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Author Topic: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!  (Read 2125 times)

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Offline Chris_

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PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« on: November 20, 2008, 06:28:33 PM »
I FINALLY get to use my Hertz Points! I have been losing them every year for the last 10 years!

The plan (and all is scheduled):

2 week rental of a Convertible Corvette (last week of Dec, 1st week of Jan).

4 days at the San Diego Marriott from Dec 30-Jan 2.  Fun drive down and fun drive back.  Day visit and Night Lights at the Wild Animal park, a day at Sea World, evening dinners (2 for 1 using my Marriott Elite Coupons).  I always get upgraded to the Concierge level, so we should have a great view and probably a suite.

My cost: $82 for the car, $50 for parking at the Hotel, plus gas and food and park entry fees (and I have a few more coupons).

Anyone else make plans this far in advance?

ps: Next week Wed-Sat at the Washington DC J.W. Marriott@ 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue. Also on points. Company Rental Car. It is about damn time all this travel paid me back.
« Last Edit: November 20, 2008, 06:30:06 PM by freedumb2003 »
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Offline debk

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Re: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2008, 07:25:59 PM »
Thinking of going to New Orleans on Christmas Day and returning on New Year's Day.

Going with another couple and so far, we haven't totally decided.

We'd drive so I just have to find a place to stay.
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Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barry

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.

Offline Chris_

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Re: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2008, 07:35:45 PM »
Quote from: debk on November 20, 2008, 07:25:59 PM
Thinking of going to New Orleans on Christmas Day and returning on New Year's Day.

Going with another couple and so far, we haven't totally decided.

We'd drive so I just have to find a place to stay.
Some day I'll like to go to NO -- before the gulf takes it once and for all.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2008, 08:41:40 PM »
Quote from: Vonne on November 20, 2008, 08:40:47 PM
No, but someone else made plans for me in my place, a lovely flight to the Atlantic Seaboard, and hotel room to ring in the New Years.  Why, why not?
Fun!
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Offline Chris_

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Re: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2008, 09:16:45 PM »
Quote from: debk on November 20, 2008, 07:25:59 PM
Thinking of going to New Orleans on Christmas Day and returning on New Year's Day.

Going with another couple and so far, we haven't totally decided.

We'd drive so I just have to find a place to stay.

Plenty of places to stay there. 
If ya go, PLEASE go to the Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee (or orange juice or milk ;) ) for breakfast.  It's worth going to.  I  would love to go back one of these days just for a beignet. :yum:
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Offline Chris_

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Re: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2008, 09:42:08 PM »
Quote from: ACrazyConservative on November 20, 2008, 09:16:45 PM
Plenty of places to stay there. 
If ya go, PLEASE go to the Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee (or orange juice or milk ;) ) for breakfast.  It's worth going to.  I  would love to go back one of these days just for a beignet. :yum:

For those of us who haven't been there (one of the few places in the US I haven't been) -- what's a beignet?
« Last Edit: November 20, 2008, 09:44:26 PM by freedumb2003 »
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Offline debk

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Re: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2008, 10:29:06 PM »
A beignet is a lovely little deep fried light and airy type pastry covered in powdered sugar....and no where are they like the ones at Cafe du Monde!

I have even tried making them from their mix, that can be bought in the grocery store and they aren't the same. I think NO atmosphere is required.

We were there for New Year's 5 years ago and had a great time. We flew in and stayed at the W in the French Quarter. We spent the evening of the 30th on Bourbon Street when the crowds were only semi-crazy and New Year's Eve at the blackjack tables in Harrah's. Won money, had lots of fun, drinks and not the crazy crowd.

Have done the "crazy crowd" in Key West on New Year's several times. Guess it's a BTDT sort of thing...

We want to leave on Christmas Day because we are driving and I don't drive long distances on the 26th. (the accident I was in when my mother was killed was 12/26/65).....and we have been invited to join a group at Gallatoire's on the 26th for brunch. We figured if we left by 2 or 3pm, we'd be there well before midnight...it should take about 7-8 hours.

We have talked about staying until the 1st....part of going is to be in NO on New Year's....but since we are going with another couple....we just haven't made a decision yet.

The hotels in the Quarter are reasonable until the 30th....then they triple or more. Though I haven't checked in over a month....maybe they aren't booking up like expected.
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Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barry

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.

Offline Chris_

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Re: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2008, 10:34:18 PM »
Quote from: debk on November 20, 2008, 10:29:06 PM
A beignet is a lovely little deep fried light and airy type pastry covered in powdered sugar....and no where are they like the ones at Cafe du Monde!

I have even tried making them from their mix, that can be bought in the grocery store and they aren't the same. I think NO atmosphere is required.

We were there for New Year's 5 years ago and had a great time. We flew in and stayed at the W in the French Quarter. We spent the evening of the 30th on Bourbon Street when the crowds were only semi-crazy and New Year's Eve at the blackjack tables in Harrah's. Won money, had lots of fun, drinks and not the crazy crowd.

Have done the "crazy crowd" in Key West on New Year's several times. Guess it's a BTDT sort of thing...

We want to leave on Christmas Day because we are driving and I don't drive long distances on the 26th. (the accident I was in when my mother was killed was 12/26/65).....and we have been invited to join a group at Gallatoire's on the 26th for brunch. We figured if we left by 2 or 3pm, we'd be there well before midnight...it should take about 7-8 hours.

We have talked about staying until the 1st....part of going is to be in NO on New Year's....but since we are going with another couple....we just haven't made a decision yet.

The hotels in the Quarter are reasonable until the 30th....then they triple or more. Though I haven't checked in over a month....maybe they aren't booking up like expected.

When I graduated from 8th grade (in Louisiana) they took us to NO on a graduation trip.  We stayed at the 4 Points Sheraton across the street from Harrah's (I think the hotel has changed hands since then, because its not on their website anymore).  And YES, a NO atmosphere IS required when it comes to the beignets.  They do them just right at Cafe Du Monde (and now I'm hungry.  :banghead:  :lmao: )
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Offline NHSparky

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Re: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2008, 08:12:02 AM »
Quote from: freedumb2003 on November 20, 2008, 09:42:08 PM
For those of us who haven't been there (one of the few places in the US I haven't been) -- what's a beignet?

Think "square donut", sans hole.  Best way to get them is fresh out of the fryer where they're put in a paper bag with powdered sugar.  Yummy.
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“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian.”  -Henry Ford

Offline NHSparky

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Re: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2008, 08:13:25 AM »
Ah, food in NO.  Commander's Palace, po boys (the variety limited only by your imagination), crawfish, <drool>
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“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian.”  -Henry Ford

Offline debk

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Re: PERFECT New Years and at almost no cost!
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2008, 11:51:02 AM »
The Naw 'leans Cookery (I think I spelled it right) was a couple of blocks from our hotel and I think we went there every morning except New Year's Day when we went to Brennan's.

It was just off of Bourbon Street and had the most scrumptious breakfasts.....and Bloody Mary's. :-)

We had dinner at Commander's Palace one night and it was great, but brunch at Brennan's was not.

Though in defense of Brennan's we had just received news from home that a close friend had been found dead on the couch that morning. The six of us, in NO, were all very close friends with him and his wife. We flew home that afternoon. :(

I'd like to give Brennan's another chance.
Logged
Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barry

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.
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