A Thread for Travel: Trips/Advice/Ideas

[jmh]

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

1) I've flow on Swiss. Not thrilled.

I was flying on USAir from Philly to Zurich and Swiss from ZRH to Nairobi. My flight from Philly was delayed by weather and I missed my connection in Zurich. Swiss re-booked me from ZRH to Amsterdam and then to Nairobi. The new routing had me sitting on the ground in ZRH for 5 hours and AMS for another 4 hours. Yet they didn't get my bag to me on the new routing. They held on to it and sent it on their own flight the following day. Additionally, when I went to the airport in Nairobi to fly home, Swiss had cancelled my return flight from NBO to ZRH. They said that I was a no-show from my flight from ZRH to NBO and therefore they cancelled my reservation. I fought with them at the airport for nearly 3 hours before they gave me a seat. And they said that the only reason they didn't make me pay for it is because I had a connection on US Air that hadn't been cancelled.

They blamed it on security.

Uch. Well, I didn't love reading about your experience (particularly since we have fairly tight times to make our connections in Zurich) but I appreciate your feedback nonetheless.

[Shirtless Guy]

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

my wife and are going to Puerto Vallarta for a destination wedding in October, anyone been and have advice on things to do or fishing charters you've had good experience with?

[manurespreader]

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

Trip with the in-laws to my brother-in-law's wedding in Greece is booked, or at least the rough sketches of it. It'll be a bunch of us traveling together: me, my wife, her mother and grandmother (86 years old), and my sister-in-law with her husband and their two kids (ages 7 and 5). Flying out overnight (through Zurich) on May 15th, coming back on the 26th. A few questions:


2) Thoughts on best things to do in Athens for a couple of days, bearing in mind the large age range we're working with?

Well if you haven't been, you have to go to the Acropolis. Go in the morning, it will be too hot in the afternoon. plan about 3 hours.
second the Agora. some shade there, very worthwhile. check the hours, sometimes they close early. This is where Socrates and Aristotle were hanging out btw. three, the archeological Museum of Greece is terrific. it can take a long time to see the whole thing. There are a number of other very good museums. If you are up for a long day trip you can go to Delphi on the bus. it's very steep and can be hot in the afternoon. bring water, and shorts. Another good day trip is Epidavros. its a bit of a hike but very good.
3) How should we plan on getting around? Subway is fine and very clean and modern. you can buy a week pass. Is it feasible to use public transit as non-Greek speakers? [U]totally. [/U]Just plan to take a taxi everywhere? taxi's are iffy. ask if they charge by the meter or get the hotel concierge to find one and talk to the driver. they have a bad reputation. Traffic is bad in Athens so the subway is your friend.

4) At the tail end of the trip, we're planning to spend a few days in the islands. My wife and I were originally planning on a side trip just the two of us, and had been figuring on Santorini. but now it seems like the trip to the islands will be with the whole group. Bearing in mind again the large age range, do we need to scrap the Santorini plan (which is, in my sister-in-law's words, "all mountain with no guardrails") for a different island that's more kid- and senior-citizen-appropriate?

Greece is all Mountains with no guardrails, not just the islands. Santorini is beautiful, but expensive and stuffed with tourists big time.I would not worry about the guard rails in the least. it's not that steep really. My least favorite place in the islands, but if you have never been its worth going.

The beaches on Santorini are terrible, relatively, forget them. The best thing to do besides the sunset, is go to the excavations at Akrotiri. You can get a Bus tour which is worthwhile, in Thira, right up from the bus station. It will take you around to many of the coolest places you'd have a tough time finding any other way. Hotels charge a ton to pick you up at the ferry. I'd fly in if you can afford it, or take the public bus to the town and walk to the hotel if you are on the ferry.. The ferry ride is pretty long. like 7 or 8 hours. the high speeds are shorter, but only operate when the water is smooth, on rough days they do not go.Email me if you want more information. And get rick steve's Athens and the blue guide. There is way, way more to see than you have time.



Athens is not the most gorgeous city, there is lot's of graffiti.. I assume you have a hotel already. if it's close to the subway, that's good. there are lot's, and lot's of things to do. Do not rent a car in Athens.!
there are tourist restaurants and non tourist restaurants. the tourist ones are in the Agora mostly.My favorite is Kefanio, on Loukianou st, not in the agora. Up the hill from the embassy's, towards the funicular. Excellent food and not touristy or expensive. The hotel will help you and definitely get the blue guide. it's worth the money. it's at amazon. Greece is steep, be ready for that.

[hockeyplayer1015]

Greece is all Mountains with no guardrails, not just the islands. Santorini is beautiful, but expensive and stuffed with tourists big time.I would not worry about the guard rails in the least. it's not that steep really. My least favorite place in the islands, but if you have never been its worth going.

The beaches on Santorini are terrible, relatively, forget them. The best thing to do besides the sunset, is go to the excavations at Akrotiri. You can get a Bus tour which is worthwhile, in Thira, right up from the bus station. It will take you around to many of the coolest places you'd have a tough time finding any other way. Hotels charge a ton to pick you up at the ferry. I'd fly in if you can afford it, or take the public bus to the town and walk to the hotel if you are on the ferry.. The ferry ride is pretty long. like 7 or 8 hours. the high speeds are shorter, but only operate when the water is smooth, on rough days they do not go.Email me if you want more information. And get rick steve's Athens and the blue guide. There is way, way more to see than you have time.



Athens is not the most gorgeous city, there is lot's of graffiti.. I assume you have a hotel already. if it's close to the subway, that's good. there are lot's, and lot's of things to do. Do not rent a car in Athens.!
there are tourist restaurants and non tourist restaurants. the tourist ones are in the Agora mostly.My favorite is Kefanio, on Loukianou st, not in the agora. Up the hill from the embassy's, towards the funicular. Excellent food and not touristy or expensive. The hotel will help you and definitely get the blue guide. it's worth the money. it's at amazon. Greece is steep, be ready for that.

Agree with most of what MS said about Athens. I was there in summer of '10, right after their economy went down the tubes and the riots and whatnot. Subway is absolutely fine for transportation, and while I did use the taxi on occasion, I don't remember much negative about my experiences. But absolutely go see the ancient Greek architecture, it will be worth it for all in your group.

[bigblue_dl]

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

I have to go to New York for work next week. I have to be there on Friday, and there wasn't a flight out on Friday night that worked, so I'm staying until Saturday morning. I'll have Friday night to do something fun there, now I just have to figure out what. jmh, any plans for the 24th?

The worksite is out on Long Island, in what looks like the suburbs. So I have a hotel out there, close to where I'll be working, and also not too far from JFK.

[jmh]

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

I have to go to New York for work next week. I have to be there on Friday, and there wasn't a flight out on Friday night that worked, so I'm staying until Saturday morning. I'll have Friday night to do something fun there, now I just have to figure out what. jmh, any plans for the 24th?

The worksite is out on Long Island, in what looks like the suburbs. So I have a hotel out there, close to where I'll be working, and also not too far from JFK.

Where are you working/staying? Oddly enough, my schedule seems to be clear that whole weekend, including Friday night.

[bigblue_dl]

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

Where are you working/staying? Oddly enough, my schedule seems to be clear that whole weekend, including Friday night.

I'll be working in Bay Park....it looks like a tiny suburb, just east of JFK, and very close to Oceanside. My hotel is in Lynbrook, since that is where the other people working on this project will also be staying.

I'll have a car....but I doubt I'll want to take it anywhere except between the hotel and the job site. I suppose I could try to figure out how the trains work. I might need some coaching on that.

[bigblue_dl]

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

Also going to Williston next week, anyone have suggestions on that front?

FYI, Williston was twice as much as New York. Flight, car and hotels were priced double that of Long Island. ****.

[Shirtless Guy]

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

Also going to Williston next week, anyone have suggestions on that front?

FYI, Williston was twice as much as New York. Flight, car and hotels were priced double that of Long Island. ****.

supply and demand my friend, Williston is booming. I'll drop that girl we met in grand forks a message for ideas on williston

[bigblue_dl]

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

supply and demand my friend, Williston is booming. I'll drop that girl we met in grand forks a message for ideas on williston

Um, no thanks.
Actually one of my buddies from high school lives and works out there, I'll probably meet up with him.

[jmh]

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

I'll be working in Bay Park....it looks like a tiny suburb, just east of JFK, and very close to Oceanside. My hotel is in Lynbrook, since that is where the other people working on this project will also be staying.

I'll have a car....but I doubt I'll want to take it anywhere except between the hotel and the job site. I suppose I could try to figure out how the trains work. I might need some coaching on that.

Lynbrook is a pretty quick ride into the city on the LIRR if you're so inclined; we pass through that station on our way out to visit my mother-in-law. And if you're looking for ideas of things to do during the week (I'm guessing you're not just coming for Friday), I have a friend who lives in Rockville Centre (one town over from Lynbrook) I could ask for suggestions.

[Greyeagle]

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

Also going to Williston next week, anyone have suggestions on that front?

Leave. As quickly as possible.

[bigblue_dl]

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

Lynbrook is a pretty quick ride into the city on the LIRR if you're so inclined; we pass through that station on our way out to visit my mother-in-law. And if you're looking for ideas of things to do during the week (I'm guessing you're not just coming for Friday), I have a friend who lives in Rockville Centre (one town over from Lynbrook) I could ask for suggestions.

I would be willing to head on into the city on Friday night, meet up, get to see more of New York, since this is my first time there. If you're interested in getting dinner and drinks, that would work for me. I can't be sure of the time yet, as it depends on how the work goes on Friday. My Friday night is completely free, so I'm looking for something to do, and I like food and beer.

Actually, I will be there only Thursday evening and Friday, I'll be in North Dakota until Thursday morning, then flying from there to New York, without even enough time to leave the airport in MSP between trips. (2 different trips, technically not a layover)

[bigblue_dl]

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

False alarm, at least temporarily. Customer changed their plans on me, and I won't be going to NYC next week, but I will still be heading out there within the next few weeks. Luckily they told me about this soon enough that I'm still within in the 24 hour airfare grace period, so I didn't get any extra charges. I am guessing that I'll be in New York the first week of February now.

Still have to go to Williston next week.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

False alarm, at least temporarily. Customer changed their plans on me, and I won't be going to NYC next week, but I will still be heading out there within the next few weeks. Luckily they told me about this soon enough that I'm still within in the 24 hour airfare grace period, so I didn't get any extra charges. I am guessing that I'll be in New York the first week of February now.

Still have to go to Williston next week.

Enjoy dealing with the Super Bowl crowd.

And don't get shot in Williston.