The holiday thread

[inactionman]

A mate of mine lived in Barcelona up until about 5 years ago, I used to take easyjet out-of-season flights to see him and I'd have the run of the place. One early december I had the Sagrada Familia essentially to myself.

I went back over easter for my wife's birthday - which happens to be peak holiday season and in a highly catholic area - and it was just mentally busy. You had to book time slots for Parc Guell.

I appreciate most tourist places suffer exces tourism, but it was just unworkable in Barcelona

It was a big factor in my mate moving back to the UK. He ended up in Glenrothes.

how is he finding the foodie scene in Glenrothes.

So bad he's now moved to Kirkcaldy

[Sandstorm]

A mate of mine lived in Barcelona up until about 5 years ago, I used to take easyjet out-of-season flights to see him and I'd have the run of the place. One early december I had the Sagrada Familia essentially to myself.

I went back over easter for my wife's birthday - which happens to be peak holiday season and in a highly catholic area - and it was just mentally busy. You had to book time slots for Parc Guell.

I appreciate most tourist places suffer exces tourism, but it was just unworkable in Barcelona

It was a big factor in my mate moving back to the UK. He ended up in Glenrothes.

Highly over-rated city IMO. Dirty, unsafe, beggars and graffiti everywhere. Tourists galore and (most likely the cause of) moody locals. And the food was average, easily surpassed by the grub in Madrid or Seville.

[inactionman]

A mate of mine lived in Barcelona up until about 5 years ago, I used to take easyjet out-of-season flights to see him and I'd have the run of the place. One early december I had the Sagrada Familia essentially to myself.

I went back over easter for my wife's birthday - which happens to be peak holiday season and in a highly catholic area - and it was just mentally busy. You had to book time slots for Parc Guell.

I appreciate most tourist places suffer exces tourism, but it was just unworkable in Barcelona

It was a big factor in my mate moving back to the UK. He ended up in Glenrothes.

Highly over-rated city IMO. Dirty, unsafe, beggars and graffiti everywhere. Tourists galore and (most likely the cause of) moody locals. And the food was average, easily surpassed by the grub in Madrid or Seville.

I'll admit I preferred many of the smaller places around Barcelona (like Figueres, Zaragoza) and the cities of Seville, Cordoba and Grenada in the more central south.

[robmatic]

A mate of mine lived in Barcelona up until about 5 years ago, I used to take easyjet out-of-season flights to see him and I'd have the run of the place. One early december I had the Sagrada Familia essentially to myself.

I went back over easter for my wife's birthday - which happens to be peak holiday season and in a highly catholic area - and it was just mentally busy. You had to book time slots for Parc Guell.

I appreciate most tourist places suffer exces tourism, but it was just unworkable in Barcelona

It was a big factor in my mate moving back to the UK. He ended up in Glenrothes.

Highly over-rated city IMO. Dirty, unsafe, beggars and graffiti everywhere. Tourists galore and (most likely the cause of) moody locals. And the food was average, easily surpassed by the grub in Madrid or Seville.

I'll admit I preferred many of the smaller places around Barcelona (like Figueres, Zaragoza) and the cities of Seville, Cordoba and Grenada in the more central south.

It's been 15 years since I've been but Barcelona was probably the dodgiest and most unsafe seeming place I've been to in terms of street crime. I went to Grenada and Seville in the same trip and I liked them both immensely, even though they are very different from each other.

[vball]

Some great comments here. Although I was walking around with a Leica camera, I did not feel threatened at all. Liked the graffitit in places as it was good to photograph.
As for food, went to Malaga twice last yesr and thought the food was better.
Looking forward to trying the other places mentioned.

[Blackmac]

Some great comments here. Although I was walking around with a Leica camera, I did not feel threatened at all. Liked the graffitit in places as it was good to photograph.
As for food, went to Malaga twice last yesr and thought the food was better.
Looking forward to trying the other places mentioned.

I thought the same. I'm highly attuned to crime issues on my travels and expected the worse in Barcelona but didn't feel any problems at all. If you are sensible with your own personal safety and take limited precautions you will be fine, but some tourists are so bloody dumb they make themselves easy victims.

[C69]

Some great comments here. Although I was walking around with a Leica camera, I did not feel threatened at all. Liked the graffitit in places as it was good to photograph.
As for food, went to Malaga twice last yesr and thought the food was better.
Looking forward to trying the other places mentioned.

I thought the same. I'm highly attuned to crime issues on my travels and expected the worse in Barcelona but didn't feel any problems at all. If you are sensible with your own personal safety and take limited precautions you will be fine, but some tourists are so bloody dumb they make themselves easy victims.

Agreed we walked at leat 10 km a day when we went there, felt totally safe.
Didn't rate the food tbh

[Hugo]

Very, very useful info on Barcelona, thanks.

I will be in Madrid last week of July for five days and was debating between a day trip to Toledo or taking the high speed train to Barcelona. I was slightly favouring Toledo and now my mind is made up.

Anyone got any advice on Madrid, I will be going with my 15 year old daughter. I have a rough itinerary mapped out but would love some more insights. Thanks!

[vball]

I go to Madrid on business and the site manager says if I come over for a break, Toledo is the place to go for a day or two.

[Hugo]

I go to Madrid on business and the site manager says if I come over for a break, Toledo is the place to go for a day or two.

Thank you. Toledo it is!

[ASMO]

Just got back from a week in Czech Republic, brilliant time, travelled all over. Cesky Krumlov absolutely reccomended, stunning medieval walled city, world heritage site.

[ASMO]

Highly over-rated city IMO. Dirty, unsafe, beggars and graffiti everywhere. Tourists galore and (most likely the cause of) moody locals. And the food was average, easily surpassed by the grub in Madrid or Seville.

I'll admit I preferred many of the smaller places around Barcelona (like Figueres, Zaragoza) and the cities of Seville, Cordoba and Grenada in the more central south.

It's been 15 years since I've been but Barcelona was probably the dodgiest and most unsafe seeming place I've been to in terms of street crime. I went to Grenada and Seville in the same trip and I liked them both immensely, even though they are very different from each other.

Lived in Seville, got married to a Seville girl in Seville, one of my fav places on Earth

[Blackmac]

I'll admit I preferred many of the smaller places around Barcelona (like Figueres, Zaragoza) and the cities of Seville, Cordoba and Grenada in the more central south.

It's been 15 years since I've been but Barcelona was probably the dodgiest and most unsafe seeming place I've been to in terms of street crime. I went to Grenada and Seville in the same trip and I liked them both immensely, even though they are very different from each other.

Lived in Seville, got married to a Seville girl in Seville, one of my fav places on Earth

We have just booked to go there in September next year for 4 days, then taking the train to Malaga for 4 nights. I will need to pick your brains.

[TedMaul]

It's been 15 years since I've been but Barcelona was probably the dodgiest and most unsafe seeming place I've been to in terms of street crime. I went to Grenada and Seville in the same trip and I liked them both immensely, even though they are very different from each other.

Lived in Seville, got married to a Seville girl in Seville, one of my fav places on Earth

We have just booked to go there in September next year for 4 days, then taking the train to Malaga for 4 nights. I will need to pick your brains.

My pal at work did exactly this trip last week. Stayed at the Nobu which was great, enjoyed Malaga very much mind yourself on the climb to the Castle it’s apparently super knackering!

[Hugo]

So, I have 4 days in Madrid on the horizon with my 15 year old daughter, just sketched out a basic itinerary as follows -

Day 1 - Gran.Via for shopping, then Parque retiro. Just a general walk round the city day to catch our bearings.

Day 2 - Palacio Real, Plaza Major and the Cathedral.

Day 3 - Head out to, most likely, Toledo but maybe Segovia instead for a day trip.

Day 4 - bus tour of city and then a tour of Las Ventas bullring.


For anyone in the know, does that seem like a reasonable agenda? Am I missing anything major?

[SaintK]

So, I have 4 days in Madrid on the horizon with my 15 year old daughter, just sketched out a basic itinerary as follows -

Day 1 - Gran.Via for shopping, then Parque retiro. Just a general walk round the city day to catch our bearings.

Day 2 - Palacio Real, Plaza Major and the Cathedral.

Day 3 - Head out to, most likely, Toledo but maybe Segovia instead for a day trip.

Day 4 - bus tour of city and then a tour of Las Ventas bullring.


For anyone in the know, does that seem like a reasonable agenda? Am I missing anything major?

Looks fine.
Never been to Madrid in July/August, check the temperature reckon you will need loads of sunscreen and hats!!!

[inactionman]

I'll admit I preferred many of the smaller places around Barcelona (like Figueres, Zaragoza) and the cities of Seville, Cordoba and Grenada in the more central south.

It's been 15 years since I've been but Barcelona was probably the dodgiest and most unsafe seeming place I've been to in terms of street crime. I went to Grenada and Seville in the same trip and I liked them both immensely, even though they are very different from each other.

Lived in Seville, got married to a Seville girl in Seville, one of my fav places on Earth

I've only stopped by for a couple of nights but it was really pleasant, although a little bit disappointed by the Archivo de Indias which - as the name should really imply - was mostly key documents of Christopher columbus' explorations. As a city, it was so relaxing compared to Barcelona.

We also went to Cordoba and Granada, we stayed in the Jewish Quarter in Cordoba which had plenty of nice places to eat and drink. The mosque is beautiful as well. We just made a day trip to Granada but the Alhambra was stunning.

For those planning to visit, the trains between them are very good - we got the train up from Malaga and it was all very easy. There's places like Rondo that are en-route if you drive that are well worth a visit - this has a grand Bullfighting ring., we were a bit torn that we weren't at the right time to see a bull fight, I'm no fan but just interested - we visited the arena in Seville (but not a bullfight) which was more interesting than I expected but you might prefer to avoid

[Slick]

It's been 15 years since I've been but Barcelona was probably the dodgiest and most unsafe seeming place I've been to in terms of street crime. I went to Grenada and Seville in the same trip and I liked them both immensely, even though they are very different from each other.

Lived in Seville, got married to a Seville girl in Seville, one of my fav places on Earth

We have just booked to go there in September next year for 4 days, then taking the train to Malaga for 4 nights. I will need to pick your brains.

Absolutely love Seville, one of my favourite cities. We got engaged on a road trip from Madrid down through Toledo, Granada, Cordoba, Seville and Cadiz. One of my top 3 trips

[Slick]

So, I have 4 days in Madrid on the horizon with my 15 year old daughter, just sketched out a basic itinerary as follows -

Day 1 - Gran.Via for shopping, then Parque retiro. Just a general walk round the city day to catch our bearings.

Day 2 - Palacio Real, Plaza Major and the Cathedral.

Day 3 - Head out to, most likely, Toledo but maybe Segovia instead for a day trip.

Day 4 - bus tour of city and then a tour of Las Ventas bullring.


For anyone in the know, does that seem like a reasonable agenda? Am I missing anything major?

Before I went to Madrid for the first time a few people said to me “the first 24 hours you won’t like it and wonder what the fuss is, then it will grow on you and you will end up falling in love with it” - happened exactly like that.

I can’t remember the name of it, but there is a really cool street with loads of small bars where lots of young people go and eat meats, cheese and drink wine. I think the surrounding area can be a bit dodgy but get a cab in and it’s great. I’ll try and find the name but think it’s in all the guide books.

Museo Reino Sofia is well worth a visit to see Guernica - also has my favourite painting, La Dances des Coquelicots by Miro

[epwc]

Went to Madrid 20 odd years ago and I thought it was great, don't remember much now though

[Sandstorm]

Seville is bloody fantastic! Please don’t tell everyone you know.

[Uncle fester]

Just back from Barcelona. I have never been but my wife had been several times and she wanted to go back. Mostly for looking at the Gaudi buildings .. and some food. Food was superb *new fav - chicken with prunes and pinenuts) but things like the La Sagrada Familia just blew me away. The stone work and the stained glass ... wow. (PS. Will be even better when it is finished)

Think LSF is a bit Gaudi kitsch to be honest. Looks better far away. Up close, it's like a giant version of a traveller tombstone.

Great city but the petty crime is bad. If you're running out of things to do, you're not wandering hard enough. Check out the fort on the hill or the beach area. I love that market. It's nearly as good as the English market in Cork.

[Hugo]

So, I have 4 days in Madrid on the horizon with my 15 year old daughter, just sketched out a basic itinerary as follows -

Day 1 - Gran.Via for shopping, then Parque retiro. Just a general walk round the city day to catch our bearings.

Day 2 - Palacio Real, Plaza Major and the Cathedral.

Day 3 - Head out to, most likely, Toledo but maybe Segovia instead for a day trip.

Day 4 - bus tour of city and then a tour of Las Ventas bullring.


For anyone in the know, does that seem like a reasonable agenda? Am I missing anything major?

Before I went to Madrid for the first time a few people said to me “the first 24 hours you won’t like it and wonder what the fuss is, then it will grow on you and you will end up falling in love with it” - happened exactly like that.

I can’t remember the name of it, but there is a really cool street with loads of small bars where lots of young people go and eat meats, cheese and drink wine. I think the surrounding area can be a bit dodgy but get a cab in and it’s great. I’ll try and find the name but think it’s in all the guide books.

Museo Reino Sofia is well worth a visit to see Guernica - also has my favourite painting, La Dances des Coquelicots by Miro

Thank you and SaintK very much for the travel advice!

[Sards]

We just booked our year end holiday now. We left it very late. Been a bit distracted with work.
Back to Wilderness. This year we intend to make it all about fishing. Previous years we were doing all the other things.

[robmatic]

No major holidays planned this year but we are taking advantage of being a short ferry journey away from the Dodecanese islands and taking trips across on the occasional weekend. Have done Kos, Kalymnos, and Leros so far with a further trip to Patmos planned and might do Rhodes before the end of the summer as well. Prices in Turkey have really exploded this year so it has also turned out to be the best economic option for us.

[Insane_Homer]

1 August, 2 Aussie nieces arrive from European trecking - the same day my daughter does her driving test (for the second time).

2 August - last day in the office.
3 August - collect son from Uni/Brighton - he gets to sleep on the sofa while his cousins use his room.
4 Aug - birthday braai, catering for 11+ people
5 Aug - take wife's car for service
6 Aug - pack for hols
7-14 Aug - Italy / Lake Garda. taxi pickup 04:30am. One niece leaves.
16/17 - remaining niece and daughter doing Taylor Swift both nights - I'm on taxi duty for both
18 - drop son back to Brighton
19 - back to work

#firstworldproblems

[inactionman]

Has anyone ever gone to Norway from Scotland (ideally Edinburgh) before?

I had it in my head there was a ferry but I must be making that up.

[Jock42]

Has anyone ever gone to Norway from Scotland (ideally Edinburgh) before?

I had it in my head there was a ferry but I must be making that up.

A colleague has just emigrated there, he'd said there was no ferry as they'd looked at driving goods across. They'd have to go via Denmark.

[Jock42]

Meant to be going to Sicily in September but have seen there's quite a bad drought and water rationing currently.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Has anyone ever gone to Norway from Scotland (ideally Edinburgh) before?

I had it in my head there was a ferry but I must be making that up.

There was.

There isn't anymore.

There are a number of North Sea ferry routes that have disappeared in the last 20 years.

[Dan54]

Heading over to Europe and UK from NZ in Sept/Oct (with wife), We doing a tour of Balkan countries, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Alania etc etc. Then fly to London (from Serbia) to meet mate and head to Wales and around. Have intention of catching a couple of club games of rugby etc, starting to look forward to it. Land in Romania on my 70th Birthday, supposedly one last big one before it gets too much for me. Any suggestions/warnings etc anyone may care to throw our way will be appreciated

[vball]

Going on another safari in Nov - Chobe River Botswana, then Kalahari and finally Okavango Delta. Booked flights in Nov 2023. Small minor flight time changes but nothing that means changes of plans.
Then today Qatar Airways cancels the night flight from Joburg to Edinburgh (via Doha I might add !!). Nothing until next afternoon. So need to think about rebooking with a different airline or booking a stay over in Joburg airport hotel (which we are doing on way out anyway). But just a bloody hassle.

[SaintK]

Heading over to Europe and UK from NZ in Sept/Oct (with wife), We doing a tour of Balkan countries, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Alania etc etc. Then fly to London (from Serbia) to meet mate and head to Wales and around. Have intention of catching a couple of club games of rugby etc, starting to look forward to it. Land in Romania on my 70th Birthday, supposedly one last big one before it gets too much for me. Any suggestions/warnings etc anyone may care to throw our way will be appreciated

If you're driving to Wales via the Severn Bridge maybe stop off in Bath for a couple of nights. Lots of places to visit in the area and if you plan it Bath playing at home at the Rec is a good afternoon out.

[Sandstorm]

Heading over to Europe and UK from NZ in Sept/Oct (with wife), We doing a tour of Balkan countries, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Alania etc etc. Then fly to London (from Serbia) to meet mate and head to Wales and around. Have intention of catching a couple of club games of rugby etc, starting to look forward to it. Land in Romania on my 70th Birthday, supposedly one last big one before it gets too much for me. Any suggestions/warnings etc anyone may care to throw our way will be appreciated

If you're driving to Wales via the Severn Bridge maybe stop off in Bath for a couple of nights. Lots of places to visit in the area and if you plan it Bath playing at home at the Rec is a good afternoon out.

All 4 Welsh URC teams have home games in the last 2 weeks of September & tickets are easy to pick up.

[inactionman]

Bath tickets are a bit tricky to come by - first match is Northampton on a friday which will unquestionably be a sellout.

Bath as a city is well worth a trip in its own right. Bristol is another option for a visit and for rugby - Ashton Gate is pretty large capacity.

[Oxbow]

Mrs had decided she wants to go to Wales so has booked a beautiful-looking gatehouse lodge not all that far from Bala. I've been to Wales before but not that bit, will I get set on fire for being English?

[SaintK]

Heading over to Europe and UK from NZ in Sept/Oct (with wife), We doing a tour of Balkan countries, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Alania etc etc. Then fly to London (from Serbia) to meet mate and head to Wales and around. Have intention of catching a couple of club games of rugby etc, starting to look forward to it. Land in Romania on my 70th Birthday, supposedly one last big one before it gets too much for me. Any suggestions/warnings etc anyone may care to throw our way will be appreciated

If you're driving to Wales via the Severn Bridge maybe stop off in Bath for a couple of nights. Lots of places to visit in the area and if you plan it Bath playing at home at the Rec is a good afternoon out.

All 4 Welsh URC teams have home games in the last 2 weeks of September & tickets are easy to pick up.

Bath or Bristol on a Friday or Saturday or Dragons in Newport. Hmmm I wonder which one?

[Sandstorm]

Bath or Bristol on a Friday or Saturday or Dragons in Newport. Hmmm I wonder which one?

[petej]

Bath or Bristol on a Friday or Saturday or Dragons in Newport. Hmmm I wonder which one?

Not really fair considering difference in ticket prices and lack of availability with regard to Bath tickets. Cardiff and Gloucester are also not far away.

[Dan54]

Cheers and taking note. We actually fly into London and head down to Wales, mate is picking us up ,so hopefully we will make stops etc.
Just an add on mate is best mate from my time in Aus, we did a shit load of rugby watching together, travelled over to NZ for a lot of tests etc, Lions, we followed Welsh tour through here a few years back etc. He is also from Wales, so we are staying in his dads house in a ex-mining village in Wales, family still owns it.
We actually set off to do this about 4-5 years ago from Aus, stopped for in Italy with my son, and I managed to slip over and break ankle, so I had to head home. And now we get to here and early in year we chatting on phone, and I mentioned we never did get to club games in UK that Istarted our last trip idea , so voila , here we go. Mate and his Mrs were here in NZ a couple of years back about same time and we managed to catch a few NPC games, so understand we may have a rugby problem. Though I have assured Mrs a couple of game in UK will see me happy.
Also Bath has always seemed a place I would enjoy seeing, so will make sure it on list. And admit I will be happy if we get to a URC game in Wales, as I old enough to still remember Wales is just behind the Boks as a country we used to love playing in tests.
I will add would be happy to go to ground at Llanelli where the buggers beat us in '73

But great stuff fellas keep them coming.