Has Anyone Booked a Holiday Yet?

[JonnyBoy]

6 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

You’ve got the viewing platform looking over the city which is worth a visit.

 

I hired a car and drove around as far north as I could get to see the lights, easy enough to do as not many out driving that time of year but could see it getting dicey quite easily.

 

How long you there for?

 

I am not going to rent a car out for this reason, i'm a confident driver but not gonna take the risk due to potential snow/ice. 

 

4 nights, 3 full days for activities/exploring. Did you say central(ish?) not booked accommodation yet

 

[kenny]

2 hours ago, JonnyBoy said:

Tromso in Norway booked for February, any recommendations from people that have been? 

 

Looking at Reindeer feeding and dog sledding. Whale watching slightly out of season for that, hoping to see Northern lights. 

Thats about all that is there, you will have a good time.

 

The cable car is worth a go.

 

Brace yourself for the prices....

 

Cheapest food is in the fishmarket, Dragøy Coastal Mathus.

 

For the northern lights, go on a tour where they give you warm clothes, its your best chance of seeing them.

[VLC86]

33 minutes ago, JonnyBoy said:

 

I am not going to rent a car out for this reason, i'm a confident driver but not gonna take the risk due to potential snow/ice. 

 

4 nights, 3 full days for activities/exploring. Did you say central(ish?) not booked accommodation yet

 

I say it could get dicey, but we drove for miles and they’ll give you a car with studded tyres which means it feels like tarmac so it’s definitely doable but completely get why people wouldn’t.

 

Yeah, we stayed in the Raddison Blue in the harbour, not sure if it still exists as it was 10 years ago.

[JonnyBoy]

Just now, kenny said:

Thats about all that is there, you will have a good time.

 

The cable car is worth a go.

 

Brace yourself for the prices....

 

Cheapest food is in the fishmarket, Dragøy Coastal Mathus.

 

For the northern lights, go on a tour where they give you warm clothes, its your best chance of seeing them.

 

yep have heard it is mega expensive, i expect prices similar to Zurich which i went to last year 

 

Heard cable car is ££ but worth the money. Any recommendations for restaurnats/eats?

[kenny]

4 minutes ago, JonnyBoy said:

 

yep have heard it is mega expensive, i expect prices similar to Zurich which i went to last year 

 

Heard cable car is ££ but worth the money. Any recommendations for restaurnats/eats?

It was a few years ago we went proper. But we visited a few weeks ago on a cruise.

 

Last time round, the place we really remember was the fish market. We ate there a few times as it was cheaper than everywhere else and the food was great.

 

The hot food area is bigger now than it was the first time, so its obviously popular.

 

I wouldn't bother with car personally.

[JonnyBoy]

11 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

I say it could get dicey, but we drove for miles and they’ll give you a car with studded tyres which means it feels like tarmac so it’s definitely doable but completely get why people wouldn’t.

 

Yeah, we stayed in the Raddison Blue in the harbour, not sure if it still exists as it was 10 years ago.

 

just checked, only just the £300 a night 🙄. Tbf accommodation is quite expensive in Tromso, don't think we will get anywhere decent for less than £1000 for 4 nights

[kenny]

3 minutes ago, JonnyBoy said:

 

just checked, only just the £300 a night 🙄. Tbf accommodation is quite expensive in Tromso, don't think we will get anywhere decent for less than £1000 for 4 nights

We stayed in the Quality Hotel Saga. Was decent enough from memory.

 

Free brown cheese and waffles in the afternoon.

[VLC86]

3 minutes ago, JonnyBoy said:

 

just checked, only just the £300 a night 🙄. Tbf accommodation is quite expensive in Tromso, don't think we will get anywhere decent for less than £1000 for 4 nights

shit, that would have been one of the cheapest for me to have said it’s ok to book it.

 

As above, it’s definitely not the cheapest of places you will ever go to.

[CosbehFox]

In Paris, midway through a long weekend and I’m amazed at the poor opinion many have of it. Might be because we’ve chosen our districts well but two incredible meals. Couple of brilliant bars too 

[bovril]

4 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

In Paris, midway through a long weekend and I’m amazed at the poor opinion many have of it. Might be because we’ve chosen our districts well but two incredible meals. Couple of brilliant bars too 

A lot of it is just Francophobia from Anglos that live in soulless cities full of chains.

 

Which restaurants and bars did you go to? 

[Stadt]

I’ve been weighing up a Paris trip for a while, maybe it’s just latent egomania but I’ve always thought I could make a better trip of it than the usual tourist cattle. 
 

It does actually seem hugely overlooked now.

[VLC86]

Anyone been to Texas before? Heading to Dallas for the World Cup and will be in the area for about 9 days with probably only 4 in Dallas. Looking for ideas as Austin, San Antonio and Houston look great while id also like to stay somewhere remote for a couple of days.

[grobyfox1990]

9 hours ago, VLC86 said:

Anyone been to Texas before? Heading to Dallas for the World Cup and will be in the area for about 9 days with probably only 4 in Dallas. Looking for ideas as Austin, San Antonio and Houston look great while id also like to stay somewhere remote for a couple of days.

Yep all 4 a couple of years ago for the f1. Dirty sixth in Austin is unmatched for atmosphere and fun bars but obvs it was f1 weekend. If you have time would consider going to New Orleans, completely unique experience. 

[VLC86]

1 hour ago, grobyfox1990 said:

Yep all 4 a couple of years ago for the f1. Dirty sixth in Austin is unmatched for atmosphere and fun bars but obvs it was f1 weekend. If you have time would consider going to New Orleans, completely unique experience. 

I considered driving to NO as I’ve had a trip booked there that I cancelled but I think I’ve got enough I want to see in Texas.

 

Out of what I’ve mentioned, would you give any of them cities a miss? How many days max in Dallas do you recon?

Edited 7 December 2025 by VLC86

[grobyfox1990]

57 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

I considered driving to NO as I’ve had a trip book med there that I cancelled but I think I’ve got enough I want to see in Texas.

 

Out of what I’ve mentioned, would you give any of them cities a miss? How many days max in Dallas do you recon?

2 nights was enough in all. Houston was dangerous but lively, seemed like a proper fentanyl American city. Only went to Dallas to watch wwe, can’t remember much else about it. The best part about going to Texas is driving from city to city, stopping in a town like Schulenberg (template strip mall with McDonald’s, Taco Bell, chik fil a, Verizon) and watching their minds explode when you talk in an English accent 

[VLC86]

4 hours ago, grobyfox1990 said:

2 nights was enough in all. Houston was dangerous but lively, seemed like a proper fentanyl American city. Only went to Dallas to watch wwe, can’t remember much else about it. The best part about going to Texas is driving from city to city, stopping in a town like Schulenberg (template strip mall with McDonald’s, Taco Bell, chik fil a, Verizon) and watching their minds explode when you talk in an English accent 

Nice one, I’ve got 5 nights booked for Dallas so I’ll probably change that.

 

Ive heard Houston is a bit dodgy so might do a night there to go to the Space Centre and then head elsewhere.

[bovril]

On 06/12/2025 at 19:46, Stadt said:

I’ve been weighing up a Paris trip for a while, maybe it’s just latent egomania but I’ve always thought I could make a better trip of it than the usual tourist cattle. 
 

It does actually seem hugely overlooked now.

Worth going just for the food. North West European cuisine is some of the best in the world, don't let generation Z spicy slop merchants convince you otherwise. In Paris you regularly find dishes that sound or look like something a half decent English country pub would serve, but elevated by superior ingredients and techniques. Also one of the best big cities for nightlife I've been to. Still loads of very laid back places frequented by locals and students even in the touristy parts. Far better than London in that sense. 

[jonthefox]

On 03/12/2025 at 12:49, JonnyBoy said:

Tromso in Norway booked for February, any recommendations from people that have been? 

 

Looking at Reindeer feeding and dog sledding. Whale watching slightly out of season for that, hoping to see Northern lights. 

I did the feeding and sledding in April this year. Expensive, but something you’ll remember for ever. The scenery is incredible. 

[VLC86]

14 minutes ago, jonthefox said:

I did the feeding and sledding in April this year. Expensive, but something you’ll remember for ever. The scenery is incredible. 

I did this in Sweden and it’s the best trip I’ve done on holiday. When I booked it I didn’t realise I would be in sole control of the sled… flipped it and ended up head first in 4 foot of snow.

[NJFox]

On 06/12/2025 at 17:24, VLC86 said:

Anyone been to Texas before? Heading to Dallas for the World Cup and will be in the area for about 9 days with probably only 4 in Dallas. Looking for ideas as Austin, San Antonio and Houston look great while id also like to stay somewhere remote for a couple of days.

A few days in San Antonio is time well spent. Find yourself a hotel on the River Walk and just enjoy the experience. The Alamo is an easy, free visit nearby with plenty of history. 

 

Austin is a lot of fun, and I'd suggest looking to catch a Texas Rangers game while in Dallas (or an Astros game if in Houston). 

 

On 07/12/2025 at 03:18, VLC86 said:

I considered driving to NO as I’ve had a trip booked there that I cancelled but I think I’ve got enough I want to see in Texas.

Was in New Orleans a few months back. It's fine, but it's not worth more than a night or two. Not my speed of things, and it just felt dirty.

 

If you're in Texas for any amount of time, you must visit a Buc-ee's. Get some brisket, a t-shirt and experience the highs (and lows) of America, all under one giant roof. 

[VLC86]

2 minutes ago, NJFox said:

A few days in San Antonio is time well spent. Find yourself a hotel on the River Walk and just enjoy the experience. The Alamo is an easy, free visit nearby with plenty of history. 

 

Austin is a lot of fun, and I'd suggest looking to catch a Texas Rangers game while in Dallas (or an Astros game if in Houston). 

 

Was in New Orleans a few months back. It's fine, but it's not worth more than a night or two. Not my speed of things, and it just felt dirty.

 

If you're in Texas for any amount of time, you must visit a Buc-ee's. Get some brisket, a t-shirt and experience the highs (and lows) of America, all under one giant roof. 

Thanks mate, it’s for the World Cup so I’ll get to go to the Dallas stadium. 

 

Ive already got a list of BBQ places I want to go to as I’ve been watching YouTube videos about them for a while. 
 

Probably going to make the drive to Big Bend National Park as well.

[JonnyBoy]

1 hour ago, jonthefox said:

I did the feeding and sledding in April this year. Expensive, but something you’ll remember for ever. The scenery is incredible. 

wow, can’t wait. Definitely not going to forget my wallet on this trip…

[grobyfox1990]

1 hour ago, VLC86 said:

Thanks mate, it’s for the World Cup so I’ll get to go to the Dallas stadium. 

 

Ive already got a list of BBQ places I want to go to as I’ve been watching YouTube videos about them for a while. 
 

Probably going to make the drive to Big Bend National Park as well.

What did you get in the world cup? The game I got in the pre sale in LA is USA opening game! I wanna go to the west coast but now I’m thinking I could leverage them and swap for a match in Miami and PARTY

[VLC86]

3 minutes ago, grobyfox1990 said:

What did you get in the world cup? The game I got in the pre sale in LA is USA opening game! I wanna go to the west coast but now I’m thinking I could leverage them and swap for a match in Miami and PARTY

I’m in the England travel club so going out to all 3 group games.

 

Haha yeah, think you’ll be able to flog that one easily enough.

[CosbehFox]

On 06/12/2025 at 12:39, bovril said:

A lot of it is just Francophobia from Anglos that live in soulless cities full of chains.

 

Which restaurants and bars did you go to? 

We stayed in the 11th nearby Bataclan. Lots of bars, restaurants nearby, so if we were tired at the end of the day, we knew we had something nearby to go to. 

 

We went: 

Melt, Oberkampf - BBQ place simply superb, had to queue. 

Bambino, Oberkampf - Chef was brilliant with the wife regards allergy, good vibe in the place, vinyl collection and wine bar. Just reading its had some shocking recent reviews, so we must have done well. 

Ate at one of the stores in Marche des Enfants Rouge - whilst City were hammering derby. In the Marais, which was so buzzing on Saturday afternoon 

Potatges du Charlotte - not far from Pigalle ("yeah choose your right area here), vegan cos the wife's dairy intolerance but excellent. 

 

There's a real decent culture of drinking which belittles peoples opinion of the place. The drinking crowd is a little older too. Happy hours are a godsend. I'd advise anyone to go - stroll in the morning, see an attraction or similar and then indulge on good food. Some good craft beer places like Le Binouze. 

 

Don't stay in around the main districts and pick wisely. We didn't do 6th but will next time. It's cleaner than London for example. There's a couple of hectic tourist points - the Louvre is mad for example

 

I need some time off booze and food cos I am looking like the Mechelin man