Ship of Fools: The world is my oyster

Thread: The world is my oyster Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Jenny Ann (# 3131) on :

Hi all,

I find myself in the enviable position of wanting to go away this year (to celebrate the end of my twenties) and some pennies to spend on a nice holiday/trip (We're based in the UK).

I love nice, hot weather but don't really want a 'normal' beach holiday. I want to do something special!

What would you do? I'm spoilt for choice!

Jen

Posted by Eutychus (# 3081) on :

How adventurous do you want to be, how many vaccines are you prepared to have and are you willing to travel to places with endemic malaria?

Posted by Jenny Ann (# 3131) on :

good questions.

I have no issue with malaria tablets, have had the yellow fever vaccine but it's a bit difficult to go to anywhere where my partners disabilities (not mobility related) are too much of an issue.

I/we don't do mountain biking, too long hikes or too sporty activity. We have a liking for geological features (me) and classical stuff (greeks/romans/egyptians etc - him).

I had thought Iceland, but my actual birthday is June and I want some darkness at night!

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :

Do you like cities or wilderness? or something in between?

Moo

Posted by doubtingthomas (# 14498) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Jenny Ann:
We have a liking for geological features (me) and classical stuff (greeks/romans/egyptians etc - him).

Some places come to mind which would combine the two, but since my flatmate went to the likes of Petra (and came back raving about it), the region may have become a trifle too hot for casual travel...

What about Turkey?
Istanbul is brilliant all round (I can testify to that myself); also, there are lots of classical sites on the coast, and geology and pre-classical stuff inland. Plus warm weather.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

How about Sicily? It's no more dominated by organised crime than Nice or Venice (or London I suspect). Lots of culture but Palermo's not the nicest of places.

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :

aren't there some nifty volcanic sites in the greek isles? that could give you old ruins AND geologic candy.

also - consider the big island of Hawai'i if you dig geology. not a lot of "classics" in the european sense, though. maybe Japan? fascinating geology AND a fascinating human history.

of course, if you're REALLY into geology, consider coming up here. yeah, yeah, it's a long way. and there's not much in the way of visual human history (we build with wood. wood rots.) but you can't beat the mountains, glaciers, hot springs, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

not to mention the wildlife. of the human and non-human variety.

as for hot - it's all relative, but contrary to popular belief we do hot. high 80's F here, high 90's F in the interior. there is a lot of light, yes, but you deal with that. not as hard as you think with a little pre-planning. if you do choose Iceland or another polar spot, let me know and I'll give you some pointers about the light thing.

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Jenny Ann:
... We have a liking for geological features ... I had thought Iceland ...

My thoughts exactly - I wouldn't let the perpetual daylight stop you. Mind you, the times I was there were once in December (hardly any daylight at all) and once in February (not much).

Didn't stop them being the best holidays we've ever had. [Smile]

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Jenny Ann:
... love nice, hot weather but don't really want a 'normal' beach holiday. ...We have a liking for geological features...

Come to Arizona! We have more hot weather than you can shake a stick at, but no beach. You want geological features.. we've got the world's most beautiful!

And we've got friendly Shipmates here and next door in New Mexico, who'd love to show meet you!

Posted by art dunce (# 9258) on :

Machu Picchu

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :

Hell. Yes.

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :

The Top End ... Kakadu, Lichfield, Uluru, Humpty Doo, all waiting for you

Posted by Eutychus (# 3081) on :

The two places I'd been that I first thought of in answer to your question were Iceland and Turkey. In the light of others' comments I'd also recommend Iceland.

The flight is not exhaustingly long and there are sites where it's really like being on another planet (see here).

Hotels are fitted with blackout blinds so assuming you can sleep, you won't notice it's not dark once in your room.

From Keflavik airport, take the coach transfer to the Blue Lagoon geothermal pools for a relaxing bathe after your flight (they look after your luggage) and then let them take you on to a hotel in Rekjavik.

There's lots to see and do within easy reach of Rekjavik and/or a day's drive. If you're content to stick to the main road (singular) and larger secondary roads, you'll be fine with a regular car, otherwise a 4WD is recommended.

Alternatively, fly to the north and visit Akureyri and the region bordering the Arctic circle. If the weather's good, the flight, on a small plane, is a great way to see the less hospitable interior from above.

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :

I have to agree with Zappa in as much as the top end of Australia is loaded with geological features, Uluru, Kakadu national park, devils marbles, the olgas, kings canyon, Katherine Gorge and the list goes on. It is slightly less well endowed (I may be understating a little here) with any classical Greek or Roman features....although the rock art in Kakadu is some of the oldest on the planet.

Malta is a great place with heaps of history, you can go snorkelling or scuba diving and see coral and there are some cool geological features on the island of Gozo, including great fossils. I had a great time in Malta and the weather would be fab in June/July.

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :

Given the influx of Syrian refugees into Turkey and the recent firing into a refugee camp just inside the country, I'd probably not plan a Turkish holiday too far ahead just now while it's all still rumbling on: it hasn't come to a head yet.

I'd suggest Italy instead. You get all the Roman stuff, some stunning scenery, great food and wine, and you can do the major cities by train with a rail pass. Pompeii also has a railway station.

How much heat do you want? Italy can be blistering in summer, as can anywhere in the Med.

Posted by LeRoc (# 3216) on :

I heard some good things about Sardinia. I'd really like to go there one day.

Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :

Seconding Turkey. You want classical sites? You got 'em. You want fabulous geology? You got it. Fabulous place [Smile]

Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :

All those are good suggestions - although I have to admit the advent of Google and the like have been a life changing experience. Instead of the queues, fumbling for passports, injections, bag searches, cancelled flights, packing and everything else that goes with a holiday, just type in the ocuntry and area of choice and you can see it on screen. Just sigh 'ah great! now been there!' and you have also saved the money.

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Turkey, yes.

Macchu Picchu I found completely underwhelming. Although the mountains were nice. Otherwise, Peru is great. Combine it with a yacht trip around the Galapagos.

M.

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :

quote:
Originally posted by sebby:
All those are good suggestions - although I have to admit the advent of Google and the like have been a life changing experience. Instead of the queues, fumbling for passports, injections, bag searches, cancelled flights, packing and everything else that goes with a holiday, just type in the ocuntry and area of choice and you can see it on screen. Just sigh 'ah great! now been there!' and you have also saved the money.

it ain't the same as being in a place.

Posted by BalddudeCrompond (# 12152) on :

I'd suggest Sicily too. The ruins at Agrigento and Selinunte are stunning; the salt 'farms' at Mozia, Mont'erice....tons of history and lots of interesting antiquities as well...and we sicilians are very very nice folks as well, and will be thrilled that you've chosen our island.

Posted by Snags (# 15351) on :

I'd certainly second Petra, and for at least two days if not longer. However, unless you're happy to travel about quite a lot to other places and/or have friendly 'locals' (we went out to visit friends who worked with the FO) it's not enough for a holiday on its own. And tours seem to be of the "half a day here, half a day there" variety.

We were lucky enough to have two days in Petra, an overnight stay in Wadi Rum, and also see a few other more every day places, and to be able to do so in the company of good friends. Makes a world of difference!

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

I'd third Sicily: I think Mozia is one of the few places you can see Etruscan remains that haven't had half a dozen other civilisations piled on top. Plus the view from Erice ( you can go up in a cable car from Trapani) is worth the price of admission in itself.

Noto, unfortunately, is mostly under scaffolding these days, in an attempt to conserve the limestone carvings, and the ruins of Noto Antica are pretty well lost in undergrowth now. But if you want to see the most impressive evidence of what an earthquake can do, it's worth going to the original Poggioreale. Whole streets look eerily intact, until you look through the doorways. The place reminds me of a china bowl that has been struck and completely crazed, but holds its shape although shattered. And the thing that struck it was the Earth.

And of course Etna is very impressive, and usually just a little bit lively.

Plus the food is wonderful, and it's the home of Marsala - what more do you want?

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :

Thera

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

Apropos Sicily, if you want a bit of home from home, for the British anyway, you can get the ferry to Malta and spend a day or three there. The best crossings take about 90 minutes from Pozzallo.

Posted by passer (# 13329) on :

Another vote for Turkey - Marvin's photos made me sigh, been to both of those and there are dozens more similar places to visit. There's also a decent coast, of course. Prices are reasonable and the people are friendly and hospitable, and we always felt safe. I'm a great fan of the Greek islands myself, nuff sed.

My daughter was in Iceland last year and took some breathtaking photos, but it's not cheap, and quite limited if you're not into schlepping about ruggedly! But she loved it and will be going back.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

Firenze mentioned Etna, and it (she?) is erupting again.

Posted by Bob Two-Owls (# 9680) on :

How about a cruise around the aegean? Plenty of stopping off points with lots to see, plenty of relaxing days on deck if you don't feel like going ashore. Good medical facilities on all the ships I have been on, as far as I have tested them.

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :

I can't pass up the temptation to be a parody of myself and recommend Detroit. [Two face]

Of course, if anyone ever finds themselves going there for any reason, I can recommend things to do and see, but even I wouldn't try to convince someone with the world for an oyster to go to Detroit. Although it would be pretty funny.

Sadly, I'm not well-traveled enough to make any serious suggestions. But were the world my oyster...wow, that is a tough one!

Posted by Balaam (# 4543) on :

Another vote for the Grand Canyon, get up early sit on the canyon edge and wait for the sun to rise. While you are there a visit to Brice Canyon and Zion Canyon in Utah should be fitted in.

Try Madeira. There are no beaches, and not much sea bathing, but the whole island is a garden paradise. When God made Eden he was only practising. Madeira is the finished article.

Posted by Enigma (# 16158) on :

New Zealand - I visited the South Island only for a week which was nowhere near long enough and am planning to go back sometime soon for a proper visit of all of it. I think everything you might enjoy is there -- if you want company I'm available. [Biased]

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :

If you are a fan of the romanesque rather than the Roman (although there are a number of classical sites), you might find the northern route of the Camino to Santiago to be of interest. It has the advantage of being less crowded than the main drag into Santiago and, at the end of every day, you end up in a small coastal town with a beach and some very good restaurants. There is no need (unless you'd rather) to bunk with the Bavarians in the pilgrims' hostels, as there is plenty of other accommodation along the route. It is easily reached from the UK, with ferries into Santander, and flights into Bayonne, just over the border from France, or Bilbao.

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Enigma:
New Zealand - I visited the South Island only for a week which was nowhere near long enough and am planning to go back sometime soon for a proper visit of all of it. I think everything you might enjoy is there -- if you want company I'm available.

New Zealand would be a fabulous place to visit. I have the impression, anyway, that it's a postcard everywhere you look. I'm not sure I could handle such a long flight there myself, though!

ETA: I've been trying to remember the last place I've thought I'd really like to go if I ever could. I remember now - Moscow! Only to be able to visit the Virgin of Vladimir icon and Rublev's Trinity icon which are both at
A friend of mine visited Croatia a while back (early '00s) and rather enjoyed it. Anyone else have experience there? I hear it's beautiful, and there's quite a bit of history - and probably not a ton of tourists. this museum (but in a church connected with the museum, thankfully!).

[ 15. April 2012, 03:59: Message edited by: churchgeek ]

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :

OOPS! Sorry, I meant THIS museum!

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :

South India. Disabilities catered to... history, geology.

New Zealand. Definitely. I was there Last year for three weeks. If I were 25 years younger, I'd move there.

Even to Christchurch.

Posted by Jenny Ann (# 3131) on :

Oooh, Thanks for the ideas everyone.

Turkey - This probably isn't going to happen as my sister lived there for a couple of years - my holiday would quickly become hers/a lecture on why we weren't doing it right.. ( [Roll Eyes]

- maybe in a few years)

Sicily - good idea, although I just told stoo Etna was erupting and he went a bit pale [Big Grin]

will certainly investigate this further.

Japan - just doesn't appeal for some reason. Nor a cruise, but good idea, certainly memorable.

Alaska - YES!! I'd love to! again, will investigate further. ditto Hawai'i.

Australia and NZ - yeah, I'd love this but want to give it more planning and more time than I probably have available this year (at least 5 weeks...)

Thanks so much everyone so far!

Jen

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