Bealman's thread has got me feeling a touch of wanderlust, and thinking about places I've been and places I want to go.
I'll start the show and try to lay some simple ground-rules - Top-Three favorite places you've been, and your Top-three you want to go to.
Been to...(not to slight other great places, but somewhere has to win)
1) Edinburgh, Scotland (and surrounding areas)- Something about the antiquity of the buildings and the way Edinburgh Castle dominates the view just enchanted me. I loved walking the Royal Mile and I loved what we ate, what we heard (that Scottish brogue - I'm lucky my wife came home with me!) and how people acted. We used Edinburgh as a base to go on a nice drive on the Scottish coast (Fife Coastal Road) and then inland to Loch Lomond. To this day it stands as my favorite place.
2)Bruges, Belgium - Saw a picture of the canals in a book, and fell in love. Simply put - a postcard come alive. Incredible buildings, incredible chocolate, and we were incredibly lucky to be there during the Holy Blood Procession.
3) The Grand Canyon - I go domestic on this one. We arrived on a Sunny December morning with unlimited visibility and the majesty is unparalleled. Then, we woke the next morning to a Winter Wonderland. Big fat flakes floating down and the Canyon covered in snow and shrouded in fog. It was like a dreamscape. We walked the rim in the snow and fog to our breakfast. It was the best morning of my life.
Want to go...
1) Norway - that's number one on my "next" list, even if it doesn't happen in reality. It just looks awesome in its beauty, and I love heavy metal and Norway is oozing with fantastic metal bands.
2) Santorini, Greece - Something about what I've seen just has me fascinated. It was supposed to be our 2013 trip, but unrest in Greece caused us to reconsider. It will be there waiting for us.
3) Japan - I've always been interested in Japan and Japanese culture, so this one is high on the bucket list.
**Honorable mention** On our UK trip that included Scotland, we took a day-trip from London that ended up at Stonehenge for a Sunset viewing. We were allowed to walk amongst the Stones, touch, and (as my wife teases me - "make love" ) to the Stones. I felt transported that evening. It was amazing.
Okay fellow travelers - I can't wait to hear about your favorites. Maybe my "want to" list will change based on your experiences.
:beers:
I have been very lucky as I worked as a safari truck driver for a couple of years, both in Asia and Africa.
1) Probably Serengeti, 2) Victoria or Niagara Falls 3) Petra in Jordan.
want to go 1) Antarctica 2) Tierra del Fuego and 3) Back to Gloucestershire, my home county and just love the Cotswolds.
Great idea for a thread, BTW, Scott, so thank you. Cheers, Bill.
I'm not able to do 'long haul' flights because (a) my legs get all knotted up in baggage class and (b) I can't stand being cooped up in a metal tube with everyone else's wind emissions etc, so someone would have to sponsor me to travel upper class or I'd need to be able to 'beam' myself there and back (as per Star Trek), but if I could:-
Agree with you about Japan - somewhere I'd love to visit for the gardens, temples and culture. (Have the book and DVD of Shogun - who cares if I am gaijin?)
Antarctica - just to experience the climate and wildlife.
Best place I've been to in the past is probably Interlaken in Switzerland as I travelled on the cable cars to the revolving restaurant atop the Schilthorn aka Piz Gloria (used in the Bond film 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service')
I've also read Ted Simon's books of his motorcycle travels around the world and, having done 2 tours of Europe, I'd like to get another bike and travel more widely.
Glad you mentioned Bruges because we are off by Eurostar in April.
Top Three places we've been is a difficult choice but I'll go for :
Goa
Russia (Moscow and St Petersburg)
Barcelona
A few others are vying for that top three place though!
Places I'd like to go to : New Zealand / Japan / Norway.. Plus a thousand and one others !
Number one on my bucket list is Malta. Such a historic Island.
Malta is terrific and just missed out on my top 3. We were lucky we went before most of the old buses went out of service a couple of years ago.
My best trip was to Malaysia in 1995 (spending some redundancy money!). Included trip up river to Taman Nagara, a national park in the jungle, then a few days in Penang. Would love to go back, but insurance cost too high since my cancer (even though now clear).
Girlfriend just back from business trip to Budapest, and wants to do a river cruise on the Danube. I think I have seen it all, in the adverts that seem to be part of every crime drama on telly!
Between 1985 and year 2000 used to visit Malta all the time, staying not in place you will find in Holiday Brochures - but Birzebuggia in the South and loved it, and so did our kids.
Since then been more or less all round the World, including Hawaii twice when thousands of Humpback Whales gather there (February) and you can get within touching distance of these wonderful 40-50 ton monsters - amazing.
Enjoyed a Caribbean Cruise in 2009, and would definately go back there, and in 2012 flew to Sydney, Australia and from there caught a Cruise Liner that sailed to New Zealand (lovely place) and then on to numerous Polynesian Islands, one of which in particular would love to go back to, but especially to see much more of New Zealand.
In my youth as a single young man I drove a Ford Corsair and an Austin A40 to the Costa Brava, and a Sunbeam Rapier to France, Belgium, and Holland. In Maui hired a a big white Chevy Camaro convertible to tour the Island in, and in Malta our hire car was usually a very old British model, such as a Mk1 Mini or Ford Escort.
Love exploring new destinations and would like to visit Machu Pichu, and ride the Canadian Pacific Railway, as well as the Swiss Glazier Express. Would also like to drive a 60's Classic American convertible the length of the Florida Keys.
Quote from: newportnobby on February 28, 2014, 12:33:43 PM
I've also read Ted Simon's books of his motorcycle travels around the world and, having done 2 tours of Europe, I'd like to get another bike and travel more widely.
If you want a companion for the trips, give me a shout.
We would have to get some company to sponsor us, take a film crew and a very large Winnebago - just in case :D
Favorites
Swiss alps in winter - Wengen when the mens downhill was on- also skied the course slowly :-\
Iceland Was very interesting -especially the flight across the island in a small plane.- is a lovely place in the summer. especially as it was all expenses paid including 4 star hotels.
Crossing the Rockies by train back in the 70's
Wishes/Dreams
Visit Mount Fuji
Go Storm Chasing in Tornado Alley -Yes I know i'm mad
Also Sad but not yet done any yet Visit all the Narrow Gauge Railways in North Wales
Quite simple for me, India. Went there in 2012 to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary and I fell in love withthe place.
We did the Toy train from Kalka to Shimla, nothing like waking in the morning and throwing open the bedroom curtains to a view of the Himalayas. My photos of our India trip, including the Indian National Railway museum can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/nm-mansell/sets/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nm-mansell/sets/)
I want to go back and next time experience the Darjeeling railway, and also travel down the length of India on the train, not quite sure Mrs C does though ;)
Other than that, the Rocky Mountaineer is on my bucket list.
Regards
Neal.
I loved Sydney when my mum and I went there at the time of the 2000 Olympics, went over the harbour bridge four times then!
San Francisco was another great place but only spent two nights there unfortunately.
Also enjoyed going to the Tyrol in summer, went on both the Zillertalbahn and Achensee railways as well as the chairlift above Hopfgarten where our coach party stayed.
Would like to do or visit:
By rail from the UK, via the former "Orient Express" route (not the upmarket VSOE train) to Istanbul and then via the Marmaray tunnel linking Europe and Asia which has now just opened, all the way to Ankara;
A trip across Canada by rail;
Another visit to Australia, but starting in Perth and travelling on the Indian-Pacific eastwards and stopping off in New Zealand as well.
I have been very lucky to have visited some fascinating places. My top three are...
Number 1 is getting married in Central Park in New York last year. NYC is a great city, full of excitement and interest.
Number 2 is Japan. All those who have said they want to go there, do...you won't be disappointed. Lots of highlights, but the best was travelling on a 700 series bullet between Tokyo and Kyoto...passing Fuji on the way.
Number 3 is sitting on the banks of the river Nile at Luxor, watching the sun set and listening the evening call to payer echoing through the valley.
To do? Well we want to visit at least 100 countries in our lifetime...so that's another 73 left!
On the list includes Peru (Guinea Pigs!), Australia, Burma and Israel.
Favourite places already been to :-
1. Finland - Helsinki and the Karalia region on the Russian border. Very low population density and very beautiful. Have only met one other person who has been to Finland so must be exclusive.
2. Valletta in Malta. Superb history and very photographic - the complete opposite of places where everything was painted yesterday and metal chains on posts stop you going too close. Been lots of times.
3. Madrid - the old city. Sat on a balcony at 7am on a work trip drinking coffee with the most beautiful raven haired woman I have ever met watching the smoke from chimneys curl over the rooftops. Remember thinking "Man this is really living"
Places I would like to visit - not so easy because I travelled a lot with my job :-
1. Melbourne. Talked to people every day in our Melbourne office. Would like to meet them.
2. Iceland. To take photographs.
3. Canada. To travel on one of the long distance trains.
favourite places -Prague in late 90's before it became commercialised
Malta in 70's great architecture , warm weather and people and astounding transport
Krakow from Da Vinci to salt mines to oncentration camps a sobering but uplifting
experience.
Where would I Like to go-Back to Bergen for longer
St.Kilda just for the experience
Anywhere warm and dry away from this :censored:weather
Favs:
NZ & Tasmania (close & affordable)
Vermont in fall
Isles of Skye
Coming soon:
Canada, Japan
Hi all,
Top 3 BEEN TO-
No.1- SAN FRANCISCO (and the bay area). Been 4 times. We both love it. So much to do in the city. Great food, wine, views, baseball, trams etc. and more beautiful scenery if you venture out.
No.2- CAPE TOWN (garden route and wine region). Went for a friend's daughter's christening. Did 1 week on our own along the 'garden route', bit touristy but lovely, then 1 week with the locals which was the best way to see the country. At the time, incredibly cheap and on the last night they took us to a casino and I won £300 which always gives you great memories!
No.3- NOT SURE as toss up between SKIATHOS (a Greek island where a mate of mine lived) lovely, or BRITTANY. Will go with Brittany, lovely beaches, food, scenery, train spotting, cider and they hate 'the french' as well! Joke, THEY do, I don't :) Except Parisians obviously ;)
WANT TO GO-
No.1- RAIL TRIP either across Canada and/or down the American Pacific coastline.
No.2- CROATIA/ other countries of the former Yugoslavia. Heard it's lovely and would like to explore by train.
No.3- NORTH/ NORTH WEST SPAIN/ NORTHERN PORTUGAL Put it third as hopefully doing it next year. Have been to the Basque country but always wanted to go to Galicia. Have two motorcycling mates who want to do another Europe trip so the plan is they ride down through France, we get the ferry from Pompey to Santander (Either in a motor home or hire one there) and then do northern Spain to Galicia, pop down to Porto etc. They can kip in the home when we eventually catch them up. Needs more planning but looking forward.
Thanks for thread.
Need more lottery tickets though!
Cheers weave :beers:
Seems like a number of us have been to some amazing places and have tales to tell.
Perhaps we should each write a short article about them (with pictures) and send them in and they could be combined to produce some sort of travelogue book or series of articles to be published in print or online.
The Stag Owners Club of which I am a member produces a monthly glossy magazine where members are encouraged to write in with interesting stories (mainly about experiences with the cars they have owned or driven [not just Stags]), and this is very popular.
I think that is a good idea (as many members know, I have done this with a recent Frodoadventure of mine).
Actually part of me doesn't like it... like those AWFUL Christmas cards you get from people who you knew 30 years ago but insist on still sending you a card, and including a typed letter which is sent out with ALL their cards, informing you month by month of what has happened in the last year.... :sleep: :sick:
However, I have been quite encouraged by members' responses to my rabbitings.
I try to keep mine railway oriented (though I do stray), and anyone thinking of posting any travelogues should keep this in mind. We are, after all, a model railway forum.
I also try to inject a liberal amount of humour into it so it does not sound like those AWFUL Christmas letters!
George
The areas of the world where I feel really at home are all Scandinavian countries, I lived over there for nearly 8 years back in the late 60's through 70's.
If I had the cash I would go back there for a extended holiday possibly 6 months so that I had the chance to really get to know my grandsons.
Travel elsewhere in the world, well it would have to be a world cruise with the Rockies railway, coast to coast, as the only real MUST HAVE!
Other than that I have never visited MUCH of this country!
Peter.
Well, that's not hard to comprehend.... after emigrating here to Australia, I was going to go back to England to visit my parents a couple of years later, but it was shut!
Bit like Tasmania in the off season.
:D :D :D Sorry.
:thumbsup: George
Quote from: Bealman on March 01, 2014, 09:06:06 AM
I think that is a good idea (as many members know, I have done this with a recent Frodoadventure of mine).
Actually part of me doesn't like it... like those AWFUL Christmas cards you get from people who you knew 30 years ago but insist on still sending you a card, and including a typed letter which is sent out with ALL their cards, informing you month by month of what has happened in the last year.... :sleep: :sick:
However, I have been quite encouraged by members' responses to my rabbitings.
I try to keep mine railway oriented (though I do stray), and anyone thinking of posting any travelogues should keep this in mind. We are, after all, a model railway forum.
I also try to inject a liberal amount of humour into it so it does not sound like those AWFUL Christmas letters!
George
You would have thought people would have the decency to forget you in a lot less than 30 years. Probably just some idiot working off a Christmas list - not fond memories at all.
I KNOW these sad folk will be working off a Christmas list.... probably spat out by their computer's little database which prints your address on a sticky label, so it's bang, fold up the summary of the year, stick it in the card, into envelope, down to the post office with a bag of 1000 year's worth of Christmas Cards, and yeah, that's it for another year.
But hey, that's cynical and not like me at all. :D
Let's get back on topic. :thumbsup:
Great responses by all!
Was reminded of another place I want to go that's popped up a couple times - Iceland.
And, it seems a lot of people have been to Malta and loved it. That's just the thing I was hoping this thread would do - share experiences and open up new possibilities.
Being lucky enough to have served in the Royal Navy in the late 60's and 70's, when we actually had a few ships and travelled the world. :'( I have visited every continent, crossed all the oceans. Been as far North as Canada and Iceland, as far south as New Zealand and Tristan Da Cunha. East and West, well did a circumnavigation of the globe, left the UK heading South past South Africa and continued travelling East, calling in at various countries along the way. Putting our clocks forward until eventually passing back through the Panama Canal returned to the UK. My watch had done two full circuits bringing it back to the UK time zone.
Favourite Place
1. Rarotonga (Cook Islands)
2. Japan
3. Brazil
Would love to visit but probably never will.
1. Great Wall of China
2. Easter Island
3. Grand Canyon
Lots and lots of memories, I was very, very fortunate to have done all that by the age of 25.
Regards
Ian
Hi Scott.
You mentioned Norway. I just got home today after a visit to Tromso (to see the Northern Lights) followed by a few days in Stockholm.
Be aware that these countries are very expensive, especially for alcohol. A glass of wine in a restaurant costs 10 euro, and a beer 8 euro.
Don't think you can get around it by buying booze in a supermarket. You can buy beer/cider there (up to 3.5% alcohol) but not wine/spirits. For that you have to go to the state-owned booze monopoly shops.
I eventually found one the day before coming home !
Cheers !
Joe Cassidy
Quote from: scottmitchell74 on March 01, 2014, 04:39:44 PM
Great responses by all!
Was reminded of another place I want to go that's popped up a couple times - Iceland.
And, it seems a lot of people have been to Malta and loved it. That's just the thing I was hoping this thread would do - share experiences and open up new possibilities.
I've been to Malta around 10 times and find it fascinating - Valetta on it's own is a jewell before you even try Mdina, Mosta, and the three old cities around Grand Harbour. But we were told a few months ago by an oldish lady on the checkouts in M&S that she was going to Malta - staying in Bugiba. She absolutely hated it for all the reasons I love it as a photographer. You can photograph doors with the brass dolphin doorknockers and see from the cracked and peeling paint layers where it was painted in 1740, then again in 1870, and most recently in 1953. She thought the whole place needed knocking down and something brand new that looked just like the old buildings and was painted white every six months would have been much better. I think the Italian Lakes or Switzerland is more her cup of tea. She's not going to Malta again.
Malta is fabulous and so is Gozo (a small island to the North west where we spent 3 nights including the most amazing thunderstorm!). Valetta itself, plus the harbour cities are so interesting. The whole history including the islanders amazing resilience during WW2 is awesome and inspiring.
I found Mdina fascinating and beautiful too.
If it's beach holidays you want then Malta may not be the place for you but if you want interest and history and culture (and good weather)then off you go.
Oh.....and the restaurants were great !
I fear the 1950s buses are now gone but they were a real treat 4 years ago.
Quote from: port perran on March 01, 2014, 08:49:40 PM
Malta is fabulous and so is Gozo (a small island to the North west where we spent 3 nights including the most amazing thunderstorm!). Valetta itself, plus the harbour cities are so interesting. The whole history including the islanders amazing resilience during WW2 is awesome and inspiring.
I found Mdina fascinating and beautiful too.
If it's beach holidays you want then Malta may not be the place for you but if you want interest and history and culture (and good weather)then off you go.
Oh.....and the restaurants were great !
I fear the 1950s buses are now gone but they were a real treat 4 years ago.
Got to disagree with you as regards beaches - there are loads but most are hidden away and not easy to find unless you have a car (and the locals don't let on about some of them).
Regarding another posters comment about an old lady hating Bugibba - so do I - it has no beach and is for the young brigade - just like "some" parts of Las Americas in Tenerife which is aimed at the Stag & Hen Party Groups.
Our family know people in Malta and we would ring up and book an apartment in Birzebuggia for our stays (which has a beautiful beach by the way) but it is not advertised as a Tourist Resort because of the FreePort next door.
I particularly liked "Cisk" beer and "Hopleaf" and the food was great including the fish specialities "Lampuka" and Swordfish and great steaks.
Was holidayng in malta during "Italia 90" and the Maltese people are as crazy about football as they are about old English cars, half of them supporting Italy (being such close neighbours) and the other half England.
When David Platt scored the last minute goal to beat Belgium and then Gary Lineker scored 2 penalties to beat Cameroon the locals in our "Birze" Bar went crazy, driving their cars through the streets without lights (it was pitch black) and continuously honking their horns.
Before joining the Euro Malta was cheap - but I believe that it is now quite expensive. Could post loads of pictures taken in Malta (including ones of all the beaches) but they are still in Albums and haven't made them universally available (yet).
However if anyone wants to see any pics of our recent Australia/New Zealand and Polynesians Islands Cruise then I uploaded some pics and video footage as 4 separate YouTube clips (due to the 10 minute length limitation) and added some music. The links are :-
Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN7j9AyfNHk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN7j9AyfNHk)
Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqaDlsKq5EA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqaDlsKq5EA)
Part 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVZEEaWJmeQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVZEEaWJmeQ)
Part 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C-Iv_PEhc0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C-Iv_PEhc0)
I remember spending a few days with friends on Gozo - the last evening we were there we were sitting in a bar near the Citadel, having a few quiet drinks and a good chat. We decided that we wanted something to eat, so asked the owner if he did food. "I'm afraid not" he replied, "but there is a very good pizza place just down the road - I will get my barman to pop down there and get a few menu's. When you have chosen, he can go back there with your orders, and bring them back here for you!" :o Is that the service of someone who wants to keep his trade - and can you imagine any bar in the UK doing that? (We stayed the rest of the evening in that bar! :claphappy: )
Would love to go back to Malta - and especially Gozo!
Well!
What with the Game of Thrones connection (I'm a huge fan of the books, especially) and the glowing review here...Malta might just now be placed on the "bucket list".
:thankyousign:
Quote from: scottmitchell74 on March 01, 2014, 09:56:43 PM
Well!
What with the Game of Thrones connection (I'm a huge fan of the books, especially) and the glowing review here...Malta might just now be placed on the "bucket list".
:thankyousign:
And "the Sinking of the Graf Spee". That's not Montivideo it's Malta and Gozo.
Kasakhstan by mountain bike - plenty of horsemen but no trains
Cycling and camping tour of the Ukraine anyone?
Quote from: joe cassidy on March 01, 2014, 07:17:18 PM
Hi Scott.
You mentioned Norway. I just got home today after a visit to Tromso (to see the Northern Lights) followed by a few days in Stockholm.
Be aware that these countries are very expensive, especially for alcohol. A glass of wine in a restaurant costs 10 euro, and a beer 8 euro.
The Nordic countries are very expensive (more so than either Japan or Switzerland - both traditionally expensive countries). Copenhagen is the worst in my experience, but Oslo (the only Nordic capital I have not visited as yet) is said to be even priceier.
Stockholm is thoroughly recommended though!
Quote from: scottmitchell74 on March 01, 2014, 09:56:43 PM
Well!
What with the Game of Thrones connection (I'm a huge fan of the books, especially) and the glowing review here...Malta might just now be placed on the "bucket list".
:thankyousign:
Well just for you Scot (and Port Perran) I will scan in some photos taken in Malta between 1985 & 2000 and post a Link to them on here. Surprised no mentioned Comino - the small Island between Malta & Gozo which was one of our favourate places to go to bathe in the crystal clear waters of the Blue Lagoon there.
Unfortunately the really old Buses that used to be a special feature of Malta & Gozo I believe are no longer there.
Well, I guess I'll get stuck in here,
Places I've been top 3...
1. Well I lived in Canada for 16 years, did the transcontinental trip, and even drove from Vancouver to Halifax on my own which was an incredible thing to do.. I'm a dual citizen now and have a deep abiding love for the Canadian landscape ( all of it!)
2. This is a less obvious thing, but I spent a time railfanning on the Rhine, it was wonderful, the landscape was always so interesting.
3. I'll give a shout out to San Francisco too, I've travelled in the states a fair bit, and SF was the only city I ever really felt relaxed and comfortable, I'd love to go back
So.. My top three places I have to go...
3. Like an idiot, despite living there, I never got up to take photos of trains in the fall in Cape Breton or the Gaspe peninsula
2. Related to the above, Vermont and New Hampshire in the fall...
1. Top of the list Japan, we're waiting till my daughter Is a little older, then we're going to..
Graham
Quote from: port perran on February 28, 2014, 07:19:04 PM
Malta is terrific and just missed out on my top 3. We were lucky we went before most of the old buses went out of service a couple of years ago.
My brother is good friends with the Tourism Minister out there and a couple of years ago he got the contract to deliver to open top London buses to the island, so he and one of his drivers drove them all the way from Dover (with the aid of some ferries) all the way to Malta. With a top speed of 40 and the heating packing up on both buses it was a long, cold couple of days. They did get flown back first class though.
In recent years I have been lucky to visit some great places, Corfu remains high on my favs list as do most of the Greek islands, Croatia is up there too and despite the deprivation that exists in many of the Caribbean Islands, Virgin Gorda blew me away, and the south east coast of Ibiza and the old town was a pleasant surprise to me, I could go on and on but I tend to pick my destinations carefully to avoid disappointment. But I am spoiled as I already live in my favourite country, for all its faults, Scotland is the most wonderful place to visit or live (though Corfu comes a close second)
But where to go next, Japan is but a pipe dream, I could never deal with a flight of the length now, I always wanted to visit the old Russia, before all the break up and troubles that came with it and more of the USA, I have probably clocked up a dozen or more states but would like to do more, especially in the north east.
We will probably go to one of the Greek islands again this year or possibly Menorca which is supposed to be very pretty and relatively quiet
Malta - Further to my reply #35 I have scanned in some photos taken in Malta and it's neighbouring Islands between 1985 & 1997 and uploaded them to YouTube as a Slideshow. Did visit Malta up to year 2000 but used a camcorder to record the last few trips.
Bear in mind the photos are quite old and were taken a considerable number of years ago and my wife and I have grown older and the kids are now adults and have families of their own (we at present have 4 granddaughters and one grandson).
To take a look click on the Link, it's only a short video clip.
Nearlly bought an apartment in Birzebuggia once which was for sale very cheap,
but in the end decided against it, and ended up buying on Tenerife.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=isqJZTdm0Ek (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=isqJZTdm0Ek)
No 1 on wishlist - Trans Siberian railway
I'd like to visit Syria, North Korea, Ukraine, and Afghanistan but I just don't have the dosh. :(
Quote from: Agrippa on March 02, 2014, 06:46:16 PM
I'd like to visit Syria, North Korea, Ukraine, and Afghanistan but I just don't have the dosh. :(
You'd only need a one-way ticket then as the odds are you wouldn't be coming back! :no:
Agrippa I worked in Syria for 6 months and have to say it is (maybe I should now say was) an incredible place to visit. I would love to go back there but probably best not to visit at the moment. It would certainly make it into my list of the top 3 places visited.
I would also add Ghana where I worked at the Guinness brewery in Kumasi. Another hot country, although not quite as hot as the deserts of Syria, but working in the right place to quench the thirst :beers:
Third place is a tough one having travelled extensively around the world but I think Hong Kong would just take it as I spent 3 years there from 1970 to 1972 and I'd like to go back and see with my own eyes how much it has changed since then.
It's almost impossible to think of 3 I haven't been to but would like to visit but off the top of my head I would probably have to say the Republic of Ireland, more of the Caribbean islands (only been to Barbados) and possibly Fiji.
Quote from: Trainfish on March 02, 2014, 08:01:34 PM
Agrippa I worked in Syria for 6 months and have to say it is (maybe I should now say was) an incredible place to visit. I would love to go back there but probably best not to visit at the moment. It would certainly make it into my list of the top 3 places visited.
I would also add Ghana where I worked at the Guinness brewery in Kumasi. Another hot country, although not quite as hot as the deserts of Syria, but working in the right place to quench the thirst :beers:
Third place is a tough one having travelled extensively around the world but I think Hong Kong would just take it as I spent 3 years there from 1970 to 1972 and I'd like to go back and see with my own eyes how much it has changed since then.
It's almost impossible to think of 3 I haven't been to but would like to visit but off the top of my head I would probably have to say the Republic of Ireland, more of the Caribbean islands (only been to Barbados) and possibly Fiji.
Been to quite a few Caribbean Islands, and of those seen my wife & I's favourites were Antigua, Aruba, Grand Caymen, Grenada, and St. Maartens. Didn't much care for the Dominican Republic, and a bit dissapointed with the British Virgen Islands.
Best thing is to book a cruise to visits lots of them.
Quote from: Tdm on March 02, 2014, 07:52:02 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on March 02, 2014, 06:46:16 PM
I'd like to visit Syria, North Korea, Ukraine, and Afghanistan but I just don't have the dosh. :(
You'd only need a one-way ticket then as the odds are you wouldn't be coming back! :no:
Then again, the same could be said for other countries a few years ago. China, Vietnam and Burma were all off-limits; but the first two are now well established tourist destinations and the latter is starting to appear in the brochures.
Mrs Dan persuaded me to get the passport sorted a couple of years ago as the British holidays we were taking were camping (hate it) or staying with friends or relatives. We went to Rome and although it was too hot, it was nice, especially once I'd acclimatised. Last year we did a rail tour of Germany through Cologne (loved it, two model train shops near the hotel), Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart. I really love the look of the Area south of Jena, all hills and rivers and what looked like a more rural Germany. I reckon Saalfeld or round there would be my next destination so I could explore 'Naturpark Thüringer Schiefergebirge'.
Hmm - damn tricky to pick my fave 3 places I've visited.....right , here goes !!
1. California Highway 1 Roadtrip . Based with some friends in Sacramento (such a civilised city for the US !) - took the hire car to Yosemite for 3 days , then up to Crater Lake caldera in S Oregon , across to the coast & down Highway 1/Pacific coast to Carmel over a 10 day period . 30 years ago I'd driven all the way down from Vancouver to the Mexican border , but this northern section of the Pacific Coast Highway was the bit I really wanted to do again . Not as hot & sunny as the southern bit , but much quieter , more remote & more beautiful . Miles & miles of deserted sandy beaches & great swathes of pine trees coming right down to the sea . Only downside I can think of - black hole for mobile phone reception ! Highlights - Giant Redwoods , Point Arena lighthouse , Ferndale , Fort Bragg , Mendocino , gorgeous 30's vacation cottages at Mar Vista (Anchor Bay) , Bodega Bay (where Hitchcock filmed The Birds - yes , I had my photo taken in front of the schoolhouse) San Francisco (obviously) & the fabulous curved bay at Carmel .
2. Best city break - Barcelona . Been here 3 times now , each time for 3 or 4 days , never get tired of what it has to offer .Been a bit boring really & stayed in the same hotel each time (H10 Montcarda , near the old quarter) Just so much to do & see in the city . Will be going again I'm sure !
3. Toss up here between railways in the Swiss Alps (Glacier Express , Bernina Express & a few narrow gauge & cog railways ) on an organised package with Great Rail Journeys - not cheap , but good value for money & VERY well organised ) and Croatia . Been to Croatia twice now - first time was about 8 years ago & we stayed near Cavtat , just south of Dubrovnik , second time 2 years ago right up at the northern end , at Opatija . Both great places to stay , both very different . Similarities ?? Both on a beautiful Med coast , nice people , not too dear , great food & not many Brits ! Especially Opartija , which was where the wealthy from the old Habsburg Empire used to holiday .
Those are my picks ! Now , where to next .....??? Cheers to all , Ric
Quote from: Bigric on March 08, 2014, 03:39:09 PM
Sacramento (such a civilised city for the US !)
Hey! :thumbsdown:
:beers:
Anyone been to Zanzibar ?
I'm hankering to to go there, not for a beach holiday but because I like places with a mixture of cultures - African, Arabic, and British.
My wife is a Queen fan (the music group) and I'm sure she would like to see the house where Freddie Mercury lived as a kid.
Any tips/suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks in advance.