Hope this photo of this morning's red-hot sunrise warms the hearts of all those still shivering in the cold of this endless winter up north! Nothing more to say except...come on down the water is warm and so is the sun!
Fire Hot Sunrises of St John
The Biggest Fete Ever Seen, Carnival 2014!
The schedule for St Thomas Carnival 2014 has been released and its theme is 'The Biggest Fete Ever Seen' so get ready to party:
USA TODAY names St John One of 10 Romantic Islands To Fall In Love With (we agree!)
USA TODAY names St John to yet another list. This time love is in the air as USA Today declares that St John is 'One of the 10 Romantic Islands To Fall in Love With'.
They state whether you're celebrating your undying love or looking to rekindle the flame, what better place to do it than a secluded oasis set adrift in the sea? We combed the planet for the most romantic islands we could find, where idyllic sunsets, private bungalows and dinners for two are de rigueur. Here are 10 of their favorites:
St John:
Prepare to be disconnected from the travails and toils of everyday life. On this Virgin Island, there are no mega resorts, cruise ships or casinos (a seamless fit for couples with a similar streak of wild individualism). Much of the island is covered by protected national parkland, so days here are spent in relaxed, sun-warmed languor.
Great Expectations often hosts wedding or anniversary groups at our St John villa and we have no shortage of people falling in love with our tiny island in the sun!
The other islands selected were: Nantucket and Cape Breton Island (both beautiful for sure but, a tad colder than St John at this time of year!), Kauai, Maldives, Santorini, Anguilla, Bora Bora, Capri, and St Lucia.
St John's 18th Annual 8 Tuff Mile Race Tomorrow - Walk, Run, or Watch and Celebrate Those Who Do!
If you have ever driven from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay you know that those who venture out this weekend to participate in the '
' race are a different breed -- special, all!
The course map below is a very accurate account of the 8 Tuff Miles Road Race course. The race begins on the west end of the island of St. John, Virgin Islands and travels in an east direction. This map shows each mile of the course and the elevation at each mile. Note that the course measures 8.38 miles. The starting line is located at the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay at an elevation of about 5 feet. As you can see here in this description the highest point on the course is 999 feet and the finish line is back to near sea level in Coral Bay. Over the years many stateside residents have programmed their treadmills and turned up the heat in their home gyms to mimic the course for their personal training proposes.
Climbing to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building (using the stairs) and reaching the highest point of the 8 Tuff Miles course you are close in elevation. There is about 51 feet difference between the two but I would like to know"...
Who do you think has the better view?
What is especially cool these days is that the race founder, organizer, overall good guy race-guru Peter Alter, has set up the race to
support a number of great causes
and fund college scholarships for St John's wonderful children. The race also has become another great 'excuse' to gather 'post race' to celebrate, brag, party, and in typical St John fashion support great causes. So, if you are on-island this weekend participate in the race by running, walking, or cheering those that do and post-race head on over to
Oppenheimer Beach for the 2nd annual post-race party
which supports the St John Cancer Fund.
Can't make it to St John this weekend but, if you are as passionate about St John as we are you might want to tune into the 'Live Streaming' of the 8 Tuff Mile Race finish line!
St John is all about wonderful Art; don't miss this week's Opening Reception featuring Caribbean - Japanese Fusion in Art Exteriors and More!
It Does Not Get Better than Valentine's Day on St John!
This is why we call it "Love City"...
If you are on St John for this Valentine's Day and want to re-new your vows get on over to Trunk Bay where there will be the annual 'Re-marry Your Mate' event proving, once again, why St John is called Love City.
PS ...February 15 update: St John Source reports that over 100 couples attended this year's renewal celebration, which was the 12th Annual Celebration of Love, at Trunk Bay. Ahhhh, love!
St John Arts Festival Begins Tomorrow - February 14, 2014. Get Ready for Great Music, Dancing, Film and Shows
Get ready to enjoy the 14th St John Arts Festival starting February 14 (Valentine's Day) and running through February 19th. There is something for everyone who loves St John and the wonderful art of the island:
Jet Blue TSA Pre-Check Now Available at St Thomas (STT) Airport
TSA pre-check is a wonderful process. At most US airports that have it if you are TSA Pre-Check certified you get to:
go in a dedicated line which is usually much, much shorter than the regular line or often even the first-class line.
not have to take off your jacket
not have to take off your belt
not have to take out your computer(s)
not have to take off your shoes
Well, the good news is that the St Thomas airport now has Pre-Check (they have had it for a while now) AND Jet Blue finally also signed on to Pre-Check which is now available at the St Thomas airport.
That is the good news. The bad news is that because there is only one line (no first class, no Pre-Check) everyone gets to go in the one line and since there is not a separate screening line for the x-ray of bags the first four benefits (above) do not exist. The good news is that you do not have to take off your shoes or sandals. And, if you are at the St Thomas airport, you have just spent time in the US Virgin Islands (and, hopefully, on St John) so what is there to complain about except you are going home!
Love is in the Air on St John & Now So is Homemade Ice Cream
Aimed at 'opening' on Valentine's Day -
Friday, February 14
(yes, this year) - the popular St John 'I Scream!' is moving down the road (to Mongoose Junction), opening a whole new concept and changing its name to
(you might want to like their new Facebook page to keep up with the latest offerings).They will be making their own ice creams
every day
! And, not just one or two flavors but - they say - 12 to 16 flavors. And, these are not your old Friendly's flavors since they will include 'adult' flavors such as champagne sorbet and burgundy wine sorbet. It would not be St John without a rum version so they are also planning to offer 'real rum raisin' and 'painkiller'. For those traditionalists amongst the crowd, do not worry they promise to have some of the old time favorites such as cookies & cream, pistachio, and chocolate peanut butter cup. They will also be offering their super-healthy, raw, gluten-free, superfood smoothies. Also in keeping with the Caribbean atmosphere they will offer island flavors such as mango, pineapple, passion fruit, coconut, and tropical punch.
Ice Cream is super expensive on St John (think $9+ for a 'container' and the flavors are pretty limited) so why not splurge and get the real thing when you are next on St John where it is summer year round so ice cream is always a 'must have'!
PS...Update March 7 ..well, it is 'island times 'mon, nearly a month late, St John Scoops is now opened, go enjoy!
St John Film Presents: Rican-ing of White Boy
St John is a fabulous jewel in the middle of the Caribbean. Most every St John lover knows that factoid. However, what many are just learning is what a vibrant artist community we have on this island in the sea.
One of our wonderful resources is the
whose mission is to:
inspire a positive appreciation for the history, culture and environment of our US Virgin Islands by establishing a free monthly film series open to and for the benefit of our local community. We will present independent films that celebrate the human spirit with a focus on the Caribbean.
Showing at St John School of the Arts
Cruz Bay, St John
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
7:30 PM
Jeff Rodriguez: Visiting Cinematographer will be in the house!
What happens when a 47 year old paternally adopted Schmuck from Queens, NY, sets out for the first time to meet his long lost Puerto Rican family, after being raised by a tribe of white people? Actor/writer, Paul Louis (Gonzalez) comically documents his journey, with no short supply of anxiety, culture shock, religious jokes, and a surprisingly touching lessened learned on family, and the bond which connects us.
“The Rican-ing of White Boy” won the Audience Choice Award at the 2013 Rincon International Film Festival – thanks in no small part to cinematographer and supporting actor, Jeff Rodriguez. Jeff is part of the dynamic duo behind the production of the award-winning comic documentary shot on location in Rincon, Puerto Rico. Jeff also lent his effortless comedic persona to the film as he made his screen acting debut and played comic sidekick to the film’s star and director, Paul Louis.
SAVE THE DATES:
March 4, 2014: LAS CARPETAS, Director, Maite Rivera Carbonell will be present for the Cruz Bay screening.
April 1, 2014: YURUMEIN: HOMELAND, Documentary Director and St John Film Director, ANDREA LELAND will present her most current work
May 6, 2014: ONE LUCKY ELEPHANT
MOVIE ANNOUNCEMENT: St John Art's Festival 2014
Chasing Ice
Gifft Hill School
Tues Feb 18, 2014 at 7:30pm
Free Admission
St John -- Unadvertised Special for our Newsletter, Facebook, and Twitter Recipients!
January newsletter:
Leave Winter Behind
Enjoy St John's Warm Waters
Photographer Steve Simonsen captured a fabulous shot of Solomon Bay
Due to a cancellation, we are announcing an exclusive offer only for our newsletter, Facebook & Twitter subscribers:
20% off our regular pricing for any new reservation between Sunday, February 23 - Saturday, March 8, 2014 (one week minimum)!
As of February 1 we will be publicly announcing this offer so do not delay or you may be left out in the cold!
Contact us today to reserve your week on St John.
January/February St John news flashes & fun St John clips:
If you are a tennis or basketball player you will be happy to know we have just completed resurfacing our basketball/tennis court.
We even added a basketball key for those of you wanting to practice your 3-pointer shots!
- Recently the Boston Globe highlighted the wonderful work of Concordia Eco-Resort of trying to minimize their carbon footprint. We, too, at Great Expectations are working hard to be green. Over the past few years we have added photo-voltaic panels to our roofs and recently added a net meter so we can return electricity to WAPA (our local utility company).
- Treat yourself to a vacation at Great Expectations after your 8 Tuff Mile Race! This year's race is Saturday, February 22. Whether you are a runner, walker, or a supporter of this 'tuff' event you can also participate in the 'after' party at the 'Oppenheimer Recovery Beach Party' sponsored by the St John Cancer Fund.
Hope to see you on St John and at Great Expectations soon!
Kristin & Chuck
owners of Great Expectations
Trunk Bay is FREE for Martin Luther King Day!
The St John Source announced:
Trunk Bay beach will have no admission fee for MLK Day
Virgin Islands National Park will have a free day on Monday, Jan. 17, at Trunk Bay Beach in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, fee collectors will be available to dispense passes, according to a press release from Superintendent Mark Hardgrove. Trunk Bay is one of the most visited beaches on St. John, and is home to an underwater trail. People are able to snorkel over the reef, and read the plaques which identify coral and fish along the trail.
The Secretary of the Department of the Interior has declared that ‘Fee Free Days’ include national park sites, wildlife refuges, and certain Bureau of Land Management sites. The intent of the “Fee Free” declaration is to encourage people to enjoy and learn more about the stewardship of national parks and other federal lands.
Virgin Islands National Park/Coral Reef National Monument staff invites the public to join them in celebrating the national parks. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy national treasures free of charge.
For more information, call Andrea Joseph at 776-6201, ext. 249.
Boston Globe Highlights St John's Eco-Resort
Boston Globe Travel Section,by Boston Globe Columnist Jack Sullivan, January 12, 2014:
The 'eco-tents' at Concordia on St John overlooking Drunk Bay and Salt Pond Bay
(photo Courtesy of J Sullivan, Boston Globe)
ST. JOHN — Kermit the Frog famously lamented, “It’s not easy being green.” Though his complaint on “Sesame Street” focused on the trials of life as an amphibian, it can also apply to those who adopt environmentally sensitive standards in their daily lives.
It can be especially hard to take those principles along on vacation. Eco-living comes with sacrifice, which is, after all, the antithesis of vacation.
But vacationing on St. John in the US Virgin Islands demands that we take note of the impact of our carbon footprint. Nearly two-thirds of the verdant island, the smallest of the inhabited US-owned Caribbean archipelago, as well as the surrounding coral reefs and marine ecosystems are protected by the National Park Service. Water and power are at a premium. It’s difficult not to think about the human impact on such a delicate environment.
There is a selection of upscale resorts and villas on St. John catering to a variety of visitors, ensuring their stay has maximum comfort and amenities, but there are precious few that adapt to the nature of St. John and ask their guests to do the same. At the southeastern tip of the island, straddling Drunk Bay to the east and Salt Pond Bay to the south, Concordia Eco-Resort stands out by blending in.
Concordia is a family-friendly cluster of 25 “eco tents” and 17 resort-style studios set in the south-facing hillside among fruit trees, bushes, cacti, and native creatures. Prices run from $126 to $232 a night in the offseason to $175 to $289 in season, Nov. 15 through April 30. The accommodations range from rugged to comfortable, but one doesn’t stay at Concordia for the amenities.
This resort is not for everyone. A stay comes with challenges, ranging from composting toilets and garden hoses as showers in the tents to a series of more than 900 stairs throughout the resort, some of which require a climb to and from your unit that would rival the workout you’d get at the local gym.
Concordia, now in its 20th year of operation, is an ever-evolving eco-resort, owned by New York developer Stanley Selengut, dubbed the “father of sustainable resort development” by The International Ecotourism Society. All of the units here offer some level of sustainability, mostly through use of the campus-wide water collection and filtrations system. A photovoltaic power system is the primary source of electricity and there are no air conditioners or televisions. The studios have the most normal power resources, but “normal” is relative.
“Think of us as an eco-testing ground,” says Wayne Lloyd, Concordia manager and an ex-pat. (Full disclosure: Wayne and I knew each other in Westborough, though we lost touch for nearly 40 years until reconnecting a couple of years ago.) “We are always researching and applying the best new thinking in sustainable infrastructure. . . . None of the units are normal in the sense that you asked the question. The oldest and the newest are the most normal for folks expecting to be able to blow-dry their hair.”
The tents are the most rustic accommodation. They have wooden frames covered with canvas stretched across them, somewhat like a cabin, with mesh screens for windows and doors. There are 14 premium units and 11 regular eco-tents, the difference being location and the view. But the difference is a matter of spectacular versus extraordinary.
The tents are located along the hillside overlooking the bays and are cooled by the trade winds. Each has its own deck overlooking the ocean or the gardens; a cistern for water collection; a solar-heated water tank for the shower, which is stocked with biodegradable body wash and shampoo; a small solar array with a battery to power the fans and small lights; and a hybrid composting toilet that uses a flush system. Each unit has a two-burner propane stove and a small refrigerator, powered by the campus grid.
The eco-studios have several wall sockets for power but the tents have only one socket, for the refrigerator. If you need to use your smartphone or tablet, you can power them up at the office. The resort has spotty cellphone reception and Wi-Fi is available only near the office or by the pool.
Concordia is “dark sky compliant,” a movement designed to reduce light pollution and its effect on stargazing and nocturnal animals. Recently renovated units have LED lighting.
The resort is not exclusionary to guests with physical challenges, as long as those with accessibility needs are willing to face some hurdles. While Concordia does not market itself as ADA-compliant, five premium tents and three eco-studios offer accessible features. There is a boardwalk running through the spine of the campus to assist those who are in wheelchairs or unable to use the steep system of stairs, and there is sufficient room in the units and the bathrooms to navigate with a wheelchair.
Concordia’s location can make for a challenge in getting around the island without negating whatever carbon reduction you’ve made. Salt Pond Bay with its white sand beach is a short walk through a trail outside the office. But if you want to explore other beaches and trails, you either have to rent a car, call a taxi, or take the island’s bus system, which costs $1 and runs right by Concordia’s entrance.
The on-site Cafe Concordia offers breakfast and dinner, though it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The office has a few provisions available, but mostly snacks and beverages. If you did not shop upon arrival, then you’ll have to either go out for dinner or find your way to either Coral Bay or Cruz Bay to buy groceries.
Concordia has an off-season program from June through October that offers free accommodations and reduced-priced meals in exchange for a minimal amount of work in renovating and cleaning up. Hundreds apply for the few dozen slots, which usually run about a month at a time. Many applicants have skills and trades that put them at the front of the list.
CONCORDIA ECO-RESORT In-season prices from $185 for the basic eco-tent to $289 for a lofted eco-studio.
==
If camping is not for you but, if you are still interested in a green St John villa, consider Great Expectations. Our Villa was designed and sited to take advantage of the wonderful Tradewinds. We have installed 55 photo-electric panels, 3 solar panels (for hot water), a massive gray water cistern system that is used for landscaping water, energy efficient appliances and pumps, chemical free swimming pools, recycling program, and use of eco-friendly soaps.
USA Today's 10Best Puts St John in 'Top 10 Favorite Caribbean Destinations' List
St John once again is named to the 'Top 10 Caribbean Islands' List, this time by USA Today's 10Best which says St John is:
Window to the wonderful world of St John
@ Little Lameshur Bay
'dominated by national parks, the island of St John -- coming in eighth -- in the US Virgin Islands is the Caribbean of days gone by -- a quieter, more intimate slice of paradise'
While we agree whole heartedly that our island is a quieter, more intimate slice of paradise, we sure disagree with being in the #8 position since St John is TOPS in our mind!
A Major Addition to Virgin Islands Park
While Maho Bay Campgrounds has been closed and sold (to an individual) this past year, we are delighted that the beach and immediate surrounding lands will be forever green and protected from development thanks to the
:
Published by The New York Times, January 8, 2014 by Ashley Winchester
Paddleboarder Maho Bay St John
(Courtesy of M.K. Smith, NY Times)
Virgin Islands National Park – which already encompasses 60 percent of the tiny Caribbean island of St. John — just got a little bigger.
The beach at Maho Bay and its surrounding hillside recently was sold to the National Park Service in a $2.5 million deal, the Trust for Public Landannounced. It’s the park’s largest addition since 1956, when the philanthropist Laurance Rockefeller, hoping to preserve the island paradise he fell in love with, donated more than 5,000 acres toward its creation.
“It’s a story of perseverance and a vision,” Brion FitzGerald, the park superintendent, said. “To be able to sit on the beach and look up there and not see a lot of development is what makes it worthy of a national park. It ensures that same view for every generation to come.”
It’s hard to imagine a drive along the island’s North Shore Road, which winds through the parcel, without thinking of its iconic canopy.
But that nearly happened. The 74-acre sale is the final piece of a decades-long, 225-acre puzzle to discover the heirs to the estate, preserve it from deforestation and ultimately connect the eastern and western sections of the park. It’s seen as a victory for the island, which depends on its unspoiled reputation to entice tourists.
“It could have been up to 800 single-family homes, condominiums, timeshares that you just don’t want in the heart of a beautiful national park,” said John Garrison, the trust’s senior project manager.
This is a particularly interesting acquisition considering that the adjacent Maho Bay Campground, a pioneering eco-tourism hotel, was sold last year. It closed in May, leaving many locals worried as to what may become of that property.
“The camp was such an important part of the overall economy of St. John,” Mr. Garrison said. “But I don’t think it will be developed in any way that will be detrimental to the park.”
The national park draws more than 600,000 visitors a year in search of its soft, white-sand beaches, trails through unspoiled jungle, and historic sugar mill plantation ruins.
Mr. FitzGerald said rangers are already working with Friends of the National Park in clearing the property’s Maria Hope Trail and improving parking at the beach.
Tired of Winter Already? Head to St John Where We Have A Special Seat For You!
We hope our January 2014 Newsletter keeps you warm:
Winter Has Arrived -- St John Awaits!
Photographer Steve Simonsen captured a fabulous shot of Maho Bay
All that is missing is you!
If you are tired of winter already, think about starting 2014 off by planning a trip to St John. Whether it is for this winter or spring, or not until the summer, or even 2015, if you know you have a trip in your 'bucket', it will make the cold, dark days of this winter a bit warmer and brighter! Promise!
We could not help but chuckle when we saw the following headline in the New York Times on January 1st. We take it that it is a clear sign for you to
to St John and
this year! Make it happen by
directly today:
January St John news flashes & fun St John clips:
St Johnians cannot be kept down, or in this cased, closed! This past week Cafe Roma opened after having been closed for 9 months due to a devastating fire. They have the same great menu and many of the same staff along with brand new equipment and furnishings.
The Marketplace has a new restaurant and some great west indian cuisine. Etta's is serving up authentic island dishes, including Kalaloo, Goat Water, Dove Pork (which we understand is mouth watering good!), Fried Chicken, Red Snapper, and Conch. All at reasonable prices.
January is a month of new beginnings and, of course, parties. This year is no exception. The St John Animal Care Center's (SJACC) Winter Gala will be held this year at our neighbor's magnificent Chocolate Hole home of JoAnn and Glen Hall. This is always a fun event and is an important fundraiser for one of St John's most important non-profit organizations. While not a 'January' happening, we want to spread the word about the February 1st Friends of Virgin Islands National Park' Winter Gala which will be held at the fabulous Peter Bay Villa Presidio Del Mar. There will be gourmet food and wines, music to dance under the stars, and silent auctions and raffles.
More of St John is now 'forever' protected thanks to The Trust for Public Landwhich secured the magnificent 225-acre beach and hillside above Maho Bay. What a wonderfully enduring gift this is for all of us who enjoy St John.
Speaking of wonderful beaches, Islands Magazine named St John's Trunk Bay beach as the 'Best Beach in the Caribbean' in its 2013 year-end issue.
Hope to see you on St John and at Great Expectations soon!
Kristin & Chuck
owners of
Follow us on
and
for news about Great Expectations specials & St John activities
USA Today Advises What To Do if Flights Are Cancelled
USA Today by Kathryn Walsh, Demand Media
Over 4,000 flights have been cancelled -- so far!
Plan Ahead
A snowstorm may be pretty to look at, but it can be a nightmare for a traveler. Weather-related flight cancellations are a common concern throughout the winter, but the fact that you can see these setbacks coming is to your advantage. Don't wait until your flight has been canceled to start planning for the possibility that it will be; with patience and time, you'll eventually get where you're going.
Airlines often can predict when they'll have to cancel flights because of snow, unlike mechanical breakdowns, and in such cases, you may be able to deal with your cancellation without leaving home. If a storm is coming, some airlines will allow you to reschedule your flight for a later date without paying the usual flight-change fees. In the 24 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart, there should be information on the airline's website that explains how to change your flight online or by calling customer service. The snow will still strand you, but you won't be out any money or stuck at the airport.
Get Re-booked
If you're in the airport and the snow is expected to clear up soon, the airline may be able to book you onto a later flight. Its later flights may be sold out, however, as your fellow passengers will also be scrambling for seats, so be proactive by calling the airline's customer service number on your cell phone while waiting in line at the customer service desk in the terminal -- you never know which method will connect you to help faster. If the airline doesn't have seats available on a later flight, or isn't booking anyone onto flights, another airline may have a seat for you. Many airlines have a policy that if they can't accommodate you, they will get you a seat on a competitor's flight without charge.
Seek Comfort
As snow is unpredictable, and cleaning off the runways and planes take time, you may have to wait several hours to days before you can get a flight out on any airline. In the meantime, the only thing to do is settle in. A customer service agent can tell you if the company issues meal vouchers for stranded passengers, and help get you a room at a local hotel, though when weather is to blame, the airline won't pay for your stay.
Wait It Out
When all flights are grounded, you can't count on the airline to contact you when it starts booking flights again. If you opt to stay in the airport, setting up your bags in a chair near the airline's customer service desk will allow you to see signs, such as a flurry of activity, when staff have permission to start booking stranded passengers onto flights. You might also check with the agents hourly to see if they have any updates. If you're friendly and polite to the agents and stay within eyesight, they may even call you over when the snow is lifting and they're ready to fill seats.
==
Our advice #1 - Always protect yourself by getting Travel Insurance. Travel Insurance protects against the 'unexpected' emergencies. Not only weather related but, if you get sick and cannot travel you are at least financially protected.
Our advice #2 - Head back to St John and hit the beach (again!)!
10 Tips for Booking Cheap Flights
We often get asked about how (and when) to book airfare that does not break the bank so we thought we would pass this article we found helpful. We often fly Jet Blue from Boston to St Thomas and have found that Jet Blue announces 'specials' every Tuesday, often to places including St Thomas. It is worth bookmarking your favorite airlines and checking out their specials on a regular basis. The money you save by getting a good fare might just pay for a day on the water once you arrive on St John! Hope this article helps you save some money:
1. Check Fares Early & Often
Do you know that, on average, the fare difference between the best day to buy your airline ticket and the worst is $236! And that doesn’t even include people who purchase within 7 days (who pay even more!). Airlines change fares constantly, often multiple times a week. So when it comes to buying an airline ticket, timing is everything. We recommend that you start checking fares as soon as you know you’ll be flying. Then, check continuously, at least once a week to get a sense of what’s a good deal. And when you find a fare you like, be ready to pull the trigger since the same fare may not be around for very long. We know it sounds crazy (and exasperating) but the airlines use very sophisticated computer systems to adjust fares literally in real-time. Buying an airline ticket really can be like playing the stock market! (Learn more about
.)
2. Buy at the Right Time
Knowing
can be the best tip for saving some serious cash on your next trip. We did a study last year and found that for domestic flights 49 days (about 7 weeks in advance) was, on average, the optimal time to buy plane tickets. But that number can vary quite a bit depending on where and when you’re going. The most important takeaway from our study: you’ll likely pay a big premium for booking too late (within 14 days), or for booking too early (more than 5 months in advance). Somewhere between 3 weeks and 4 months in advance is usually the sweet spot for flights within the U.S., although all bets are off if you’re traveling for a holiday or other peak time (see #4 below).
3. Some Days are Cheaper than Others
The day of the week you fly on can make a big difference in your air fare. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the least expensive days for domestic flights and Friday and Sunday are the most expensive. (Monday, Thursday, and Saturday are in the middle). The difference between a Tuesday flight and a Sunday flight is $29 each way on average, or $58 round trip. If you’re traveling for the weekend, consider Saturday to Monday or Tuesday instead of a Thursday or Friday to Sunday trip. And if you’re traveling for a full week, Tuesday to Tuesday or Wednesday to Wednesday is often your best bet. More generally, if you’re willing to be flexible, check a bunch of alternate dates around the same time period because you never know when there might be one combination of dates that has a fare a lot lower than the dates around it.
4. Be Mindful of Seasonality & Holidays
Knowing when to go can matter just as much as when to buy. Because the most important factor that influences the price of a particular flight is how full that flight is, it makes sense that travel during Spring Break, Thanksgiving, or Christmas time would be more expensive than normal. Similarly, some destinations, especially international ones, are very seasonal in nature so research the low and peak seasons for the places you’re interested in visiting. If you’re going to Europe, for example, you can find some amazing deals during the February and March low season, but if you want to go during the summer, you’ll pay up to double the price. If you do need to travel to popular places at popular times, you usually want to book earlier than you otherwise would since discount seats are likely to sell out quickly.
5. Mix and Match Airlines to get the Cheapest Flights
CheapAir.com features a “
” category that essentially lets you combine two one way fares that may or may not be on the same airline, to form a round trip. “Mix & Match” options come in handy when either (1) the best possible fare for an itinerary requires travel on one airline going out and another airline coming back; or (2) the airline with the most convenient outbound flight doesn’t have a convenient return flight or vice versa.
6. Sign Up for Airfare Alerts and Track Routes
To help keep an eye on fare trends, sign up for
. You’ll get notified more quickly when a sale starts and get a head start when only a limited number of seats are available. Acting quickly when a fare sale starts can save you a lot of money.
7. Prepare for Extra Bag Fees
Different airlines have different policies on baggage. Most charge for checked bags and some even charge for carry-on. You should factor that into your purchase decision. CheapAir makes that easy: when you see a list of flight options on our site, just hover over any of them with your mouse and you will see, among other things, the amount that airline charges for bags. With some airlines it’s also important that, once you buy your ticket, you pay for your bags ahead of time by going to the airline website because they may charge a premium if you wait until you get to the airport. Read more about
and what you need to know before you fly.
8. Check Alternate Airports
If there is more than one airport near your origin or destination city, check them both. The more options you have in terms of airports and travel dates, the more likely you will find what may be one of the last discount seats to where you are going. CheapAir automatically checks some nearby airports for you (San Francisco and Oakland; Miami and Ft. Lauderdale; New York and Newark; Washington, DC and Baltimore), but if you are willing to use other alternates, you should check those, too, by doing separate searches.
9. Break up Families or Groups into Separate Purchases
This one sounds counter-intuitive – the more people that go, the better the rate should be, right? That’s rarely true with the airlines; “group discounts” are few and far between. Because airlines will typically limit the number of seats per flight they sell at their lowest rate, sometimes you can actually price yourself right out of a good deal simply by having too many passengers. If, for instance, Airline X has two seats remaining on a flight at $100 and a bunch of other seats available for $150, if you do a search for a group of 4, the price that will come back will be $150. But if you search for two seats at a time you can buy two for $100 and only have to pay the extra $50 for the second two. How do you know when to do this? Always search first for your whole group at once to make sure that the flight has enough seats to accommodate everyone. Then try the same search for a smaller group. If the price comes out lower for the smaller group, buy the seats for the smaller group, and then do a subsequent search for the rest of your party. It can be a lot of work but, hey, if it saves money…
10. Buy on a Site that Offers Price Drop Payback
OK, this is a somewhat shameless plug, but we think it’s justified. CheapAir’s unique
program is as simple as this: if the price for the same itinerary goes down any time before your trip, we’ll pay you back the difference in the form of a travel voucher for up to $100 per ticket! We are proud to be the only U.S. travel site that offers this buyer protection and we hope this program will arm you with buying confidence.
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Islands Magazine names St John's Trunk Bay 'Best Beach in the Caribbean' for 2013
Trunk Bay, St John
Best Beach in the Caribbean: Trunk Bay, USVI
Zach Stovall has walked on countless Caribbean beaches in the most unsung locations. This one rose to number-one on his list for 2013. "No hotels, houses or restaurants," he says. "Only small signs of life — a snack bar and a gift ship — fleck the strand."
Check out
complete 2013 favorite beaches, resorts and...everything list.
Trunk Bay is but one of over 30 magnificent beaches on St John. What is not to like? Put St John on your 2014 travel list today!
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park releases 2014 Seminar Series
If you are lucky enough to be on St John this winter you should consider participating in one of the many events hosted by the
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park
. The programs are terrific and range from history about St John to exploring the reefs around St John in kayaks.
