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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Agnostic007 on January 23, 2020, 09:37:15 PM
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Never been, pretty excited about it. Mar 17 to April 15. I'm told that still still isn't a lot of time. The for sure list. London (Since we fly in there) Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Barcelona, Amalfi Coast,
Would love to fit in Normandy Beach, Santorini, Munich or Berlin and Amsterdam. Whats the must do list? I don't want to bite off more than we can chew but I don't want to under plan either.
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The greatest single piece of travel advice I have ever read came from American travel guru Rick Steves, advising us to use internationally recognized words:
If my car is broken in Portugal, I don't say, "Excuse me, my car is broken." I point to the vehicle and say, "Auto kaput."
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Never been, pretty excited about it. Mar 17 to April 15. I'm told that still still isn't a lot of time. The for sure list. London (Since we fly in there) Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Barcelona, Amalfi Coast,
Would love to fit in Normandy Beach, Santorini, Munich or Berlin and Amsterdam. Whats the must do list? I don't want to bite off more than we can chew but I don't want to under plan either.
Hope you have a good time, London and Paris is not quite what they were back in the 80s but i do hope you'll enjoy Rome, Florence, Venice and Barcelona!
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What do you want to see? You've got a good list of musts already.
If you're in the area to see Munich, I'd think about going to Austria instead. It's in the same general region, the landscape is spectacular, the cities are all very pretty...Munich can offer you beer, tourists and a short trip to Dachau concentration camp.
Amsterdam is an interesting place - I think it's worth a visit.
Berlin seems to be THE place to go now. I went back last year for the first time in 25 years and still didn't like it at all. Ugly, dirty - lots of hipsters. If you're into military history it might be worth it to spend a few days there though - there's lots to see in that respect.
If you have a car I'd invest some more time in Italy. Fucking awesome country, great people, and if you can get away from the more touristy areas, the best food you've ever had. Driving around Tuscany - there are so many smaller places that you could just take your time exploring. And also in that general region, I've heard Slovenia is beautiful. I've never been, but everyone I know who has raves about it.
It doesn't look as though you're going to Northern Europe. My happiest memories of my first European trip as a backpacker was Sweden. That was a long time ago though and it sounds like it's changed for the worse.
Have fun man.
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It doesn't look as though you're going to Northern Europe. My happiest memories of my first European trip as a backpacker was Sweden. That was a long time ago though and it sounds like it's changed for the worse.
Have fun man.
Let me guess, 80s or 90s? :D
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what kind of things do you like to do?
Lionking musical is a fairly mainstream play.
walk along southbank from houses of parliament to London bridge is good. Lot of food trucks.
Hyde park is nice.
Harrods, Hamleys toy store.
Street entertainers in covent garden
A walking tour
The Sir John Soame museum is pretty unique.
There are quite a few video blogs on youtube for a day or two in London.
The Normandy area is worth a day. Pegasus bridge, Omaha beach, the museum. Omaha beach is covered in shell casings.
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I’ve been to most of those places. I’ll shoot you a PM Sunday with some things I did and places I stayed etc. I’m a big history dude so I’ll let you know some of the cool stuff I experienced, but you need to either extend your trip or figure a way to fit in Munich. Bavaria in general is beautiful.
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Let me guess, 80s or 90s? :D
1992 mate.
Beautiful Stockholm.
Gothenburg, Malmo, Uppsala....
Beautiful Swedish chicks happy to jump into bed with you. I very nearly stayed there.
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Never been, pretty excited about it. Mar 17 to April 15. I'm told that still still isn't a lot of time. The for sure list. London (Since we fly in there) Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Barcelona, Amalfi Coast,
Would love to fit in Normandy Beach, Santorini, Munich or Berlin and Amsterdam. Whats the must do list? I don't want to bite off more than we can chew but I don't want to under plan either.
What are you going to do about your woman's little dog?
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Stavanger, Oslo, Copenhagen, Prague!!. Prague is by far the best city i europe to visit as a singel man ::)
Amsterdam is also great. Paris is a shithole!! Rome is ok
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Get a notebook – large or small. At the end of every day, write down everything you did, saw, ate, etc.
Grammar and punctuation are not relevant.
I guarantee that, a year later, you’ll read your notes and be stunned at what you forgot.
Have fun!
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Visiting EU in winter , no thanks !.
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Stavanger, Oslo, Copenhagen, Prague!!. Prague is by far the best city i europe to visit as a singel man ::)
Amsterdam is also great. Paris is a shithole!! Rome is ok
Perhaps for older travelers !.
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Enjoy the muzzie infestation...
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London, Scotland, Ireland and Paris would be a good jump for 3 weeks.
If you are going to Italy, then I would jump a uber cheap cruise that left Nice and sailed down the Italian coast stopping at Capri, Amalfi, Corsica, Naples (see Pompeii) and exiting at Civi port outside of Rome. 2 days in Rome and you are set.
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Get a notebook – large or small. At the end of every day, write down everything you did, saw, ate, etc.
Grammar and punctuation are not relevant.
I guarantee that, a year later, you’ll read your notes and be stunned at what you forgot.
Have fun!
Good idea this one...
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Get a notebook – large or small. At the end of every day, write down everything you did, saw, ate, etc.
Grammar and punctuation are not relevant.
I guarantee that, a year later, you’ll read your notes and be stunned at what you forgot.
Have fun!
It's called smartphone and Facebook. They will send you a "memory" one year later.
Carrying a notebook around in Europe might cause them to think he is a damn poet and he'll just get his ass whooped.
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Don't forget your burka. This isn't Europe after V-E Day.
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What are you going to do about your woman's little dog?
Sadly Gigi passed away a few months ago. So that won't be an issue now
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What do you want to see? You've got a good list of musts already.
If you're in the area to see Munich, I'd think about going to Austria instead. It's in the same general region, the landscape is spectacular, the cities are all very pretty...Munich can offer you beer, tourists and a short trip to Dachau concentration camp.
Amsterdam is an interesting place - I think it's worth a visit.
Berlin seems to be THE place to go now. I went back last year for the first time in 25 years and still didn't like it at all. Ugly, dirty - lots of hipsters. If you're into military history it might be worth it to spend a few days there though - there's lots to see in that respect.
If you have a car I'd invest some more time in Italy. Fucking awesome country, great people, and if you can get away from the more touristy areas, the best food you've ever had. Driving around Tuscany - there are so many smaller places that you could just take your time exploring. And also in that general region, I've heard Slovenia is beautiful. I've never been, but everyone I know who has raves about it.
It doesn't look as though you're going to Northern Europe. My happiest memories of my first European trip as a backpacker was Sweden. That was a long time ago though and it sounds like it's changed for the worse.
Have fun man.
No car.. Is a eurorail pass worth it? We are trying to figure out how best to get around. We hear flying is pretty cheap and can save time. The bullet train is a great option. Our goal is to fit as much in as possible in a month but also temper it against too much traveling time. We are thinking of forgetting trying to fit too much in for this trip and then if and when we go back, hit those places we missed like Ireland, Sweden etc
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what kind of things do you like to do?
Lionking musical is a fairly mainstream play.
walk along southbank from houses of parliament to London bridge is good. Lot of food trucks.
Hyde park is nice.
Harrods, Hamleys toy store.
Street entertainers in covent garden
A walking tour
The Sir John Soame museum is pretty unique.
There are quite a few video blogs on youtube for a day or two in London.
The Normandy area is worth a day. Pegasus bridge, Omaha beach, the museum. Omaha beach is covered in shell casings.
I really want to fit in Normandy. I think it would be sad to travel all the way there and not see it. My Dad joined just in time to be part of the occupational forces in Japan and Ive grown up intrigued by D Day and the sacrifices made. Band of Brothers is my favorite movie/series of all time. It would be surreal to visit.
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I’ve been to most of those places. I’ll shoot you a PM Sunday with some things I did and places I stayed etc. I’m a big history dude so I’ll let you know some of the cool stuff I experienced, but you need to either extend your trip or figure a way to fit in Munich. Bavaria in general is beautiful.
Thanks!
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Stavanger, Oslo, Copenhagen, Prague!!. Prague is by far the best city i europe to visit as a singel man ::)
Amsterdam is also great. Paris is a shithole!! Rome is ok
I've heard time and time again Prague. Never thought of it before but after looking into it it certainly is a possibility. I have to do Paris just because... If I were single.. definitely Amsterdam. Would still love to go anyway.
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London, Scotland, Ireland and Paris would be a good jump for 3 weeks.
If you are going to Italy, then I would jump a uber cheap cruise that left Nice and sailed down the Italian coast stopping at Capri, Amalfi, Corsica, Naples (see Pompeii) and exiting at Civi port outside of Rome. 2 days in Rome and you are set.
Thats a pretty good idea! We have 28 days.. I'll see if something like that works
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No car.. Is a eurorail pass worth it?
Great way to meet Kiwi sluts 18-25 on a bread and water budget. You won't believe what these chicks will do for a block of cheese.
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Great way to meet Kiwi sluts 18-25 on a bread and water budget. You won't believe what these chicks will do for a block of cheese.
sold
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Great way to meet Kiwi sluts 18-25 on a bread and water budget. You won't believe what these chicks will do for a block of cheese.
They hardly afford 1 way ticket from Auckland - Sydney :D
Was she big Kiwi mama ;D
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I really want to fit in Normandy. I think it would be sad to travel all the way there and not see it. My Dad joined just in time to be part of the occupational forces in Japan and Ive grown up intrigued by D Day and the sacrifices made. Band of Brothers is my favorite movie/series of all time. It would be surreal to visit.
On my photo gigs, the travel trip included a stop at Normandy where we did a very LONG walk (and a few parts where we rode private trolleys) that retraced the steps the soldiers took as they landed and fought inland, town by town. Incredible experience. I am not sure if they offer this to the public as the travel director had to put it together piece by piece on his own about six months before we arrived. It included the location sites used in many of the WW2 films and tv shows.
Paris is... Paris. Let's be honest here, that dreamy notion of Paris being a city of beautiful people walking around wearing the latest fashions.... well that ain't happening. If you see a beautiful person, you can be assured they ain't French. You will see these skinny ass bird legs in those super shrink wrapped skinny ass skate boarder jeans walking around dressed like grunge is storming back in mainstream. Perky little tits, bracelets and, of course, a cig in their mouths. And the women are just as bad. The time of year you are there may still be a little cool, so you are lucky that most of them will have their feet covered up. They have the worst busted up feet I have ever seen. And before you ask "why are you looking at their feet?" well, you can't help it. It is like the worst they are, the more they are supposed to show them off in sandals and flip flops. You got to keep an eye of those MFers, otherwise they will walk into you and lacerate your ankles. And that bread.... hardest bread I have ever had. Fuck that. 3 days is all you need here.
The Italian coast is another thing all together. Better people, better food, better views. It is cleaner and even SMELLS cleaner due to all the lemons that are there. Capri, Amalfi, Positano, can all be seen in one long day each. Take a boat ride so you can appreciate the real view and beauty of it. Capri - walk the long trails, to the Sphinx of Villa San Michele, visit Anacapri, have a great dinner and drink to the sunset, the Blue Grotto is there, but you can skip it. If you get a picture of it on a postcard, that is good enough. Naples - go to see Pompeii. You can arrange a day trip from Rome to see this as well. Amalfi - water boat tour around, moped tour through the town up to the top, drinks, just explore... every corner hides a little secret.
Being single in Amsterdam is overrated. It's still an amazing city. You don't have to be single in it to enjoy it. Just the site of bicycles everywhere is something you have to get used to. I don't being ridden either. I mean just laying about. They have what we would consider a parking garage just for bicycles. It is literally the bicycle capital of the world. There are more bicycles than people in the city. Something like 850,000 people there and over 1 million bicycles. It's nothing to come to a light post with 8-9 bicycles stacked on top of each other like pancakes. All locked up. If yours is on the bottom or in the middle? Good luck. Get a passerby to help you with lifting some up and wiggling yours out. Or for the short tempered type, cut the lock cables on the other bicycles and toss them off the bridge into the canal until you get to yours. IIRC, there are about 18,000 - 20,000 bicycles hauled out of the canals each year. And over 100,000 bicycles reported stolen. About 3 days here.
London - ignore the Islamic trash. It's hard.... but try. The city is one of my favorites. I could easily move to it if Mohummud recalled all his people. It is so rich in culture and history. Really it is great. Forget about the muzzies or the weird Royals. I have had some of the best times of my life in this city.
Don't know what your drinking habits are like, but one trip I gigged on (the route I mentioned earlier) started in Ireland with tours, parties and two days of events at the Guiness brewery. We jumped over to Scotland next (airfare in Europe is dirt cheap compared to here) and did a 5 day Scotch tasting route, took the train down to London... which was an experience itself. Once the doors for the train opened, every one of the locals made a mad dash to get on board and sit on just one side of the aisle. I was like "wtf they all want that side for?" I mean literally, the opposite aisle had 3 people sitting there, with tons of empty seats. The other side had about 40 people there... Luckily we had our car and realizing that they knew something I didn't, I sat on the same side as they did in the previous car. Good call too. Heading south, you could look out the left side (that I was on) and see rolling green hills, little white sheep grazing out there with not a single fence around, the cliffs that dropped straight off into the water, the very very old little stone monasteries, etc... so perfect. Like a postcard come to life. At the same time you look in the other direction.... junk yards, scrap metal recycling companies, brick crushing factories, mobile home trailer parks, run down deserted garage industry shops.... I mean that railroad track literally divided to completely separate worlds.
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Never been, pretty excited about it. Mar 17 to April 15. I'm told that still still isn't a lot of time. The for sure list. London (Since we fly in there) Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Barcelona, Amalfi Coast,
Would love to fit in Normandy Beach, Santorini, Munich or Berlin and Amsterdam. Whats the must do list? I don't want to bite off more than we can chew but I don't want to under plan either.
Rome is a must. You can see unbelievable things there. You look at what artists could do with marble sculptures way back then without modern tools... and without the heavy duty mechanical machines we have now for lifting tons of stone, rock, etc... it is amazing. If you asked people to do that now days, I don't think anyone could. Every time a gig comes up that includes Rome, I go. I was there last in November 2018 for 7 days and never tired of it. Keep in mind that photography isn't just what gets me these gigs, but it is a passion for me as well. So I can't expect everyone to see the beauty there like I do, but I have never met anyone that went to Rome and did not love it. I can just wake up at sunrise and start walking, exploring every alley, every courtyard, every residential common grounds. There is so much to photograph. Door designs, door knockers, tiny fountains tucked away out of sight, etc... For people watching, there is no better city. You can also book a lot of day trips from Rome as well to other places. The only thing that isn't too great about Rome is the Italians. Loud and most just stink. I mean, this is why washing your face and arms in the bathroom sink once a day is called an "Italian bath" Taxi drivers are the worst. Chainsmoking cigs like they are getting paid to. And the nastiest teeth ever. I mean, everyone talks about British teeth, (and they are correct), but Italians generally have straight teeth, but they are stained three shades of shit brown from 1) expresso 2) cigs 3) fucking Nutella that they put on everything they eat for breakfast. And loud.... the only people I know louder than Italians are the damn Australians. Florence is great too if you appreciate art and culture beauty.
Venice is amazing. However, this would be what I would put last on your list. Not for any other reason than you need to see it in absence of any other part of Italy. 3 days is plenty. 5 days if you really want to see it completely and slowly.
You have Santorini on your list. If you are going to Greece, don't just go to Santorini. Go see all the Greek Isles. And Athens. That can be a trip in itself. One trip I have done 4x now is a cruise that leaves Civitavecchia and goes around to Venice, stopping at (usually with some variations) Sicily, Amalfi, Mykonos, Athens, Santorini, Corfu, Kotor, Ephesus (Turkey), Naples/Capri, and a couple other ports that the cruise lines swaps in and out with some of the ones I have listed. The only I do is the travel director flies us in to Rome for 4 days, we leave for the port of Civitavecchia and do a 10-12 day cruise that ends up in Venice for 4 days. We cover the Greek Isles in that time. If you look, you can find some bargain rates at the last minute.
Barcelona, forget it at this point. It is not worth the time to travel there, the money you will spend getting there, only to wind up bored after two days. Better to spend two days in a place you really like than packing up and hauling your ass there for a ho-hum experience.
Berlin, Munich,, good but since you have so many other options for first time travel, I would save these for another time.
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When in Europe:
- Don't talk about how small things are in Europe.
- Don't talk about how expensive things are in Europe.
- When you talk about going places, don't say "drive" (Don't say, "I like to drive to the beach"...
Say, "I like to go to the beach") - Don't talk cars unless the other person is a gearhead and brings up the subject himself
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No car.. Is a eurorail pass worth it? We are trying to figure out how best to get around. We hear flying is pretty cheap and can save time. The bullet train is a great option. Our goal is to fit as much in as possible in a month but also temper it against too much traveling time. We are thinking of forgetting trying to fit too much in for this trip and then if and when we go back, hit those places we missed like Ireland, Sweden etc
Eurail can be a great idea. Be aware, it doesn't work in Switzerland (but I think if you want that type of scenery you'll get pretty close for a lot less money in Austria anyway).
Eurail is great for going city to city. Better than plane I think, because sometimes the airports can be a bit far out of the city centre and then you have the added hassle of getting yourself and gear somewhere central.
If you've got a month, definitely pick a few places to spend more time in rather than many. There's a lot that get's missed in a one or two day visit to any city and you never really get a good feel for a place in so short a time.
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When in Europe:
- Don't talk about how small things are in Europe.
- Don't talk about how expensive things are in Europe.
- When you talk about going places, don't say "drive" (Don't say, "I like to drive to the beach"...
Say, "I like to go to the beach" - Don't talk cars unless the other person is a gearhead and brings up the subject himself
When visiting nude beach in Croatia , don't wear clothes !.
When in Rome , prize FC Lazio ,Juve in Torino & FC Milan & Inter in Milan
When in London, wear FC Millwall jersey ;D & visit Chelsea wearing it :D
When in Berlin , Roman salute is appreciated ;)
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Call chips french fried pertaters. Loudly compare everything to things Back Home. If they have any technology past 1980 be amazed. Order hamburgers and ask for ketchup. Take photographs of people going about their daily business, smile broadly for no reason, and dress like a toddler.
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the tips are great. Thank you all for putting in a lot of effort giving me tips. I really appreciate it. After reading the posts and talking to friends that have either been there or lived there we've updated our itinerary to this:
March 17th. Fly to London arrive on the 18th
London 18th to 21st where we leave for Paris
Paris 21st to 24th where we leave for Milan
26th to 29th Florence with day trips to various places
29th to 4th Rome with day trips to various places
4th to 7th Sorrento with day trips to Amalfi and various places
7th to 11th Munich " "
11th to 13th Amsterdam
13th 15th London then home
We took off Ireland and some other locations as the "explore a few locations rather than try to fit in many" rang true And we are planning to go back to do a Northern Europe trip and a Mediterranean cruise so we thought about not doubling some of the places.
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the tips are great. Thank you all for putting in a lot of effort giving me tips. I really appreciate it. After reading the posts and talking to friends that have either been there or lived there we've updated our itinerary to this:
March 17th. Fly to London arrive on the 18th
London 18th to 21st where we leave for Paris
Paris 21st to 24th where we leave for Milan
26th to 29th Florence with day trips to various places
29th to 4th Rome with day trips to various places
4th to 7th Sorrento with day trips to Amalfi and various places
7th to 11th Munich " "
11th to 13th Amsterdam
13th 15th London then home
We took off Ireland and some other locations as the "explore a few locations rather than try to fit in many" rang true And we are planning to go back to do a Northern Europe trip and a Mediterranean cruise so we thought about not doubling some of the places.
May i have a request Agnostic?
Take some pictures when you are in London and Paris (not of you, but of people in the streets) and post here on Getbig when you are able!
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May i have a request Agnostic?
Take some pictures when you are in London and Paris (not of you, but of people in the streets) and post here on Getbig when you are able!
seems easy enough.. little hurt by the "not of you" but ok... :)
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1992 mate.
Beautiful Stockholm.
Gothenburg, Malmo, Uppsala....
Beautiful Swedish chicks happy to jump into bed with you. I very nearly stayed there.
LOL!!!!
There is a Gothenburg, Nebraska in the USA. I know that because a missing persons case that took place in Gothenburg was featured on my favourite Ironage TV show - Unsolved Mysteries! The Christi Nichols case. :)
Gothenberg, USA!!:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothenburg,_Nebraska
And LOL @ Upssala, Sweden - we have a town of that name here in Ontario!! But they butchered the spelling:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upsala,_Ontario
LOL @ there being a town named Upsala in Minnesota too - also named after the original/Ironage Swedish city, and also with butchered spelling:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upsala,_Minnesota
And lastly, LOL @ the fact that the quickest route from Upssala Upsala, Ontario to Upssala Upsala, Minnesota is by travelling through Thunder Bay, Canada:
:D
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less than two weeks out...28 day European trip seems to be falling to Shi$ as we speak. I have read all the info on COV-19 and I am comfortable the spouse and I will be fine. HOWEVER, 13 of the 28 days are in Italy and to be honest, Italy was one of the main reasons I wanted to go. We booked 2 months ago non refundable, Got about 10K tied up. I'm willing to take Milan off the list bit damn.. it's not such an issue at the moment elsewhere. Anyone over there that has some insight into how bad this virus scare is affecting the museums, public transportation, Icons, restaurants etc?
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less than two weeks out...28 day European trip seems to be falling to Shi$ as we speak. I have read all the info on COV-19 and I am comfortable the spouse and I will be fine. HOWEVER, 13 of the 28 days are in Italy and to be honest, Italy was one of the main reasons I wanted to go. We booked 2 months ago non refundable, Got about 10K tied up. I'm willing to take Milan off the list bit damn.. it's not such an issue at the moment elsewhere. Anyone over there that has some insight into how bad this virus scare is affecting the museums, public transportation, Icons, restaurants etc?
No insight but, dude, in light of the COV-19 I'd expect the travel agency/entities involved would accommodate
a rescheduling of such an expensive trip. "No" is an opinion until you give up.
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/1543ea0468267393d4c86a3a46d13c4a/tumblr_mkpbjk1NnX1r04g55o1_500.gif)
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less than two weeks out...28 day European trip seems to be falling to Shi$ as we speak. I have read all the info on COV-19 and I am comfortable the spouse and I will be fine. HOWEVER, 13 of the 28 days are in Italy and to be honest, Italy was one of the main reasons I wanted to go. We booked 2 months ago non refundable, Got about 10K tied up. I'm willing to take Milan off the list bit damn.. it's not such an issue at the moment elsewhere. Anyone over there that has some insight into how bad this virus scare is affecting the museums, public transportation, Icons, restaurants etc?
There will be complete new meaning for the term "health tourism" after this tourney.. ;D
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Did Covid ruin Agnostics vacation!?
I'd avoid Italy imo
We had some swedes visiting Italy last week and came back with Covid
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Visit genesis gym in Wembley. That's where I train
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Did Covid ruin Agnostics vacation!?
I honestly don't give an aerial intercourse about pretty much any and everything. The Covid thing is bad but so is the regular flu virus. So many virus have been called the end of man and yet here we are.
I worry more about muslimes taking him and his beloved wife out (I think he is married but I could be wrong). No American deserves that. He'll be fine. As will the Earth. Or is that Erf...Earf?
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I wouldn't get on a plane right now. Eat the loss if you can't reschedule.
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Sadly Gigi passed away a few months ago. So that won't be an issue now
Sadly for your woman. You be like
(https://www.alturalearning.com/wp-content/uploads/importance-of-celebrating-life-milestones.jpg)
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Agnostic
Hope you can postpone your 30 days-trip to next year!
Either that or change destinations.
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Come to Ireland I’ll show you some of the hot spots.
We can have a few drinks and talk politics
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Agnostic, how is Italy?
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AGNOSTIC!
TALK TO US!
Hope you are well
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When are you coming here, cop?
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Did he go on the trip? Hope he did not lose his money?
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AGNOSTIC!
TALK TO US!
Hope you are well
I think it was around March 11 when it became apparent this trip wasn't happening. We booked everything around Feb 7th so being so close to leaving and in good health I didn't bother with trip insurance. Had I bought trip insurance I doubt it would have been the expensive "cancel for any reason" version so it wouldn't really have mattered. We booked some hotels through Booking.com, Expedia and the rest directly with the hotels. Had about $7K tied up at the time with airfares, trains, hotels, tours etc. When Italy shut down Expedia was the first to refund our money even though all hotels were booked Non-Refundable. Booking.com did try and reach out to the hotels we booked through them. London, Paris and Amsterdam basically said "Yes, we know you can't get to us, we know its not your fault, but too bad". even when we tried to get vouchers instead of refunds. At the end of the day we were about $3900 in the hole when a friend mentioned he had to cancel a trip for the same reason and his credit card company stepped in and covered it. With nothing to lose I called my Chase CC, we used it to book everything. it took an hour and 20 minutes on hold but when I got through to a human they had me list out all the hotels, flights, dates etc and then covered them all. I had the credits back on my account the next day. They wouldn't normally do that but he said due to the special circumstances with the virus they were doing that a lot.
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Wouldn't even do vouchers! Fucking pieces of shit...
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Glad to hear you covered. Stay healthy and well.
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I think it was around March 11 when it became apparent this trip wasn't happening. We booked everything around Feb 7th so being so close to leaving and in good health I didn't bother with trip insurance. Had I bought trip insurance I doubt it would have been the expensive "cancel for any reason" version so it wouldn't really have mattered. We booked some hotels through Booking.com, Expedia and the rest directly with the hotels. Had about $7K tied up at the time with airfares, trains, hotels, tours etc. When Italy shut down Expedia was the first to refund our money even though all hotels were booked Non-Refundable. Booking.com did try and reach out to the hotels we booked through them. London, Paris and Amsterdam basically said "Yes, we know you can't get to us, we know its not your fault, but too bad". even when we tried to get vouchers instead of refunds. At the end of the day we were about $3900 in the hole when a friend mentioned he had to cancel a trip for the same reason and his credit card company stepped in and covered it. With nothing to lose I called my Chase CC, we used it to book everything. it took an hour and 20 minutes on hold but when I got through to a human they had me list out all the hotels, flights, dates etc and then covered them all. I had the credits back on my account the next day. They wouldn't normally do that but he said due to the special circumstances with the virus they were doing that a lot.
GREAT!
So money back AND you didn't catch any Corona!
Love ya Gnostic that yer still here with us!
It was for the best that the trip didn't happen!
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No insight but, dude, in light of the COV-19 I'd expect the travel agency/entities involved would accommodate
a rescheduling of such an expensive trip. "No" is an opinion until you give up.
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/1543ea0468267393d4c86a3a46d13c4a/tumblr_mkpbjk1NnX1r04g55o1_500.gif)
Have you learned from me on this?
Yes or no?
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My cousin is presently in Germany visiting her daughter. Her visitor's visa will expire shortly. If no flights are allowed out of Germany or into the U.S., she's likely stuck there. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. While her visitor's visa be extended or will she be forced to fly back to the states and then what happens once she's landed? If she had her druthers, she'd stay there longer. She wisely has no desire to be on a crowded plane for several hours.
May son, who also lives in Germany and is employed by the U.S. government is presently on leave. When that leave expires, it isn't clear what happens. Does he go back to the base he works on which is about 150 miles from where he and his family live, or does he continue to work from home? He's petitioned to be able to come into the office one day a week so he can keep current on his work. My daughter-in-law is able to work from home. One of my granddaughters works in the medical profession. She's be going to work every day. She wears a mask and gloves as protection from potentially infected patients.
When my great-granddaughter is born sometime late in April. Only her mother and one other person will be allowed to attend the birth or visit. There will not be the whole family showing up to see the newborn, as is usually the case.
Life for all of us is going to be disrupted, if it isn't already. It is something we will just have to put up with for our own safety and that of others.
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GREAT!
So money back AND you didn't catch any Corona!
Love ya Gnostic that yer still here with us!
It was for the best that the trip didn't happen!
Thanks! Its all good. Yeah it sucks but damn... who would have thought this would happen? Things are getting serious. Olympics will likely be cancelled. Some medical sources are saying the rate of infection is where it doubles every three days. Last Monday we were at 70 deaths, today over 500 in the US. in the big scheme of things, my trip really doesn't matter.
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Thanks! Its all good. Yeah it sucks but damn... who would have thought this would happen? Things are getting serious. Olympics will likely be cancelled. Some medical sources are saying the rate of infection is where it doubles every three days. Last Monday we were at 70 deaths, today over 500 in the US. in the big scheme of things, my trip really doesn't matter.
Kwon is right. The important thing is that you and your family are still here to make more memories, albeit at a later time and perhaps a different place. Be well.
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My cousin is presently in Germany visiting her daughter. Her visitor's visa will expire shortly. If no flights are allowed out of Germany or into the U.S., she's likely stuck there. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. While her visitor's visa be extended or will she be forced to fly back to the states and then what happens once she's landed? If she had her druthers, she'd stay there longer. She wisely has no desire to be on a crowded plane for several hours.
May son, who also lives in Germany and is employed by the U.S. government is presently on leave. When that leave expires, it isn't clear what happens. Does he go back to the base he works on which is about 150 miles from where he and his family live, or does he continue to work from home? He's petitioned to be able to come into the office one day a week so he can keep current on his work. My daughter-in-law is able to work from home. One of my granddaughters works in the medical profession. She's be going to work every day. She wears a mask and gloves as protection from potentially infected patients.
When my great-granddaughter is born sometime late in April. Only her mother and one other person will be allowed to attend the birth or visit. There will not be the whole family showing up to see the newborn, as is usually the case.
Life for all of us is going to be disrupted, if it isn't already. It is something we will just have to put up with for our own safety and that of others.
Great-grand children? Wow that is very impressive to mePrime.
You had children very early in life and so did your children?
Calculate it for us who are interested.
My kids are under 10 years old.
Can't imagine ever having grand children let alone great grand children.
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Wouldn't even do vouchers! Fucking pieces of shit...
2x
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Great-grand children? Wow that is very impressive to mePrime.
You had children very early in life and so did your children?
Calculate it for us who are interested.
My kids are under 10 years old.
Can't imagine ever having grand children let alone great grand children.
Okay, here you go:
Married at 20; son born when I was 22, daughter when I was 30.
Son married at 22; his first daughter born when he was 24; my granddaughter married at 24; her first born when she was 25; second born when she was 29
Daughter married at 19; her son born when she was 22; my grandson (23) and his fiancee's first born is due next month.
Not so early. By today's standards, I think we all married and had kids at about the average age of or a little younger than many people. There have been no divorces or separations in our family, which is uncommon. My parents divorced, my wife's parents did not.
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Okay, here you go:
Married at 20; son born when I was 22, daughter when I was 30.
Son married at 22; his first daughter born when he was 24; my granddaughter married at 24; her first born when she was 25; second born when she was 29
Daughter married at 19; her son born when she was 22; my grandson (23) and his fiancee's first born is due next month.
Not so early. By today's standards, I think we all married and had kids at about the average age of or a little younger than many people. There have been no divorces or separations in our family, which is uncommon. My parents divorced, my wife's parents did not.
Thanks Prime, great explanation. Amazing what can happen within one lifespan!!
All married and had kids young by todays standards where I am from (western europe).
I am 42 and my kids are 10,9,5 y/o.
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Thanks Prime, great explanation. Amazing what can happen within one lifespan!!
All married and had kids young by todays standards where I am from (western europe).
I am 42 and my kids are 10,9,5 y/o.
Many people strive to be financially set before they start a family. You cannot argue with this. I makes good sense. Did you wait to have kids until you thought you could afford them? There's nothing wrong with this.
There were times when my wife and I barely had the proverbial "pot to piss in" much less provide our son. By the time our daughter was born, we were financially better off. Both our kids became admirable adults. I think youngsters are less affected by a lack of money than their parents believe them to be.
Times have changed things for young people starting out. My kids and my granddaughter were much more solid even though they were young. My grandson and his fiancee aren't in a financial position to have a child, which is why they are living here with family. Hopefully, this will help them catch up to where they should have been before having a baby. My daughter says it is just temporary. Although I hope for the best for them, I suspect 'temporary' is going to last awhile.