A travelling/holiday thread

[TheGunnShow 6,110]

11 minutes ago, Herman said:

One for you.

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/nov/29/faroe-islands-farmers-charge-tourists-to-visit-hotspots-as-visitor-numbers-rise

Already knew about the fee at Mykines - Miss TGS and myself saw it coming and were ready. It's still cheaper by far to take the bus to Sorvagur and then the boat over to Mykines and pay that fee than it is to take any guided tour there.

Just be careful with the buses from Tórshavn as they don't run all that often so you're better organising things so you get the bus before the one you really need. I ended up lashing out over £100 on a taxi to get to Sorvagur in time for the boat!

EDIT: Read the rest of the article - it's not hard to fly to the Faroes. Atlantic Airways fly twice a week from Edinburgh and every day from Copenhagen. Furthermore, the taxis to and from the airport aren't badly priced as they are timed to meet the flights, so you'll end up with another traveller or two to cut costs. It's about 50 minutes to an hour from Vagar airport to Tórshavn

Surprised they missed Gjógv out. That view of the village from the bridge over the little stream looking onto Kalsoy's western flank is sublime.

Here it is:

 

Edited November 30, 2023 by TheGunnShow

[TheGunnShow 6,110]

Well, off to northern Norway in a week. Reindeer feeding and husky sledding all organised, as well as the Polar Night half-mara. Miss TGS really should have her cold weather clobber sorted out today (after that voucher for a local outdoor store she got from me as her main Christmas present).

Anyone else got any wintery jollies lined up?

[Canary73 170]

5 hours ago, TheGunnShow said:

Well, off to northern Norway in a week. Reindeer feeding and husky sledding all organised, as well as the Polar Night half-mara. Miss TGS really should have her cold weather clobber sorted out today (after that voucher for a local outdoor store she got from me as her main Christmas present).

Anyone else got any wintery jollies lined up?

Yep - always have wintry destinations for my holidays between September and March. Been to Trondheim, Rovaniemi, Tallinn and Riga so far with Turku next month. Was in Tromso just before Christmas last year. Rovaniemi was -19 which is my kind of temperature as I don’t like the heat. The Nordic and Baltic countries are lovely at that time of year and particularly festive around this time. 

[TheGunnShow 6,110]

3 minutes ago, Canary73 said:

Yep - always have wintry destinations for my holidays between September and March. Been to Trondheim, Rovaniemi, Tallinn and Riga so far with Turku next month. Was in Tromso just before Christmas last year. Rovaniemi was -19 which is my kind of temperature as I don’t like the heat. The Nordic and Baltic countries are lovely at that time of year and particularly festive around this time. 

Yep, that third shot is THE shot for Tromso, especially in the polar night. Good shot of the Ishavskathedralen too.

[TheGunnShow 6,110]

Came back from the Arctic a few days ago for a few days fun with Miss TGS (who doesn't like cold weather at all, so ended up spending a tidy chunk on proper gear for walking around in). Unfortunately we didn't see the Northern Lights this time, she lost her wallet first day in, the flight back home was delayed twice so we missed a hotel reservation in Berlin and despite ostensibly flying from Norway on the 8th, we didn't leave Oslo until the 10th.

Had a grand time reindeer feeding and husky sledding. And yeah, I did a half-marathon as well. Didn't appear in any of the freaking photos.




 

Had reindeer stew as well.

Fifteen minutes or so into the half-marathon, we got weather like this. 

Couldn't get much photo evidence of the husky sledding, but I got dragged along for a couple of hundred metres when I missed the runners in the snow after hitting the brake, so was holding grimly onto the crossbar until the huskies slowed down a bit. Wonderful experience though at Harkin Husky Farm - so if you're up in that neck of the woods, consider that a tremendous recommendation.

It also meant that I did the report for our running club for the first time. So, amongst other things, I can sorta consider myself a published "journalist" of sorts.

Harriers head far and wide to compete in wintry conditions | The Bolton News

[Herman 9,867]

👀👀

"Thomasson ran a steady 1:52:10 in comparatively tropical conditions of around minus-nine in the wind on a largely snowbound and wind-blasted course, but the Northern Lights did not make an appearance."

[TheGunnShow 6,110]

1 hour ago, Herman said:

👀👀

"Thomasson ran a steady 1:52:10 in comparatively tropical conditions of around minus-nine in the wind on a largely snowbound and wind-blasted course, but the Northern Lights did not make an appearance."

Not difficult to run in those temperatures with modern gear. A thermal base layer from Decathlon and a windproof/waterproof running jacket were all I needed on my torso. Pair of waterproof socks and my compression racers over the top, typical running shorts, and a pair of lightweight hiking pants on my legs, and one hat/one pair of gloves.

Considering that parts of southern Sweden had temperatures around minus 40 a few thought "er, TGS, why are you going to Tromsø then?" but forgot about the Gulf Stream, didn't realise that Tromsø is a coastal city - and indeed that the Norway/Sweden border is very mountainous.

One chap ran the marathon in a singlet and shorts. That last ten kilometre stretch off the bridge must have been a grim old slog.

[Herman 9,867]

I think I'll leave it to you, Gunny.😂

[The Raptor 1,264]

Just back from Prague. A great city for those who've not been. It's one of only 4 places I'd consider permanently living. Amazing architecture everywhere. Fried cheese.  A Lego museum! £2 beers. ALL the meat.  I'd recommend it to anyone who's not been. 

I will probably be back there next year as a mate has just signed up for the half marathon. I'll be there for support. I'd say it's 50/50 if I join him on the roads or not! 

[TheGunnShow 6,110]

On 01/05/2024 at 15:52, The Raptor said:

Just back from Prague. A great city for those who've not been. It's one of only 4 places I'd consider permanently living. Amazing architecture everywhere. Fried cheese.  A Lego museum! £2 beers. ALL the meat.  I'd recommend it to anyone who's not been. 

I will probably be back there next year as a mate has just signed up for the half marathon. I'll be there for support. I'd say it's 50/50 if I join him on the roads or not! 

Did that event last year - it was horribly crowded. Lovely course, but there were quite a lot of roadworks, resulting in little space to overtake in places and worse still, it was not well supervised at the start as people started going into starting groups that did not correspond to their starting letters that were given based on time.

I was in group E, but there were people from slower groups all piled in beside me, and you can begin to imagine what mess that was. An opening 5K of around 26 minutes for me on a flat half-marathon course is positively soporific as I generally aim for around 25 or just under.

It's a flat and fast course with good support en route if you get a clean run at it, so I'd suggest you get training.

Prague's a lovely city though. Miss TGS and myself definitely aim to get back there one day, and if we can, we'll be at the Boutique Hotel Constans again in the Mala Strana quarter (the Lesser Town).

EDIT: **** it, have a chuckle and read my race report on my FB profile.

 

Edited May 6 by TheGunnShow

[Herman 9,867]

Any recommendations for the Peak District? Anybody had a holiday there and is it worth it? 

[littleyellowbirdie 2,615]

1 hour ago, Herman said:

Any recommendations for the Peak District? Anybody had a holiday there and is it worth it? 

Best to go in the peak season.

[KiwiScot 1,491]

On 01/05/2024 at 15:52, The Raptor said:

Just back from Prague. A great city for those who've not been. It's one of only 4 places I'd consider permanently living. Amazing architecture everywhere. Fried cheese.  A Lego museum! £2 beers. ALL the meat.  I'd recommend it to anyone who's not been. 

I will probably be back there next year as a mate has just signed up for the half marathon. I'll be there for support. I'd say it's 50/50 if I join him on the roads or not! 

I wonder if it would worth visiting another town in the country. No doubt there would be tourist there as well, but nothing like Prague surely.

[dylanisabaddog 5,069]

On 01/05/2024 at 15:52, The Raptor said:

Just back from Prague. A great city for those who've not been. It's one of only 4 places I'd consider permanently living. Amazing architecture everywhere. Fried cheese.  A Lego museum! £2 beers. ALL the meat.  I'd recommend it to anyone who's not been. 

I will probably be back there next year as a mate has just signed up for the half marathon. I'll be there for support. I'd say it's 50/50 if I join him on the roads or not! 

Golden rules

Don't eat the sausages from the street vendors. 

Watch out for pickpockets when you go to see the clock

Visit the Jewish cemetery 

Stroke the dog on Charles Bridge. 

If you see a light switch on while crossing the bridge you're going to die quite soon. 

Remember that the Budweiser beer is in no way related to the American company. It's actually quite good. 

 

If you liked Prague put Krakow on your list and if you go visit the salt mines. And apparently Tallinn is spectacular although I haven't been. 

[canarydan23 4,151]

On 07/05/2024 at 21:58, Herman said:

Any recommendations for the Peak District? Anybody had a holiday there and is it worth it? 

I went over New Years just gone with the family. Booked a house on booking.com in a lovely village called Tideswell. Had an amazing time. We took our bikes and rode a good chunk of the Monsal Trail, an abandoned railway line that takes you through tunnels and over a couple of viaducts. Strolled around the plague village of Eyam which still has an eerie feel to it all these centuries later. Did a nice walk above Poole's Cavern before a tour inside it. Did a walk around the Derwent Resevoir and saw the Dam with water piling over it (the noise is impressive) as well as the terrifying overflows being put to work in the Ladybower Resevoir. Rather insensibly biked up Winnat's Pass at 7am on New Years Day to try and fend off the hangover. I made it, but had to stop twice. Then finished off with a really impressive walk at a National Trust area called Longshaw largely alongside fast-flowing rivers and mini waterfalls. Was a brilliant week.

In April I went to the Netherlands, stayed at a Eurocamp near a picturesque village called Eersel, about 15 minutes from Eindhoven. The area around Eersel was amazing, clearly a very wealthy area. I was less impressed with Eindhoven, it had an English city feel about it to be honest; familiar brands, no short supply of homeless and not particularly clean. I was disappointed, as a few years ago I went a stayed just a little further north and visited a town called 's-Hertogenbosch and that place was incredible. I guess I hoped for similar from Eindhoven. The Philips Museum there was well worth a visit for a couple of hours or so though. And the rest of it was great; the site we were on (TerSpegelt), the cycling, the people. I love the Netherlands.

And next week I'm off to the beautiful Greek island of Kefalonia.

[Herman 9,867]

Thanks @canarydan23 👍

Oddly enough I have just listened to Tim Harford talk about Eyam and it sounds very interesting place. 

[Wings of a Sparrow 1,470]

On 07/05/2024 at 21:58, Herman said:

Any recommendations for the Peak District? Anybody had a holiday there and is it worth it? 

Ooh, it's most definitely worth it!

Last few years, me and my mates have took time out and had a few days walking holiday, basing ourselves at the Premier Inn, Buxton where there are some great little bars and loads of nice places to eat.

Thoroughly recommended, walk around Derwent Water, Hathersage open air swimming pool (thankfully heated) and Stannage Edge were the highlights this year...

*Just read @canarydan23 post.

Monsal trail is good and of course Lathkill Dale and Mam Tor.

Lots of different bird life up there too... Mandarin ducks especially the river beneath Monsal trail. Dippers and grey wagtails by flowing rivers red grouse up on the moors saw ring ousels too and Merganser/goosander - can't remember which.

Edited Tuesday at 16:19 by Wings of a Sparrow

[Herman 9,867]

Thanks mate, most appreciated. I did have Buxton down as a potential base and I am now persuaded. The rest sounds great so hopefully I have the time and weather. 👍👍

[Wings of a Sparrow 1,470]

23 minutes ago, Herman said:

Thanks mate, most appreciated. I did have Buxton down as a potential base and I am now persuaded. The rest sounds great so hopefully I have the time and weather. 👍👍

* Malham Cove 👍

[TheGunnShow 6,110]

8 hours ago, dylanisabaddog said:

Golden rules

Don't eat the sausages from the street vendors. 

Watch out for pickpockets when you go to see the clock

Visit the Jewish cemetery 

Stroke the dog on Charles Bridge. 

If you see a light switch on while crossing the bridge you're going to die quite soon. 

Remember that the Budweiser beer is in no way related to the American company. It's actually quite good. 

 

If you liked Prague put Krakow on your list and if you go visit the salt mines. And apparently Tallinn is spectacular although I haven't been. 

Tallinn is very attractive but it's a bit too well-restored/polished for me, especially in the centre of the old town. I tend to like it best where the medieval towers are still standing, so the Viru Gate, Fat Margaret's Tower or Kiek in de Kök - and there was a splendid little coffee shop in part of the city walls called Kehrwieder. Personally prefer Riga and Vilnius as they're not quite as far advanced in terms of restoration, but still have lovely set-pieces.

Riga and Vilnius are also somewhat cheaper in terms of dining out.

Edited Tuesday at 16:55 by TheGunnShow

[Wings of a Sparrow 1,470]

I caught a bit of Fred Sirieux (sp) and Rachel Koo on one of these best places to eat programmes.

They had pitched up in Vienna and were eating posh hot dogs and champagne from a stall opposite the opera house.

This has made we want to go to Vienna 🌭 

[The Raptor 1,264]

10 hours ago, KiwiScot said:

I wonder if it would worth visiting another town in the country. No doubt there would be tourist there as well, but nothing like Prague surely.

I went to Brno a couple of years ago. It's kind of a small Prague. But less busy. I'd definitely go back. We even went to see Brno FC play. Was a great experience going to football abroad. And we successfully avoided their  Nazi ultras!

Probably next trip is back to billiund for lego fun in march. Then going to watch my friend do a half in Berlin, Lisbon or Prague. He's entered them all. I may do one. We'll see.

[canarydan23 4,151]

2 hours ago, The Raptor said:

I went to Brno a couple of years ago. It's kind of a small Prague. But less busy. I'd definitely go back. We even went to see Brno FC play. Was a great experience going to football abroad. And we successfully avoided their  Nazi ultras!

Probably next trip is back to billiund for lego fun in march. Then going to watch my friend do a half in Berlin, Lisbon or Prague. He's entered them all. I may do one. We'll see.

We're weighing up a Billiund visit in August.

[TheGunnShow 6,110]

55 minutes ago, canarydan23 said:

We're weighing up a Billiund visit in August.

Legoland, gotta be. Odense should be worth a day of your time, especially if you have Hans Christian Andersen fans in the family.

Travelling for me is a bit stuck until this visa is sorted out as then it becomes clear where I'll be travelling from. That will be one minor problem moving in with Miss TGS - she lives further away from a major international airport (nearest two vaguely international ones are Leipzig/Halle and Dresden, Erfurt is closest but is TINY) so it's a2.5hr trip to Berlin) compared to me, which is a 40min trip to Manchester.
 

3 hours ago, The Raptor said:

I went to Brno a couple of years ago. It's kind of a small Prague. But less busy. I'd definitely go back. We even went to see Brno FC play. Was a great experience going to football abroad. And we successfully avoided their  Nazi ultras!

Probably next trip is back to billiund for lego fun in march. Then going to watch my friend do a half in Berlin, Lisbon or Prague. He's entered them all. I may do one. We'll see.

Three flat ones. Had eyes on both Berlin and Lisbon but not ran either. Frankly, if I'm running in Germany again then it'll be Spreewald, Dresden or Oberelbe. I'm fairly sure I've said it before but anyone going to Berlin would be daft not to consider a day in the Spreewald - just take the train to Lübbenau, and experience a place where many Germans take their holidays, not to mention it's also a home to Germany's only official Slavic minority in the Sorbs.

[canarydan23 4,151]

8 hours ago, TheGunnShow said:

and experience a place where many Germans take their holidays

Good luck getting a sunbed there!

[TheGunnShow 6,110]

10 minutes ago, canarydan23 said:

Good luck getting a sunbed there!

LOL, but seriously, you don't go to the Spreewald for the sunbeds! Prime boating/walking/cycling territory - I always recommend one of the guided tours on a large punt (usually 20 or so people on it) - but I'm not sure how many of the boat people speak much English, and that's never bothered me as I speak German anyway.

Actually, that's an excuse to throw this picture I took ten years ago from a bridge in the village of Lehde.

[Canary73 170]

Oulu, Lulea, Hammerfest and Kikenes for me all in mid winter after Vilnius in September. 

[TheGunnShow 6,110]

12 hours ago, Canary73 said:

Oulu, Lulea, Hammerfest and Kikenes for me all in mid winter after Vilnius in September. 

Might as well throw Svalbard in if you're up in Hammerfest and Kirkenes. Sounds like a cracking trip though.

[How I Wrote Elastic Man 1,201]

Trondheim to Mo i Rana and a few points in between, for me at the end of June 

Includes a couple of nights in Sweden. Will be my first time staying there, though I've passed through before 

Edited Thursday at 18:52 by How I Wrote Elastic Man

[Wings of a Sparrow 1,470]

I'm thinking of planning a train trip from London to Paris to Milan, taking in the famous Alpine Express, and then Venice, Florence, Rome and maybe a few nights on the Amalfi Coast...