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Post by alady on Jun 13, 2017 15:08:33 GMT -6
Of course there's a debate. Jamaica trip sounds like it's practically free aside from the flight, and a relaxing/quick vacation sounds like a great option after a tough semester. Italy is great but a) prob not relaxing b) def not cheap c) not going anywhere.
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Post by claypoolfan on Jun 13, 2017 15:10:49 GMT -6
Venice is literally sinking as we speak. |
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Post by alady on Jun 13, 2017 15:13:26 GMT -6
gotdangit
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Post by ultravisitor on Jun 13, 2017 16:19:09 GMT -6
Of course there's a debate. Jamaica trip sounds like it's practically free aside from the flight, and a relaxing/quick vacation sounds like a great option after a tough semester. Italy is great but a) prob not relaxing b) def not cheap c) not going anywhere. A) He can relax when he's dead. Or just not have a hectic schedule, which is easier during November since there won't be crowds and long lines (if any lines at all). B) Not as cheap as Jamaica, but as I said, if he was already thinking of going there...Yes, he could go to Italy later, but just because he's in the position to do so now doesn't mean he will be later. Like I told my graduating seniors the other day, you really won't have as many opportunities in life that you think you'll have. C) Neither is Jamaica. But I'm also not one for beaches. |
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Post by goodson on Jun 13, 2017 17:28:55 GMT -6
the thing about this italy trip is i can get a flight for >$500, and i feel like iwon't have that opportunity again
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Post by claypoolfan on Jun 13, 2017 17:34:37 GMT -6
You will absolutely have that opportunity again.
Sorry, I know you meant <$500
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Post by goodson on Jun 13, 2017 17:35:21 GMT -6
the thing is that i don't though
norwegian airlines from newark is $409 round trip right now
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Post by concertgoer on Jun 13, 2017 17:38:34 GMT -6
Go to Italy
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Post by alady on Jun 13, 2017 17:45:20 GMT -6
Norwegian Airlines is stupid cheap and you will absolutely find that fare again. I'm going to Martinique next spring with some friends who went last year - we're flying out of NY and it's like $200 r/t on Norwegian.
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Post by sick2b on Jun 13, 2017 19:18:52 GMT -6
I spent two weeks in the northeast of the Florence area. Also visited Rome, Venice, and went on a road trip to Slovenia and Austria. The people in Slovenia were awesome, BTW. I would go back in a heartbeat. I don't know if anyone cares, but I need to tell you the story of our visit to Slovenia. We entered Slovenia at the border hoping to get our passport stamped but we were just waved through. I guess that Slovenia had just joined the EU a few years earlier. Took the first exit for a town to get something to drink. The town was like a ghost town. We walked around taking pictures and stuff until we heard three cars approaching us on the main road through town. They were honking their horns and swerving around and as they passed us threw out handfuls of candy to us. (Never take candy from a stranger, but in Slovenia, it's alright) We think they may have been a wedding party, but that may be how they welcome Americans to their country. Finally found a bar that was open and went inside to buy something cold to drink.. Big difference between Italy and Slovenia: Slovenia like ice in the drinks. The first bartender spoke no English and was confused when I tried to give him a tip. So, I told him I wanted to buy him a drink. The second bartender spoke a little English and we had a great time. The locals were friendly and asked us questions about the US. Cool story! Only spent 3 hours in Slovenia (Ljubjana), which, like Venice, was a stop-over in my long train ride from Geneva to Croatia (which btw I can't recommend enough - both for its historic towns such as Dubrovnic and for its beaches and islands) |
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Post by sick2b on Jun 13, 2017 19:19:10 GMT -6
Honestly, if you're in the position to consider Italy, then I don't see how there's a debate between Italy and Jamaica. I mean, if you have to have a beach, t hen remember that those do exist in Italy, as well.THIS |
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Post by cosmo on Jun 13, 2017 20:22:25 GMT -6
Cool story! Only spent 3 hours in Slovenia (Ljubjana), which, like Venice, was a stop-over in my long train ride from Geneva to Croatia (which btw I can't recommend enough - both for its historic towns such as Dubrovnic and for its beaches and islands) We almost went to the beach in Croatia. Heard good things. But we had already been swimming at the beach in Lignano, Italy. Basically the other side of the Adriatic Sea from where I think you're referring to. Another reason to go to Italy: clothing optional beaches.  |
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Post by ultravisitor on Jun 13, 2017 21:51:09 GMT -6
Another thing to think about regarding Italy is that Europe has been great to visit recently because the dollar has been strong. The Euro will probably rebound at some point, and who knows when. It's 1.12USD to 1EUR right now, and three years ago it was 1.4USD to 1EUR. I'd much rather be paying the former than the latter.
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Post by zircona1 on Jun 14, 2017 7:19:07 GMT -6
I don't know if anyone cares, but I need to tell you the story of our visit to Slovenia. We entered Slovenia at the border hoping to get our passport stamped but we were just waved through. I guess that Slovenia had just joined the EU a few years earlier. Took the first exit for a town to get something to drink. The town was like a ghost town. We walked around taking pictures and stuff until we heard three cars approaching us on the main road through town. They were honking their horns and swerving around and as they passed us threw out handfuls of candy to us. (Never take candy from a stranger, but in Slovenia, it's alright) We think they may have been a wedding party, but that may be how they welcome Americans to their country. Finally found a bar that was open and went inside to buy something cold to drink.. Big difference between Italy and Slovenia: Slovenia like ice in the drinks. The first bartender spoke no English and was confused when I tried to give him a tip. So, I told him I wanted to buy him a drink. The second bartender spoke a little English and we had a great time. The locals were friendly and asked us questions about the US. Cool story! Only spent 3 hours in Slovenia (Ljubjana), which, like Venice, was a stop-over in my long train ride from Geneva to Croatia (which btw I can't recommend enough - both for its historic towns such as Dubrovnic and for its beaches and islands) My folks are going to Croatia later this summer, any recommendations on what they should do/see there would be great. |
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Post by sick2b on Jun 14, 2017 9:18:12 GMT -6
Cool story! Only spent 3 hours in Slovenia (Ljubjana), which, like Venice, was a stop-over in my long train ride from Geneva to Croatia (which btw I can't recommend enough - both for its historic towns such as Dubrovnic and for its beaches and islands) My folks are going to Croatia later this summer, any recommendations on what they should do/see there would be great. Dubrovnik is an ultimate must, in terms of history and stunning architecture. Split is nice too and could be visited in half a day, before hopping on a boat to Hvar, which is a nice island with plenty of beaches.. and boats going to smaller islands with even more beautiful beachers. Zagreb could be skipped |
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Post by Xamnam on Jun 14, 2017 9:30:56 GMT -6
Also does anyone have any general thoughts on Cleveland? |
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Post by alady on Jun 14, 2017 9:55:42 GMT -6
SOLD
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Post by teekoh on Jun 14, 2017 9:56:27 GMT -6
My sister is actually going to be in Ljubjana for work starting Sunday. Do any of y'all (sick2b?) have recommendations that she should check out in her free time? I think she'll be there for like 3 weeks.
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Post by Broc1123 on Jun 14, 2017 9:57:29 GMT -6
Anyone been to the Puglia area of Italy? Planning on doing 4 days there at the end of our 2-week trip this Aug-Sept.
Treating it as a relaxing end to a long trip. Doing Rome, Bologna and Lake Garda/Dolomites the first 10 days.
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Post by mookie on Jun 14, 2017 9:58:10 GMT -6
Can we interest you in the Bahamas instead?
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Post by teekoh on Jun 14, 2017 10:40:43 GMT -6
Many thanks to everybody for the Vegas recommendations. We had a great time. Highlights that were mentioned on here: - Brunch at Bouchon
- Hike at Red Rock Canyon
- Sports book at Caesar's
I didn't win any money and made all the wrong sports bets, but I didn't lose very much either. The two poker tournaments I played in were fun and a good experience considering I hadn't played in one before. Also Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill at Caesar's was excellent. I was expecting it to be kind of gimmicky, but it had a couple of plates that were our favorites of the weekend. Other highlights that weren't mentioned on here: - Cocktails at Parasol Down
- The Beatles' Love show
- PublicUs coffee shop/cafe
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Post by alady on Jun 14, 2017 12:08:31 GMT -6
Oh, I had a work dinner at Mesa Grill once that was pretty good. I forget what I had but it was pleasantly surprising.
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Post by doso on Jun 14, 2017 13:25:39 GMT -6
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Post by teekoh on Jun 14, 2017 13:38:39 GMT -6
We really did! We did the Ice Box Canyon trail, which we thought was labeled 'Moderate.' Turns out it was 'Strenuous.' We all struggled with some of the climbing at times, but it was really cool and we were glad that we did it. |
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Post by neader on Jun 20, 2017 14:59:34 GMT -6
Getting into the specifics on my Vietnam trip. 03/02 - Nashville to San Francisco 03/04 - San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh 03/04 - Ho Chi Minh to Hue 03/05 to 03/  - Motorbiking from Hue to Hanoi via this route (section 4 onward) 03/17 - Ho Chi Minh to SF Really hoping I have time to hit up Sapa, Ha Long Bay, and some of Hanoi before I have to fly back to Ho Chi Minh. Should be able to do Hanoi and Ha Long, Sapa, we'll see. |
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Post by mookie on Jun 20, 2017 20:43:00 GMT -6
We made it to DC, we're staying in Silver Spring, since the hotel rates in the city were pretty nuts this week. This is a pretty good little suburb, they have a cool "downtown" area with tons of good food options. And I didn't realize our hotel is about 2 blocks away from the train, so this worked out perfectly.
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Post by doso on Jun 20, 2017 21:06:44 GMT -6
We made it to DC, we're staying in Silver Spring, since the hotel rates in the city were pretty nuts this week. This is a pretty good little suburb, they have a cool "downtown" area with tons of good food options. And I didn't realize our hotel is about 2 blocks away from the train, so this worked out perfectly. Oh that's brilliant. The past two times we went to D.C., I did a search for a suburban hotel near a train station, but didn't find anything suitable (that wasn't priced significantly better than just staying in the city, anyway). I like the D.C. metro, too. Enjoy! |
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Post by Xamnam on Jun 20, 2017 21:19:38 GMT -6
We made it to DC, we're staying in Silver Spring, since the hotel rates in the city were pretty nuts this week. This is a pretty good little suburb, they have a cool "downtown" area with tons of good food options. And I didn't realize our hotel is about 2 blocks away from the train, so this worked out perfectly. Ancestral home of my grandparents. |
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Post by sick2b on Jun 21, 2017 11:08:57 GMT -6
My sister is actually going to be in Ljubjana for work starting Sunday. Do any of y'all (sick2b?) have recommendations that she should check out in her free time? I think she'll be there for like 3 weeks. That's a hell of a long time for such a small city that is really cute but literally take half a day to visit. So she should definitely contemplate day trips to the mountains and other nice areas of Slovenia.. and actually tagging at least a week (and if she can't, at least weekends) to nearby Croatia or Italy |
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Post by sick2b on Jun 21, 2017 11:09:34 GMT -6
Getting into the specifics on my Vietnam trip. 03/02 - Nashville to San Francisco 03/04 - San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh 03/04 - Ho Chi Minh to Hue 03/05 to 03/ - Motorbiking from Hue to Hanoi via this route (section 4 onward) 03/17 - Ho Chi Minh to SF Really hoping I have time to hit up Sapa, Ha Long Bay, and some of Hanoi before I have to fly back to Ho Chi Minh. Should be able to do Hanoi and Ha Long, Sapa, we'll see. Awesome! |
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- Motorbiking from Hue to Hanoi via 
