Topic: Vacations 2024

[PJungnitsch]

A part of the world I've never seen, very cool!

[WP v3.32]

that looks like a nice place.

[Firm]

@firm, indeed the beaches of the "Forgotten coast" are fantastic, and draw mostly the locals or drive-ins like you as it's not an easy area to fly to for us Eastern Canadians.

Salt - you're not used to saltwater, eh? We spent so much time around New England beaches and abroad to know all about salt film. Our Maine beach house we co-owned for a few years was high up on a rocky hill above and behind oceanfront homes, but all the outdoor metal - hinges, lights, etc. - rusted up after just a couple of years. Nice for swimming though, especially down South - you float so easily in heavily salted waters! Just don't get it in your eyes 

All very true - I've been to Central and South Florida (for work) and the culture there is very different than the panhandle area, the panhandle feels a lot more like what we're used to in Tennessee, much more of a traditional southern culture than you get in the rest of Florida. Most of the vacationers we met, or license plates we saw, were from the southern states or, Wisconsin / Illinois - which I guess is a fairly straight shot for them to drive down. Saw quite a few North/South Carolina plates too which surprised me, figured they have lots of good beach options closer to home.

Only other times I've been by the coast like this it was either trips to Mexico as a kid, and I would've been too young to notice things like the salt air, or our honeymoon in Cuba, and I don't recall noticing much then - but I didn't spend much time on that trip sober, and if memory serves the weather was really calm.

One pleasant surprise in the Pensacola area; real estate is fairly attainable....There are some mega mansions on the water for $4-5M, a 'nice' place on the water is maybe $1M, but if you're OK being a couple block inland (say a 5-10 minute walk to the beach) there are plenty of options around $300K for a nice little bungalow. Lots of people in the office have vacation properties here, now I understand why

[Blueprint]

@firm, indeed the beaches of the "Forgotten coast" are fantastic, and draw mostly the locals or drive-ins like you as it's not an easy area to fly to for us Eastern Canadians.

Salt - you're not used to saltwater, eh? We spent so much time around New England beaches and abroad to know all about salt film. Our Maine beach house we co-owned for a few years was high up on a rocky hill above and behind oceanfront homes, but all the outdoor metal - hinges, lights, etc. - rusted up after just a couple of years. Nice for swimming though, especially down South - you float so easily in heavily salted waters! Just don't get it in your eyes 

All very true - I've been to Central and South Florida (for work) and the culture there is very different than the panhandle area, the panhandle feels a lot more like what we're used to in Tennessee, much more of a traditional southern culture than you get in the rest of Florida. Most of the vacationers we met, or license plates we saw, were from the southern states or, Wisconsin / Illinois - which I guess is a fairly straight shot for them to drive down. Saw quite a few North/South Carolina plates too which surprised me, figured they have lots of good beach options closer to home.

Only other times I've been by the coast like this it was either trips to Mexico as a kid, and I would've been too young to notice things like the salt air, or our honeymoon in Cuba, and I don't recall noticing much then - but I didn't spend much time on that trip sober, and if memory serves the weather was really calm.

One pleasant surprise in the Pensacola area; real estate is fairly attainable....There are some mega mansions on the water for $4-5M, a 'nice' place on the water is maybe $1M, but if you're OK being a couple block inland (say a 5-10 minute walk to the beach) there are plenty of options around $300K for a nice little bungalow. Lots of people in the office have vacation properties here, now I understand why

I noticed the real estate too, but the area comes with a big Damocles sword: hurricanes.

[Firm]

Yep, that's the trade-off for coastal living. I don't think I would want my primary home to be there, especially with how the weather has been getting lately...but a vacation home, meh, wouldn't keep much of value in the house.

[Bubba]

Looks like a beautiful area.

[Allen]

We have our British Isles cruise coming up July 12, now we're going on a one week Alaska trip on August 25, going to be a busy couple of months. The Alaska trip just came out of the blue my sons wife's families idea and we jumped in. We did the same cruise in 2022, but this trip it will be both families and 10 people. Should be fun

[WP v3.32]

Looks like we are shipping the kids to my parents for the month of August so the wife and I might do a 1 week quick trip to Europe.  This would be our first time.  The wife really want to do Paris so probably start there do few days/  we wont have much time so I'm thinking 3 locations   Paris, Bruxel (or Berlin) and then Amsterdam.  Or go the other way,  Paris, Italy Spain...?  we're not sure..   Direct flights from Calgary makes it a fairly short trip.

I need suggestions.   

This is an expensive year

[PJungnitsch]

Paris is great. Lots to see just walking/metro around, sort of like New York or London. It's kind of an odd time of year as all the French go on holidays in August, but it's peak tourist season so all that stuff should be open. Could be on the hot side

[WP v3.32]

Paris is great. Lots to see just walking/metro around, sort of like New York or London. It's kind of an odd time of year as all the French go on holidays in August, but it's peak tourist season so all that stuff should be open. Could be on the hot side

Because it's hot, after Paris, I think going up north to Amsterdam would be better.  And with only a week we might just 2 cities instead of 3, we'll see.

Has anyone have spent time in Germany?   what would be your choice for a city?  Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, frankfurt...?

[Gurgie]

Paris is great. Lots to see just walking/metro around, sort of like New York or London. It's kind of an odd time of year as all the French go on holidays in August, but it's peak tourist season so all that stuff should be open. Could be on the hot side

Because it's hot, after Paris, I think going up north to Amsterdam would be better.  And with only a week we might just 2 cities instead of 3, we'll see.

Has anyone have spent time in Germany?   what would be your choice for a city?  Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, frankfurt...?

You could spend the entire week in Paris easily! So much to do & see that every day would be a new adventure. If you really would like to see a couple more cities, it would be quick to get to Brussels via train & from there Amsterdam. About 2.5hrs from Paris to Brussels & then about 2hrs to Amsterdam from Brussels. This way you're not wasting a full day travelling between cities.

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[WP v3.32]

Paris is great. Lots to see just walking/metro around, sort of like New York or London. It's kind of an odd time of year as all the French go on holidays in August, but it's peak tourist season so all that stuff should be open. Could be on the hot side

Because it's hot, after Paris, I think going up north to Amsterdam would be better.  And with only a week we might just 2 cities instead of 3, we'll see.

Has anyone have spent time in Germany?   what would be your choice for a city?  Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, frankfurt...?

You could spend the entire week in Paris easily! So much to do & see that every day would be a new adventure. If you really would like to see a couple more cities, it would be quick to get to Brussels via train & from there Amsterdam. About 2.5hrs from Paris to Brussels & then about 2hrs to Amsterdam from Brussels. This way you're not wasting a full day travelling between cities.

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I totally forgot about the olympics.

[PJungnitsch]

Yeah, the Olympics could be a problem 

I've spent a lot of time in Germany, but mostly with relatives. Am sure Munich or Berlin would have tons to see as a tourist (ie BMW museum/factory), Hamburg/Frankfurt might, but are not usual tourist stops

I've seen Vienna as a tourist, and that is impressive as it was the hub of a giant empire before 1918. Prague in Czechia is another one, never been there but it always seems to get rave reviews

Whenever I was touring central Europe in the summer heat I'd f*ck off to Switzerland and spend the time in the cool of the mountains, Lauterbrunnen area or Zermatt are both stunning

[Jaeger]

Looks like we are shipping the kids to my parents for the month of August so the wife and I might do a 1 week quick trip to Europe.  This would be our first time.  The wife really want to do Paris so probably start there do few days/  we wont have much time so I'm thinking 3 locations   Paris, Bruxel (or Berlin) and then Amsterdam.  Or go the other way,  Paris, Italy Spain...?  we're not sure..   Direct flights from Calgary makes it a fairly short trip.

I need suggestions.   

This is an expensive year

Paris and London are two cities worth seeing. But for me - once is enough.  London is extremely crowded and axtremely expensive.  Paris is that, times 3 - especially the crowded part - and especially at literally all the tourist attractions worth seeing.  I returned to London because my daughter had never been, and we have family there.  We managed to see damned near everything in two very hectic days. But given my choice of a city in which to spend a week: Edinburgh, hands down.  It's the last medieval city left standing in Europe (or at least the most intact).  Avoid going when the Fringe Festival is on, unless you want double the crowds. Easy access from there to Glasgow and to the Highlands.  4 hour train ride to London if you must. But you could also do someplace quaint - like Yorkshire / Lake District / Peak District or any of the bazillion gorgeous little seaside towns.  Makes a nice change of pace from the cities.

[Hannibalsmith]

Family vacation to Poland for two weeks in August. Flights purchased and places / car reserved. From mountains to the sea.

[Allen]

Family vacation to Poland for two weeks in August. Flights purchased and places / car reserved. From mountains to the sea.

Poland is somewhere I know nothing about, enjoy your trip and will be interested in your thoughts

[rrocket]

Family vacation to Poland for two weeks in August. Flights purchased and places / car reserved. From mountains to the sea.

Wow!

Sounds amazing!

[WP v3.32]

Family vacation to Poland for two weeks in August. Flights purchased and places / car reserved. From mountains to the sea.

That sounds fun.  I don't know much about Poland either.

[Hannibalsmith]

Family vacation to Poland for two weeks in August. Flights purchased and places / car reserved. From mountains to the sea.

That sounds fun.  I don't know much about Poland either.

Gents, it’s that Central European country that disappears and appears on the map and is a thorough way for major armies on their way east or west…plus I was born there.

[KD]

Paris is great. Lots to see just walking/metro around, sort of like New York or London. It's kind of an odd time of year as all the French go on holidays in August, but it's peak tourist season so all that stuff should be open. Could be on the hot side

Because it's hot, after Paris, I think going up north to Amsterdam would be better.  And with only a week we might just 2 cities instead of 3, we'll see.

I'd suggest just one city if all you have is a week.  We stayed 7 days in Paris last November and it was just right.  So much to see and do.  Got to experience it without feeling rushed.  Did a few guided walking tours and they were all very good and highly recommended. 

Edinburgh sounds cool as well.