Holidaying with my wife and youngest son (18). Something a bit different this year. Berlin for four nights and then the train to Prague where we will spend 3 nights and then the train to Budapest for four nights. Really looking forward to it. (Thanks to @PragueAddick for his help and recommendations.)
3 great cities mate
We're off to Budapest for 4 nights next month. Staying in District V. Any recommendations for restaurants welcome, else I'll do some analysis on Tripadvisor
My experience of Budapest is that it's difficult to find a bad restaurant, but perhaps I've been fortunate. Make sure you do plenty of walking or you'll come back 50% heavier! But district 5 is a great place to start.
How was it overall and where were you? I'm asking because Croatia is a big thing for typical Czech families, going back to pre-revolution and being the first tourists to return after the wars in 1996. Loads of them now complain that everything is expensive, the service is bad, and that the Croats don't want them any more. But I suspect it's a certain kind of Czech saying this.
Any recommendations for Cancun? Would be for a first-timer in Jan/Feb.
I've noticed the Govt site advise against all but essential travel at the moment.
Don't think you need to panic, Quintana Roo, the state Cancun and the other beach resorts are in, are not in the areas listed on the Govt travel advice.
We're off to Mexico at Oct half term. so in about 7 weeks I think it is now. We last went almost 10 years ago, done 5 nights at the Moon Palace in 'Cancun' (read on a massive complex off the side of a motorway between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen) and 5 nights at the sister hotel in Playa Del Carmen, the Playacar Palace. I much preferred Playa Del Carmen as you could leave the hotel whenever you wanted, walk into the town etc. Where as the Moon Palace you felt a little held captive if that makes sense.
Anyway, this time, we're staying at Puerto Adventuras, the resort about 15 mins south of Playa Del Carmen. Dreams Aventuras. Don't know a lot about it as the wife and sister-in-laws have booked it (see earlier in the thread - there's just the 17 of us going!) My one concern is being held captive again. I don't want to be stuck on an all inclusive complex for two weeks, I'll go stir crazy just sitting by the pool and beach. I need to be doing something.
Anyway, some suggestions from my last time there...
Historical stuff. Go see Chichen Itza, a reasonably long coach ride there, hottest place on earth but amazing to see it in the flesh. Then the excursion will normally take in a Cenote on the way back to help you cool down. Some of the Cenotes are unbelievable.
If you've got kids, Dolphin Discovery is worth a visit. You get to swim with the Dolphins but bare in mind they are effectively held captive if you have issues with that sort of thing. They take care of them but bare that in mind. The price of the photographs stings a bit from memory.
Go on a snorkeling excursion. You'll visit underground caves with crystal clear water. Then you'll get to do some open ocean stuff.
Nightlife. Coco Bongo. There was one in Cancun and one in Playa Del Carmen. Cabaret/Dance Show & Nightclub sort of thing. Was a good laugh but far too many people and we left early. I drank so much Corona I proposed to my now wife on the way home lol.
The last time we was there there was a michelin star restaurant in one of the hotels in Cancun and it was ridiculously cheap. Around £80 for the two of us for their tasting menu. Insane value for money but has since shut down. I'd advise doing some research before you go to see if there's anything similar open now.
Its my job to do some research for everyone in the next few weeks, I'll report back on the restaurant front.
Holidaying with my wife and youngest son (18). Something a bit different this year. Berlin for four nights and then the train to Prague where we will spend 3 nights and then the train to Budapest for four nights. Really looking forward to it. (Thanks to @PragueAddick for his help and recommendations.)
3 great cities mate
We're off to Budapest for 4 nights next month. Staying in District V. Any recommendations for restaurants welcome, else I'll do some analysis on Tripadvisor
Just returned from Budapest. What an amazing city. We were in District 7 - the Jewish quarter which was busy and lively with lots of restaurants, art and the ruins bars. Two restaurants I’d highly recommend are: https://mazeltov.hu/ https://oinos.hu/ Happy to recommend some other places to see/things to do. Let me know.
I'm off to Riga for 5 days in September. Any suggestions on places to visit, bars, restaurants etc?.
One trip I've found is to a USSR nuclear launch pad and bunker!, sounds like fun 😅.
Cheers
Been twice, last time was in 2019. My main tip would be that if the weather is nice, jump on a local train that will take you down to the beach resort of Jurmaala. The trains are pretty frequent, and cheap, and lots of tourists do it. Jurmaala is a classic old Baltic resort, big sandy beach.
There is also a lovely central park in Riga which you should stroll around and i think we went to a good restaurant located there, but since it was pre-Covid, I would get some up-to-date tips.
When it comes to the night-life, two things from our last visit come to mind. We hadn't fully realised how segregated the large Russian minority is from the mainstream population. In the afternoon we got talking to a pleasant young couple and asked them for bar tips - we had a few names but when we ran one name past them the girl slightly scowled and said "yeah but that's a Russian place". Also on one of the afternoons some of my mates (London-based) went off to find a place to watch some FAPL game. The bar was pretty empty but a really nasty piece of work (they heard he was Russian) took an irrational dislike to them. Nothing else like that happened but there is that edge, like if you would go into the wrong bar on Friday night in Middlesbrough or somewhere like that. Same precautions apply
Any recommendations for Cancun? Would be for a first-timer in Jan/Feb.
I've noticed the Govt site advise against all but essential travel at the moment.
Is that right, FCDO TA All but essential travel to Cancun? Definitely to certain parts of Mexico but I'd be surprised if Cancun. If so, holidays packages won't be operating if 'all but essential'
Holidaying with my wife and youngest son (18). Something a bit different this year. Berlin for four nights and then the train to Prague where we will spend 3 nights and then the train to Budapest for four nights. Really looking forward to it. (Thanks to @PragueAddick for his help and recommendations.)
3 great cities mate
We're off to Budapest for 4 nights next month. Staying in District V. Any recommendations for restaurants welcome, else I'll do some analysis on Tripadvisor
Just returned from Budapest. What an amazing city. We were in District 7 - the Jewish quarter which was busy and lively with lots of restaurants, art and the ruins bars. Two restaurants I’d highly recommend are: https://mazeltov.hu/ https://oinos.hu/ Happy to recommend some other places to see/things to do. Let me know.
How did you get on with the Prague leg of your trip, and how were the trains? Maybe DM me especially re the latter question
Any recommendations for Cancun? Would be for a first-timer in Jan/Feb.
I've noticed the Govt site advise against all but essential travel at the moment.
Is that right, FCDO TA All but essential travel to Cancun? Definitely to certain parts of Mexico but I'd be surprised if Cancun. If so, holidays packages won't be operating if 'all but essential'
Been to Cancun a few times but a few years ago. I would say it is a very touristy place and as safe as any destination in Spain. I can't see that changing. My biggest gripe with Mexico is you couldn't go anywhere outside the hotel without somebody trying to sell you something. It gets a bit tiring.
Any recommendations for Cancun? Would be for a first-timer in Jan/Feb.
I've noticed the Govt site advise against all but essential travel at the moment.
Is that right, FCDO TA All but essential travel to Cancun? Definitely to certain parts of Mexico but I'd be surprised if Cancun. If so, holidays packages won't be operating if 'all but essential'
Been to Cancun a few times but a few years ago. I would say it is a very touristy place and as safe as any destination in Spain. I can't see that changing. My biggest gripe with Mexico is you couldn't go anywhere outside the hotel without somebody trying to sell you something. It gets a bit tiring.
We went to Playa del Carmen as a little less intense than Cancun. The American tourists were 'challenging'. I'd be surprised of the TA is all but essential to Cancun though
Back from 2 and a bit weeks in the south of France on the dordogne, loved it - great weather. Calais was a nightmare getting home on the ferry though on Sunday
Any recommendations for Cancun? Would be for a first-timer in Jan/Feb.
I've noticed the Govt site advise against all but essential travel at the moment.
Don't think you need to panic, Quintana Roo, the state Cancun and the other beach resorts are in, are not in the areas listed on the Govt travel advice.
We're off to Mexico at Oct half term. so in about 7 weeks I think it is now. We last went almost 10 years ago, done 5 nights at the Moon Palace in 'Cancun' (read on a massive complex off the side of a motorway between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen) and 5 nights at the sister hotel in Playa Del Carmen, the Playacar Palace. I much preferred Playa Del Carmen as you could leave the hotel whenever you wanted, walk into the town etc. Where as the Moon Palace you felt a little held captive if that makes sense.
Anyway, this time, we're staying at Puerto Adventuras, the resort about 15 mins south of Playa Del Carmen. Dreams Aventuras. Don't know a lot about it as the wife and sister-in-laws have booked it (see earlier in the thread - there's just the 17 of us going!) My one concern is being held captive again. I don't want to be stuck on an all inclusive complex for two weeks, I'll go stir crazy just sitting by the pool and beach. I need to be doing something.
Anyway, some suggestions from my last time there...
Historical stuff. Go see Chichen Itza, a reasonably long coach ride there, hottest place on earth but amazing to see it in the flesh. Then the excursion will normally take in a Cenote on the way back to help you cool down. Some of the Cenotes are unbelievable.
If you've got kids, Dolphin Discovery is worth a visit. You get to swim with the Dolphins but bare in mind they are effectively held captive if you have issues with that sort of thing. They take care of them but bare that in mind. The price of the photographs stings a bit from memory.
Go on a snorkeling excursion. You'll visit underground caves with crystal clear water. Then you'll get to do some open ocean stuff.
Nightlife. Coco Bongo. There was one in Cancun and one in Playa Del Carmen. Cabaret/Dance Show & Nightclub sort of thing. Was a good laugh but far too many people and we left early. I drank so much Corona I proposed to my now wife on the way home lol.
The last time we was there there was a michelin star restaurant in one of the hotels in Cancun and it was ridiculously cheap. Around £80 for the two of us for their tasting menu. Insane value for money but has since shut down. I'd advise doing some research before you go to see if there's anything similar open now.
Its my job to do some research for everyone in the next few weeks, I'll report back on the restaurant front.
We hired a car (VW Beetle) and drove to Chichen Itza great experience and the roads were good and quiet....but as I said earlier was a while ago.
Any recommendations for Cancun? Would be for a first-timer in Jan/Feb.
I've noticed the Govt site advise against all but essential travel at the moment.
Is that right, FCDO TA All but essential travel to Cancun? Definitely to certain parts of Mexico but I'd be surprised if Cancun. If so, holidays packages won't be operating if 'all but essential'
My biggest gripe with Mexico is you couldn't go anywhere outside the hotel without somebody trying to sell you something. It gets a bit tiring.
We had the same issue in Tunisia. We went before the busy season, so it was pretty quiet around the local area and we stuck out like sore thumbs when we went for a wander. Had people crossing the road to sell us stuff and taxi's stopping next to us asking if we needed one. Even had some kids stalk us for a little while which was creepy but nothing dodgy happened thankfully. If you're British (or French which most of the locals assumed we were) they think you're a walking cash machine. Fair enough they're just making a living but honestly as someone with a limited social battery it puts me off going to places where I know this is a factor.
Any recommendations for Cancun? Would be for a first-timer in Jan/Feb.
I've noticed the Govt site advise against all but essential travel at the moment.
Is that right, FCDO TA All but essential travel to Cancun? Definitely to certain parts of Mexico but I'd be surprised if Cancun. If so, holidays packages won't be operating if 'all but essential'
My biggest gripe with Mexico is you couldn't go anywhere outside the hotel without somebody trying to sell you something. It gets a bit tiring.
We had the same issue in Tunisia. We went before the busy season, so it was pretty quiet around the local area and we stuck out like sore thumbs when we went for a wander. Had people crossing the road to sell us stuff and taxi's stopping next to us asking if we needed one. Even had some kids stalk us for a little while which was creepy but nothing dodgy happened thankfully. Honestly as someone with a limited social battery it puts me off going to places where I know this is a factor. Morocco was bad for that type of thing.
Any Lifers been to the south of france.. Antibes to be exact...considering going in a few weeks. Any thoughts recommendations as they're seems to be a good few places around to visit. Cheers
Any Lifers been to the south of france.. Antibes to be exact...considering going in a few weeks. Any thoughts recommendations as they're seems to be a good few places around to visit. Cheers
Camped at Biot a few years ago got the train to Cannes and Antibes one day and the next we went to Monaco and Nice....good train service along the south coast but it can get busy.
If there are any specific hotel recommendations for this side of Mexico that would be great. Preferably adults only. I can see a box to untick "Loud American groups" so will have to roll with that one.
Just doing some reading about Cancun ('Hotel Zone'), Playa Del Carmen and Riviera Maya. If a passionate lifer fancies writing a summary, that would be welcomed as warmly as 3 points this weekend.
If there are any specific hotel recommendations for this side of Mexico that would be great. Preferably adults only. I can see a box to untick "Loud American groups" so will have to roll with that one.
Just doing some reading about Cancun ('Hotel Zone'), Playa Del Carmen and Riviera Maya. If a passionate lifer fancies writing a summary, that would be welcomed as warmly as 3 points this weekend.
If there are any specific hotel recommendations for this side of Mexico that would be great. Preferably adults only. I can see a box to untick "Loud American groups" so will have to roll with that one.
Just doing some reading about Cancun ('Hotel Zone'), Playa Del Carmen and Riviera Maya. If a passionate lifer fancies writing a summary, that would be welcomed as warmly as 3 points this weekend.
I stayed at the Royal Hideaway Playacar (Adults only) and really enjoyed staying there. Only one afternoon there were a group of women on a hen do (not English) howling (I think they were trying to sing) but eventually told to shut up. It right on the beach and the service was good (especially if you tip the staff). But make sure your room is not on the ground floor of facing away from the seafront.
Got back last week after 4 weeks out the country - Japan / Tokyo, Sydney, New Zealand (north and south island) and Singapore on the way home. Japan was the CLEANEST country I have ever been to..... literally you would eat your dinner off the floor of the tube trains. When I got on the Underground at home, it made me realise what a shit pit our country is turning in to. Japan was unbelievable. Singapore was similar but not quite as advanced - although you still get a $1,500 fine for eating on the train.
You get on the underground and frankly its embarrassing how disgusting it is.
Then NZ just blew me away. The scenery driving around the south island was like something out of a movie. No wonder every ex pat I spoke to out there said they have no intention of ever coming home. It is a mindblowing country:
If there are any specific hotel recommendations for this side of Mexico that would be great. Preferably adults only. I can see a box to untick "Loud American groups" so will have to roll with that one.
Just doing some reading about Cancun ('Hotel Zone'), Playa Del Carmen and Riviera Maya. If a passionate lifer fancies writing a summary, that would be welcomed as warmly as 3 points this weekend.
Just to add to this. The Excellence chain are utterly superb (same company owns Beloved & Finest resorts too). We go to Excellence Playa Mujeres every year. Amazing resort but a bit pricier than their other ones apart from the Jamaican one, transfers included when booking the hotel direct (about 35mins from the airport). Obviously full of Americans but it's generally not loud.
Not a holiday exactly, but I’m enjoying a can of Burning Sky “Arise” in the Gatwick ‘Spoons waiting for my flight to Norway for my daughter’s wedding on Saturday. It’s in Son, a beautiful coastal town around an hour or so from Oslo.
Not a holiday exactly, but I’m enjoying a can of Burning Sky “Arise” in the Gatwick ‘Spoons waiting for my flight to Norway for my daughter’s wedding on Saturday. It’s in Son, a beautiful coastal town around an hour or so from Oslo.
Hope all goes well. Shrek's son's girlfriend is Norwegian - and a similar trip is definitely on the cards for us in the next few years
How was it overall and where were you? I'm asking because Croatia is a big thing for typical Czech families, going back to pre-revolution and being the first tourists to return after the wars in 1996. Loads of them now complain that everything is expensive, the service is bad, and that the Croats don't want them any more. But I suspect it's a certain kind of Czech saying this.
We took all our three kids to Pula and Istria last year, everyone loved it and my wife still says aren't the Croatians so lovely. They all went the extra mile and helped in way possible, learn a bit of Croatian and they will be shocked as nobody usually bothers. One negative is the taxi drivers aren't very honest, when it comes to tourists.
Any Lifers been to the south of france.. Antibes to be exact...considering going in a few weeks. Any thoughts recommendations as they're seems to be a good few places around to visit. Cheers
Camped at Biot a few years ago got the train to Cannes and Antibes one day and the next we went to Monaco and Nice....good train service along the south coast but it can get busy.
Agree with @HastingsRed from Cannes through to Monaco, the train service is great with some super places to visit from Antibes. Biot is great if you have kids, there is a huge water park with a marine world type place next door with dolphin and whale shows.
Comments
My experience of Budapest is that it's difficult to find a bad restaurant, but perhaps I've been fortunate. Make sure you do plenty of walking or you'll come back 50% heavier! But district 5 is a great place to start.
We're off to Mexico at Oct half term. so in about 7 weeks I think it is now. We last went almost 10 years ago, done 5 nights at the Moon Palace in 'Cancun' (read on a massive complex off the side of a motorway between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen) and 5 nights at the sister hotel in Playa Del Carmen, the Playacar Palace. I much preferred Playa Del Carmen as you could leave the hotel whenever you wanted, walk into the town etc. Where as the Moon Palace you felt a little held captive if that makes sense.
Anyway, this time, we're staying at Puerto Adventuras, the resort about 15 mins south of Playa Del Carmen. Dreams Aventuras. Don't know a lot about it as the wife and sister-in-laws have booked it (see earlier in the thread - there's just the 17 of us going!) My one concern is being held captive again. I don't want to be stuck on an all inclusive complex for two weeks, I'll go stir crazy just sitting by the pool and beach. I need to be doing something.
Anyway, some suggestions from my last time there...
Historical stuff. Go see Chichen Itza, a reasonably long coach ride there, hottest place on earth but amazing to see it in the flesh. Then the excursion will normally take in a Cenote on the way back to help you cool down. Some of the Cenotes are unbelievable.
If you've got kids, Dolphin Discovery is worth a visit. You get to swim with the Dolphins but bare in mind they are effectively held captive if you have issues with that sort of thing. They take care of them but bare that in mind. The price of the photographs stings a bit from memory.
Go on a snorkeling excursion. You'll visit underground caves with crystal clear water. Then you'll get to do some open ocean stuff.
Nightlife. Coco Bongo. There was one in Cancun and one in Playa Del Carmen. Cabaret/Dance Show & Nightclub sort of thing. Was a good laugh but far too many people and we left early. I drank so much Corona I proposed to my now wife on the way home lol.
The last time we was there there was a michelin star restaurant in one of the hotels in Cancun and it was ridiculously cheap. Around £80 for the two of us for their tasting menu. Insane value for money but has since shut down. I'd advise doing some research before you go to see if there's anything similar open now.
Its my job to do some research for everyone in the next few weeks, I'll report back on the restaurant front.
Two restaurants I’d highly recommend are:
https://mazeltov.hu/
https://oinos.hu/
Happy to recommend some other places to see/things to do. Let me know.
Stayed at an Ikos hotel - spoilt and pampered is an understatement.
Put on a shit ton of wait, but that’ll be the Mud Slide cocktails on the beach!
There is also a lovely central park in Riga which you should stroll around and i think we went to a good restaurant located there, but since it was pre-Covid, I would get some up-to-date tips.
When it comes to the night-life, two things from our last visit come to mind. We hadn't fully realised how segregated the large Russian minority is from the mainstream population. In the afternoon we got talking to a pleasant young couple and asked them for bar tips - we had a few names but when we ran one name past them the girl slightly scowled and said "yeah but that's a Russian place". Also on one of the afternoons some of my mates (London-based) went off to find a place to watch some FAPL game. The bar was pretty empty but a really nasty piece of work (they heard he was Russian) took an irrational dislike to them. Nothing else like that happened but there is that edge, like if you would go into the wrong bar on Friday night in Middlesbrough or somewhere like that. Same precautions apply
Just doing some reading about Cancun ('Hotel Zone'), Playa Del Carmen and Riviera Maya. If a passionate lifer fancies writing a summary, that would be welcomed as warmly as 3 points this weekend.
Looks like you all had a great time 👍
It was messy mate but all in all a fantastic time, we all re booked for next year before we left.
You get on the underground and frankly its embarrassing how disgusting it is.
Then NZ just blew me away. The scenery driving around the south island was like something out of a movie. No wonder every ex pat I spoke to out there said they have no intention of ever coming home. It is a mindblowing country: