Travel / Vacation thread

[calvegas04]

For our winter trip, we contemplated Kauai since I have free housing available, but opted for a week in the Keys. Never been, will stay in Key Largo, Islamorada, and Key West mid February. Fishin', beach combing, and margaritas.

You picked FL over Hawaii?

 

[loomis41973]

5 Days until the Dominican Republic. 16 days of total relaxation.

 

[texbender]

You picked FL over Hawaii?

Been twice in 3 years, and like I said I have a house at my disposal. Probably would have gone if I hadn't waited too long and missed the cheap SWA flights out of the west coast. Crib is available at any time I want it. We like the winter for whale watching and mid winter relaxation.

Always wanted to go to the Keys, spent 30 years on Sanibel Island near Fort Myers. Also have an employee from Puerto Rico that can provide a sweet hook up for big time fishing, so that may be next winter.

 

[Irish2155]

Anyone been to the Daytona 500? My mom lives about 5 miles from the track and I have some PTO to burn, so thought about flying in for it this year. Any thoughts and/or recommendations y'all might be willing to share is greatly appreciated.

 

[ND87]

Rec’s for Nice and/or Paris?
Have 3days / y6days respectively, 16th thru 26th. Christmas night at Moulin Rouge!

 

[irishnd31]

Anyone been to the Daytona 500? My mom lives about 5 miles from the track and I have some PTO to burn, so thought about flying in for it this year. Any thoughts and/or recommendations y'all might be willing to share is greatly appreciated.

Never for a race but I absolutely love Daytona. Stayed at the Wyndham Oceanwalk resort. Our room sat above a concert called the Daytona Bandshell. Weekend concerts all for free. Had a Guns N Roses cover and a Motley Crue one the next night. Amazing.

Love the area. Lots of mini golf options, trampoline parks for the kids. Resort is attached to a 8 screen movie theater complex. Caught a minor league game at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Only downfall is the homeless. Its so sad. They were never a bother and the area has done well to accommodate this population but they are visible.

Heard great things about the race day atmosphere. The track is approx. 15 minute drive from the ocean.

Sorry if this is not what you were looking for.

 

[greyhammer90]

Rec’s for Nice and/or Paris?
Have 3days / y6days respectively, 16th thru 26th. Christmas night at Moulin Rouge!

Can't help you with Nice but Paris:

If you're into museums and sights, GET THE MUSEUM PASS AT THE AIRPORT. It serves as a ticket to most of the big name spots and is invaluable because there is usually a seperate line for the museum pass that has no one in it. If you've traveled all the way to Paris you don't want to spend any time standing in line, trust me.

Louvre is worth going to but pick your best 8-10 sights beforehand, make a beeline to those, and get out. See: https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/paris/things-to-see-in-the-louvre There is more art and history in the Louvre than you could appreciate if you went there every day for a month. You just need to pick your needs, see them, and get to a museum that's less crowded. Speaking of which: Mussee D'Orsay is a great museum for seeing some excellent art and is much less crowded and stressful than the Louvre. My personal favorite spot though the Musée de l'Orangerie. It's main draws are Monet's Water Lillies, which were painted with this space in mind. 10/10 experience sitting on those benches and watching the paintings change as the lighting from outside changes with the weather.

Champs Elysees is worth seeing. Arc De Triomph is at one end of it, and you can climb to the top and get an awesome view without waiting with your museum pass. Notre Dame was obviously worth seeing, though I'm not sure of its state at the moment. Still, the area it is in is very cool, and there are some incredibly old Roman ruins underneath the square that Notre Dame sits on, which are cool to see.

Eiffel Tower is beautiful. Bad news: You are probably too late to reserve a trip to the top. Good news: You aren't missing anything. The view of Paris is better with the Eiffel Tower in it. Arc De Triomph has a better view.

Take a cruise on the Seine if it's not too frosty.

Eat all the bread, pastries, and macaroons. Drink all the wine. Drink all the champagne. Get steak frites at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte. Go to Harry's New York Bar and get one of the cocktails that was invented there.

Warnings: Like most big European cities, pickpockets are real. If anyone you don't know starts to approach you with a sob story, they are probably trying a scam. Watch your space with them, put your hand up and shake your head to indicate that you aren't interested and keep walking. Watch your wallet.

You will have to wave down your waiter or waitress at restaurants. They think coming to you with the bill after your meal is being pushy, so don't be shy to get their attention. I felt bad doing this at first but grew to enjoy it because it meant I could end the meal anytime I wanted.

Something I think is big: Try to speak French to people. If you start off by trying to speak in their language, then ask them if they can speak English once the conversation has left your grasp, they tend to be more polite. "Bonjour" "Ca va?" "Je voudrais..." and "parlez vous anglais?" is all you need. I think showing that you are making an effort to engage the culture tends to charm them. I never had a bad experience with anyone in France and I tend to credit my bad attempts at French with this.

 

[Irish2155]

Never for a race but I absolutely love Daytona. Stayed at the Wyndham Oceanwalk resort. Our room sat above a concert called the Daytona Bandshell. Weekend concerts all for free. Had a Guns N Roses cover and a Motley Crue one the next night. Amazing.

Love the area. Lots of mini golf options, trampoline parks for the kids. Resort is attached to a 8 screen movie theater complex. Caught a minor league game at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Only downfall is the homeless. Its so sad. They were never a bother and the area has done well to accommodate this population but they are visible.

Heard great things about the race day atmosphere. The track is approx. 15 minute drive from the ocean.

Sorry if this is not what you were looking for.

Thank you, sir...this is helpful although I'm more curious in activities specific to race weekend. I've been to Daytona quite a few times but never during the race. Mom explains it's pretty crazy that weekend as I can imagine. If it is anything like the Indy 500 I know they'll be plenty of fun to be had. She is actually in Port Orange (right next to Daytona) off the ocean and says the cars can be heard very clearly from her place.

Yes, the homeless situation is really sad. Tent communities right off the highway stick out like a soar thumb but, like you, I've never had any problems. There is one guy in particular they see riding his bike all the time that they've nick named "Fat Larry".

Next time in town I'd recommend stopping in Froggy's for a Bloody Mary(s) - best I've tasted!!

 

[gkIrish]

All good advice from Greyhammer. Paris is a great tourist city because there is so much to do during the day and the dining experience at night is world-class. The pastries are no joke.

That being said the Paris Metro was VERY confusing when I visited 10 years ago. Things aren't necessarily walkable so you have to use it to get around. It was nearly impossible for me to figure out which train to take without asking for help. Sometimes people could tell I was clueless and would even ask me if I needed help. Things have probably changed since then and maybe there is an app that would help you.

 

[ND87]

Greyhammer, gkIrish...
Merci/Thanks. Some solid new info there.
This is why I love this board.

 

[NorthDakota]

Greyhammer, gkIrish...
Merci/Thanks. Some solid new info there.
This is why I love this board.

Dont go to Europe. Trash continent filled with trash people. Everything outside the walls of the Vatican is unworthy of American visitors.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Dont go to Europe. Trash continent filled with trash people. Everything outside the walls of the Vatican is unworthy of American visitors.

How dare you disparage the Camino de Santiago like that

 

[ND87]

How dare you disparage the Camino de Santiago like that

We actually walked a mile or two of that last year in Pamplona.

NDakota... you forgot the italics.

 

[calvegas04]

France is good for visiting Normandy and soaking in the history there.

 

[gkIrish]

We actually walked a mile or two of that last year in Pamplona.

NDakota... you forgot the italics.

Actually I'm pretty sure he was serious haha.

 

[Legacy]

Dakota is just being Dakota.

As immoral and licentious as many of the Popes and bishops were, they built some beautiful cathedrals in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, etc.

Of course, there still exist the "Bishops of Bling" that get posts in the Vatican. That does not detract from its sense of awe and treasures acquired over centuries.

 

[ND87]

Dakota is just being Dakota.

As immoral and licentious as many of the Popes and bishops were, they built some beautiful cathedrals in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, etc.

Of course, there still exist the "Bishops of Bling" that get posts in the Vatican. That does not detract from its sense of awe and treasures acquired over centuries.

Yeah, I guess *I* forgot the italics re: NDakota.

As for all the cathedrals etc...this may take us off the rails, but now having visited Italy, Spain, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany etc, while I do appreciate the beauty, majesty, art and architecture, I actually get saddened and a little offended at the over-the-top opulence of most of them. Thinking about the living conditions of most of the common folk during their building, and seeing all that gold... for me, relative to The Church, that’s a serious disconnect. Though I’m not really much of a Catholic anymore.

We’ve seen a few which were grand architecturally... soaring monuments/temples to God’s greatness...which were beautifully bare inside...those gave me peace.

 

[NorthDakota]

Actually I'm pretty sure he was serious haha.

Hell yeah. Gkirish gets it let's goooo

 

[drayer54]

I'd take a week in in Nice/Cannes/Monaco over a week in Paris any day.

Paris is a must see once, I suppose. Hit the museums, the tower (at night is best), the Moulin Rouge, Montmartre (artsy district), and roam the city.

Southern France is beautiful though. I spent more time in Cannes than Nice, but they aren't all the different. You can catch the speedy train from Paris to Marseille, then rail around wherever you want on the coast. Marseille was cool for an afternoon. Barcelona isn't far the other way. A train pass is gold there!

The churches are amazing in Europe. Far better than in North Dakota, South Dakota, or the Florida panhandle. If you enjoy churches and architecture, then head on to Barcelona.

The wineries are amazing on the coast btw.

 

[NorthDakota]

Are they really churches if they are empty every Sunday? Joking... mostly. I'm sure I'll get dragged there at some point

My general view on Europe continues to be that the ancestors would not have left if to go live in sod houses in the Northern Plains.

 

[NDRock]

We actually walked a mile or two of that last year in Pamplona.

NDakota... you forgot the italics.

You get any "runs" in while in Pamplona?

 

[Greenore]

Rec’s for Nice and/or Paris?
Have 3days / y6days respectively, 16th thru 26th. Christmas night at Moulin Rouge!

My kids did French full immersion from grades 1 through 12. I told them if they graduated with both French and English diplomas I would take them to France. They did and they called me on my promise.

I don't know why, but I have never been interested in going to France, unless it was Normandy or Dieppe. My family was not interested in war history.

For reasons unexplained, I did NOT want to go to Paris so we compromised on Nice. I was not expecting much. Boy, was I wrong!

Just a beautiful city and so affordable. I think it was about 15 minutes to the border of Italy. Beautiful city, great beaches (not sand), safe and an amazing variety of food and drink. A lot of people speak English so I wasn't uncomfortable.

Haven't been to Paris so I can't comment. I would go back to Nice every time the opportunity presented. VRBO is your friend... or was our friend!

Cheers and Go Irish!!

 

[greyhammer90]

Actually I'm pretty sure he was serious haha.

The NorthDakota worldview:

Bad people:
Europeans suck
Native Americans are criminals and are all responsible for something that happened to his uncle(?)
Americans today suck

Good people:
North Dakota
His uncle, I guess?
Americans in the 1950s. Not anyone who really existed, but like, Don Draper was a baws.

 

[Irish YJ]

I've made a lot of Euro friends over the past 20 years.
I will say that a good portion of them would like to move to the US though....
4 already have.

 

[Valpodoc85]

Daughter move to Copenhagen earlier this year. Visited her late September. Great city. 10/10 would go again. Food was good. People spoke English...well. Nice museums and restaurants. No crime. My brother says Europe south to north is like life. South (Italy and Spain) are infants: bit over emotional and need to take naps. Germany and France are petulant teenagers can stay on task but prone to emotional outbursts. Sweden Norway and Denmark are adults and behave like it. Lol I love Germany lived there for a year, would go back anytime. Bavaria is the best.

 

[koonja]

Anyone familiar with Fort Meyers?

My mother is taking my 13 year old sister there for Xmas, and my sister has never seen the ocean. She's really interested in going snorkeling, and as it turns out I still need to get her an Xmas present. I'd like to set up snorkeling trip for her, but I dont know that part of FL at all.

 

[arndtjc]

Anyone familiar with Fort Meyers?

My mother is taking my 13 year old sister there for Xmas, and my sister has never seen the ocean. She's really interested in going snorkeling, and as it turns out I still need to get her an Xmas present. I'd like to set up snorkeling trip for her, but I dont know that part of FL at all.

Koon, water is gonna be a little too chilly to do any snorkeling or water activities around that time unfortunately

 

[wizards8507]

Just got back from four days in Buenos Aires for work. Remind me to never ever go to vacation in South America for any reason. The cheap steaks aren't worth it.

 

[NorthDakota]

Koon, water is gonna be a little too chilly to do any snorkeling or water activities around that time unfortunately

Koon is from the North. His sister can hack it.

I could go into the gulf waters in January in the Panhandle and it took a couple min to settle in.

 

[OrlaNDomer]

Travelling to Thailand (Phuket, Bangkok, & Chiang Mai) and Bali for 2 weeks in May. Any and all advice/recommendations greatly appreciated.