our trip is half salvaged

[natalielongstaff]

if that makes any sense

after 3 hrs in the travel agents this morning we have changed our trip from
1 week at la quinta 192 and 1 week all inclusive in grand bahama
to
1 week at comfort inn lake buena vista and 1 week all inclusive in barbados
the only downside to the new arrabgements is
the extra £900 cost!!
the fact that our swim with dolphins on mums 60th birthday has had to be cancelled also
and that the flight to barbados is from miama meaning a 4hr drive down there !!
CAN ANYONE HELP ME WITH DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM LBV TO MIAMI AIRPORT PLEASE
on the plus side the flight back to gatwick from barbados is a direct flight whereas the bahamas flight we had to go back via orlando.

i am happy its sorted out and realise it could have been much worse but i could cry that we cant do the dolphin swim
ANY IDEAS FOR A NEW 60TH BIRTHDAY PRESSIE!!

thanks for listening (again)

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Natalie,

I don't have any bright ideas (sorry!) but it sounds like you have managed to at least sort something out. I'm sure it will be very, very special

I'm sure there've been some threads about driving to Miami from LBV - I'll have a look and post back if I find them

Chin up chick it'll be great

Karen

 

[Miffy2003]

Oh and Natalie - would your travel insurance cover the extra cost?? (Probably wishful thinking!)

 

[natalielongstaff]

our travel insurance is no use as its an act of god and therefore not covered (typically)
im at the stage now where im just so glad we are going at all, it could have been a lot worse

 

[KayleeUK]

Natalie I am glad you have some new plans

Could you swim with the Dolphins at Discovery Cove?

 

[Night-train]

Hi Natalie, hope I can be of some help to you. Miami airport is quite easy to find from LBV. If you get onto Hwy 192 and head east until you come to the exit for the Florida Turnpike, then follow the signs for Turnpike South, it is a straight drive from here to Miami. At the north side of Miami the Turnpike merges with Interstate 95 and continues south towards the city. Near exit 4 keep your eyes peeled for the Airport Expressway (I-195) and head west on that straight into the airport complex. Here's a link to an interactive map which might be helpful too.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.ad...=&city=miami&state=fl&zipcode=&submit=Get+Map

It's a long one but it should be worth it!

 

[natalielongstaff]

thaks night-train thats great info
on the plus side ive suddenly got loads more planning to do

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Natalie - sorry to hear about the trip to the Bahamas, but you won't be sorry you're going to Barbados.

Check out a couple of their tourist information sites, there's so much to do over there, from dolphin watching, to jeep safaris (we did similar things on St Lucia and it was fantastic).

We travelled to St Lucia with Virgin and would recommend checking out their website:

http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/caribbean/resorts/barbados.shtml

which will show you all sorts of excursions that are available. You'll all have a great time

As for the drive down to Miami Airport, easy peasy The roads are a little on the tedious side (not much to look at, but at least a lot of the way it's green ). My only tip would be if it's your first time driving in the US, make sure you take note of the variable road speeds. They do vary, but there are plenty of signs along the route to show you. They are quite hot on speeding over there and the Highway Patrol are many.

That said, it's such a doddle driving over there - remember you can change lanes and overtake/undertake, unlike only overtaking on the right hand side here. There are plenty of rest stops - although these tend to be off the Interstates, rather than on the motorways like over here. But they are VERY easy to get to and back from (if we can do it, you'll be ok!!).

 

[JANNYANS]

You can swim with the Dolphins at Miami seaqurium so maybe that part is not lost after all ?