Random Travel Thread

Just got back from Amsterdam a couple days ago.  We took advantage of cheap flights and the long weekend.  The dutch are awesome people and Amsterdam is a pretty damn cool city.  I really enjoy their bike culture.  Apparently there are over 800K bikes in Amsterdam.  For anyone who has never traveled overseas and is a bit hesistant, Amsterdam would be a good starting city for you. 

posted by justincredible

Nice. Will you have much time to explore on the trip?

Not as much as I’d like, during the days it’s usually traveling or meetings, but I should have some time in the evenings.  One night in Hamburg and 2 in Liege, Belgium.

I’m looking forward to the train ride between the two cities.

Heading on a cruise to the Bahamas next month.  I've never been south of North Carolina, so I'm pretty excited about it.

My wife keeps throwing out new destinations for March. We're now considering PHX and Tampa. We went to Phoenix in 2012 so I am familiar with that area. I have never been to Tampa. Is it a worthwhile destination? 

posted by justincredible

My wife keeps throwing out new destinations for March. We're now considering PHX and Tampa. We went to Phoenix in 2012 so I am familiar with that area. I have never been to Tampa. Is it a worthwhile destination? 

Are you picking those locations for spring training?

posted by like_that

Are you picking those locations for spring training?

PHX, yes, Reds ST specifically. Tampa, not necessarily, though we'd probably try to catch a little baseball.

I've heard Ybor City is an interesting place in Tampa.

Im too lazy to look back at what days in March you planning your vacation for but March 3-11 is Tampa Beer Week and March 10th is Hunahpu Day at Cigar City which is an awesome event. 

posted by Iliketurtles

Im too lazy to look back at what days in March you planning your vacation for but March 3-11 is Tampa Beer Week and March 10th is Hunahpu Day at Cigar City which is an awesome event. 

Damn, we'd be there the following week.

I love Phoenix and Tampa is meh to me. Would choose Phoenix 10/10 times. Better golf, hiking and weather.

posted by GoChiefs

Heading on a cruise to the Bahamas next month.  I've never been south of North Carolina, so I'm pretty excited about it.

If you will be in Nassau, make sure to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the old part of the town.  Very relaxing, very scenic.  Even if one of the tires comes off the wheel (as it did when we were on the ride) - no worries, mon.  Just sit back and relax.

I think we've decided on Asheville for our March trip. We will probably spend a day/night in Lexington to start our trip. Is it worth the 2ish hour trip from Asheville to Charlotte to spend a day?

How long will you be there? Charlotte is cool, but not sure it is worth the drive for a day unless there is something specific you want to visit there. Asheville is legit though. Biltmore is worth it once (if you’re into that sort of thing, can get a buzz on the free wine tasting too), lots of micro breweries, Lake Lure/ chimney rock is cool. There are lots of cabins to rent in the area. We have stayed at a bed and breakfast tucked back into the woods a couple times.

Asheville is much better vacation spot than Charlotte. Just stay there the whole time.

posted by Laley23

Asheville is much better vacation spot than Charlotte. Just stay there the whole time.

Unless he wants to catch a game. If he's going late March he can catch the Cavs.

Just got back from 2 weeks in  California.  Glorious weather in the Paso Robles area.  Nice little town.   Hit up a few local places.  So many wineries it's ridiculous!

Now back to cold Ohio. ....

Ok, no Charlotte. Thanks.

We spent a few days in Asheville back in the fall of 2013, I think. We did the Biltmore, which was cool. We'll probably go again but skip the house and just wander the grounds as much as possible. Other than that and the beer, what else do we need to check out?

posted by justincredible

Ok, no Charlotte. Thanks.

We spent a few days in Asheville back in the fall of 2013, I think. We did the Biltmore, which was cool. We'll probably go again but skip the house and just wander the grounds as much as possible. Other than that and the beer, what else do we need to check out?

Yea, don’t pay for Biltmore if you’ve already seen it. Only worth going once. If you haven’t, Chimney rock area is cool since you like the outdoors. It’s cheap and really interesting. I’m sure there are other places to hike too. Like you said, a ton of microbreweries downtown (Wicked Weed was cool) and Sierra Nevada is close by. 

Are you staying at a hotel, B&B, renting a cabin?

posted by iclfan2

Yea, don’t pay for Biltmore if you’ve already seen it. Only worth going once. If you haven’t, Chimney rock area is cool since you like the outdoors. It’s cheap and really interesting. I’m sure there are other places to hike too. Like you said, a ton of microbreweries downtown (Wicked Weed was cool) and Sierra Nevada is close by. 

Are you staying at a hotel, B&B, renting a cabin?

We rented an Airbnb out in a more rural part of town last time. Wife wants to stay downtown this time. She found a nice airbnb for like $81/night right downtown.

posted by justincredible

We rented an Airbnb out in a more rural part of town last time. Wife wants to stay downtown this time. She found a nice airbnb for like $81/night right downtown.

Gotcha. That sould be fun. I don't have much else to offer, as we really have only done the real touristy stuff.