Holiday Thread

[Diane65]

So pleased that you had a wonderful time and thanks for sharing your experiences with us. The Red light area is quite an eye opener - I think I lead a sheltered life after walking down that street Bruges is a complete contrast to seeing that - tranquil is how I would describe Bruges. I love reading about everyone's different experiences of the same cities

[schizoFan]

I'm going to NYC next week :)

[McG]

I'm going to NYC next week :)

Wow! Have a great time in the city that never sleeps . . . so no hotel needed.

[Diane65]

I'm going to NYC next week :)

Wow! Have a great time in the city that never sleeps . . . so no hotel needed.

Ooh how wonderful. Have a brilliant time.

Just had 3 days in the wonderful city of Berlin and what an experience. Arrived at our hotel at 12.15 on Friday and had our walking tour booked for 1pm so it was perfect timing http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... roE3RWaPFA our guide Alexander was absolutely brilliant his knowledge and enthusiasm of German history was second to none, he was able to pull all the pieces of history together both passionately and sensitively. I really did get so much out of this tour plus I was with my 18 year old daughter who wasn't even born when the wall was put up, I was in Germany when it was taken down plus my 63 year old friend remembers it being put up so we all had different perceptions of the history.
In the evening we did the tour of the Reichstag dome http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... UZRNhpXnxA which was perfect to do after the walking tour as all the history was so fresh in our minds so the views and the audio guide added to our new found knowledge plus actually lying on the seats at the top of the dome gazing into the sky is just wonderful through the open roof.

The following day we spent in Potsdam http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... jY4SZfbESg on Beate's recommendation, what a stunning place to visit from the beautiful palaces and gardens where we sat out and had lunch to the picturesque town centre. We then got the train over to the East side gallery http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... j4qkiel2yg which was so moving it really does pull at the heart reading all the graffiti and looking at the images - it must have been so tough for so many people. We then headed over to the city for some retail therapy before heading back to the hotel where we rel;axed watching a dog show (its all I could understand with my rubbish German - I did watch who wants to be a millionaire the previous evening in bed (note to self I must improve my language skills)). The following morning we headed off to Charlottenburg Palace http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 2PTGb2JKnA which is simply stunning but unfortunately as we had to come home we could only have a look from the outside and had a wonderful walk through the very lady like gardens.
The public transport is brilliant and we got a small group day ticket which was 16 Euro a day for the three of us and that included the airport plus Potsdam trip which is amazing especially as on the Saturday we took 8 trains, 2 buses and a tram for just under 5 euro each .

All in all I can recommend a trip to Berlin to anyone, it is so easy to get around the people are so friendly, the food is delicious, its really inexpensive - I only spent 100 euro in 3 days for me and my daughter that is including transport, 2 evening meals out, 2 lunches plus 2 lots of coffee and cakes and one of them was at a palace. The city centre was buzzing throughout the day and night so would appeal to anyone from a party animal to a culture vulture.

[steve]

Have a good time in NY schizoFan.
Not exactly a holiday but went to the Festwich music festival in Prestwich this weekend. It was a FREE festival showcasing cover bands. Really enjoyed the bands covering Nirvana, The Clash, Kings of Leon and The Artic Monkeys. There was also a smaller bandstand featuring original bands and heard some really good stuff from them. For a change the weather was good and this certainly added to the enjoyment. Will def go again next year if its on.

[Yinster]

Back from weekend break in Aberdeen with OH. Stayed in the Marriott Hotel in Dyce using my weekend stay with breakfast win from facebook. Then for dinners I use a couple of tesco club card vouchers which were expiring for Bella Italia and Ask Italian. OH pa*d for lunches and return train tickets from Dyce to Aberdeen. I only pa*d for petrol and soft drinks with dinner. Then we returned via Edinburgh where we lunched in Angels With Bagpipes using a lunch voucher. Pretty fancy for OH.

A very cheap weekend indeed.

[Diane65]

Back from weekend break in Aberdeen with OH. Stayed in the Marriott Hotel in Dyce using my weekend stay with breakfast win from facebook. Then for dinners I use a couple of tesco club card vouchers which were expiring for Bella Italia and Ask Italian. OH pa*d for lunches and return train tickets from Dyce to Aberdeen. I only pa*d for petrol and soft drinks with dinner. Then we returned via Edinburgh where we lunched in Angels With Bagpipes using a lunch voucher. Pretty fancy for OH.

A very cheap weekend indeed.

Sounds like the perfect weekend not only because of all the lovely things you've done but I too love getting a good deal. I'm so pleased for you both Just looked up Angels with Bagpipes and it does look rather exclusive (getting ideas as I might visit Edinburgh in December but as I'm doing it as an inexpensive pre Christmas treat I will have to just walk on by ).

[Yinster]

Sounds like the perfect weekend not only because of all the lovely things you've done but I too love getting a good deal. I'm so pleased for you both Just looked up Angels with Bagpipes and it does look rather exclusive (getting ideas as I might visit Edinburgh in December but as I'm doing it as an inexpensive pre Christmas treat I will have to just walk on by ).

Weekend was lovely. Even Aberdeen was hot and sunny and that never happens in Aberdeen. Definitely use tesco clubcard vouchers for restaurants. First time I applied for them and will definitely do it again especially as they are 4X their worth.

When you going to Edinburgh?

[Diane65]

Sounds like the perfect weekend not only because of all the lovely things you've done but I too love getting a good deal. I'm so pleased for you both Just looked up Angels with Bagpipes and it does look rather exclusive (getting ideas as I might visit Edinburgh in December but as I'm doing it as an inexpensive pre Christmas treat I will have to just walk on by ).

Weekend was lovely. Even Aberdeen was hot and sunny and that never happens in Aberdeen. Definitely use tesco clubcard vouchers for restaurants. First time I applied for them and will definitely do it again especially as they are 4X their worth.

When you going to Edinburgh?

I'm looking at the 1st/2nd December - I need to book asap to get a good deal (I will decide tomorrow night - I'm here with my calculator as I already have a few trips planned hence free money a bit limited )

[Yinster]

I'm looking at the 1st/2nd December

Premier Inn had their winter sale last week which is still on. Looking quickly there are some hotels at £29 per night around then. Also St Andrew Day (November 30th ) and weekend nearest that date will probably mean Edinburgh Castle and other venues might be free entrance too. One of the few decent things the SNP has done for Scotland.