Gin Buckets and any other Seattle bros: Got this from a co-worker that went to school in Gonzaga and frequented Seattle a few times. Agree/disagree with any of the following: I'm probably not going to venture out of Seattle given that I'm there for only 4 days, but at the same time would like to do some hikes/get on the water. Are there still some options around the city?
He's right about Pike Place and locals actually going there. Mariners games are fun, as are Sounders games -- in fact I'd recommend doing what he said before a SOUNDERS game moreso than before a Mariners game as the chants and parade is nuts. I don't know what their season is, so forgive me if they aren't in season when you're there. The walk he recommended is only really good for going to a game, not necessarily for going out. It's a cool little area, but I think the bars are kind of whack when it's not game time tbh. Bainbridge Island is pretty cool, but you might not have time. The ferry gets you plenty of great views of the city. I used to live 2 blocks from the EMP, but never went there... It's probably pretty cool and you can hit 2 birds, 1 stone if you also wanted to check out the Space Needle. He's right about it being overrated as there isn't much shit. While in the area, it might be worth hitting up Kerry Park to get that Grey's Anatomy pic -- best view of the skyline in the city imo. Check out the Fremont Troll, and also make sure you get a sandwich at Paseo if they've opened back up. Most delicious fucking sandwich ever. One of my favorite days ever was seeing the Fremont Troll. Walking to the Fremont Brewery sitting outside on the German style tables, drinking beers, and hanging out with everyone around us. Then after getting nice and sauced walking to Gas Works Park for the sunset. You're also close to Ballard, so you can get one of the best meals in Seattle at a little place called The Walrus and the Carpenter. Golden Gardens -- if you meet people is another great place to watch the sunset. We brought Bocce Ball, built a fire, drank beers and hung out for a couple hours before going out one night. Golden Gardens is a beach (don't let the name fool you) and it's possible to see Orcas and shit while you're out there. It's also on the outskirts of Ballard. You'll have Mount Rainier for hiking. fsck~ had some pretty sweet pics on his FB page, so he can help you out a little more there. Going out: Belltown is sort of fun. Shorty's remains one of my favorite bars ever... If not for picking up chicks, then for the good beer, hot dogs, pin ball, and Buckhunter. Bathtub Gin Company if you want a speakeasy. Cap Hill... Rhein Hous (Used to be Von Trappes) has/had the hottest chicks in Seattle as far as I'm concerned. Get there early though, as there is a line past 10:30. Cha Cha Lounge is an experience... I didn't love the place, but it has a Mexican Wrestler theme. Hipster joint. Macklemore did part of a music video at Unicorn as well, which isn't a horrible spot. South Lake Union... Brave Horse I think is really the only place worth seeing. Also, 13 Coins is the premiere 24 hour dining experience in the USA (literally, it wins awards for it), and would be very Seattle of you to get some late night grub there. Just ask while you're there and I can try to help.
Much appreciated man I remember in the old thread saying that one of your favorite strips of bars was Fremont? That right? Between the cunty beers I'm going to drink and the food I will indulge in (surely to be magnified after a quick trip to a dispensary), I may gain 10 lbs in 4 days.
And really hoping for a good crowd at the hostel. My friend said it was loaded with Aussies last time he was there in August. Just don't want a bunch of boring Americans.
The Cambie Hostel in Gastown is the shit, and therefore Gastown is also the shit. That bar has a line outside of it on the weekends, and locals frequent it along with the backpackers staying there. Also lots of chicks if it makes any difference hah. Other places besides Yaletown (which is nice, and where I stayed) you might want to look are Coal Harbour and West End. Granville is the shit as well... It reminds me (sorta) of 6th Street in Austin. Awesome hike nearby as well... Just texted my buddy who lives there to remind me which one. I think it's called Grouse? I'd need to do some research. Cliffs: Pretty much all of Vancouver is the shit.
Fremont bars are OK. Not bad. They call it Fratmont fwiw if that's your thing. I actually probably prefer Belltown and Cap Hill (but maybe that's just because they were walkable for me) Another spot I forgot to recommend was Taylor Shellfish Farms in Cap Hill. I went there by myself one Friday night -- it was awesome. They have amazing (best I had in Seattle) oysters that they grow right there in their little store. On top of that, it's very laid back, as they were rocking 80s metal and the folks who worked there are cool as shit -- and they actually asked me if I wanted to come with them to party when they got off. After that, you could walk across the street to Pine Box, which is actually kind of southern with ALL of the cunty beers. Really cool spot. I know I just told you a place, but there are actually like 5 amazing spots to eat right there. Macciavelli is probably the best Italian I've had since. Ok I'll stop.
We met a bunch of dudes from the hostel one night at Buckley's... Seemed like they have a good crowd in the fact that it's your normal hostel game and everyone goes out together.
I've never stayed at a hostel in the US. Are they usually mostly foreign or a lot of Americans? I would think most americans wouldn't think of staying in a hostel when traveling domestically unless they had done international travel.
I never have either, and agree that most Americans would probably shy away from them. My buddy did a long trip from Texas to the PNW, stayed in hostels in Austin, Portland, and Seattle and said it was awesome (he's also never left the country so wasn't really sure of what to expect). Said all the hostels were primarily Aussies. I'm thinking maybe some Asian influence on the West Coast, perhaps?
I think they are really hit or miss... Some good ones out west and in the faux west like Austin. You'll also get good ones in NYC, Chicago, and DC. Beyond that it's probably pretty risky, but I haven't checked them out many places even though I always look up the option.
Mexico. Thoughts? If I need to narrow it down, let's start with these two parameters: 1) all-inclusive resort; 2) Playa del Carmen
Playa Del Carmen is what I was going to suggest if you didn't type that out already. I wouldn't completely be sold on the All-Inclusive, you can save money by not going that route, and also have a better room, and location. I always feel like All-Inclusive is binding, but I get the allure in that they can be relaxing if all you want to do is stay there and not do too much. You can never, ever go wrong with a Rosewood if you're going all out on costs. I stayed at the El Taj while in Playa. Got the Penthouse for cheap, the restaurant was delicious, and the location was unbeatable -- <5 minute walk to almost all of the great restaurants and bars. Can't really help you on the all-inclusive aspect as I haven't done it in Playa.
I'm sure all-inclusive deals are convenient, but I've never heard someone have glowing reviews from them (not saying people haven't loved them). I think there more for the older crowd that doesn't want to get out of the resort bubble and has no desire to do their own thing. We did one once for Spring Break and it was terrible, the "all-inclusive drinks" were restricted to fruity mix drinks and heineken, and the meals were a joke. With all the information available online, not to mention any question posed in this thread usually gets plenty of answers, I think they're not needed.
I think there was some info lost in the crash so I'll ask again, but I'm heading to South Korea and Japan in September and I need recs on what areas to stay in seoul and tokyo, and any other must see places in Japan. At this point thinking Kyoto, Osaka, and Hakone but would be open to other areas.
Thanks, I'll check out El Taj. But... ...I couldn't have stated that better myself. I'm old and married. We're looking to sit by a pool, drink drinks, read, and not think about parenting for a few days. I don't think we'll step foot in a bar during our vacation. I probably should have specified that in my original post.
I guess I get why people want to do this but you can do that for a hell of a lot cheaper then going all the way to Mexico. If I'm going to spend all that money to get somewhere plus lodging, I want to have a little more experience than just sitting at a pool all day
The plus side of looking into a place like El Taj (it was super quiet when I was there in July if it makes a difference, very relaxing spot) is the options you have for dining and the good restaurants near there. Not to mention, their restaurant is also delicious. Another thing we did, that could be an option is hire a chef to come in and cook for us one night. We had a big group, so it was probably a little cheaper for us, but the food was delicious and it really couldn't get much more relaxing. I know our room def also had a cabana with couches on the roof along with a hot tub which was pretty awesome. The downside is obviously having to worry about paying for food/drinks and not quite so many amenities (like a casino) as part of the resort.
Probably true, but it was amazing to us when we did an all-inclusive in Jamaica many years ago just how much more relaxation the not-worrying-about-paying factor brought us. Not sure I can even understand it myself, but it was incredible. Also, for Gin Buckets' benefit, there were numerous restaurants on that resort which were all delicious as well, so who knows if that's the same at all resorts.
stayed in a hostel in san francisco 2 weeks ago and we were the only 2 americans staying there, had a great time
daddy fat sacks Marty Kaan Denver-->Rio RT for $689 https://twitter.com/airfarewatchdog/status/594933346133651456
Any thoughts on taking your first trip to Europe solo? I found out I have a few weeks in July where I'm supposed to be taking a study break (studying for the CPA exam this summer) so I'm strongly contemplating going on my first trip but I haven't been on a plane since I was two years old and I'm not sure if making my first trip a solo trip is a good idea. Main reason I'd be going solo is that I'm trying to save money on flights by using my Aeroplan points but that means finding flights with the lowest amount of taxes and fees. For example, a flight from Toronto to London with points costs $300 direct on Air Canada but only $84 on United but with a stop in DC. None of my friends have points so no one will want to do that. Talk me into it.
Went to Spain and Portugal last year by myself... It's the shit. If you're doing the hostel game, you won't be by yourself much anyway, and the experience will also probably kick a little bit more ass.
Do your research on hostelworld for hostels that rate high on "atmosphere." You'll have no problem meeting people and having an amazing time. Zero reason to let lack of a travel partner stop you.
It is, but youre gonna be pushing it. Think about it---10-15 minute to de-plane, then they usually close the gates 10-15 before takeoff, so that 55 min is actually closer to 30. And that's without any delays. I have connected with less time, but especially with international trips where a missed flight could really fuck up everything, i think 1 1/2-2 hours is safer. And i'll echo what everyone else said re: traveling solo. It's awesome. One of the coolest things you can do. Further, if you do the hostel scene, i think you'll be surprised at how many other folks you meet traveling alone. I know I was
Check if you have to clear customs in the connecting country, if yes, then its not enough time. If youre doing toronto to us to London, I would think you are likely staying in the same terminal and wouldn't have to clear customs. I would err on the side of more time though, especially if you are booking 2 separate tickets bc if you miss that connection youre shit out of luck. Not quite clear if your plan is 2 one way tickets, or its a continuous trip with a layover. Also, my checked bag has failed to make it multiple times when transiting tight through another country, and european countries as a rule dont give a shit about getting you your bag back in a timely manner. Its not fun wearing the same clothes for three days.
Last week I booked hotels for a trip to the Amalfi Coast this August and now going to look to book day trips and flight over the next month or so. I was originally thinking of doing 5-6 days in the Amalfi Coast and 2-3 days in another city (Paris, Barcelona, etc.) but after researching Amalfi it seems like there is a ton to do and traveling from Sorrento to Barcelona would take over half a day, so decided to just stay in Italy. Going with girlfriend. Here's the proposed itinerary, let me know if anyone has experience with the area and can recommend anything: August 7th - Evening Friday flight from west coast to Naples, Italy, landing Saturday evening August 8th August 8th to August 11th - Stay in Naples from landing Saturday night to Tuesday morning. Day trip to Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius on Monday August 11th to August 15th - Late Tuesday morning train from Naples to Positano, stay in a hotel on the beach in Positano until Saturday the 15th. Three full days in Positano (Wed - Fri) include day trip to island of Capri, day going to 2-3 different towns along the coast, and day relaxing on the beach. August 15th to August 17th - Two nights in Sorrento (Saturday and Sunday), hanging out in the city until flight the morning of Monday the 17th, landing in west coast late 17th
Do it, and use the backpacking thread, it had some great stuff before the crash (I planned over half of mine using it.) If you're in your 20s and decently social you'll have an incredible time.
Has anyone been to a town called Stockton Springs, Maine; or the area surrounding it? It's about 30 miles south of Bangor, I have a wedding there in June and want to see what's around.
http://www.the-mainboard.com/index.php?threads/backpacking-northern-eastern-europe.111067/ We lost all but the first 4 pages. Might as well just let it die and keep this thread. I can bring over the good info and edit into the OP here.
I just got back from Italy and did 4 nights in Sorrento. I highly recommend eating at giardini di tasso one night. The owner Mario grows a lot of his ingredients in his garden and tells you what dishes are the freshest. I liked Sorrento a lot more than I thought I would.
I don't care, but backpack specific questions are easier to find in that thread... The Travel thread got real long with questions ranging all over the place -- finding specific questions and answers in any thread over 50 pages is nearly impossible imo.
Ok... Here's my plan that I need to fill in: Aug 19th/20th: JFK/IAD (Dulles)/ATL to [Up for anything, but cheapest flights at the moment are Moscow, Odessa, Bergen, Oslo, Bucharest, Vilnius -- prefer somewhere I haven't been] Aug 22: XX to Athens Aug 22-27: TYW Greece Aug 28: Athens to XX [Cheapest flights still look to be the cities above... I can mix and match here though, and definitely not locked into those] Aug 30/31: XX -- ATL (or JFK to ATL) Decisions decisions... I found all flights for under $1k a week ago. That was using Moscow and Odessa. I think Moscow at this point may be out though with all the political strife going on.
Check Norwegian. They have really solid deals to Bergen and Oslo out of JFK. I just checked their site and see under $400 one way flights to both those.