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Where should J.D. go?

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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
My work does a thing with the United Way every year in October, and part of it is an auction. Clients and various businesses donate things to auction off, with proceeds going to charity. Well, I bid on a few things, but the only thing I won? A return trip for two to... wherever I want. At least, within a list of North American destinations.

Here some of the places I can choose (I'm probably not going to Fort St. John or Dallas).

-San Francisco
-New York
-Chicago
-Myrtle Beach
-Bermuda
-Miami
-Nassau
-Cabo San Lucas
-Honolulu
-Maui
-Manzanillo
-Ixtapa
-Mazatlan
-Cancun
-Cozumel
-Grand Cayman
-Montego Bay
-Punta Cana
-Aruba
-Curacao
-St. Lucia
-Port-of-Spain
-Liberia (Costa Rica, not Ebolaland)
-Santa Clara
-Varadero
-Caya Coco
-Puerto Plaza
-Samana
-San Juan
-St. Martin
-Antigua
-Bridgetown
-Kingston
-Providenciales

... And, randomly, Dublin, Ireland.

So, Newschoolers. Have you been to any of these destinations? Were they awesome? Most importantly, where should I go? I have one year to decide.

**This thread was edited on Oct 31st 2014 at 4:17:08pm

**This thread was edited on Oct 31st 2014 at 7:35:50pm
Oct 31 2014 4:11PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10815 - Karma: 57,160
San Francisco would be my choice. SF has so many things going on, good food, ugh the fashion. I know that sounds like every destination, but the city is so diverse and man. I go there all the time.

How long are you there for/ what would you like to do?
Oct 31 2014 4:15PM
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Black-Bandanna
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 1,603
immasSan Francisco would be my choice. SF has so many things going on, good food, ugh the fashion. I know that sounds like every destination, but the city is so diverse and man. I go there all the time.

How long are you there for/ what would you like to do?


Not to mention you can get out of the city easily for some outdoor activities.
Oct 31 2014 4:16PM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
I've always wanted to check out NY, so that would probably be up there with my first choices. I was just in Chicago a couple of weeks ago and would definitely recommend it.

That said, Ireland would be pretty sweet. Maybe jump over to Scotland/UK? Once you're over there, I think it's pretty easy to get around.
Oct 31 2014 4:19PM
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undisputed
Posts: 167 - Karma: 98
go to Mazatlan, its probably the cheapest and the most reasonable option
Oct 31 2014 4:20PM
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987321654hgfd
Posts: 5133 - Karma: 5,447
Where on that list of places haven't you been?
Oct 31 2014 4:22PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
immasHow long are you there for/ what would you like to do?

Probably two weeks, and whatever there is to do there!

SF is also tempting because my cousin lives there.
Oct 31 2014 4:23PM
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,176
J.D.-Liberia


I hear this is a great place to travel right now
Oct 31 2014 4:27PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
JAHpowI hear this is a great place to travel right now

Lolol.

Well, maybe in like 8 months it'll be okay. I have a friend who went there and said it was super awesome.
Oct 31 2014 4:30PM
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JGWI
Posts: 2842 - Karma: 7,812
Grand Cayman is pretty awesome.
Oct 31 2014 4:34PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
The referenced post has been removed.

I haven't been to most of those places, except for a couple in the USA.

And not unless you're secretly Eva Green.
Oct 31 2014 4:35PM
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jca
Posts: 4171 - Karma: 6,311
JAHpowI hear this is a great place to travel right now


it's probably referring to Liberia in Costa Rica. I would definitely go to Costa for two weeks.
Oct 31 2014 4:36PM
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jca
Posts: 4171 - Karma: 6,311
im guessing this is a WestJet thing?
Oct 31 2014 4:37PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
jcait's probably referring to Liberia in Costa Rica. I would definitely go to Costa for two weeks.

Hah, yes it is. I was like "how did Ebola get all the way over to central America? I have not been paying attention to this Ebola thing."

And yeah it's basically a trip to wherever Westjet flies.
Oct 31 2014 4:42PM
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,176
But for serious contribution

I've been to Grand Cayman whilst on a cruise. It was really nice but we only had a day there so we just chilled on 7 mile beach and snorkeled. I'm not sure what else there is to do there.

Cool story while there, we were walking along the beach and there was a shark (I think a sand shark) like ten yards off the beach in two feet of water. Kids were running out to look at it which I thought was stupid. Also there was a sting ray that we followed as we snorkeled and this was like a couple weeks after Steve Irwin died. Every time it changed direction I was like "whoa playa, I'm just snorkelin"
Oct 31 2014 4:43PM
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,176
jcait's probably referring to Liberia in Costa Rica. I would definitely go to Costa for two weeks.


Oh lol, I didn't know there was a liberia in Costa rica. Thought it was the country.
Oct 31 2014 4:46PM
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toastyteenagers
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 6,793
Fuck it, go to ireland
Oct 31 2014 4:57PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,354
Maui...because its Maui thats why. The only thing that trumps Maui in my view is an awesome ski vacation.
Oct 31 2014 5:14PM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
The question you should ask yourself is "Of the places that seem cool/interesting/awesome, where am I least likely to ever get the opportunity to go to again?"

Me, I'd take Ireland. It's the most foreign. I was there for a week this summer and absolutely loved it. Dublin is an awesome city.

That being said, I'm in the Bay Area, as is ThaLorax and Dingo. SF rocks. If you've never been here before...well then you should consider it. One of the most vibrant urban areas in the country for sure, and possibly in the world.

Also Maui because Maui.
Oct 31 2014 5:20PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
I've been to a good chunk of those places, and I'd do Maui if i were you. not only is it absolutely amazing, but probably also the most expensive tickets on that list (ireland might be comparable, too, but who the fuck wants to go to ireland?). might as well get the best deal if someone else is footin' the bill.
Oct 31 2014 5:23PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Come to SF, JD.

We'll go to a Sharks game.
Oct 31 2014 5:24PM
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cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,131
i would go to dublin, if you are there for two weeks you can easily spend a portion of it somewhere else in Europe fairly easily and cheaply as well
Oct 31 2014 5:29PM
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Shredsterr
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 6,930
undisputedgo to Mazatlan, its probably the cheapest and the most reasonable option


It's also got lovely scenery to enjoy while your head is being cut off by a man named Carlos
Oct 31 2014 5:30PM
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undisputed
Posts: 167 - Karma: 98
ShredsterrIt's also got lovely scenery to enjoy while your head is being cut off by a man named Carlos


thats acapulco
Oct 31 2014 5:32PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
Barefootin_FiendI've been to a good chunk of those places, and I'd do Maui if i were you. not only is it absolutely amazing, but probably also the most expensive tickets on that list (ireland might be comparable, too, but who the fuck wants to go to ireland?). might as well get the best deal if someone else is footin' the bill.

Nah Maui isn't actually most expensive from where I am. Liberia is up there and all the places in the Southern carribean like Port of Spain and Curacao and depending on dates Aruba is nuts.

I'd consider going to Dublin. It'd probably be cool, I'd do a whisky tour or ten, and I could head over to England and see my mom.

But yeah Maui is on the list, particularly because I know people with places there and might be able to swing some pretty nice accom's for a reasonable amount.
Oct 31 2014 5:37PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
immasSan Francisco


no. San Fran sucks, its a fine city but there is nothing that makes it worth visiting specifically.



JD don't be a dingus.. are you going to use this to get 2 free flights that will usually cost $200 each or ones that may cost you $900 each?

* = Have been

-San Francisco* - No. Nothing special

-New York* - No. Nothing Special

-Chicago*- No. Nothing special

-Myrtle Beach* - NO. Trashy af

-Bermuda - Nice if you want a tropical get away

-Miami - No, nothing special

-Nassau* - Nice if you want a tropical get away (This would be one of my choices)

-Cabo San Lucas* - There are better "tropical" options

-Honolulu - Id love to see Hawaii, This would be one of my choices

-Maui - Also a good tropical option

-Manzanillo - No, there are better tropical options

-Ixtapa - No - bad mexico option

-Mazatlan - No - bad mexico option

-Cancun* - No - shit city, UNLESS you'll want to get a flight in and book at an all inclusive resort ~45 min south

-Cozumel* - Going to be the top mexico option

-Grand Cayman - Should be a nice choice

-Montego Bay* - Jamaica, meh. Not bad, not great

-Punta Cana* - Better then Montego imo

-Aruba - nice island, prob wouldn't be my choice

-Curacao - Would be one of my choices

-St. Lucia - Would be one of my choices

-Port-of-Spain - Lacks certain appeal imo

-Liberia - lol-bola nope


and Ireland.... this in my opinion, is the best option. Grab some ryan air tickets and visit Italy, France, Switzerland etc. Never know when you'll be able to afford a euro trip again. I swear to god if you waste this damn ticket on a US city....
Oct 31 2014 5:56PM
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,870
If you want Hawaii do honolulu. Maui is mostly just a big tourist trap, the food and beaches are way better on Oahu.
Oct 31 2014 6:09PM
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undisputed
Posts: 167 - Karma: 98
Personally, I'd go to the Big Apple. Why? The culture, thats why.
Oct 31 2014 6:13PM
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soulskier
Posts: 17806 - Karma: 3,841
Go to Bermuda, that place is incredible from the people to the food to the sights

And you have an excuse to wear a shirt and tie with shorts and tall socks as you sip on a tasty beverage
Oct 31 2014 6:21PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
Phil-X-no. San Fran sucks, its a fine city but there is nothing that makes it worth visiting specifically.



JD don't be a dingus.. are you going to use this to get 2 free flights that will usually cost $200 each or ones that may cost you $900 each?

Well I'd like to use them on whatever I'm going to enjoy the most. If the most expensive flight goes somewhere that sucks I'll probably pass. But no flight from here is $200 really; Canada is expensive for flights. I'm going to Vancouver in December, it's a 1 hour flight that costs $350 return per person... obviously going to Nassau or wherever is much pricier.

Please note that there is no Ebola in Costa Rica. Or no more than any of the other destinations. We already made that mistake.

Other than that good list. How many of those places have you been?? I will say I thought Miami was actually pretty great but doing it right costs a ton of money.
Oct 31 2014 7:08PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
J.D.-Liberia


Phil-X--Liberia - lol-bola nope


J.D.Please note that there is no Ebola in Costa Rica. Or no more than any of the other destinations. We already made that mistake.


You did not mention it was the city of Liberia in CR...............


http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/ebola-liberia

What I thought you were talking about...
Oct 31 2014 7:18PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
Yeah I know we were talking about it higher in the thread. I'm a change that.
Oct 31 2014 7:33PM
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JGWI
Posts: 2842 - Karma: 7,812
I have a little more time to answer now. I have only been to a few places on the list.

Grand Cayman- Really clean and very welcoming to foreigners just don't expect anything to be cheap.

There was a couple Jamaican cities on there and having spent 3 weeks traveling anywhere and everywhere on the hell hole of an island I would recommend you go elsewhere. The entire island is a landfill and the people there are anything but welcoming. You will also probably get stabbed if you go to Kingston.

Aruba is a nice place but it is very dirty and the water is not clean.

I can't complain about Cancun.

New York has too many people, and coming from MN i'm to nice.

Honolulu is nice from what I hear.

Chicago is a nice city but I would recommend elsewhere if it is free.
Oct 31 2014 9:47PM
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.frenchy
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kingston mon
Oct 31 2014 10:27PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Having grew up near Fort St. John.

I agree don't go there.
Oct 31 2014 11:06PM
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All_Alpine
Posts: 183 - Karma: 457
Liberia. Costa Rica is sick. Awesome beaches and jungles. Don't try and swing from vines though, Tarzan was full of shit - busted my ass. And maybe you'll run into Drexler in the Liberia airport like I did.

Not Africa, Costa Rica. Pura vida
Nov 1 2014 12:37AM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
Hawaii..


How is this even a question
Nov 1 2014 1:49AM
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~~~~~~~~
Posts: 2345 - Karma: 2,104
I would definitely suggest Dublin. The whole of Ireland is extremely accessible from the capital and a beautiful country to see. Even without a car you can see a fair amount just from riding the DART. It's never a good idea to miss a trip to Europe.
Nov 1 2014 9:07AM
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Turd.Ferguson
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 2,713
I went to ixtapa, which is reasonably south in mexico. If you are in the resorts, most of the people are english speaking but once you go out, its not like mexico city where english is a second language, this is full blown mexico. And dont buy anything from the beach vendors, especially fruit and activities, its always mega sketchy.
Nov 1 2014 10:09AM
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undisputed
Posts: 167 - Karma: 98
Turd.FergusonI went to ixtapa, which is reasonably south in mexico. If you are in the resorts, most of the people are english speaking but once you go out, its not like mexico city where english is a second language, this is full blown mexico. And dont buy anything from the beach vendors, especially fruit and activities, its always mega sketchy.


i always like a good fruit vendor
Nov 1 2014 10:30AM
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Twig
Posts: 6407 - Karma: 60,032
I'd probably fly to Dublin, get a cheap flight to somewhere in mainland europe, and then an interail ticket. That lets you travel around europe on any train. Go like the 3-4 places and then go back to dublin, drink guiness and fly home. Or Hawaii, if you surf.
Nov 1 2014 10:35AM
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SpookyCat
Posts: 1232 - Karma: -2,617
Who gives a fuck as long as you stop posting about yourself in the 3rd person like Kanye West.
Nov 1 2014 11:11AM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,750
Black-BandannaNot to mention you can get out of the city easily for some outdoor activities.


* backdoor activities
Nov 1 2014 1:41PM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,750
I'd do Antigua, I've heard amazing things about the place. Also I know someone there who lives on an old plantation. Can I be your +1?

but I doubt you'd go wrong with any destination
Nov 1 2014 1:44PM
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ABalls
Posts: 2091 - Karma: 3,754
Dude go to Dublin! SF is my second recommendation as I loved it there but you have the chance to go international... Take it
Nov 1 2014 1:47PM
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the_armidilo
Posts: 189 - Karma: 1,488
Ive been to dublin once and it was honestly one of the best experiences of my life mainly because the national botanic gardens are sexy as hell. Don't know how to embed pictures, +K to whoever post pictures of the gardens.
Nov 1 2014 3:01PM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
DingoSeanCome to SF, JD.

We'll go to a Sharks game.


Depending on when this is, I would also like to go to said sharks game
Nov 1 2014 3:10PM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
TwigI'd probably fly to Dublin, get a cheap flight to somewhere in mainland europe, and then an interail ticket. That lets you travel around europe on any train. Go like the 3-4 places and then go back to dublin, drink guiness and fly home. Or Hawaii, if you surf.


Also it says a return trip for two? So I'd imagine he could fly anywhere on his own dime in europe and just get back to dublin for the return flight
Nov 1 2014 3:12PM
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humpty
Posts: 1190 - Karma: 3,162
Go to provincetown, the amount of wierd people you will see is nuts, its like a fairy tale there.
Nov 1 2014 3:41PM
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