50th Destinations

[Cigar_Addict]

So in a couple of years it'll be my 50th, and MLW has asked where I'd like to go for it. She has suggested Dubai, however I'm sure thats more so she can lounge on the beach 🏖️

Whilst I don't want to make it all about cigars, there could be an opportunity to stock up depending on the destination. Not that I have a huge desire to go to Vegas, the USA does have some of the best prices for NC's, and there's also Florida for the kids to go to Disney (although I don't think the weather will be great in February)

Any suggestions welcome

[PeeJay]

Dominican Republic, cigars and beaches, and leave the kids behind.

[ha_banos]

You need to find somewhere where your kids can go play hard for a few hours so the get exhausted and just want to sleep early. And your missus can go spa all afternoon. And is cigar friendly. Tough these days....

[Midas]

Depends on time of year you're planning on going and how old the kids are.

Vegas I wouldn't bother at all with kids, also apart from maybe cheap cigars it's incredibly expensive.

Time of years also important, Dubai in the summer isn't going to be fun, neither is the Caribbean during hurricane season although both are considerably cheaper during those periods so if you can stand being slowly cooked alive or fancy your luck missing the major storms then they're worth considering.


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[ShaazK]

If your 50th is in February, Dubai is a fantastic option. Great weather, may find some of peak deals if out of school hols (unless it's Feb half term!)

Depending on the ages of your kids, they can independently go pretty much anywhere, theme parks, activities and attractions on their own and be perfectly safe with no risk of anything. You can smoke almost anywhere, your wife will have all the beach and Spa her heart desires.

Orlando is fine in February, weather is like UK spring I guess. Jacket in the evenings but really decent all day long. Probably won't swim outdoors but Disney will be great ($$$!! And shitty food)

Thailand and Vietnam are excellent in Feb. Hoi An is amazing for beach and culture.

Loads of options man.


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[Cigar_Addict]

Thanks for the replies, some things to think about for sure. Didn't realise you could smoke so freely in Dubai so that just bumped it up the list

[NorthernPuro]

Ahem..... Cuba? Do 3-5 nights in Havana, then the rest at a generic 5* beach resort.....

[Ryan]

Ahem..... Cuba? Do 3-5 nights in Havana, then the rest at a generic 5* beach resort.....

Cuba, but every night in Havana. There are good beaches close by (30 mins by taxi) and good hotels in Havana. Buy shop rolls. $4-$8 each and better than any non-Cuban cigar. But also weather, culture, architecture, people, live music, good food (when you know where to go, great food). Lots of bad stuff too, poverty, smells (gasoline, trash and sewage depending wher you are and time of day), some artists in prison. But every country has problems.

[liles]

I think it's worth noting that visiting Cuba can complicate any future visits to the USA, due to their inclusion on the State Sponsor of Terrorism list. You will technically be unable to apply for ESTA and will instead need a proper visa for travel.

I am aware there's a "please don't stamp my passport" policy that is generally respected, but that would still be breach of the conditions and if discovered could land you in some spicy situations.

[Ryan]

I think it's worth noting that visiting Cuba can complicate any future visits to the USA, due to their inclusion on the State Sponsor of Terrorism list. You will technically be unable to apply for ESTA and will instead need a proper visa for travel.

I am aware there's a "please don't stamp my passport" policy that is generally respected, but that would still be breach of the conditions and if discovered could land you in some spicy situations.

This is correct and the current US administration may have complicated that even more. Never lie at an airport authority, regardless what stamp is on or not on a passport. Names and passport numbers are shared by airlines. A trip to Cuba eliminates eligibility for the ESTA visa waiver. However, a B1/B2 travel/business visa to the US is easy enough to get. Costs about $180 and lasts 10 years. Wait times are sometimes the issue. In the UK currently it's about 2 months. We're lucky in Ireland, we have a big US embassy for a small country. Wait times are 3-7 days. I have a Cuban friend who came to Ireland last month to get his B1/B2 visa at the US embassy here for travel to the US. He had it in a week. I saw him again in Havana on Monday, he was very happy. So, if you need to go to the US after a trip to Cuba, come to Ireland to do the interview/get the visa.

[liles]

This is correct and the current US administration may have complicated that even more. Never lie at an airport authority, regardless what stamp is on or not on a passport. Names and passport numbers are shared by airlines. A trip to Cuba eliminates eligibility for the ESTA visa waiver. However, a B1/B2 travel/business visa to the US is easy enough to get. Costs about $180 and lasts 10 years. Wait times are sometimes the issue. In the UK currently it's about 2 months. We're lucky in Ireland, we have a big US embassy for a small country. Wait times are 3-7 days. I have a Cuban friend who came to Ireland last month to get his B1/B2 visa at the US embassy here for travel to the US. He had it in a week. I saw him again in Havana on Monday, he was very happy. So, if you need to go to the US after a trip to Cuba, come to Ireland to do the interview/get the visa.

Pumping up some biz for the Irish tourist industry?

[Hookmaker]

I think it's worth noting that visiting Cuba can complicate any future visits to the USA, due to their inclusion on the State Sponsor of Terrorism list. You will technically be unable to apply for ESTA and will instead need a proper visa for travel.

I am aware there's a "please don't stamp my passport" policy that is generally respected, but that would still be breach of the conditions and if discovered could land you in some spicy situations.

Sure? I haven't had any problems after my Cuba visit in 2017, had 2 ESTAS since then and multiple US trips


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[liles]

Sure? I haven't had any problems after my Cuba visit in 2017, had 2 ESTAS since then and multiple US trips


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Very. Since 2021 apparently, so your previous visits may not count.

"How does Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism impact my travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program?
The U.S. Department of State designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) on January 12, 2021.

With limited exceptions, a traveler who is found to have visited Cuba on or after this date is not eligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) using an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and must apply for a visa to travel to the United States.

Additionally, a traveler who at the time of application for an ESTA holds dual nationality with both a VWP country and Cuba is not eligible for travel under the VWP using an ESTA and must apply for a visa to travel to the United States.

If an ESTA has already been approved and it is later determined that the traveler has been present in Cuba or holds dual nationality with both a VWP country and Cuba, the ESTA will be revoked.

Ineligibility for an ESTA is not a bar to travel to the United States. Individuals who are not eligible to travel under the VWP may apply for a visa at any U.S. embassy or consulate.

For additional information about travel eligibility under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, please visit: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/visa-waiver-program-improvement-and-terrorist-travel-prevention-act-faq"

From https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq

[Simon Bolivar]

Dominican Republic, cigars and beaches, and leave the kids behind.

Had to disagree but remember to take your own smokes, nothing cheap in their cigar shops when I was there.