The Travel Thread

[Giggles]

Booked a last minute night away yesterday so currently sitting out on the south coast drinking pints. Couldn't beat it.

[Giggles]

Also, found one for Magic.

https://i.imgur.com/7rUv1T0.jpg

[Giggles]

Breakfast overrun with fucking Americans. Why does every single thing they say have to be in the form of an announcement?

[Mazuuurk]

Lads any tips for cheap destinations in central europe or at most like northern italy / south france ish in October? Not Poland, Prague or Budapests as we've already been there.

Talk about Amsterdam, but seems it's quite pricey (I mean, basically not really cheap which would be nice).

[Andrew]

The wife has just booked a 2 week holiday in Turkey for us..

What's the odds on us making it back alive with all the nonsense that's kicking off over there and it's being in spitting distance of Syria?

Shall I try and pursude her that a 2 week break in sunny Porthcawl in South Wales has better odds of us not ending up with our heads being lobbed off etc..

[Baz]

Nah, I’m sure you’ll have a blast.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

However much they offer you for your wife, ask for double.

They always lowball their first offers.

[Andrew]

I plan on using her as a meat shield if someone starts waving semi automatics around.

Or as a barging chip for a free breakfast off the local greasy spoon for the 2 weeks we are there..

[Spikey M]

The wife has just booked a 2 week holiday in Turkey for us..

What's the odds on us making it back alive with all the nonsense that's kicking off over there and it's being in spitting distance of Syria?

Shall I try and pursude her that a 2 week break in sunny Porthcawl in South Wales has better odds of us not ending up with our heads being lobbed off etc..

The tourist areas are as far from Syria as London is from Berlin. We’ve been twice in 3 years and it’s business as usual aside from added security at the airport.

[Spikey M]

Pretty sure there were more terrorist attacks here than there were there last year too. So lol, I guess.

[Spoonsky]

The wife has just booked a 2 week holiday in Turkey for us..
https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=273359
What's the odds on us making it back alive with all the nonsense that's kicking off over there and it's being in spitting distance of Syria?

Shall I try and pursude her that a 2 week break in sunny Porthcawl in South Wales has better odds of us not ending up with our heads being lobbed off etc..

Where are you going?

[Giggles]

Turkey.

[Jimmy Floyd]

All the holiday areas in Turkey (and no one ever goes outside the holiday areas) are perfectly safe.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just went on the euro tunnel for the first time. An hour delay but it was so much better than the ferry.

[Mazuuurk]

Is that some euphemism for shagging a prozzie in Prague?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

No.

Just went to the east side gallery (longest stretch of the Berlin wall still standing) and it was pretty surreal. Hard to imagine what it would have been like at the time.

Also went to Meirstuck for some sausage (no euphemism there either) and it was delicious.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Prague is brilliant but I almost fucked my ankle on the cobblestoned streets.

[mugbull]

My boy

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's just a shame I wasn't there long enough as those little train like tour trams looked boss.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Oh my, Czech waitress for lunch today was :wub: I think (well I've sort of convinced myself) that she was giving me the eye too.

The place we stayed was Dolni Vestonice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doln%C3%AD_V%C4%9Bstonice) as I found a good place. Just before bed I found out that they discovered the oldest ever permanent human settlement in the world. The stuff they found was from abut 25,000 years ago and the museum has some great pieces.

Also went to Austria for some Sachertorte and then to Bratislava to see the castle:

https://i.imgur.com/H1KnAX3.jpg

Genuinely want to go back there as I didn't get to go on the tour inside. The views were fucking mega too as it's on top of a hill.

Currently in Budapest for 2 nights (well Buda), what is there that I have to see?

[Spikey M]

Anyone been to Cape Verde? Any good? Or is it just a pretty beach and nothing else?

[Kikó]

My dad went to a resort and thought it was ok. Did a few excursions as well so wasn't just an English pleb.

He probably is.

[Clunge]

I had a fun week in Bratislava about 10 years ago - the views from the castle are, indeed, mega. Odd city though, and the locals (i.e. the 19-foot tall shaven-head cage fighter blokes) are scary as fuck.

[hfswjyr]

Oh my, Czech waitress for lunch today was :wub: I think (well I've sort of convinced myself) that she was giving me the eye too.

The place we stayed was Dolni Vestonice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doln%C3%AD_V%C4%9Bstonice) as I found a good place. Just before bed I found out that they discovered the oldest ever permanent human settlement in the world. The stuff they found was from abut 25,000 years ago and the museum has some great pieces.

Also went to Austria for some Sachertorte and then to Bratislava to see the castle:

Genuinely want to go back there as I didn't get to go on the tour inside. The views were fucking mega too as it's on top of a hill.

Currently in Budapest for 2 nights (well Buda), what is there that I have to see?

The government building by the Danube, and the ruin bars. Reagan statue, shoes along the Danube, and communist history tour if that interests you.
I also went to the Communist Statue Museum, which is a little outside Budapest, but it was pretty cool for 30 mins. It was literally just looking at the statues and then leaving. No real "museum" stuff.

[-james-]

The musical fountain on Margaret Island is less shit than it sounds and worth seeing. The nearby baths are good as well. I think that's where the water park is as well.

There's a place called Kishusom that does a mean hot dog if you happen to be in the vicinity.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Gone to a small local restaurant which has a guy playing violin, one on a cello/bass and another on some sort of massive xylophone type thing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bit strange but lol having Reagan looking at a memorial for the Red Army.

There was also a set up to watch matches in the little park by it but we're in an open tented bar thing.

There's also the red bull air race or something so there have been loads of stunt planes in the air. It did mean that the shoes were behind a bit of a fence so I couldn't go right up to them.

[Spikey M]

I had the best and worst meals of my life in Prague. We went to a local restaurant and had ‘Steak’ - that was all the menu said - and it came with some type of mashed vegetable(s) and an unidentifiable sauce. It was absolutely fucking superb. Sadly, the ‘Mixed Grill’ in Jo’s Bar was a travesty. It had some kind of watery stew along side it and it covered everything on the plate.

[Giggles]

I had the best and worst meals of my life in Prague. We went to a local restaurant and had ‘Steak’ - that was all the menu said - and it came with some type of mashed vegetable(s) and an unidentifiable sauce. It was absolutely fucking superb. Sadly, the ‘Mixed Grill’ in Jo’s Bar was a travesty. It had some kind of watery stew along side it and it covered everything on the plate.

I remember getting a mixed grill in Italy last year too which was fucking woeful. There was piles of lettuce in it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The dumplings I had in Prague were alright but a bit gummy. The ones in Dolni Vestonice were fucking mega though, I can't imagine them being much better. Same with the cabbage which tastes like it has been cooked in milk.

Going to Croatia tomorrow for a good few days and the food there :drool: I still remember the whole roasted pig. No menu just how many kilos of pig you wanted and done.

[-james-]

There's a place in Prague called Naše Maso and I think I had the best steak of my life there.

It's a butchers with a couple of tables in it. You go up to the counter and point at what you want and they fry it up in the back.

St. John in London is the same idea and is one of the best restaurants in the country. They're on to something.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck that sounds perfect.

[mugbull]

Dolni Vestovice is such a random place for a foreigner to go. I guess it has that oldest-settlement-ever thing going for it but other than that idk. Glad you enjoyed it though

[Spikey M]

Mok, the restaurant I went to was near our shithole hostel (1* no idea what it was called but a Hilton was near it) and the restaurant was near a basketball court. Any ideas?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Dolni Vestovice is such a random place for a foreigner to go. I guess it has that oldest-settlement-ever thing going for it but other than that idk. Glad you enjoyed it though

We were driving and I was looking for a place to stay near the border. Wanted Mikulov but it was too expensive and Booking.com threw up Dolni.

Small village but nice history and a genuinely quality looking woman so all positive.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Stayed in Rijeka last night and currently on the island of Krk. Went to Stare Baska earlier and the views were mega because the road just kept going up. Also went to the beach there and the water was fucking icy with loads of sea urchins on the sea bed.

The guy who owns the apartment in the town we're staying in is going to put a TV up by the barbecue for the Croatia game too.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Anyone got any experience with Airbnb? Anything I should do or should avoid?

[leedsrevolution]

Anyone got any experience with Airbnb? Anything I should do or should avoid?

Just don't get scammed. Never send them money directly ever. No protection if you do that. I've never used the service directly but currently dealing with victims of scams and air bnb is a common one.

[Boydy]

Anyone got any experience with Airbnb? Anything I should do or should avoid?

I used it for Krakow and Berlin. Both were great. Probably just make sure they've got plenty of decent reviews.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Be a bit careful and ask questions before if you can.

We got a really nice place near Madrid last year but the place in Cullera had a crap load of stairs and was a bit shit.

[-james-]

I've used it about ten times and the only bad experience I've had was at a place that had no reviews (booked in a pinch), so I guess that's probably the only thing.

I think it's very good, generally had very good experiences with it. Particularly in places like Spain where it can be absurdly cheaper than the alternatives.

[-james-]

Actually, I had a couple of sub-par experiences in Granada and Lisbon where it was someone renting out a place with loads of rooms and it's basically a hostel. They were dirt cheap though.

[-james-]

Also, some bitch in Toulouse left me a bad review saying we left a mess. It was fucking spotless m8.

[Kikó]

Used it in Florence and it was perfect. Tried to use it in Russia but the guy tried to treble the price so fuck him.

[Pepe]

Don't do it.

[hfswjyr]

Used it a lot 2 years ago all around Europe, and don't recall any bad experiences. It was nice to meet local people and get some local knowledge as well. Some friends even used it when visiting London, and the places were amazing.
I suspect it has become a lot more commercialised now, as I see companies offering Air-BnB services, etc.

[Giggles]

That's where it falls down for me. I don't want to meet some cunt and listen to where their favourite kombucha or Guyanese Street food is. Just fuck off and give me the keys.

[Spikey M]

I can’t think of anything worse. I’ve stayed in an actual B&B and that was shit enough, let alone staying in some Mahows spare room.

[mugbull]

It's the exact same contingent of people finding reasons to hate Airbnb that were pulling reasons out their ass for why they hate Uber. How am I not surprised.

Airbnb is pretty good, far better than the alternative of...is there an alternative? travel agencies, I guess...almost always cheaper and definitely more personal. You'll know pretty quickly upon messaging them how anal they are about their place, so if they seem too prickish then I'd pass because it's not worth that hassle

[mugbull]

That's where it falls down for me. I don't want to meet some cunt and listen to where their favourite kombucha or Guyanese Street food is. Just fuck off and give me the keys.

I bet you hate these apps because you know you'd receive terrible ratings on them and would soon be hounded out of society

[Giggles]

I bet you hate these apps because you know you'd receive terrible ratings on them and would soon be hounded out of society

I wouldn't receive any ratings because I wouldn't use them. I'd rather pay double for a hotel.

Also, society my hole.

[niko_cee]

I used AirBnB in Jersey and it suited my mob well. People were nice too, which was a boon, and we weren't so much living in their spare room as in an annex to their house. I think it might be a bit weird if you shared space, which I have heard of. I found the idea of them giving you feedback was a bit odd, although understandable.

[Spikey M]

It's the exact same contingent of people finding reasons to hate Airbnb that were pulling reasons out their ass for why they hate Uber. How am I not surprised.


Because it’s the same thing? Just stop being a cheap cunt and stay in a hotel. That way you don’t have to worry about Big Dave’s peephole and 2 way mirror.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah, I would be astonished if about 25% of these places don't have bedroom and bathroom hidden cameras, but all's fair in love and war.

[Luke Emia]

I'm off to Amsterdam next month for the missus 30th. Need somewhere good to eat in the evenings not too flash and pretentious but not Pizza Hut either. Also anywhere good for drinking in the evening.

[Raoul Duke]

I'm off to Amsterdam next month for the missus 30th. Need somewhere good to eat in the evenings not too flash and pretentious but not Pizza Hut either. Also anywhere good for drinking in the evening.

Check out Mata Hari. It's in the RLD but super nice for a birthday meal and the menu was great. We went there for Valentine's.

[Boydy]

Was having a vague look into skiing holidays this morning as it's something I'd quite like to try. Fucking hell, it's stupidly expensive.

[Magic]

2 day strike by RyanAir when we're due to come back on the 25th. Oh noez!

[-james-]

Was having a vague look into skiing holidays this morning as it's something I'd quite like to try. Fucking hell, it's stupidly expensive.

Look into Bulgaria, obviously not the Alpine experience but should be a fraction of the price. Used to go to Bansko when I lived in Greece, was good.

[Spikey M]

2 day strike by RyanAir when we're due to come back on the 25th. Oh noez!

Why are you flying with that rabble anyway?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why are you flying with that rabble anyway?

He's not made of money, especially now he's making less doing more work.

[John]

Was having a vague look into skiing holidays this morning as it's something I'd quite like to try. Fucking hell, it's stupidly expensive.

Zell am See in Austria wasn't overly dear the last time I went.

[Magic]

Why are you flying with that rabble anyway?

Cheaper since Monarch went bust.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/ryanair-flight-horror-plane-loses-14908509

Wishing you a pleasant flight Magic.

[Spikey M]

*Peasant

[John]

Why were we worrying about some forrin children struggling to breathe when that sort of thing could happen at any time?

[Giggles]

Ryanscare indeed.

[Adamski]

I'm off to Amsterdam next month for the missus 30th. Need somewhere good to eat in the evenings not too flash and pretentious but not Pizza Hut either. Also anywhere good for drinking in the evening.

Cafe Daalder in the Jewzone.

[Spikey M]

There’s a bloke I used to work with that goes on regular outings with his Mrs, but wherever they go they only eat at Pizzahut. He also had Haribo and a dry Ham sandwich for lunch and will only drink Coke (full sugar CocaCola). I reckon I’d have murdered him if I had to live with him. He’s probably Lewis.

[Disco]

No wonder he's got a big bum with a diet like that.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Booked an impromptu trip to Berlin with the other half next Friday. Any places that are a must see other than the obvious? Any WW2 stuff in particular.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

East Side Gallery (longest stretch of the wall)
Jewish Memorial
Brandenburg Gate

I only went for a few hours and that's all I saw bar checkpoint Charlie (pretty pointless tbh) but those are great although probably on your list.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Oui, along with Topography of Terror.

[John]

Someone else was going to Berlin pretty recently and got a load of recommendations. Have a look back through the thread and you'll find some good stuff.

[Boydy]

Stasi museum is pretty cool as it's their old offices preserved.

The Reichstag tour is decent too. You get to go up into the glass dome thing and look out over the city. The audio guide tells you what you're looking at as you go and gives you a load of history about it.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Cheers. Don't suppose the Krauts are big on cider as well as beer?

[Kikó]

Jimmy, your man AVB is staying at the hotel I'm at. Any messages for him?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I would ask him to have a double Scotch on me, but I know he already will.

[Luke Emia]

Booked an impromptu trip to Berlin with the other half next Friday. Any places that are a must see other than the obvious? Any WW2 stuff in particular.

Bunker tours near Gendensbrunen station are good. I'd second the Reichstag but I wouldn't do the dome tour I'd do the tour of the whole building.

[Pen]

Cheers. Don't suppose the Krauts are big on cider as well as beer?

Not really. I had a few ciders whilst there, but most places didn’t have any.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

No shit. I've been there since Friday now and the first one I've seen/had was from a mini market last night.

[phonics]

Amsterdam is an awful, awful city.

When you're not avoding certain death by cyclist, you're in a store or restaurant with a queue of people 40 deep. Then when you get to the front of the queue it's a 50/50 chance whether they will accept cash or card. And if they do accept card it's only this one or that one that you don't have so you get cash only to find out they don't accept cash. etc. etc.

Also weed there feels more illegal than it does over here because the only people consuming it are all grouped up in opium dens that have a giant list of rules. I went in one that got angry that I used a mobile phone to check twitter while smoking.

[-james-]

All of the reasons you listed sound more like flaws of the visitor rather than flaws of the city.

[Serj]

As someone who's there about once a year, I think the problem with Amsterdam is that the city centre has been completely taken over by tourist hordes. The slightly less central areas are fine.

It's a really beautiful city in any case. But if you want the partying and drugs you can also go to Rotterdam, and if you want the beauty with fewer crowds Utrecht is not far away.

[phonics]

As someone who's there about once a year, I think the problem with Amsterdam is that the city centre has been completely taken over by tourist hordes. The slightly less central areas are fine.

It's a really beautiful city in any case. But if you want the partying and drugs you can also go to Rotterdam, and if you want the beauty with fewer crowds Utrecht is not far away.

I'll give it that. The architecture is second to none. Every other building is completely different but equally beautiful. The canals smell like ass when it's 37 degrees too.

[Spikey M]

There’s a bloke I used to work with that goes on regular outings with his Mrs, but wherever they go they only eat at Pizzahut. He also had Haribo and a dry Ham sandwich for lunch and will only drink Coke (full sugar CocaCola). I reckon I’d have murdered him if I had to live with him. He’s probably Lewis.

He’s just had surgery to remove Kidney Stones and has been told to lay off the coke. lol.

[Magic]

2 day strike by RyanAir when we're due to come back on the 25th. Oh noez!

So this happened. Got an extra 4 days in Portugal.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Berlin was fantastic.

It's an odd but poignant feeling standing at a lot of the landmarks knowing what happened there in the war. Those 'then and now' blended photos people have done are always cool.

A couple of obligatory photos-

https://s8.postimg.cc/5wlq2r2fp/IMG_2307.jpg

https://s8.postimg.cc/gxgv78cit/IMG_2310.jpg

Got me right in the mood for watching Downfall and The Lives of Others again.

[phonics]

The thing that struck me about Berlin was how you don't notice that stuff is there and then you're bang in the middle of it. Like going to football stadiums in London.

[igor_balis]

Off to Edinburgh tomorrow, then. Booked about 20 shows, p excited. Any good cheap restaurants to recommend, gang?

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Off to Edinburgh tomorrow, then. Booked about 20 shows, p excited. Any good cheap restaurants to recommend, gang?

My experience of dining out in Edinburgh is very limited but I highly recommend this Turkish place-

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186525-d7914680-Reviews-Verdo_Turkish_BBQ_Restaurant-Edinburgh_Scotland.html

[Magic]

Off to Edinburgh tomorrow, then. Booked about 20 shows, p excited. Any good cheap restaurants to recommend, gang?

Chaopraya is great with amazing views of the castle. Expensive though.

[Giggles]

Off to Edinburgh tomorrow, then. Booked about 20 shows, p excited. Any good cheap restaurants to recommend, gang?

Won't you end up at a house party as a drug addled mess not talking to some girl you've fell in love with on the space of one glance? So what does it matter where you eat?

[Magic]

Lol I got my conversion wrong and spent 1/5th of our week budget on an open to bus tour and airport transfers.

[Magic]

Yeah I took out another hundred quid but ended up using my credit card as well. Those 5 days cost me about a grand in spending alone.

Well worth it though. Great city is Budapest.

[Magic]

Prestwick Airport is a unique and quite wonderful thing. Ugly west coast bastards.

[-james-]

Elvis, mate.

[Magic]

2 flights and not one nice bird. And you know my standards are dire. Though with destinations like Alicante and Murcia I'm hardly surprised.

Edit: also never seen so many jogging bottoms. Holy hell.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I have a spare week off in November, a low to mid budget, probably by myself. Give me a European city (west of the iron curtain) that I won't have thought of and will be a good visit.

[Raoul Duke]

Florence

[Giggles]

Limerick.

[Magic]

I have a spare week off in November, a low to mid budget, probably by myself. Give me a European city (west of the iron curtain) that I won't have thought of and will be a good visit.

Budapest.

[-james-]

I have a spare week off in November, a low to mid budget, probably by myself. Give me a European city (west of the iron curtain) that I won't have thought of and will be a good visit.

Bilbao.

[Kikó]

Siena.

Munich.


Anyone been to Argentina and have tips?

[Giggles]

Siena.

Munich.


Anyone been to Argentina and have tips?

Don't go to third world shitholes would be the only one I could think of.

[Kikó]

Argentina is third world?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Limerick.

I get enough of those bumpkins at work. And Cork, fucking spare me.


Bilbao.

Hmm, super shout but will they accept my Spanish or will I have to do pointing at things in English because they're all vizcaino?

[Giggles]

South America on the whole is one big dust riddled shanty town.

[Kikó]

I get enough of those bumpkins at work. And Cork, fucking spare me.



Hmm, super shout but will they accept my Spanish or will I have to do pointing at things in English because they're all vizcaino?

Why don't you give Porto a go?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is another good option, never been to the north of Portugal.

[Giggles]

I get enough of those bumpkins at work. And Cork, fucking spare me.



Hmm, super shout but will they accept my Spanish or will I have to do pointing at things in English because they're all vizcaino?

No bumpkins in the city, they'll just cut you in there It's good craic though at the same time.

[Kikó]

I know it doesn't fall on the right side of the curtain but I loved Sofia when I went. Food is brilliant.

[Giggles]

I'd second that. Been there three time this year and never ate in the same place twice. Yet to get anything less than excellent.

The people are head and shoulders over the rest of the iron curtain cretins too.



.

[Magic]

Can you fly to Sofia from Scotland?

[Giggles]

I'd be very surprised if you couldn't.

[Magic]

Die you Irish cunt.

[Giggles]

Die you Irish cunt.

What are you on about you highly strung little slug?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Die you Irish cunt.

:D

Jimmy I found no problems with my lack of Spanish in Bilbao.

[Giggles]

Ryanair do a non stop from Edinburgh to Sofia.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've looked at Dublin as well but fuck me it looks expensive.

[Giggles]

I've looked at Dublin as well but fuck me it looks expensive.

I honestly couldn't imagine you liking here at all and Dublin is easily the worst place here.

[-james-]

I think everyone speaks Spanish in Bilbao. You don't really hear much Basque.

It's the weird little mountain towns (which are great) that are a struggle.

[phonics]

I really enjoyed Naples. I went at Christmas and it was probably one of my favourite holidays. If you can find out if they start decorating the place up when you're going I'd really recommend it. They have this amazing cultural dedication to the nativity but it takes on a whole different form. You can buy the Napoli starting lineup instead of the three shepards. I'm not sure they'll still have this one up from when I went though:

https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/rafa.jpg

There were also several variations on Berlusconi as Satan. The city is eminently walkable and if you want to shove a bit of tourism, you can do Pompeii during the day and still get back for a culturally appropriate time for dinner.

Also my Italian doesn't go any further than Grazi and I survived.

[Magic]

Ryanair do a non stop from Edinburgh to Sofia.

Cheers bro.

[Pen]

Bilbao is indeed great. You could also easily work in a few days in San Sebastian (and/or other nearby towns).

[Clunge]

Rotterdam, Seville, Granada, Porto or perhaps Corsica. Bologna is ace too but I think if you’ve got a week to play with, you’d probs want to split that with another city or just do the whole region - Bologna, Parma, Modena. If the fixtures work out, it’d be pretty easy to squeeze a couple of football matches in too.

Me and two friends have booked flights for two weeks in India over Christmas. I’m pretty damn excited.

[Kikó]

Anywhere planned?

[Shindig]

Looks like my two weeks off in March are solid. New York. Lay it on me.

[Clunge]

Anywhere planned?
Nope, not yet. Rough plan = golden triangle, the Goa/west coast. Flying back from Mumbai.

I’m in Dubrovnik atm. Three-day work conference. Love this city. Love Croatia.

[hfswjyr]

I've solo travelled a lot of places, but I was really glad I went on a fully organised tour in India. The country really is something totally different, and the most culture shock I've ever had.

Golden Triangle is great. Some really cool spots along the coast in Mumbai as well. Travel by train if you're brave.

[Kikó]

My friend did the train and it sounded a pretty mental experience. India is completely mental - Goa should be ok due to the Portuguese influence but Agra, Bangalore and Jaipur were all different levels of crazy.

[phonics]

I'm off to Madrid on Saturday, I'll be mostly working but is there anything worth checking out?

[hfswjyr]

The royal palace is pretty incredible. Take a bike around Buen Retiro Park.
Bernabau and Athletico obviously.

[phonics]

I'll be staying next to the Bernebau, it's the Clasico as well that week but it's in Barcelona.

I've heard the new Atletico stadium is in the middle of nowhere.

edit: Anyone know if they do a thing like 3 do where I can buy a simcard that comes loaded with data?

[-james-]

Yeah I've bought a sim card with data in Spain before, Vodafone iirc but you might need ID.

Go to a game at the Wanda if you can, it's better than the Bernabeu.

[phonics]

Sadly the two games I could make it to are away from home.

[Adamski]

Why would you not just use your own data plan?

[phonics]

Why would I get charged through the nose using foreign data if I could just buy 15GB of data for 15 quid? That's a mugs game.

[Giggles]

Why would I get charged through the nose using foreign data if I could just buy 15GB of data for 15 quid? That's a mugs game.

Does Switzerland not have a deal to fall under the EU roaming regulations where there basically isn't roaming any more? Assuming your current SIM is Swiss.

[Adamski]

They still fall under the roaming regulations if we go visit, yeah.

Guess it’s not the same the other way round.

[phonics]

Does Switzerland not have a deal to fall under the EU roaming regulations where there basically isn't roaming any more? Assuming your current SIM is Swiss.

Nope. We can contact EU landlines for local rates from within Switzerland but as soon as you go abroad you get rinsed like the good old days. EU isn't all bad lads.

[Giggles]

Nope. We can contact EU landlines for local rates from within Switzerland but as soon as you go abroad you get rinsed like the good old days. EU isn't all bad lads.

Not sure if this still applies then.

https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/the-best-sim-cards-for-your-trip-to-spain.html

[Giggles]

There's one looks to be 10.5GB for €20.

https://m.orange.es/tienda/tarifa/movil-prepago/

[phonics]

That Lycamobile one is perfect. I couldn't give a shit about minutes just need to be able to use Spotify and check Twitter when I'm bored.

Cheers.

[randomlegend]

Just landed in Iceland, here for a week. Really looking forward to it although it's cost a BOMB.

Does Pen live here? Or Amigo? One of them lot.

[Spikey M]

Meegs

[randomlegend]

Apart from being bonkers expensive, Iceland is incredible.

[Spikey M]

I’ve heard this before. How much is a beer/coffee/pretentious chocolate?

[phonics]

I’ve eaten so much tapas today that I’ve gone back to my Airbnb for a nap. Call me Jose.

[randomlegend]

I’ve heard this before. How much is a beer/coffee/pretentious chocolate?

I'd say on average things are 1.5× to 2× what they cost in the UK (even worse in places you should never buy stuff like petrol stations).

[Jimmy Floyd]

I’ve eaten so much tapas today that I’ve gone back to my Airbnb for a nap. Call me Jose.

I'll save you time for all future trips away, just cut and paste the above and change the bolded words as appropriate.

coq au vin / affair / Pierre
cheeseburger / lynching / Hank
waffles / joint / Wim
vodka / suicide / Jarkko
pizza / look at myself in the mirror / Gianni

etc.

[phonics]

I’ve absolutely nailed pretending I know what anyone’s saying to me. Some grandma started talking to me for a straight 90 seconds while I smiled and nodded. Just said Buenos Serra! And walked off. This language is so confusing.

I figured my French would give me a half decent base but it’s absolutely unintelligible.

[Kikó]

A couple of my colleagues brought food with them to Iceland to keep the costs down. Also said it was incredible though.

[Giggles]

If you're bringing your own food on holiday then they should just be going somewhere they can afford.

[Kikó]

I suppose but I don't think you go to Iceland for the cuisine unless you like whale.

[phonics]

And miss out on the famous Icelandic cuisine of *checks notes* 100 year old pickled Pelican?

[Spikey M]

If you're bringing your own food on holiday then they should just be going somewhere they can afford.

In fairness, isn’t their cuisine akin to Japanese? All whales cock and Shark bladder. Take a tub of Pringles lad.

[phonics]

I had some Jamon Ruffles today. Massively overrated.

[Giggles]

In fairness, isn’t their cuisine akin to Japanese? All whales cock and Shark bladder. Take a tub of Pringles lad.

I'd bring that fine, but the hassle of food for a whole holiday?

[randomlegend]

We took a few snacky bits for the room. Otherwise we've been buying bread rolls and fillings to make our own lunges to take on the day trips with us.

Evenings we've gone out a couple of times, got a couple of takeaways in the hotel room.

I get the feeling of not wanting to bother with making sandwiches (or whatever) on holiday but paying like £8 for a supermarket sandwich just feels like throwing money in the bin.

[randomlegend]

On the subject of what the foods like here, everything we've had so far has been relatively simple but EXTREMELY well done. Everything perfectly cooked etc. Really quite surprised me, it's great

[igor_balis]

There's some good icelandic recipes in the Rick Stein book I've got. Also would love to visit

[hfswjyr]

Icelandic hot dogs are great. So is the craft beer.

The prices are crazy, but then you've gotta consider they have to import basically everything to the middle of nowhere.

[Ian]

Anyone been to Tangier?

I'm on the Costa del Sol for a week and can do a day trip there including your travel, lunch, etc. for €67 which sounds like a bit of a bargain.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

She might be there.

[Mazuuurk]

Going to Lisbon with the missus in a few weeks for a weekend. Need tips on basically everything - where to stay (specific hotels?), eat, what to do, etc.

Ping @Kiko or anyone else who knows Lisbon a bit.


The only thing I know to do is to go LOL properly at the Ronaldo mong statue.

[Baz]

I thought they got rid of/fixed that? And presumably it’s in Madeira?

[Raoul Duke]

Going to Lisbon with the missus in a few weeks for a weekend. Need tips on basically everything - where to stay (specific hotels?), eat, what to do, etc.

Ping @Kiko or anyone else who knows Lisbon a bit.


The only thing I know to do is to go LOL properly at the Ronaldo mong statue.

We stayed near Praça do Comércio at this place: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2446667?guests=1&adults=1 - was a great location.

Suggest day trips out to Cascais and Sintra. Visit Belem too for the home of Pastel De Nata :drool:

[Mazuuurk]

Hmm now I booked a hotel a bit further north, this one (https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/lisboa-pessoa.sv.html?aid=303948;label=lisbon-IpMoUoWcY6NTz_TTwJLwTwS182989507399%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1 2760%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atiaud-285284111166%3Akwd-67342787%3Alp9062455%3Ali%3Adec%3Adm;sid=5f30a4111 afdaea97e623c77bc3fc94f;all_sr_blocks=195850403_93 613037_0_2_0;checkin=2019-01-31;checkout=2019-02-03;dest_id=8259;dest_type=district;dist=0;group_ad ults=2;hapos=2;highlighted_blocks=195850403_936130 37_0_2_0;hpos=2;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr _order=popularity;srepoch=1546080553;srpvid=80ac4c 14f1cd0394;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl).


Not too keen on an Air BnB. May cancel that though, if I can spot something a bit better closer to the water, as that seems nice.

[Pen]

Lisbon is great. Haven’t been in years so won’t recommend anything food/hotel wise,but I echo Raouls sentiments re the trips to places close by.

[Pen]

We’re going for our first family holiday to Madeira in March. All tips are welcome as I haven’t had the chance to look out for anything bar the hotel.

[Boydy]

To Madeira isn't real.

[Pen]

Shit. It did seem too good to be true.

[Ian]

To Madeira isn't real.

Well played.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:D

Nicely done.

[Manc sean]

Going to Lisbon with the missus in a few weeks for a weekend. Need tips on basically everything - where to stay (specific hotels?), eat, what to do, etc.

Ping @Kiko or anyone else who knows Lisbon a bit.


The only thing I know to do is to go LOL properly at the Ronaldo mong statue.

Eating go to time out - probably more than once.

Boozing just head to barrio alto district.

[Clunge]

Taberna Rue das Flores served up the best meal I had in Lisbon. In fact, one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. Get there early and get your name down on the list.

[Manc sean]

I have tried to post twice in this thread without success.

[Manc sean]

Going to Lisbon with the missus in a few weeks for a weekend. Need tips on basically everything - where to stay (specific hotels?), eat, what to do, etc.

Ping @Kiko or anyone else who knows Lisbon a bit.


The only thing I know to do is to go LOL properly at the Ronaldo mong statue.

Go to timeout for food - possibly multiple times.

For boozing go to barrio alto district. Cascais probably isn't worth it without the weather.

[Manc sean]

Fuck sake, whenever I quote someone the post doesn't appear.

Lisbon. Go to timeout for food - possibly multiple times.

For booze head to barrio alto district.

Cascais probably isn't worth it if you don't have the weather.

[Kikó]

Restaurants
100 maneiras Bistro – really good restaurant in Chiado area with an interesting wine list (try to book – you can ask your hotel)
Leão d'Ouro - very traditional restaurant near Rossio which has the beautiful azulejos (painted tiles) inside
Cevejaria Ramon - good for seafood/fish on the Avenida de Liberdade (informal)
Saborear - new restaurant with great reviews
Cantinho do Avillez - one of the many restaurants by Michelin star chef José Avillez (he has several great restaurants in Lisbon - another called Pateo) need to book though definitely https://www.joseavillez.pt/en/jose-avillez (again, ask your hotel to try for you)
Mercado da Ribeira - fantastic place for lunch or dinner (more informal than any of the Avillez restaurants)

Nightlife
Pensão do Amor is a fun bar in an area called Cais do Sodré
Topo Clube is a cool bar
Sky Bar on top of the Tivoli hotel has great views as does the Hotel do Chiado bar.
Best Club is Lux (co-owned by John Malkovich)

@maz

[Kikó]

Currently at a bar in Santiago and the vibe is great. In Barrio bellavista which is "Bohemian". Been in BA and Mendoza the past few days but neither compare to here at the moment. Flew over the Andes to get here earlier and it's an amazing flight.

Heading further west tomorrow before heading down to Patagonia. Catch my Twitter thread if you want to be bored.

[Giggles]

I'm going up the Sugarloaf in the morning. I won't be tweeting.

[Kikó]

Unfollowed.

[Manc sean]

Better off going at dusk. I got a great picture with a pal up there at sunset.

[Kikó]

By the way Sean, I'm in Bali around 4th January next year if you're still in Asia at that time.

[Manc sean]

Hmm, probs will come home 2nd latest altho Bali is on the potential hit list as sej (who came poland/ukrainewith us) lives out there now.

[Kikó]

Working out how long I'm out there but the wedding I'm going to is then so likely to be in Asia / Australia from post Christmas. I'll drop you a text when I know.

[Mazuuurk]

Thanks for all the tips Keeks, Raoul & Sean :thbup:

Lass is cocooning another Maz Jr so won't be livin it up too large, but a couple of nice restaurants is basically enough to satisfy us I reckon!

[Magic]

Any tips for travelling alone? I want to do a few city breaks on my norman. I know some of you have done this, having never really done anything on my adult own, like ever, it's a pretty fucking huge step for me but one I need to take.

I want to stick to Europe initially, and will be waiting until after BREXIT.

I will have a week or so in Portugal with my daughter in the summer and aim to take her to London for a few days to see a show, just in case you think I'm being a cunt.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Take a coat...

[Shindig]

I will have a week or so in Portugal with my daughter in the summer.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/04/27/09/0C068B1800000578-5548741-Kate_and_Gerry_McCann_mark_the_fourth_anniversary_ of_the_disappe-m-2_1524816157149.jpg

[Kikó]

Perito Mereno today - absolutely ridiculous. Looks and feels like something from Game of Thrones.

1081580398902161408?s=19

[Magic]

Imagine going on holiday with Mahow and Shinners.

[Giggles]

Imagine going on holiday with Mahow and Shinners.

I'd rather it than the next in the line above.

[Spikey M]

Magic does look a bit like Papa McCann actually.

[Magic]

I'd rather go with Kiko now. :)

I'm visiting you in Newport btw.

[Bam]

Anyone up for an informal beer around the 4th on Jan in Bali?

[Giggles]

I'd rather go with Kiko now. :)

I'm visiting you in Newport btw.

Now? Did you get a rib removed or something?

[Kikó]

I'd rather go with Kiko now. :)

I'm visiting you in Newport btw.

Next time I'm up - formal pint.

[Magic]

:thbup:

[-james-]

Any tips for travelling alone? I want to do a few city breaks on my norman. I know some of you have done this, having never really done anything on my adult own, like ever, it's a pretty fucking huge step for me but one I need to take.

I want to stick to Europe initially, and will be waiting until after BREXIT.

I will have a week or so in Portugal with my daughter in the summer and aim to take her to London for a few days to see a show, just in case you think I'm being a cunt.


Wikivoyage/wikitravel (I think the former is the better one) and the search function of the 4chan travel board archive (https://archive.4plebs.org/trv/). Hostel bars are good for finding strangers to chat bollocks to. They usually do private rooms if you can't hack the dorms.

[Andy]

Trying to book my honeymoon for the end of the year, went to four different travel agents today and they were all either useless or really not interested in helping.

We want to fly to New York for four nights, then fly to the Bahamas for a week all inclusive, then fly to Miami for a few nights before flying back home.

We'd rather go through a travel agent so we don't have to shell out all the costs ourselves up front but the travel agents didn't seem interested. The only one who vaguely wanted to help was Kuoni.

Annoying.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mate, leave the early 90s.

[Kikó]

Why through a travel agent? You could always try through Expedia to make it all happen. This trip has been all self booked and it's not been overly difficult.

[The Merse]

Yeh I can’t imagine going to a travel agents these days.

Fair bit of travel lined up again this year. This week I’ll be shelling out for flights to Dublin for 6 nations beers with some mates over there, Albufeira for a stag do and Japan for 3 weeks of travelling and rugby World Cup games. I’ve got tickets for a couple of games from the first ballot when it was union members only, but I’ve missed out in the subsequent ballots, but get first dibs on the general sale on the 15th and hope to add a couple more. Either way, it should be an experience.

Any been and wanna share any tips on where to go that I’m not likely to find in the lonely planet guides?

[Boom-Boom-18]

What is the best way of carrying money in New York?

I am going in a couple of weeks and I don't really want to be carrying cash around if there is an alternative. I do not have a credit card I can use.

I have read a little bit about various 'money' cards you can use but I have heard mixed reviews.

[Giggles]

What is the best way of carrying money in New York?

I am going in a couple of weeks and I don't really want to be carrying cash around if there is an alternative. I do not have a credit card I can use.

I have read a little bit about various 'money' cards you can use but I have heard mixed reviews.

Revolut.

[The Merse]

Revolut (https://www.revolut.com/).

We Swap is great for rates and the UI, loading etc but can be a fucker when turned down in the odd place. Others are shite on the rates. Revolut has the perfect mix, and is becoming ubiquitous.

[Boom-Boom-18]

Thanks guys, I am just looking into it now.

[Lewis]

Just fold it up and keep it in your shoe.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDsfzJXGAo8

Cause fanny means your arse over there, not your minge.

[Kikó]

What is the best way of carrying money in New York?

I am going in a couple of weeks and I don't really want to be carrying cash around if there is an alternative. I do not have a credit card I can use.

I have read a little bit about various 'money' cards you can use but I have heard mixed reviews.

I've used Halifax Clarity for a while. Great credit card.

Monzo let's you withdraw £200 without charge per month then 3%. I've just opened transferwise and that lets you open a USD account if you want and obviously no charge there.

[Andy]

Why through a travel agent? You could always try through Expedia to make it all happen. This trip has been all self booked and it's not been overly difficult.

We were hoping to book through a travel agent, pay a deposit and then the balance later in the year. The wedding is sucking up all our disposable income at the moment.

Also depending on what you're doing they can get better rates than online, we booked a cruise for April through Planet Cruise which worked out just under £100 cheaper p/p than going direct through MSC.

[Kikó]

Ah understood. That's why we delayed ours for a few years.

Congrats as well.

[Andy]

Ah understood. That's why we delayed ours for a few years.

Congrats as well.

Thanks.

We are thinking now possibly to just go to one of the Caribbean Islands for a couple of weeks and going to New York for a weekend separately. Can get some bargain flights over to New York so shouldn't work out too much more expensive that way.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You're not missing much if you skip Miami.

[-james-]

Speaking of travel agents, I was walking past one the other day and noticed an ad for a seven day cruise in June that goes Dundee - Kirkwall - Lerwick - Torshavn - Newcastle.

I've never done anything like that before, but I found the idea quite tempting. Anyone done similar?

[-james-]

I think the issue would be going on a holiday in June to places even more miserable than where I live.

[Adamski]

I'm looking at Croatia or somewhere similar for 3 nights max around March/April time. Haven't been at all but not sure whether I should just do Dubrovnik or is somewhere else off the beaten track a bit better?

Either that or Florence/Bologna.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sounds an absolute blast, dino. Bring your own mead horn.

[Kikó]

Speaking of travel agents, I was walking past one the other day and noticed an ad for a seven day cruise in June that goes Dundee - Kirkwall - Lerwick - Torshavn - Newcastle.

I've never done anything like that before, but I found the idea quite tempting. Anyone done similar?

I think my parents in law did something similar. Cruised around going to the Hebrides, Ireland and then into England for Liverpool. They loved it.

And the Tay is fantastic so worth seeing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm looking at Croatia or somewhere similar for 3 nights max around March/April time. Haven't been at all but not sure whether I should just do Dubrovnik or is somewhere else off the beaten track a bit better?

Either that or Florence/Bologna.

Dubrovnik is great but pretty expensive.

As far as the bigger cities go I preferred Split although there's not a lot in it.

[mugbull]

I'm looking at Croatia or somewhere similar for 3 nights max around March/April time. Haven't been at all but not sure whether I should just do Dubrovnik or is somewhere else off the beaten track a bit better?

Either that or Florence/Bologna.

Umag will be even cheaper and much trashier, but why not

[Spikey M]

I'm looking at Croatia or somewhere similar for 3 nights max around March/April time. Haven't been at all but not sure whether I should just do Dubrovnik or is somewhere else off the beaten track a bit better?

Either that or Florence/Bologna.

We're going to Pula in June. It looks beautiful.

[Pen]

I wouldn’t recommend Pula as I thought it was the worst of the big coastal towns. That said, there are beautiful places very close to it, so it works well as a base. I’d look into Premantura, Rovinj and Porec for day trips. All absolutely stunning and maybe half an hour away by car. Then there’s also Brijuni, Piran and Trieste that are all well worth a day trip.

Then again my sister loved Pula, so I might just be negative as I preferred the smaller places during our three week trip with the missus along the coast. I also got a food poisoning in Pula.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

As far as small towns go Skradin is immense.

Plus you can get a 20 minute boat from there to the Krka waterfalls.

[Pen]

Kotor would probably be my choice for a three day trip around there.

[Spikey M]

Scrap that. We're actually staying in Rabac, Pula is just where we land.

[Adamski]

Kotor would probably be my choice for a three day trip around there.

I'll take a look at Kotor, it is only 3 days so don't really want to be travelling on day trips within that. Just looking to chill, do some sightseeing and eat some decent food.

[Adamski]

Ended up booking Bologna for a weekend, looks mint. Direct flights from Edinburgh was the clincher.

[Kikó]

If you could be bothered, I'd say go to Siena. It's probably too much for a weekend but it's incredible.

[ScousePig]

I've had a few nights in Split and a few in Dubrovnik. The latter was a great place to visit but more touristy and expensive. Split is more traditional and it's perhaps slightly easier to do day trips from there (in fairness you can go from either). I went to Mostar, Mejugorge (sane day) and Hvar Island. The national parks are meant to be great. Pletvice I think.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Plitvice is apparently the daddy of national parks there. I only went to Krka though which is also beautiful.

What we did was fly to Venice (shithole) then take a train/bus to Pula, hire a car and work down towards Dubrovnik. The coastal/mountain roads are fucking immense.

As for holiday this year, I'm going at the end of February to Dominican Republic.

[ScousePig]

I either could have gone to Plitvice or Mostar, and the history and chance to visit another country won. Ideally obviously do both in separate days. I also got the coach down from Dubrovnik to Split, which was a stunning journey.

Venice at Christmas was great a couple of years ago. Quiet and peaceful, basically. You just have to hope the canals don't flood/dry up. When I passed through in the summer, I got the train to Gorizia, a bus over the Slovenian border to Nova Gorica, and then the train up to Bled. Absolutely stunning.

A couple of children in my class go to the Dominican Republic a fair bit.

[Adamski]

If you could be bothered, I'd say go to Siena. It's probably too much for a weekend but it's incredible.

Yeah I remember you talking about that before. I might go through to Florence for the day to see Fiorentina play, other than that I think we'll just stick to Bologna for this one. Pisa, Cinque Terre & Siena are definitely on the list though.

[Kikó]

For Florence, book whatever you want to see ahead e.g. Michelangelo's David because the queues can be horrendous

[Pen]

Plitvitce is nicer than Krka in my opinion, but you can’t swim there. Mljet was also good. We went canoeing there on the in island lake.

[Kikó]

Also, I'm going to the vineyards of Mendoza today and tomorrow. 3 vineyards followed by a huge lunch. Looking forward to the afternoon siesta.

[hfswjyr]

Yeh I can’t imagine going to a travel agents these days.

Fair bit of travel lined up again this year. This week I’ll be shelling out for flights to Dublin for 6 nations beers with some mates over there, Albufeira for a stag do and Japan for 3 weeks of travelling and rugby World Cup games. I’ve got tickets for a couple of games from the first ballot when it was union members only, but I’ve missed out in the subsequent ballots, but get first dibs on the general sale on the 15th and hope to add a couple more. Either way, it should be an experience.

Any been and wanna share any tips on where to go that I’m not likely to find in the lonely planet guides?

Where are you going in Japan? I've got a list I pass around for Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo, but you'd probably find most things on my list in Lonely Planet.

Also, I'm incredibly jealous.

[Boydy]

Thinking of going to Munich around May for a long weekend. What's good there? What area would be best to stay in?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Everything is good there. Would find time for Dachau though if you're into that sort of thing.

[Boydy]

Everything is good there. Would find time for Dachau though if you're into that sort of thing.

Oh, didn't realise it was nearby. I'm going with my cousin and last time we went away was to Krakow where we went to Auschwitz.

[The Merse]

Where are you going in Japan? I've got a list I pass around for Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo, but you'd probably find most things on my list in Lonely Planet.

Also, I'm incredibly jealous.

I need to be in Shizuoka On the 9th for Scotland v Russia and Tokyo on the 19th for the quarter final that either Scotland or (less likely) Ireland will be in. I expect to pick another 1 or 2 tickets in the general sale next week to fill a couple of days in between too, but I’ll be looking to all three of those.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Oh, didn't realise it was nearby. I'm going with my cousin and last time we went away was to Krakow where we went to Auschwitz.

:D

Might want to stick to the beer halls then.

[Boydy]

Mentioned it to him there, we might go anyway. Maybe go see all the concentration camps at some point.

[Kikó]

Dachau is worth a visit. There's a big Japanese garden as well. Olympic stadium is worth a visit then go to a beer garden.

[Pen]

Thinking of going to Munich around May for a long weekend. What's good there? What area would be best to stay in?

Went with the wife a year ago and absolutely loved it. Good food scene and the castles nearby were well worth a visit. Everything closed ridiculously early though.

[Shindig]

Gonna probably jack New York in this year (cowardice) for a London and Dublin double-header in March. Or something.

[Boydy]

Went with the wife a year ago and absolutely loved it. Good food scene and the castles nearby were well worth a visit. Everything closed ridiculously early though.

What, like even bars and stuff?