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So, I'm taking Mrs. Albatross away for Valentine's Day this year. The only thing is, I'm not really sure where I want to go, and neither is she. So far we've discussed Venice, Paris and a Nile Cruise. I'm thinking Europe is out, because it will be too chilly in February, and I'm not sure about Egypt, as I've never really fancied going there.

Our budget is around £1,500 for flights + accommodation, which isn't a lot but I've already found a few handy-looking deals for 'all-inclusive' trips to places like Cuba, Dominican Republic, Morrocco, Tunisia, Florida - stuff like that.

I'm looking for any and all suggestions, so Dakka:


Where should I go?

From what I know, if you decide to go to North Africa, Morrocco is a better destination than Tunisia.

Come to holland for the.... Yeah we get the same drizzle as you guys, but at least we got drugs and hookers.

Honestly though, only place I want to visit is the whole of scandinavia

Come to Ireland!
(We want your money)

Humm, always considered taking Mrs Filbert to Paris but then again, the French and especially Parisians have rather a reputation for being rude and surly.

But then again, its Valentines? You aren't going for the weather (I assume) in which case its for the romance so what better than the City of Love? Or Florence maybe?

Edit: There was a thing on QI about tourists to Paris suffering mental disorders when their illusions are shattered.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome

I loathed Paris. It was smelly, rude and expensive.

How about Vienna?

Southern Sudan sounds good.

So does Ivory Coast.

Western Sahara is closer and Spanish-ish.

Taiwan is always a popular choice.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:I loathed Paris. It was smelly, rude and expensive.

How about Vienna?

My oldest brother went there for some sercret service mumbo jumbo a few years back. When he was done protecting W. he got to go and enjoy Paris. He said the exact same thing. The lines were crazy long, the people were really rude and everything was like 3x what he thought was reasonable. Maybe because he was American, who knows.

I thought Paris was awesome. Wine was cheaper than a Coke. Also Napoleon's Mausoleum was great.

How about Egypt?

MeanGreenStompa wrote:I loathed Paris. It was smelly, rude and expensive.

How about Vienna?

It means nothing to me.

Albatross wrote:

MeanGreenStompa wrote:I loathed Paris. It was smelly, rude and expensive.

How about Vienna?

It means nothing to me.

I've always been intrigued by Morrocco. Florida is a zoo in the winter time. Lots of old people if you're into that. I mean it's a nice winter escape for we in the states... but I never saw it as an international tourist destination unless you're into Disney.

filbert wrote:Humm, always considered taking Mrs Filbert to Paris but then again, the French and especially Parisians have rather a reputation for being rude and surly.

That's not just reputation, that's rather a fact. Even the other French people hate Parisians. But if anyone on Dakka needs informations on the things to do and the things to avoid in Paris to have a good time, just ask me.

filbert wrote:Edit: There was a thing on QI about tourists to Paris suffering mental disorders when their illusions are shattered.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome

I didn't know that, but considering that my last personnal experience with a japanese tourist implied a gun pointed on her head and a guy yelling at me to give him the cash, I can understand the notion of dellusion

@Albatross, have you considered Lisbon? I went there two years ago, and had a really good time. It really is an interesting and beautiful place (there's also the most amazing bar in the world: el pavilhao chines. If you don't believe me, google it ).
It's not too expensive either, you can get a 3/4 stars hotel for a reasonable price and the food is good.

Not sure if it is within your budget mate, but me and the missus went to Croatia a few years back and had the best holiday ever. The country is beautiful, full of interesting places to see and the people are super friendly. We stayed in Dubrovnik in the south which is well worth going to if not staying there.
If your budget wont stretch to that then out of your list I would consider Cuba, maily because now Fidel is not in power it's only a matter of time before it opens up to the west and will loose all of the things which currently make it what it is.

It's a good thing you anticipated the kind of response you would get from an ambiguous thread name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_albatross_breeding_locations

Ahahahahaa...

What about Crete or Cyprus? Still Europe, but close enough to Africa/Middle East to get some heat.

...also, it might be cheaper cos' it's Greece! I hear they will give you a room for a song and/or a dance, and seeing as you are a musician...

squilverine wrote:Not sure if it is within your budget mate, but me and the missus went to Croatia a few years back and had the best holiday ever. The country is beautiful, full of interesting places to see and the people are super friendly. We stayed in Dubrovnik in the south which is well worth going to if not staying there.
If your budget wont stretch to that then out of your list I would consider Cuba, maily because now Fidel is not in power it's only a matter of time before it opens up to the west and will loose all of the things which currently make it what it is.

Wait... is it MORE expensive to go to Croatia than it is to go to Cuba?

That's odd.



Thank-you all for your suggestions, by the way. Keep 'em coming.

Paris is great. I've been a few times. The people aren't rude as long as you're nice and ready to immerse yourself in the culture. Walking around expecting everyone to change their customs to your ideas (sadly, this is mostly Americans) is a very bad idea. It will be cold, expect single digit temperatures (in C).

Venice is a skip, IMO. Its a beautiful city, but very expensive (the locals lovingly refer to it as "The city of price"). There's also not a whole lot to actually go see. You can spend a day or so wandering around, seeing the sights, doing a gondola ride and it's gorgeous. But, after the first day, it gets a tad dull.

I haven't been to Egypt (or anywhere in Africa), so no comments there.

Florida is also a skip. It's super crowded with tourists and the resorts aren't all that great. It's aimed for families much more than couples.

The DR would be an excellent choice, as would any location in the Caribbean. You may be able to find a much nicer (and cheaper) resort by looking at some of the less-traveled islands. I spent a week in Saint Lucia earlier this year, and it was much better than the more common islands. Also, avoid Sandals! It's the easiest to find choice, but you can find better and cheaper resorts out there!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also: I haven't been to Greece, but I've heard great things. It shouldn't be too cold (12C or so, depending on where you go), and there are tons of great resorts where you can relax on the beach by day and go clubbing at night.

Ive been all over the world me, ill give you some great advice.

Anywhere in Western Europe, the Commonwealth, North America and Japan.

Dont ever go - Muslim country, Africa, half of Asia.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
YMMV of course...

America!!..Specifically New Orleans,great music,fantastic food and best of all....I'll make the trip back home,take you guys to every Blues and Jazz club I know and we can all get lamp post hanging falling down drunk....good times.

I agree with Fitz.. go to the US, you have never been before..

Morocco!? I wouldnt go there if you paid for it!

The Virgin Islands, specifically St. John's Island. Almost the entire island is a National park, and it has the least people and least development of all the islands.

Having been to both Paris & Venice, I'd say avoid them, your illusions will be shattered. The best time Me & the Mrs had was Jamaica on an all-inclusive deal, so I'd recommend anywhere in the Caribbean that speaks the English. Aso, Florida kinda sucks.

I loved Vienna; but in the summer. Northern Greece is also awesome in the summer; warm but not so hot as the South, and not overrun with tourists like the South is, either. Croatia's supposed to be great, too, but again, it's Europe. You should go someplace warm.

I agree with all the folks suggesting the Carribbean. Go to a nice, warm, English-speaking island. It's a wonderful change of pace in the Winter.

I've done a couple of Nile cruises (did the Nile cruise for my honeymoon ). Have to say that if you want to see a lot of temples and different places, go for it. I've enjoyed all the cruises I've done on the Nile and Lake Nasa.

Even if you are not sure about visiting, you will be in a group a lot of the time, so there is not so much hassle as you might have expected. You can go out on your own time though (when the boat is docked anyway ), so if you want to head off on your own between tours, you can do so.

FITZZ wrote: America!!..Specifically New Orleans,great music,fantastic food and best of all....I'll make the trip back home,take you guys to every Blues and Jazz club I know and we can all get lamp post hanging falling down drunk....good times.

Slightly out of my current budget, Fitzzy! Although I would love to check out 'The Big Easy' some time. It sounds awesome.

Also,

@Matty - JAPAN!? I hate Japanese culture and it's miles out of the budget I set in the OP, as is most of the Commonwealth and the USA...

I'd go to Egypt, personally.

Always wanted to go there.

Fine, you can come instead.



You look presentable in a bikini, right?

Albatross wrote:

FITZZ wrote: America!!..Specifically New Orleans,great music,fantastic food and best of all....I'll make the trip back home,take you guys to every Blues and Jazz club I know and we can all get lamp post hanging falling down drunk....good times.

Slightly out of my current budget, Fitzzy! Although I would love to check out 'The Big Easy' some time. It sounds awesome.
.

Shame,but I definitely understand working on a budget....but one day Alby...one day...first rounds on me..hell maybe even the second and third.

FITZZ wrote:

Albatross wrote:

FITZZ wrote: America!!..Specifically New Orleans,great music,fantastic food and best of all....I'll make the trip back home,take you guys to every Blues and Jazz club I know and we can all get lamp post hanging falling down drunk....good times.

Slightly out of my current budget, Fitzzy! Although I would love to check out 'The Big Easy' some time. It sounds awesome.
.

Shame,but I definitely understand working on a budget....but one day Alby...one day...first rounds on me..hell maybe even the second and third.

Nice one! Yeah, this is just for a little get-away, so I only have £1.5K to spend on it this time round. We usually have a bigger one in summer.

I'm currently trying to persuade Mrs. Albatross to agree to raiding the savings for a big trip to the USA (she'd prefer Australia, me not so much), and I'd definitely be up for meeting up in New Orleans, like. In fact, I'd be down for meeting any other American Dakkaites who happen to be knocking around, while I'm at it.

Hell Im not a bar hopper, but Id pay for the drinks thats for sure. Although, Id agree on going somewhere better then Michigan. Seriously this state sucks. Hold your right hand palm side up and look at it.......keep going.......almost there........ there ya go, thats the excitement of Michigan. Unless your a bit suicidal then Flint or Detroit would be the place. We could get shot at together