July 01, 2006

• Hmmm... whenever anyone asks where to go I always recommend Belize (great snorkling/diving, wonderful pyramids, beautiful rainforest, wonderful people), but central America may be too close to what you already know. I was in Eastern Europe in the mid 90s, and I've always wanted to go back. I loved it then, and I've wondered how things have changed since now they're this much farther away from communism... I hope the cities I visited were able to prosper while still staying funky, if that makes sense. Also, at the time everything was pretty dirt cheap. (Then again, the dollar was also stronger.)
• Not much help in the actual experience front, but I've heard folks rave about Iceland and Australia/New Zealand, which you could do properly in a month's time. I'm sure #1 could give you plenty of ideas there!
• I will actually be traveling to Iceland in August, on my way to Amsterdam. One word of caution, Iceland is one of the most expensive European cities to visit. We are still working on accomodations, but I think we will be hard pressed to find anything less than $200 a night (not including hostels and the like). However, Icelandair will allow you to iclude a layover in Iceland (up to 7 days) while enroute to any of there other destinations at no additional charge. Airfare in general is through the roof. The cheapest deals I saw to Europe when looking last month were through Aer Lingus. Then you could try the super cheap Ryan Air from Dublin to travel further.
• beautiful downtown baghdad?
• Dude! Wait 'til October! The wife and I are crossing the pond then!
• There are a lot more exotic places, but I found that Europe/UK was essential. Lots of small countries (compared to the US) with history that has soaked into all of us to some degree, each with it's own character.
• Hum, 5 weeks. I'd add my vote for Europe as well. If you just want to make things up as you go along, their rail system is about the best way to go about doing that. And with the EU, once you've cleared Customs in one country you are pretty much OK for all of them. Keeps hassles to a minimum. Alternatively, Australia/New Zealand from your side of the US doesn't add much in the way of flying time (vs Europe). And the US dollar goes a lot further in those countries too. You can often get excellent deals across the Pacific flying out of SFO.
• Australia in August? Most of it will be chilly and cold. Might be OK in Darwin or Cairns though. Plus if you only have a week you might want to factor in jet lag issues when going too far out of your timezone. You don't want to be asleep/dog tired for half of your vacation!
• gomichild - SQ says month and a week, otherwise I'd have never suggested it. The north is beautiful this time of year, and provided you don't venture too far south it isn't really that cold (IMHO).
• Ooooooo my bad! That'll learn me for reading MoFi before my morning coffee!
• If you're going to Europe, don't miss Turkey. It's not that far afield, it's very inexpensive, and the food is great. Plus, it's easy to catch a bus to Kappadokia (where there are the remains of an underground city that housed thousands, and lots more amazing history) or Pamakkale (where there salt? formations that you can walk on that look otherworldly). And Istanbul itself is full of things to do. Skip Ankara, though. What a pit.
• normally I would recommend SE Asia. there is SO much to see, its very inexpensive, delicious and friendly, and you've got the time to make a long flight worthwhile. in the last decade or so its been a pretty safe travel option, I THINK that is still the case, except for Indonesia, which is really too bad. Bali is supposed to have some of the truly spectacular beaches in the world. Thailand is just awesome! You could also hop over to Cambodia and see Ankor Wat... If you decide on Europe, which I think is never a bad idea....if you go to Italy, you MUST see Bologna. It is such a gorgeous, awesome city and the food is fantastic. good luck! have fun!! post pics :)
• japan. kyoto!
• I'm going to northern Germany and then northern Italy for two weeks starting August 8th. It is my serious intention to personally cause a major beer shortage in Deutschland, so be forewarned. :-) There are no bad places to visit in Europe. And if you do manage to find one, there's always a train leaving for somewhere else. In August, you'll probably want to avoid Paris and Rome. Both cities have a reputation that anybody who can get out of the city in August, does. Your budget seems pretty slim for five or six weeks in Europe, especially if you want to see the major cities (which you should if you've never been there; special shoutouts to Bremen, Budapest, Firenze [Florence], Prague, and Milan, in no particular order.) If you want to get out to the countryside, I'd recommend stops in Normandy, Alsace-Lorraine, Tuscany, and pretty much anywhere in Holland. If you'd like more recommendations, say so. I can pretty much bore anyone to death with them. :-)
• I particularly second Budapest and Prague. I'm going back to Budapest someday on my World Tour of Fake Things (I'll see nothing "real," just reproductions and fakes! Of course all of the Disney parks would be on the list!). Budapest has a three-quarter sized reproduction of the Eiffel Tower!
• i think there's lots to recommend europe, but if you want to travel in the sense of encountering a way of life very different from your own, and perhaps a way of thinking very different from your own, i'd recommend east africa, specifically kenya, uganda, tanzania (incl. zanzibar), zambia, and zimbabwe. to see: some of the greatest wildlife preserves in africa. some of the most interesting landscapes. to do: hiking, climbing, snorkelling, diving, animal-watching, natural history museums, art museums, white-water rafting on the zambezi.
• oh yeah, e-mail me if you want more info or contact people in east africa.
• Thanks everyone. If anyone else has ideas, keep them coming. My friend David had a wonderful time in Thailand and on another trip in India. But I've done grunge throughout Latin America and don't know if I'm up for the beggars and whatnot of India. I'm leaning towards the British Isles as well as perhaps Spain, Italy or Turkey. I've got a college pal who is a automotive journalist out of Milan and if he can show me around, I just might go there.
• COME TO LONDON FOR T3H MEETUP please
• I've thought about it a bit more and the other thing to bear in mind is that Europe in August is on holiday. Might do to ask around and find out what is open, what's closed and what is so busy that it might as well be. Closed that is.
• gnarrgh bugger HTML sod it. In London we mutter inanely.
• Am I the only one pissed off by this thread? It must be rough to be rich enough that you auctully have to worry about agonizing over what foreign locale to vacation in. Most Americans who auctully work for a living don't even have the option of vacation at all, let alone overseas.
• Am I the only one pissed off by this thread? Yes, you are. And if you think squid is rich, you are crazy.
• I guess it's all relative, but in my book anyone that can afford to go to Europe or Asia on vacation is pretty damn well off.
• It must be rough to be rich enough that you auctully have to worry about agonizing over what foreign locale to vacation in. Most Americans who auctully work for a living don't even have the option of vacation at all, let alone overseas. Gosh, you're right. We should be angry that squid could afford to take a vacation. Everyone should be eating beans and ramen out of dented cans.
• It must be rough to be rich enough that you auctully have to worry about agonizing over what foreign locale to vacation in. Most Americans who auctully work for a living don't even have the option of vacation at all, let alone overseas. Interesting. I originally wrote a much more scathing reply, and then I started wondering why I felt so defensive about it. So I deleted it and started over in a more thoughtful vein. Perhaps this deserves some discussion and analysis. I don't consider myself rich... maybe "comfortably well off" would be a good description? Everything I have, I have because I've earned it. Certainly I have been lucky, and I've made some good choices in my life, but no pennies from heaven have fallen into my lap. My father was a mechanic, my mother a part-time teacher, but we still vacationed every year. My folks thought that travel was important enough that they'd scrimp and save during the year just so we could go somewhere every summer. Some years it was just the Jersey Shore, or the mountains of northern PA, but we always went somewhere. Now that we're older, my siblings and I continue that tradition with our own families. I'm honestly curious as to why this would piss someone off. Certainly by the standards of the rest of the world, we monkeys are all rich; we have computers and the time to use them in idle pursuits, we presumably all have a roof over our heads, enough to eat, and no one actively trying to kill us. Being able to travel is a decision. Like every other decision in life, you make choices to get there. In my case, the choices are to work extra hours when I can, and to spend more time than I like working at a different craft that earns me extra money, so I can spend a couple of weeks drinking beer in Germany and eating Italian food in Italy. (Squiddy, sorry for the thread derail!)
• The tone of this post is just what makes this and other boards thrive; it's not a bragging but a request for info, experiences. At least I take it to be so. Yeah, one can get jealous but that's an unhealthy attitude. I'm not rich also by any means either, but have made me travel a few places that otherwise wouldn't have; yes, a week abroad may mean many months of a day job and freelance all-nighters, but it's worth it. Net exposure to other people's ideas and customs gives us just a glimpse to what we do get to experience when actually getting there. Of course, I unnderstand not all things are equal for everyone; but we should try to ar least keep an open mind to new ideas. And there are budget options. That said, the only ones that really make my blood boil are those always-meeting LA monkeys. GGRRRR. : )
• You could always cancel your internet connection and use the money to save for your own trip to Europe, Berek.
• that's funny, Flagpole, I too feel jealous of the LA monkeys. Having met many of them at Bay Area meetups but being unable (this time) to journey south and join them....GGRRRR! is right. but to be jealous or resentful of Squiddy's opportunity to travel, well Berek, I am sorry to hear that you feel that way. Even in the greatest poverty (which I doubt you experience) one can feel happiness for someone else's good fortune. We have no idea what sacrifices Squid may choose to make in order to travel. We all make trade-offs within our means. as hicinbaby said, its unlikely any monkeys are truly hurting... there are always ways to travel very cheaply if you really want to make it happen.
• Honestly, I found California and New Zealand to be fairly alike: the geography here around Christchurch is not unlike the scenery along the PCH and central coast. The people are maybe a bit friendlier, goods are cheaper (but only when you take into account the exchange rate), and yes, I'd love to take you out for a beer or three. But I wouldn't vacation here in August. I've been wanting to see eastern Europe one day, and that's what I'd suggest.
• Jealousy tinged with regret. Never taken a real vacation in my life. Mistakes made. Choices taken. Fiscally worthless degree. Storied (checkered?) work history. Overqualified for everthing. Stuck teh bottom rung. Had one perfect day once. Right outside my front door. Perfect blonde, perfect love, perfect day. Twas a fourth of July. Twas too perfect for me. She left. Jealousy tinged with regret.
• Ah, Berek. I could tell you of a perfect day too... and I had to cross the seas for it. Damn. Damn.
• I'm also fiscally deficient and have never had a real vacation either. Mr. Koko and I and Mr. Koko's mom will be going to Sydney in October. Not my ideal vacation, but I takes what I can gets. And when's the next time I'll get to go to Australia? Never, that's when. Hey Squids, I hear Winnipeg's a nice place to visit! There's um ... bars here, and beer stores, and a couple of Wal-Marts, and beverage rooms, and a quaint little skid row, and ah forget it.
• Wow, that was a strange derail. Then it went back on track again. Truth be told, I've only traveled down to South America several times, once on a job, and then several other times romancing my ex-wife whom I met on that job. Other than that, I've never been out of North America. But I don't think that this really matters one way or another. I'm sorry for your ill wishes Berek, but it's not like I am asking for recomendations on what sort of Rolls Royce to buy. Friends tell me that Italy is a first time European vacation friendly destination. The folks are friendly, willing to speak English if you greet them in Italian, and the food is FANTASTIC (I love da Italian cooking). Besides my Spanish is pretty good and Italian is pretty darn close. Has anyone done Italy on the cheap? Suggestions are welcome.
• Friends of mine have just taken a camping holiday through Italy. They said Sicily is way cheaper than the mainland. The majority of their money went on entrance to various museums and art galleries, although some campsites that claim to have private beach access apparently charge extra for the beach. They also complained about endless lines at each popular attraction. I spent about ten days in Milan and found that you could get by with very little Italian, and even if people didn't speak English a little gesturing and pointing went a long way.
• squid, if you speak decent Spanish you will pick Italian up quickly. I have a little Sp, teeny bit of Fr and studied Latin, and I was amazed at how quick-& easily I picked up Italian. Sardinia is great, I've been told. calabria IS awesome (I know) great food, people etc., and cheap.
• "Calling mothninja. Mothninja to aisle 12148 please." I would also like to recommend UK/Europe, albeit with slight ulterior motives, heh. But for picturesque scenery, history and a wide, wide variety of cultures, all within a relatively small land area, it really is quite good. Another place I might recommend is China, which is still relatively cheap (aside from some of the established cities such as Shanghai and Beijing). But I've never been there myself, although I plan to. Small aside to vent: I'm probably considered quite well-off, although I still have to live with my parents, I earn at least a thousand dollars less than most of my friends my age in Singapore, and I save up for my trips by not eating out, not drinking and not buying non-neccessities other than some books and tea.
• but it's not like I am asking for recomendations on what sort of Rolls Royce to buy Well, when you are, get a gold one. Sends a subtle message.
• Nah, when you are -- buy an Aston Martin DB9 instead. Much more fun ;)
• Lumborghini! Vroom Vroom! *puts on driving goggles and leather cap*
• Nothing says "I have money and excellent taste" like a Spyker. Dutch engineering, double-plus yes!
• > Has anyone done Italy on the cheap? only off-season (january). if you need a hotel in the center of rome and are willing to share a shower, this place (warning, window resize and doesn't seem to work correctly in firefox) is very well situated and features pandas.
• Sorry, I meant Lamborghini. Vroom Vroom! *pretends she's handling a steering wheel and goes running around*
• You should visit Iowa. I will chauffer you around in my 92 Nercury Tracer. Will show you all the sites.
• Oh, Berek, you must be bad off; you can't even afford a real Mercury. I bet your tv is a Sorny.
• Koko, don't mock - please. Let me tell you our friend's tragic tale. Berek's parents were too poor to afford to name him Derek. For a long time his name was Erek, and he could only afford five letters when - oh conscientious student! - he won a spelling B at school. One day - should he save his pennies - he'll trade in that B and upgrade to Cerek. And then he's only a mortgage away from achieving his dream. So just cut the guy some slack, OK?
• Saturday evening I left a wedding, a tad intoxicated, to encounter a Lotus Elise (British Racing Green) near our car. I did in fact proceed to pet, stroke and eventually lay my dress-up body across said car whilst purring and squealing. IT WAS SOOOOOO HOT!! I realized the car is a little dragon. It looks just like a little dragon!! A sexy little dragon :)
• For Alnedra: (^_^)
• Oh and this won't help squidranch much (sorry sweetie) but the best times to visit Japan are March-May and September - November. Unless you enjoy sleet and trains stopping (in Southern Honshu anyway) November - February. Cherry Blossom season is usually around the beginning of April - but it can be tricky to catch as it depends on the weather as to when the trees bloom. Japan is really beautiful then though. Autumn is also pretty special. Bring your raincoat and rubber boots if coming in June - it's rainy season. It buckets down for several days. July and August are stinky and hot - plus the extra fun of typhoons. Although Hokkaido is said to be nice then. (We have earthquakes all year round though so you should be lucky enough to catch one at any time of year!) Also during Obon (roughly around August 13 - 15) a lot of the place shuts down for a few days and everyone runs back to their hometown. Near impossible to get train tickets and you might end up living off convenience store bentos. brought to you by the gomichild Japanese Tourism Board
• That sexy little dragon's grin is contagious. You don't happen to, ah, have any video of that dragon-humping impromptu performance, do you, Medusa? *cough* : )
• Medusa, on your reccomendation I did a bit of checking up on Calabria. Seems like a very cool place, off the beaten track. So much so that the region is acually underserved by paved roads. If I could find nice apartment a cool little town on the beach with some great restaurants I just might settle there for a week out of my trip.
• ...in a cool little town...
• I'm so saving this thread for ideas for my next getaway. Have fun squid!!
• I think any of the suggestions would be great, my only addition is that if you are travelling alone, hostels are a really good way to save money and meet people. You might meet other people travelling alone who would like to join you in touring. You don't need to be a student - many people in hostels are younger, but I've met a fair number of people in their thirties and forties as well.
• If you do go through England, Dreadnought and/or I can offer you a free tour of Cambridge with an option for Huntingdon (the Cromwell Museum!) or Ely (amazing Cathedral and another Cromwell Museum!) and the fens for the same low price. Also, Alnedra is coming through in late August (meetup looks like it will be the 23rd in August).
• I would also like to point out that most people speak English in England. Well, they claim it's English, but it's not too big a deal with a dictionary and some subtitles.
• Squid!! I have that cool little town for you: Tropea. I was there for 8 days last fall and have many recommendations. please email if you'd like detalis (and pics, my flickr account has a bunch)
• It's called "La Perla della Calabria" (squeeeee!) and really, it was :)
• Hey, squid, where are you? Europe?