Travel thread

[PhoenixFire]

2 weeks I think. Flying to Dubrovnik and then hopefully going to the coast and doing some island-hopping.

[ripper868]

Greek Islands

Discuss. Best time to go? costs? experiences? hair removal?

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFire

2 weeks I think. Flying to Dubrovnik and then hopefully going to the coast and doing some island-hopping.

We hired a car and drove to Sarajevo while we were in Dubrovnik. Worth the effort if you have a couple of days spare. The scenery from Mostar to Sarajevo is pretty special.

[silentstriker]

In Paris right now. Just had one day so far, but having a lot of fun.

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by ripper868

Greek Islands

Discuss. Best time to go? costs? experiences? hair removal?

Are you going to the main islands (Mykynos, Paros, Santorini etc etc)? I went in September and that wasn't a bad time to be there. A bit quieter, but everything was still running. It's not as hot or as expensive as the middle of summer either. It was still 34 degrees some days though and the water's a good temp.

I can't remember all the costs involved, caught the ferry out to Santorini first from Athens - was 10 hours. Can email you a fairly extensive coverage of my experiences in the Greek Islands that I wrote for my friends...it'll be free, but could be time you never get back The cost of accommodation was low though. I stayed 3km out of the main town (Thira) on Santorini and the hotel was only about 10 euro a night I think. Had my own room and bathroom. Then camped on the east coast of the island for 3 nights and that was 7 euro a night.

Everyone says you should visit Oia if you go to Santorini to see the sunsets, but I was ny myself and had just left an Aussie girl in Edinburgh so a romantic sunset wasn't my thing. Think they're just as good on the other islands too to be honest.

Mykynos is the place to go if you want to party (or push someone's stool in). Ios is similar I think.

The islands off the west coast of Greece (Ionian!?) are a different thing. They're really nice (Captain Corelli's Mandolin was shot on one of them), but transport and accommodation get get expensive there as things shut down after the summer.

Buy a genuine pubic hair wig from one of the street vendors as a souvenir.

[NUFAN]

Originally Posted by ripper868

Greek Islands

Discuss. Best time to go? costs? experiences? hair removal?

I went to Malia in Crete in I think early June and it was pretty crazy.

My days were usually:
relax on the beach - everyone's topless
eat a nice big dinner
party all night - heaps of free drinks, or buy 1 get 1 free deals.
wake up after midday
have all day english breakfast.
Repeat.

It depends on the sort of trip you are planning, I'm sure there is heaps to see but I just went there to do pretty much what I ended up doing.

What do you plan on getting up to Ripper?

[ripper868]

Originally Posted by Son Of Coco

Can email you a fairly extensive coverage of my experiences in the Greek Islands that I wrote for my friends...it'll be free, but could be time you never get back

That would be awesome mate, I'll message my addy to you momentarily.

Originally Posted by NUFAN

I went to Malia in Crete in I think early June and it was pretty crazy.

My days were usually:
relax on the beach - everyone's topless
eat a nice big dinner
party all night - heaps of free drinks, or buy 1 get 1 free deals.
wake up after midday
have all day english breakfast.
Repeat.

It depends on the sort of trip you are planning, I'm sure there is heaps to see but I just went there to do pretty much what I ended up doing.

What do you plan on getting up to Ripper?

That basically sounds something like what i want to do, I won't be going on the trip for about a year or so, was just talking about it with a friend the other night on the phone and she suggested we go overseas together and i think It's a brilliant idea. We both be single at the moment so partying etc definetly on the cards, with a bit of cultural stuff thrown in for good measure, but basically to get away and relax, again haven't planned anything yet really, just heard that the greek islands are a must do for the tourist. I haven't much travel experience sadly, 23 and never been out of the country (same as my friend) .

Will Have about 15k saved up by the time the trip begins, obviously were looking to do more than just greece (rest of europe as well) but thought it wouldnt be a bad starting point.

[Craig]

Don't worry ripper, I used to work with guys who were in their mid 30's and never left Australia or been on a plane . I recommend Tallinn in Estonia as a good place to party and plenty of chances for . Obviously Estonia is nowhere near Greece, but if you are going to see other parts of Europe, then I recommend this place.

[ripper868]

Cheers Craigos, have heard good things about Estonia as well, is definetly be on the list of places to go one day, my character in CW tennis actually hails from there originally. the factor won't be the determining thing as far as where i travel, if it was the be all and end all I'd just jump on a contiki tour.

[Smudge]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFire

Off backpacking in Croatia next week, should be awesome. We have a few hostels booked, but apart from that we are deciding everything else when we get there.

Originally Posted by Craig

How long are you gone for?

Originally Posted by PhoenixFire

2 weeks I think.

Hmm....

PhoenixFire
Global Moderator

"Now we can play the forbidden music..."

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by ripper868

Cheers Craigos, have heard good things about Estonia as well, is definetly be on the list of places to go one day, my character in CW tennis actually hails from there originally. the factor won't be the determining thing as far as where i travel, if it was the be all and end all I'd just jump on a contiki tour.

From Greece Turkey is a good option (haven't been there myself but it's close). If you're looking to cover the rest of Europe though (or at least the bits around Greece) then a visit to the western part of Greece (near Olympia) can see you get a ferry to Italy. I went across to the Amalfi coast for 4 days before coming back and catching the ferry from Italy to Croatia. Did it this way because a jaunt through Albania isn't the best option

Once you're in Croatia you can go anywhere. Can alway go by plane from Istanbul too though. Or Athens.

If you went the Croatia route would recommend seeing the Plitvice Lakes and some of the islands. Slovenia is beautiful too. Some nice beaches in both places. Can then choose to go Western Europe or Eastern Europe. Bosnia's worth a look too.

I'll send that email now too mate...just have to find the email I sent to my friends.

[Craig]

As an Australian passport holder you will need a visa for Turkey, but if you are there for no more then 90 days then it is something you get on arrival. If you hold a New Zealand passport for example then you don't need a visa if you are there for no more then 90 days.

Seems like myself and Coco are CW's two travel experts. I guess having the same passion to travel helps

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by Craig

As an Australian passport holder you will need a visa for Turkey, but if you are there for no more then 90 days then it is something you get on arrival. If you hold a New Zealand passport for example then you don't need a visa if you are there for no more then 90 days.

Seems like myself and Coco are CW's two travel experts. I guess having the same passion to travel helps

That's because the NZ government don't bother looking when their citizens go missing

[silentstriker]

Paris is amazing! Just tried calf head and tongue....meat jello IMO.

[PhoenixFire]

Still up for meeting up at Old Trafford/Headingley for a Roses FC match?