SEGAbits Forums
Off Topic => Everything Else => Topic started by: Nameless 24 on August 12, 2013, 07:59:19 am
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I can't seem to find any topics on here at the moment, so I thought I'd post an official one here.
People can chip in on advice and who to go for when booking holidays or not in addition to hotel pricing and flight tickets.
I talked to crackdude about Portugal, and his advice is very good since him and max_cady live there. I will likely take his advice when I visit Portugal sometime in the future.
My next question (which is likely to Barry/George or even Will), is this:
How much do you need for Japan, including flight tickers for 4 Adults, a Hotel, National Rail tickets and holiday money for 9 or 11 Nights?
I had a look online myself, and saw the cheapest are £600 per person for plane tickets with Etihad, and the cheapest hotel rooms (for 2) are £700 for 9 Nights.
That'd be almost £4000, which I would say isn't too bad...but how much would I need on top of that?
Advice is appreciated.
**Whilst I am on this topic, flights to Portugal and Hotels are good prices? (to crackdude/max_cady)
http://www.skyscanner.net/ (http://www.skyscanner.net/)
http://www.vjv.com/ (http://www.vjv.com/)
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If you don't mind flying EasyJet or Ryanair, the flights can be very VERY cheap. Problem is they are limited to some airports (I once had to fly Porto->Luton. I live 150km from Porto).
As for Hotels, it all depends where the hotel is at, but in general they aren't very expensive unless you're in central Lisbon or right next to the beach (and even so there are some bargains if you look hard enough).
I also recommend not paying extra for a 5* hotel. The 4* service here is already great, and 5* is too fancy for a vacation (in my opinion of course).
As for money to spend while here, you spend less per day here than you do on the UK. If you're in a touristic zone, avoid going to the tourist-focused restaurants as they will charge more for less quality food. Most of the time "portuguese-only" restaurants have english-speaking folk too.
We are a rather poor country when compared to the rest of Europe so life is cheaper, but the tourist-focused places are more expensive. If you see someplace that has no portuguese writing, it'll probably be more expensive
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Ryanair/EasyJet had some controversy last month for my colleagues...they refused to refund any delayed flights through their own errors AND the poor tourists had to pay for 2 more nights at alternative hotels that didn't have any booked guests. <_<
I am happy with a 3 Star personally. As long as the bed is warm and the room isn't draughty, I can sleep almost anywhere (this includes shitty Caravan beds). Sea air also helps me sleep if that helps for anyone with advice. :P
I shall keep this in mind! Although...wouldn't that be taking up any room for the locals who live there there? :P
Going to add some links in the OP guys! I hope you use them for yourselves!
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You can use this one to search for cheapest prices on hotels:
www.trivago.co.uk
Not at all! We have plenty of restaurants everywhere, if one is full the next one isn't. Some are better than others, but it's pretty unusual to end up in a place with bad food.
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That's being advertised a lot in the UK recently, but mostly about Barcelona. (been there too)
Yeah. Restaurants can vary in quality even if they are all next to one another. Going to a bad Portugese Restaurant can potentially put me off for life! XD
I wonder if this thread will be used in the future? I gather it'll help fellow SEGA fans who want to go abroad.
Oh, and for people who want cheap trips in Asia. Vietnam is really cheap (although I heard they are hostile to American Tourists).
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When traveling in the UK, always pack a pair of trousers. Pants are underwear. Do not confuse the two.
That is all I can add to this discussion.
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I've actually never been out of the country, I like being in places i know. Although I think i would like to go to the UK one day, that wouldn't be too much different. Everyone speaks English at least!
I don't think I'd be very good at handling culture shock.
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A trip to London is a good first trip out of country. Like you said, they speak English, and there isn't that much culture shock. "WC" means "water closet" and its the restroom, breakfasts are weird, the Indian food is awesome, and they really like this old woman with a crown.
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woman
lady.
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When traveling in the UK, always pack a pair of trousers. Pants are underwear. Do not confuse the two.
I call trousers my pants and the "pants" my undies. I am pretty common though. :P We understand what you mean by "underwear" and "pants" as well.
A trip to London is a good first trip out of country. Like you said, they speak English, and there isn't that much culture shock. "WC" means "water closet" and its the restroom, breakfasts are weird, the Indian food is awesome, and they really like this old woman with a crown.
Restrooms are Toilets, Breakfast is weird? Depends on where you go, and yes...Indian/Bangladeshi food is awesome and pretty common here.
I am guessing you have met Royalists (who are into the whole Royalty business), you won't meet as many Royalists in any other part of the UK though.
For countryside, just visit Wales. It's cheaper and you can climb Snowdonia if you feel like it.
I'll probably visit America one time in my life. My cousin is currently in New Jersey, teaching Americans "Soccer", since he wants to be a Fitness Coach. Which would suit him being in America, where the regime is a lot more tougher than in the UK.
I've also visited Jamaica (I guess for heritage reasons, being part Jamaican). My advice for that place is to be careful in shopping centres in Jamaica...they will badger you a lot, asking for money for things you don't want, and will even resort to shady tactics like putting items in your bag, unnoticed and carving your name into wooden Sculptures....so DON'T EVER MENTION YOUR NAME!
I actually "celebrated" Thanksgiving in Jamaica too (the only time I ever will), man...you guys have a lot of food! Even more than we do!?! If you visit the UK on the 5th November, we have a celebration called "Guy Fawkes" (We also call it Bonfire Night), to which we celebrate killing the Traitor who almost blew up the Prime Minister with Gunpowder...so it's like Independance Day, only the Fireworks are lit at night, and you usually have some festival going on in the towns around you where you eat barbecued burgers and Sausages (We're probably the only country to do this in the cold weather, LOL). The towns and places are usually VERY foggy around this time too due to the fireworks being fired off every 10 minutes. In fact, our Bonfire Night can concede with Halloween. (we have a rhyme at Halloween which isn't used in America, to which we reference "stealing garden gates" which references using them for Bonfires).
Sorry for the rant.
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I've never left the U.S. I've only been to a few States, i've always felt that i'd rather explore and see this Country first before leaving to see other places. There is soo much to look at here, such amazing history in the East Coast, that i'd rather visit States around here then fly to Europe or something. Plus, i'm a huge hockey fan, so i would love to go to all States with an NHL team and watch a game at every Arena.
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The Dakotas are underrated vacation spots. I mean look at this beauty:
(http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/resources/files/page_photos/000Photos/black-hills-national-forest/Black-Hills-National-Forest-001.jpg)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Chinle_Badlands.jpg)
(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/8d/2a/2f/south-dakota-visitors.jpg)
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Natural beauty is best beauty.
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Ive been on vacation in South Dakota before, a long time ago. I like the prairie dogs. When we went there the US was like on terror orange alert level or something, there was guys with guns everywhere near mount rushmore, there was even snipers on the mountain itself! they weren't screwing around!
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I love South Dakota. Tons of natural wonders, prairie dogs (as mentioned), Wall Drug, Cirble B (cheesy but fun cowbody dinner & show). Went there a lot during my childhood. In fact, I think I bought my first Sonic comic book (#1) while on vacation there.
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I love South Dakota. Tons of natural wonders, prairie dogs (as mentioned), Wall Drug, Cirble B (cheesy but fun cowbody dinner & show). Went there a lot during my childhood. In fact, I think I bought my first Sonic comic book (#1) while on vacation there.
lol i remember wall drug, don't remember it being very exciting though.
Kinda hard to miss it. it's all that was ever advertised on bill boards on the way there.
"Wall Drug, 1000 Miles away!" ok maybe that's an exaggeration but i remember ad's like that
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lol i remember wall drug, don't remember it being very exciting though.
Kinda hard to miss it. it's all that was ever advertised on bill boards on the way there.
"Wall Drug, 1000 Miles away!" ok maybe that's an exaggeration but i remember ad's like that
It's not an exaggeration, lol, there is a "5,160 miles to Wall Drug" sign in London. It's a brilliant marketing campaign. Also "FREE ICE WATER!" and "5 cent COFFEE". I love those selling points.
I love Wall Drug, such a quirky place. Reminds me of Pee-Wee's Playhouse:
http://www.odysseyroad.com/weblog/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/picture-104.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Wall_Drug_Cowboy_Orchestra.jpg
http://markp427.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/p1010371.jpg
They have added a dinosaur recently:
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/files/2011/07/wall-drug-dinosaur-sighting-full.jpg
And next to it are both Mad Dog McCree arcade games. :D
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Sounds like a nice place to go Camping.
Although, for someone who doesn't live in America, camping would be hard given how much you pay for hotels these days. :(
I have family in Atlanta though (recent discovery!), so perhaps I could crash there and go to S Dakota one day.
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Sounds like a nice place to go Camping.
Although, for someone who doesn't live in America, camping would be hard given how much you pay for hotels these days. :(
I have family in Atlanta though (recent discovery!), so perhaps I could crash there and go to S Dakota one day.
US has dedicated camp grounds managed by the government inside state parks. At least in the states I've been to. I don't know about every state. but camping is much cheaper then a hotel... buuuut, I'm not all fond of the natural elements, especially if there is a severe storm! I've been camping in a severe storm before, it's really scary! not to mention everything got SOAKED. That was one long night.. lol
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US has dedicated camp grounds managed by the government inside state parks. At least in the states I've been to. I don't know about every state. but camping is much cheaper then a hotel... buuuut, I'm not all fond of the natural elements, especially if there is a severe storm! I've been camping in a severe storm before, it's really scary! not to mention everything got SOAKED. That was one long night.. lol
Managed Camping grounds? That sounds like our Caravan Parks.
We can camp (almost) anywhere in the National Parks, BUT we have to abide by recycling rules and be in an open area (no woods or anything). I haven't camped outside of my house, lol.
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Thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.
I haven't travelled as much wanted to. Though I've been around. Dublin, Ireland, Marakeck in Morroco and now Barcelona.
I can offer some tips on Marakech in a few short bullet points:
#1 - Drink bottled water only;
#2 - Vaccines in Order;
#3 - Locals speak mostly french and a bit of spanish;
#4 - The official currency is Dirhans;
#5 - Best places to tour are the the Jenma El-Fna town square and the Califa Palace;
#6 - Much like Palm Readers in Cordoba, some local merchants will almost certainly trick you into solicting their services;
#7 - New part of Town is basically like every other modern European city;
#8 - Best dishes: Tajime and couscous;
#9 - Green tea and flatbread are generally served in every meal;
#10 -You might feel some disconfort after leaving Morroco, but that is to be expected;
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Seems I may be going to Portugal in September! (not 100% yet, but seems my parents want to go)
I have talked about this with crackdude via PMs before, but I could do with advice from both crackdude and max_cady on what I should do and where to go.
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As you know, I pointed out some of my favorite places to visit and my main tips via PM already, but do hit me up with any question or doubt! And if possible, we should totally go drink some Super Bock!
Also, around September there are great music festivals here in Portugal (lots of Super Bock in those as well). As soon as I know more about those I'll hit you up. A day filled with live music and party is a good day in my book!
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As you know, I pointed out some of my favorite places to visit and my main tips via PM already, but do hit me up with any question or doubt! And if possible, we should totally go drink some Super Bock!
Also, around September there are great music festivals here in Portugal (lots of Super Bock in those as well). As soon as I know more about those I'll hit you up. A day filled with live music and party is a good day in my book!
Yeah sure! You may meet my family also if we do meet though given it's a family trip (we're staying in Alvor or some place in the very south, but we're going to be looking around and stuff).
Sounds good man! Would you know how to obtain any Porto/Sporting Lisbon tickets by any chance? Would love to watch a match in Portugal! (seen the Nou Camp in Barcelona but unfortunately couldn't get any tickets....I was an idiot and almost broke one of their famous statues! Ironically, they won everything that year so I assume it was me who gave them good luck! HAHAHA)
Gonna try that dish you recommended me too. :)
I am a wine person too, so I'd likely try some Green Wine and Port Wine and stuff, lol.
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My favorite Port Wine is Ferreirinha, don't know if I told you. Very smooth.
By complete coincidence, I'm going to see Sporting-Porto today, funny thing you mention it xD
Well, in a BIG game (any combination between Porto, Benfica, Sporting and sometimes Braga) it's pretty much impossible to get tickets, they are reserved for club "sócios". Any other game (even involving one of the mentioned teams) it's fine as the stadiums never fill up (tickets are expensive when wages are as low as they are here) so you can just get to the stadium on match-day and buy your tickets on the spot.
The best match to enjoy and have a good time is the Taça de Portugal final. Tickets aren't expensive and you can easily see a BIG match as the tickets are sold to general public. But this happens in May.
You can buy tickets online easily as well, but I've never done so.. I just show up and get them on the spot.
Porto's stadium is the best :D I also like Braga's, and I'll hit you up with my opinion on Sporting's Alvalade after todays game
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I look forward to the feedback! (sorry for being late with the message)
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The Alvalade Stadium is pretty ok.. If I were to visit a stadium, I wouldn't choose it though. The Dragão (Porto) or the Axa (Braga) stadiums are far more interesting. I hear the Luz (Benfica's) is pretty cozy, but I never went there (hoping to see the CL final this year tho, that would be amazing)
Alvalade has pretty good acoustics. It's really REALLY loud. The stadium wasn't full (so I guess even being a big game you could get tickets fairly easy) it was at around 70% capacity, but the sound was immense! A good experience, but it really lacks the charm of the other stadiums. It's as if it is missing character, even though the atmosphere is nice.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1m7jpWWJ-BQ/TVWsV7GHdLI/AAAAAAAAAzE/9xPALqHoUwY/s1600/wp_estadio3_1024x768.jpg)
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@Nameless 24
That's awesome! Man let me think about some of best stuff here in our little ol' country.
The Algarve region is already very much THE go-to place for tourists... pricey, but worth it.
Lisbon and Oporto are the big cities to visit, Oporto is easily accesible via the Faro airport.
Personally, I'm big into local tourism so I love to highlight and chat about the Aveiro district and it's many towns.
Stuff to do and see in Aveiro:
-Anadia Wine Museum;
-Roasted Pigglet in Mealhada;
-Vila da Feira Castle and the Medieval Fair;
-Blueberry Harvest in Sever de Vouga;
-Salt Hills in Aveiro City;
-Mardi Gras in Estarreja;
-Pateira de Fermentelos in Oiã;
So much stuff...
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Max, but that's the thing.. There's almost nothing portuguese about Algarve.. And Porto is more easily accessible via Porto's aeroport I guess :p
Aveiro is a great suggestion!
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You can take a plane from Faro to Porto via Ryanair, is what I'm saying. Algarve seems to atract most outsiders which is why it's not easy to recommend somethin' else.
Still, Aveiro is just crawling with french and spanish tourists during Summertime. Praia da Barra, Costa Nova and Vagueira are good beaches, but... sometimes the amount of wind you gets ubber annoying.
In Estarreja, the Torreira beach is also a good spot, kudos to Praia do Furadouro in Ovar, assuming that the rising tides don't damage it too much (this years was insane).
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I should have added that I am not a big fan of beaches at all (done enough of that in my own shitty country...and France....and Jamaica....and Wales!, they feel the same)
I guess it's understandable that French/Spanish tourists would occupy certain areas.
I don't mind though, just as long as we can travel without trouble and hopefully be understood by Portugese locals! (not sure if you guys are the exception regarding understanding English)
I do know that the people are very friendly from impressions of fellow Mancunians.
Your posts are very informative! I may look into this Wine Museum too!
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Talk to younger people! Older people usually don't understand english at all and will just scream vaguely related portuguese words at you :)
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Talk to younger people! Older people usually don't understand english at all and will just scream vaguely related portuguese words at you :)
Ah I see...how young are we speaking? People my age?? 30s??
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Ah I see...how young are we speaking? People my age?? 30s??
20s/30s most likely will understand and speak simple english. Usually that's a given in most cities.
Also, never forget:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm4sWo9w0DQ[/youtube]
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20s/30s most likely will understand and speak simple english. Usually that's a given in most cities.
Also, never forget:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm4sWo9w0DQ[/youtube]
Interesting, but I am not a fan of other countries forcing their citizens to learn other people's languages (including English!). It's interesting that most Portugese people may understand me, but kind of saddened how we've dominating every country to learn it.
I wish we learnt other languages but the British are known to be pretty ignorant...
Cool vid! Gonna watch when I'm at home though.
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Relax! Schools here teach English, French, German, Spanish.. Students need to pick two, and of course English is the most chosen one :P
That commercial has reminded me! If you're in Lisbon, take a walk on the Parque das Nações (Nations' Park, or Park of the Nations). It was Expo 98's location, at Tejo's marginal. It's a beautiful place to take photos. VISIT THE OCEANARIO!!! It's one of the most exquisite oceanariums in existance. If something interests you, watch a show or concert at Pavilhão Atlantico (currently named MEO Arena). It's a closed concert room with incredible acoustics and atmosphere.
All these things are located in the same squared km, very identifiable. You can also ride the teleférico.
Here's pictures of everything (sorry for the pictures sizes, please scroll left and right):
Parque das Nações
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Rio_Tejo_e_Parque_das_Na%C3%A7%C3%B5es.jpg)
Oceanario
(http://www.aquaflux.com.br/arquivos_site/imagens_noticias/2011321453367800097.jpg)
(http://blogs.diariodonordeste.com.br/andarilho/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Ocean%C3%A1rio2.jpg)
Pavilhao Atlantico
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Pavilh%C3%A3o_Atl%C3%A2ntico_-_dynamosquito.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FitxlnxECgU/TNF6SzfUvvI/AAAAAAAAAmg/jherB1-STDc/s1600/P1020344.JPG)
Teleferico
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3J96zzBoycg/TgeQSj4SuRI/AAAAAAAAABA/OuU5P63WlQs/s1600/pra%25C3%25A7a+das+na%25C3%25A7%25C3%25B5es+e+telef%25C3%25A9rico+lisboa.jpg)
(http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/102162798.jpg)
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Interesting photos! Is this all in the middle west of Portugal?
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Interesting photos! Is this all in the middle west of Portugal?
This is all in Lisbon alone bro
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Don't you mean Lisboa? ;)
Need to know how many days to devote there. Since we want to see most of Portugal if possible.
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I am not sure if nameless has left yet. He/She probably knows this already. I just wanted to inform something to anyone else who is traveling abroad. You may need vaccinations. I would check here:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list
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I am not sure if nameless has left yet. He/She probably knows this already. I just wanted to inform something to anyone else who is traveling abroad. You may need vaccinations. I would check here:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list
Unfortunately I already know of that site, but it's great that you've posted it regardless for many other people!
Luckily in Portugal there are hardly any diseases that aren't in the UK either. The only concern is if you're travelling to the Maderia (?) Islands, as someone got Malaria there once.
I go in September, so it's still a ways yet.
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Unfortunately I already know of that site, but it's great that you've posted it regardless for many other people!
Luckily in Portugal there are hardly any diseases that aren't in the UK either. The only concern is if you're travelling to the Maderia (?) Islands, as someone got Malaria there once.
I go in September, so it's still a ways yet.
Once, yeah.. I wouldn't worry about it anyway though. I've been to Madeira, pretty cool place to visit as well!
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Once, yeah.. I wouldn't worry about it anyway though. I've been to Madeira, pretty cool place to visit as well!
What's out there then? If you don't mind me asking?
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Going in a week! I shall see you soon! :D
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Sorry I totally forgot about this thread!
So did you enjoy it here? Are you still here? ahah