Both of us are fully remote and committed to working NYC hours (we're normally based in LA). So my workday is like 2-11p most days. We're trying to keep Wed & Fri evenings more open so jamming calls earlier in the day, otherwise we take a "lunch break" and eat dinner around 7/8p. My wife told her company that I had to move to Europe temporarily and she didn't want to be away from me. My company (I'm a C-level exec) didn't really care as long as I come back for necessary meetings (I am doing that 2x) & don't screw anything up. It's only 3 months to start but with the new Italian visa announced this week we might try to do that for longer next year if this goes well
You can stay in an EU country for 90 days without a visa, which is why he’s only staying 3 months to start
Visas tend to be harder to get in-country. Especially if you enter as a tourist and then turn around and say “I want to stay here” cuz then you could be accused of entering under false pretenses.
You get 90 days (within 180 days) free and clear in the Shengen Zone, which is basically the entire EU. It's not like some countries where it resets if you leave for a few days, so you have to manage your time. We could have been a bit more strategic and spent time in UK/Ireland (which is not Shengen) to extend our overall time over here but want to get back to LA for summer Some countries offer pretty simple Digital Nomad visas for 1-2 years where you just have to show proof of income generated outside of that country (e.g. back in USA) and at a certain dollar amount.
we just did Athens and then went to Santorini. 2.5 days in Athens was plenty. there’s cool shit to see but the density isn’t like a Rome or Paris. one great thing about Athens was it was super cheap compared to a lot of Europe for food and drinks. the ruins are cool, the Parthenon is 10/10, and the sunset from Mt Lycabettus is super sweet file photo ^
The cost of Athens is awesome. You can eat and drink our heart out there for way less then most other EU cities. Food is also unreal.
My wife surprised me with dinner at Enigma for my birthday when we are in Barcelona in June, and I just got off the waitlist for El Cellar de Can Roca for dinner 4 days later. Going to be a serious eating week but I am fucking stoked
Yep I kinda hate going from affordable food, drink, and groceries back to the dogshit prices we're used to paying in the US
got a voucher from cancelled flights home from Barcelona last August that I might use for Europe again. for those that have been to both would you rather do Madrid + a coastal location or Rome plus a coastal location? maybe 3-4 nights in the city w 2-3 at the coastal spot
Rome if you want more/better historical sights. Madrid if you want good vibes and a better cityscape.
As others have said, Rome is among the top tier of international cities in the world. Im not sure what you are looking to see on a coastal destination or what Madrid offers. A lot of the coasts near Rome are rocky, beautiful, but not wide sand beaches.
figured Madrid bc I already did Barcelona(awesome place) where I stayed in the city the whole time bc the day trip out day got rained out. so want a trip outside the city this time. I am bad about putting off planning, will check the dates and probably lean Rome if all else is equal. Thanks for the replies all.
It’s not coastal like you specified in the original post, but Toledo is an awesome, easy day-trip from Madrid.
Two of my favorite “beach” destinations ever are Sorrento along Italy’s Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre northwest of Pisa. They are rocky, steep cliffs, but beach access at the water. Both are a train ride from Rome though, and a separate night stay. Not a day trip. Google photos and see if you like. If you do Sorrento, maybe fly into Rome and take the train, then fly out of Naples. We have used Naples airport before, and it is huge with a ton of flights.
Madrid is a great city, no doubt about it. But Rome is just a different level. Also to get to a beach from Madrid you would have to take about a 2 hour train to Valencia and then a 20 min cab from train station to the beach. Beaches in Valencia are sandy and large but a bit removed from the center of the city.
Delta boys - hitting Platinum status on Monday for the first time in probably 10 years. Guidance on choice benefits? Probably going to make Diamond so will wait to gift status to family members until I can gift Gold. Statement credit would go back to a business card so wouldn't help me Am thinking Regional upgrades or 30,000 miles - I guess the question is do the regional upgrades work or are they subject to blackout fuckery?
depends on what you value. Upgrade certificates are usable for any fair except basic economy and you can request and even clear at booking, they sit above the status upgrades in the priority. I think you can get global certificates at platinum too or diamond which in all likelihood would be the best ROI if you can work it right and get into business on a long haul somewhere
Regional Upgrades thus far this year have cleared but been subject to a waiting period. I would take the miles since they never expire, unless you have an exact flight ready to book for the upgrades.
I usually go regional upgrades for my platinum choice but I prioritize getting into first more than most, now that they've expanded it to include Hawaii and such it's going to get real interesting
Adios Mazunte. Incredible four months of surfing, yoga, and the unauthorized practice of law abroad. Spoiler CDMX until Wednesday, family time in Alabama, then a 5-day JazzFest bender in New Orleans with great friends before reintegrating into society.
I did a boat trip and thought it was pretty cool. Used Gianni’s boat tours and had some old Italian man who barely spoke English give us a solo tour. I’m sure there are other good options too. Make sure to pay the 10 euros or whatever to go in the blue grotto if you go
Here is my Rome experience if anyone cares. Hit all the main attractions like the Trevi fountain, colosseum, Spanish steps, etc, but I’m sure we all know what those look like hotel: albergo del Senato. Was recommended in here. Can’t say enough good things about it, centrally located and we walked everywhere we went. Furthest walk was 35ish minutes to the Vatican. Here’s the view from their rooftop bar and from their front steps Gelato: ate here three times, it was a few hundred feet from the hotel and didn’t feel a need to find a new spot. Can’t remember if I pulled this from here or Rick Steve’s book coffee: had an espresso or cappuccino and cornetto every morning here an arm lengths from the hotel. Food: my favorite meals was an accident. I needed to pee so stopped in for a drink, and when seeing the food come out it was too tough to pass up. Best cacio e Pepe I had Second favorite dining experience was when we got to da Enzo (recommended by Taques either here or the food thread) 15 minutes past opening and were way too late. Walked past this place and stopped in Hit Roscioli which I think I got from Lyrtch Wouldn’t say it was my favorite pasta but the meat and cheese was fantastic And lastly, club derrière recommended by Mix . Fantastic cocktails, cool atmosphere, you walk through this closet in the back of Osteria della Coppelle to get there, which was a solid meal
I have absolutely no desire to go to Italy for some reason. IDK why. Even though everyone says it's great...all the various parts