Best holiday destinations

[pavlosmacwolf]

We ended up booking a very nice looking hotel here. It was as cheap to book all inclusive as we booked so early so that's what we've done.

Close to Rhodes Town, close to the Valley of Butterflies, close to the airport - perfect.

Just got to wait 10 and a half months now! I've realised its the first holiday I have booked myself since 2007! A shocking statistic.

Be patient, you will have a ball, valley of the butterflies is an awesome experience. Rhodes town eateries are fabulous, and so much to see all around you from an historic point of view.

Remind me after the winter, (cypro making season) and i will put my thinking head on. I have been a couple of times and currently have some pals there. OK one is in the army doing national service but he's a good guy, and will know what is going on currently. Fabulous place, fabulous beaches, and as i said before, if you hire a 50cc motorbike you will find beaches in September, where you two will be alone, so take cypro with you ha ha ha ha .

 

[lemonjelly]

Way less exotic than most other posts here, but I've won a 1 night stay in south devon. Planning to book a 2nd night there (or somewhere else - it's a bit swish and pricey!) so have 3 days dahn sarf next week.

What areas of devon are nice to visit? Thinking of relatively pleasant towns etc. Doesn't have to be sea-sidey. I went to dawlish warren a few years ago, & torquay the year before, but the hotel is on the cornwall side.

 

[Lupo]

I had my first ever holiday in Devon last year staying in Torquay which is a pleasant town with a great marina. We also visited Brixham (picturesue port), Dawlish (coastal resort with a stream and aviaries in the middle of it), Cockington (rural village about a mile from Torquay, it was Cockington Show the day we went) and Dartmouth (large river town). We liked them all but Dartmouth was the best. For about £22 each we did something called the Round Robin - pick up the steam train from Paignton and takes you along the coast to Kingwere where your ticket includes a ferry over to Dartmouth and once in Dartmouth there's a river cruise along the River Dart down to a village that is home to stars including Kate Winslet and also where Rik Mayall had his home

 

[Nando]

My girlfriend is from South Devon so I spend a lot of time down there now. I love it - South Hams is absolutely beautiful.

Dittisham is probably the favourite place I've been. Gorgeous views over the Dart, unbelievable houses and some cracking little pubs. An absolute pain in the arse to get to though.

Shaldon and Teignmouth are nice too. Teignmouth is your typical touristy coastal town but I prefer it to the others. You could always venture up onto Dartmoor too.

 

[machin05]

We got married in Dartmouth as my missus is from Paignton. Absolutely beautiful part of the world.

 

[Lupo]

My girlfriend is from South Devon so I spend a lot of time down there now. I love it - South Hams is absolutely beautiful.

Dittisham is probably the favourite place I've been. Gorgeous views over the Dart, unbelievable houses and some cracking little pubs. An absolute pain in the arse to get to though.

Shaldon and Teignmouth are nice too. Teignmouth is your typical touristy coastal town but I prefer it to the others. You could always venture up onto Dartmoor too.

Dittisham... that's the place I was on about

 

[lemonjelly]

Thanks all!

 

[North West Wanderer]

Toying with Lindos this year, anyone been?

 

[WalsallWolf]

Toying with Lindos this year, anyone been?

Cannot go wrong with Lindos Stu. Very nice place. I would go back tomorrow if it was up to me but the wife wasn't keen but I wouldn't take too much notice of that fusspot!

I am taking the whole family away for a much needed boost in April. We have decided on Tenerife as I think it caters for all ages nicely. Despite its negative stereotype I love Tenerife, I have been there as recent as Christmas 2014 and I think it is great. Even playa has picked up.

 

[North West Wanderer]

Good enough for me mate.

Out of interest, what was your wife's gripe with it?!

 

[leedswolf]

She was with WW?

 

[Hereford Wolf]

We're going to Woolacombe for a week in March with the dog!

 

[lemonjelly]

Woolacombe is great HW!
Went there a couple of years ago. Lovely expansive beach, and nice cliffs to walk along.

square root of FA to do generally, other than enjoy the natural landscape. Very quiet and relaxing.

The tide there is very fast - watch yourself with it.

 

[Nando]

Went there last April and even with foul weather we had a good time. The walk to Croyde round the headland is superb.

 

[So Long Architect]

Anyone been to Antwerp? I'm off there for a three-day break on Thursday so any tips would be useful.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Squeeze works for an Antwerp-based company. I will ask her.

 

[So Long Architect]

Squeeze works for an Antwerp-based company. I will ask her.

Cheers, Pad.

 

[Tredman]

I went with work - was really nice.

Had dinner on an old clipper boat in the new docks, then wandered around a few bars. Some good trappist beer there. Had a surprisingly large red light district which we wandered into by mistake (genuinely!)

 

[So Long Architect]

I went with work - was really nice.

Had dinner on an old clipper boat in the new docks, then wandered around a few bars. Some good trappist beer there. Had a surprisingly large red light district which we wandered into by mistake (genuinely!)

And in which district exactly (map co-ordinates, please) is the red light district? So I can be sure to avoid it, you understand.

 

[Squeeze]

Anyone been to Antwerp? I'm off there for a three-day break on Thursday so any tips would be useful.

Heh there. My first question would be where are you staying? If it's the Crowne Plaza - you will be literally in the middle of a six lane highway (they are the busiest in Europe in that part of town). Getting anywhere in Antwerp is easy either in a cab, on the tram ( 4 euro will take you anywhere - you pay the driver but don't expect a conversation in English) or on foot. Get a map of the town centre from your hotel, makes it easier to get your bearings, they will mark out the tram stops and number for you, especially as all the street names are very similar in places. Antwerp is a lovely old city that has a really laid back vibe and I find it impossible not to relax when I visit. If you ask the reception staff they will make bar recommendations and because they're Belgians and generally a nice bunch they won't steer you wrong.
If you are staying centrally in the theatre district you are within walking distance of the main square and centre of the town - Grote markt. There are literally hundreds of bars and little restaurants in the streets here. It's very difficult to eat out badly in Antwerp - I haven't managed it in 5 years. They serve the best beef I have ever had and triple fried chips.... talking of which, if you've had a bit of a night out do stop by the Frituur No 1 on Hoogestraat (loads of bars here)and have Maria the owner casually insult you and serve you chips. She's a bit gobby but the chips are immense.
If you head to the main square there are bars and cafes all around the periphery. My favourite here is t'Elfde Gebod (11th Commandment) on Torfbrug 10 near Groen Plaats in the shadow of the cathedral. It's a bar that serves food and beer (lots of beer) and has lots of religious statues stacked up on shelves all over the walls. Sounds weird but it's a good night out. Billie's beer kafateria on Kammenstraat is good too but you have to book in advance if you want to eat there. Also if you want a nice place to take clients The Square at Koningin Astridplein 7 in the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel near Grand Central station is nice (I don't normally like hotel restaurants but this one is decent enough). For drinking you should visit The Old Arsenal or Het Oud arsenaal (head towards Graanmarkt it's on your right next to the main theatre) - follow the cobbled walkways away from the main square designed for cyclists. Down by the river there are some very foody restaurants - we went to one in the old customs house there. Lovely but expensive. Finally - you can actually have dinner at a brewery - and why not - it's Belgium - beer isn't going to get better than it is here. Huisbrouwerij 't Pakhuis at Vlaamsekaai 76, - try blonde, dark and scary beer. The place name is a bit of a mouthful but a great experience... try all the beer they make and have dinner. Hope you have a great trip. I love Antwerp. If you are flying to Mortsel airport it will cost you between 15 and 20 euros to your hotels depending on where they are. Do go in the cathedral - it's gorgeous, take a walk down by the river, sit in the main square and watch all of human life go by, visit the Zoo, go to Rubens house (Rubenshuis) located at Wapper 9-11 and Steen castle. Meir (this is a tram stop and very central also) is your best bet for shopping on Kipdorpvest. have a great time!