Scoop Airport/Hotel/Travel Thread

[pbiflyer]

Yeah, that seems to be a reasonable choice.
I did forget one on the list, Porto Portugal.
I would do Mallorca as I know a bar owner there, but don't think the group would go for it.

[JWags85]

My turn to ask for advice. Have a work trip to Berlin in February. 🥶 whole team is going. We typically do a side trip for these events. But it is a bit like herding cats picking a place. Trying to find a place that fits everyone's requirements is a challenge.
So major requirements for side trip destination:
1. Direct flight to Berlin or reasonable train
2. Can't be colder than Berlin
3. Somewhere we haven't been, so London, Dublin, Lisbon, Rome, and all of Spain is out. Selfishly, I've been to Prague, Paris, Munich, and Vienna, so those would be a no vote from me. I could live with Vienna though and I guess Paris.

What I came up with was - Malta, Nice, Edinburgh, Amsterdam.  Maybe Florence.
Did I miss some place?

I think Edinburgh in Feb is the worst time to go.  Also think Nice and Amsterdam aren't ideal in February.  Florence would be pretty solid weather wise I think.

That being said, Malta always jumps out to me when people are considering it.  Most Americans I know have never been and its not on their primary lists.  We went on a whim the summer before COVID, in tandem with a trip to Greece, and it was amazing.  Insane amount of history and cultural blends.  Tons of stuff to see in a tiny geographic footprint so its easy and quick to get around and no "well if we do X, that rules out Y and Z".  Food is awesome so long as nobody is allergic to seafood.

In the same general area not on your list would be Palermo/Sicily.  Ive not yet been but its high on the list for us.

[pbiflyer]

No direct flight to Berlin from Palermo. I would love to visit Sicily.
Malta is appealing. Thanks for the info.

[Skatastrophy]

Copenhagen is tops as a food destination, and the same temp (technically not colder)

[rocket surgeon]

this ain't gonna help things...i guess ya gotta do whatcha gotta do, but talk about leverage!


https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/service-workers-charlotte-airport-go-strike-ahead-possible-record-thanksgiving-travel

[rocky_warrior]

this ain't gonna help things...

They wouldn't do it if they didn't think it would help things...

But yes, probably best to avoid Charlotte airport this week for your dining extravaganza?

[LloydsLegs]

Last weekend was my first time in LaGuardia since the renovation.  Wow.  Worst to first.  And very available and helpful airline reps (AA) when flight was delayed. 

[MU82]

this ain't gonna help things...i guess ya gotta do whatcha gotta do, but talk about leverage!


https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/service-workers-charlotte-airport-go-strike-ahead-possible-record-thanksgiving-travel

If by "things" you mean travel and conditions at CLT, you're probably right. If by "things" you mean better pay and conditions for the striking employees, you're probably wrong.

[BM1090]

Heading to Guatemala next month. Will spend most of our time in Antigua and Tikal. Then to New Zealand for two weeks in January.

Any recommendations?

[rocky_warrior]

New Zealand for two weeks

North or South Island?

[BM1090]

North or South Island?

Both, but more time on the South Island

[pbiflyer]

Depending where you go, the lifespan of your passport may get longer as the EU is implementing the digital entry/exit process today. That makes me sad, as I loved getting the stamps.
BTW, if someone suggests the extra pages passport, I got that one year and hated it. Too thick and cumbersome. Plus the passport control folks seem to dislike it too.

Updated, this digital entry/exit process was once again delayed until next year sometime. This is the latest for a system that was originally scheduled for 2022....


Oh, and for my ask about extra trip from Berlin, while I said it couldn't be colder, they really meant warmer than Berlin, so Copenhagen is also out (though if they don't agree on a city, I might do that one myself)

Athens seems to be a leader, though I am still lobbying for Malta. Thoughts on Athens? Never been. Not really a target for me. But go with the flow if they pick it. Note, it will only be for 3-4 days, so no side trips to other islands unless it is a very short ferry ride for an afternoon. 

[JWags85]

Athens seems to be a leader, though I am still lobbying for Malta. Thoughts on Athens? Never been. Not really a target for me. But go with the flow if they pick it. Note, it will only be for 3-4 days, so no side trips to other islands unless it is a very short ferry ride for an afternoon.

Love/Hate relationship with Athens.  Obviously the historical aspect of it is great and so is the food.  But its dirty, its chaotic (in a negative way) and its probably the only major European city Ive truly been uneasy about being robbed or scammed, and Ive been to Naples twice   (thats coming from a seasoned traveler who knows what to watch for, doesn't get fazed easily abroad, and eye rolls most concerns about petty crime or "unsafe" stuff) I love Greece and the Greek people, but Athens highlights the worst of the country and culture, IMO...also ironic as the aforementioned historical aspect and food highlights some of the best as well.

[barfolomew]

Both, but more time on the South Island

Don't miss the historic Ben Gold Birthplace and Museum.

[pbiflyer]

Okay so thanks to the scheduling of the trip up against national Marquette day, I may not be doing a side trip, but spending a couple extra days in Berlin.
Food, drink suggestions? Other sites that aren't in every guide book?

[Hards Alumni]

Love/Hate relationship with Athens.  Obviously the historical aspect of it is great and so is the food.  But its dirty, its chaotic (in a negative way) and its probably the only major European city Ive truly been uneasy about being robbed or scammed, and Ive been to Naples twice   (thats coming from a seasoned traveler who knows what to watch for, doesn't get fazed easily abroad, and eye rolls most concerns about petty crime or "unsafe" stuff) I love Greece and the Greek people, but Athens highlights the worst of the country and culture, IMO...also ironic as the aforementioned historical aspect and food highlights some of the best as well.

Been to both, and Athens was totally fine.  We stuck to the downtown area, of course, since it was our first time there.  We even ate at the big market... that was a sight.  Goat heads, every cut of meat, fish, seafood...

We did a food tour our first day there... we stayed three nights.

[BM1090]

Been to both, and Athens was totally fine.  We stuck to the downtown area, of course, since it was our first time there.  We even ate at the big market... that was a sight.  Goat heads, every cut of meat, fish, seafood...

We did a food tour our first day there... we stayed three nights.

Athens was totally fine for me too, but that was in 2016 and I'm sure sure how much it's changed.

[Hards Alumni]

Athens was totally fine for me too, but that was in 2016 and I'm sure sure how much it's changed.

I don't have a time machine for a point of reference, but I went two months ago. 

[21Jumpstreet]

I really liked Athens, as did my oldest son (20). For us, Athens was the center of the world for centuries, the birthplace of Western Civilization, the height of art, politics, philosophy, religion, culture, thought.

The Acropolis and Parthenon and incredible, awe inspiring. Museum is worth it, we had a tour guide that walked us there from our hotel and all around.

We walked to Hadrian's Library, The Lyceum, Temple of Zeus, Socrates Prison, The Panathenaic Stadium. We did not do Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion but really wanted to. Some places might not seem worth it to some, for me I was walking where the greatest thinkers of all time walked. Hang out in Plaka.

We took a tour to Delphi (had a tour, took all day) that was incredible. Highly recommend. We weren't able to catch a futbol match, but that's high on my list for next time. We told our driver we were from Milwaukee, and he got so excited, asked if we knew Giannis, told us about G's upbringing, showed us the neighborhood he lived in, was a neat experience.

Although you won't seem to have time, we also did Santorini, Naxos, and Crete. All three islands are unique, all three contribute to modern Greece in their own ways, and Crete has an entire history of its own that was incredible and fascinating.


Here are some food recs:

Athens

To Lokali - Best Outdoor Restaurant

Geros Tu Moria - Plaka - Traditional - A bit touristy

Bougatsadiko Thessaloniki - Psirri - Bakery & Coffee

Kostas - Monastiraki - Best Gyros & Souvlaki in Central Athens

O Thanasis - Monastiraki - Best Gyros & Souvlaki in Central Athens

Avli - Psirri - Hole in the Wall

Evgenia - Plaka - Taverna - Local and less touristy

Feyrouz - Levantine Street Food - Restaurant & Bakery

Zisis - Street Food - Fried Sardines & Anchovies

[Hards Alumni]

To add to the list in Athens

A Little Taste of Home Restaurant

Little Kook (fun themed dessert place)

[WarriorFan]

One of my regular international destinations will soon have a direct link from Washington Dulles.  I haven't ever used Dulles.  Anyone got any comments on it as a connecting airport?

[tower912]

Fine, except for when Esperanza is being brought into the country during Christmas.

[JWags85]

One of my regular international destinations will soon have a direct link from Washington Dulles.  I haven't ever used Dulles.  Anyone got any comments on it as a connecting airport?

It stinks.  Depending on the connecting airlines, you have to get on people movers (aka huge bus/tram hybrids that drive from terminal to terminal on the actual tarmac.  Other than that, its just a dated airport.  Its not hellish other than the people movers but its not anything splendid at all.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Dulles is a terrible look for our Nation's capitol; Outdated small, crowded and dingy. Awful place to arrive from overseas pass through Global Entry and still have to stand in line for an agent. Long overdue for a replacement that reflects better on D.C.

[Skatastrophy]

Dulles is a terrible look for our Nation's capitol; Outdated small, crowded and dingy. Awful place to arrive from overseas pass through Global Entry and still have to stand in line for an agent. Long overdue for a replacement that reflects better on D.C.

DCA