The Travel Thread

[ScousePig]

Indeed, it's quite sad really.

[Kikó]

I was thinking about it the other day. It would mean the London pull is there for the players and you'd get sightly better weather.

[Adamski]

In Girona for the next 4-5 days. Did you come here dino?

Only arrived at two but it's looking promising so far, very old and medieval in parts. Loads of cobbled streets.

Hitting this up either tomorrow or Saturday.

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-07-02/game-of-thrones-visit-the-real-braavos

[Adamski]

Girona is absolutely amazing. Food is incredible as you would expect. It's all tiny cobbled streets and cafes.

Went a walk on the old city walls yesterday, views of Montjuic and down into Girona old town.

Currently sitting in a cafe smoking after destroying a slab of bread, ham and cheese with a double espresso for breakfast. :cool:

Went to a seafood restaurant last night, had seafood paella and Galician style octopus which was still alive when we ordered it.

http://i66.tinypic.com/iy1wzn.jpg

[Kikó]

Looks incredible Merse.

[Pen]

No food photo can compete with Charlie's chicken on pasta, but fresh octopus/squid/cuttlefish is indeed quite good.

[Magic]

You're a fucking monster, Merse.

[-james-]

I've never been to Girona, or eaten live octopus, but that looks pretty damn good.

Pan con tomate is the best breakfast dish in the world I think, but you can't go wrong with ham and cheese I guess.

[Adamski]

It's an awesome place dino, Barca next tomorrow for 5 days for a friends wedding.

Get fucked Kiko.

[Magic]

It's an awesome place dino, Barca next tomorrow for 5 days for a friends wedding. Get fucked Kiko.Stop getting me mixed up with him, I know we're both successful and good looking though.

[Adamski]

Sorry, I'm at kickboxing just now. Leave a message and I'll get back to you.

[Kikó]

:D

(Sorry Adz)

Fresh fish is great though. When I visit Portugal, the place my missus owns near Nazare beach is owned by the Pires family (little known fact but Pires is Portuguese and it's pronounced Pier-sgh) . The sardines there are unbelievable. Actually all of the food is

[Kikó]

Anyone been to Sofia?

[phonics]

Never met her.

[Kikó]

Fuck off aids boy.

[phonics]

Nice hate crime.

[Spoonsky]

Anyone been to Sofia?

Go to Hambara, it's a bar in an old stables lit entirely by candle. There's no sign for it, you just have to knock on this wooden door at the end of an alleyway. :D

Looking up the churches of Sofia it looks like I missed most of the interesting ones. Alexander Nevski Cathedral is beautiful though surrounded by a parking lot.

Play chess with the old guys in the City Garden.

Eat a massive slice of pizza for one euro.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The old guys in the City Garden must have loved you.

[John]

Fresh fish is great though. When I visit Portugal, the place my missus owns near Nazare beach is owned by the Pires family (little known fact but Pires is Portuguese and it's pronounced Pier-sgh) . The sardines there are unbelievable. Actually all of the food is

The one good thing about the Algarve is the fresh seafood in Alvor. The Captain's Table was responsible for some of the most delicious meals I've had in my life.

[Spoonsky]

The old guys in the City Garden must have loved you.

http://imgur.com/C8bisRt.jpg

He donned me. :(

[Jimmy Floyd]

To be fair I doubt you're the first person he's donned in his time.

[Magic]

Looking at a city break around mid-September time for 3/4 days.

It will be a romantic trip.

Any tips?

[phonics]

Hampstead Heath.

[Spoonsky]

What's wrong with Hampstead Heath ffs? :(

[Adamski]

What's wrong with Hampstead Heath ffs? :(

You know truck stops with long grass? Yeah, that.

[Adamski]

Planning my next trip now I'm home.

Current initial options are:

Split
Nice
Heraklion

Aiming for first week in October.

[Giggles]

What's Hampstead Heath? I was thinking of Hemel Hempstead before but I don't know why that rings a bell either.

[phonics]

What's wrong with Hampstead Heath ffs? :(

Nothing if you like some consensual bumming in public.

[Giggles]

Ah. Basically a big public toilet then?

[Magic]

Planning my next trip now I'm home.

Current initial options are:

Split
Nice
Heraklion

Aiming for first week in October.

Sounds like Mahow's itinerary for his Ukraine trip.

[Clunge]

I went to Split in late September last year. Could not recommend it more, although a whole week might just be pushing its charms a bit too far, albeit you can get out the city to go to Skradinski (amazing waterfalls) and Plitvice (even more amazing waterfally, lakey national park). Oh, and Krka too (more of the same).

We did six days in Croatia split between Dubrovnik and Split. I unconditionally loved the country.

[Adamski]

Yeah sounds excellent from the posts earlier in the thread. Do you think it would be doable with a 2 year old?

Probably wouldn't do a full week, maybe Wed-Sat but the options there to tie in Dubrovnik as well.

[Clunge]

Yeah, definitely. I doubt there's masses to do specifically for kids, but I'm sure they'd be happy enough coming along for the ride.

Note: I am probably not remotely qualified to comment on parenting matters.

[Samadini]

In Greece at the moment and think I've had saganaki cheese and beer for lunch every day so far. Until now I had thought some grilled halloumi was king, but this has changed everything (not sure what cheese I'm actually eating, but it's the perfect beer snack).

As great as beaches and all that are, I think I could quite happily go on holiday just to eat food.

[Mazuuurk]

:D

(Sorry Adz)

Fresh fish is great though. When I visit Portugal, the place my missus owns near Nazare beach is owned by the Pires family (little known fact but Pires is Portuguese and it's pronounced Pier-sgh) . The sardines there are unbelievable. Actually all of the food is


Kiko I must admit when I met your wife, I did not recognise him for Pires at all.
Make up, I suppose.

[Giggles]

She's long coat tails anyway.

[-james-]

In Greece at the moment and think I've had saganaki cheese and beer for lunch every day so far. Until now I had thought some grilled halloumi was king, but this has changed everything (not sure what cheese I'm actually eating, but it's the perfect beer snack).

As great as beaches and all that are, I think I could quite happily go on holiday just to eat food.

I think I still prefer grilled feta to saganaki

Bread and tyrokafteri (spicy cheese dip) is usually the first thing I order though.

[-james-]

I'm on Sifnos at the moment and it's probably the best island I've been to. Fuck ever going to Santorini. This is just as good but minus around five thousand tourists.

[Giggles]

Santorini looks like a massive 'in-gur-lund, oi oi oi' chair through a cafe window type of place.

[-james-]

You're probably thinking of Faliraki or something, because that is not the case at all. It's 95% couples, families and cruise ship passengers.

It's great, but the volcano tours don't merit having to deal with the hordes. Milos has one too afaik.

[Giggles]

In fairness it's just most places they infest.

[-james-]

Not really, just the places with international airports.

[John]

Santorini looks like a massive 'in-gur-lund, oi oi oi' chair through a cafe window type of place.

Not really, it's unlikely to be hosting a Euros at any point.

[Samadini]

I think I still prefer grilled feta to saganaki

Bread and tyrokafteri (spicy cheese dip) is usually the first thing I order though.

Not had that yet (or noticed it on a menu). Will make sure I have it before I get back. Sounds :drool:

[-james-]

You can get it on your gyros in any reputable establishment. :nodd:

[Kikó]

I've been in Puglia for the last week and I'll be flying back Sunday (on my one year wedding anniversary!) It's been gloriously hot here and because we're with the sibling-in-laws who have a young kid we've had a formulaic beach-pool day to every day. The food is amazing, the quality in tomatoes alone is staggering. They're almost like grapes for the sweetness compared to the UK produce.

[Spikey M]

Being poncey about Tomatoes. :D

G'warn Keeks.

[John]

I've been in Puglia for the last week and I'll be flying back Sunday (on my one year wedding anniversary!) It's been gloriously hot here and because we're with the sibling-in-laws who have a young kid we've had a formulaic beach-pool day to every day. The food is amazing, the quality in tomatoes alone is staggering. They're almost like grapes for the sweetness compared to the UK produce.

Magic will seethe himself out an upstairs window when he reads that. Lovely.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's right though, like 95% of the tomatoes you get in UK supermarkets are bland as fuck.

[niko_cee]

Just got my first crate of San Marzano's the other day. There is a difference, although it's not as great as I had hoped.

[Magic]

San Marzano bolognese. :drool:

[Giggles]

Yeah tomatoes.

If you're on to those then you're running out of things to be smug about.

[Adamski]

Nothing better than a nice spaghetti and tomatoes dish with good quality ingredients.

[-james-]

The quality of produce is definitely one of the worst things about living in Britain tbh

[Kikó]

Fucking hell. It's not that controversial that certain foods are better due to the climate and it not requiring transportation over many miles.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The quality of produce is definitely one of the worst things about living in Britain tbh

Depends what produce you're after. Living in big cities, then yeah.

Fortunately my town was an Italian POW hub so not only are we overstocked on the barber front, but there's also a glorious little Italian shop that brings all this glorious stuff straight over from the mother country, probably dodgily. I haven't had a supermarket parmesan in a decade (write that one down Lewis).

[Spikey M]

I fucking hate all of you. All of you. Giggles is the only exception.

[Boydy]

Tomatoes are something that you can easily notice a difference in though. If you grow some of your own at home, you'll notice a massive difference between them and the ones you buy in the supermarket.

[Offshore Toon]

Aye, I had a great big tomato cherry vine in Jersey and the fruit was divine.

[7om]

On Monday I'm on a 16 hour flight from San Francisco to Singapore. If you see a strangling incident on the news you'll know I didn't get an aisle seat.

[Giggles]

Tomatoes are something that you can easily notice a difference in though. If you grow some of your own at home, you'll notice a massive difference between them and the ones you buy in the supermarket.

Yeah if you're buying the Tesco value ones maybe. It's just another 'im well travelled' self wank job.

If someone put Aldi tomatoes in a dish they'd think it was amazing so long as they could say it was eaten in s small cafe looking at an 'insert medeteranian country here' sunset.

[Kikó]

I'm glad you can enjoy the little things in life.

[Magic]

Pikey Mouse being worse than a Pikey is a nice but starling revalation.

[Giggles]

:D says the Scot.

[Adamski]

Tell him how much you earn Magic, go on.

[Magic]

Guys c'mon I'm not a total arse!

Now excuse me whilst I eat my freshly imported, pesticide free organic cherry tomatoes.

[Spikey M]

Pikey Mouse being worse than a Pikey is a nice but starling revalation.

A caravan on Canvey is probably worth more than your house though...

[John]

Yeah if you're buying the Tesco value ones maybe. It's just another 'im well travelled' self wank job.

If someone put Aldi tomatoes in a dish they'd think it was amazing so long as they could say it was eaten in s small cafe looking at an 'insert medeteranian country here' sunset.

You live in your own world.


Guys c'mon I'm not a total arse!

Now excuse me whilst I eat my freshly imported, pesticide free organic cherry tomatoes.

You have six quid in the bank, why are you importing tomatoes?

[-james-]

Giggles has blatantly never bought, or probably eaten, a tomato

[Kikó]

Why buy it when you can get dolmio?

[Magic]

You live in your own world.



You have six quid in the bank, why are you importing tomatoes?

I use other people's money.

[Magic]

Why buy it when you can get dolmio?

He's not a total fucking savage. Lloyd Grossman.

:harold:

[Magic]

God this is so good. I feel like an Orca (me, James and Kiko) circling and taunting some pathetic arctic seal (Giggles/Pikey) on some shitty processed, tinned sea ice.

[Magic]

Off for a power wank.

[Spikey M]

Just bought some cherry tomatoes for 79p. #Swag

[Giggles]

Why buy it when you can get dolmio?

If someone gave you dolmio on a veranda in Italy somewhere and didn't tell you, you'd have the bollocks instagrammed out of it and be telling stories about it over dinner parties for weeks.

At least I'm under no illusions that I haven't a fucking clue.

[Giggles]

Giggles has blatantly never bought, or probably eaten, a tomato

I ate a bag of them yesterday.

[John]

If someone gave you dolmio on a veranda in Italy somewhere and didn't tell you, you'd have the bollocks instagrammed out of it and be telling stories about it over dinner parties for weeks.

At least I'm under no illusions that I haven't a fucking clue.

You seem to have enough of a clue to know what Kiko's tastebuds are up to.

[Spikey M]

In fairness, I'm an ex-smoker so my tastebuds are probably operating at a limited capacity.

[Lewis]

Giggles has blatantly never bought, or probably eaten, a tomato


I ate a bag of them yesterday.

https://s4.postimg.org/e0c8zcw8t/giphy.gif

[Magic]

If someone gave you dolmio on a veranda in Italy somewhere and didn't tell you, you'd have the bollocks instagrammed out of it and be telling stories about it over dinner parties for weeks.

At least I'm under no illusions that I haven't a fucking clue.

Actually your environment matters when it comes to tasting. Can bring in different flavours, this is especially true for whisky.

[Lewis]

Is that why you fill your boots when you're away with work?

[Kikó]

If someone gave you dolmio on a veranda in Italy somewhere and didn't tell you, you'd have the bollocks instagrammed out of it and be telling stories about it over dinner parties for weeks.

At least I'm under no illusions that I haven't a fucking clue.

If you can't taste stuff, sure.

Fuck Instagram.

Had a cracking couple of meals in Brindisi today but it starts to feel gluttonous eating so much. It was banging on the way back though, some little wine festival and open air gig. Must be the equivalent of Glastonbury for these lot.

[Pen]

If someone gave you dolmio on a veranda in Italy somewhere and didn't tell you, you'd have the bollocks instagrammed out of it and be telling stories about it over dinner parties for weeks.

That dinner party line got me good :D

There is a big diffrence in tomatoes though. There's really no way around it. Same goes for most fruit in my opinion.

[Adamski]

Mert have you visited Asia much since you left?

[Raoul Duke]

Booked in to go to Florence for a week :cool:

Going to day trip it out to Pisa/Bologna etc. too. Would appreciate and recommendations if anyone's been there recently?

[Kikó]

Tomatoes are excellent.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Pisa is a shithole, avoid.

[niko_cee]

Lucca is nice, go there instead.

[hfswjyr]

Pisa is a shithole, avoid.

This.

Plus Florence is super nice, so stay there.

[Spoonsky]

Go to Siena instead of Pisa.

[Raoul Duke]

But the tower!!1! (I'm not that fussed)

Lucca and Siena are both on the list too.

[Spoonsky]

The tower and the complex are great, but they're not very big and there isn't really anything else to Pisa. Whereas Siena you can wander around all day and the Duomo is worth all of Pisa put together.

[Giggles]

The tower bit is probably crawling with fucking tourists.

[Spoonsky]

That's also true.

[niko_cee]

I tried to drive to Pisa (don't, well, not without a map of some sort) and saw the tower from range as I came down through the hills, but when I got to the city I think I entered it massively early and at the wrong end, drove down a myriad of reasonably terrifying one way systems before being spat out of some ancient gate and hightailing it towards Rome.

[Adamski]

Booked in to go to Florence for a week :cool:

Going to day trip it out to Pisa/Bologna etc. too. Would appreciate and recommendations if anyone's been there recently?

Bologna is meant to be awesome. There's a Rick Stein Weekend in... programme on it with decent tips if you can dig it out.

[Giggles]

Bologna is meant to be awesome. There's a Rick Stein Weekend in... programme on it with decent tips if you can dig it out.

That was one of his best.

[Adamski]

That was one of his best.

How was Cinque Terre?

[Giggles]

How was Cinque Terre?

I'd say it's grand.

[Adamski]

Wasn't that where you were going?

[Kikó]

I did a Siena Florence Bologna trip earlier this year. Siena is stunning. Florence is as well but full of tourists. Bologna is a cool place due to the university.

The architecture across the three places is worth the visit alone.

[Giggles]

Wasn't that where you were going?

No. Briefly looked at it until I found out it was a holiday for walkers.

[Spoonsky]

No. Briefly looked at it until I found out it was a holiday for walkers.

Typo?

[Giggles]

Typo?

Should really have said hikers. That's what the travel woman told us anyway.

[Magic]

Lol.

[Giggles]

Rotflmao.

[Adamski]

No. Briefly looked at it until I found out it was a holiday for walkers.

Where did you go instead?

[Giggles]

Nowhere yet.

[Mellberg]

I'm driving round Europe for 12 days. Literally on the M40 now. Any recomendations?
.

[Giggles]

I'm driving round Europe for 12 days. Literally on the M40 now. Any recomendations?
.

Pick up some tomatoes.

[John]

Some good quality penne too. None of that flashy spaghetti shit.

[Kikó]

Make sure you buy petrol at regular intervals.

[Spikey M]

Make a U-turn.

[Raoul Duke]

All European countries drive on the left

[Spikey M]

All Europeans drive however they like as far as I can tell.

[Giggles]

Some good quality penne too. None of that flashy spaghetti shit.

Well at least don't let some cunt tell you that you simply must have spaghetti and nothing else is acceptable.

[Kikó]

Spaghetti with Bolognese is a big no no as well.

[-james-]

Going home tomorrow. Depressed.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'll soon be visiting the North. Anything I should see, other than grim hellscapes and death?

[Giggles]

Spaghetti with Bolognese is a big no no as well.

Whatever the fuck you like with bolognese is a big yes yes.

[niko_cee]

As long as it's hand-rolled by an Italian widow.

[Spikey M]

Chips and bolognese. :drool:

Stick that right up your Ancestors arses, Keeks.

[Giggles]

As long as it's hand-rolled by an Italian widow.

Especially if her tears made it in there.

[Kikó]

Whatever the fuck you like with bolognese is a big yes yes.

Apparently it's the worst pasta to absorb the sauce. Fix up.

[Magic]

Spaghetti with Bolognese is a big no no as well.

Clueless. Spending too much time is Portugal and Fife.

[Kikó]

Mate. What do you call cafes again, bistros?

[Magic]

I just came across a comment on Youtube and I laughed only to realise I made the comment about 8 years ago. :D

Me. :cool:

[John]

What was the comment, and what does that post have to do with travel?

[Magic]

'John is an absolute cunt'

It has to do with my fist travelling towards your arsehole. Now jog on.

[John]

I was hoping the comment would have improbably had something to do with the conversation at hand, but that's an impressive nought to sixty time. Found another stash in a jewellery box or something?

[Magic]

We don't have a specific thread for nostalgic self appreciation so...

[Adamski]

I just came across a comment on Youtube and I laughed only to realise I made the comment about 8 years ago. :D

Me. :cool:

You really will wank over anything eh? You horrible little cunt.

[John]

We don't have a specific thread for nostalgic self appreciation so...

You could make one. Or there's the YouTube thread, which seems like a good place to talk about YouTube comments.

Still, it's good that you go straight to temper tantrums when questioned.

[Magic]

I'd just watched some The Thick Of It clips

[wullie]

Been in Italy since Monday, it's been 34 degrees and up each day. Never thought I'd get homesick about clouds

[Giggles]

Been in Italy since Monday, it's been 34 degrees and up each day. Never thought I'd get homesick about clouds

Was it you was going to Sorrento?

[wullie]

Yep, here now. Went to Capri yesterday, never seen so many skeletal women in one place before

[Giggles]

I never made it to Capri, though the brother in law told me it's basically one big expensive shopping centre.

[Kikó]

Sofia is great. Beautiful buildings, fantastic parks to walk around and the food has been top quality. Bulgarian cuisine is surprisingly good, like a take on Mediterranean but focus on paprika and parsley. Visited the CSKA Sofia stadium earlier and went into their club shop - t-shirts with no tolerance, hooligan, and other ultra violence related themes. Game tonight ranges from 5 lev (£2.20) to 18 lev (£8.50) depending on whether you want to sit in with the ultras or not.

Tomorrow we're off on a day trip to Plovdiv. It's supposed to be gorgeous. Tonight is an organised pub crawl which tells you about the history of the places. Great place.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'd love to see you try and mingle with the ultras.

[Kikó]

If I wasn't here with the wife and with a couple of guys instead, I'd probably have tried it and shit myself for 90 minutes. I imagine it's like a very intense death metal gig.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ugh, can you believe this pie? The crust is appalling and the quality of beef used is shocking.

[Kikó]

Come on, I'm not a food connoisseur at the football. You only need liquid at the football anyway. Hashtag banter.

[Giggles]

So you're complaining about the quality of the merlot then?

[Kikó]

I'm not you.

[Giggles]

I'm not the Billy bigshot.

[Kikó]

No but you are a massive cunt.

[Spikey M]

Stop flirting I'm getting a semi.

[Giggles]

No but you are a massive cunt.

Well I never denied that tbf.

[-james-]

In Kensington for the week. Any tips? Eatery recommendations particularly welcome.

[Clunge]

Flying out to Bologna September 17-21. Plan is to spend a couple of days there and then head down the coast - Rimini, Ancona, Pescara, etc.

[wullie]

Back now. View from the room was pretty good
http://i.imgur.com/lMOrbcj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5d3wsPZ.jpg

I know Italian roads are a free for all, but is there any pretence of rules with roundabouts in particular other than biggest car wins?

[Giggles]

Back now. View from the room was pretty good
http://i.imgur.com/lMOrbcj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5d3wsPZ.jpg

I know Italian roads are a free for all, but is there any pretence of rules with roundabouts in particular other than biggest car wins?

I don't remember seeing any roundabouts at all. The scooter usage is mental though.

[Lewis]

In Kensington for the week. Any tips? Eatery recommendations particularly welcome.

What about that new barbecue place?

[7om]

:D

[Andy]

In Kensington for the week. Any tips? Eatery recommendations particularly welcome.

I was just in Chelsea / Kensington way for a long weekend. We really liked Babylon at the Kensington roof gardens. It's a Virgin owned restaurant, food and views where's amazing.

The Ivy garden on Kings Road is really nice as well.

We also went to Camden Market and Flight club which where both good for a few hours.

[Manc]

Off to Edinburgh for the Fringe, any solid bars/restaurants I should consider?

[Giggles]

Ryries does a nice burger. Doesn't have chairs though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

We got a 2.2 Ford Tourneo Custom and we're getting a ferry from Nehaven to Dieppe on Monday morning.

Pissing about in France for a few days before driving into Spain for about 2 weeks and then heading back.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Stopped at Le Mans for dinner (sadly we didn't get to see the race track) but we had to wait around a bit as nothing was open until 7. Managed to stop at the only restaurant that has no English menus or an English server which was fun. I did manage to get some beef tartare and a portion of grilled stuff though.

Cathedral looks seriously fucking impressive, would have loved to have gone inside but we had to drive on and stopped for the night around Tours.

Hoping to push into Bilbao today or, at least somewhere just after the border.

[Adamski]

Stopped at Le Mans for dinner (sadly we didn't get to see the race track) but we had to wait around a bit as nothing was open until 7. Managed to stop at the only restaurant that has no English menus or an English server which was fun. I did manage to get some beef tartare and a portion of grilled stuff though.

Cathedral looks seriously fucking impressive, would have loved to have gone inside but we had to drive on and stopped for the night around Tours.

Hoping to push into Bilbao today or, at least somewhere just after the border.

Are you going over to Barcelona side? Go to Girona, even just for the day. It's brilliant.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I believe we are, I'll see if we can get a place there.

[Adamski]

http://abnb.me/EVmg/XOyVVgqHOF

We stayed here for 5 nights. Not sure if it will be available but it's ideal and well situated.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

4 people max sadly.

There's 7 of us.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Stopped in Bordeaux for lunch (Le Mans looked better) and also stopped a few hours later in a small village to grab some baguettes (and pastries ofc) befor heading into Spain.

Also went to see the Velodrome as well as the new stadium which is just across the road (about 200m if that), which was a little strange as I've never seen stadiums so close.

Got a hotel in Bilbao but it was quite costly (as was near enough everywhere in 50 mile radius or so) as there is some festival or something. Only got to hear some fireworks and curse the lack of parking spots. Will go check out the stadium before heading towards Madrid to stay for 3/4 nights in a villa somewhere close.

It's not cheap to actual drive around though, especially in France as it seems that all the main roads are tolls with lots of stops. We've probably paid out about 60 Euros thus far.

Tried a bit of tongue today but I didn't really see the point. It was nice and soft but the sauce it was covered in was so overpowering that it could have been anything.

[Spoonsky]

Tried a bit of tongue today but I didn't really see the point. It was nice and soft but the sauce it was covered in was so overpowering that it could have been anything.

Sounds like Spanish camgirls aren't as withholding as Ukranian ones?

[-james-]

Stopped in Bordeaux for lunch (Le Mans looked better) and also stopped a few hours later in a small village to grab some baguettes (and pastries ofc) befor heading into Spain.

Also went to see the Velodrome as well as the new stadium which is just across the road (about 200m if that), which was a little strange as I've never seen stadiums so close.

Got a hotel in Bilbao but it was quite costly (as was near enough everywhere in 50 mile radius or so) as there is some festival or something. Only got to hear some fireworks and curse the lack of parking spots. Will go check out the stadium before heading towards Madrid to stay for 3/4 nights in a villa somewhere close.

It's not cheap to actual drive around though, especially in France as it seems that all the main roads are tolls with lots of stops. We've probably paid out about 60 Euros thus far.

Tried a bit of tongue today but I didn't really see the point. It was nice and soft but the sauce it was covered in was so overpowering that it could have been anything.

You're in Bilbao. You enjoy food. You haven't mentioned pintxos.

Go gorge yourself ffs.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Couldn't sadly.

We didn't get into Bilbao until 21:45 or something with no hotel room booked. Luckily I managed to blag some rooms for cheaper than Booking.com prices. Only one logical reason for that, the lady receptionist was charmed by me (or disgusted and wanted me out of her face and locked away somewhere). Most restaurants were closed when we were leaving so ended up in some bar with no English menu so it was a bit of guess work.

Found a villa about 40 minutes away from Madrid, near a forest, were we'll stay for 3 days. Geezer who owns the place is quite nice too (seems to speak English really well too), he took 2 of our party to the local supermarket and also advised us on how to make a paella on a special gas barbecue.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Stadium Velodrome:

http://i.imgur.com/lvt6miY.jpg

Looks a little too warehousey for me but it's only for cycling.

Matmut Atlantique:

http://i.imgur.com/yi9npvb.jpg

From the outside it just seems kind of soulless somehow. I can imagine the French lot loving it whilst walking down the rows through the trees to the gates.

San Mames:

http://i.imgur.com/RFzSRWV.jpg

Quite central in the city centre so there was stuff actually happening there (as opposed to Matmut which was just by a fairly big roundabout) and I quite like the style with the panels.

Would love to watch the match in a bar just opposite though, if they used the TV to show the match live.

[Raoul Duke]

Why are you driving around Europe aimlessly with nothing booked? Is this some kind of Partridge-to-Dundee moment? How many Toblerones have you got through?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

We do it quite a bit tbh.

Even did so in Croatia earlier in the year.

Some would find it a bit hectic but we quite like it, we drive towards certain towns/cities/attractions and find a place.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Guy who owns the villa that we're staying at brought 2 carrier bags filled with churros (one thin and one thick) with two jugs of hot chocolate sauce.

What a don.

[Adamski]

Make sure you take the thick bag with you when you next go to Ukraine.

[Spikey M]

@Mahow - Who is "we" when you go on these jaunts?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This holiday is with family. My Mum, a sister, a family friend and as well as another family friend with 3 of his sons.

Went to a supermarket today and I could have sworn that the lady at the fish counter (whose primary objective seemed to be to make sure that the live crabs didn't run away) was giving me the eyes and the occasional smile. As well as the ham lady who also gave me some free samples of iberico ham which you had to buy a whole leg of.

Maybe I need to shift my attention from Eastern Europe to Southern Europe.

[Boydy]

Southern Europeans are sexy peoples.

[Kikó]

Especially the ones who work in Carrefour.

[Raoul Duke]

CarrePHWOARRRRR

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

In Madrid today and went to the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol earlier.

Quite nice but there are so many fucking beggars and people in costumes in the latter which ruined it slightly.

No ladies in supermarkets thus far but a lady in some copacabana style outfit in Puerta del Sol tried to drag me into a picture. I stood firm as I read that they want what they can't have.

[Spikey M]

I read that as Pizza Mayor. What a job :drool:

[Spikey M]

Why don't you buy a Russian bride with your Dads blood money?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I only got the money (well part of it) a few days ago.

[Shindig]

Might be off to London in October. Any ideas? I was looking to sneak a couple of gigs whilst I was there but nowt takes my fancy.

[Offshore Toon]

The London Dungeons are incredible.

[Magic]

This holiday is with family. My Mum, a sister, a family friend and as well as another family friend with 3 of his sons.

Went to a supermarket today and I could have sworn that the lady at the fish counter (whose primary objective seemed to be to make sure that the live crabs didn't run away) was giving me the eyes and the occasional smile. As well as the ham lady who also gave me some free samples of iberico ham which you had to buy a whole leg of.

Maybe I need to shift my attention from Eastern Europe to Southern Europe.

Lol aren't you like 35?

[Spikey M]

I only got the money (well part of it) a few days ago.

You could be balls deep in Siberian klopper right now. Get a shift on.

[Shindig]

The London Dungeons are incredible.

Cheers. Seems like, if I want to base myself around the proper tourist stuff (Dungeons, Buckingham Palace, Tate, etc.) I'm going to have to take a hit on the hotel prices. I mean, no shit but seems like sleeping cheap only happens around Kings Cross-ish.

Also I'm still on edge with the Jihadis and acid attacks.

[Offshore Toon]

I've never actually been and I've only heard the Dungeons are overpriced and shit.

Speakers Corner at Hyde Park can be a laugh. Walking along the Thames is fun, though the Eastern European street performers do their best to ruin it.

I'd also highly recommend Vauxhall City Farm if you're into llamas. It's not quite London Zoo, mind.

You could go for a run with Kikó too.

[Jimmy Floyd]

London Dungeon is shite.

London is fucking big but also very easy to get around so you don't need to be near the stuff you want to do. As a general rule, if you see Koreans outside it, swerve.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

I'm off to Budapest for a stag do in September. This beer bike stuff looks like a steaming pile of shite I'm getting dragged into, especially coupled with my minuscule bladder, toilet stops or no.

Do normal people like these things? What's wrong with just exploring the pubs in a city like that? Am I that wrong?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMqZ2PPOLik

[Giggles]

Welcome to the 'we have to do something different for Facebook' world.

[Boydy]

You're not wrong.

[Lewis]

Today I have learned what a 'beer bike' is. Just don't go.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

In any future scenario like this I'll just say I'm skint.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Near Valencia in a place called Cullera.

Came to stay in an apartment last night and the place looked great on airbnb. Got there and there were about 150 steps (half of which needed to be climbed just to get to the actually front door), which wasn't stated at all. We kicked up a fuss and he said he had another place about 1km away which is a lot better and he was right.

About 400m away from the beach which is quite nice. The sea is incredibly shallow as well.

Went to this place (http://www.casasalvador.com/en/) tonight which was great. The place is huge and they call it the cathedral of rice. Ended up getting a normal mixed paella and one with rabbit and snails. A little expensive but it was worth it.

[Raoul Duke]

Cheers. Seems like, if I want to base myself around the proper tourist stuff (Dungeons, Buckingham Palace, Tate, etc.) I'm going to have to take a hit on the hotel prices. I mean, no shit but seems like sleeping cheap only happens around Kings Cross-ish.

Also I'm still on edge with the Jihadis and acid attacks.

As long as you're based within <15 minutes of a tube station (probably zone two, although there are some decent places in zone 3) you'll be fine. Get an Oyster Card, top it up and just tube/bus everywhere.

The Dungeons are a bit rubbish but kinda ok. Buckingham Palace is literally just a 'walk past and look at it' kinda deal. I put a post somewhere back in this thread of some cool/interesting stuff I'd recommend but it doesn't have all the obvious tourist stuff which you probably want to check off as you see fit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Went to Barcelona today.

Got lunch on the way near the ocean in some nice little town.

For 34 euros I got some mixed seafood bowl (half a lobster, razor clams, clams, oysters, mussels, sea snails and langoustines), which was amazing.

For dinner in Barcelona we went here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Flauta/179852048706852

Ended up having fried baby calamari, fried cuttlefish, grilled vegetables, creamy mixed mushrooms, red prawns, beans with ham and prawns and calamari and prawn skewers. It was absolutely stunning, I get the hype that it gets.

If I lived near here I'd go there every day for lunch and work myself through the menu.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did all the driving today and did this route:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Gran+Via+de+les+Corts+Catalanes,+588,+Barcelona,+S pain/Sagrada+Familia,+Carrer+de+Mallorca,+Barcelona,+Sp ain/Massiac,+France/@43.3008657,0.5714717,7z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x12a498f5c19b248d:0x777ed64e5dfbc 474!4m25!4m24!1m5!1m1!1s0x12a4a28b6e580e77:0x8b54f ac46b21f8b!2m2!1d2.1630793!2d41.3851043!1m5!1m1!1s 0x12a4a2dcd83dfb93:0x9bd8aac21bc3c950!2m2!1d2.1743 558!2d41.4036299!1m5!1m1!1s0x47f635ee74755e2d:0x40 93cafcbeacaf0!2m2!1d3.199649!2d45.250053!2m4!5e0!5 e1!5e2!5e3!3e0

The A75 is pretty brilliant, most of what I did today was in excess of 800m above sea level with a max altitude being about 1200m.

Didn't seem that high until you'd come across a bridge and then look across to see how far down it went.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm also getting the service station ladies attention now.

I needed some paracetamol so after eating and seeing no paracetamol in the restaurant bit I went to the petrol station next door and was told they were only sold in pharmacies. Went back to the restaurant/cafeteria bit and asked an attractive lady on a till and she gave me two of her own from under the till for no payment.

[Giggles]

Do you really believe this or are you on the wind up?

[Adamski]

Let's just say that might not be the last thing he swallows tonight.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sadly, I left the potential wife to be back in Spain.

[Kikó]

I'm going to bail on heading to Albefuira tomorrow for a mates stag and stay in the north on the beach. 8 hours on a coach both days for a rowdy 12 hours in a shit England retreat.

The weather was great today 25°. Filled my boots with plenty of seafood the last week the way they do cockles is brilliant, especially dipping the bread in after.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Today I have learned what a 'beer bike' is. Just don't go.

Well I wasn't wrong about the beer bike, absolutely abysmal despite what everyone else seemed to say but it was a good trip and Budapest is certainly worth a visit. The Parliament building is stunning.

https://s26.postimg.org/8vpgkz0vt/parliament.jpg

[-james-]

Budapest is the best big city in mainland Europe I think.

[Spikey M]

I go away next Friday. It's fucking needed with the shit weather here at the moment.

[Mazuuurk]

It's certainly the best Party city I've been to I think.

The food though was kind of boring, as with most Eastern-european places it's all a bit too heavy and you get tired of it after one meal more or less.

[Mazuuurk]

Guys wanna take the Mrs for a weekend in late november, somewhere in Europe thats preferably cheap and has good food and at least looks decent.

Any suggestions?

[Clunge]

I've just spend three days in the champagne region of France, short hop then to Bologna where I've been the past two days (the food - fuuuuccccckkkkkkkk). Now on a train to Ravenna. Back to Bologna on Thursday for gratuitous food shopping, more valedictory pasta and our flight home.

[mugbull]

Guys wanna take the Mrs for a weekend in late november, somewhere in Europe thats preferably cheap and has good food and at least looks decent.

Any suggestions?

Monteneeeeegro

[Clunge]

Guys wanna take the Mrs for a weekend in late november, somewhere in Europe thats preferably cheap and has good food and at least looks decent.

Any suggestions?
Bologna's pretty sweet. Weekend is just the right amount of time - historic, unique architecturally, food is reputed to be the best (read: richest) in Italy (can confirm), flights for less than £100 return, compact, walkable city centre, etc. It's good.

[Mazuuurk]

Both good suggestions, ta.

Montenegro might be a tad far away (ideally want a fairly short flight from Stockholm), but will look into it.

Though suppose in late november also a place like Montenegro might lose a bit of it's charm (seeing as it's more of a summer resort, no?).

[Giggles]

What's Ljubljana like?

[Bovril]

My wife and I are excited for the vacation we've booked in Spain and definitely we will go to the Canary. Tenerife is one of our eyeing place for our 1st stop :) There so many thing we want to do from a page we've read https://www.canaryislandsinfo.co.uk/tenerife/things-to-do/.I wanted to know if you have experience traveling to this wonderful Island.

[phonics]

What a strange username for a spambot.

[-james-]

In Kraków and our room has developed a very strong smell of dead rodent. Fantastic.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Thinking of going to Cancun (or near) shortly after Christmas for about 10 days.

Pepe, is it full of wanker Americans though? If so, anywhere better near there on the coast?

[Pepe]

Playa del Carmen is the better option, by a wide margin.

[Magic]

My wife and I are excited for the vacation we've booked in Spain and definitely we will go to the Canary. Tenerife is one of our eyeing place for our 1st stop :) There so many thing we want to do from a page we've read https://www.canaryislandsinfo.co.uk/tenerife/things-to-do/.I wanted to know if you have experience traveling to this wonderful Island.

I went with my wife to Tenerife for our honeymoon. It was the foundation, the building block, for our wonderful, long lasting fruitful marriage.

[wullie]

I loved Tenerife, but there are so many other Canary to see I'd be eyeing other Island place next time.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Playa del Carmen is the better option, by a wide margin.

About an hour away from Cancun airport though, not too bad but not brilliant.

[Pepe]

About an hour away from Cancun airport though, not too bad but not brilliant.

It is a much nicer place than Cancun. What do you intend to do though, travel around to visit the ruins and stuff, or more interested in chilling in a resort? If the latter, then Cancun is probably the way to go.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I definitely want to see Chichen Itza.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

A cousin was talking about Tulum today which sounds really nice.

Might look into flying to Cancun and staying in a few places over the 10 nights. Maybe something like Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, close to Chichen Itza and then back towards Cancun airport.

[Pepe]

Tulum is beastly. Definitely worth checking out.

[Kikó]

I've done a few holidays through first choice in the Tulum area. It's great.

[Smiffy]

I've sorted my passport out now and it'll arrive by Friday. Looking for somewhere hot end of January is tricky though.

Morocco, Egypt or Spain are seemingly the affordable options. I want all inclusive for two for a week on 24th Jan.

Any idea?

[phonics]

You're booking an all inclusive holiday for 14 days from now? :D

[Magic]

I got 3 flights to Faro in the middle of July for £270 (return, 9 days).

Yes we're all still together.

@Boydy (http://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/member.php?u=31)

[Boydy]

I got 3 flights to Faro in the middle of July for £270

Yes we're all still together.
Boydy

:)

I'm happy for you. I hope things work out.

[Magic]

Die in a plane crash you cu...oh...thanks m8 lol

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mexico trip fell through sadly but America in April is confirmed.

Flying to San Francisco to spend a few days there (including a tour round Alcatraz), go to LA for a few days and then head towards Las Vegas which is where we'll fly out of. 2 weeks or so. Should be great, I've always wanted to go to San Fran and Vegas.

I'd love to also go to a game of some sort but the NFL season will be done with the NHL and NBA in the playoffs. If LA make the playoffs (no idea if they're close in either) then tickets will surely be pricey as fuck.

[niko_cee]

Are you driving about? It's a good drive (obviously), although the Amtrak is (was?) also good down the coast. A car does free you up though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah, car will be picked up at San Francisco.

[Boydy]

Baseball.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Baseball.

I don't think I'd want to actually pay to be bored out of my mind.

I'm sure it's fine watching it live if you're downing pints.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Go to Dodger Stadium and get yourself a beer and hot dog and it'll fly by, especially if Kershaw's pitching.

I've found my way to Seville today. Already gorged myself on tapas and only been here two hours.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Go to Dodger Stadium and get yourself a beer and hot dog and it'll fly by, especially if Kershaw's pitching.

I've found my way to Seville today. Already gorged myself on tapas and only been here two hours.

I don't drink though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Coke and a hot dog then. Alternatively if the Angels are at home you could go to Anaheim and see best playah evah Mike Trout and new Japanese sensation Ohtani.

[Pepe]

Grab one of those two gallon cokes.

[wullie]

I don't know if all teams do it, but Orlando Magic held a certain amount of tickets for the tourist market which were pretty high up in the stands but surprisingly cheap. This is when they were ace and reached the NBA finals that year too, although this was a regular season defeat to Toronto on a Wednesday night so demand may not have been sky high.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Grab one of those two gallon cokes.

That the biggest they do? I'm disappointed.

[Pepe]

Free refills though.

[niko_cee]

Surely if it's California baseball related fun you're after you should go and stand (canoe) outside the Giant's stadium and hope Barry Bonds nails one in your direction.

I appreciate much, if not all of that advice is about 10 years out of date (at least).

Is their stadium still down by the bay (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CSxGHve60E)?

[Magic]

Where the watermelons grow?

[Andy]

Thoughts on a good stag do location? Probably in February 2019.

Hoping for somewhere with both a good drinking culture and a decent football team.

[phonics]

Berlin was fun, cheap and I went to a second division match over there that had more atmosphere than any Premiership game I've been to (Hertha were playing away from home that weekend).

[Andy]

Berlin was fun, cheap and I went to a second division match over there that had more atmosphere than any Premiership game I've been to (Hertha were playing away from home that weekend).

Nice, Germany was my first thought. Hamburg or Berlin could be great.

[phonics]

Hamburg on a stag do just means you'll end up on that hooker street, I'd go Berlin.

There's a fun museum called the 'German Spy Museum' near the Reichstag that's both interesting and has a load of interactive stuff that you can 'banter around' in. One part features one of those Mission Impossible laser grids and you have to race each other to the other side.