A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

[Un_Poco_Lento]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

I'm going to D.C. May 13-16 for National Police Week. What should I know? I've been to D.C. once before...

I used to make a point of getting Ethiopian food up in Adams Morgan. Haven't been to DC in about 6 years, so I don't know if it's still good, but it was amazing back then.

We are driving to Kiawah this summer and taking our time once we get to Nashville. We have nights booked in Nashville, Gatlinburg, & Asheville before heading south toward Charleston. So far we plan to stop at Mammoth Cave, The Biltmore, and drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Any suggestions in/around the area?

I don't like driving much, but I'm still jealous - the Smokies are stunning. Sadly, I know almost nothing about Tennessee beyond that, although I hear the distillery where they make Jack Daniels is pretty interesting if you're into that sort of thing (it's in Lynchburg, which I guess is pretty far south of your route, although I didn't look that carefully). Apparently it's in a dry county, so you can only buy products that contain Jack Daniels, not the liquor itself.

[Zudnic]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Planning to take the wife and kid to DC for a few days on spring break. I assume we should stay in the burbs near a commuter line. Any recommendations on where?

I like Crystal City because it's right over the river, on the Metro, and you can usually get a hotel deal. Not the most exciting part of town, though.

[Rimbaud]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

I'll be spending a week in a small town near San Remo in Italy in April. Probably spend a day in Nice and another in Genova, but I'll mostly just be relaxing on the seaside. After that week, I'm forced to go to a conference in Lucca (just outside of Pisa) for a week.

I hope I can handle it.

[gounhwildcats]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

In two weeks I leave for Phoenix to take in my first Spring Training. This is something I've always wanted to do, and became imminently more doable when my parents bought a house there. I'll be there for 3 weeks, and have tickets to 15 games. Besides the ball games I'm also gonna head up to the Grand Canyon for a couple of days. Anybody been there that knows a decent (by decent I mean cheap ) hotel in the area? Starting to get pretty amped up now.

[SJHovey]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

I recently spent three weeks working in Mexico. I stayed in a resort town called San Carlos. I highly recommend it. Beaches, fishing, diving....beautiful scenery. It's on the west coast, on the Gulf of California.

Active spring break town, from what I am told.

Have you ever been to the east coast of Mexico, say the Mayan Riviera area or close by, and if so, how would you say they compare? My wife and I just returned from Playa del Carmen, an area we've been to many times and really enjoy. But the last few years we've talked more and more about going to the west coast of Mexico for our trip.

[gounhwildcats]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Have you ever been to the east coast of Mexico, say the Mayan Riviera area or close by, and if so, how would you say they compare? My wife and I just returned from Playa del Carmen, an area we've been to many times and really enjoy. But the last few years we've talked more and more about going to the west coast of Mexico for our trip.

I've been to both coasts, and I'd have to say I prefer the Mayan Riviera for a couple of reasons. First is the Mayan ruins such as Chitzen Itza, Coba and Tulum. I also like the white sand beaches on the east, and the water is nice for swimming as it is shallower, has coral reefs and is much calmer. Also, because most resorts are secluded you aren't being hounded by people selling stuff all day.

I've been to Puerto Vallarta where you definitely get harangued all day by hawkers. The water there, although very warm is not really good for swimming or snorkeling because it's pretty heavy surf and definitely not clear.

I've also been to Zihuatenejo which is a very nice spot on the west coast. It's still managed to stay small as Ixtapa which is a planned resort spot is the next bay over and has all the big hotels and attracts most of the turistas. Again the water isn't great for swimming or snorkeling but like Puerto Vallarta it's warm and you can bob up and down and have fun in the waves.

[RaceBoarder]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

We are driving to Kiawah this summer and taking our time once we get to Nashville. We have nights booked in Nashville, Gatlinburg, & Asheville before heading south toward Charleston. So far we plan to stop at Mammoth Cave, The Biltmore, and drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Any suggestions in/around the area?

Gatlinburg is a pretty cool area, although it does have the tourist trap vibe... What are you looking to do while down there? I spent last summer working just up the road in Sevierville, so I know the area...

[LynahFan]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

We are driving to Kiawah this summer and taking our time once we get to Nashville. We have nights booked in Nashville, Gatlinburg, & Asheville before heading south toward Charleston. So far we plan to stop at Mammoth Cave, The Biltmore, and drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Any suggestions in/around the area?

I grew up about 50 mi north of Asheville (68 mi by roads). There's not a ton of real "tourist" attractions - but the overall geography is beautiful. Biltmore is a very fun half-day and is quite impressive. It's a little north of the direct route from Nashville to Kiawah, but if you want some serious local flavor, check out The Carter Family Fold, a Bluegrass treasure founded by June Carter Cash's uncle(?), I believe. The quality of the acts can vary greatly - from Johnny Cash on down. My high school biology teacher played banjo in a band that gigged there regularly, and their bass player has now won many Grammies playing with Alison Krauss.

Be forewarned if you go to the Smokies in the summer, though. It gets nearly as many visitors each year as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon - COMBINED. It's one of the few big National Parks near eastern population centers, and it shows. Traffic can crawl at 5-10 mph during daylight hours. The park itself IS more beautiful than the surrounding area, because it has the tallest mountains and is less developed, but it's really just a difference of degree. If you want to go on some really nice hikes instead of sitting in traffic, I'd look at Roan Mountain (the only point where the Appalachain Trail goes above 6,000 ft) and Mount Mitchell in NC instead. If you go to Dollywood, I'll never speak to you again.

If you enjoy driving (and I mean really driving), check out Deal's Gap - 318 curves in 11 miles. Extra points for taking out motorcycles with sidecars... In that vein, there's also the Bristol International Raceway, the only NASCAR track completely surrounded by a stadium (1/2 mile).

There's some great whitewater on the Nantahala River (used for the Atlanta Olympics whitewater events, I believe) if that's your thing.

That's about what I can remember from 20 years ago, when I moved from the area - have a great trip!

[SJHovey]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

I've been to both coasts, and I'd have to say I prefer the Mayan Riviera for a couple of reasons. First is the Mayan ruins such as Chitzen Itza, Coba and Tulum. I also like the white sand beaches on the east, and the water is nice for swimming as it is shallower, has coral reefs and is much calmer. Also, because most resorts are secluded you aren't being hounded by people selling stuff all day.

I've been to Puerto Vallarta where you definitely get harangued all day by hawkers. The water there, although very warm is not really good for swimming or snorkeling because it's pretty heavy surf and definitely not clear.

I've also been to Zihuatenejo which is a very nice spot on the west coast. It's still managed to stay small as Ixtapa which is a planned resort spot is the next bay over and has all the big hotels and attracts most of the turistas. Again the water isn't great for swimming or snorkeling but like Puerto Vallarta it's warm and you can bob up and down and have fun in the waves.

You've confirmed a lot of what we've heard about comparing the two coasts. We always hear about the difference in the surf, and the privacy afforded by the resorts.

[Kepler]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Managua is something of a disappointment.

I'm not sure I could be disappointed by Managua.

"You should never smoke in pajamas
You might start a fire 'n' burn yer face
Maybe you'll return to Managua
You could go unnoticed in such a place"

-- Yo Mama, Frank Zappa

Travel destinations so far:

Loved: Tuscany (quiet, lovely, friendly), Rome (frenetic, most beautiful women this side of Moldova), Victoria (only in the summer), Acadia (really, truly, only in the summer), Nova Scotia (only in the off-season), Lake Louise (much nicer than the more famous Banff), Quebec City (quaintest place on earth)

Luke Warm: Paris (amazing architecture, food is overrated, locals are more obnoxious than any other city except maybe Boston or Philly), Austrian Alps (gorgeous, locals are VERY reserved)

Didn't Care For: Nice (imagine Atlantic City but with Frenchmen)

[Bob Gray]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Pretty sure I'm FINALLY going to the southwest this fall (late Sept/Early Oct)
There are a ton of places I want to see, but places I've decided I want to see the most are The Wave
Antelope Canyon
Bryce Canyon
Arches National Park
Lake Powell
Monument Valley

There are many other places that I want to see/photograph as well as camp/hike..

Further down the line I'd like to visit:
Havasu Falls which is a 10 mile hike just west of the Grand Canyon..

Just to note on Havasu. There was big flood that came through there in the last few years, and a lot of the picturesque waterfalls, etc. were changed a lot. I've heard it's a bit disappointing if you're expecting the green pools, etc. that used to be there.

[Greyeagle]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

I grew up about 50 mi north of Asheville (68 mi by roads). There's not a ton of real "tourist" attractions - but the overall geography is beautiful. Biltmore is a very fun half-day and is quite impressive. It's a little north of the direct route from Nashville to Kiawah, but if you want some serious local flavor, check out The Carter Family Fold, a Bluegrass treasure founded by June Carter Cash's uncle(?), I believe. The quality of the acts can vary greatly - from Johnny Cash on down. My high school biology teacher played banjo in a band that gigged there regularly, and their bass player has now won many Grammies playing with Alison Krauss.

Be forewarned if you go to the Smokies in the summer, though. It gets nearly as many visitors each year as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon - COMBINED. It's one of the few big National Parks near eastern population centers, and it shows. Traffic can crawl at 5-10 mph during daylight hours. The park itself IS more beautiful than the surrounding area, because it has the tallest mountains and is less developed, but it's really just a difference of degree. If you want to go on some really nice hikes instead of sitting in traffic, I'd look at Roan Mountain (the only point where the Appalachain Trail goes above 6,000 ft) and Mount Mitchell in NC instead. If you go to Dollywood, I'll never speak to you again.

If you enjoy driving (and I mean really driving), check out Deal's Gap - 318 curves in 11 miles. Extra points for taking out motorcycles with sidecars... In that vein, there's also the Bristol International Raceway, the only NASCAR track completely surrounded by a stadium (1/2 mile).

There's some great whitewater on the Nantahala River (used for the Atlanta Olympics whitewater events, I believe) if that's your thing.

That's about what I can remember from 20 years ago, when I moved from the area - have a great trip!

Thank you!! We won't have a lot of time in the area - one night each in Nashville, Gatlinburg, & Asheville before we need to be on Kiawah so most of what we do will be driving related. The Roan Mountain Rd. & Carter Family Fold sound awesome!

Avoiding Dollyworld will not be difficult.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Travel destinations so far:

Loved: Tuscany (quiet, lovely, friendly), Rome (frenetic, most beautiful women this side of Moldova), Victoria (only in the summer), Acadia (really, truly, only in the summer), Nova Scotia (only in the off-season), Lake Louise (much nicer than the more famous Banff), Quebec City (quaintest place on earth)

Luke Warm: Paris (amazing architecture, food is overrated, locals are more obnoxious than any other city except maybe Boston or Philly), Austrian Alps (gorgeous, locals are VERY reserved)

Didn't Care For: Nice (imagine Atlantic City but with Frenchmen)

Hey, that's not a bad idea.

Enjoyed: Lake Tahoe (sans Heavenly), Crested Butte, London, Chicago, Great Smokies, southern Alaska, Cat Island (Bahamas), Washington D.C. (over 15 years ago)

Lukewarm: Whistler (the village is great, but the weather often blows, which makes the skiing iffy), Vancouver, Park City (was in the process of becoming the next Aspen and that was almost 10 years ago - Deer Valley was great skiing though), the Florida Keys (depends on the island), Cleveland, Las Vegas

Not a Fan of: Gatlinburg (perhaps the biggest tourist trap ever)

[LynahFan]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Thank you!! We won't have a lot of time in the area - one night each in Nashville, Gatlinburg, & Asheville before we need to be on Kiawah so most of what we do will be driving related. The Roan Mountain Rd. & Carter Family Fold sound awesome!

Avoiding Dollyworld will not be difficult.

No problem - just to be clear, while there are some very scenic roads near Roan Mountain, the Dragon is well south and west from there, on the other side of the Smokies (US129). I'm sure you'd have realized that in your planning, but just wanted to make sure.

Have a great trip!

[Gibber]

Re: A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

Just to note on Havasu. There was big flood that came through there in the last few years, and a lot of the picturesque waterfalls, etc. were changed a lot. I've heard it's a bit disappointing if you're expecting the green pools, etc. that used to be there.

Yeah Aug 2008, I believe I read about that, though I've also read its still amazing, just a little different. By the time I'm actually able to do it, who knows, maybe it'll be back to or close to as beautiful as it was..