| your favourite country/island. 17:41 - Apr 25 with 8105 views | qpr_1968 |
haven't been to many countries, been to the usual, usa, france, spain etc,
but my favourite place abroad has to be Kefalonia one of the greek islands.
lovely scenery, weather, food, even the hotel was great....probably picked the right fortnight when I went.
best place in the uk, Yorkshire dales.
on the coast, st ives cornwall.
eire, Sligo, proper wild.
what are your places of choice home and abroad.
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| your favourite country/island. on 18:35 - Apr 27 with 984 views | stowmarketrange |
| your favourite country/island. on 12:15 - Apr 27 by RangersDave |
Air france from CDG to Quito , overnight in Quito, then flight from Quito to Galapagos (it stops in Guayaquil to off load and board passengers), then Direct to Galapagos (San Cristobal).
You would have organise trips to other islands or a 2-3 day trip away sleeping on the 40 birth ship that plies its trade there.
Trust me, with the Glalapagos wanting to close down tourist trade, its a 'must do' place.
Swimming with sharks (i snorkelled) seals, rays and loads of fish is an immense experience.
As is getting up close to seals or birs as they have no fear for humans.
We 2 legged guys and gals are allowed to see them up and personal, but not touch, as it allows the creatures of the galapagos not to get friendly and used to humans so that they develop a comfort of them being around.
Some, however you have to move away from as they simply want to play and come very close.
If your a fish fan, just looking into the sea is fantastic, let alone snorkelling. There are areas to see the giant tortoises too, and turtles are plentiful, as are rays.
I was on deck of the ship one morning to photograph sunrise, and as the sun cast its first light over the sea, Manta Rays jumped out of the water, back flipping on the way back down i to the sea.
I never knew they could do it but theres youtube of a whole load doing itoff the californian coast.
Its not cheap to visit, but believe me it is 'THE last unspoiled, untouristy' place in the world and a natural wonder of this planet. You wont ever visit anywhere like it, ever! |
A liveaboard dive boat on the Red Sea for my 40th was pretty special.Just so many different species of fish to swim with and through.Straight out of bed to straight in the water for a swim.Fantastic week. |  | | |
| your favourite country/island. on 18:38 - Apr 27 with 983 views | ozranger |
| your favourite country/island. on 17:55 - Apr 27 by flynnbo |
Sardinia is a special place as is Budapest but, as a country, j'aime mieux la France. |
I chose not to include Hungary in my list as my family is from there and I've been there quite often. Many here have already said Budapest. However Hungary, and Budapest for that matter, is a lot more than that. Tourists only get to see the trip from the airport and then the city centre. Wander on the Metro out and there are plenty of fascinating sights. Yet, outside of Budapest, there is Lake Balaton, Esztergom, Szentendre with the numerous churches and the amazing memorials to the battles against the Turks at such places as Szigetvar and Mohacs. Yet, above all, the best palace that I have wandered through is at Keszthely. If you can get a chance to drive around the country itself, it is well worth the trip but there is quite a bit to see. |  | | |
| your favourite country/island. on 18:46 - Apr 27 with 973 views | itsbiga |
Canvey Island.
Stunning disused storage tanks. | |
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| your favourite country/island. on 18:51 - Apr 27 with 965 views | BrianMcCarthy |
| your favourite country/island. on 18:34 - Apr 27 by Metallica_Hoop |
Not quite on topic but..
Cape Town has a special place in my heart, I've also been there twice.
It's the most beautiful city I've ever seen.
Table mountain with a 'tablecloth' on and watching the sun sink. Stunning
Put one foot in the freezing Atlantic (even though its 26C) then drive over the coast to the Indian Ocean which is like a hot spa.
I'd recommend you stay with Saffas though as I did. |
Don't leave the foot in too long, though. It's shark hell, and the sharks are spreading to all areas now regardless of water temperature due to people feeding them to attract them for shark cage diving. |  |
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| your favourite country/island. on 19:04 - Apr 27 with 945 views | CiderwithRsie |
| your favourite country/island. on 18:38 - Apr 27 by ozranger |
I chose not to include Hungary in my list as my family is from there and I've been there quite often. Many here have already said Budapest. However Hungary, and Budapest for that matter, is a lot more than that. Tourists only get to see the trip from the airport and then the city centre. Wander on the Metro out and there are plenty of fascinating sights. Yet, outside of Budapest, there is Lake Balaton, Esztergom, Szentendre with the numerous churches and the amazing memorials to the battles against the Turks at such places as Szigetvar and Mohacs. Yet, above all, the best palace that I have wandered through is at Keszthely. If you can get a chance to drive around the country itself, it is well worth the trip but there is quite a bit to see. |
I was lucky enough to spend a couple of months wandering across central Europe in the spring of 1990 (i.e. a few months after the Iron Curtain came down). Budapest was my first stop and from there I hiked or took buses up the Danube through Szentendre to Esztergom. Lovely country.
The next leg through what's now Slovakia was interesting too because it had been part of Hungary back in the day and there was still plenty of Magyar influence.
Never got to Balaton, Eger or the Hortobagy; still on my list (along with Transylvania as previously mentioned, for obvious reasons)
Hungary was bloody hot in summer though! | | | |
| your favourite country/island. on 19:09 - Apr 27 with 932 views | Metallica_Hoop |
| your favourite country/island. on 18:51 - Apr 27 by BrianMcCarthy |
Don't leave the foot in too long, though. It's shark hell, and the sharks are spreading to all areas now regardless of water temperature due to people feeding them to attract them for shark cage diving. |
I doubt I'll be going back Brian.
Yeah even with Shark nets I was dubious. The shore currents are uber strong in parts.
They have these flags you have to swim between, I was beween them when the current propelled me towards the gap in the rocks and open sea.
Managed to tread water and stopped myself floating out to the sharks. It was scary though. I'd never felt the power of a water current before.
Then to add insult to injury on the next beach the surf was so strong the wave brought me in and my trunks ended by my knees as I hit the beach
I think I re-invented body poppin getting them back on. |  |
| Beer and Beef has made us what we are - The Prince Regent |
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| your favourite country/island. on 19:23 - Apr 27 with 918 views | MickS_ |
| your favourite country/island. on 12:39 - Apr 27 by enfieldargh |
I was sure up to about 10 years ago chinese air passengers believed that if they all ran to the front on landing the plane would get there quicker.
I have had so many barnies with Chines in aircraft especially Chinese domestic flights . They all rush to get off usually before the plane has stopped.
I have had cases landing on my head as they all rush to get their carry on bags out of the over heads.
I got to enjoy making myself a human barricade in the centre aisle so they couldn't get past.
Mostly they a f%^king ignorant buzstards who really get on my wick.
fortunately the more recent generations are more conformist.
Yes I understand the Chinese culture, but they really are a filthy lot almost as bad as some on the Willow Tree Estate in Yeading
dont start me on Chinese bogs, the toilets in the old Ade were luxury in comparison |
Careful mate, that estate may contain Northolt ish stormtroopers.
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| your favourite country/island. on 19:47 - Apr 27 with 896 views | BrianMcCarthy |
| your favourite country/island. on 19:09 - Apr 27 by Metallica_Hoop |
I doubt I'll be going back Brian.
Yeah even with Shark nets I was dubious. The shore currents are uber strong in parts.
They have these flags you have to swim between, I was beween them when the current propelled me towards the gap in the rocks and open sea.
Managed to tread water and stopped myself floating out to the sharks. It was scary though. I'd never felt the power of a water current before.
Then to add insult to injury on the next beach the surf was so strong the wave brought me in and my trunks ended by my knees as I hit the beach
I think I re-invented body poppin getting them back on. |
A mate of mine from surfing is from there and went home recently for a trip.
He was sitting on the beach taking a break from surfing when an old school mate came along. They chatted and the old mate admired Simon's board and asked if he could bring it for a spin. The board was found snapped in two some time later, the old mate days later also snapped in two. Great White. On a beach break that never used to have sharks.
Simon keeps inviting me out there for a surf trip. Not a hope. | |
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| your favourite country/island. on 19:54 - Apr 27 with 885 views | MickS_ |
| your favourite country/island. on 19:47 - Apr 27 by BrianMcCarthy |
A mate of mine from surfing is from there and went home recently for a trip.
He was sitting on the beach taking a break from surfing when an old school mate came along. They chatted and the old mate admired Simon's board and asked if he could bring it for a spin. The board was found snapped in two some time later, the old mate days later also snapped in two. Great White. On a beach break that never used to have sharks.
Simon keeps inviting me out there for a surf trip. Not a hope. |
I’m with you, Brian. I swam ( shat) with a school of grey tips many years ago. Not the most aggressive, but one thing I’ll take away is that they were the guvnors down there and every creature around them knew it. It was a massive buzz on the boat back, but once and once only. Hard bustards. | | | |
| your favourite country/island. on 20:24 - Apr 27 with 862 views | PlanetHonneywood |
| your favourite country/island. on 12:15 - Apr 27 by RangersDave |
Air france from CDG to Quito , overnight in Quito, then flight from Quito to Galapagos (it stops in Guayaquil to off load and board passengers), then Direct to Galapagos (San Cristobal).
You would have organise trips to other islands or a 2-3 day trip away sleeping on the 40 birth ship that plies its trade there.
Trust me, with the Glalapagos wanting to close down tourist trade, its a 'must do' place.
Swimming with sharks (i snorkelled) seals, rays and loads of fish is an immense experience.
As is getting up close to seals or birs as they have no fear for humans.
We 2 legged guys and gals are allowed to see them up and personal, but not touch, as it allows the creatures of the galapagos not to get friendly and used to humans so that they develop a comfort of them being around.
Some, however you have to move away from as they simply want to play and come very close.
If your a fish fan, just looking into the sea is fantastic, let alone snorkelling. There are areas to see the giant tortoises too, and turtles are plentiful, as are rays.
I was on deck of the ship one morning to photograph sunrise, and as the sun cast its first light over the sea, Manta Rays jumped out of the water, back flipping on the way back down i to the sea.
I never knew they could do it but theres youtube of a whole load doing itoff the californian coast.
Its not cheap to visit, but believe me it is 'THE last unspoiled, untouristy' place in the world and a natural wonder of this planet. You wont ever visit anywhere like it, ever! |
I went there in 2002 and totally agree with your post. I’d only add: firstly, if you book from overseas, you’ll get taken to the cleaners. I know it’s not necessarily possible, but as I was traveling Latin America at the time, I booked a boat in Quito. Excluding flight costs, I saved around $1,500 in comparison to others who’d booked their trip from home.
Secondly, try to get on a smaller boat (16 people) compared to the big ones (up to 90). It’s a magical, expensive, once in a lifetime trip and the bigger boats seemed to be more ‘touristy’ compared to mine. We had more time actually doing stuff than wasting time embarking and disembarking. |  |
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| your favourite country/island. on 20:36 - Apr 27 with 844 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| your favourite country/island. on 20:24 - Apr 27 by PlanetHonneywood |
I went there in 2002 and totally agree with your post. I’d only add: firstly, if you book from overseas, you’ll get taken to the cleaners. I know it’s not necessarily possible, but as I was traveling Latin America at the time, I booked a boat in Quito. Excluding flight costs, I saved around $1,500 in comparison to others who’d booked their trip from home.
Secondly, try to get on a smaller boat (16 people) compared to the big ones (up to 90). It’s a magical, expensive, once in a lifetime trip and the bigger boats seemed to be more ‘touristy’ compared to mine. We had more time actually doing stuff than wasting time embarking and disembarking. |
A boat???
Isn’t it 2,000 miles from mainland or something? How long did it take? |  | | |
| your favourite country/island. on 20:37 - Apr 27 with 843 views | Metallica_Hoop |
| your favourite country/island. on 19:47 - Apr 27 by BrianMcCarthy |
A mate of mine from surfing is from there and went home recently for a trip.
He was sitting on the beach taking a break from surfing when an old school mate came along. They chatted and the old mate admired Simon's board and asked if he could bring it for a spin. The board was found snapped in two some time later, the old mate days later also snapped in two. Great White. On a beach break that never used to have sharks.
Simon keeps inviting me out there for a surf trip. Not a hope. |
Go for the scenery and the culture.
Do not go to jo'berg though.
I spent 2 weeks there.
In Jo'berg they have nothing and will look at you as such.
I felt like wearing sign saying 'left the cash at home'
Cape Town is very different.
It is a different tribe.
However I sat outside a township with a fire chief in Cape Town and I said 'if I got out this car and walked up there, how long would I last?'
His reply 'You would be dead in under 5 mins'
People talk about poverty. That is poverty [Post edited 27 Apr 2020 20:46]
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| Beer and Beef has made us what we are - The Prince Regent |
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| your favourite country/island. on 22:25 - Apr 27 with 790 views | itsbiga |
| your favourite country/island. on 20:37 - Apr 27 by Metallica_Hoop |
Go for the scenery and the culture.
Do not go to jo'berg though.
I spent 2 weeks there.
In Jo'berg they have nothing and will look at you as such.
I felt like wearing sign saying 'left the cash at home'
Cape Town is very different.
It is a different tribe.
However I sat outside a township with a fire chief in Cape Town and I said 'if I got out this car and walked up there, how long would I last?'
His reply 'You would be dead in under 5 mins'
People talk about poverty. That is poverty [Post edited 27 Apr 2020 20:46]
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I almost drove into a township just outside of Capetown. Reversed out quick sharp.
Wife and I got robbed one night at a cashpoint. Nothing heavy, dude just ran up and shoved me out the way hard, grabbed the cash and took off.
Next night we hired a little kid (maybe 8-10 years old) as a chaperone and was safe all night.
Basically you pay for him not to have his older brother rob you :)
Same as those dudes you have to pay to "look after your car" when you park it.
Wonderful city and country though. Loved our trip there. | |
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| your favourite country/island. on 23:32 - Apr 27 with 751 views | Boston |
| your favourite country/island. on 22:25 - Apr 27 by itsbiga |
I almost drove into a township just outside of Capetown. Reversed out quick sharp.
Wife and I got robbed one night at a cashpoint. Nothing heavy, dude just ran up and shoved me out the way hard, grabbed the cash and took off.
Next night we hired a little kid (maybe 8-10 years old) as a chaperone and was safe all night.
Basically you pay for him not to have his older brother rob you :)
Same as those dudes you have to pay to "look after your car" when you park it.
Wonderful city and country though. Loved our trip there. |
Sounds like Glasgow. | |
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| your favourite country/island. on 05:45 - Apr 28 with 705 views | PlanetHonneywood |
| your favourite country/island. on 20:36 - Apr 27 by BazzaInTheLoft |
A boat???
Isn’t it 2,000 miles from mainland or something? How long did it take? |
I did say flights aside.
As was pointed out by the poster who first mentioned the GIs, you fly in from mainland Ecuador. I was able to book my flights in Quito and even saved a packet compared to those who had to pay the agent’s mark-up when they booked in their home country. Of course, if your restricted by time, you might not want to take the gamble. But I wasn’t so restricted and saved bundles. | |
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| your favourite country/island. on 06:48 - Apr 28 with 691 views | RangersDave |
To be fair, my trip was rather a special one, As we visited Lima, Cuzco, Quito, The Galapagos, Machu Pichu etc etc
And we travelled business class.
We went with a south american tourist company and all in (28 days) was £11k
This included all hotels, meals, transfers, free earthquake in Lima, experience days, the train from Cusco to Machu Pichu etc.
Lots of money but our thoughts were, you only do it once. |  |
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| your favourite country/island. on 11:44 - Apr 28 with 643 views | PlanetHonneywood |
| your favourite country/island. on 06:48 - Apr 28 by RangersDave |
To be fair, my trip was rather a special one, As we visited Lima, Cuzco, Quito, The Galapagos, Machu Pichu etc etc
And we travelled business class.
We went with a south american tourist company and all in (28 days) was £11k
This included all hotels, meals, transfers, free earthquake in Lima, experience days, the train from Cusco to Machu Pichu etc.
Lots of money but our thoughts were, you only do it once. |
Funnily enough, for that trip I handed my notice in at work one day to inform I was off travelling again. Next day they offered to turn my year away into a sabbatical. As soon as I signed the agreement, I promptly phoned up Trailfinders and asked, how much to upgrade my round-the-world ticket to pointy end?
Don’t get me wrong, many a time since I could have done with the cash. But as I thought this was to be my last big trip, why not I said and had no regrets, especially as I’m a firm advocate of spoiling yourself when you can. Of course it turned out it wasn’t my last big trip, and two more followed albeit I turned right upon boarding. But as you allude to: no point being the richest person in the cemetery. Good on yer!! | |
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| your favourite country/island. on 16:14 - Apr 28 with 613 views | aston_hoop |
| your favourite country/island. on 06:48 - Apr 28 by RangersDave |
To be fair, my trip was rather a special one, As we visited Lima, Cuzco, Quito, The Galapagos, Machu Pichu etc etc
And we travelled business class.
We went with a south american tourist company and all in (28 days) was £11k
This included all hotels, meals, transfers, free earthquake in Lima, experience days, the train from Cusco to Machu Pichu etc.
Lots of money but our thoughts were, you only do it once. |
Did you get to do that fancy Hiram Bingham train from Cusco to Machu Picchu for that price? I took the cheapest train I could and it was still around £150 earlier in the year. My missus was livid, she's a Peruvian national and they have a train only for locals which costs less than a fiver but they dont let foreigners on it!
Love Peru though, add that to the list of favourite countries. Lima one of the best cities in the world for food and eating. So cheap too. Highlands are amazing also, Cusco and Ayacucho are fascinating cities when you get used to the altitude. Then there is Ica and the Huacachina oasis south of Lima. Next time I go, going to try the jungle. |  |
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| your favourite country/island. on 16:20 - Apr 28 with 607 views | RangersDave |
No, just did the glass roofed tour train, from the same station (that was 10miles outside Cusco) that the Hiram Bingham goes from.
Loved Cuzco, the altitude was an interesting experience, lots of coca tea and chewing the free coca leaves. Until after, i didnt know that the late great John Peel died in Cuzco. | |
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| your favourite country/island. on 16:35 - Apr 28 with 601 views | aston_hoop |
| your favourite country/island. on 16:20 - Apr 28 by RangersDave |
No, just did the glass roofed tour train, from the same station (that was 10miles outside Cusco) that the Hiram Bingham goes from.
Loved Cuzco, the altitude was an interesting experience, lots of coca tea and chewing the free coca leaves. Until after, i didnt know that the late great John Peel died in Cuzco. |
Yeah took me some time to get used to the altitude, but luckily I was in Ayacucho first which was at 3000 metres so got used to it by the time I was in Cusco. Good job though the hotels and just about everywhere was giving out the free coca leaves! I was told to sleep with them on my forehead too, not sure if people were just on a wind up with that one!
Did not know that about John Peel until just now! | |
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| your favourite country/island. on 19:10 - Apr 28 with 557 views | derbyhoop |
Favourite island Langkawi, Malaysia.
My wife wanted a family meal for her 60th birthday. One son in UK, other in Australia, so we met roughly halfway. |  |
| "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky |
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| your favourite country/island. on 19:27 - Apr 28 with 548 views | PeterHucker |
| your favourite country/island. on 19:10 - Apr 28 by derbyhoop |
Favourite island Langkawi, Malaysia.
My wife wanted a family meal for her 60th birthday. One son in UK, other in Australia, so we met roughly halfway. |
Favourite places to go on holiday in no particular order Italy, Scotland, Canada |  | | |
| your favourite country/island. on 19:47 - Apr 28 with 539 views | PlanetHonneywood |
| your favourite country/island. on 16:35 - Apr 28 by aston_hoop |
Yeah took me some time to get used to the altitude, but luckily I was in Ayacucho first which was at 3000 metres so got used to it by the time I was in Cusco. Good job though the hotels and just about everywhere was giving out the free coca leaves! I was told to sleep with them on my forehead too, not sure if people were just on a wind up with that one!
Did not know that about John Peel until just now! |
I’ll tell you another John Peel thing I read.
He was working in Dallas in November 1963 when JFK came to town. Apparently he had previously spoken to JFK on a cavalcade drive when the president’s car stopped in front of him. However it seems it was not in the day JFK was shot as I once believed.
However, if you do a bit of googling, there’s a picture of Peel in the Dallas police station when LHO was giving a press interview after the assassination and also in the picture, is Jack Ruby. [Post edited 28 Apr 2020 20:05]
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