Traveling While in A Relationship

“How does your man deal with you leaving so often?“

“My girl could never!“

“You know the shit girls do on their lil’ girl trips!“

Oh, men and their opinions on your traveling. Been there, had that. As someone who travels as much as I possibly can – some of these comments and questions come up regularly in my life/on my Twitter page. 

When I was single and going on dates with various men, my love of travel would always come up in the conversations. Travel is a big part of my life and if someone wants to get to know me, they’ll know I often will just book a flight to go somewhere and leave for a long weekend or a week or Christmas etc. My lifestyle would not work for an insecure man who can’t even leave his girlfriend to go pee alone in a bathroom, clearly. 

While it seems men get to use being well-traveled as a bonus in their dating repertoire, it kind of seemed to do the opposite for me. Not all men, but MANY men are not cool with their girlfriend doing things without them. Yikes. Stay far away from those.

I’ve been fortunate enough that the men I did choose to actually date are cool as heck with my travel goals. It really couldn’t have gone any other way. If it is between travel and a boyfriend I rather spread the pages in my passport than spread my le…. well, you get it. 

The thought of a man trying to tell me what I can and cannot do with my traveling gives me gas pain. I was traveling before these men and I will do so while with them and after them. It is one of my loves. (along with food and the NFL) I go on girls trips to Europe, I go to Carnival and attend soca fetes and I travel alone to the NFL Draft. That’s me.

It is totally possible to find a man who is A-OK with your travel habits. My ex was cool with it and my current boyfriend is as well. I take the greatest amount of satisfaction when my boyfriend actually travels with me, but I also take the same satisfaction in him not being weird about when I travel alone or with my girls. I’m really happy with that. 

Travel requires a lot of trust with it, and if someone doesn’t trust you in the confines of your relationships they sure as HELL won’t trust you flying somewhere without them. Also, to the men, if you ever worry about your girl doing dumb shit like cheating while she travels then perhaps that is NOT the girl for you? I assure you, she was waste way before she got on that flight. 

– Mirna 

Carnival Itinerary: Toronto, Miami and NY to Trinidad Carnival 2019

SPECS

Who: Four people/Two Beds, Two people/Two beds, Solo

Where: Toronto, Miami and NY to Trinidad Carnival

When: Monday, February 25th to Wednesday, March 6th

Budget: Whatever I can find for cheap….

Note: Yes, I usually include London, UK in my carnival itinerary posts but like, these airlines not posting for them yet and I just couldn’t wait. Sorry 🙁 

TORONTO TO PORT OF SPAIN

Flight: Pearson International to Port of Spain | February 25th to March 6th

$481.26 CDN per person; roundtrip (direct) — yes I’m serious. 

 

Stay: AirBnB for four | February 25th to March 6th

Option 1: $2112.00 CDN ($528.00/per person); Looks OK, Good location, Good review, 2 Bedrooms

Option 2: $599.00 CDN ($149.75/per person); Looks big, Well located, Perfect reviews

Option 3: $924.00 CDN ($231.00/per person); St. Joseph area, 2 bedroom, Good review, Looks cute

Option 4: $5617.00 CDN ($1404.25/per person); Place looks big, Nice looking, Perfect reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for two | February 25th to March 6th

Option 1: $2155.00 CDN ($1077.50/per person); Great location, Good review, Simple looking

Option 2: $2119.00 CDN ($1059.50/per person); Pool, Close to Queen’s Park Savannah, Good review

Option 3: $599.00 CDN ($299.50/per person); Looks big, Well located, Perfect reviews

Option 4: $801.00 CDN ($400.50/per person); OK looking, Good review, Good area

 

Stay: AirBnB for one | February 25th to March 6th

Option 1: $463.00 CDN; Little outside POS, Close to transit, Looks cozy, Perfect reviews

Option 2: $1000.00 CDN; Good location, Basic looking, Perfect reviews

Option 3: $515.00 CDN; Diego Martin location, Looks nice, Good review

Total: Overall, even if you go for the MOST expensive options I posted it’s about $1885.51 CDN per person for the 4 person trip, $1558.76 CDN per person for the 2 people trip and $1487.26 CDN for solo.

MIAMI TO PORT OF SPAIN

Flight: Miami International to Port of Spain | February 25th to March 6th

$310.89 USD per person; roundtrip (direct) — yes I’m serious. 

 

Stay: AirBnB for four | February 25th to March 6th

Option 1: $1640.00 USD ($420.23/per person); Looks OK, Good location, Good review, 2 Bedrooms

Option 2: $468.00 USD ($117.00/per person); Looks big, Well located, Perfect reviews

Option 3: $722.00 USD ($180.50/per person); St. Joseph area, 2 bedroom, Good review, Looks cute

Option 4: $4385.00 USD ($1096.25/per person); Place looks big, Nice looking, Perfect reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for two | February 25th to March 6th

Option 1: $1683.00 USD ($841.50/per person); Great location, Good review, Simple looking

Option 2: $1655.00 USD ($827.50/per person); Pool, Close to Queen’s Park Savannah, Good review

Option 3: $468.00 USD ($234.00/per person); Looks big, Well located, Perfect reviews

Option 4: $626.00 USD ($313.00/per person); OK looking, Good review, Good area

 

Stay: AirBnB for one | February 25th to March 6th

Option 1: $362.00 USD; Little outside POS, Close to transit, Looks cozy, Perfect reviews

Option 2: $781.00 USD; Good location, Basic looking, Perfect reviews

Option 3: $402.00 USD; Diego Martin location, Looks nice, Good review

Total: Overall, even if you go for the MOST expensive options I posted it’s about $1407.14 USD per person for the 4 person trip, $1152.39 USD per person for the 2 people trip and $1091.89 USD for solo.

NEW YORK TO PORT OF SPAIN

Flight: JFK to Port of Spain | February 25th to March 6th

$414.89 USD per person; roundtrip (direct) — yes I’m serious. 

 

Stay: AirBnB for four | February 25th to March 6th

Option 1: $1640.00 USD ($420.23/per person); Looks OK, Good location, Good review, 2 Bedrooms

Option 2: $468.00 USD ($117.00/per person); Looks big, Well located, Perfect reviews

Option 3: $722.00 USD ($180.50/per person); St. Joseph area, 2 bedroom, Good review, Looks cute

Option 4: $4385.00 USD ($1096.25/per person); Place looks big, Nice looking, Perfect reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for two | February 25th to March 6th

Option 1: $1683.00 USD ($841.50/per person); Great location, Good review, Simple looking

Option 2: $1655.00 USD ($827.50/per person); Pool, Close to Queen’s Park Savannah, Good review

Option 3: $468.00 USD ($234.00/per person); Looks big, Well located, Perfect reviews

Option 4: $626.00 USD ($313.00/per person); OK looking, Good review, Good area

 

Stay: AirBnB for one | February 25th to March 6th

Option 1: $362.00 USD; Little outside POS, Close to transit, Looks cozy, Perfect reviews

Option 2: $781.00 USD; Good location, Basic looking, Perfect reviews

Option 3: $402.00 USD; Diego Martin location, Looks nice, Good review

Total: Overall, even if you go for the MOST expensive options I posted it’s about $1511.14 USD per person for the 4 person trip, $1256.39 USD per person for the 2 people trip and $1195.89 USD for solo.

 

Extras: If you plan on using AirBnB for the first time, click here for a free credit towards your stay OR if you choose Booking.com for the first time click here for a free credit. Also, if you plan on using Uber for the first time, click here for a free credit towards the ride.

– Mirna 

 

I am not a licensed travel agent of Ontario and make itineraries as a hobby. Any itineraries used by readers are of their own free will and choosing. Site owner is not responsible for any misadventures, mishaps, airline issues or accommodation issues that occur on trip itineraries that are posted or individually e-mailed to readers.

Jamaica Carnival Budget Breakdown (2018)

To be quite honest, at this point I will just repeat what I said in my ‘So You Want to Go to Cropover Eh?‘ post;

Carnival is not for the weak.

Carnival is not for the broke.

Carnival will have you spent both physically and monetarily. 

In about 35 days I will be making my return to Jamaica. I haven’t been to this wonderful island since 2010 when I did a solo trip to the infamous Hedonism resort in Negril. This time I will be in Kingston and I will not be exploring alone. 

The purpose of this post is for anyone who plans to do carnival hopping to understand budget associated with doing it. When I initially released my Cropover post, people were shocked at how much it can all add up so I felt it necessary to do one for Jamaica’s carnival as well. This year the flights for Cropover were so OVO unruly I decided not to go back again for 2018. Even last year there was a dip in prices, no dip in sight this year. Shame.

Unlike Barbados, I will not be staying a week for the festivities in Jamaica, I am only going Thursday to Monday so that I can save my vacation days for any other shenanigans planned in 2018. I probably could have squeezed in more events, but with only being there four days and the FINAL day being time to play mas – not happening.   

Here we go – note, I will show you how much things are in USD and converted into CAD so you can cry with me. Also, the totals are inclusive of the online fees associated with everything purchased. 

Flight to Kingston = $540.37 CAD (roundtrip, direct)

** Shout out to my mom and dad for buying that as my birthday gift though! **

AirBnB: $414.00 – $47.18 credit = $366.82 / 3 people = $122.27 CAD per person

** This actually could have been $98.00 per person but we opted to book it for five nights since we land in Kingston at 4:30am and didn’t want to wait until check-in **

Frontline Costume from Xodus: $745.50 USD ($958.30 CAD)

Parties:

1) Thursday: AFloat Boat Cruise = $75.96 USD ($97.77 CAD)

2) Thursday: Tribe Ignite = $64.20 USD ($83.25 CAD)

3) Friday: Candy Coated Boat Cruise = $91.79 USD ($119.75 CAD)

4) Saturday: AMbush = $102.60 USD ($135.07 CAD)

5) Saturday: Sunrise Breakfast Fete = $112.91 USD ($147.30 CAD)

Party Total: $583.14 CAD

Spending money: $400 USD ($514.18 CAD) 

** I assume this will be enough for liquor, food and taxi while there, pending I do not buy too much rum and jerk pork **

Total Cost of Jamaica Carnival 2018: $2718.26

I mean I probably could have done backline and maybe not so many parties but – YOLO. When was I really going to have a chance to play frontline for UNDER $1000 USD? Probably never. We really lucked out on the AirBnB credits and finding a great two bedroom/two bathroom spot in New Kingston. I personally lucked out for my mom and dad hooking me up with that flight as well. Hope this helps all of you plotting on maybe going to Jamaica Carnival 2019. Needless to say, mans are reaaaady for 2018.

See you all in Jamaica 🙂 

– Mirna 

Carnival Itinerary: Toronto, London, and NY to Miami Broward Carnival 2018

SPECS

Who: Four people/Two Beds, Two people/Two beds, Solo

Where: Toronto, London and NY to Miami Broward Carnival

When: Different dates from different cities to capitalize on best prices!

Budget: Whatever I can find for cheap….

TORONTO TO MIAMI

Flight: Pearson International to Miami International | October 3rd to October 8th

$442.00 CDN per person; roundtrip ($604.00 CDN for direct)

 

Stay: AirBnB or Hotel for four | October 3rd to October 8th

Option 1: $1166.00 CDN ($291.50/per person); Good location, Looks nice, Good reviews

Option 2: $1191.00 CDN ($297.75/per person); Perfect reviews, Great location, Bed + Sofa Bed

Option 3: $1079.00 CDN ($269.75/per person); Place looks really nice, Great location, Perfect reviews, Bed + Sofa Bed

Option 4: $784.00 CDN ($196.00/per person); Mid-beach, Simple, 2 Sofa beds, Great reviews

Option 5: $1231.00 CDN ($307.75/per person); Close to Ocean Drive, Nice looking, Great reviews

Option 6: $665 + 14% tax + $40 fee $798.10 CDN ($199.53/per person); Bed + Bunk beds, Great location, Breakfast and Dinner included, Good reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for two | October 3rd to October 8th

Option 1: $849.00 CDN ($424.50/per person); Perfect reviews, Nice looking, Great reviews, Bed + Sofa bed

Option 2: $849.00 CDN ($424.50/per person); Close to beach, Good location, Perfect reviews, Bed + Sofa bed

Option 3: $857.00 CDN ($428.50/per person); Great location, Great reviews, Bunk beds

Option 4: $881.00 CDN ($440.50/per person); Great looking place, Perfect reviews, Great location

 

Stay: AirBnB for one | October 3rd to October 8th

Option 1: $513.00 CDN; Looks nice, Good area, Perfect reviews

Option 2: $474.00 CDN; Good location, Small, Perfect reviews

Option 3: $425.00 CDN; Nice looking, Perfect reviews, Close to beach 

Total: Overall, even if you go for the MOST expensive options I posted it’s about $749.75 CDN per person for the 4 person trip, $882.50 CDN per person for the 2 people trip and $955.00 CDN for solo.

LONDON, ENGLAND TO MIAMI

Flight: London Gatwick to Miami International | October 3rd to October 8th

$463.00 GBP per person; roundtrip (landing 9th, $588.00 GBP for direct)

 

Stay: AirBnB or Hotel for four | October 3rd to October 8th

Option 1: $677.00 GBP ($169.25/per person); Great location, Perfect reviews, Looks OK, Bed + Sofa bed

Option 2: $658.00 GBP ($164.50/per person); Great reviews, Looks nice, Close to nightlife 

Option 3: $672.00 GBP ($168.00/per person); Bed + 2 Sofa beds, Nice looking, Great location, Great reviews

Option 4: $458 + 19% tax + $60 fee = 605.02 GBP ($151.25/per person); Close to beach, Cute looking, Great reviews

Option 5: $609.00 GBP ($152.25/per person); Bed + Sofa bed, Looks nice, Good location, Great reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for two | October 3rd to October 8th

Option 1: $478.00 GBP ($239.00/per person); Perfect reviews, Looks great, Bed + Sofa bed

Option 2: $497.00 GBP ($248.50/per person); Bed + Sofa bed, Looks OK, Well located, Good reviews 

Option 3: $425.00 GBP ($212.50/per person); Basic, No kitchen, Bed + Sofa bed, Good location, Great reviews

Option 4: $497.00 GBP ($248.50/per person); Great looking place, Bed + Sofa bed, Good location, Perfect reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for one | October 3rd to October 8th

Option 1: $289.00 GBP; Perfect reviews, Looks nice, Well located

Option 2: $311.00 GBP; Close to beach, Great reviews, Looks big

Option 3: $393.00 GBP; Good location, Great reviews, Looks nice

Total: Overall, even if you go for the MOST expensive options I posted it’s about $632.25 GBP per person for the 4 person trip, $711.50 GBP per person for the 2 people trip and $856.00 GBP for solo.

NEW YORK TO MIAMI

Flight: LaGuardia to Miami International | October 4th to October 8th

$328.00 USD per person; roundtrip (direct)

 

Stay: AirBnB for four | October 4th to October 8th

Option 1: $602.00 USD ($150.50/per person); Good location, Simple, Great reviews

Option 2: $688.00 USD ($172.00/per person); Good location, Great reviews, Bed + Sofa bed

Option 3: $658.00 USD ($164.50/per person); Great reviews, Good location, Bed + Sofa bed

Option 4: $770.00 USD ($192.50/per person); Great location, Nice looking, Bed + Sofa bed, Perfect reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for two | October 4th to October 8th

Option 1: $554.00 USD ($277.00/per person); Great reviews, Nice looking, Well located, Bed + Sofa bed

Option 2: $556.00 USD ($278.00/per person); Bed + Sofa bed, Close to beach, Great reviews

Option 3: $541.00 USD ($270.50/per person); Close to beach, Bed + Sofa bed, Nice looking, Great reviews 

Option 4: $566.00 USD ($283.00/per person); Looks nice, Well located, Bed + Sofa bed, Perfect reviews 

 

Stay: AirBnB for one | October 4th to October 8th

Option 1: $327.00 USD; Great location, Looks nice, Perfect reviews

Option 2: $406.00 USD; Perfect reviews, Well located, Nice looking

Option 3: $394.00 USD; Close to beach, Perfect reviews, Looks nice

Total: Overall, even if you go for the MOST expensive options I posted it’s about $520.50 USD per person for the 4 person trip, $611.00 USD per person for the 2 people trip and $734.00 USD for solo.

Extras: If you plan on using AirBnB for the first time, click here for a free credit towards your stay OR if you choose Booking.com for the first time click here for a free credit. Also, if you plan on using Uber for the first time, click here for a free credit towards the ride.

– Mirna 

 

I am not a licensed travel agent of Ontario and make itineraries as a hobby. Any itineraries used by readers are of their own free will and choosing. Site owner is not responsible for any misadventures, mishaps, airline issues or accommodation issues that occur on trip itineraries that are posted or individually e-mailed to readers.

Carnival Itinerary: Toronto, London and Miami to NY Labour Day Carnival 2018

SPECS

Who: Four people/Two Beds, Two people/Two beds, Solo

Where: Toronto, London and Miami to Labour Day Weekend in New York

When: Thursday, August 30th to Monday, September 3rd

Budget: Whatever I can find for cheap….

Notes: Since all the good bashment is in Brooklyn, I’ll try to keep places near there.

TORONTO TO NEW YORK

Flight: Pearson International to LaGuardia | August 30th to September 3rd

$317.00 CDN per person; roundtrip (direct)

Bus: Downtown Toronto Greyhound Terminal to New York, New York

$92.00 CDN per person; roundtrip

 

Stay: AirBnB for four | August 30th to September 3rd

Option 1: $606.00 CDN ($151.50/per person); Close to transit, OK looking, Looks big, Great reviews 

Option 2: $1025.00 CDN ($256.25/per person); Looks very nice, Close to transit, Great reviews

Option 3: $764.00 CDN ($191.00/per person); Basic looking, Great reviews, Close to transit

Option 4: $1002.00 CDN ($250.50/per person); Close to Barclays, Nice looking, Perfect reviews, Close to transit

Option 5: $885.00 CDN ($221.25/per person); Place looks nice,Close to transit, Great reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for two | August 30th to September 3rd

Option 1: $570.00 CDN ($285.00/per person); Hippie looking, Perfect reviews, Close to transit

Option 2: $560.00 CDN ($280.00/per person); Close to transit, OK looking, Good reviews

Option 3: $782.00 CDN ($391.00/per person); Bed + Sofa bed, Looks nice, Perfect reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for one | August 30th to September 3rd

Option 1: $295.00 CDN; Very simple, Great reviews, Close to transit

Option 2: $334.00 CDN; Perfect reviews, Looks nice, Close to transit

Option 3: $343.00 CDN; Good location, Close to transit, Looks nice, Perfect reviews

Total: Overall, even if you go for the MOST expensive options I posted it’s about $573.00 CDN per person for the 4 person trip, $708.00 CDN per person for the 2 people trip and $660.00 CDN for solo.

LONDON, ENGLAND TO NEW YORK

Flight: London Stansted to Newark | August 30th to September 3rd

$341.00 GBP per person; roundtrip (direct, landing September 4th)

 

Stay: AirBnB for four | August 30th to September 3rd

Option 1: $344.00 GBP ($86.50/per person); Close to transit, OK looking, Looks big, Great reviews 

Option 2: $581.00 GBP ($145.25/per person); Looks very nice, Close to transit, Great reviews

Option 3: $434.00 GBP ($108.50/per person); Basic looking, Great reviews, Close to transit

Option 4: $569.00 GBP ($142.25/per person); Close to Barclays, Nice looking, Perfect reviews, Close to transit

Option 5: $503.00 GBP ($125.75/per person); Place looks nice,Close to transit, Great reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for two | August 30th to September 3rd

Option 1: $324.00 GBP ($162.00/per person); Hippie looking, Perfect reviews, Close to transit

Option 2: $318.00 GBP ($159.00/per person); Close to transit, OK looking, Good reviews

Option 3: $444.00 GBP ($222.00/per person); Bed + Sofa bed, Looks nice, Perfect reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for one | August 30th to September 3rd

Option 1: $168.00 GBP; Very simple, Great reviews, Close to transit

Option 2: $190.00 GBP; Perfect reviews, Looks nice, Close to transit

Option 3: $194.00 GBP; Good location, Close to transit, Looks nice, Perfect reviews

Total: Overall, even if you go for the MOST expensive options I posted it’s about $486.25 GBP per person for the 4 person trip, $563.00 GBP per person for the 2 people trip and $535.00 GBP for solo.

MIAMI TO NEW YORK

Flight: Miami International to LaGuardia | August 30th to September 3rd

$323.00 USD per person; roundtrip (direct)

 

Stay: AirBnB for four | August 30th to September 3rd

Option 1: $483.00 USD ($120.75/per person); Close to transit, OK looking, Looks big, Great reviews 

Option 2: $816.00 USD ($204.00/per person); Looks very nice, Close to transit, Great reviews

Option 3: $609.00 USD ($152.25/per person); Basic looking, Great reviews, Close to transit

Option 4: $798.00 USD ($199.50/per person); Close to Barclays, Nice looking, Perfect reviews, Close to transit

Option 5: $705.00 USD ($176.25/per person); Place looks nice,Close to transit, Great reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for two | August 30th to September 3rd

Option 1: $454.00 USD ($227.00/per person); Hippie looking, Perfect reviews, Close to transit

Option 2: $446.00 USD ($223.00/per person); Close to transit, OK looking, Good reviews

Option 3: $623.00 USD ($311.50/per person); Bed + Sofa bed, Looks nice, Perfect reviews

 

Stay: AirBnB for one | August 30th to September 3rd

Option 1: $234.00 USD; Very simple, Great reviews, Close to transit

Option 2: $266.00 USD; Perfect reviews, Looks nice, Close to transit

Option 3: $273.00 USD; Good location, Close to transit, Looks nice, Perfect reviews

Total: Overall, even if you go for the MOST expensive options I posted it’s about $527.00 USD per person for the 4 person trip, $634.50 USD per person for the 2 people trip and $596.00 USD for solo.

Extras: If you plan on using AirBnB for the first time, click here for a free credit towards your stay OR if you choose Booking.com for the first time click here for a free credit. Also, if you plan on using Uber for the first time, click here for a free credit towards the ride.

– Mirna