OK, this is all kind of random, but here goes… I was gonna erase all this and just asks, what are some good tips for visiting the Caribbean, but thought screw it, leave it in so the background is clear:

I live in Germany and work as an English teacher, so I’m not rich. I hate the weather here in winter, and two years ago told my girlfriend to hold a gun to my head every year in March and insist that I go to Spain for at least a week.. I love Spain – food, wine, coffee, lifestyle, landscape, architecture, etc.. We went last year and it was the best vacation of my life(mostly Pyrennees and wine country in Catalonia.. Valencia two years prior was good too – but not as good…)

Anyway, we were planning to go do a one-week intensive Spanish course near Madrid and then a week of cruising around in March or April this year…

Bbbbbuuuuuttt, this exchange rate has gotten me thinking.. I could fly to Washington (DC) to see the fam, but then I would want to see something else – something NEW.. We brainstormed this last year but couldn’t really come up with any interesting ideas – except 3-4 days in NYC.. But we decided to use our money for shopping instead..

Here are the ideas that kind of interest me so far..:

1.) Fam for 10 days or so, then 3-4 days in NYC.. I’ve been to NYC twice – once as a student to go to the Met, the other time to stay overnight at a friend’s sister’s near Columbia.. Both times I was looking forward to leaving pretty soon.. Concrete jungle… But, I’ve never seen the Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Central Park, etc etc… My girlfriend would love to see NY too.. I’ve never really been there independently and on my own, so I think it would be kind of exciting.. NY being so expensive, maybe we could mix in some beachiness by heading down to the Outer Banks for a few days too..

2.) Carribean.. After a grey German winter, this is especially appealing.. But I know NOTHING about the Carribean.. Cruise from Miami? All inclusive in the Dominican Rep?? Barbados sounds cool… What’s a week someplace cool cost inc flight from Washington?? Any other Caribbean recommendations or tips would be appreciated..

3.) Grand Canyon.. I would like to maybe do a big roadtrip out west some day.. Don’t know if this would be the time to do it though.. Would this be more expensive than the Carribean?? Would have to fly from Wash…

That’s what I’ve thought about so far.. TOTALLY random I know.. My travel interests are normally almost exclusively European-focussed, and I know what I want here.. But this exchange-rate thing has me wondering if maybe there’s something in the US or Caribbean I should take a closer look at… Basically, I want good weather, and something NEW.. Time-frame would be 14-17 days complete from March to May.. Min 3-4 days would be required to see the fam, preferably a week…

So yeah, that’s all totally random I know.. Just trying to do some brainstorming…




So anyway, all that babbling is kind of a background, so I guess I could focus it down and say that the Caribbean part has me the most interested, so what are some good Caribbean tips?? I’m skeptical of mass package tourism, big all-inclusive hotels, etc.. But heck, maybe there’s something great I don’t know about… I would prefer places with a more European slant, as opposed to being in some hotel with a bunch of American golfers or whatever.. Or maybe a cruise would be the best option – again, know nothing about them… Would be kind of worried that I’d be surrounded by fat American families or whatever.. Anyway, it’s winter here and I’m babbling, but my urge to travel is really starting to kick into gear…… Any input appreciated…


ps Afterthought – anybody done an all-inclusive trip in the Canary Islands? Could be yet another option..