Travel / Vacation thread

[ACamp1900]

So Myrtle Breach has a July Cabbage festival???

 

[irishnd31]

So Myrtle Breach has a July Cabbage festival???

Yes. The smell of the pier, unwashed ass in hot tubs, and the Atlantic masks the scent of cabbage.

 

[ThePiombino]

Looking to go to Myrtle Beach in early July (July 5th thinking that the 4th will be ridiculously busy and attractions/ restaurants packed beyond recognition). We are booked at the Seawatch Plantation in North Myrtle.
Has anyone ever gone at this time? Is it so congested and crowded that it will be less fun and more of an annoyance?
Only reason we are going earlier in the summer this year is I have my son going to college for year 1 and didn't want to chance move in day being in early August when we usually go.
Any feedback is appreciated as I am starting to get nervous thinking it will be too busy. I have been to Disney during the 4th so I can put up with congestion and being lined up dicks to ass holes for some things but I don't want to have to do 10 days of it.

Went to MB this year for the 4th. Actually stopped here for 3 nights on the way down to Orlando. It wasn't crazy at all for the holiday. I wouldn't suggest avoiding being there on the 4th, I just wouldn't suggest traveling on the 4th.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[ACamp1900]

Yes. The smell of the pier, unwashed ass in hot tubs, and the Atlantic masks the scent of cabbage.

Pretty much nailed my image of east coast beaches...

 

[irishnd31]

Went to MB this year for the 4th. Actually stopped here for 3 nights on the way down to Orlando. It wasn't crazy at all for the holiday. I wouldn't suggest avoiding being there on the 4th, I just wouldn't suggest traveling on the 4th.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Thank you. Appreciate it. I have heard that go to the beach early or around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Don't go to restaurants after 5. and if you can, get reservations everywhere you are able. Do any preferred attractions as early as possible. Get to Broadway at the Beach at opening. Then have the rest of the day to lounge at the Tiki Bar. Ok, this is starting to sound better.

Was traffic a nightmare at all? Restaurants packed? Attractions? So you don't think it was unmanageable?

 

[koonja]

Heading to ND on October 10th for the USC game.

Making a stop in downtown Chicago with my wife for our anniversary. We're considering doing the "architecture boat tour".

Anything else down-town Chicago by the riverwalk worth considering in one night?

 

[IrishLion]

Heading to ND on October 10th for the USC game.

Making a stop in downtown Chicago with my wife for our anniversary. We're considering doing the "architecture boat tour".

Anything else down-town Chicago by the riverwalk worth considering in one night?

If the Cubs make the playoffs and get out of the first round, skip the river walk after the tour. Take the L to Wrigleyville instead, and get buckwild with Cubs/ND fans at the Irish Oak.

 

[koonja]

If the Cubs make the playoffs and get out of the first round, skip the river walk after the tour. Take the L to Wrigleyville instead, and get buckwild with Cubs/ND fans at the Irish Oak.

Thanks for the tip. But the only thing I hate worse than our Buck linebacker situation is MLB baseball.

 

[IrishLion]

Thanks for the tip. But the only thing I hate worse than our Buck linebacker situation is MLB baseball.

It's not about the baseball, it's about the party atmosphere in Wrigleyville while hanging out and drinking Old Style and Irish Whiskey with other ND fans.

 

[wizards8507]

Just booked a trip to Hawaii for February. Flying direct from Boston to Honolulu, the longest nonstop domestic flight in the world. Pregnant wife and two kids. Pray for me.

 

[Irish2155]

Happy this thread bumped. I'm fortunate enough to work for a company that gives a Rolex at 5 years and a trip anywhere around the world at 10.

Well, gents (some ladies), it'll be 9 years in March 2020 and our policy is to book a year or so ahead...close to time to start weighing options.

Any suggestions, please? My boss recommends the 10 day, all exclusive cruise to Europe that she chose. I've been to the Caribbean plenty times but never across the "pond".

Thanks in advance.

 

[ACamp1900]

Happy this thread bumped. I'm fortunate enough to work for a company he gives a Rolex at 5 years and a trip anywhere around the world at 10.

Well, gents (some ladies), it'll be 9 years in March 2020 and our policy is to book a year or so ahead...close to time to start weighing options.

Any suggestions, please? My boss recommends the 10 day, all exclusive cruise to Europe that she chose. I've been to the Caribbean plenty times but never across the "pond".

Thanks in advance.

Italy was great... highly recommended... is her Euro cruise in the Mediterranean??

 

[Irish2155]

Italy was great... highly recommended... is her Euro cruise in the Mediterranean??

Thank you, ACamp. I was thinking that would be a good option as well. The cruise is our choice...you saying the Mediterranean is where we should be? Sorry but I'm not real familiar with Europe, at least not yet.

 

[ACamp1900]

Thank you, ACamp. I was thinking that would be a good option as well. The cruise is our choice...you saying the Mediterranean is where we should be? Sorry but I'm not real familiar with Europe, at least not yet.

Or just Start in Venice and End in Capri... then head in land to Rome and Florence

 

[wizards8507]

Fiji.

 

[zelezo vlk]

As much as I love Italy, I'd probably go with Wizards' response, as it's a lot easier to get deals to Italy etc than I've seen for Fiji

 

[ACamp1900]

Yeah I’m not thinking in terms of cost savings at all,... if it were me I’d prob do something dumb like use a free vaca on Gettysburg or something.

 

[Greenore]

Heading to ND on October 10th for the USC game.

Making a stop in downtown Chicago with my wife for our anniversary. We're considering doing the "architecture boat tour".

Anything else down-town Chicago by the riverwalk worth considering in one night?

We did that boat tour in 2015 prior to the USC game! A wife of one of the guys I went down with is an architect and she told us we had to do it and to take lots of pictures. It was great... very informative. Well worth it.

Cheers and Go Irish!!

Also, so many great restaurants in Chicago but one of my favorites is the Signature on the 95th. Such amazing views and I have had many great meals there. Congratulations!

 

[Irish2155]

Yeah I’m not thinking in terms of cost savings at all,... if it were me I’d prob do something dumb like use a free vaca on Gettysburg or something.

LOL. Thank you everyone for the suggestions...statewide, especially Gettysburg, we won't be doing.

I meet with the travel agent in March, so please stay tuned. Any other recommendations between now and then are welcome.

 

[greyhammer90]

Just booked a trip to Hawaii for February. Flying direct from Boston to Honolulu, the longest nonstop domestic flight in the world. Pregnant wife and two kids. Pray for me.

F

 

[Irish2155]

Just booked a trip to Hawaii for February. Flying direct from Boston to Honolulu, the longest nonstop domestic flight in the world. Pregnant wife and two kids. Pray for me.

Oh my. Best of luck. Hope you get to relax a bit.

 

[IrishLax]

Thank you, ACamp. I was thinking that would be a good option as well. The cruise is our choice...you saying the Mediterranean is where we should be? Sorry but I'm not real familiar with Europe, at least not yet.

I just did a week in Capri after doing a week in Umbria and a short stint in Rome to visit some of my wife's friends. Capri was one of my favorite places I've ever been in Europe, but it is quite expensive. We stayed here - https://capri-palace.hoteque.com/hotel/view/capri-palace-hotel-italy I would not recommend trying to do it on a budget relative to other Mediterranean options.

The Amalfi Coast in general is straddling a weird line between "tourist trap" and "one of the most beautiful places on earth"... so you've got to be careful with your planning.

 

[Irish2155]

I just did a week in Capri after doing a week in Umbria and a short stint in Rome to visit some of my wife's friends. Capri was one of my favorite places I've ever been in Europe, but it is quite expensive. We stayed here - https://capri-palace.hoteque.com/hotel/view/capri-palace-hotel-italy I would not recommend trying to do it on a budget relative to other Mediterranean options.

The Amalfi Coast in general is straddling a weird line between "tourist trap" and "one of the most beautiful places on earth"... so you've got to be careful with your planning.

Thank you, Lax. I think the company caps the trip at 10 grand if that helps with budget. I'd be willing to fork in a few more if worth it.

 

[Greenore]

Happy this thread bumped. I'm fortunate enough to work for a company that gives a Rolex at 5 years and a trip anywhere around the world at 10.

Well, gents (some ladies), it'll be 9 years in March 2020 and our policy is to book a year or so ahead...close to time to start weighing options.

Any suggestions, please? My boss recommends the 10 day, all exclusive cruise to Europe that she chose. I've been to the Caribbean plenty times but never across the "pond".

Thanks in advance.

For reasons unknown, I have never wanted to go to France. My daughters both graduated high school with advanced diplomas in French. I made the mistake of telling them, if successful, I would take them to France... it's a Canadian compromise.

Upon graduation, they called in their chits. I did not want to go to Paris (I don't know why?) so we settled upon Nice. Honestly, one of the greatest places I have ever had the privilege of visiting. Would highly recommend!

English is widely spoken, about 15 minutes from the Italian border, great beaches (pebble) and awesome food. What blew me away was our accommodation. Took a chance on VRBO and we had a great little apartment that cost us $800 CDN for the week. That's about $3.50 USD... tree fiddy for the poors.

People were very friendly, wine was great and cheap and the Mediterranean is beautiful. Really a great spot and worthy of great vacation consideration.

Cheers and Go Irish!!

 

[AlaskanIrish]

Happy this thread bumped. I'm fortunate enough to work for a company that gives a Rolex at 5 years and a trip anywhere around the world at 10.

Well, gents (some ladies), it'll be 9 years in March 2020 and our policy is to book a year or so ahead...close to time to start weighing options.

Any suggestions, please? My boss recommends the 10 day, all exclusive cruise to Europe that she chose. I've been to the Caribbean plenty times but never across the "pond".

Thanks in advance.

Should Alaska become an option, I'd gladly set you up with the right people to give you the real Alaska experience--away from the cruise ships and tourist traps. That goes for any other IE people as well.

 

[gkIrish]

I'm starting to look at honeymoon options.

So far I am considering a few options but my #1 choice right now is South Africa with a few days in Mauritius on the back end.

The basic itinerary would be:

3 Nights in Cape Town
2 Nights in the Winelands
3 Nights at a Safari lodge on the Kruger National Park border
4-5 nights at a resort in Mauritius

Has anyone done anything like this? The one big problem is that we would be going in July or August so it's actually winter in South Africa. However, supposedly that's the best time for safaris and we would have the Mauritius part of the trip to swim and enjoy good weather.

Any tips from those who have done something like this would be greatly appreciated. I am talking to a travel agency based in South Africa that put together a really detailed and thoughtful itinerary.

 

[Irish2155]

Should Alaska become an option, I'd gladly set you up with the right people to give you the real Alaska experience--away from the cruise ships and tourist traps. That goes for any other IE people as well.

Awesome, I appreciate the offer. Alaska probably won't work for her but I might take you up at some point.

 

[wizards8507]

F

Oh my. Best of luck. Hope you get to relax a bit.

The plane has a pretty cool layout. There's a mini cabin in between first class and coach that only has 12 seats and loads of extra room to move around. We upgraded to that for both flights.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I'm starting to look at honeymoon options.

So far I am considering a few options but my #1 choice right now is South Africa with a few days in Mauritius on the back end.

The basic itinerary would be:

3 Nights in Cape Town
2 Nights in the Winelands
3 Nights at a Safari lodge on the Kruger National Park border
4-5 nights at a resort in Mauritius

Has anyone done anything like this? The one big problem is that we would be going in July or August so it's actually winter in South Africa. However, supposedly that's the best time for safaris and we would have the Mauritius part of the trip to swim and enjoy good weather.

Any tips from those who have done something like this would be greatly appreciated. I am talking to a travel agency based in South Africa that put together a really detailed and thoughtful itinerary.

I've been to S. Africa for 2+ weeks. Hit Cape Town, Johannesburg, I believe we drove through some of Krueger. It was fun but kind of rough. This was about 18 years ago but I remember seeing a dead guy in the road, someone must've clipped him and just kept driving.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Just booked a trip to Hawaii for February. Flying direct from Boston to Honolulu, the longest nonstop domestic flight in the world. Pregnant wife and two kids. Pray for me.

After doing the same on a 16 hrs flight (after a 4 hour flight with no 45 layover), it's worse in your head than in reality. Kids will be fine, just have tablets, snacks, colouring books a d play doh handy. Kids meals in the plane are key too. All in, they were great.