Q. I'm going in March 2013 (3 months!) for my cousin's wedding. It's my first time going to Dominican and I'm unreal excited. I'm staying at the Majestic Colonial Resort on Bavaro Beach. I've been down south before but not on a resort, it was an outdoor ed grad trip to Belize. So I don't really know what it's to stay on a resort. Is it really hot in March? Should I bring my Nikon camera? Are the sunsets beautiful? How much money should I bring for excursions? (I'm really outdoorsey) AND will I love it?
A. I just looked up your resort. It looks beautiful. A few years ago, we stayed north of your resort at Excellence Punta Cana and had a blast. When you do excursions, book them at the tour desk of your resort. You can then use a credit card. Don't fall for the cut rate scams that you may be offered at the airport. There is plenty to do and see, so yes take your Nikon with you. I also have a Nikon D80 which I love to take on holidays with me. Because there may be people that might want to take your picture using your camera, you may want to take an inexpensive one along also. I have a little Canon digital just for that purpose. I have visions of the person running away with my camera, so losing the Canon wouldn't hurt so much. If they insist on using your Nikon, just say the battery died.
This web site will give you some ideas of the excursions available. Also don't book on line. This is just to show you what is available, not an advertisement. The weather will be warm to hot. http://www.viator.com/Punta-Cana/d794-ttd
This web site will give you some ideas of the excursions available. Also don't book on line. This is just to show you what is available, not an advertisement. The weather will be warm to hot. http://www.viator.com/Punta-Cana/d794-ttd
What's some advice for visiting Fairbanks over Christmas?
Q. I'm from Southern California and I'm visiting Fairbanks this december. What's some advice? How cold is it really? What are some must-see activities?
A. OK this does not have to be a bad idea, shame that some people are so negative about it.
Not everyone hates the cold, and it is actually the extremeness of winter that makes Fairbanks really special for many of us.
Layers are key. Avoid cotton (especially socks) If you are planning on organized outdoor activities many provide a parka and appropriate boots. But you should come with layers that include good long johns, wool or synthetic socks, and a decent pair of boots. A hat, gloves, and neck gator or scarf. Sweater or fleece pullover, and heavy pants. You may be able to use boots you already own inside a pair of insulated Neos (google NEOS overboots). And a heavy parka. If you are here for awhile you can grab one locally. Lots of options for shopping and they will have any gear you may want.
Yes it can be brutally cold. (-40 is not unheard of) But amazingly enough we have this thing called heating, and buildings have it, so you will not be freezing to death. (unless you do something kinda stupid that you are unprepared for) Oh and we also have these neat little vehicles called taxi's and they are warm and driven by people who drive up here all the time. (amazingly enough Fairbanks does not shut down in the cold of winter, we are all pretty used to it by now) *although Thank you is right about driving if you are not used to it, do be careful. And the Pedro monument is excellent for Aurora watching. Things will be lit up for the holidays, and there are usually holiday bazaars, many of which showcase native crafts. But excellent carving and bead wok can also be found in the shops on Second Ave downtown or at the UAF museum.
There is lots to do year round, here is just a taste:
and our local paper will have events listed as well (scroll down to calendar)
http://www.newsminer.com/
Cultural Center & Museum - inside and offer special programs year round, check closer to your visit for current info.
http://www.morristhompsoncenter.org/
http://www.uaf.edu/museum/ - also check the UAF community calendar for other events on campus.
In the winter Chena Hot Springs is super fun, sit outside at sub zero in a natural hot springs (you can freeze your hair into some really cool punk rock styles). They also have other activities, and rent arctic gear to guest for their visit. They are about 50 miles from town (they have a van service) so you could plan to spend a few days there and then the rest of your stay in Fairbanks.
http://www.chenahotsprings.com/
Our local mushing club will be holding sprint races in Dec. (they have a heated clubhouse with viewing if it is too cold outside)
http://www.sleddog.org/races/2012-2013-race-schedule-and-results/
The local chamber of commerce has an events calendar, and the First Friday shows are worth checking out (you can go downtown and easily walk between a number of the galleries and participating business)
http://fairbanksalaska.com/events/first-friday/
And in North Pole they will be having the Winter Carnival and Christmas in Ice, as you might imagine they really go all out for Christmas in North Pole:
http://www.explorefairbanks.com/events
If you do not have people in Fairbanks and are looking for a little more assistance Go North is well respected
http://www.gonorth-alaska.com/index.php?id=243
There are a number of good hotels and B&B's in Fairbanks, many are right downtown if you want to minimize driving or cab fares.
Silver Gulch in Fox is an excellent brew pub, Lemongrass has GREAT Thai food, Turtle Club is known for prime rib, LuLu's is an awesome bakery coffee shop, good food is not hard to find.
FYI, chemical hot hands are your friend, and can be purchased up here. Worth having some even if you don;t need them, because they are cheap and frostbite sucks.
Regular batteries freeze and are useless at sub zero temps, so if you use batteries make sure to get lithium, they handle the cold (although your digital camera might not like it, keep it in an inside pocket till you want to shoot).
And it is nice to have a little LED headlamp, they are cheap and small and a really nice thing to always have on hand. Petzl makes good ones, you don't need the big fancy one, a little $15-20 will work nicely, just use lithium batteries.
Now you do not mention why you are coming or what you want to get out of the vacation, so I can not really be specific. But the point is, do not let other people's negativity stop you from what could be an amazing adventure!!
Not everyone hates the cold, and it is actually the extremeness of winter that makes Fairbanks really special for many of us.
Layers are key. Avoid cotton (especially socks) If you are planning on organized outdoor activities many provide a parka and appropriate boots. But you should come with layers that include good long johns, wool or synthetic socks, and a decent pair of boots. A hat, gloves, and neck gator or scarf. Sweater or fleece pullover, and heavy pants. You may be able to use boots you already own inside a pair of insulated Neos (google NEOS overboots). And a heavy parka. If you are here for awhile you can grab one locally. Lots of options for shopping and they will have any gear you may want.
Yes it can be brutally cold. (-40 is not unheard of) But amazingly enough we have this thing called heating, and buildings have it, so you will not be freezing to death. (unless you do something kinda stupid that you are unprepared for) Oh and we also have these neat little vehicles called taxi's and they are warm and driven by people who drive up here all the time. (amazingly enough Fairbanks does not shut down in the cold of winter, we are all pretty used to it by now) *although Thank you is right about driving if you are not used to it, do be careful. And the Pedro monument is excellent for Aurora watching. Things will be lit up for the holidays, and there are usually holiday bazaars, many of which showcase native crafts. But excellent carving and bead wok can also be found in the shops on Second Ave downtown or at the UAF museum.
There is lots to do year round, here is just a taste:
and our local paper will have events listed as well (scroll down to calendar)
http://www.newsminer.com/
Cultural Center & Museum - inside and offer special programs year round, check closer to your visit for current info.
http://www.morristhompsoncenter.org/
http://www.uaf.edu/museum/ - also check the UAF community calendar for other events on campus.
In the winter Chena Hot Springs is super fun, sit outside at sub zero in a natural hot springs (you can freeze your hair into some really cool punk rock styles). They also have other activities, and rent arctic gear to guest for their visit. They are about 50 miles from town (they have a van service) so you could plan to spend a few days there and then the rest of your stay in Fairbanks.
http://www.chenahotsprings.com/
Our local mushing club will be holding sprint races in Dec. (they have a heated clubhouse with viewing if it is too cold outside)
http://www.sleddog.org/races/2012-2013-race-schedule-and-results/
The local chamber of commerce has an events calendar, and the First Friday shows are worth checking out (you can go downtown and easily walk between a number of the galleries and participating business)
http://fairbanksalaska.com/events/first-friday/
And in North Pole they will be having the Winter Carnival and Christmas in Ice, as you might imagine they really go all out for Christmas in North Pole:
http://www.explorefairbanks.com/events
If you do not have people in Fairbanks and are looking for a little more assistance Go North is well respected
http://www.gonorth-alaska.com/index.php?id=243
There are a number of good hotels and B&B's in Fairbanks, many are right downtown if you want to minimize driving or cab fares.
Silver Gulch in Fox is an excellent brew pub, Lemongrass has GREAT Thai food, Turtle Club is known for prime rib, LuLu's is an awesome bakery coffee shop, good food is not hard to find.
FYI, chemical hot hands are your friend, and can be purchased up here. Worth having some even if you don;t need them, because they are cheap and frostbite sucks.
Regular batteries freeze and are useless at sub zero temps, so if you use batteries make sure to get lithium, they handle the cold (although your digital camera might not like it, keep it in an inside pocket till you want to shoot).
And it is nice to have a little LED headlamp, they are cheap and small and a really nice thing to always have on hand. Petzl makes good ones, you don't need the big fancy one, a little $15-20 will work nicely, just use lithium batteries.
Now you do not mention why you are coming or what you want to get out of the vacation, so I can not really be specific. But the point is, do not let other people's negativity stop you from what could be an amazing adventure!!
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