Best holiday destinations

[PPB]

Oh yeah, and the beaches...... white sands and warm water that is crystal clear.

Do you still get followed and hassled constantly to buy things on the beaches? That was the only downside to the beaches when I was there.

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Do you still get followed and hassled constantly to buy things on the beaches? That was the only downside to the beaches when I was there.

Yes, it was the only downside tbh. We spent an entire day in Nassau so we booked to go visit the Atlantis resort, which allowed us into the casino and aquarium plus gave us access to a private beach. Somehow we took a wrong turn and ended up on the public beach, as soon as we stepped foot on it loads of guys approached offering us jet skis, umbrellas, loungers, coconut drinks etc. My girlfriend was really intimidated as they kept following us. The private beach was great though, huge waves. good fun.

Rest of the holiday was unbelievable. Orlando was superb. Very hot even in October, 34 degrees and humid. We went to the Everglades and saw alligators and did an airboat tour through the swamps, saw snakes and eagles. Went to Universal and their water park called Volcano bay, both brilliant. Ate great food every night on International Drive, ended it with cocktails each night too. Visited the Outlets and spent $300 on $800 worth of clobber.

Then we went on the cruise around the Bahamas which was amazing, the ship was sensational, like a 5-star hotel at sea. 14 decks. Swimming pool, outdoor cinema and bars on top deck, plus basketball court, rock climbing wall and tennis courts. 4 restaurant plus a Johnny Rockets diner, a pizza place and a starbucks. The casino was also huge, one night we got pissed on CocoCay island and then had a great laugh til 2am with some hicks from Indiana in the casino, trying to win $20 out of the 25c drop machine. We must have spent $80 on coins to win that twenty but it was all about the laugh we were having. They had a huge theatre at the back of the ship so we watched a bit of Mamma Mia in there, and I did karaoke in the bar downstairs.
The food on the ship was amazing and all the staff were great, genuinely nice people. We are now looking at doing a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise next year as we enjoyed it so much.

 

[Paul]

Has the jetlag hit you though, because it knocks me around something rotten !

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Has the jetlag hit you though, because it knocks me around something rotten !

Big time. Only got to sleep at 3am and was up at 7:30am. Came home from work at midday as I was nodding off.

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Anyone know anything about Lisbon? Will be there for a fortnight with work, but looking for places to eat, and stuff to do at the weekends.

SLB - where you at?

 

[Nando]

My boss and group of best mates went this summer and absolutely loved it. That's all I have to offer!

 

[SLA]

Anyone know anything about Lisbon? Will be there for a fortnight with work, but looking for places to eat, and stuff to do at the weekends.

SLB - where you at?

Our company held its annual management meeting (piss up) there last month so I was there for a few days. Absolutely loved it! I don't think I've been to a place with so many bars and restaurants so I don't think you'll struggle to find somewhere to eat, especially in the old town at night (though it might be less buzzing now it will have cooled down a bit). It has a really nice atmosphere, was really friendly and has some great architecture to admire if that's your bag.

I didn't think the food was great, apart from the custard tarts which are amazing. We went to Pasteis de Belem, where they make them fresh. No doubt SLB will be along soon to tell you not to go there as it's so touristy but I thought it was an awesome place. Right next to the old monastery where Vasco de Gama is buried, which is well worth a look.

I wasn't there long enough to see any of the nearby coast but apparently that's really nice - big waves if you're a surfer.

 

[The Bear]

So we have SLA and SLB on here!

 

[SLA]

So we have SLA and SLB on here!

Pah! He's Jaws 2 to my Jaws.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

Just to add to the confusion, are SLA and So Long Architect the same person?

 

[leedswolf]

Just to add to the confusion, are SLA and So Long Architect the same person?

Yep.

 

[b3h]

The other is sausage liver and bacon

 

[SLA]

Just to add to the confusion, are SLA and So Long Architect the same person?

We are... he is... um... yes

For very boring reasons, I created a new account. Probably against the CoC but since I don't post very regularly and very little of interest, I'm guessing it's not a huge issue... :angel:

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

That's good because I've always responded to you both as if you were the same person!

 

[Jabbawolf]

Lake Como is just stunningly beautiful - quaint towns butting right up to the shore, with wooded hills close by, and snow-capped mountains in the distance - very romantic too.

 

[PPB]

We are... he is... um... yes

I didn't know that.

I wonder if L4velle is DW or someone else. Nahhh, can't be the same, there's only one DW

 

[Langers]

In marvellous Monday morning news, The GF has just booked us a CHILD FREE city break in Bruges - I know some forumites have been before so any recommendations?

Advice on the best beer/bars will be just as valuable as other attractions!

 

[Wombat del combate]

A diet of extreme-strength beer, moules and frites with mayo. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Johnny75]

In marvellous Monday morning news, The GF has just booked us a CHILD FREE city break in Bruges - I know some forumites have been before so any recommendations?

Advice on the best beer/bars will be just as valuable as other attractions!

It kind of depends what you want to do. If you like art there's a Michaelangelo sculpture in the cathedral which is stunning and the canal tour is well worth it. The bars around the town square are pretty expensive so I'd recommend the bars in the back streets away from the main square. I have no names of any places and if you can't find a decent beer on tap in any of those places you are doing something wrong. It is all ace (apart from the Irish bars, they're shit).

The local grog Brouwerij Bourgogne des Flandres is bloody ace and on tap in most places you will visit. The chocolate is great in almost every place you go and as Wombat says Moulles frites or a beef stew with copious amounts of roasties is just the ticket.

I'd stay away from any Irish bars as they're shite.

 

[Wombat del combate]

I'd stay away from any Irish bars as they're shite.

General query: Why do people go on holiday and then spend time in an English/Irish/Scottish bar? Why? - I know of a couple who were in Nice and headed straight for the Irish pub rather than explore the city. FFS.