Getting a gal to the Carribean???

[Turboguy]

Has anyone found a good way to get a gal from Russia to the Carribean?   I played around the other night till 3 am with on line sites without much luck.

Possible destinations are Dominican Republic, first choice, Costa Rica, second choice, Jamaica third choice.

If I plug in Moscow to anywhere I get nothing.  I can find a direct flight from Paris to D.R.   The price I get is $ 2800 (just for the Paris to DR part) and she would have a 22 hour layover in Paris with any flight I can find from Moscow.   The funny part of the $ 2800 fare is if I plug in Frankfurt to DR, she flies to Moscow, gets on the same direct flight to DR and the fare is $ 850.00 humm.   Of course with that flight she sits in Charles DeGaule for 22 hours. 

Of course I would like a flight in which I don't buy the Airbus with the payment but I don't mind paying a lot extra within reason to get a half way decent schedule for her.   I would like her to not be in transit for 72 hours or so.   Does anyone have any good suggestions for me?

If I could bring her through the USA there are lots of very affordable choices with good schedules but since 9/11 that can't be done. 

[groovlstk]

TG, have you asked her to check with local travel agents?

There must be regular flights from Moscow to Cuba, and from there it's an easy jump to all three of your potential destinations.

If you're looking to save a few $$, send me a PM. Through my job I have access to 1/2 price rates to Grand Lido, Superclubs, and Hedonism resorts. Although I'm guessing Hedonism might not be on your wish list, the Grand Lido resorts are among the best in the world

[Turboguy]

Thanks Groov,

I have not had her check with a local travel agent yet.  It may have to be done from there if that is the route we take.  The online sites say they can not sell tickets to that destination do to governement restrictions.   

Once I get the air part squared away I will pm you about lodging info.  I appeciate the help.

[Anonymous One]

Don't forget to check the tour companies.  Lots of Brits vacation in Jamaica, and the package is reasonable.

And Jamaica is great!

[Turboguy]

Thanks Anonymous.   I will do that.   The only bad thing I hear about Jamaica is that it is dangerous.  I think if you just don't go wandering around on your own you are OK. 

I just tried Aeroflot's site.  The dates I want are sold out for the good fares but they do have flights available.   Not too bad a schedule either.    Their price moscow to Havana for dates close to what I want are about $ 1475 plus taxes. 

I am not sure how hard it will be if the on line sites I usually use don't service Havana but I am sure I can work something out there. 

I appreciate the help.  If anyone else has any ideas I would be happy to hear them.

[Anonymous One]

Such as....

http://travel.kelkoo.co.uk/ctl/do/drilldown~170201/Sun,London,Caribbean,Jamaica

[Anonymous One]

The only bad thing I hear about Jamaica is that it is dangerous.  I think if you just don't go wandering around on your own you are OK. 

We rented a car and went everywhere without any problems.

But to be on the safe side, you can go to a resort, where security allows only tourists on the beach.

We love Negril's 7 mile beach.   It's one of the best beaches in the world.  And they have some of the resorts Groove mentioned to you.

[Gator]

TG,

Jamaica is safe (except for Kingston).  Costa Rica is safer.  DR is somewhere in between (although I was perturbed by my taxi driver bringing his pistola when we went to a neighborhood cockfight).

Flying is a problem.  The Cossack just got a price of $2300 from central Russia (2+ hours E of Moscow) to Costa Rica mostly via Aeroflot.  Must overnight in Havana on the return trip. 

If you are gutsy, meet her in Havana.  The web is replete with info about the implications.

Mexico is the easiest flight from Moscow.  Mexico City is NOT SAFE, so quickly fly to a resort.

[Turboguy]

Thanks everyone.  I am getting some really helpful ideas here.   I still need to wait till she ok's things with her boss.   I don't want to see her on the unempolyment line but hopefully in the next few days I will be getting this all decided and wrapped up.

I spent a few hours in Oches Rios and it seemed safe enough.  I was on a cruise and they were very negative about the safety in Jamaica.   Otherwise I don't know much.   As far as picking a place I would like Costa Rica the best but I think it will be a little harder to get her there.   She sorta likes the D.R. idea which should be just fine. 

[viking]

T/G

I have been to Jamaica 4 times and never had a problem. If you want a really nice place to stay, my last trip was at the Ritz Carlton. They have these beach lounges where you raise a little flag attached to the side of the lounge. Its a signal for the bar maid to come over and take your drink order. Never have to move unless you want to. It was great.

[Turboguy]

Thanks Viking.  I think my fears about Jamaica are starting to ease a bit.

I think I am adding one more place into the potential destinations.  I think Barbados is coming under consideration as another possible site.   I can get a direct flight out of London to there.  She does not need a visa.

It is a shame what 9-11 has cost us in terms of additional expense.   The fare to bypass the USA to most of these places is just under $ 3000.   If I could route her through the USA it would be just over $ 1000.  Add to that the business being kept from American owned airlines and it makes it another sad thing.

[Photo Guy]

My sister and bro-in-law honeymooned at Barbados. They loved it there. 

[DKMM]

Ahh TG, this was my own dilemna not too long ago.  I found out the hard way too, that you can't route through the USA (which was the source of me putting up extra fundage).  I went with Toronto but it too was an overnight (fortunately J has an Estonia passport so no visa required to leave the airport).  Check and see if she can easily get a Canadian transit visa, should be easier than USA.  I also saved a lot of money by booking two seperate roundtrip flights, one to Toronto from Moscow and the other to the Carib from Toronto.

Paris to wherever is the another good way but it should not be that expensive (try my method above).  The problem is, going west from moscow almost always means overnighting somewhere in Europe which again can be a problem for the RW or UW citizens not being able to get a visa so easily to spend the night in a hotel. 

If you are talking about vwrw from Barnaul, have you thought of going to Thailand?  It offers the same as the carib but much easier for her to get to and should be cheaper overall for both of you.

The other problem is being limited to the number of destinations because of her citizenship.  Based on my experiences to Jamaica and the D.R. I would pick the D.R. although either would work.  I would add that Montego Bay is not a nice place to stay.

[Michelangelo]

  I would add that Montego Bay is not a nice place to stay.

Very true.  The other coast and Negril is MUCH nicer.

[Michelangelo]

But beware of beggers--they will drive you crazy.  Select a hotel with a protected beach and with security.

Resorts are uneven in Negirl; choose carefully.

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with the RIU.  It's the best. (see link below)

Funjet can get you there; here's a link:

http://www.funjet.com/destinations/HotelProfilesPage.asp?parent=NEGRIUT&Dest=NEG&OAC=&plCode=

[Turboguy]

Thanks guys.   That is some great info.  My head is starting to spin with all the choices.   I really appreciate the suggestions.

[Turboguy]

DKMM,  The suggestion of Thailand may be a very good one and I am adding it to the list of serious contenders. 

One of the plusses of going to Thailand now would be that it is not as hard for either of us to get there and if VWRW does end up with me in the USA in the future as I both hope and believe, then future vacations to the Carribean would be cheap and easy.   I can be in the Caribbean in 5 or 6 hours for a cost of $ 500.00 or less.  Getting her there is going to be two days travel time and $ 3000.00 plus.  Thailand is about a full day for each and not much over $ 1000 for either of us.  I hear there are some beautiful spots to visit there. 

Still sorting out options and need to discuss things with her.  What ever we do it has to be something that she is happy with.  I do appreciate all the good input I have had so far. 

[jb]

IMHO going to the Carribbean is just not all that safe anymore.  Or smart.  Dominican Republic used to be all right, Montego Bay, Jamaica used to be all right and both were places a RW could go without getting a visa.  DR is situated on the same island as Haiti: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6179341.stm   Violence is the order of the day on that island, kidnapping for ransom is common, and if you think a border drawn on a map will stop a criminal, then I have some beachfront property in AZ for sale.

You'd prolly be safer in Cuba.  Costa Rica is a good first choice,,, the others would not be on my "To be considered" list.

The problems associated with travel with a Russian national, is that virtually every place they can go with any ease is not a developed nation.  Many are downright dangerous.  Russians are welcomed in Turkey and Egypt.  Russians can go to Italy fairly easily, there are several tourist agencies in Moscow that specialize in group tours to Italy and the odd RW can usually be fitted in with some group or another.  However, if it's sun and fun on the beach you are after, the best advice I can offer is wait till May/June and go to Crimea.  The other best advice I can offer is to spend more time in her hometown getting to know her better rather than trying to impress her with fancy vacations.  You will send the wrong message everytime.  I wish I could link to some old T/Rs written by the Dutchman (Luck4ume) on the RWG, his story is classic.  His marriage also ran in the ditch because he spent his entire courtship on vacations and cruise ships and that's what she expected life would be like when she got to the States.  I think, and it's just my opinion, it's a bad precedent to set when you should be learning as much about each other as possible in the shortest amount of time that you have.  The intelligent, thinking RW will understand that the process of a long distance courtship must be accelerated due to the limited amount of time her foreign b/f has to be with her.  The best gift you can give her is not a fancy vacation, but yourself.   If she is expecting more then you may be courting the wrong woman.

[Michelangelo]

DR is situated on the same island as Haiti:    Violence is the order of the day on that island, kidnapping for ransom is common, and if you think a border drawn on a map will stop a criminal, then I have some beachfront property in AZ for sale.

I feel safer in the DR than in Turkey or Egypt; I have lots of clients in the DR and have been there many times. And that's not a border drawn on a map between the DR and Haiti--it's a VERY IMPOSING mountain range.  Yet, you are correct in that more and more Haitians are making their way illegally to the DR.  But IMHO, they do not create a threat to safety or tourism.  See the CIA fact page to verify this.

TG-- The people there LOVE Americans (and FSU girls) and you will feel very welcome.  Be sure to compliment them on their major league baseball players :-)

[Mir]

As usual sound advice. There are few comments I would make:

Italy is not an easy destination. In fact all the Schenghan countries apply visa rules in the same manner and chances for a young FSU girl with a virgin passport and no study job (many are just students) are not bright. I am not saying they will never get the visa, but it is not easy.
UK is even more difficult then Schengen and we all accept US to be the hardest nut to crack.

Within Europe, Hungary is quite straight forwards to get a visa and Budapest is worth a visit. Also Poland is easy and many nice cities there to visit.
Prague is a bit harder but still doable. And also Bulgaria and Romania are easier then Schengen states but will get tougher as they join EU.
I would strongly recommend a holiday in Crimea since neither they nor us need a visa.
About their home town, well it certainly has merits. My only reservations that they often are so busy with work/family/friends/children/studies etc. when they are in their home town and to deal with her extended family and friends can put a bit extra pressure of the foreign boyfriend. Still you can argue if she is serious she will find the time for you and if you are serious you should face her clan.

[SANDRO43]

Within Europe, Hungary is quite straight forwards to get a visa and Budapest is worth a visit. Also Poland is easy and many nice cities there to visit. Prague is a bit harder but still doable.

This should be applicable to all light-blue states in the map up to the end of 2007. You might consider renting a small boat in Capodistria (Koper, Slovenia) and rowing over to Venice on a full-moon night .

[Louie]

  What about Mexico, there are so many beautiful places there, relatively inexpensive and very safe. a few that come to mind are Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Guadalajara, La Paz, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, plus you could prolly drive her across the border, with out to much problem, I did that with my ex who was from the Philippines, just drove across the border at TJ in to San Diego!

 
 

[William3rd]

Driving a foreign national across the border without a US visa?  ???You could prolly get her summarily excluded from the US and have to go through a bunch of waivers to get her over here later if you get caught.  ::)Not exactly something that I would want to go through if I were a girl.

[viking]

T/G

Have you ever considered Bulgaria?. Bit of a trip for you but one very nice country. I spent a week there with a RW in June, 2005, in Varna, right on the Black Sea. Great rates in nice hotels (I was in the Golden Sands Resort area), excellent and inexpensive food, fantastic places to visit, wonderful people (I was the only American at this hotel and found the experience most interesting) most people speak english and my friend was comfortable as well. Massage on the beach, jet skiis, pools, nice clubs, and some casinos if that strikes your fancy. I can send you some pics if you want. Just a thought on something different. And very very safe.

[Turboguy]

Oh, lots of good helpful comments.  Thanks everyone.

jb, thanks for the thoughts.   I have been to Domican Rep but quite some time ago and was not really trying out the beach life.

I am not sure it is so much sun and fun on the beach we are looking for.  VWRW does not seem to be much of a sun worshiper or a beach person.   When I was in Barnaul the last time she asked if we could have out meetings until April 1st in warm places.  We just didn't want to put up with Siberian temperatures of 30 below and have to stay huddled up in an apartment.   Any meetings we have after april 1 will be in Barnaul.   It is not a case of me trying to spoil her with fancy vacations or her trying to get what she can out of me.   I have started to work on my TR to Egypt.   We had about the least active vacation of anyone who has gone to Egypt.  We spend much more time talking about our future together, about things we might encounter, about how we make sure both have their needs fullfilled than we did touring ancient places.   

Michaelangelo, Thanks for the observations.  They are most welcome.

Mir.  Thanks for your thoughts.  I agree about the visa to Italy.  As far as Crimea we are looking at tentative travel dates of January 30th to Feb 8th +/-   Probably not a good time of year for Crimea.

Louie,  Mexico is a bit tougher to get a Russian gal into from what I have heard.  I think it can be done but takes some advance preparation.   The driving part will be tougher now that they are requiring all border crossings to have a passport.  Even if it were not, I would not want to chance it.   I have been in Cozmel and it was fairly nice.   My daughter vacations in Mexico a lot and really likes it but again Mexico is a little tougher.

William,  I agree with you.

Viking.  Bulgaria would be a nice vacation spot but like Crimea I think it is not the right time of the year.  Thanks for the suggestion though.