Travel Thread

[Jeff Lebowski]

I don’t understand this. What possible comparison is there between Vegas and Amsterdam? Amsterdam’s is a beautiful place with great museums and a fascinating geography. Not to mention a storied history.

Seriously?

My Vegas/Amsterdam comparison is often used by my Dutch friends.

[creekster]

Amsterdam is a must-see for the art museums and Anne Franke house, but yeah other than that it is nuts. So many other wonderful cities to see in the Netherlands. People going to the Netherlands and only seeing Amsterdam is like coming to the USA and only visiting Vegas.

I don’t understand this. What possible comparison is there between Vegas and Amsterdam? Amsterdam’s is a beautiful place with great museums and a fascinating geography. Not to mention a storied history.

[Walter Sobchak]

Any of Ludwig's Castles - Neuschawnstein being the most famous [...] If you visit any of Ludwig's castles, I think that Dachau (just outside of Munich) is moving and memorable. I don't know how much young kids would appreciate it though.

Enjoy

I'm in Munich right now with three teenagers (2 girls, 1 boy).

We did Neuschwanstein yesterday. Was on girls bucket list. Boy seemed happy enough. Today we are doing a Hitler walking tour and Dachau. Son loves any/all WW2 stuff; girls not so much. The carrot is that we will go shopping tonight.

[myboynoah]

Amsterdam is a must-see for the art museums and Anne Franke house, but yeah other than that it is nuts. So many other wonderful cities to see in the Netherlands. People going to the Netherlands and only seeing Amsterdam is like coming to the USA and only visiting Vegas.

Ouch! Vegas? C'mon, it's not that bad.

[Jeff Lebowski]

My opinion: Amsterdam sucks

Flame away.

Amsterdam is a must-see for the art museums and Anne Franke house, but yeah other than that it is nuts. So many other wonderful cities to see in the Netherlands. People going to the Netherlands and only seeing Amsterdam is like coming to the USA and only visiting Vegas.

[BigFatMeanie]

My opinion: Amsterdam sucks

Flame away.

[Katy Lied]

Thinking of going to Seldovia, Alaska just cause I have a chance. Anybody been there?

[happyone]

This thread isn't bad, but you should really check out the "Take a Vacation" thread for the best travel tips.

Thank you sir, I should have mentioned that. I definitely second that recommendation!

[Pelado]

This thread isn't bad, but you should really check out the "Take a Vacation" thread for the best travel tips.

[happyone]

ooh, good thread.

Were thinking of heading to Europe this year. Two adults and two children. No real plan or idea of when, where, what to do. Im a real novice here.

Definitely want to go to Amsterdam and Copenhagan. Have heard Prague is must visit as it is ridiculously pretty. Would like to see Germany and Italy though not sure where in those countries.
Which would you prefer to do - timewise, moneywise, etc:

In May, spend 4/5 days in Dubai then head to Europe.

or

In late September, possibly 4/5 days in Frankfurt then travel from there.

I may be flying on my own with the children one way for either of these.

Any suggestions appreciated.

I've never been to Italy, so I can't recommend anything there, but Germany

Any of Ludwig's Castles - Neuschawnstein being the most famous
If you're in the Frankfurt area - Rothenburg is a couple of hrs ? away, to my knowledge, it is the only surviving medieval city in Germany with a complete curtain wall
Going the other direction from Frankfurt - a day cruise down the Rhine
South of Frankfurt is Heidelburg - I remember enjoying wandering around the ruins of the Castle
If you visit any of Ludwig's castles, I think that Dachau (just outside of Munich) is moving and memorable. I don't know how much young kids would appreciate it though.

Enjoy

[Kamrone]

Travel Thread

ooh, good thread.

Were thinking of heading to Europe this year. Two adults and two children. No real plan or idea of when, where, what to do. Im a real novice here.

Definitely want to go to Amsterdam and Copenhagan. Have heard Prague is must visit as it is ridiculously pretty. Would like to see Germany and Italy though not sure where in those countries.
Which would you prefer to do - timewise, moneywise, etc:

In May, spend 4/5 days in Dubai then head to Europe.

or

In late September, possibly 4/5 days in Frankfurt then travel from there.

I may be flying on my own with the children one way for either of these.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[Topper]

Looks really fun.

[Katy Lied]

I'm planning a rather elaborate family vacay, but there have been rumblings by the younger set about the gentleness of the hikes. I just found a great hike that I have never heard of before, pretty challenging for the kids, called the Falease'ela River Walk. Someone youtubed this hike.

[Topper]

Has anybody traveled to Ecuador and the Galapagos?

If so, how long a visit to the Islands is warranted? Does it make sense to fly or is a cruise out to the islands worthwhile?

Is there any reason to spend time in Quito?

[Moliere]

We've used vrbo dozens of times and have never had a bad experience. We've used AirBnB probably 3-4 times and its also gone really well. Airbnb's reservation process is a little bit more selective than VRBOs, as you have to set up a profile, complete with a description and pic, and the owners have to "approve" you to stay in their place.

I don't think you can wrong either way.

After doing a bit more reading on this I really like Airbnb's payment method as well. I like being able to pay with a credit card through a central service rather than doing the transaction in person. The last apartment I rented through VRBO in France was great but the renter only took cash. It was a pain to withdraw that much cash since I had to call my bank to get them to lift my withdrawal limit.

I'm amazed at the prices. Some are as low as $50/night in expensive areas and they have a ton of great reviews. Since most of my vacations are traveling around to see stuff, I really only need a place to stash my clothes/bags and a bed to sleep on. This has got to be killing the hotel industry.