"Cigar Vacations"?

Drazzil · 12-10-2008, 09:52 AM

Where in the US would be a good (and preferably cheap) place to take a "cigar vacation"? In other words, visit rolling factories huge shops, relatively low taxes on cigars, etc etc?

Ive been thinking of going on one of these trips during my christmas vacation, if the price is right.

12-10-2008, 10:01 AM

Good question!

Just south of Florida, west of the DR and east of Mexico would be an ideal low cost cigar vacation IMO

Starscream · 12-10-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicvitola

Good question!

Just south of Florida, west of the DR and east of Mexico would be an ideal low cost cigar vacation IMO

Maybe one day in the future...

mosesbotbol · 12-10-2008, 10:10 AM

Probably Florida, the Cuban section of Miami in particular. I've seen a rolling factory in the Bronx, NY, but I don't think there's enough in that section of the Bronx to warrant more than one day's time.

ucla695 · 12-10-2008, 10:17 AM

Florida…where they roll Tatuajes and other cigars.

kaisersozei · 12-10-2008, 10:46 AM

I'd suggest Key West. Not sure how inexpensive that would be, but it would make a great (yes, "fabulous"

) vacation and there are many boutique cigar shops (see link.)

CigarNut · 02-18-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisersozei

I'd suggest Key West. Not sure how inexpensive that would be, but it would make a great (yes, "fabulous"

) vacation and there are many boutique cigar shops (see link.)

I really like Key West and always enjoy a short** visit, but I found most of the cigar stores to be below average. I found one cigar store that also sold wine and they had a well-maintained, if very small humidor and I did buy some sticks.

I found three or four other stores that I walked into, turned around, and walked out. Maybe things have changed in the year since I was last there...

I would go back again (and plan to) but I would bring my own sticks.

** I have only been there as a port-of-call on a cruise -- it seems too expensive to stay there for any length of time

68TriShield · 02-18-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

I really like Key West and always enjoy a short** visit, but I found most of the cigar stores to be below average.

Island Smoke Shop in Key Largo is a outstanding B&M managed by a member here(madurofan).

pnoon · 02-18-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68TriShield

Island Smoke Shop in Key Largo is a outstanding B&M managed by a member here(madurofan).

I can't speak to Island Smoke Shop since I've never been there but Bill is a stand-up BOTL and personal friend.

(well, he's stand-up until he gets into the rum.

)

12-10-2008, 01:55 PM

Tampa,,,more cigar places than you can shake a stick at. If you want to progress further into South Florida it's the same thing. I love Key West as I took my touring motorcycle down there when I lived in Palm Beach Gardens and stayed for a few nights at a nice hotel ( 3 star ) for under $100 and just watched the sky, drink some beer and vino, smoked a ton of cigars and I still remember those 3 days.

duckmanco · 12-10-2008, 04:19 PM

Little Havana was flat out AWESOME. Cigar smoke in the air when you step out of the car, walk up cafe cubanos, El Rey De Los Habanos, LGC, El Titan De bronze, and now Padilla's new lounge/factory........ can't wait to go back.

12-10-2008, 06:33 PM

Aside from Little Havana, which would be freaking awesome, let us not forget the Cigar Factory New Orleans.

I've never been, nor had one of their cigars, but I've been dying to for a while now. I only live a couple of hours from it.

There's also the Davidoff Shop on Madison Ave in New York.

neoflex · 12-10-2008, 07:15 PM

I've been meaning to take a road trip with the wife to Miami. Maybe I will be able to get there this summer(Fingers Crossed) I may not want to leave though!

12-10-2008, 07:20 PM

i definitely want to go to Cancun or Miami ... one day ... one day!

AD720 · 12-10-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiloFinch

There's also the Davidoff Shop on Madison Ave in New York.

That shop was really cool, but not worth doing as destination IMO. I did all the bigtime cigar shops in the city in an afternoon, Davidoff, JR, Nat Shermon, etc. Cool to do if you are in NYC but not worth going to NYC just to do if that makes sense. Your results may vary though.

12-10-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AD720

That shop was really cool, but not worth doing as destination IMO. I did all the bigtime cigar shops in the city in an afternoon, Davidoff, JR, Nat Shermon, etc. Cool to do if you are in NYC but not worth going to NYC just to do if that makes sense. Your results may vary though.

Yeah, I figured not, just wanted to toss that out there.

Drazzil · 12-12-2008, 10:40 AM

So Florida around little Havana eh? Any BOTL's from around the area that would

1. Know the area and cheap places to rent a car and stay?

2. Know the area and wouldn't mind being compensated for showing a brother around?

Don Fernando · 02-17-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drazzil

So Florida around little Havana eh? Any BOTL's from around the area that would

1. Know the area and cheap places to rent a car and stay?

We stayed at the Tropics Hotel which is the cheapest hotel on Ocean Drive I could find back then.

http://www.tropicshotel.com/rates.php

Sauer Grapes · 12-12-2008, 10:47 AM

Little Havana is a great idea. If you'll have a rental car you could make the trip up to Ybor in Tampa and hit two cigar hotspots in one trip.

02-17-2010, 02:50 PM

I've traveled to most of the places listed in the thread & here's my opinion.
Ybor City is a nice place to visit-great restaurants,good atmosphere. There are a few cigar shops there, some even roll their own right there. The prices are all retail, so don't go looking for a bargain. There's alot to do in the Tampa area-beach, Tarpon Springs. I would rate it as maybe a 6 or so.

Little Havana- Authentic Cuban. 4-5 cigar shops, La Gloria Cubana has a nice shop there with a rolling shop next door. Again this is mostly retail so no real bargains here. Little Havana is also a little sketchy. I would not recommend staying the night here. If you wantto stay in the Miami are I would recommend you stay on South Beach. There are some very nice hotels right on the beach at a very reasonable price. I think we paid $60/night. Nice dining. Good bars. Fun shopping. You can walk right across the street to the beach. And don't forget South Beach is topless! I would rate this as an 8.

I was in New Orleans before the hurricane. At that time there was a nice place near jackson Square that made their own. Good cigar,great atmosphere near Bourbon Street.

I just got back from Cancun. I stayed at the Riu Palace Las Americas. This place is all inclusive, so its a little more spendy but well worth it. All you can eat & drink. The hotel was awesome! You can walk down the street & but all the cigars you want, even the real Cubans. Just beware many of these are Mexican knockoffs. Mexican cigars with some very good Cuban labels. Do your homework before you buy any Cubans here, they are out there. Cuba is only 200 miles away from Cancun, so if your willingt o take to trip..........
I would rate tis as a 9-10.

Next I think I'll try the Dominican Republic. Most cigars come from here & the resorts are great.

12-10-2008, 09:52 AM	#1
Drazzil Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: David Location: Boozetown Posts: 355 Trading: (31)	"Cigar Vacations"? Where in the US would be a good (and preferably cheap) place to take a "cigar vacation"? In other words, visit rolling factories huge shops, relatively low taxes on cigars, etc etc? Ive been thinking of going on one of these trips during my christmas vacation, if the price is right.

12-10-2008, 10:01 AM	#2
vicvitola Guest Posts: n/a	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? Good question! Just south of Florida, west of the DR and east of Mexico would be an ideal low cost cigar vacation IMO

12-10-2008, 10:10 AM	#4
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? Probably Florida, the Cuban section of Miami in particular. I've seen a rolling factory in the Bronx, NY, but I don't think there's enough in that section of the Bronx to warrant more than one day's time. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

12-10-2008, 10:17 AM	#5
ucla695 Neither here, nor there Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Pool Posts: 3,696 Trading: (5)	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? Florida…where they roll Tatuajes and other cigars.

12-10-2008, 10:46 AM	#6
kaisersozei The Homebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gerard Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 3,183 Trading: (40)	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? I'd suggest Key West. Not sure how inexpensive that would be, but it would make a great (yes, "fabulous" ) vacation and there are many boutique cigar shops (see link.) __________________

12-10-2008, 01:55 PM	#10
Cigary Guest Posts: n/a	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? Tampa,,,more cigar places than you can shake a stick at. If you want to progress further into South Florida it's the same thing. I love Key West as I took my touring motorcycle down there when I lived in Palm Beach Gardens and stayed for a few nights at a nice hotel ( 3 star ) for under $100 and just watched the sky, drink some beer and vino, smoked a ton of cigars and I still remember those 3 days.

12-10-2008, 04:19 PM	#11
duckmanco Can't stop whats coming Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: that forsaken stretch of wood they call Whiskey Grove Posts: 404 Trading: (10)	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? Little Havana was flat out AWESOME. Cigar smoke in the air when you step out of the car, walk up cafe cubanos, El Rey De Los Habanos, LGC, El Titan De bronze, and now Padilla's new lounge/factory........ can't wait to go back. __________________ "...Ain't no dark till somethin' shines..."

12-10-2008, 06:33 PM	#12
MiloFinch Guest Posts: n/a	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? Aside from Little Havana, which would be freaking awesome, let us not forget the Cigar Factory New Orleans. I've never been, nor had one of their cigars, but I've been dying to for a while now. I only live a couple of hours from it. There's also the Davidoff Shop on Madison Ave in New York.

12-10-2008, 07:15 PM	#13
neoflex I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: John Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 2,765 Trading: (32)	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? I've been meaning to take a road trip with the wife to Miami. Maybe I will be able to get there this summer(Fingers Crossed) I may not want to leave though! __________________

12-10-2008, 07:20 PM	#14
dcamacho Guest Posts: n/a	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? i definitely want to go to Cancun or Miami ... one day ... one day!

12-12-2008, 10:40 AM	#17
Drazzil Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: David Location: Boozetown Posts: 355 Trading: (31)	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? So Florida around little Havana eh? Any BOTL's from around the area that would 1. Know the area and cheap places to rent a car and stay? 2. Know the area and wouldn't mind being compensated for showing a brother around?

12-12-2008, 10:47 AM	#19
Sauer Grapes Snatchin' yo people up Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,235 Trading: (44)	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? Little Havana is a great idea. If you'll have a rental car you could make the trip up to Ybor in Tampa and hit two cigar hotspots in one trip.

02-17-2010, 02:50 PM	#20
dueceswild67 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: "Cigar Vacations"? I've traveled to most of the places listed in the thread & here's my opinion. Ybor City is a nice place to visit-great restaurants,good atmosphere. There are a few cigar shops there, some even roll their own right there. The prices are all retail, so don't go looking for a bargain. There's alot to do in the Tampa area-beach, Tarpon Springs. I would rate it as maybe a 6 or so. Little Havana- Authentic Cuban. 4-5 cigar shops, La Gloria Cubana has a nice shop there with a rolling shop next door. Again this is mostly retail so no real bargains here. Little Havana is also a little sketchy. I would not recommend staying the night here. If you wantto stay in the Miami are I would recommend you stay on South Beach. There are some very nice hotels right on the beach at a very reasonable price. I think we paid $60/night. Nice dining. Good bars. Fun shopping. You can walk right across the street to the beach. And don't forget South Beach is topless! I would rate this as an 8. I was in New Orleans before the hurricane. At that time there was a nice place near jackson Square that made their own. Good cigar,great atmosphere near Bourbon Street. I just got back from Cancun. I stayed at the Riu Palace Las Americas. This place is all inclusive, so its a little more spendy but well worth it. All you can eat & drink. The hotel was awesome! You can walk down the street & but all the cigars you want, even the real Cubans. Just beware many of these are Mexican knockoffs. Mexican cigars with some very good Cuban labels. Do your homework before you buy any Cubans here, they are out there. Cuba is only 200 miles away from Cancun, so if your willingt o take to trip.......... I would rate tis as a 9-10. Next I think I'll try the Dominican Republic. Most cigars come from here & the resorts are great.