The "I'm Traveling somewhere" Thread

[Azyiu]

I forgot to post the update on my short Paris trip. A while back I asked for recommendations on what to do or see in Paris. So my wife and I will be spending 4 days there by the end of this month via Eurostar from London. I will take this opportunity to make a ride report video for my little YouTube channel (link below) We will be visiting the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre Museum over this short city trip. I am not sure if we will have the time for a riverboat ride or not, but we can always save it for next time. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0n3ng7HMKnPOJqVz87AkzA

[El Barto]

I forgot to post the update on my short Paris trip. A while back I asked for recommendations on what to do or see in Paris. So my wife and I will be spending 4 days there by the end of this month via Eurostar from London. I will take this opportunity to make a ride report video for my little YouTube channel (link below) We will be visiting the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre Museum over this short city trip. I am not sure if we will have the time for a riverboat ride or not, but we can always save it for next time. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0n3ng7HMKnPOJqVz87AkzA

Be sure and research Versailles to see when/if they'll be turning the fountains on. They operate pretty infrequently. The giant one (Neptune, I believe) isn't particularly impressive, but the rest of them are quite nice. When I was there it was like twice each weekend day for like 30 minutes.

And plan for a ton of walking. Louis got to ride a horse. You have to walk.

[cramx3]

It looks like I need to go to Singapore for work in 5 or 6 weeks.

[Azyiu]

It looks like I need to go to Singapore for work in 5 or 6 weeks.

Singapore is a very good place to visit. Be sure to set aside a day to visit the Singapore Zoo or the Garden by the Bay.

Today is day one of my trip to Paris. Everything has gone very smoothly thus far, except for a minor hiccup with the Metro ticket machine not working at the Gare du Nord.

[cramx3]

It looks like I need to go to Singapore for work in 5 or 6 weeks.

Singapore is a very good place to visit. Be sure to set aside a day to visit the Singapore Zoo or the Garden by the Bay.

I may not have time off on the trip, maybe a morning to explore before I leave.  It'll be too busy.  The timing of the trip may mean I'm going to want to get back for some plans I have here so extending it for personal is not likely.  I honestly don't want to go, not at all in part due to the city or anything.  I'm just extremely uncomfortable flying for more than 7 hours.  My understanding is the food is great though.

[El Barto]

It looks like I need to go to Singapore for work in 5 or 6 weeks.

Singapore is a very good place to visit. Be sure to set aside a day to visit the Singapore Zoo or the Garden by the Bay.

I may not have time off on the trip, maybe a morning to explore before I leave.  It'll be too busy.  The timing of the trip may mean I'm going to want to get back for some plans I have here so extending it for personal is not likely.  I honestly don't want to go, not at all in part due to the city or anything.  I'm just extremely uncomfortable flying for more than 7 hours.  My understanding is the food is great though.

They putting you in business class? I don't really want any part of an 18 hour flight, but being in my on little space with access to food and liquor (I don't typically drink on planes, but I'd make an exception for that) would make it alright. If not, can you use your [presumably] gazillions of miles to upgrade yourself?

[cramx3]

It looks like I need to go to Singapore for work in 5 or 6 weeks.

Singapore is a very good place to visit. Be sure to set aside a day to visit the Singapore Zoo or the Garden by the Bay.

I may not have time off on the trip, maybe a morning to explore before I leave.  It'll be too busy.  The timing of the trip may mean I'm going to want to get back for some plans I have here so extending it for personal is not likely.  I honestly don't want to go, not at all in part due to the city or anything.  I'm just extremely uncomfortable flying for more than 7 hours.  My understanding is the food is great though.

They putting you in business class? I don't really want any part of an 18 hour flight, but being in my on little space with access to food and liquor (I don't typically drink on planes, but I'd make an exception for that) would make it alright. If not, can you use your [presumably] gazillions of miles to upgrade yourself?

I'll be in business class.  You are right, it's not the worst, but honestly, the business class flights from Frankfurt that clock in close to 8 hours on plane are miserable for me even in business class.  It could be WAY worse for sure.  It's an antsy thing for me.  I get bad restless legs.  I really shouldn't be complaining about the flight, I'll be "on the clock" the entire time too.  It's just something I don't really have much interest in doing even if it's quite a crazy adventure on company dime.  I'll try to make the best of it, but I'm basically expecting 10 days of misery including the jet lag going there and coming back.

[frogprog]

Anybody have experience vacationing in Antigua?

[El Barto]

Anybody have experience vacationing in Antigua?

If anybody does my money would be on Crimson Sunrise.

[faizoff]

Anybody have experience vacationing in Antigua?

I had a 24 hr layover on that island several years ago. Nice hotel and food and beach area. If you've been to any of those Caribbean islands, to me the experience is pretty much the same across the board. I've been to Nevis and St. Kitts. again this was almost 15 years ago so I'm sure some stuff has changed.

If you're into resorts they all have 5 star services right on the beach. Nevis has a dormant Volcano and I wanted to hike up to it but didn't have time.

Stayed at the Marriott on St.Kitts that has a casino if you're into those sort of things, breakfast was nice there.

[cramx3]

I'm planning a Caribbean vacation myself this year, more likely Aruba or Jamaica at the moment, but my gf and I seriously need to book it this weekend because we keep procrastinating and I actually need to take time off sooner than later.

[frogprog]

Thanks for the replies. Its been a few years but we have been to St. Kitts and Nevis  and  most of the surrounding islands, however they have been cruise stops so you only get to see a small bit of the islands. We just booked at the Royalton, which seems to be a great resort.(hope so, for what they are charging!) Accommodations are the wife's responsibility and I am tasked with excursions. So far I have our usual Segway tour, horseback riding and a sunset sail. Swimming with stingrays and a zip line excursion are also on the short list as well as some of the historical sights.
Its been 5 or 6 years since I have flown and that's the part I don't like. The recent airline problems have not made me feel better about it and I always have major ear /sinus problems which generally linger into the vacation. I'm sure the fabulous beaches will make it all worthwhile!

[Anguyen92]

So my trip to Toronto is coming up a week from Friday.  A few questions I got.  A. Would shops/restaurants accept my credit card from Chase?  B. If not, where do I go to convert USD cash to CAD?  C. Would they accept Apple Pay?

[pg1067]

So my trip to Toronto is coming up a week from Friday.  A few questions I got.  A. Would shops/restaurants accept my credit card from Chase?  B. If not, where do I go to convert USD cash to CAD?  C. Would they accept Apple Pay?

It's been a while since I've been to Canada, but there's no reason any merchant (except cash only places) wouldn't accept any Visa or MasterCard, and Chase has a presence in Canada.

As for currency exchanges, your best bet will be to go to a bank.  EDIT:  Really no reason to exchange currency; if you want CAD, just use an ATM as you would here.

In both cases, look up your bank/credit card issuers' policies on foreign transactions.  Lots of banks/card issuers will charge a foreign transaction fee (sometimes on top of ATM use charges).

I know virtually nothing about Apple Pay, but I imagine it will be as hit or miss as it is in the U.S.

[Azyiu]

My trip to Paris last week went on relatively smoothly for the most part. That being said, got "robbed" at the Palace of Versailles, and almost got "robbed" at the gate of the Louvre Museum.

Long story short, I got my eTickets and vouchers for TWO audio guides for the Palace of Versailles weeks prior to my trip. We got into the museum without any issue, but the guy at the audio guide counter insisted I pay 4 euros to get the second audio guide player; despite the fact that I had vouchers for TWO. The whole time he was speaking French, and I was not sure if he even understand what I was telling him in English. Or he just ignored what I told him and showed him? We were stuck there for a couple of minutes trying to explain the situation with no avail, and in the end, I decided to just pay the damn 4 euros and get on with it.

Then I almost got "robbed" when someone politely stopped me to sign a petition for the deaf. From the corner of my eyes right before I signed anything, I saw those who signed before me had to donate money. They were donating like 10 or 20 or even 30 euros a pop. I just knew something was fishy, nor did I recognize that supposed organization at all. Right at that moment, literally THREE other people jumped out and wanted to corner me, and attempted to "persuade" me to stay and sign. So this time I was the one who don't know any English at all, lol. I just grabbed my wife and quickly walked toward the main gate.

[Nick]

Well, I think I'm going to try my first real "car camping" road trip come May. No hotels (unless you count King's house) (also, King, I may be coming to your house), lots of travel, and good times. Along with the concerts and driving I want to spend some time reading, which I haven't done since my last trip, as well as some Switch games which often get neglected next to my PS5 and PC.

May 4: Travel to Montreal
May 5: Likely find a good Museum for daytime, then Coheed and Cambria
May 6: Find the next best Museum, then Haken
May 7: Haken in Quebec City
May 8: Day off, sneak into King's house
May 9: Haken in Boston
May 10: Haken in Philly
May 11: Haken in NYC
May 12: Extra day off at home, because that's 1,500 miles.

[Anguyen92]

So outside of staying at King's house, where the heck are you going to sleep and how much is it going to cost?

[Nick]

So outside of staying at King's house, where the heck are you going to sleep and how much is it going to cost?

I can put the passenger seat in my car all the way up and put the back seats down to essentially give myself room to lay out a sleeping mat and pillow comfortably. My car is electric, so if I don't get hotels and just use the odd truck station shower I can probably do the travel bit of things for $200 or less.

[chknptpie]

We did a 10 day roadie with camping. Loved the KOAs along our way to 5 different national parks. We actually took a tent and sleeping bags though. Doesn't sound like you're doing that lol but at least at a KOA you have showers and a place to park without someone coming up to your car and bothering you.

[cramx3]

I'm too pampered to do anything like that beyond a night or a no choice situation.  I'd likely not sleep too well so after a few days I'd probably be a miserable prick.  Otherwise the concert road trip sounds pretty awesome.

My gf and I officially booked out 5 nights in Aruba for May.  Burned about 1/3rd of my IHG points for the hotel and used about half of my credit card points for our flight so no money out of my wallet for this vacation.  Of course right after doing so, one of the bands that we both really enjoy together announced a NYC show the night we return  so I think we are both extending our vacation to go to Philly after we get back to see them. 

[El Barto]

I'm too pampered to do anything like that beyond a night or a no choice situation.  I'd likely not sleep too well so after a few days I'd probably be a miserable prick.  Otherwise the concert road trip sounds pretty awesome.

It can be a real blast. If you like to party at concerts, and who doesn't, it's a lot of fun to return to the boonies after the show and carry on around a fire in the great outdoors.

[cramx3]

I'm too pampered to do anything like that beyond a night or a no choice situation.  I'd likely not sleep too well so after a few days I'd probably be a miserable prick.  Otherwise the concert road trip sounds pretty awesome.

It can be a real blast. If you like to party at concerts, and who doesn't, it's a lot of fun to return to the boonies after the show and carry on around a fire in the great outdoors.

Maybe with a group of people, but even then, from my camping experiences, I still feel the same.  After a night or two, I'm absolutely miserable. I'm not built for that life style 

[lordxizor]

We did a 10 day roadie with camping. Loved the KOAs along our way to 5 different national parks. We actually took a tent and sleeping bags though. Doesn't sound like you're doing that lol but at least at a KOA you have showers and a place to park without someone coming up to your car and bothering you.

Which national parks did you do? I'm planning a 2 week, 7 park road trip later this year.

[chknptpie]

We did a 10 day roadie with camping. Loved the KOAs along our way to 5 different national parks. We actually took a tent and sleeping bags though. Doesn't sound like you're doing that lol but at least at a KOA you have showers and a place to park without someone coming up to your car and bothering you.

Which national parks did you do? I'm planning a 2 week, 7 park road trip later this year.

We started in Phoeninx, up to Monument Valley (not a NP), then Arches, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, then back down through Zion and Grand Canyon. Even did a little side trip to Horseshoe Bend - also not a NP. It was such a blast and I could spend a whole week just in Grand Tetons and Yellowstone alone.

[lordxizor]

We did a 10 day roadie with camping. Loved the KOAs along our way to 5 different national parks. We actually took a tent and sleeping bags though. Doesn't sound like you're doing that lol but at least at a KOA you have showers and a place to park without someone coming up to your car and bothering you.

Which national parks did you do? I'm planning a 2 week, 7 park road trip later this year.

We started in Phoeninx, up to Monument Valley (not a NP), then Arches, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, then back down through Zion and Grand Canyon. Even did a little side trip to Horseshoe Bend - also not a NP. It was such a blast and I could spend a whole week just in Grand Tetons and Yellowstone alone.

That sounds awesome. I love all those parks.

[cramx3]

It's been awhile since I did a national park trip.  Would love to again (albeit in a hotel or similar).  Next trip like that is more likely to go to Iceland though.  My gf and I were actually planning on doing Iceland but I requested the beach trip instead because my last few "vacations" which were all long weekends, ahve been extremely busy type of trips with concerts and city hopping.  Iceland would be another busy type of trip of being on the move and being very active.  I just need a break and a trip to do nothing but relax.  Iceland isn't completely off the table for later in 2023 though.

[Nick]

We did a 10 day roadie with camping. Loved the KOAs along our way to 5 different national parks. We actually took a tent and sleeping bags though. Doesn't sound like you're doing that lol but at least at a KOA you have showers and a place to park without someone coming up to your car and bothering you.

If I was doing this with another person it would be a no brainer to look at things like that. It would still be *possible* in the car, but a lot more difficult. But my car has the ability to set temperature overnight, has the plugs and such to keep everything charged and functioning, and so I think I'll be alright just catching showers where I can and keeping my base of operations in the vehicle otherwise. But since I'll be in Quebec City for the extra time, maybe I'll look for something around there to try that out.

[Cool Chris]

Not really "I'm traveling somewhere" but Mrs. Cool Chris and 8 year old daughter are going to Dublin for a week in April to visit wife's sister who is working there for a couple weeks. I am staying home because 1) we didn't want to take our 2 year old and 2) I would rather stay home anyway.

Well... that was cancelled. Fortunately Aer Lingus gave us a voucher, which we just used to book them a trip to Ireland, England, and France with the MiL and SiL for this April. I am going to take the 5 year old to Disneyland. She and I don't want to go to Europe (especially, for me anyway, with the MiL and SiL, and the Missus and 11 year old don't want to go to Disneyland. So we all win.

[TAC]

Not really "I'm traveling somewhere" but Mrs. Cool Chris and 8 year old daughter are going to Dublin for a week in April to visit wife's sister who is working there for a couple weeks. I am staying home because 1) we didn't want to take our 2 year old and 2) I would rather stay home anyway.

Well... that was cancelled. Fortunately Aer Lingus gave us a voucher, which we just used to book them a trip to Ireland, England, and France with the MiL and SiL for this April. I am going to take the 5 year old to Disneyland. She and I don't want to go to Europe (especially, for me anyway, with the MiL and SiL, and the Missus and 11 year old don't want to go to Disneyland. So we all win.

Wow, that's quite a game plan!

[Cool Chris]

The MiL and SiL are seasoned international travelers, so happily, and thankfully, handling all the logistics for that trip.

[Anguyen92]

Well, I'm flying out to Toronto on Thursday night.  I just want to make sure I get this right when it comes to passport stuff.  When I land into Toronto, that's when I need to show my passport?  Also, when I come back to the states, I can have the option of filling stuff out through an app called Mobile Passport Control, get a QR code, and then show it to Customs at the airport along with my passport for them to stamp it?

[pg1067]

I expect you'll have to show the passport to get on the plane and when you get to YYZ.  No idea about the app.  Sadly, my last international trip got COVIDed.

[El Barto]

When I've got it with me I use my passport for any ID check as it's the single most universally accepted ID there is. I do it because it's easier for everybody, but consequently I have no idea when it's necessary and when it's not. The only time I know for sure that it's required is when you arrive in another country because they'll stamp it with a visa. Something I can say is that AA has my passport number, so as long as my ID is verified they already know my passport is valid.

My advice is to just leave your license in your wallet and show everybody your passport when they need ID.

[cramx3]

Yeah not bad advice to just have it on you and show it when ever you need to show ID, I'm not familiar with an app for passport control.  I usually haven't had any issues coming into EWR from outside the country.  It's always been quick and easy for me. You'll notice when you are in customs area in the airport and that's the usual spot to have your passport checked (and maybe multiple times).

[Anguyen92]

All right, I'm back from Toronto.  Was a good trip.  The only time I felt the cold weather was really a problem was when I was standing outside a venue for about four hours waiting in line to get in.  It was worth it to get 2nd row and center at the concert I went to.  Good food.  Helps when the CAD is worth slightly less than USD.

Now regarding customs.  I was ready to enter LAX and do something on an app to get a QR code where I need to get it scanned at customs.  Turns out, I already cleared customs before I got onto the plane in Toronto.  I got to the airport at 5 AM.  Long line.  There was even security talking in the background saying that if their flight was at 6 AM and they are just getting in line now, they are not going to make it.  My flight was at 8 AM, so I'm cool.  Anywho, after you go through the usual metal detectors and bag scans, you get into another line where that's where you do the customs stuff.  They ask you the typical questions (why are you going to the states, are you carrying $10k or more in value etc.), look at your passport, and take a picture of you and off you go to the gates.  Took 75 minutes to get the gates.  Apparently, once I landed in LAX, I didn't need to go to the customs area again.  Just grab my bag and get out.