STJ on the Cheap?

[Bug]

That depends on what you mean by cheap....I don't need to stay in a mansion when I'm there, but I do need a comfortable villa that has screened in windows. I don't think I could do a campground. I am (as stated before so it's not an excuse - hehe) a SUPER bug magnet. There is no way I would be happy in a tent or villa with no screens just because I would be eaten alive.

I think a fair accessment would be that I could live without "luxury's" to stay longer but without some "creature comforts" I wouldn't want to!

XOXO
Bug

[Coden]

Down and dirty, cheap for two weeks. As long as the place is CLEAN I don't care what it looks like. It must have an awesome view though!!

[mrsb]

Kellee,
You guys can use our pool and hot tub. I think you'll be right down the road
A

[obsessedmuch]

I'd take the two weeks and extra deet. I'm not sure I could camp, though. I camp here in Colorado but our temperature actually drops at night and the bugs actually sleep at some point.

Kellee- if you read this, check your PM. Thanks

[kellyanna]

mrsb, thanks! You are too kind!

[RickG]

Well, this question sounds like it hit a chord! For me, it depends on who I go with:

Alone - camping or a single room at Tamarind Court

Christine and me - cottage, no a/c, no pool required, view preferred

The Party Group or Family - villa in the $1,000 per couple per week range off-season

My preference is two one-week STJ trips Halloween and May with Europe (non-Euro country) mid-winter.

Cheers, RickG

[Coden]

Hey RickG - Where do you suggest in Europe for a mid-winter break? We've been thinking of doing that.

Thnx!!!

[cptnkirk]

For sure two separate weeks cheap, although cheap to one might not be to another. I’d camp if it was up to me but the wife would tell me when Hell freezes over. We’ve been doing two a year for awhile now, were going to make it three this year but we are having a few issues at home. For us its all about the destination and hittin the beach as long as the place is clean were good to go. We cook most our meals in that’s a big money saver.

[liamsaunt]

One week would not be long enough for me (as you can tell by the length of my trip report ). Seriously, we lost an entire day coming down, and it takes an entire day to get back, so that leaves only 5 full days--not enough.

The on season villa prices are generally too pricy for us since we prefer to travel alone. If we ever come down in the high season, it would definitely only be for a week, and I honestly don't know if we'd enjoy it as much.

[RickG]

Hey RickG - Where do you suggest in Europe for a mid-winter break? We've been thinking of doing that.

Thnx!!!

We're doing 10 days in the Czech Republic in January, flying in and out of Dresden with a 2 hour train ride to Prague. The itinerary looks like: Prague, Ceske Budejovice (for the day), Ceske Krumlov, Pilsen with lots of day trips. This is a beer hunting trip and we are going to cover a big area on public transportation.

The Czech Republic is not on the Euro (and may never be) - some of the best artisanal beers in the world are less than $1, dinner is $6 and 2 star (modern, no elevator) double rooms are $50 per night outside of Prague. It's cheaper than a week in West Virginia and language is not a problem, just say "Dvye pivo proseem" or look thirsty.

Traveling outside of the tourist season and hitting the rustic areas you get all kinds of people sitting down and talking to you. "Why are you here?" "This is a beautiful country and your beer is amazing." "Yes, but why are you here?"

Cheers, Rick

[starfish]

I think its interesting that a lot of people say two weeks on the cheap- then qualify it by saying it has to have A/C and a pool- that probably is not exactly truly cheap. I would agree I'd love two weeks, but getting there in itself is expensive, so is it truly cheap to go two separate weeks? We can't hardly find more than a week to leave as we have a kid in baseball spring and summer and basketball in the winter (thanksgiving and christmas). Coaches dont like to let you leave! Also, having a kid trying to be valedictorian means don't miss school either. So I would pick one NICE week over two cheap weeks.

[mia]

Ideally, I would like a ten day trip in the spring and a two week stint in September. A pool is necessary and AC in Sept. is a must. We like nice places...but don't require a mansion on Peter Bay.
Our September dates aren't flexible. However, both last year and this upcoming Sept....we were able to get unbelievably reasonable rates because we will be there during peak hurricane season....last year at Francis Bay Estate and this year we will be staying at Peace & Plenty. These same villas would be "no can dos" for us at any other time of the year.

[mia]

[Steve S]

Wish I could get a way for more than a week. Oh well, maybe in a few years...

In the mean time, A/C, pool and minimal cooking in.

But going all out on a villa for me is about $500 to $700 per person per week. Not quite in the big leagues yet.

[brenda]

I would (and do) go for 2 separate weeks. I can't stand waiting a whole year to go back. We just started doing this last year and it is addicting. That is the reason we go in low/shoulder season. We also don't splurge on food as much as when we went the first time.