Hot and dry holiday destination.

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Michael L
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#136 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by Michael L »

ratbagp wrote: Thu May 25, 2017 12:40 am So as your interloper Aussie who lives in the US, I suppose I should suggest something from Oz, in this case, near the border of QLD and NSW. In this area there is a saying about the winter weather, 'perfect one day, better the next'. And it is mostly true.

http://ratbagp.blogspot.com/2010/06/bee ... rning.html

The end of the blog entry has some decent sunset photos. I am fortunate in that I go back to Oz each year, and the thing that strikes me most about the place is the light. Very clear and intense, just like a good amplifier sounds.

Still, I enjoy the UK when I manage to get there and I should be there in a week's time.

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pre65
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#137 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

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Last log on before the netbook gets packed in the suitcase.

We will go down to the beach one more time, have a late breakfast. Transfer bus is due about 11:30.

I know Andrew would poo-poo this kind of holiday, but we have both enjoyed it, and that is all that matters.

Next log on should be from home. :)
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Mike H
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#138 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by Mike H »

Okey-doke! :thumbleft:
 
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andrew Ivimey
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#139 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by andrew Ivimey »

Hmmmmmmm who ever really gives a toss about what I may or may not think about however or wherever you have a holiday Phil. Snide comment, You had a grest time? Thats marvellous. Im disappearing in Spain soon, Spain!!!

I love Spain, who cares eh!
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pre65
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#140 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by pre65 »

andrew Ivimey wrote: Thu May 25, 2017 7:04 pm Snide comment
Sorry Andrew, it was not meant to be. :(
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

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Michael L
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#141 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by Michael L »

Andrew, where are you going in Spain? Somewhere off the beaten track?
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andrew Ivimey
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#142 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by andrew Ivimey »

Very beaten track Im afraid...madrid, get used to just not being in the UK, Prado and Sorolla museums,Toledo, Salamanca, Vallodolid, Cuenca, Segovia, then flee to Taragona and fly home from Barcelona where we will not trouble outselves with Segrada Familias etc - we just want to chill,
Last summer we did the Northern bits all the way to Santiago de... and Ive spent too much time in Andalusia- there really is so much fabulousness to see.

We're relaxing into train travel. Im sure you know how cheap, fast,quiet,comfirtable,frequent and on time the trains are.
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#143 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by jack »

Barcelona - lucky man - one of our favorite cities, and one which contains one of the best markets we've ever been to. Maybe even the best in the world.

La Boqueria

A foodies dream. We've spent hours and hours in there over the years. Just wonderful.

Loads of damn good restaurants too. Happy days.
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Dave the bass
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#144 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

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Dartford.
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andrew Ivimey
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#145 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by andrew Ivimey »

Dartford has its own history, famous peeps and wondrous er restaurants.

I found La Boqueria by accident a while back one winter when Barcelona was not so good. How much Tapas can one eat, whilst waiting and waiting and waiting for an evening meal? And it was cold.

Should have gone further south.
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pre65
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#146 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by pre65 »

Whilst on a boat trip round the Cancun logoon I spied some dolphin shaped speedboats that had a closable cockpit and were able to dive and run submerged.

Seems they were "Seabreachers".

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

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Michael L
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#147 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by Michael L »

Michael L wrote: Tue May 23, 2017 7:09 pm Where to go in northern Europe?

We are off next month on our annual trip to Gdansk where we have a flat. This year we are beginning the trip with a flight to Amsterdam to spend a couple of days seeing the sights. Mrs L has never been there. We will travel by train from there.
We are looking for suggestions for a nice quiet place away from city bustle possibly in Germany or Austria or maybe Denmark where we can travel onward after a few days to Gdansk.
Any ideas?
Itinerary now sorted.
Fly to Amsterdam and stay 3 nights at a hotel in Volendam - 30 mins from centre of Amsterdam.
Train to Wernigerode in the Harz mountains for four nights and then Berlin for one night before the final train ride to Gdansk where we have a flat.
Not much time to look at Berlin but we wanted the right balance between slogging around cities and relaxing hikes in the hills.
If only we had decent and inexpensive trains here in the UK.

So does anyone have any must - see recommendations for Amsterdam and Berlin?
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#148 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by Max N »

pre65 wrote: Sun May 28, 2017 6:29 pm Whilst on a boat trip round the Cancun logoon I spied some dolphin shaped speedboats that had a closable cockpit and were able to dive and run submerged.

Seems they were "Seabreachers
How cool. I've wanted a sub like that ever since I read the Tintin story 'Red Rackhams' Treasure'
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#149 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by simon »

Berlin's a wonderful city and remarkably comfortable for a capital. Because of it's relatively recent history there's a lot to see, on top of the usual capital city sights. Public transport is very good though so it's quite easy to get about. But if you're there for just a day you'll have to be selective.

Berlin has an historical division based on east and west, even though it's been all one for 3 decades the clues are still there. I like the Reichstag, the seat of parliament, where the last of Hitler's most loyal soldiers made a stand against the Russians at the fall of Berlin. Sir Norman Foster designed the glass dome on top and the two cool spiral ramps that climb to the top. It's free but you need to book a few days in advance as entrance is limited.

https://www.bundestag.de/en/visittheBun ... ion/245686

From there its a short walk to the Brandenberg Gate. The wall was built just in front; there are some evocative photos of a different time.

https://www.berlin.de/en/attractions-an ... te.en.html

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=brand ... 24&bih=714

The main avenue looks down through Tiergarten, with the Soviet war memorial just down the way.

Just around the corner is the outdoor Jewish Memorial which has a fascinating museum below ground.

http://www.visitberlin.de/en/spot/memor ... -of-europe

And then it's a short stroll to the site of Hitler's bunker. All that's there now is a residential car park and a sign, but it's still somehow powerfully evocative. (Downfall is a great film BTW.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%BChrerbunker

There's probably a busy morning's worth there if you crack on and don't study the reading materials too much.

I guess Checkpoint Charlie museum is worth a visit too, though it's 15 years since I've been so don't know what it's like now. But I found just walking down streets that were once partitioned fascinating.

https://www.berlinpass.com/berlin-attra ... useum.html

In the middle of the centre is Museum Island with 5 world class museums. I haven't been to any of them yet, as I've not managed to squeeze them in during visits to Berlin.

http://www.visitberlin.de/en/spot/museum-island

Not far away is the DDR museum which portrays life in the former East Germany. Which I thought was okay.

https://www.ddr-museum.de/en

We really enjoyed the Stasi museum though, but it might not be for everyone. It's a short journey further in to the old east, and is in what was the Stasi headquarters. If you watched Deutschland 1983 a year or so ago the Stasi scenes were filmed here. I found it quite surreal sauntering through what was once Erich Mielke's office, somewhere once so secretive.

http://www.stasimuseum.de/en/enindex.htm

There are still bits of the wall left, though most has come down. There is a Berlin Wall Memorial:

http://www.berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de/en/

And there's the East Side Gallery, ~1200m of wall that remains and is the largest outdoor art exhibition space, or something like that. 15 years ago I thought it was quite moving - the original panels of the wall were still obvious and the artwork was closer to graffiti and expressed some raw emotions. Now it's somewhat more sanitised, I guess it's not unreasonable to want some of the more unpleasant memories to be diminished; the panels have been rendered to form a smooth canvas and some of the murals are protected with Heras fencing. A lot of the paintings are very good though and it's worth a stroll.

http://www.visitberlin.de/en/spot/east-side-gallery

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=east+ ... 24&bih=714

If shopping's your thing then Kudamm was the place to go in the West. I'm no shopper but I imagine there are top shops all over Berlin now.

The local drink is Berliner Weisse - a white lager-type beer to which they add flavourings. It comes in red or green! (Raspberry or woodruffe.) I enjoyed them well enough but not sure I'd want a skinful!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berliner_Weisse

There's so much more to do in Berlin, but your challenge will be choosing what to do in your day. (Amsterdam's alright too :-) )
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Mike H
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#150 Re: Hot and dry holiday destination.

Post by Mike H »

pre65 wrote: Sun May 28, 2017 6:29 pm Whilst on a boat trip round the Cancun logoon I spied some dolphin shaped speedboats that had a closable cockpit and were able to dive and run submerged.

Seems they were "Seabreachers".

Good lord. :shock:

.
 
"No matter how fast light travels it finds that the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it."
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