Random Travel Thread

Serious Business 410 replies 13,091 views
BRF's avatar
BRF
Posts: 8,748
Aug 8, 2016 10:50pm
O-Trap;1806320 wrote:
How long and time-consuming is it to get one? And what do you do at the airport once you have it?
We ended up going to CLE and it took about one week to get an appointment for a short interview after you fill out your form on-line. CAK also has appointments but not as many.

It took less than a week to get the letter in the mail for approval. You get a special number to type in on your flight bookings to get your TSA pre-check.
like_that's avatar
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Aug 9, 2016 7:03am
Well Toronto was a great time. I'd like to go again with my gf so I can explore more of the city instead of being drunk with my friends for 90% of the time. We got the vibe from a lot of Canadians that they think they are better than us because we are from the USA (probably because of our current shit show election), so we had to bring a couple Canadians back down to earth. I was quick to remind some smug Canadians about the current exchange and that pretty much ended all arguments [emoji23].

Also, I get pre-check for free thru my line of work, but if I didn't I would pay the 85 bucks to get it. So worth it.

Lastly, ironman how can you have no desire to get out of the country? Come on man, get some culture in you.
Ironman92's avatar
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Aug 9, 2016 8:24am
like_that;1806356 wrote:Well Toronto was a great time. I'd like to go again with my gf so I can explore more of the city instead of being drunk with my friends for 90% of the time. We got the vibe from a lot of Canadians that they think they are better than us because we are from the USA (probably because of our current shit show election), so we had to bring a couple Canadians back down to earth. I was quick to remind some smug Canadians about the current exchange and that pretty much ended all arguments [emoji23].

Also, I get pre-check for free thru my line of work, but if I didn't I would pay the 85 bucks to get it. So worth it.

Lastly, ironman how can you have no desire to get out of the country? Come on man, get some culture in you.
I said would like to see Toronto and Montreal. I don't know I guess I would like to see more of the United States. Did being drunk 90% of the time improve your culture?
like_that's avatar
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Aug 9, 2016 9:43am
Ironman92;1806369 wrote:I said would like to see Toronto and Montreal. I don't know I guess I would like to see more of the United States. Did being drunk 90% of the time improve your culture?
More so than you, yes.
Ironman92's avatar
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Aug 9, 2016 11:24am
like_that;1806379 wrote:More so than you, yes.
Glad you enjoyed your visit with your friends to Toronto. It's not greatly surprising that different people have different desires.
T
thavoice
Posts: 14,376
Aug 13, 2016 10:52am
I did mine July 8th and got it back yesterday so that was at 5 weeks. Of course they are going to be over conservative....and also a money grab saying its 8 weeks.

Automatik;1805861 wrote:I'm in the process of renewing my passport right now. I thought it was 6 weeks turnaround. Well it's fucking 8. I leave in exactly 2 months. Can't chance it, so I have to tack on another $60 to the fee.


Protip: If your passport has less than 6 months of eligibility left some countries can refuse entry. I had no idea about this until recently. My friend was leaving in 2 weeks for somewhere in the Caribbean and it was a place that would adhere to the 6th month rule. He had to pay out the ass to get an even faster version of expedited processing.
Automatik's avatar
Automatik
Posts: 14,632
Aug 30, 2016 9:36am
Looking for any food recommendations Paris. More into "must try" spots over "fine dining."


Also, just booked a house in Pagosa Springs, CO for a few days of snowboarding at Wolf Creek. We wanted to something with more of a "local" feel compared to last year's trip which was expensive as hell (Breck, Vail). This trip will be significantly cheaper, although logistically more of a pain.

Wolf Creek is 4.5 hrs from Denver and averages the most snowfall in Colorado. I still haven't had a good powder day after being out west twice. I'm itching to go already and it's only August. Hopefully the east coast has a better year than last...it was terrible.
Laley23's avatar
Laley23
Posts: 29,506
Aug 30, 2016 11:50am
I've been to Paris twice, and I've honestly had more fun walking along the streets and stopping by a random cafe for food than the more well known places.

Dont get me wrong, some of the best chefs are in Paris, and the food at those places is amazing...but something about he city of Paris screams waterfront cafe at dusk to me.

On that note, I don't remember a single cafes name lol. We have been to about 15 random ones for breakfast/lunch/dinner and they are all tremndous.
Fab4Runner's avatar
Fab4Runner
Posts: 6,196
Aug 30, 2016 12:31pm
Heading to Denver and Estes Park for a wedding next Thursday. Never been to Colorado, so I am looking forward to it.
Automatik's avatar
Automatik
Posts: 14,632
Aug 30, 2016 12:32pm
Denver is awesome. I've never been in the warmer months. I did get to hike around Red Rocks though, awesome place...I want to go there for a show.
Laley23's avatar
Laley23
Posts: 29,506
Aug 30, 2016 12:34pm
Denver is in my top 3 American cities. It's just awesome. One of sunniest places in America as well. 330+ days.
Automatik's avatar
Automatik
Posts: 14,632
Aug 30, 2016 12:41pm
Moving there one day is in the back of my mind, my sister has a house in Wheat Ridge.

Being ~2-4 hours from some of the best snow in the world is very tempting.
OSH's avatar
OSH
Posts: 4,145
Aug 30, 2016 6:36pm
I live 6.5 hours from Denver. I go 4 times a year, or so. It's an awesome city.

Definitely a place to go for breakfast burritos, green chiles, and beer.
Firad's avatar
Firad
Posts: 1,525
Aug 30, 2016 8:02pm
Heading to Honolulu next month. Anyone that's been have any restaurant or beach recommendations on Oahu?
BRF's avatar
BRF
Posts: 8,748
Aug 30, 2016 10:46pm
I am in Rhode Island right now. The food is really good.
O-Trap's avatar
O-Trap
Posts: 14,994
Sep 1, 2016 3:07pm
I'm traveling to Valencia and Santa Barbara a week from Sunday. While most of it will be business, I'd still probably like to grab a drink or a good meal, and I may want to take a prospective business partner somewhere. Anyone with any ideas?
Fab4Runner's avatar
Fab4Runner
Posts: 6,196
Sep 12, 2016 8:27am
Denver was really fun. Definitely a cool city...but also pretty douchey/hipstery.

We were in Estes Park for almost two days, so we went to Rocky Mountain National Park. That was legit. We also went out to Red Rocks yesterday before heading to the airport, which was cool.
Automatik's avatar
Automatik
Posts: 14,632
Sep 12, 2016 12:01pm
Go to the bars downtown? That's the center for bros and the fratty vibe of Denver. We went there in the day on a Saturday, felt like college but fun, lots of debauchery.
Fab4Runner's avatar
Fab4Runner
Posts: 6,196
Sep 12, 2016 2:08pm
Automatik;1810551 wrote:Go to the bars downtown? That's the center for bros and the fratty vibe of Denver. We went there in the day on a Saturday, felt like college but fun, lots of debauchery.
We went to Denver Biscuit Company on Colfax Friday morning for breakfast. Very delicious, but definitely fratty. We actually didn't get to go out in Denver at night because we had to head north for a wedding. So it was really just the vibe I got being there during the day and walking around.
like_that's avatar
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Oct 5, 2016 7:41pm
Headed to Italy next month. We will be in Milan (for a day), Florence, Siena, and Rome. Any recommendations beyond the classic touristy shit? Food?
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Oct 5, 2016 7:42pm
Take a photo holding up the leaning tower!
Laley23's avatar
Laley23
Posts: 29,506
Oct 5, 2016 9:19pm
like_that;1813930 wrote:Headed to Italy next month. We will be in Milan (for a day), Florence, Siena, and Rome. Any recommendations beyond the classic touristy shit? Food?
I'll try to get some food recommendations. My cousin lived in Florence for a bit, just texted her. Hoping she remembers the name of an amazing sandwich place she took me to.

As for Siena, awesome city. Fully engulfed by the wall. I suggest trying to hit up a pub within the walls while Siena plays a soccer game. We were there while they clinched promotion to Serie A, and it was crazy!
iclfan2's avatar
iclfan2
Posts: 6,360
Oct 5, 2016 10:41pm
I'll try to think of Florence too. Had dinner and lunch in two straight up Italian joints that were amazing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
O-Trap's avatar
O-Trap
Posts: 14,994
Oct 6, 2016 12:30am
Had a blast in Santa Barbara a couple weeks ago. Like an I-could-move-there blast. Perfect balance of night life and quiet life.

Also, fun fact: Snuck a pocket knife through the TSA (forgot to put it in my bag before I checked it), but they did confiscate my toothpaste.

Way to be, TSA. I feel much safer without my toothpaste.
Laley23's avatar
Laley23
Posts: 29,506
Oct 6, 2016 5:48am
O-Trap;1813951 wrote:Had a blast in Santa Barbara a couple weeks ago. Like an I-could-move-there blast. Perfect balance of night life and quiet life.

Also, fun fact: Snuck a pocket knife through the TSA (forgot to put it in my bag before I checked it), but they did confiscate my toothpaste.

Way to be, TSA. I feel much safer without my toothpaste.
I had a mini screwdriver buried in my backpack for months. Went through TSA upwards of 25 times at RDU. They finally saw it, and the guy checking my bag starts giving me shit about it. I told him he specifically has been the X-Ray operator a dozen mornings when that has gone through. He was not impressed with my story.