Oswiecim. Must visit.
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Oswiecim. Must visit.
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
There is so much to see in and around Rome, but if you have an interest in the Roman Empire I highly suggest getting out to see Ostia Antica.
It's only about 20 miles from Rome, and I want to say about a 40 minute train ride depending on where exactly you start from. The train is part of Rome's metro system so if you buy a metro pass it will be good for this leg.
Ostia Antica was ancient Rome's sea port, home to 100,000 people at its peak. Because of natural disaster and silting it no longer rests on the sea, but it was also buried and preserved. You could compare it to Pompeii only it's closer to Rome, much less crowded, and you enjoy much greater access. We spent over 4 hours wandering around this ancient city, climbing the steps of more well preserved multi-level buildings and descending into basements and tunnels.
We didn't have a guided tour (which are available I believe) but we did have my brother who read up and was able to point out and inform about specific mosaics, frescoes, buildings and districts. I'd probably suggest either a guide or a good guide book if you want to get the most out of your visit.
After seeing the ancient Ostia we continued on the train another 5 minutes or so to the modern Ostia - a suburb of Rome. We spent about an hour there drinking some beer and eating some street food along the sea. It was a refreshing break from the historical overload of Rome and a chance to see a more contemporary and common Italian culture.
A couple more resources:
http://www.ostia-antica.org/
https://www.rometoolkit.com/whattodo/ostia_antica.html
There is so much to see in and around Rome, but if you have an interest in the Roman Empire I highly suggest getting out to see Ostia Antica.
It's only about 20 miles from Rome, and I want to say about a 40 minute train ride depending on where exactly you start from. The train is part of Rome's metro system so if you buy a metro pass it will be good for this leg.
Ostia Antica was ancient Rome's sea port, home to 100,000 people at its peak. Because of natural disaster and silting it no longer rests on the sea, but it was also buried and preserved. You could compare it to Pompeii only it's closer to Rome, much less crowded, and you enjoy much greater access. We spent over 4 hours wandering around this ancient city, climbing the steps of more well preserved multi-level buildings and descending into basements and tunnels.
We didn't have a guided tour (which are available I believe) but we did have my brother who read up and was able to point out and inform about specific mosaics, frescoes, buildings and districts. I'd probably suggest either a guide or a good guide book if you want to get the most out of your visit.
After seeing the ancient Ostia we continued on the train another 5 minutes or so to the modern Ostia - a suburb of Rome. We spent about an hour there drinking some beer and eating some street food along the sea. It was a refreshing break from the historical overload of Rome and a chance to see a more contemporary and common Italian culture.
A couple more resources:
http://www.ostia-antica.org/
https://www.rometoolkit.com/whattodo/ostia_antica.html
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
Dallas/Forth Worth and Houston (and in between). What to do? Where to eat? On the list so far: NASA tour, Dallas Zoo, Dealey Plaza (and baseball, of course). I won't have a car in Houston, but I will in DFW - staying in Arlington. Have never been to Texas.
Dallas/Forth Worth and Houston (and in between). What to do? Where to eat? On the list so far: NASA tour, Dallas Zoo, Dealey Plaza (and baseball, of course). I won't have a car in Houston, but I will in DFW - staying in Arlington. Have never been to Texas.
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ExileOnDaytonStreet
Drunkard
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
Was not impressed with Dallas outside of downtown. Even then...
There's a gigantic cowboy bar/music venue south of downtown that might be interesting (the conference I went to rented it out one night). Gilly's i think.
Was not impressed with Dallas outside of downtown. Even then...
There's a gigantic cowboy bar/music venue south of downtown that might be interesting (the conference I went to rented it out one night). Gilly's i think.
bigblue_dl
Armed
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
Gilly's is very famous. It has been in several movies.
I enjoyed the Fort Worth Stockyards. Not worth a whole day, but interesting, IMO. Plus, Billy Bob's is there.
Gilly's is very famous. It has been in several movies.
I enjoyed the Fort Worth Stockyards. Not worth a whole day, but interesting, IMO. Plus, Billy Bob's is there.
The Sicatoka
Kicizapi Cetan
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
The Gilley's from the movies was outside of Houston in Pasadena. It burned down about 10 years ago. The one in Dallas is a copy.
The Gilley's from the movies was outside of Houston in Pasadena. It burned down about 10 years ago. The one in Dallas is a copy.
bigblue_dl
Armed
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
Ah, ok, didn't realize that there was a new, different one.
Ah, ok, didn't realize that there was a new, different one.
FlagDUDE08
Banned
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
43 states down, 7 to go. PNW, you're next.
43 states down, 7 to go. PNW, you're next.
FadeToBlack&Gold
Microlot Marxist
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
So it's 90% likely I am being sent to Chicago for work for 4 weeks (with weekend flybacks). I haven't spent any time there in 15 years. Other than the "Chiraq" moniker it's incurred, is there anything new-ish I should know about?
Also, what's the best way to get to/from ORD and downtown? I typically use Uber in situations where renting a car would either make no sense (2 out of 3 are near each other: Airport, hotel, or client site), and/or where I don't want to be responsible for driving (a metro area the size of Chicago). It's my understanding that Uber recently got authorization to pick up and drop off at O'Hare. Alternatively, I've never ridden the L - is it reasonably safe, and easy to make transfers?
So it's 90% likely I am being sent to Chicago for work for 4 weeks (with weekend flybacks). I haven't spent any time there in 15 years. Other than the "Chiraq" moniker it's incurred, is there anything new-ish I should know about?
Also, what's the best way to get to/from ORD and downtown? I typically use Uber in situations where renting a car would either make no sense (2 out of 3 are near each other: Airport, hotel, or client site), and/or where I don't want to be responsible for driving (a metro area the size of Chicago). It's my understanding that Uber recently got authorization to pick up and drop off at O'Hare. Alternatively, I've never ridden the L - is it reasonably safe, and easy to make transfers?
RaceBoarder
Waiting for the Snow to fly...
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
The "L" runs from ORD to the Loop via the Blue Line and would probably be the easiest way to get to/from ORD. I've regularly used the Orange line to go from Midway Airport to the Loop And the Red and Brown lines to go to the North Side and never had an issue. As with most cities, use common sense. The VENTRA app is a good way to learn the system. I've never needed it, so not sure about using Uber around the airports.
As far as "what's new?", what kind of info are you looking for? Are you staying out near ORD and commuting in? Overall the downtown area has been cleaned up and made more walkable. Lots of new park space has been developed as well around the Loop in the past 15 years. The "South Loop" area has also been readily cleaned up and is now home to lots of shopping, dining, and residential development.
The "L" runs from ORD to the Loop via the Blue Line and would probably be the easiest way to get to/from ORD. I've regularly used the Orange line to go from Midway Airport to the Loop And the Red and Brown lines to go to the North Side and never had an issue. As with most cities, use common sense. The VENTRA app is a good way to learn the system. I've never needed it, so not sure about using Uber around the airports.
As far as "what's new?", what kind of info are you looking for? Are you staying out near ORD and commuting in? Overall the downtown area has been cleaned up and made more walkable. Lots of new park space has been developed as well around the Loop in the past 15 years. The "South Loop" area has also been readily cleaned up and is now home to lots of shopping, dining, and residential development.
FadeToBlack&Gold
Microlot Marxist
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
The client is literally in the middle of downtown, a block from Grant Park, but sadly I am not that rich. Company policy says the closest I can stay at the moment is on the north side of the river, and that depends on how far out I am booking (duh).
The client is literally in the middle of downtown, a block from Grant Park, but sadly I am not that rich. Company policy says the closest I can stay at the moment is on the north side of the river, and that depends on how far out I am booking (duh).
manurespreader
Still upright
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
So, I just received word that my 28-year old daughter took a job in Vancouver BC after living in Atlanta for 9 years. I've never been; nor has she, other than for two days for interviews. Any of you familiar enough with the city to comment on what it's like?
So, I just received word that my 28-year old daughter took a job in Vancouver BC after living in Atlanta for 9 years. I've never been; nor has she, other than for two days for interviews. Any of you familiar enough with the city to comment on what it's like?
St. Clown
Liberal Rebel Scum, apparently
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
It's supposed to be the Canadian version of Seattle, only with slightly better weather and marginally better hockey.
It's supposed to be the Canadian version of Seattle, only with slightly better weather and marginally better hockey.
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
Driven through it. Gorgeous. Beyond that, its typically rated as one of the top five cities in the world.
Googled: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=vancouver+best+cities+in+the+world
Driven through it. Gorgeous. Beyond that, its typically rated as one of the top five cities in the world.
Googled: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=vancouver+best+cities+in+the+world
MadTownSioux
Fighting Sioux Hockey Fan
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
Wow, what a stupid survey. 5 cities are Aussie/NZ, 3 are Canadian, 1 isn't even named. (it has snow on the ground, so at least isn't Australian.)
Edit - Sorry I was talking about one of the links, the Daily Telegraph one.
Wow, what a stupid survey. 5 cities are Aussie/NZ, 3 are Canadian, 1 isn't even named. (it has snow on the ground, so at least isn't Australian.)
Edit - Sorry I was talking about one of the links, the Daily Telegraph one.
Kepler
Si certus es dubita
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
It's the best city on the west coast, which makes it the best city in North America. Far more cosmopolitan and less $$$ than SF, more interesting things to do than Portland, less self-absorbed than Seattle, and across the board better QOL than LA. Only SD gives it a run.
If she's outdoorsy and athletic she's going to be in heaven. If she's a foodie or artistic Vancouver is where it's at if you don't want to deal with the constant tension of NYC. I'd kill to live there.
It's the best city on the west coast, which makes it the best city in North America. Far more cosmopolitan and less $$$ than SF, more interesting things to do than Portland, less self-absorbed than Seattle, and across the board better QOL than LA. Only SD gives it a run.
If she's outdoorsy and athletic she's going to be in heaven. If she's a foodie or artistic Vancouver is where it's at if you don't want to deal with the constant tension of NYC. I'd kill to live there.
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
I've been asked to head up a new operation of 1,800 in another part of the country starting as early as 3 months from now. It would mean moving the family again (and the 3rd new school within 2.5 years for the kids) although the physical move itself wouldn't be that drastic. They'd have to ship my car there and it's amazing how much household s**t we've acquired in so little time, but it wouldn't that painful. I'd most likely re-up my contract which means if I want them to pay for the move home I'd be here another 2 years. Lots of perks and opportunities, but there is a lot to think about.
Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines
I've been asked to head up a new operation of 1,800 in another part of the country starting as early as 3 months from now. It would mean moving the family again (and the 3rd new school within 2.5 years for the kids) although the physical move itself wouldn't be that drastic. They'd have to ship my car there and it's amazing how much household s**t we've acquired in so little time, but it wouldn't that painful. I'd most likely re-up my contract which means if I want them to pay for the move home I'd be here another 2 years. Lots of perks and opportunities, but there is a lot to think about.
Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines
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