Holiday Thread

[canadian_turtle]

Oh Diane, I'm so sorry to hear about your horrible first holiday day - that sounds awful and pretty traumatising too (especially seeing people knocked over on top of it!). Good on you for being your usual organised self and ensuring that the rest of the trip was much more enjoyable, but I definitely understand this has tainted your holiday as a whole.

[Yinster]

OH and I were wondering what Marrakech was going to be like as that was one of the three options of our holiday win to St PEtersburg. We weren't disappointed when Jet2 said we were going to St Petersburg as we had reservations about Marrakech. The other location was Iceland. I do think it is very cultured at how males treat females over there. And that it would be acceptable behaviour.

[Ms Thrifty]

Glad you had a good time, eumenides and yes, Norway is notoriously expensive, though luckily when I went, it was on an inclusive tour and the person I was with had even thought to bring plenty of chocolate from home, so extra expense was a matter of choice, not need.

Glad also, Diane65, that you had a good time on the whole, despite your awful first day. It's years since I visited Marrakech and it sounds as though the souk situation has deteriorated hugely since; plus I was somewhat protected by being with OH. I think unfortunately the lesson is that as a tourist, to be spared aggressive approaches you need someone local with you. It seems that some locals are so desperate for business that you have to show you have given yours to someone (never mind who), in which case, galling as it is, it is that person's exclusive right to your trade the rest respect, rather than your right to move around unmolested.

[Diane65]

So sorry to read about your problems on holiday Diane but just as well you played it safe and travelled with others and the taxi driver. Hope your next trip is to a safer place and no nasty people.

My next trip abroad is Geneva in May and I cannot imagine the Swiss behaving like that. Now looking back at my photos we did have a lovely time it was just that one day.

I went to Norway years ago but stayed with Norwegian friends. Their lifestyle is designed to be very home orientated so eating out was expensive but house prices were amazing ie their 6 bedroomed house complete with a sauna on a hill in Bergen was the same price as my 3 bed semi in Manchester plus food shopping was the same as here so they do a lot of picnics and entertaining at each others homes.

[eumenides]

My next trip abroad is Geneva in May and I cannot imagine the Swiss behaving like that. Now looking back at my photos we did have a lovely time it was just that one day.

I went to Norway years ago but stayed with Norwegian friends. Their lifestyle is designed to be very home orientated so eating out was expensive but house prices were amazing ie their 6 bedroomed house complete with a sauna on a hill in Bergen was the same price as my 3 bed semi in Manchester plus food shopping was the same as here so they do a lot of picnics and entertaining at each others homes.

Interesting to hear about the house prices. Norwegian Air are intermittently doing very cheap airfares (circa £20) and their online booking system is very straightforward. Think we'll be going back in the summer but probably to Bergen. Excellent tip Diane65, maybe self catering apartments would be a good idea for next time

[eumenides]

Glad you had a good time, eumenides and yes, Norway is notoriously expensive, though luckily when I went, it was on an inclusive tour and the person I was with had even thought to bring plenty of chocolate from home, so extra expense was a matter of choice, not need.

Thanks Ms Thrifty. We came prepared with M&S snacks and parcels of deliciousness so this lessened the blow somewhat. If anyone is thinking of seeing the Northern Lights (baty ?) and doesn't want to get ripped off with a UK arranged packaged tour, you can choose and pre-book your own excursions at the online Tromso tourist information office and tailor it yourself. We were quoted up to 7k for two for 3 nights so ditched the package idea very swiftly, booked ourselves, stayed for longer and saved a fortune. Happy to share the specifics with anyone planning to go.

[prettyxcool]

Just been catching up Yinster's honeymoon adventures! Wow! What a great time you must have had.

I would love to see the Northern nights, so definitely will be asking you, eumenides for details.

I am in the Lake District at the moment, for a couple of days. Took only 4 hours to drive up from London. We had a lovely late lunch at the Hawkshead Brewery's The Beer Hall. The beer and "beer tapas" is so fresh, tasty and cheap! The sun was shining as well and we just sat in the beer garden and enjoyed it.

Later we went into Kendal for a Thai dinner, which was lovely as well.

Looking forward to Windermere tomorrow.

[stone_monkey]

Wow, sorry to hear what happened in Marrakesh Diane65. You must have thought me thoughtless with what I had said. I only just read about your experience - not good. I must have been quite lucky I only got one bout of abuse when I wouldn't b*y from a trader when leaving the Souk whivh didn't tarnish the experience. I did get ripped off in the hotel shop the night before heading to the mountains for my trek. The girl took my money and just disappeared and I couldn't do a thing about it

[Diane65]

Wow, sorry to hear what happened in Marrakesh Diane65. You must have thought me thoughtless with what I had said. I only just read about your experience - not good. I must have been quite lucky I only got one bout of abuse when I wouldn't b*y from a trader when leaving the Souk whivh didn't tarnish the experience. I did get ripped off in the hotel shop the night before heading to the mountains for my trek. The girl took my money and just disappeared and I couldn't do a thing about it

Of course I didn't think that you were thoughtless and it was probably because we were 3 girls on our own that they thought that they could be rude but they quickly backed down when you behave rudely back to them - bullies back down quite quickly when you stand up to them. I too loved the experience in the mountains and now have fond memories when I look at my lamps and my hand made leather shoes (made by the Berbers for £13) Sorry to hear about your money being taken that is rubbish.

Sounds like your having a wonderful time prettyxcool in the lakes. The Manchester FMUKers are looking forward to our weekend camping and star gazing in the lakes in the summer - we will be quite the experts on astronomy after the Glossop trip with MrGlass and then watching the shooting stars.

[canadian_turtle]

Does anyone have any recs for good and affordable accommodation near Stratford-upon-Avon?

And on that note, what are people's recommendations for things to do/see in the Stratford-Upon-Avon/Warwick/Oxford/Birmingham/Cotswolds area?

I've had a brief browse through Stratford-Upon-Avon (+Shakespeare museum), did Warwick Castle and have done walking tours of Oxford and the uni so I know these things myself, but am looking for some alternative recs on top of these. Thanks!