US19 - Where to?

At the moment it looks as though the destination for our 2019 main holiday will be the US and probably/possibly Florida.

Now we are stuck with having school holidays along with the hordes and their kids to get two weeks together can only be Easter or Summer. On top of that there is the airfare to consider. Whilst I still have the timeshare I need to make the most use of it and the US gives the best value for money.

It's a balancing act, on the one hand the higher airfare but far better resorts, or lower airfare (or drive) and lower standard but expensive resorts.

What the Americans consider low in value at home would be much higher priced in Spain! Last year we stayed in Pompano Beach, disrupted due to the hurricanes,. but the studio was far better appointed and situated than most we have tried in Spain and that cost considerably more.

Currently I am looking at airfares to see what deals there are. So many airlines are rogering us with added payments. Basically all you get for your airfare is the seat on the plane.  

Luggage is extra. Food and drink is extra. TBH I don't mind the food if I can take my own, but hand luggage is allegedly restricted- until you see what some of the bags are like people take on and get away with.

If it doesn't fit in this bugger....

.... it goes in the hold.

And most airlines have a similar rack by check-in so you can check the size of it before getting to the aircraft!

In fact we took hand luggage with us to Spain as we intended to avoid the queues for the luggage carousels but in both directions they took them off us (free of charge!) to put them in the hold "as there was limited space in the cabin" so we ended up hanging about.  Then when you see the shite and oversized bags wedged in the overheads!!!! Red mist time.

Anyway, back to to the tale. I read that Aer Lingus have some decent fares that involve a layover at Dublin Airport for a few hours for those travelling from outside the Republic  - us in other words.  

There is also a US Immigration facility there where you can go through the process and when you arrive in the US, at selected airports, you can wander off into the country side after being already vetted.  Marvellous.

Better get checking.....