?

The Barcelo complex has there own course... I think it is just called Barcelo Bavaro Golf course. http://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels...avaroGolf/Home

It's ok.... but nothing really special. We were just happy swing a golf club in Feb so it was fine. If you stay at the Barcelo resort golf is included. And since it is part of the resort, food and drinks was also included on the course.

La Cana (at Punta Cana resort) is a treat. It is rated up there with Teeth of the Dog and some of the great courses in DR. (but you don't have to drive 2 hours to the course). The ocean holes were really cool.

[jmr73]

If you have the flexibility to decide last minute check out gotraveldirect.com for some decent deals.

Actually, having checked gotravel's prices... they don't seem too bad. They do seem to offer a limited number of packages though. It is like they have really great deals at only a few resorts in particular.

Whatever you do, shop around and let the different companies try to beat the competition.

[jmr73]

Thanks to all who replied.. We're heading to Punta Cana Resort. They have a P.Dye course along the ocean that has over 900 sand traps . Ended up using points to get to Philadelphia then paid for the one week package.. $1100.

Is that an all inclusive package? All I have seen for PC Resort is a meal plan with breakfast and dinner.

[The Saint]

The package includes everything but does not include beverage or golf (obviously as the greens fees are $110US).

[jmr73]

The package includes everything but does not include beverage or golf (obviously as the greens fees are $110US).

When are you going to be down there? I will be in the area Feb 20th - March 6th. I get a bunch of coupons for free golf at Cocotal and I won't be using them all. If you (The Saint) or anyone else is down there at that time... let me know and I might be able to get you a free round. Anyone interested... send me a PM.

[The Saint]

Leaving feb 14 returning feb 21..

[topcorner]

Hey folks, just my two cents on comments seen here.

I've played Varadero (two years ago) in Cuba and although it's not a top notch course, I sure was happy to be playing it and there is nothing wrong with it, I'd surely play it again. Also, we ate like kings (tried two resorts there).

The one at the Barcelo in Punta Cana was alright too, about the same type and condition as Varadero, except you get all the beer you want to drink, for free! A dream come true for a true Canadian like myself! (of course, you've paid it by paying for the all-inclusive vacation, but it sure is something else to see them lend you a cooler, fill it up with beer and ice, and not have to shell out any money - except we were happy to tip the guy).

This year we'll be trying the Pok Ta Pok in Cancun...if anyone has info on that course, I'd be glad to hear it.

Have a good vacation Saint!

Sly

[jmr73]

Hey folks, just my two cents on comments seen here.

I've played Varadero (two years ago) in Cuba and although it's not a top notch course, I sure was happy to be playing it and there is nothing wrong with it, I'd surely play it again. Also, we ate like kings (tried two resorts there).

The one at the Barcelo in Punta Cana was alright too, about the same type and condition as Varadero, except you get all the beer you want to drink, for free! A dream come true for a true Canadian like myself! (of course, you've paid it by paying for the all-inclusive vacation, but it sure is something else to see them lend you a cooler, fill it up with beer and ice, and not have to shell out any money - except we were happy to tip the guy).

This year we'll be trying the Pok Ta Pok in Cancun...if anyone has info on that course, I'd be glad to hear it.

Have a good vacation Saint!

Sly

Yes, the free food and drink at Barcelo was a nice touch. Other courses try to really screw you on the extras.

Anyone interested in Varadero... I got an email today from http://www.travellastminute.ca and they have a package at 5* Melia Los Americas for $1339 taxes in. Includes golf. Had I not already booked I would have gone with this package.

[Kiwi]

Punta Cana? Get your Malaria shots! Three Canadians contracted Malaria there recently. See: http://www.cfra.com/headlines/index.asp?cat=2&nid=46718

[big mac]

Dont scare him Kiwi--he might never get on the plane!