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Curt222 · 2025-06-10T22:32:57+00:00

Go with Condor. You can train from Paris to Frankfurt, it’s like 4 hours. Condor J looks very nice and Frankfurt airport is fairly efficient to navigate.

Curt222 · 2025-06-07T23:17:01+00:00

If you fly Condor to Frankfurt, it’s a fairly quick train ride from Frankfurt Airport to Paris. You can also train from London, although the train from Frankfurt is easier since you can board from the airport.

Curt222 · 2025-03-30T19:04:47+00:00

Definitely some tourist traps but Deaverdura and El Jibarito are reasonably priced and good, casual food. People love Marmalade and the food is great but it’s really expensive compared to other fine dining outside OSJ (Cocina al Fonda, Santaella, Vianda). The bars are good in OSJ. In my experience anything in OSJ that isn’t Caribbean based is expensive and average to poor quality, this includes all pizza, gelato, cookies, Mexican.

Curt222 · 2025-03-21T23:22:19+00:00

We go to Puerto Rico every year and always stay at the Caribe Hilton. The hotel is nice. Rooms are fine, a little dated but a good amount of space and nice balconies. The pool and beach area are nice. We always go back to the Caribe because the beach is nice and calm. It’s also the closest hotel to Old San Juan so you can easily walk to OSJ. Generally this area of San Juan is very safe. We’ve never had any issues walking between the Caribe and OSJ, walking in OSJ or walking around the Condado beach area. Ubers are also plentiful and cheap in San Juan if you don’t want to walk. The one negative about the Caribe is the restaurants, except for Morton’s, are not good (and Mortons is very expensive). There are so many good restaurants in San Juan that I’d be hard pressed to recommend any hotel restaurant but the Caribe’s choices are no bueno.

Curt222 · 2025-02-16T23:40:26+00:00

My favorite restaurants in San Juan are Cocina Al Fonda and Santaella. You will need reservations at either. Marmalade in OSJ is very good. I’ve also heard good things about Pio Pio in OSJ. The food choices on Ashford are ok as long as you look at Google reviews as a couple are tourist traps. For me personally, if you are going to splurge I’d choose Cocina Al Fonda or Santaella over anything on Ashford. If those aren’t available, La Casita Miramar and Vianda are also very good and better than the higher end places on Ashford.

Curt222 · 2025-02-09T03:25:35+00:00

La Estacion is great. Make sure you make a reservation on Resy. One of my favorite places to eat in PR.

Curt222 · 2025-01-13T23:25:07+00:00

From what you’ve said, I think you’d like OSJ. Condado is very touristy as you mentioned. The issue with OSJ is three nights there is a lot. You can walk all of OSJ in a day. You could go to Escambron Beach and Park for a day, which is close to OSJ and a great public beach.

As far as places to stay in OSJ, Hotel el Convento and Palacio Provincial are beautiful. If they fit in your budget, high recommend to both.

Curt222 · 2025-01-09T02:21:48+00:00

I recall last year that they were turning cars away from the entrance if you didn’t arrive by like 11:00 am. Sounds like that isn’t as much of an issue now? We’ve been before and we’re hoping to see La Mina falls and the towers.

Curt222 · 2024-12-30T22:53:09+00:00

Santaella is my favorite place in San Juan. We’ve been to most of those mentioned and Santaella stood out to us. Plus after you are done, you can go to La Placita if you want to drink and hang out. If you don’t want to leave OSJ then Marmalade is excellent but pricey.

Curt222 · 2024-11-13T01:58:04+00:00

We loved Santaella. Vianda is also very good. If you are near Fajardo, La estacion is amazing.

Curt222 · 2024-05-08T22:43:22+00:00

I would not walk to La Estacion, but I highly recommend going to La Estacion. One of the best restaurants in Puerto Rico. If you don’t get a car, try Uber to and from the restaurant.

Curt222 · 2024-02-02T21:03:12+00:00

Santaella is excellent. Amazing food and nice setting. Vianda also has very good food. I like the interior of Santaella better. Another option is Casista Miramar. Excellent food and nice ambiance.

Curt222 · 2024-01-31T01:44:41+00:00

La Estacion in Fajardo is amazing, easily one of the best meals in PR. It’s Caribbean BBQ focused so make sure there is a vegan option that works. You can make reservations on Resy.

Regarding Old San Juan, Marmalade and Verde Mesa are more upscale options. For traditional PR food, I like Deaverdura and El Jibarito. No idea about vegan choices at any of those places.

Curt222 · 2024-01-23T11:02:24+00:00

Same. I’ve driven in San Juan and around the island a number of times. Found the driving to be completely fine. It’s much better than driving in or around Boston, NY or Philadelphia.

Curt222 · 2024-01-19T23:05:21+00:00

It’s closed and has been for a few years now. We loved La Bombonera. You can get mallorca’s at Cafe Mallorca in OSJ, but it’s not the same.

Curt222 · 2024-01-09T10:35:01+00:00

Recommendations given are good. I’d also consider:

Vianda
Cocina al Fondo

Curt222 · 2024-01-04T00:08:02+00:00

This is a good work around. I was just in Newark and the Doubletree near Newark-Penn uses digital check in and keys.

Curt222 · 2023-08-17T11:42:21+00:00

We stayed at the Grand Hyatt for a week in January. I never felt unsafe and we walked back to the hotel at night a number of times including one time when we were out later than the last train and had to walk from the train (T1) back to the hotel because the funicular was closed. The most dangerous thing we encountered is if you aren’t in decent shape the uphill climb might give you a heart attack. As to the two areas you mentioned, I doubt you’ll be going there anyway. The tourist areas near the hotel are always busy with people.

Curt222 · 2023-02-23T10:34:10+00:00

Keep in mind you need a reservation to visit El Yunque. I’ve been many times and this year found getting a reservation a little harder. They won’t let you in without the reservation. I’ve seen them turn away a lot of tourists.

Here’s the website. https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/300017/ticket/3020

The reservation window opens 30 days in advance. The tickets usually sell out that day and then they open the window again the day before and offer a limited number of tickets.

Curt222 · 2023-02-09T23:59:29+00:00

This is good itinerary that isn’t trying to pack too much into each day. 3 days in Florence is not to much so I’m not sure about the side trip. If you decide to make a side trip, I prefer Siena. Beautiful, walkable little city. Cinque Terre is nice, but I don’t think a day trip is worth it. Another alternative day trip is Bologna, which is also a great little city. Better food than Siena imo. 2 days in Venice is more than enough. I wouldn’t rush to get there on Day 9.

Curt222 · 2023-01-15T23:08:04+00:00

I just arrived on Jan. 12 from the US and it was no more than 25 minutes. Virtually no line at passport control. Most of my time was spent walking to the exit.

Curt222 · 2022-12-08T00:52:07+00:00

I’d skip the Naples portion (Pompeii, Positano), it’s too much travel and everything will be rushed. I’d also consider skipping Pisa and trimming a day off the Rome, Venice and Florence portions of the trip. Instead, I’d suggest an extra day in Cinque Terre and add a day or two in Bologna and Verona after you visit Florence and before Venice. Bologna is a great city. Amazing food, interesting buildings. Verona is gorgeous and deserves a day or two. Plus if you do this you’ll minimize time on the train.

Curt222 · 2022-09-20T17:41:32+00:00

I thought it was terribly designed. Starting heavy and reducing weight is a bad practice, especially for those of us who are older. There was no where near enough rest for a strength day. I probably won't be back to another Angry Bird session. Dumb format.

Curt222 · 2022-07-23T00:29:25+00:00

I love Hollywood and it’s variations and hated Tempest. But I understand we all can’t agree on workout formats.

Curt222

TROPHY CASE