Has Anyone Booked a Holiday Yet?

[grobyfox1990]

49 minutes ago, MonkeyTennis? said:

If you haven't been to the states for a while, or NYC in particular, my main advice is: adjust your expectation for how much everything is going to cost. 

 

 

Prices is one thing but the added tax then mandatory tip is ludicrous. I swear when I worked in the US (albeit nearly 10 years ago) 10-15% was normal. Now it seems minimum 20% otherwise you're getting shot

[Fox92]

19 hours ago, Jabfox said:

Staying in the RUI Plaza in times square, pretty open to be honest we'd be looking for Iconic sights/views - food places/markets and shopping/neighbourhood vibes such as Soho and Chelsea I guess. 

It is moving and sad but I enjoyed visiting the World Trade Centre, memorial pools and 9/11 museum. 

Edited 4 March by Fox92

[Jabfox]

13 hours ago, Unabomber said:

Boat from financial district over to Brooklyn/Dumbo. Some really cool places over this side of the river. Great beers at Evil Twin taproom and Other Half Domino Park. Then head to L’Industrie for pizza. Boat back over to Manhattan.

 

High line walk to Chelsea market.

 

Gallaghers steakhouse. 
 

Olio E Piu Italian restaurant in Greenwich.

 

 

Much appreciated mate! 

[Jabfox]

12 hours ago, Joe90 said:

Just come back from there, although it was February and the weather was -16 it’s gonna be a bit different for you, but defo advise  you do the 1  World Trade Center and museum, massive eye opener  very sad but has to be done, we had a walking tour before and the bloke was great some great information you wouldn’t of known, the summit was a great sky scraper, we did top of the rock at night so you could get a good view of the Empire State Building and the New York City lights, we stayed in Times Square which was also quite cool, New York was everything I expected surreal over top I absolutely loved every minute of it and will certainly go back in the spring in the next 2 years as there is so much more to do! 
I suggest getting the “get my guide app” as it’s great for booking things with and found it cheaper! 

awesome cheers 👍

[Jabfox]

12 hours ago, Joe90 said:

That’s exactly were we stayed really good hotel, try to get a high floor we had great views, breakfast was spot on to, literally Times Square is a 3 min walk from the hotel, also a bit of advise down load the app called “citymapper” was very helpful for getting around step by step guide that includes subways, I think my misses got a sim around £8 for data, I got ripped of by 02 and got charged £7 a day 👍

That's really great to know, much appreciated 🙌

[Leicesterpool]

Way the world is at the present, a uk holiday may sound the safest bet. Been inspired to give the lake district a go. Anyone been that can recommend a good area to stay.

[Chris_OGrady]

25 minutes ago, Jabfox said:

That's really great to know, much appreciated 🙌

Get yourself over to Brooklyn. Great food and beer and you get the best views of Manhattan. You can get bikes and cycle down from Dumbo to Strong Rope Brewery for some beers and great views, and then go Hometown BBQ for food (queues can be big). As someone else mentioned, Other Half Domino Park is good for beer and you're close to L'industrie, Best Pizza, and Aces for pizza too (you can try a slice from each). Los Tacos No1 do really good Tacos and have quite a few branches in Manhattan. 

 

Try and use the ferries as much as possible as you get amazing views.

[kenny]

7 minutes ago, Leicesterpool said:

Way the world is at the present, a uk holiday may sound the safest bet. Been inspired to give the lake district a go. Anyone been that can recommend a good area to stay.

We had a cheap week in Galloway for half term, I would recommend it as a destination.

[Jabfox]

6 minutes ago, Chris_OGrady said:

Get yourself over to Brooklyn. Great food and beer and you get the best views of Manhattan. You can get bikes and cycle down from Dumbo to Strong Rope Brewery for some beers and great views, and then go Hometown BBQ for food (queues can be big). As someone else mentioned, Other Half Domino Park is good for beer and you're close to L'industrie, Best Pizza, and Aces for pizza too (you can try a slice from each). Los Tacos No1 do really good Tacos and have quite a few branches in Manhattan. 

 

Try and use the ferries as much as possible as you get amazing views.

Great to know, thanks 😊

[JonnyBoy]

34 minutes ago, Leicesterpool said:

Way the world is at the present, a uk holiday may sound the safest bet. Been inspired to give the lake district a go. Anyone been that can recommend a good area to stay.

I actually can't believe how many people haven't even heard of or been to the lake district, it is one of the prettiest places in europe 

 

We stay near Langdale valley, Keswick is good for restaurants/shopping etc and close to some of the bigger mountains. We stay away from bowness/windermere as more flat and definitely more of a seaside tourist feel which isn't our cup of tea 

 

Even though it is up north, it isn't cheap to eat out/drink etc. Best time to visit is spring/autumn. Summer too busy can't be doing with it 

 

 

 

Edited 4 March by JonnyBoy

[JonnyBoy]

22 hours ago, Jabfox said:

Off to NYC for the first time in June with my Mrs, and recommendations or Advice? 

 

Thanks in advance! 

if you can afford book everything in advance and do all of the, rockafeller, empire state, 9/11 museum, one worlds observatory was... ok - probably least favourite. Best thing we did was probably an evening cruise, seeing the city from the water was spectacular. Definitely walk across to Brooklyn, The statue of liberty trip and the immigration port was really interesting. Cycling round central park. Chelsea market really good.

 

it is very expensive, and add some. We stayed Chelsea area, some people like time square - IMO super busy and can just visit it (it's enough being there for an hour then leaving its incredibly overstimulating). We didn't book any restaurants but instead grazed all day, do some research on best food places and tick off as many as you can 

 

there are a lot of homeless, don't use subway late or early in the morning, we got the sub at 7am and the only ones down there apart from some intimidating character's off their nut which was quite a scary experience 

 

expect a long wait at the airport when you land, we paid around £80 taxi to manhattan, public transport from airport would be a lot cheaper 

Edited 4 March by JonnyBoy

[Unabomber]

1 hour ago, Leicesterpool said:

Way the world is at the present, a uk holiday may sound the safest bet. Been inspired to give the lake district a go. Anyone been that can recommend a good area to stay.

Keswick 100%

[bovril]

1 hour ago, Leicesterpool said:

Way the world is at the present, a uk holiday may sound the safest bet. 

Going to avoid Brittany because of the geopolitical situation and stick to Jaywick instead. 

[NJFox]

On 03/03/2026 at 09:08, Jabfox said:

Staying in the RUI Plaza in times square, pretty open to be honest we'd be looking for Iconic sights/views - food places/markets and shopping/neighbourhood vibes such as Soho and Chelsea I guess. 

Lots of good advice already here. I would offer that the Statue of Liberty experience has lessened over time, but Ellis Island and the Intrepid are both good. If you want to see a theater show, check out the TKTS booth in Times Square for discounted, day-of tickets. Definitely temper your expectations for mass transit...the Tube is head and shoulders above NYC mass transit.

[09bballer]

11 hours ago, kenny said:

We had a cheap week in Galloway for half term, I would recommend it as a destination.

I'm looking at that for May/June, did you stay in Dumfries or somewhere else and how much touring around did you do?

[kenny]

3 minutes ago, 09bballer said:

I'm looking at that for May/June, did you stay in Dumfries or somewhere else and how much touring around did you do?

Southerness just south of Dumfries.

 

We went as far west as Stranraer which was enough with a 4 year old.

 

Really nice time up there, mostly rubbish pubs though.

[FoyleFox]

13 hours ago, grobyfox1990 said:

Prices is one thing but the added tax then mandatory tip is ludicrous. I swear when I worked in the US (albeit nearly 10 years ago) 10-15% was normal. Now it seems minimum 20% otherwise you're getting shot

It's not mandatory, you can remove or not pay the tip. They don't like it but, I don't like being ripped off so, unlucky! 

Edited 4 March by FoyleFox

[SecretPro]

13 hours ago, Leicesterpool said:

Way the world is at the present, a uk holiday may sound the safest bet. Been inspired to give the lake district a go. Anyone been that can recommend a good area to stay.

Fk that. I used to holiday all the time in Devon and Cornwall but the fact is a proper UK holiday now is disgustingly expensive. I'd rather get some proper culture, sun or both for that price (and often cheaper) all day long.

[grobyfox1990]

7 hours ago, FoyleFox said:

It's not mandatory, you can remove or not pay the tip. They don't like it but, I don't like being ripped off so, unlucky! 

At a restaurant yeh you can give a few bucks as tip then scuttle off. But at a bar or club if you don’t tip appropriately you aren’t getting served again, which makes it de facto mandatory. Always been best to tip hard at first then relax in my experience. 

[FoyleFox]

1 hour ago, grobyfox1990 said:

At a restaurant yeh you can give a few bucks as tip then scuttle off. But at a bar or club if you don’t tip appropriately you aren’t getting served again, which makes it de facto mandatory. Always been best to tip hard at first then relax in my experience. 

Fair enough, I don’t have bars and clubs experience, just in for a meal or one drink somewhere and leave. Never seeing them again, so, never bothered. 

If you're in a bar for the night, yeah, you'll want serving again. 

Edited 5 March by FoyleFox

[Leicesterpool]

9 hours ago, SecretPro said:

Fk that. I used to holiday all the time in Devon and Cornwall but the fact is a proper UK holiday now is disgustingly expensive. I'd rather get some proper culture, sun or both for that price (and often cheaper) all day long.

Devon and Cornwall indeed very expensive, you get ripped off before you even get there. Train fare was like nearly £200. Stupid amount. 

[SecretPro]

1 hour ago, Leicesterpool said:

Devon and Cornwall indeed very expensive, you get ripped off before you even get there. Train fare was like nearly £200. Stupid amount. 

100%, used to go St Ives every year on the train, for both of us in total its £400 return journey. Thats flights to Italy plus half a weeks spending money already. 

 

I know Devon and Cornwall accommodation and eateries also have super premium prices compared to most of the UK but still, I shouldn't be needing £2k plus for a weeks holiday in the UK 

[JonnyBoy]

got free flights (avios w*nker) so chosen Copenhagen April, staying central for three nights but two full days as arrive late first day. Any suggestions/recomendations? I won't be offended if isn't a good place to visit, just want to tick another country off the list 

Edited 5 March by JonnyBoy

[Greg2607]

On 04/03/2026 at 09:44, Jabfox said:

awesome cheers 👍

if you don't mind spending a little bit of money, gallaghers steakhouse in time square is absolutely sensational. 

[Greg2607]

5 hours ago, Leicesterpool said:

Devon and Cornwall indeed very expensive, you get ripped off before you even get there. Train fare was like nearly £200. Stupid amount. 

We are staying in Devon in the Summer.   now got 2 adult priced kids, so a holiday for 4 was very expensive overseas.   Rented a property via Air BNB in Appledore and was significantly cheaper than 4 flights and 2 hotel rooms overseas.