The Holidays Thread

mistermagic said:

I didn't have any problems when I went for a game but most of my friends got something nicked so keep your things close to you. Feel me?

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Cannot be any worse than Rome, I actually saw someone get caught pickpocketing

Plus, y'know, Barcelona is dead cheap. Really nice hotel at 30€ by the airport. Would have cost 300 in Paris that.

I was super aware when I went to Barcelona after being told of all the pick-pockets. I didn't get anything stolen but that was probably because i was walking around with my hands in my pockets the whole time.

That being said, Barcelona is a beautiful city. And it has it's fair share of beautiful ladies as well.

Full of Gas said:

Going to New York in July with the girlfriend, flying out on the 3rd so really looking forward to the 4th of July celebrations.

Can anyone recommend anything in particular for us to visit? (apart from the obvious choices of course)

Also have a week away to Majorca in September, with the girlfriend & a few friends

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Well the New York trip has now been postponed due to a job opportunity which I couldn't turn down, now heading over in December & we'll be spending New Years there, anyone been there during this time of year?! We can't decide on what to do for New Years Eve & could do with some suggestions as there are literally hundreds of things to choose from!

Slightly gutted we won't be there for the 4th of July, but celebrating the New Year in New York should be pretty incredible!

Off to Taiwan in June - anyone been?

Full of Gas said:

Slightly gutted we won't be there for the 4th of July, but celebrating the New Year in New York should be pretty incredible!

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I honestly don't think you'll be missing much. I stayed at a friends in New York State for 4th July a few years back and it was really just a BBQ with some fire works in the evening. Enjoyable, but not must do.

New Years in NYC will be far better.

IanH said:

How can you not have been on holiday for five years? You only live once man!

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I haven't been away for about 9!

Florida in 19 days!!!

Got Dublin coming up for England game next month - been before not a massive fan but will be a good crack I bet.

Going Ibiza then Krakow in July. Never been Krakow but wanted to visit Poland for some time - any tips on what to do? Other than get shitfaced. Want to do the Auschtiwtiz trip if possible, is it doable in a day from Krakow?

Done Ibiza before in 2011 so think I know the crack, anyone been in last couple of years and got anywhere I should avoid/definitely go too? Did Space/Pacha/Eden/EsParadis/Mambo's etc last time.

MerseyParadise said:

Got Dublin coming up for England game next month - been before not a massive fan but will be a good crack I bet.

Going Ibiza then Krakow in July. Never been Krakow but wanted to visit Poland for some time - any tips on what to do? Other than get shitfaced. Want to do the Auschtiwtiz trip if possible, is it doable in a day from Krakow?

Done Ibiza before in 2011 so think I know the crack, anyone been in last couple of years and got anywhere I should avoid/definitely go too? Did Space/Pacha/Eden/EsParadis/Mambo's etc last time.

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An hour by car/an hour and a half by train.

Cardsfan said:

An hour by car/an hour and a half by train.

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Sound cheers. Any other recomendations?

Anyone here every travelled south east asia/Australia? And used STA travel?

Me and mate are close to booking our trip, we went to an STA shop yesterday to have an 'appointment', but I have a few questions (should have but forgot to ask)....

How easy is it to travel around and I mean from country to country? We're obviously going to do the whole thailand Island hopping stuff but I'd really like to get out to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Also how easy is it to find accommodation? Neither of us are fussed about the standard of accommodation.

The guy at STA gave us a little mock itinerary and included flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore...surely it would be cheaper to just get a bus or train?

I'll probably think of more questions....

nousername said:

I honestly don't think you'll be missing much. I stayed at a friends in New York State for 4th July a few years back and it was really just a BBQ with some fire works in the evening. Enjoyable, but not must do.

New Years in NYC will be far better.

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That's re-assuring, although we've now got to wait longer to go I actually feel abit more excited

BlueBee said:

Anyone here every travelled south east asia/Australia? And used STA travel?

Me and mate are close to booking our trip, we went to an STA shop yesterday to have an 'appointment', but I have a few questions (should have but forgot to ask)....

How easy is it to travel around and I mean from country to country? We're obviously going to do the whole thailand Island hopping stuff but I'd really like to get out to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Also how easy is it to find accommodation? Neither of us are fussed about the standard of accommodation.
..

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wikitravel.org

Best website for travellers, answers every question you have.

Considering you are going to two of the most popular travellers destination countries in the world I am extremelz certain that accommodation is the least of your problems.

hostelworld and hostelbookers are your friends with that regards.

VISAs are the biggest pain in the arse when travelling, but I find this is only a problem when travelling bz plane as the air company gets fined if you are turned away. When flying from MExico t COlombia I was refused the flight because of this, I had to quicklz book an outgoing ticket from Colombia to the cheapest countrz to appease the airline. When I arrived to Colombia, the immigraton office didnt give a shit. By bus though its a a lot less hassle espicially with a British passport.

Personally I would never use a travel agent companz to travel, the internet has everything you want.

wikitravel
hostelworld
couchsurfing ( very safe, used it in Mexico and Colombia apparently two dangerous countries)
skyscanner.





Krakow - the walking tours are pretty cool, I didnt do Auschwitz myself, after recently visiting Rome I got the feeling it would be the same where I am hearded around like cattle. The salt mines are supposed to be good to visit. Tour companies sell tickets to Auschwitz though for 100 zlotys: you arent allowed to enter without a tourguide, but you can get the train there for 4 zlots and pay for the tour guide for about 5ö zlotys, once again wiki travel has this information.

I personallz preferred Lviv, which was a lot less touristy and I only spent 40 euros in 3 nights...

Im waitin for a reply for a job in London in 2 weeks, if I dont get it then Im going to Brazil for 3 months starting September.

When I went to Aushwitsz, which admitedly was about 6/7 years ago, you were free to walk around without a tour guide.

BlueBee said:

Anyone here every travelled south east asia/Australia? And used STA travel?

Me and mate are close to booking our trip, we went to an STA shop yesterday to have an 'appointment', but I have a few questions (should have but forgot to ask)....

How easy is it to travel around and I mean from country to country? We're obviously going to do the whole thailand Island hopping stuff but I'd really like to get out to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Also how easy is it to find accommodation? Neither of us are fussed about the standard of accommodation.

The guy at STA gave us a little mock itinerary and included flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore...surely it would be cheaper to just get a bus or train?

I'll probably think of more questions....

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Feel sure I've answered this before.

It's dead easy to travel between the countries. You can give yourself a bit of security/peace of mind by getting your visas in advance from somewhere like here or you can sort them on the road. Google 'visa on arrival Cambodia/Vietnam'. Or you can go to (for example) the Vietnam consulate or an agency in Cambodia and get them as you go.

If you've got time and don't mind paying the commission though, get them from that agency here before you go. You can apply for a few at a time and your passport will come back to you with them all in.

If you're going to Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam than go to Laos too. It's ace.

Accommodation is dead easy to find. Honestly. Half the time when I go to new places I'll arrive with an idea of the area I want to stay but with nowt booked.

You can get a bus from KL to Singapore, aye.

Basically mate, stop worrying about it. You'll be nervous before you leave, then you'll get to Bangkok and be all wide eyed and loving it on Khao San Road, and a week later will be confident as fuck about travelling and will regret pretty much any accommodation or tours you've committed yourself to in advance.

When are you going? I'll meet you for a beer if I'm about.

SUTSS said:

When I went to Aushwitsz, which admitedly was about 6/7 years ago, you were free to walk around without a tour guide.

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Pretty sure it was optional when I went.

Stagat said:

Feel sure I've answered this before.

It's dead easy to travel between the countries. You can give yourself a bit of security/peace of mind by getting your visas in advance from somewhere like here or you can sort them on the road. Google 'visa on arrival Cambodia/Vietnam'. Or you can go to (for example) the Vietnam consulate or an agency in Cambodia and get them as you go.

If you've got time and don't mind paying the commission though, get them from that agency here before you go. You can apply for a few at a time and your passport will come back to you with them all in.

If you're going to Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam than go to Laos too. It's ace.

Accommodation is dead easy to find. Honestly. Half the time when I go to new places I'll arrive with an idea of the area I want to stay but with nowt booked.

You can get a bus from KL to Singapore, aye.

Basically mate, stop worrying about it. You'll be nervous before you leave, then you'll get to Bangkok and be all wide eyed and loving it on Khao San Road, and a week later will be confident as fuck about travelling and will regret pretty much any accommodation or tours you've committed yourself to in advance.

When are you going? I'll meet you for a beer if I'm about.

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Cheers for that. Probably going to launch a tonne of questions your way over the next few months.

We're planning to be out there early January next year.

mistermagic said:

Pretty sure it was optional when I went.

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Optional when I went in December. Myself and a mate decided to wander round on our own to take it all in, incredibly moving place(s).

In terms of Krakow, beautiful city. The Castle looked cool but we were limited for time as it was a football focused trip (Did Górnik Zabrze and Wisła).......Be prepared to be stopped every 5 minutes by solid 8/10's trying to lure you into strip clubs on the main square. Would recommend the House Of Beer and Dog In The Fog just off the main square. We ate all our meals in a little place called Milkbar Tomasza, really nice little place.

Can't wait to head back to Poland, myself and the aforementioned friend fell in love with it.

BlueBee said:

Cheers for that. Probably going to launch a tonne of questions your way over the next few months.

We're planning to be out there early January next year.

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I basically agree with Stagat - Southeast Asia is an easy place to travel aound. You definitely should go to Laos; I think it's my favourite country in that region.

Agree with all the above regarding South East Asia.

Apart from a flight in and out, don't book anything in between.

Cheers for replies regards Poland everyone. Looking forward ot visiting somewhere new.

Scumarmy. said:

Off to Barcelona for a week or so in July, first holiday I have had for just over 5 years!

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Mind your wallet down the main street mate, the pick pockets got skillz

They are professionals. I have a great story about being pickpocketed by locals in el Borne and then having my money, cards and wallet given back to me ten minutes later, but I insist on having a cold cider in front of me when I tell it.

Here's your fucking cold cider:


Now what happened?

Can't fool me with a tumbler of apple juice mm. And I'll bet you didn't even shower before pouring it.

I typed in cold cider. Looks a bit orange to be apple juice tbh.

And I had my bi-daily 10km run so yes I did shower. So there!

Off for a long weekend in Cornwall this weekend, finishing up at the Royal Cornwall Show on the last day. Can't wait.

Going to visit Israel in August.

Has anyone been?

nousername said:

Going to visit Israel in August.

Has anyone been?

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Nope, but I wouldn't book a hotel anywhere near a border, the authorities might claim the room as their own!