Has Anyone Booked a Holiday Yet?

[jonthefox]

Looking at Krakow for late August.

I think I’m the only person who’s never been.

[Raj]

Currently in Alghero Sardinia. It's gorgeous!!!

[Strokes]

On 15/04/2019 at 21:37, Izzy said:

Anyone ever taken the wife and kids on holiday to Italy?

 

We usually go to Orlando but I can't afford it this year so it looks like Italy is favorite.

 

I went to Sorrento with the missus many years ago but can't remember much about it. We did Pompeii/Mt Vesuvius etc. but I imagine that would be wasted on a 9 and 12 year old. 

 

I guess we're looking at 2 weeks self catering/apartment by a beach somewhere in August but I've no idea where to begin looking.

 

Any tips/experience/advice most welcome. 

Sicily is great, our kids had a great time when we went. There was loads to explore and also the more traditional beach holiday thing too. It’s fine doing all inclusive too, as all the food was of high standards, unlike most Spanish or Greek package deals.

[fuchsntf]

On 15/04/2019 at 22:37, Izzy said:

Anyone ever taken the wife and kids on holiday to Italy?

 

We usually go to Orlando but I can't afford it this year so it looks like Italy is favorite.

 

I went to Sorrento with the missus many years ago but can't remember much about it. We did Pompeii/Mt Vesuvius etc. but I imagine that would be wasted on a 9 and 12 year old. 

 

I guess we're looking at 2 weeks self catering/apartment by a beach somewhere in August but I've no idea where to begin looking.

 

Any tips/experience/advice most welcome. 

If kids can't get into the Pompei..Mt Vesuvius story,then wow what does interest them!!!

 

Italy..every town and city are museums!!!

Cinque terre...breathtaking cliff hugging costal walks..

All Water sports for parents and kids of all kinds.either on the lakes,or at various coastal locations.

hike up a volcano,Mt Etna

Tuscany ,bike or horse riding,or some great natural hot water spring..many free of costs.I

For the parents..some great wine tasting through many Tuscany-towns,for site-seeing for kids,

Walled cities,castles,ramparts..

Old traditional or medieval festivals

Colloseum-Rome...you and the kids,be a gladiator for the day.

Rome catacombes,exploring tunnels underneath Rome..

Genoa..biggest aquarium in Europe...

I find kids are and get interested,if the parents are interested,imaginative even when passing on the basic knowledge.

 

Try and go when,Italian schools are not out for their summer-hols.

 

 

[slymunn]

We have the following holidays booked this year. 

 

Lisbon in May

Zadar in September

Budapest in November

 

Any recommendations would be a good help as we've done the usual and looked at too much for a set plan!

[Jimothy]

Off to Fuerteventura today ?

[Kopic]

34 minutes ago, slymunn said:

We have the following holidays booked this year. 

 

Lisbon in May

Zadar in September

Budapest in November

 

Any recommendations would be a good help as we've done the usual and looked at too much for a set plan!

Went to Zadar last summer, brilliant little place. If you can drive and dont mind driving in foreign countries I reccomend renting a car and going to Plitvice Lakes, much much better than going with a coach tour, think it works out cheaper too. Roads are great as well. I'll have a look through my photos for other recommendations too if you like.

 

Also with Budapest, get to one one of the spa places, they're great. And get a multi day pass for the public transport, can use the trams, buses and underground for about 3 quid per person for 4 days. So easy to explore with one of those, we saw so much more of the city by having it.

Edited 20 April 2019 by Kopic

[slymunn]

28 minutes ago, Kopic said:

Went to Zadar last summer, brilliant little place. If you can drive and dont mind driving in foreign countries I reccomend renting a car and going to Plitvice Lakes, much much better than going with a coach tour, think it works out cheaper too. Roads are great as well. I'll have a look through my photos for other recommendations too if you like.

 

Also with Budapest, get to one one of the spa places, they're great. And get a multi day pass for the public transport, can use the trams, buses and underground for about 3 quid per person for 4 days. So easy to explore with one of those, we saw so much more of the city by having it.

Thank you for that! Looked into Plitvice lakes and also going to krk. Probably through public transport instead of a tour as we dont normally hire a car while we are away. Will keep it as an option though for a couple of days.

 

In Budapest we have only heard good things about it so decided to go for it. Dont have too much planned for it as such yet but the good transport linked will really help

[Kopic]

5 minutes ago, slymunn said:

Thank you for that! Looked into Plitvice lakes and also going to krk. Probably through public transport instead of a tour as we dont normally hire a car while we are away. Will keep it as an option though for a couple of days.

 

In Budapest we have only heard good things about it so decided to go for it. Dont have too much planned for it as such yet but the good transport linked will really help

Yeah Krk looks lovely, cant remember why we opted for Plitvice. If you like to ride bicycles, zadar has a great network of cycle paths all along the coast. We rented electric-assisted bicycles and went to a place called Nin Island, it's an ancient island settlement, pretty cool. It's about 18km away but with the electric-assisted bikes it was so easy, and I'm a fat bugger! But you can go all over on the cycle paths.

 

The sea organ is an interesting novelty to sit by for a couple minutes. Try and get down to the beach for one of the sunsets, apparently they're the best on the coast, I thought it was quite nice. Perhaps also try and go to one of the islands for the day. They actually have Uber Boat there but the ferries are easy and cheap enough. 

 

One of my favourite things from Budapest was just walking down the Danube at night, with all the bridges lit up. Walking past the parliament building at night is pretty spectacular, up close and from the opposite side of the river. We also spent an afternoon on Margaret Island which was nice. Rented a pedal car a explored for a bit. Have red squirrels on there. If you're into your history (WW2), the Terror Museum is worth a visit. One thing about Budapest I really miss is the food. Never had a bad meal and its dirt cheap.

[EastAnglianFox]

Dubrovnik for a week early June, have a feeling after day 3 or 4 we may have seen most of what we want to see. Looking online their seems to be quite a few longish day trips into Montenegro and/or Bosnia, has anybody taken any of these? Would you recommend?

[VLC86]

39 minutes ago, EastAnglianFox said:

Dubrovnik for a week early June, have a feeling after day 3 or 4 we may have seen most of what we want to see. Looking online their seems to be quite a few longish day trips into Montenegro and/or Bosnia, has anybody taken any of these? Would you recommend?

Yeah you will see what you want of Dubrovnik in 3/4 days. I didn’t do any of them trips but I know people who have and they look great.

[Dr Marco]

On 20/04/2019 at 09:03, slymunn said:

We have the following holidays booked this year. 

 

Lisbon in May

 

Any recommendations would be a good help as we've done the usual and looked at too much for a set plan!

get a train to go to Belem and Cintra for the day

for food you have to go the Food Market in the Lisbon city centre

[StanSP]

Valencia in September for 4 nights. 

Hoping to catch a game there at the weekend or maybe on the day we land there if they're in the Europa League (and they qualify for it). If not, will settle for the stadium tour which is ridiculously cheap

[Dr Marco]

nice one StanSP!

when I went to The Benicassim music festival, went for a day in Valencia! loved it!

plus in September the weather should still be great!

Edited 22 April 2019 by Dr Marco

[StanSP]

Just now, Dr Marco said:

nice one StanSP!

when I went to The Benicassim music festival, went for a day in Valencia! loved it!

plus in September the weather should still be great!

Cheers. Any recommendations on where to go - restaurants, bars, pubs?

 

We're going to some of the old town market(s), City of Arts & Sciences which looks amazing and one of the beaches.

[Dr Marco]

sorry I went ages ago can't remember restaurants/bars etc...but I remember the food was good and quite cheap

[LcFc_Smiv]

On 20/04/2019 at 08:03, slymunn said:

We have the following holidays booked this year. 

 

Lisbon in May

Zadar in September

Budapest in November

 

Any recommendations would be a good help as we've done the usual and looked at too much for a set plan!

We did Lisbon last year, brilliant little trip. I echo what Dr Marco said, we also found a great tapas bar where we played 20euros each and had a full tasting menu. You can reorder as many dishes as you want at no extra cost, some are unbelievable, others not so nice but its a great experience to try stuff you may usually avoid. If you like cocktails, Cinco bar and park bar (although its very busy) are great.  

[Samilktray]

On 12/03/2019 at 12:01, Samilktray said:

Just booked to go Krakow in the summer and I’m now looking at another city break for September that’s guaranteed some sun and interesting things to see 

As a follow up to this I’ve nailed down Valencia and the south of France. Valencia is a straight forward 1 but the south of France seems to have a lot of options so if anyone has any advice on where to go I’d appreciate any help 

[Soup]

10 hours ago, StanSP said:

Valencia in September for 4 nights. 

Hoping to catch a game there at the weekend or maybe on the day we land there if they're in the Europa League (and they qualify for it). If not, will settle for the stadium tour which is ridiculously cheap

Valencia is a fantastic city. I'm here at the moment and genuinely don't want to go home.

El Carmen in the center of the city is the biggest old town in Spain and filled with back streets and plazas. In fact there are different areas within the district and each have a different feel to them. The central food market in Carmen is amazing, the biggest indoor market in Europe apparently with over 1000 stalls. There's a great little bar inside but getting a seat is hard as people queue for ages but sometimes you can get lucky. 

The amount of restaurants and bars is mad, literally everywhere. Personally I prefer the  old tapas joints that have been there for years but tbh you'll be spoilt for choice. All sorts of bars as well. Craft beer is taking off big time if you like that but pretty much everything you can think of from wine, gin cocktail, vermouth bars. You'll never go thirsty anyway.

Outside of Carmen there are some great neighbourhood's/ barrios to explore. Colon, El Cabanyal, Benimeclet and many more and they all have a more local feel to them. Probably the best neighbourhood in the city is Russafa/Ruzafa. A 20 minute walk from Carmen and just behind the train station. Evening's are best with road side bars and restaurants all over the place and the intersections especially good. Carrer Cadis and Sueca are the main streets but the whole area is really cool.

The main beach in the city is called Malvarossa and is stunning. It starts at the Marina and goes on for miles. It has a California feel to it and great just to walk along. Malvarrossa to Patacona takes about 35 minutes and filled with places to eat and  drink. September will be great for a swim as well.

The jewel of Valencia is Turia Gardens. A 7km long park which cuts through the city. It's the old river which was tured in to a park in the 50's due to it flooding all the time. As you walk or cycle through the scenery changes all the time, it's absolutely beautiful. Cycling is the best way of getting round the city,  cycle lanes everywhere and more being added all the time. Loads of cycle  hire places or Boris bikes dotted all over the place. Public transport is great as well with the buses and metro very cheap and very reliable.

Sorry if I've gone on a bit but it's a great place ??
 

[ousefox]

3 hours ago, Samilktray said:

As a follow up to this I’ve nailed down Valencia and the south of France. Valencia is a straight forward 1 but the south of France seems to have a lot of options so if anyone has any advice on where to go I’d appreciate any help 

Nimes, Avignon and Nice were my favourite places. The first 2 are small and can be done in a day or two and Nice is one of my favourite cities in France. Gorgeous place. Lyon just beats it for me but probably because I know people there and have been a few times. Short bus/train ride to Villefranche from Nice has beach fit for any postcard!

Edited 22 April 2019 by ousefox

[Grebfromgrebland]

8 hours ago, Dr Marco said:

sorry I went ages ago can't remember restaurants/bars etc...but I remember the food was good and quite cheap

Do you remember the naked showers?

[StanSP]

43 minutes ago, Soup said:

Valencia is a fantastic city. I'm here at the moment and genuinely don't want to go home.

El Carmen in the center of the city is the biggest old town in Spain and filled with back streets and plazas. In fact there are different areas within the district and each have a different feel to them. The central food market in Carmen is amazing, the biggest indoor market in Europe apparently with over 1000 stalls. There's a great little bar inside but getting a seat is hard as people queue for ages but sometimes you can get lucky. 

The amount of restaurants and bars is mad, literally everywhere. Personally I prefer the  old tapas joints that have been there for years but tbh you'll be spoilt for choice. All sorts of bars as well. Craft beer is taking off big time if you like that but pretty much everything you can think of from wine, gin cocktail, vermouth bars. You'll never go thirsty anyway.

Outside of Carmen there are some great neighbourhood's/ barrios to explore. Colon, El Cabanyal, Benimeclet and many more and they all have a more local feel to them. Probably the best neighbourhood in the city is Russafa/Ruzafa. A 20 minute walk from Carmen and just behind the train station. Evening's are best with road side bars and restaurants all over the place and the intersections especially good. Carrer Cadis and Sueca are the main streets but the whole area is really cool.

The main beach in the city is called Malvarossa and is stunning. It starts at the Marina and goes on for miles. It has a California feel to it and great just to walk along. Malvarrossa to Patacona takes about 35 minutes and filled with places to eat and  drink. September will be great for a swim as well.

The jewel of Valencia is Turia Gardens. A 7km long park which cuts through the city. It's the old river which was tured in to a park in the 50's due to it flooding all the time. As you walk or cycle through the scenery changes all the time, it's absolutely beautiful. Cycling is the best way of getting round the city,  cycle lanes everywhere and more being added all the time. Loads of cycle  hire places or Boris bikes dotted all over the place. Public transport is great as well with the buses and metro very cheap and very reliable.

Sorry if I've gone on a bit but it's a great place ??
 

Mate that's quality. Thank you! And thank you @Dr Marco as well! 

[STEVIE B]

On 19/04/2019 at 16:19, jonthefox said:

Looking at Krakow for late August.

I think I’m the only person who’s never been.

I’m going late July, 5 nights. I assume you’re going to Auschwitz ? I’ve been told that hotels etc book trips when you get there if you want. Unsure what to do as never been either. 

[SemperEadem]

27 minutes ago, STEVIE B said:

I’m going late July, 5 nights. I assume you’re going to Auschwitz ? I’ve been told that hotels etc book trips when you get there if you want. Unsure what to do as never been either. 

Yeah hotels run trips plus plenty of booth/corner stores all over the city also offer the trips.

[STEVIE B]

53 minutes ago, baker11 said:

Yeah hotels run trips plus plenty of booth/corner stores all over the city also offer the trips.

Excellent, much appreciated. Thanks.