Scoop Airport/Hotel/Travel Thread

[JWags85]

Capri is not worth going out of season, as someone who has done that.

If pbi is looking at Austria, I'd like to recommend Salzburg.  Castle on the hill, birthplace of Mozart, Alpine background, Sound of Music stuff, Augustiner Bräu Mülln (1600s brewery), the whole city is very walkable as well.

Salzburg is great.  The salt mines are super cool as well.  Very underrated European city.

Lucerne is actually my favorite city in Switzerland, definitely a gem as well (no pun intended due to their heavy place in the gemstone trade).

Is Belgium off the table pbi?  Or maybe you've been there a lot?  Can you fly non-stop Antwerp/Prague?

Definitely not from Antwerp, Antwerp Airport is a tiny thing that is basically just a spot for seasonal holiday hotspot travel on Tui.  But I'm sure Brussels Airlines flies to Prague from BRU.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Some off the beaten path recs:
a) Warsaw.  Really enjoyed a long weekend there.  Great city to walk, very safe, great eastern european style city center.
b) Belgrade.  A little bit more "rustic" (and rusty) than Warsaw.  Very interesting if you're a history type.  Great restaurants and not at all expensive.  We walked and walked and walked. 
c) Zurich.  Expensive but very cool city center and lots to do around.
d) Lucerne.  Great little city. 

And the one on your list I'd avoid.
Istanbul - I'm tired of taxis trying to rip me off and hawkers everywhere who just don't give up.  Really annoying.  And when I tell them In German that I don't speak English they switch to German!!!  The Haggia Sophia and blue Mosque are amazing, and the old city is pretty cool, but there's not much else.  And traffic!!!

This past summer, the wife and I spent a night in Warsaw for the first time in well over decade.  We had an early flight the next day and Bialystok is too far.  We were very impressed as so much has changed for the better int that time frame.   They made the area at the entrance to the the Stare Miasto pedestrian only that we recall being dangerous with all the cars driving through.

[pbiflyer]

Is Belgium off the table pbi?  Or maybe you've been there a lot?  Can you fly non-stop Antwerp/Prague?

Yeh, we were just there for 10 days a couple summers ago. Loved it. Based out of Antwerp. Spent way too much time at the 11th Commandment, which I think was a recommendation from here.

So think I've narrowed it down to
Budapest-Vienna train to Prague
Istanbul
Warsaw-Krakow

Will wait to see the event schedule so I can look at specific dates/times.

[Hards Alumni]

Yeh, we were just there for 10 days a couple summers ago. Loved it. Based out of Antwerp. Spent way too much time at the 11th Commandment, which I think was a recommendation from here.

So think I've narrowed it down to
Budapest-Vienna train to Prague
Istanbul
Warsaw-Krakow

Will wait to see the event schedule so I can look at specific dates/times.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Czech train system is not as great at the neighboring countries.  Slower, older train cars was our experience.  In cast that changes your mind at all.

[MuggsyB]

Yeh, we were just there for 10 days a couple summers ago. Loved it. Based out of Antwerp. Spent way too much time at the 11th Commandment, which I think was a recommendation from here.

So think I've narrowed it down to
Budapest-Vienna train to Prague
Istanbul
Warsaw-Krakow

Will wait to see the event schedule so I can look at specific dates/times.

Ya....I much prefer Antwerp to Brussels.  I woukd go with option #1.  I haven't been to Budapest for awhile but it's a beautiful city.  Maybe I'll make Paprikash this weekend.  There are some quaint Hungarian towns you can check out, but I forgot the names.  Eger maybe?  I dunno. 

[pbiflyer]

One thing to keep in mind is that the Czech train system is not as great at the neighboring countries.  Slower, older train cars was our experience.  In cast that changes your mind at all.

Yeah, that is why I would fly from Krakow to Prague. Neither the Polish or Czech rail systems got glowing reviews. From Vienna to Prague, I can take Austrian trains.

BTW, a great European rail resource is https://www.seat61.com. Everything you would ever want to know about train travel in Europe.

Ya....I much prefer Antwerp to Brussels.  I woukd go with option #1.  I haven't been to Budapest for awhile but it's a beautiful city.  Maybe I'll make Paprikash this weekend.  There are some quaint Hungarian towns you can check out, but I forgot the names.  Eger maybe?  I dunno. 

Kind of leaning that way, I love Vienna and have some friends there I can see.
And it would allow me to correct my one Vacation movie moment, when I did the 45 minute trek to Prater park to ride the historic 1897 giant ferris wheel only to discover it was closed for maintenance (not on the web site!). https://wienerriesenrad.com/en/history/

Choosing Istanbul will very much depend on what flights I can get on the back end. We have to use a corporate travel site and it is being cranky letting me do Turkish air outbound and Lufthansa return.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Yeah, that is why I would fly from Krakow to Prague. Neither the Polish or Czech rail systems got glowing reviews. From Vienna to Prague, I can take Austrian trains.

BTW, a great European rail resource is https://www.seat61.com. Everything you would ever want to know about train travel in Europe.


Kind of leaning that way, I love Vienna and have some friends there I can see.
And it would allow me to correct my one Vacation movie moment, when I did the 45 minute trek to Prater park to ride the historic 1897 giant ferris wheel only to discover it was closed for maintenance (not on the web site!). https://wienerriesenrad.com/en/history/

Choosing Istanbul will very much depend on what flights I can get on the back end. We have to use a corporate travel site and it is being cranky letting me do Turkish air outbound and Lufthansa return.

Polish rail must be in middle of a major upgrade.  I rode a very nice speed train there and back from Warsaw to Bialystok that was 2 hours.  It used to be 3 hours and local trains only. The stations were all new the entire way.

[MuggsyB]

Yeah, that is why I would fly from Krakow to Prague. Neither the Polish or Czech rail systems got glowing reviews. From Vienna to Prague, I can take Austrian trains.

BTW, a great European rail resource is https://www.seat61.com. Everything you would ever want to know about train travel in Europe.


Kind of leaning that way, I love Vienna and have some friends there I can see.
And it would allow me to correct my one Vacation movie moment, when I did the 45 minute trek to Prater park to ride the historic 1897 giant ferris wheel only to discover it was closed for maintenance (not on the web site!). https://wienerriesenrad.com/en/history/

Choosing Istanbul will very much depend on what flights I can get on the back end. We have to use a corporate travel site and it is being cranky letting me do Turkish air outbound and Lufthansa return.

I think it's the prudent choice.  You really can't go wrong in Vienna.  Or honestly Austria/Hungary. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I'm in DC to walk a trade show this week. I thankfully made a last minute call to switch my transportation to Amtrak from flying down.  I got the last seat on the train down and going home was very limited.  Between the shutdown and especially today's Nor'easter my intended flight was very delayed (I checked). 

[MuggsyB]

I'm in DC to walk a trade show this week. I thankfully made a last minute call to switch my transportation to Amtrak from flying down.  I got the last seat on the train down and going home was very limited.  Between the shutdown and especially today's Nor'easter my intended flight was very delayed (I checked). 

Make sure you get some Ethiopian food.  Injera is the perfect vessel for inhaling all of that goodness. 

[pbiflyer]

Okay, finally made my January travel plans.

Heading to Istanbul for 6 full days.
Then head to Vienna to visit friends for a weekend.
Our corporate meeting in Prague, but have a day and a half of free time.
Lastly, heading to Mallorca for 4 days (friends there as well).

Been to Vienna and Prague before, so no advice required unless you have great food/drink suggestions, especially hole in the wall places.
For Mallorca, I will be with work colleagues who are not the most adventurous. Staying either in old town Palma or near the marina. Have the major things selected, including the old train, food tour and off road adventure. Any great restaurant, drink, rooftop, or off the beaten path suggestions?

A couple questions about Istanbul. Since it is almost a week there, I will be getting an AirBnB or VRBO.
Trying to stay away from the touristy areas around the famous sites. A native recommended the Bebek area on the water or Nisantasi. Both are supposed to be amazing areas, but each has its challenges.
Bebek does seem a bit far afield, limited and pricey stay options. 
Nisantasi is a bit inland and atop hills.
Anyone have experience staying in either area?
I know Istanbul is overwhelming. I am comfortable covering all the famous sites.
But again, any off the beaten path? Great food/drink places? Interesting activities?

Any tours that someone has taken that they like? Especially food tours. And looking for a local source rather than through GetYourGuide or Viator.

[reinko]

The fam booked a Spring break trip to the Florida Keys (AirBnb is just north of Key Largo).

Any must see towns (or skippable), landmarks, parks, beaches, touristy cool stuff (will have an 11 year old with us).

[Hards Alumni]

The fam booked a Spring break trip to the Florida Keys (AirBnb is just north of Key Largo).

Any must see towns (or skippable), landmarks, parks, beaches, touristy cool stuff (will have an 11 year old with us).

I'll let you know, I leave for there in two days!

[reinko]

I'll let you know, I leave for there in two days!

Enjoy the ☀️

[MuggsyB]

The fam booked a Spring break trip to the Florida Keys (AirBnb is just north of Key Largo).

Any must see towns (or skippable), landmarks, parks, beaches, touristy cool stuff (will have an 11 year old with us).

Marathon is the best spot in the Florida Keys.  There's a tremendous stone crab bar on the gulf side next to the Keys Fisheries.  $3 claws. Big Pine Key is kind of fun because of the 🦌 and the No Name Pub.  Dillon's is s good sports bar in Tavernier and there's an NFL bar around marker 87 on the gulf side across fron Theater of the Sea in Islamorada.  I'm not a big Key Largo fan but there is a excellent h-hour woodfire pizza joint.  I can find it at some point.  Definitely go fishing, and if you're a diver I can give you a few suggestions if you want.   Kids will like Theater of the Sea.  There's a decent aquarium near Marathon and a Turtle Hospital.  They will like the 🦌 in Big Pine Key.  The Keys don't really have beaches.  Pennekamp in KL has some options for young snorkelers.

[Hards Alumni]

Marathon is the best spot in the Florida Keys.  There's a tremendous stone crab bar on the gulf side next to the Keys Fisheries.  $3 claws. Big Pine Key is kind of fun because of the 🦌 and the No Name Pub.  Dillon's is s good sports bar in Tavernier and there's an NFL bar around marker 87 on the gulf side across fron Theater of the Sea in Islamorada.  I'm not a big Key Largo fan but there is a excellent h-hour woodfire pizza joint.  I can find it at some point.  Definitely go fishing, and if you're a diver I can give you a few suggestions if you want.   Kids will like Theater of the Sea.  There's a decent aquarium near Marathon and a Turtle Hospital.  They will like the 🦌 in Big Pine Key.  The Keys don't really have beaches.  Pennekamp in KL has some options for young snorkelers.

Good eats in Key West?

[pbiflyer]

Good eats in Key West?

Pepe's for breakfast or Blue Heaven if you don't mind the wait. Drink at the Green Parrot, a true dive.
Get a fish sandwich, conch fritters and fish dip somewhere.

[pbiflyer]

The fam booked a Spring break trip to the Florida Keys (AirBnb is just north of Key Largo).

Any must see towns (or skippable), landmarks, parks, beaches, touristy cool stuff (will have an 11 year old with us).

Robbie's to feed the Tarpon. 11 year old will love it.  https://www.robbies.com/ They also have an open air market. And you can rent kayaks to go to nearby islands.
Sunset drinks and dinner at Lorelei's. Have a bushwacker, sit beachside. If you have more than one, let the 11 year old drink home, it'll be safer. https://www.loreleicabanabar.com/
There is a bird rescue in Key Largo that the 11 year old will enjoy. https://www.keepthemflying.org/
I think the glass bottom boats at Pennekamp are interesting but haven't been in decades.
And assume you are driving down from Miami, a stop at Alabama Jacks in Card Sound is a good place for a bite and drink.

[MuggsyB]

Good eats in Key West?

I'll 2nd Blue Heaven.  If you're in Cudjoe definitely hit Square Grouper.  I think they have one in Islamorada too.   I'm less familiar with Key West.  Didn't really care for it.

In Key Kargo, C&C Woodfire Eats for hh pizza.  And Hobe's Café is solid.  For the best Conch Chowder?  Green Turtle in Islamorada.   Lazy Days is also a fun place for kids.  There's usually Tarpon and sharks by the dock.  Oceanside near Green 🐢.

[pbiflyer]

Definitely conch chowder somewhere as well.
In Key West:
I will caveat this as have not been in forever, but Turtle Krawls was a good waterfront in Key West. At least a drink and snack.
And for good cuban, if you are in the neighborhood El Siboney https://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com/catherine/

[MuggsyB]

The one thing about the Green Turtle conch chowder is that they serve it with sherry.  A splash of that in the rich, spicy, tomato/veggie/fish broth hits the spot. 

[pbiflyer]

The one thing about the Green Turtle conch chowder is that they serve it with sherry.  A splash of that in the rich, spicy, tomato/veggie/fish broth hits the spot. 

Nice! There was a restaurant in Niceville Fl that did that with Gumbo. Best gumbo I had ever. Sadly hurricanes took the restaurant.