OT: Vacations
- Thread starter hockeylover
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ExceptionallyDumb
Banned
That's exactly what I'm worried about. Wandering in downtown cores is probably where I get the most joy out of my travel. Not really much of into sightseeing. I can use Google images for that to look at statues and shit or whatever it is that white people do.
But there are a lot of things I like about LA so it still intrigues me to an extent. It's just all about how you tackle it I'd imagine.
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I've also heard only amazing things about Nashville. It's the bachelorette party capital of the US, which I figure is kind of your thing(I know you have a partner and all, but I'm sure Gordo is available)
I think Austin has decent transit, my roommate went when we were students and seemed okay without a car, but again this is anecdotal.
I cannot believe you have not been to NYC either. And this is coming from someone who tends more natury than city. Guess it helps that I have family on Long Island.
Nashville is insane. 11am on a Tuesday and Broadway is absolutely packed with people partying. Every bar on the strip has a live band playing all day and all night, no matter what day of the week. If you're looking to party, it's phenomenal.
ExceptionallyDumb
Banned
As a skinny fatass, the food in LA intrigues me to no end. Seems that you can get the best Asian food outside of Asia, the best Mexican food outside of Mexico, etc. Kind of a cheaters guide of going to multiple countries while visiting only one.
And as you mentioned, the beach, mountains and having a bit of everything is intriguing as well. Santa Monica, in particular, seems kind of chilly for beach weather (and the Pacific Ocean isn't really made for swimming) but it looks gorgeous there.
Logistics aside, it really does seem like an awesome destination.
If I do end up staying there I would more than likely go in October or November. It's just that I have 5000 hotel options that give me a migraine when just deciding on where to stay. Last time I started planning a trip to LA, a day or two later I booked Japan. This tends to happen when I realize that nothing compares to Japan as a travel destination and I'm the type that only wants the best and nothing else. I have a hard time settling for a worse destination but I'll need to let it go.
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Volcanologist
Well-known member
Looks like a Germany-Italy tour is in order this fall. Myself and a few siblings.
At this point we're coming up with an agenda that makes sense for a 2 week stay.
any suggestions from more well-travelled folks would be welcome.
we would like to focus on WW2 type things in Germany, I think. maybe get some Oktoberfest in too.
At this point we're coming up with an agenda that makes sense for a 2 week stay.
any suggestions from more well-travelled folks would be welcome.
we would like to focus on WW2 type things in Germany, I think. maybe get some Oktoberfest in too.
ExceptionallyDumb
Banned
Doing the exact same trip next summer. Naples, my home town, and Berlin is in the cards. Berlin has a lot of ww2 type things from what I read. Munich is more touristy, but I guess more picturesque. I was deciding between both but ultimately Berlin seems more like my kind of scene. Less spread out and cheaper too.
JackBurton
Well-known member
I want to go hiking in Europe. Anyone ever do that? I'd love to try Switzerland.
I am "Training", but I'm still no great athlete.
I am "Training", but I'm still no great athlete.
Deckie007
Well-known member
I loved Hamburg. Very cool architecture and thought the food was stellar as well.
UWHabs
Well-known member
I come to Hamburg a lot for work (here right now), and it's a very nice city. Fascinating that the city was almost completely bombed out in the war, but still feels very old as they rebuilt it in an older style. The Harbor area (hafencity) now has a gorgeous opera house to anchor it, and the whole city is very walkable with lots of different and interesting areas to it too. They have 2-3 broadway-quality shows on too around the city (Lion King has been playing in a dedicated theatre here for almost 20 years, and a few years ago I watched Phantom of the Opera and despite not knowing much German was still cool). It's a big city without feeling like a big city.
Deckie007
Well-known member
Nice. Have you done the Beatles museum? That was probably my favourite part.
UWHabs
Well-known member
Looks like it closed down before I started coming here, sadly.
Wayward DP
Well-known member
I spent about 10 weeks in Ecuador back in 2009. Was volunteering as part of my undergrad.
If you are someone who likes natural beauty, Ecuador is top notch. It has pretty much everything you would want to see: there is plenty of rainforest; the Andes run right through the country so you have mountains; it is coastal so you have nice beaches and warm swimmable oceans; and the piece de resistance are the Galapagos islands, which are simply incredible. Biodiversity that you literally cannot find anywhere else in the world.
In terms of cities, Quito is the capital and is worth a visit. It's nestled into a pretty large mountain valley so the geography and terrain alone are really neat, but there's quite a bit to see and do. Cuenca is another really cool city in the mountains, with a much large indigenous population and a lot of culture and history. I found Cuenca incredibly comfortable and safe and really pleasant. Quito is cool, but you have to keep your wits about you, especially in the downtown at night. I did not really spend any time in Guayaquil (the biggest or second biggest city) so I can't comment much on that.
The crown jewel is the Galapagos though. I was fortunate enough to be stationed at an ecological reserve on San Cristobal (main island) for 5 weeks, so got to do lots of exploring. The Galapagos are incredibly safe, but everything costs more, and the tourist industry is destroying the environment right quick. I can't emphasize enough how amazing these islands are. I did my PADI Open Water cert here, and a multi-day island hopping tour. Both were well worth it. Depending on your budget you can really ball out or go the more moderate route, but there are tons of options.
hockeylover
Well-known member
Anyone been to Bali? Going in late September for two weeks.
WellPlayed
Well-known member
I've never been but I hear its crawling with "bogan" Australians - which might be fun if you're looking to party. You can easily get away from that scene outside certain areas and its beautiful. I was told this by the many Australians I've become friends with (some of whom are a bit bogan).
Looking for suggestions for a 7-9 day trip in May sometime with the lady. Preferably somewhere the weather will be decent. Beach is a plus. Probably on the continent but could be convinced otherwise if a week or just over is enough. We're happy to be full on travelling/exploring the whole time or relax with excursions from a home base.
Right now I'm looking at:
Puerto Vallarta - I know ME has alot of experience here. Best areas of town to stay in? Things to do? Does it make sense to rent out a place or better off to just stay at a resort? This looks like it could be decent value if done right.
U.S. Southeast Coast - Looking at an open jaw flight into Charlotte NC, returning from Tampa. Would make our way down through Charleston, Savannah, some of the cool islands along the coast in Georgia like Cumberland Island (GF is way into equestrian, would love the wild horses), St Augustine, and then either to St Petes for some beach or if we're in the mood Orlando for some good old fashioned white trash theme parking. Anyone vacationed in any of these spots?
The more I plan the southeast coast one, the pricier it looks. Any other suggestions?
Looking for suggestions for a 7-9 day trip in May sometime with the lady. Preferably somewhere the weather will be decent. Beach is a plus. Probably on the continent but could be convinced otherwise if a week or just over is enough. We're happy to be full on travelling/exploring the whole time or relax with excursions from a home base.
Right now I'm looking at:
Puerto Vallarta - I know ME has alot of experience here. Best areas of town to stay in? Things to do? Does it make sense to rent out a place or better off to just stay at a resort? This looks like it could be decent value if done right.
U.S. Southeast Coast - Looking at an open jaw flight into Charlotte NC, returning from Tampa. Would make our way down through Charleston, Savannah, some of the cool islands along the coast in Georgia like Cumberland Island (GF is way into equestrian, would love the wild horses), St Augustine, and then either to St Petes for some beach or if we're in the mood Orlando for some good old fashioned white trash theme parking. Anyone vacationed in any of these spots?
The more I plan the southeast coast one, the pricier it looks. Any other suggestions?
zeke
Well-known member
Bali is great but Kuta is Cancun for australians. Which can be fun but is what it is. It's a party if that's what you're after.
If you want something quieter youu can head up to Ubud in the interior (hippie town turned spa town) which is gorgeous quiet and relaxing with great restos and spas (no beach tho) or head up to the north of the island for more relaxing beaches.
I'd actually suggest trying to hop over an island to Lombok and head up to the Gilli islands, which are gorgeous. Have some mushroom shakes and go swimming with the phosphorescence. it's about as magical an experience as you can get on this planet. It's not really hard to get there and the trip there is great too
Or you can just keep island hopping east and it gets more remote and more interesting the further you go. Indonesia is an amazing place.