sesfw
Junior Associate
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 15:45:17 GMT -5
Posts: 6,268
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Post by sesfw on Jan 10, 2017 18:03:46 GMT -5
I thought US passport were valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for kids?
Yes
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sarcasticgirl
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 14:39:51 GMT -5
Posts: 5,155
Location: Chicago
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jan 12, 2017 10:33:33 GMT -5
You do realize that there is art and history on Caribbean islands, right? they have museums, ancient ruins and amazing food. also, you get to lay on a beach and relax, snorkel, scuba, hike, etc. And in my experience, you can hit the Virgin Islands for less than a European vacation. Yes, I do realize that the VI has what you described. Been in the VI at least five times. But, I suspect few people visit the VI for their world renown museums. Kind of hard to compare the VI with a city such as Paris or Rome, in that regard. Regarding cost, now is high season in the VI and off season in Europe. At this time of year, cost comparisons are likely to show Europe much more comparable than if you compare high season to high season. And then there is the advantage of reduced crowds in Europe during the winter. And, the temp in Southern Europe isn't as hot now as it would be in the summer high season. from your statement "Sit in the sun, or explore the art and history of many of our ancestors. You get to choose." read as you can do one or the other, but clearly not both in the VI. you can easily do both... I always do when we hit up the VI. I've also relaxed on beaches in Europe, but it is a completely different experience. as someone who never had a tropical beach vacation until I was nearly 30 (I don't count going to the beaches along the gulf near where i grew up), I can say, sometimes you NEED that. I preferred running around europe, exploring and having fun with locals. But if you live somewhere with cold winters and have a busy/stressful life, sometimes you just need a tropical island in February. I don't do "resorts" but prefer to explore the islands, visit ruins, eat local, etc. There is something to be said for hiking among sugarmills or ancient ruins in the morning, then spending an afternoon snorkeling and relaxing on a breathtaking beach.
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sarcasticgirl
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 14:39:51 GMT -5
Posts: 5,155
Location: Chicago
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jan 12, 2017 10:36:15 GMT -5
Another consideration is how far do you want to be away from kids? For a first big trip, you may feel more comfortable being closer. Since you're in NY, do the eastern shoreline (Maine or Mass.) There is so much to see and do. You could even throw in Newport on your way to the Cape.
Congrats on your anniversary! I'm sure wherever you go will be a great time! The distance from the kids is a consideration. The way they were acting this morning though, ugh!!!! Knowing my crap luck, it would be better to not be too far, especially with one still so little. The sun and sand is so darn appealing though, my gut keeps saying the Caribbean. My older son's school is closing early today due to the weather, so getting away to somewhere warm keeps sounding better and better. Go with your gut! somewhere warm and toasty is heaven come February/March when you live in a wintery city!
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giramomma
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 11:25:27 GMT -5
Posts: 22,140
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Post by giramomma on Jan 12, 2017 10:49:34 GMT -5
Congrats on the 10 years, it is a loooong time!! We hit ours recently as well. I didn't know we were supposed to go on a trip! DH and I have been married for 15 years. That amount of time doesn't seem extraordinarily long. We've been consummating our relationship for 20. Every time I think about that, I'm is this really possible? And then I feel terribly old. I don't know what's going to happen when we hit 25 or 30 years of it...
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MJ2.0
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 24, 2014 10:27:09 GMT -5
Posts: 11,049
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Post by MJ2.0 on Jan 12, 2017 11:00:46 GMT -5
Yes, I do realize that the VI has what you described. Been in the VI at least five times. But, I suspect few people visit the VI for their world renown museums. Kind of hard to compare the VI with a city such as Paris or Rome, in that regard. Regarding cost, now is high season in the VI and off season in Europe. At this time of year, cost comparisons are likely to show Europe much more comparable than if you compare high season to high season. And then there is the advantage of reduced crowds in Europe during the winter. And, the temp in Southern Europe isn't as hot now as it would be in the summer high season. from your statement "Sit in the sun, or explore the art and history of many of our ancestors. You get to choose." read as you can do one or the other, but clearly not both in the VI. you can easily do both... I always do when we hit up the VI. I've also relaxed on beaches in Europe, but it is a completely different experience. as someone who never had a tropical beach vacation until I was nearly 30 (I don't count going to the beaches along the gulf near where i grew up), I can say, sometimes you NEED that. I preferred running around europe, exploring and having fun with locals. But if you live somewhere with cold winters and have a busy/stressful life, sometimes you just need a tropical island in February. I don't do "resorts" but prefer to explore the islands, visit ruins, eat local, etc. There is something to be said for hiking among sugarmills or ancient ruins in the morning, then spending an afternoon snorkeling and relaxing on a breathtaking beach. I have still never been to the Caribbean. When I start making real money, I'm taking myself on a grown up, tropical vacation!
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Regis
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 12:26:50 GMT -5
Posts: 1,415
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Post by Regis on Jan 12, 2017 11:05:33 GMT -5
Congrats on the 10 years, it is a loooong time!! We hit ours recently as well. I didn't know we were supposed to go on a trip! DH and I have been married for 15 years. That amount of time doesn't seem extraordinarily long. We've been consummating our relationship for 20. Every time I think about that, I'm is this really possible? And then I feel terribly old. I don't know what's going to happen when we hit 25 or 30 years of it... We'll be 30 years of marriage in May. It's great! DS1 is married and completely on his own. DS2 is in grad school and is financially on his own (mostly) as well. DD1 is in her junior year of college. Trips? We take them when we want to and where we want to!
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yogiii
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 19:38:00 GMT -5
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Post by yogiii on Jan 14, 2017 9:05:50 GMT -5
Congrats on the 10 years, it is a loooong time!! We hit ours recently as well. I didn't know we were supposed to go on a trip! DH and I have been married for 15 years. That amount of time doesn't seem extraordinarily long. We've been consummating our relationship for 20. Every time I think about that, I'm is this really possible? And then I feel terribly old. I don't know what's going to happen when we hit 25 or 30 years of it... Maybe that came across wrong. I don't feel like we've been married a really long time but when we got married we were 24/25 and that seems like a long time ago and very young. Perhaps that only makes sense to me.
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zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
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Post by zibazinski on Jan 14, 2017 10:53:23 GMT -5
I remember being shocked at the realization that DH would be the last man I ever slept with except for his cat.
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WholeLottaNothin
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 15:19:25 GMT -5
Posts: 1,721
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Post by WholeLottaNothin on Jan 17, 2017 14:55:27 GMT -5
DH and I have been married for 15 years. That amount of time doesn't seem extraordinarily long. We've been consummating our relationship for 20. Every time I think about that, I'm is this really possible? And then I feel terribly old. I don't know what's going to happen when we hit 25 or 30 years of it... Maybe that came across wrong. I don't feel like we've been married a really long time but when we got married we were 24/25 and that seems like a long time ago and very young. Perhaps that only makes sense to me. No, that makes sense to me too. We were the same ages when we got married. I feel much more adult when I think of it that way lol.
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Happy prose
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 12:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 3,230
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Post by Happy prose on Jan 17, 2017 20:15:08 GMT -5
As long as you're able to travel in the summer, look into Bermuda. Truly jaw-dropping beauty. Unlike some other islands, Bermuda is very clean, and safe. Happy anniversary!
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milee
Senior Associate
Joined: Jan 17, 2012 13:20:00 GMT -5
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Post by milee on Jan 17, 2017 20:37:19 GMT -5
Bermuda is clean, safe and beautiful. Just got back from a visit/regatta in November. And the locals were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The taxi driver who we met the first day helped us throughout the week and even texted us after we left to make sure we got home safely. Wonderful trip, gorgeous location.
But it's also breathtakingly expensive. One of the more expensive places I've been especially compared to the other Caribbean islands. The water was also colder and I was bummed that the snorkeling activities were basically shuttered by November because the water's colder than most people want to deal with. Most of the rest of the Caribbean (that I'm familiar with anyway) you can snorkel and enjoy the water year round.
Also, with this year's America's Cup activities, if you're not interested in watching the sailing you'd want to avoid a lot of the upcoming year - especially the summer (again the only time the water is warm enough to be in) because things will be fully booked and even more expensive.
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sarcasticgirl
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 14:39:51 GMT -5
Posts: 5,155
Location: Chicago
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Jan 18, 2017 8:15:10 GMT -5
Bermuda is clean, safe and beautiful. Just got back from a visit/regatta in November. And the locals were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The taxi driver who we met the first day helped us throughout the week and even texted us after we left to make sure we got home safely. Wonderful trip, gorgeous location. But it's also breathtakingly expensive. One of the more expensive places I've been especially compared to the other Caribbean islands. The water was also colder and I was bummed that the snorkeling activities were basically shuttered by November because the water's colder than most people want to deal with. Most of the rest of the Caribbean (that I'm familiar with anyway) you can snorkel and enjoy the water year round. Also, with this year's America's Cup activities, if you're not interested in watching the sailing you'd want to avoid a lot of the upcoming year - especially the summer (again the only time the water is warm enough to be in) because things will be fully booked and even more expensive. Oh, that would make me upset! I want in that Crystal clear water and I love to snorkel! USVI has year round warm water ❤ Sent from my SM-N920T using proboards
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justme
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 10, 2012 13:12:47 GMT -5
Posts: 14,618
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Post by justme on Jan 18, 2017 12:22:59 GMT -5
I just booked my February trip. www.islandwindjammers.com/6 day small (20-ish) passenger sailing ship to the French West indies. It's above your price range but there may be some sales or specials. St. Lucia Dominica Guadeloupe Iles des Saintes Martinique MrSroo and I have grown to love small schooners www.sailingshipadventures.com/Word of warning though, the ships vary by amenities and the cabins can be ummm... how do I say... not exactly soundproof. So some of these can not conducive to extra-curricular activities of the romantic kind. That's cool that they have solo cabins for a reasonable price, but whew do those look small!
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Anne_in_VA
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:09:35 GMT -5
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Jan 19, 2017 21:37:09 GMT -5
Those ships look like they'd be really fun.
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