The Holiday Thread

[Goku de la Boca]

3 hours ago, CaaC (John) said:

If it was me, that above would be the first place I would visit, that's bloody stunning, is it the Kuelop Fortress or did I Google it wrong. 

That one is called Revash.

The photo below is Kuelap.

[Carnivore Chris]

On 16/02/2023 at 23:47, Eco said:

We are considering going to Portugal/Spain for the a couple of weeks in the summer, but we are also considering New Zealand later in the year. Certainly won't do both, but we are likely doing one.

 

Why don't you leave Spain until the football season starts in late September and attend a game? Spanish weather, especially in the South, is beautiful at that time of the year and the tourism isn't as high either since all the kids are back at school after the holidays. In saying that, it all depends on when you yourself can go, given how I'm guessing you will be taking the kids with you.

 

[Eco]

49 minutes ago, Carnivore Chris said:

Why don't you leave Spain until the football season starts in late September and attend a game? Spanish weather, especially in the South, is beautiful at that time of the year and the tourism isn't as high either since all the kids are back at school after the holidays. In saying that, it all depends on when you yourself can go, given how I'm guessing you will be taking the kids with you.

 

Yeah - I'd love to time it up with a week that maybe Atletico has a midweek game so that we can attend a couple of matches.

Likely wouldn't be taking the daughter though, so that'd make it easier.

[Coma+]

1 hour ago, Carnivore Chris said:

Why don't you leave Spain until the football season starts in late September and attend a game? Spanish weather, especially in the South, is beautiful at that time of the year and the tourism isn't as high either since all the kids are back at school after the holidays. In saying that, it all depends on when you yourself can go, given how I'm guessing you will be taking the kids with you.

 

I considered going this summer but was concerned about it being hot and too touristy. This confirms my suspicions. 

[Goku de la Boca]

I have scrapped my plans for Mexico and Chachapoyas, this time for real I've decided to do a trip around the Dominican Republic, and maybe a day in Haiti.

300 CAD from Lima to Santo Domingo, I think April's the date.

[Goku de la Boca]

First draft schedule for Dominican Republic

April 5th-7th - arrival in Santo Domingo, exploring
April 8th - La Romana day trip
April 9th-13th - Santiago De Los Caballeros and the surroundings
April 14th - Return to Santo Domingo and rest
April 15th - To the Haiti border
April 16th - Final day in Santo Domingo
April 17th -- Return to Peru

[CaaC (John)+]

4 hours ago, Goku de la Boca said:

First draft schedule for Dominican Republic

April 5th-7th - arrival in Santo Domingo, exploring
April 8th - La Romana day trip
April 9th-13th - Santiago De Los Caballeros and the surroundings
April 14th - Return to Santo Domingo and rest
April 15th - To the Haiti border
April 16th - Final day in Santo Domingo
April 17th -- Return to Peru

Relax and enjoy your traveling. 

[Stan]

What a lovely place Lyon is. 

 

 

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[Danny]

Currently on my first holiday abroad since pre-covid, just shy of 4 years. Fucking needed it. Spent two and a half days in Biarritz which was very calm and relaxing, lovely coastal town that I’d happily spend 10-14 nights in.

Currently on day 3 of 4 in Donostia San Sebastián and honestly I don’t think I’ve ever been to a better city.

Their Pintxos (Basque for tapas) is arguably the best food you will eat in Europe and I’ve not even touched the Michelin star restaurants. There is also a beer called 18/70 that every bar seems to serve (some places only serve it) and honestly it accompanies the food beautifully. It seems like a very wealthy city and tbh if like me you come from a working class background where you ate unseasoned food throughout your childhood this place will seem like a hidden gem, but to maybe the more wealthy and Euro savvy it’s a must go destination.

It is a tiny city, feels similar to somewhere like Liverpool in terms of size but honestly it’s worlds apart. Being here feels like a small city on steroids, it’s not directly comparable to these cities because of its smaller size  but it’s 100% in the same league as major cities I’ve been to like London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Sydney and Melbourne. It’s definitely above those for food, sun and sea, which really is all you need.

I have spent the majority of my days on La Concha beach, the first night we were able to watch the sunset on it which was great. The first full day, away from the beach, me and the missus secured one of the only tables at Bat Nestor, viewed as the most iconic bar in San Sebastian. Their tortilla de patatas was genuinely incredible, we then shared a plate of heavily salted tomatoes soaked in olive oil, before a plate of charred and salted peppers, which led to one of the most famous bites in the city, the steak. Cooked to perfection, rare, again heavily salted and full of flavour. Today was a boat ride around Santa Clara island, onto it for an hour with a swim in its tiny beach before heading back to La Concha for a swim. Tomorrow we will be climbing the two mountains (sort of) either side of the harbour. Every evening has and will be filled with time spent in the old town eating Pintxos and drinking beer.

There’s so much of the city to see still, we’ve barely touched the centre or any of the other areas. There are vineyards too not far away which will have to be done in future.

If I could post pictures on here I would, but I can’t for some reason. But if you need a place to holiday, San Sebastian is a great choice.

[Stan]

You've gone up in my estimations @Danny. San Sebastian is absolutely beautiful. Glad you mentioned, and experienced, the pintxos. Love how many different varieties you can get in any place you go.

It's just a lovely place to relax and take in the world, and just to enjoy yourself in the beautiful surroundings. 

[Danny]

2 hours ago, Stan said:

You've gone up in my estimations @Danny. San Sebastian is absolutely beautiful. Glad you mentioned, and experienced, the pintxos. Love how many different varieties you can get in any place you go.

It's just a lovely place to relax and take in the world, and just to enjoy yourself in the beautiful surroundings. 

I have so many things to say about this place but I’ve just had the cheesecake from la vina and had it topped with a caramel tasing fortified wine and it was fucking mesmeric 

[nudge]

I love your enthusiasm, @Danny. Great review, and sounds like a lovely place... Upload some pics to imgur and then post the link here!

[Carnivore Chris]

How long are you there for and are you planning on exporing Bilbao while there too? @Danny

 

On another note, this time in 4 weeks:

 

 

Edited May 28, 2023 by Carnivore Chris

[Danny]

12 hours ago, nudge said:

I love your enthusiasm, @Danny. Great review, and sounds like a lovely place... Upload some pics to imgur and then post the link here!

Forgot image uploading was a thing, will get some pictures up

1 hour ago, Carnivore Chris said:

How long are you there for and are you planning on exporing Bilbao while there too? @Danny

 

On another note, this time in 4 weeks:

 

 

Today is our final day here, back home tomorrow. Not been to Bilbao though it was on the cards, felt there was gunna be too much travelling with Biarritz and San Sebastián so gave it a miss. Definitely will be making the trip over there at some point though!

Been trying to speak (very limited) Spanish whilst here, did try Basque but not all the workers are from the region. They appreciate a Kaixo and Eskerrick Asko though. When I say I’ve tried to speak the language it’s essentially been variations of “kaixo, puede tenner dos ___ y ____ por favor”. No idea how formal or informal it is but I feel like I speak 7 languages when the waiter doesn’t have to resort to speaking English lol

[Tommy]

Going back to Croatia on Tuesday for a week. 

[Danny]

.

Edited May 28, 2023 by Danny

[Tommy]

7 hours ago, Danny said:

.

On point! 

[Lucas]

On 28/05/2023 at 16:25, Tommy said:

Going back to Croatia on Tuesday for a week. 

Amazing place, where to?

[Tommy]

On 30/05/2023 at 00:12, Lucas said:

Amazing place, where to?

Tuçepi, near Makarska.

 

Anyway, greetings from Croatia.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Wow Croatia looks great

[Viva la FCB+]

Aigh thats beautiful. Always been on my list of places to get to!

[Coma+]

19 hours ago, Tommy said:

Tuçepi, near Makarska.

 

Anyway, greetings from Croatia.

Had to look this place up.  Looks comparable to Italy honestly.  It's on that long stretch of land I like to call "fuck you Bosnia & Herzegovina".

[Lucas]

@Tommy Looks great mate. Brings back a lot of memories from our holiday in Makarska last September. 

I think between the pics you'll take and mine somewhere in this thread, we have enough to convince this lot to go there  

Best waters in Europe hands down for me and I include Greece in that.

Enjoy!

Edited June 1, 2023 by Lucas

[Lucas]

5 minutes ago, Coma said:

It's on that long stretch of land I like to call "fuck you Bosnia & Herzegovina".

Yeah, we took a day trip over the border, mainly to go to Mostar and see the bridge and that.

Great views for sure but what a load of hassle to cross the border and wasn't massively keen on the vibe of the place when there. Couldn't relax.

Never again.

Edited June 1, 2023 by Lucas

[Viva la FCB+]

Took a weekend roadtrip up to Whistler, BC for 3 nights. The Sea to Sky Highway is a beautiful drive this time of year, we also stopped a bunch along the way up (only roughly a 2 and 1/2 hour drive total). Been waiting for my passport renewal as the bastards went on strike in the middle of me mailing it in.