I'm getting a few more quotes from the travel agency re: the wedding but we haven't decided on anything firm yet. I just wanted to take a moment to respond to the many people who have said to me "why would I pay for a week at an all-inclusive resort when I am only going to be there for four days?". Allow me to illustrate using a simple example and some quotes from the travel agency:
| Option #1 | Option #2 |
|---|---|
| Dates: March 28 to April 4, 2005 Hotel: Palladium Hotel City: Puerto Vallarta Airfare + hotel = $1439 Total cost: $1439 | Dates: March 28 to April 1, 2005 Hotel: Palladium Hotel City: Puerto Vallarta Airfare = $1200 4 nights hotel = $1368 Total cost: $2568 |
As you can see, option #1 (a week at an all-inclusive resort including airfare) is substantially cheaper than only staying at the resort for four days. I know it feels like you are throwing money away by not staying the whole week, but when you do the combined savings in airfare and hotel is substantial! Those of you who are looking to stay even longer will probably realize even more savings. As always, I will keep you all posted on what the final plans are!
The April dates are in and ... there are no direct flights back to Regina after April 4.
I've talked it over with a bunch of people and the only sensible solution seems to have everybody come down for 1 week or however long they plan on doing so and then going to the wedding before heading home. Folks are welcome to do it the other way around (go to the wedding and then stay in Mexico) but there are no more direct flights to Regina afterwards so you'll have to deal with a ton of connecting flights. In addition, because we're recommending that everybody come before, you'll probably be alone in doing so.
We're 95% sure that will be the final plan, but I'm welcome to suggestions ... I agree with Tyler that April would be the way to go but with no flights back to Regina that pretty much removes that option.
A direct flight is infinitely better: getting the connections you want can either be really inconvenient or cost serious cash, you don't have to deal with US customs, and (perhaps the most important of all) when you are spending your life savings on a vacation you can barely afford, it really ticks you off when your flight gets delayed, you miss your connecting flight, and you miss a day ... which can and does happen with astounding regularity.
Those are just a few of the reasons ... listen, take it from one who knows ... if all is well, all will be well ... no, no, if all is in order, yeah, if all is in order, all will be well ...