Monk Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 Quirky's a good way to describe it The thing that always fascinated me was the birds chirping at the railway stations. Did not get that at all.. I only knew pigeon Japanese before I went so I was asking questions in Japanese but then they'd answer back in Japanese and I wouldn't have a clue what they said Kyoto was wonderful though Agree - Kyoto is amazing. Tokyo is too, but can feel like a bit of another planet after a few days. Hiroshima was also incredible. Best thing is the food!
lavrentis Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 Agree - Kyoto is amazing. Tokyo is too, but can feel like a bit of another planet after a few days. Hiroshima was also incredible. Best thing is the food! True that. Akhihabra for me was heaven. I actually don't like seafood so I had to stick to chicken and beef which wasn't too hard actually
MooseBreath Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 How much are you looking at for two weeks in Japan - flights, bit of site seeing, budget hotels, cheap restaurants etc.?
James. Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 How much are you looking at for two weeks in Japan - flights, bit of site seeing, budget hotels, cheap restaurants etc.? I didn't do budget but based on my experience and assuming you want to minimise costs something like: Flights: £600ish if you go with Alitalia. We went BA but Alitalia were cheaper when I was searching as you have to stop at Milan/Rome en route which adds about 5-6 hours to the journey time. Sight seeing: if you want to travel you'll need a rail pass. If you plan carefully you can just buy a 1 week pass for a 2 week trip. Cost is £191 but add on another £100 at least for additional travel not included in that pass (Tokyo metro, other rail lines, etc). Budget hotels: I would've thought you're looking at least £40 per person per night => £560 for 1 person 14 nights. Restaurants: you can eat very cheaply in Japan. Ramen bars, etc give you decent meals for under £10 => £250ish for 2 meals a day for 14 days. I would say you're looking at approx £2,000 at least once you factor in booze (very expensive) and visits to the schoolgirl/cat bars. Japan seems to destroy your wallet without even realising, however careful you are. Kind of depends on itinerary and how much you want to do though.
Monk Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 Agree with James - though other airlines like Qatar, Emirates and particularly KLM may do some good deals, depending on where you're flying from. If you do search - then search for TOK rather than just the individual airports - Haneda and Narita are the two Tokyo airports. Sometimes you can find good deals to Osaka also. A rail pass is a must unless you're doing a tour and it's one of the highlights of the trip. These are quite expensive. More info here: http://www.seat61.com/Japan.htm#.UPWLSOSExlk The country has a good network of Ryokans (B&Bs) and hostels which could save you some money. Food is more expensive than elsewhere in Asia, but pretty cheap. Do it - awesome place to go.
lestajigs Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 have you been to Turkey? Have a look at Hisarano Go most years, really nice there and olui deniz
lestajigs Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 I'm off salou 25th June, going to give that port adventure theme park a whirl
lestajigs Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 I had Turkey in mind already and wasn't sure whereabouts was decent, but that looks stunning. What's the nightlife like? I want to go somewhere where the beaches are white and the sea is properly blue like that, purely because I've never seen it in person Turkey isn't even that expensive either is it? Night life's chilled really more for family's tbf not to quite though, still bars open till late though, I really like the place. Have a look at the green antalya hotel ovacik (right near hiseraunu)
Webbo Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 I'm off salou 25th June, going to give that port adventure theme park a whirl I've been there, very good. also handy for a day trip to Barcelona.
Unabomber Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 Has anyone here been interrailing? I'm trying to find out the cheapest way to get to Amsterdam via train and it's proving difficult. I was thinking of maybe going to Brussels or Bruges first.
Tom17LCFC Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 Yes i have. I went four years ago,and it is still the best holiday iv'e ever had. Be prepared to be swamped by yanks though with their "oh my god, your english". how do they react? I'm planning on heading over for spring break in the next year or 2, and I've heard they absolutely love us!!
Monk Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 Has anyone here been interrailing? I'm trying to find out the cheapest way to get to Amsterdam via train and it's proving difficult. I was thinking of maybe going to Brussels or Bruges first. Stick the details into here: http://www.raileurope.co.uk/ and read this http://www.seat61.co...tm#.UPWeex2Exlk If you are only going as far as Amsterdam, I wouldnt bother with an interrail pass - just buy regular train tickets. Note that interrail passes are not valid on Eurostar. You are right - Eurostar to Brussels and then you can change there onto a train to Amsterdam. Bruges would be worth a stop off though if you have time - it's on a separate line - so you'd need to go London - Brussels - Bruges - Brussels - Amsterdam.
Ozwin Posted 15 January 2013 Author Posted 15 January 2013 Cupid mate, got any other recommendation for Turkey? Preferably a bit closer to Olu Deniz as it looks immense. Thinking of going for like 3 days or something if that's even possible, just to get away for a bit.
Unabomber Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 Stick the details into here: http://www.raileurope.co.uk/ and read this http://www.seat61.co...tm#.UPWeex2Exlk If you are only going as far as Amsterdam, I wouldnt bother with an interrail pass - just buy regular train tickets. Note that interrail passes are not valid on Eurostar. You are right - Eurostar to Brussels and then you can change there onto a train to Amsterdam. Bruges would be worth a stop off though if you have time - it's on a separate line - so you'd need to go London - Brussels - Bruges - Brussels - Amsterdam. Thanks mate. I will look into it, I actually went to Bruges last year and loved it, but my mates this time will probably want to check it out so I will happily go back for a night or two. I looked at the tickets from Brussels to Amsterdam and they seemed steep.
Deucalion Posted 15 January 2013 Posted 15 January 2013 Has anyone here been interrailing? I'm trying to find out the cheapest way to get to Amsterdam via train and it's proving difficult. I was thinking of maybe going to Brussels or Bruges first. I've been inter-railing but 15 years ago. We stopped off in Amsterdam first and we got there by getting a train to Harwich and getting the ferry to the Hook of Holland. It is an overnight ferry with a bar and a casino, so you can have a few beers and a sleep. The train journey to Harwich isn't included on your ticket because it is in your own country but I think you get a discount. I thought inter-railing was fantastic and if I was under 24 again I would do it again. When you arrive at train stations across Europe there are people with mini-buses who offer to take you to hostels. I was nervous about this at first but I never had any problems, apart from some truly filthy hostels, but isn't that all part of the experience! Inter-Railing...do it, do it do it!!!
CupidStunt Posted 16 January 2013 Posted 16 January 2013 Cupid mate, got any other recommendation for Turkey? Preferably a bit closer to Olu Deniz as it looks immense. Thinking of going for like 3 days or something if that's even possible, just to get away for a bit. Hisaranou is virtually a short 5 min taxi ride to olu deniz, or about £1 in the dolmus pp if it wasnt for the big mountains you would beable to see it, you could call it the same place Ovacik and Hisaranou are different places, but they are joined together! In Olu Deniz you can even stop in a caravan on the beach! and check this out, its about an hour away, it was discovered not that long ago by a sheep farmer i think http://www.saklikentgorge.net/
Deucalion Posted 21 January 2013 Posted 21 January 2013 Well...after going on about how great Turkey is on this thread I have decided to go somewhere else this year. It's a long time since I've been long-haul and we've decided to push the boat out and go to somewhere I've fancied for a long time, Sri Lanka. One concern is we will be going during monsoon season, but I am informed, if not necessarily reliably, that the rain will mainly be in the morning and it will clear up and be sunny later. Anyone know any different? Also, I usually like snorkelling in the sea when I go away but this will probably not be possible at the time we go, August. Apparently drowning is the main cause of death for British tourists because they ignore the red flags. But...there are plenty of interesting animals to see inland, so this will compensate. Anyone been to Sri Lanka? I haven't booked yet, the agent is ringing back tomorrow tea-time. Any personal experience would be great, although, to be honest... I was sold on it when I read you get curry for breakfast!!
Guest MattP Posted 21 January 2013 Posted 21 January 2013 Anyone been to Sri Lanka? I haven't booked yet, the agent is ringing back tomorrow tea-time. Any personal experience would be great, although, to be honest... Absolutely stunning, you'll love it. I went over in March last year for a week to see the cricket. Hilton costs about £70 a night, other decent hotels are as cheap as £40. Pints were about a quid, a steak and chips was £3-4. The people are among the friendliest I've ever met and transport around the city is dirt cheap in a tuk tuk, just agree on a price first. Food wise you can get anything from an English breakfast to a curry anywhere.
Deucalion Posted 21 January 2013 Posted 21 January 2013 Absolutely stunning, you'll love it. I went over in March last year for a week to see the cricket. Hilton costs about £70 a night, other decent hotels are as cheap as £40. Pints were about a quid, a steak and chips was £3-4. The people are among the friendliest I've ever met and transport around the city is dirt cheap in a tuk tuk, just agree on a price first. Food wise you can get anything from an English breakfast to a curry anywhere. Cheers !! <ok>
Father Ted Posted 21 January 2013 Posted 21 January 2013 Planning a German football tour for September at the beginning of the season. Also potentially Canada or lads holiday or Croatia to visit family end of June/early July... see how much I can save up from my student loan.
Ozwin Posted 22 January 2013 Author Posted 22 January 2013 Hisaranou is virtually a short 5 min taxi ride to olu deniz, or about £1 in the dolmus pp if it wasnt for the big mountains you would beable to see it, you could call it the same place Ovacik and Hisaranou are different places, but they are joined together! In Olu Deniz you can even stop in a caravan on the beach! and check this out, its about an hour away, it was discovered not that long ago by a sheep farmer i think http://www.saklikentgorge.net/ I am so so tempted just to book a few days there to chill by myself. Take a few books, top up the old tan, see a few sights, take a few pics. Sorted. What months are 100% decent weather? Reading some reviews and they're saying the water wasn't turquoise as pictured and there was weird **** floating in it which is a bit off putting. What time of year did you go and what was it like then?
lavrentis Posted 22 January 2013 Posted 22 January 2013 One of my greek friends from uni invited me over to Athens for a few weeks in the Summer, quality, looking forward to it. I have actually never been
Tom17LCFC Posted 22 January 2013 Posted 22 January 2013 One of my greek friends from uni invited me over to Athens for a few weeks in the Summer, quality, looking forward to it. I have actually never been Great city!! Been twice with my dad when I was little, playing football in the square with the greeks haha, very friendly people on the whole as well, and brilliant weather! The acropolis is quality as well. Lights up at night and if my memory serves, they have lights that light it up red/blue/green etc. Definitely worth seeing. I'm not sure if all the problems over there will have changed it much though. If you're able to try and spend a bit of time in Thessaloniki whilst you're over there, top city as well.
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 22 January 2013 Posted 22 January 2013 My Opinion of Athens is that it's a shit hole! Gordons Space, Mythos and Gyros is the only decent thing there.
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