The holiday 2023 thread (7 Viewers)

[OffenhamSkyBlue]

Anyone been to Costa Rica? Having trouble finding flights to allow us to go on a group tour with Intrepid Travel, rather than a package beach holiday. Seems best option to fly via a US hub (Newark for United) but it's getting pretty pricey.
Any experiences?

 

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[Sky_Blue_Daz]

We are in New York for about 18 hours, gonna see the empire state and statue of liberty . But it's just a taster, Its my wife's 50th and my daughters 21st in 2 years so we are going back for a longer stay then.

 

[OffenhamSkyBlue]

We have just come back from an amazing 1900-mile, 2-week road trip down the US eastern seaboard. Flew to DC, did the sights there for a couple of days then picked up the hire car and drove down through Virginia, North & South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, ending up in Key West for 3 days. Flew home from Miami. Saw something of real America

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

Sounds fantastic, a trip like that will be on the bucket list. Just have to get used to driving over there

 

[OffenhamSkyBlue]

Sounds fantastic, a trip like that will be on the bucket list. Just have to get used to driving over there

It's actually pretty easy, Daz. When you are doing the long distances on the highways, there is much less traffic than in UK. the only thing i had to worry about was my positioning on the road (i tended to stray a bit too close to the edge of the road for my wife's liking). Hiring a LHD car in France and driving the autoroutes is good practice!
I can forgive Americans pretty much anything as recognition for inventing the ability to turn right on a red light (if safe).

 

[Mild-Mannered Janitor]

You doing the Auschwitz thing or just the pleasant stuff? Love just standing around in the main square. Great city

We did that yesterday, very humbling and whilst you think you know about it, nothing quite prepares you for it really and especially the scale and size of Birkenau

 

[OffenhamSkyBlue]

We did that yesterday, very humbling and whilst you think you know about it, nothing quite prepares you for it really and especially the scale and size of Birkenau

You probably won't have the time or desire this holiday, but to anyone reading, i heartily recommend taking a bus or tram out to a site called Plaszow (pronounced PWASH-OOF). it is the site of the actual concentration camp where Amon Goeth (as portrayed by Ralph Fiennes in Schindler's List) was Kommandant and all-round bastard.
It is now just open "common" land, with a dozen or so story-boards scattered around on the paths, but all-the-more moving for there being few remnants, especially being on the edge of the city with modern freedoms bustling all around it.
The main thing left is the villa where Goeth used prisoners for target practice from the balcony and a huge (50 foot) and stark (but poignant) 1964 "Monument Against Fascism" (a gift from the Soviet Union, i seem to recall) which overlooks the city's ring road. I doubt many people look up to see it (see below)
Take a picnic and reflect.

 

[CJ_covblaze]

Fly to Lanzarote at 6am Sunday. Staying in Playa Blanca. Doing Rancho Texas and the Volcano.

 

[JAM See]

Fly to Lanzarote at 6am Sunday. Staying in Playa Blanca. Doing Rancho Texas and the Volcano.

Surely you'll still be partying in Broadgate at 6.00AM Sunday?

 

[chiefdave]

Anyone been to Prague?

Looks like that’s where GB will be based for next years ice hockey world championships

tempted to make the trip as it doesn’t strike me as somewhere mega expensive

 

[Sick Boy]

Anyone been to Prague?

Looks like that’s where GB will be based for next years ice hockey world championships

tempted to make the trip as it doesn’t strike me as somewhere mega expensive

I've been once it was really decent and would go back - it's not expensive but not as cheap as you'd expect.

 

[chiefdave]

I've been once it was really decent and would go back - it's not expensive but not as cheap as you'd expect.

Seems to be quite a few flights from Brum. Might see if there's any reasonably priced hotels going before they realise there's a big event on and hike the prices up

 

[CJ_covblaze]

Seems to be quite a few flights from Brum. Might see if there's any reasonably priced hotels going before they realise there's a big event on and hike the prices up

We got a very nice apartment on either Airbnb or booking.com that was cheap as chips. Fantastic city.

 

[ccfctommy]

Anyone ever visited Izmir in Turkey? friend of mine is having the teeth done and he wants me to go out with him.

 

[Wyken Sky Blue]

Anyone ever visited Izmir in Turkey? friend of mine is having the teeth done and he wants me to go out with him.

If you fancy him then I say go for it m8

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

 

[LastGarrison]

Anyone been to Prague?

Looks like that’s where GB will be based for next years ice hockey world championships

tempted to make the trip as it doesn’t strike me as somewhere mega expensive

I’ve been a couple of times, once with the Missus and once for a stag, and I’m going to go against the grain and say it’s OK.

The Old Town, seeing the clock, walking across the Charles Bridge and the castle are great, however, it is overpriced (which is to be expected I suppose) in the centre and for an ‘Old Town’ I was a little disappointed walking past Marks and Spencer’s, Starbucks etc.

It’s definitely worth doing once but I do feel it has been built up a little too much and, in my opinion, wasn’t as great as people had built it up to be.

We found a couple of great underground bars but if I went back I’d certainly do my research on other areas of Prague rather than just the old town.

 

[OffenhamSkyBlue]

I’ve been a couple of times, once with the Missus and once for a stag, and I’m going to go against the grain and say it’s OK.

The Old Town, seeing the clock, walking across the Charles Bridge and the castle are great, however, it is overpriced (which is to be expected I suppose) in the centre and for an ‘Old Town’ I was a little disappointed walking past Marks and Spencer’s, Starbucks etc.

It’s definitely worth doing once but I do feel it has been built up a little too much and, in my opinion, wasn’t as great as people had built it up to be.

We found a couple of great underground bars but if I went back I’d certainly do my research on other areas of Prague rather than just the old town.

They've got a C&A in Wenceslas Square too

 

[Sick Boy]

We got a very nice apartment on either Airbnb or booking.com that was cheap as chips. Fantastic city.

We got one right in the centre off booking.com - it’s worth looking on there as you’ll find decent one bed large studio flats to rent bang in the centre.

I’ve been a couple of times, once with the Missus and once for a stag, and I’m going to go against the grain and say it’s OK.

The Old Town, seeing the clock, walking across the Charles Bridge and the castle are great, however, it is overpriced (which is to be expected I suppose) in the centre and for an ‘Old Town’ I was a little disappointed walking past Marks and Spencer’s, Starbucks etc.

It’s definitely worth doing once but I do feel it has been built up a little too much and, in my opinion, wasn’t as great as people had built it up to be.

We found a couple of great underground bars but if I went back I’d certainly do my research on other areas of Prague rather than just the old town.

we went to an underground as well, it was the highlight of the trip!

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

They've got a C&A in Wenceslas Square too

Does it have a Chicago Town pizza place? Deep pan, crisp and even.

I'll get me coat.

 

[Great_Expectations]

Our holidays changed as soon as our children arrived. Everyone is different, but for me the thought of an overseas family holiday while they’re so young doesn’t appeal - it just wouldn’t be relaxing.

So instead we’re doing UK holidays with the kids and short trips abroad together as a couple. Any longer and we’d miss the kids / it’ll push the boundaries of Grandparent babysitting generosity!

So far this year we’ve been to; Barcelona, Dublin, South Downs, North York Moors, Newcastle and Centre Parcs (Woburn).

Looking for somewhere abroad to go for a few days in late June/early July (pre school hols). Ideally from airports local to Cov, but don’t mind traveling a little further to an airport if logistics aren’t too bad/parking isn’t a rip off!

Suggestions most welcome please?!

 

[Robinshio]

Our holidays changed as soon as our children arrived. Everyone is different, but for me the thought of an overseas family holiday while they’re so young doesn’t appeal - it just wouldn’t be relaxing.

So instead we’re doing UK holidays with the kids and short trips abroad together as a couple. Any longer and we’d miss the kids / it’ll push the boundaries of Grandparent babysitting generosity!

So far this year we’ve been to; Barcelona, Dublin, South Downs, North York Moors, Newcastle and Centre Parcs (Woburn).

Looking for somewhere abroad to go for a few days in late June/early July (pre school hols). Ideally from airports local to Cov, but don’t mind traveling a little further to an airport if logistics aren’t too bad/parking isn’t a rip off!

Suggestions most welcome please?!

Depends beach or city
Venice on the lido or Istanbul are a couple of options
If you just want beach go to Spain

 

[Sick Boy]

Our holidays changed as soon as our children arrived. Everyone is different, but for me the thought of an overseas family holiday while they’re so young doesn’t appeal - it just wouldn’t be relaxing.

So instead we’re doing UK holidays with the kids and short trips abroad together as a couple. Any longer and we’d miss the kids / it’ll push the boundaries of Grandparent babysitting generosity!

So far this year we’ve been to; Barcelona, Dublin, South Downs, North York Moors, Newcastle and Centre Parcs (Woburn).

Looking for somewhere abroad to go for a few days in late June/early July (pre school hols). Ideally from airports local to Cov, but don’t mind traveling a little further to an airport if logistics aren’t too bad/parking isn’t a rip off!

Suggestions most welcome please?!

Mondello - you’ll be guaranteed good weather and be able to swim - taxi from Palermo airport shouldn’t cost too much.

 

[Great_Expectations]

Thanks Both.

Other options I’ve identified so far based on logistics, costs and dates are:

Marseille
Bordeux
Bratislava
Milan
Pisa
Valencia
Bologna
Perpignan

My opinion on Marseille is pretty tarred, but I was last there for the Russia/England game so I’m sure it isn’t a true reflection. I’ve been to Milan but 15 years ago so it’s probably changed. Bratislava has always been on the list, the others are there as they fit criteria and I don’t know much about them (other than random ex players).

Anyone been to any of the above / have a view on any?

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Got lost in Milan and banned from the Cathedral. Got a taxi in Valencia with a driver who'd take his hands off the wheel and then around too talk to you while driving down the motorway. He also took us to his house to meet his family.

 

[Nuskyblue]

Got lost in Milan and banned from the Cathedral. Got a taxi in Valencia with a driver who'd take his hands off the wheel and then around too talk to you while driving down the motorway. He also took us to his house to meet his family.

If we got a cabbie like this on holiday my dad would request him from the taxi company for every excursion out from the hotel. Big George with his big Greek moustache, appalling odour and use of horn in substitute for breaks on mountainous roads is a memory.

 

[skybluejelly]

Thanks Both.

Other options I’ve identified so far based on logistics, costs and dates are:

Marseille
Bordeux
Bratislava
Milan
Pisa
Valencia
Bologna
Perpignan

My opinion on Marseille is pretty tarred, but I was last there for the Russia/England game so I’m sure it isn’t a true reflection. I’ve been to Milan but 15 years ago so it’s probably changed. Bratislava has always been on the list, the others are there as they fit criteria and I don’t know much about them (other than random ex players).

Anyone been to any of the above / have a view on any?

Pisa is only a short train journey from Florence ,so worth doing both if you choose Pisa , when they were doing flights from bagington you could get a return for £25 which seems ridiculous now

 

[LastGarrison]

Bratislava is OK but there didn’t appear that much to see and do.

There’s the castle and some statue of a guy sticking out of a man hole cover and the centre itself is pretty enough with a couple of cool bars and restaurants but I just found it quite small and quiet.

Valencia on the other hand seemed to have loads going on and is a ‘proper city’. We only did the day there and visited the indoor market and a few other places but it is somewhere I would like to go back and spend a bit more time in.

 

[OffenhamSkyBlue]

Zagreb is a lovely city for a weekend break, but possibly not as much to do as other places mentioned.

 

[shepardo01]

Our holidays changed as soon as our children arrived. Everyone is different, but for me the thought of an overseas family holiday while they’re so young doesn’t appeal - it just wouldn’t be relaxing.

GE, have you thought about a cruise??
We did it from Southampton about 6 years ago (with a six month old) and have never looked back. We now have two little ones and have cruised from Southampton a fair few times! (Tried one trip with a 1 year old and 3 year old to Lanzarote and flights/airport was a bit of a nightmare)

You dump your cases, park the car, get on, cases appear outside your room a little later!
Ships are/can be amazing and if you do a bit of research, have so much to do for kids.
Also, you can get the opportunity to see a few different countries/cities as part of your holiday.
Couldn't reccomend cruising from Southampton enough!

 

[Great_Expectations]

GE, have you thought about a cruise??
We did it from Southampton about 6 years ago (with a six month old) and have never looked back. We now have two little ones and have cruised from Southampton a fair few times! (Tried one trip with a 1 year old and 3 year old to Lanzarote and flights/airport was a bit of a nightmare)

You dump your cases, park the car, get on, cases appear outside your room a little later!
Ships are/can be amazing and if you do a bit of research, have so much to do for kids.
Also, you can get the opportunity to see a few different countries/cities as part of your holiday.
Couldn't reccomend cruising from Southampton enough!

My partner sometimes thinks I spend more time reading SBT than listening to her, however if she read this post all would be forgiven!

She’s been desperate to go on a cruise for a while, as she used to do them a lot with her family. I’m slowly coming round to be idea tbf!

Albeit for this mini June/July trip I’m only looking for 2/3 nights and without the kids, so I’ll save the cruise for the next family trip!

 

[Covkid1968#]

Late August and the Annual trip to Ios. Amazing Greek island and lots from Cov have been going for years. Because there’s no direct flights and you have to catch a ferry you avoid all the daft brits abroad shit!! Apart from me of course!!

 

[North York’s Blue]

Did a Caribbean cruise in Feb, my first one, loved it. Will definitely do another but not for a couple of years. Going to Barbados in Dec, timed it nicely to catch a couple of England cricket matches

 

[Bertola]

Just booked a last minute trip to the Algarve in a couple of weeks for me, the wife and kids. Can't wait

 

[fernandopartridge]

Just booked a last minute trip to the Algarve in a couple of weeks for me, the wife and kids. Can't wait

I think Portugal is very hospitable to families, more so than its neighbour. Had a great holiday there last year

 

[JAM See]

Off to North Macedonia in August.
Anybody been?