State Your Vacation Location!

[Huntn]

I've been toying with the idea of visiting Paris and Italy in November so it's nice to hear your take on this. I would go in with the attitude the weather will become ambiance rather than something to regret. We typically go in the Spring and have thus far been lucky with fewer crowds than the peak seasons.

Off season is the way to go. 40°F might not be so great if you live in the Southern U.S. So far on this trip, highs have been upper 50s-mid 60s.

Yesterday, Naples and Herculaneum, a town/city destroyed by the same eruption that got Pompeii. We've been to Pompeii before. Pompeii is huge! This is much smaller, but just as cool. There is an area which is at sea level where there are 300, 2000 year old skeletons, people who were trying to escape dying, by hiding in storage areas by the water. This area is in a hole 40 feet down that was covered by mud and lava. In fact the entire town was under 10-15 meters of debris that flowed down off Mount Vesuvius before it was discovered in the early 1700s. In the panorama shot, on the right side you can see it's in a hole.

​

 

[Huntn]

Been on Sicily for the last 2 days. First day Messina, today Tripani. We love this island in the Winter. Temp high today in the 60s F.

This was a substantial city 2000+ years ago. Of note there were many Greek structures here from the 4th century BC, all knocked down sometime in the Middle Ages by an earthquake. At the turn of the 20th century, Messina was also flattened by an Earthquake. The standing structures have been reassembled by archeologists. There are building foundations all over.

Selinunte Temple (of Hera) near Triscina, Sicily.


Walk from Selinunte Acropolis back to parking. See temple in middle on horizon.


Taken with iPhone 6.

​

 

[Huntn]

14 hrs jump on a plane in Barcelona back to the States via Paris. Eta: 34 hrs, not looking forward to that...

Update: Home=crash. Hey it's 7am (+1UTC) time to get up... Not.

 

[Starry]

Off season is the way to go. 40°F might not be so great if you live in the Southern U.S. So far on this trip, highs have been upper 50s-mid 60s.

Yesterday, Naples and Herculaneum, a town/city destroyed by the same eruption that got Pompeii. We've been to Pompeii before. Pompeii is huge! This is much smaller, but just as cool. There is an area which is at sea level where there are 300, 2000 year old skeletons, people who were trying to escape dying, by hiding in storage areas by the water. This area is in a hole 40 feet down that was covered by mud and lava. In fact the entire town was under 10-15 meters of debris that flowed down off Mount Vesuvius before it was discovered in the early 1700s. In the panorama shot, on the right side you can see it's in a hole.

View attachment 605994

View attachment 605995

View attachment 605996​

Great pictures! Which one did you prefer? I went back in June with a cruise. Pompeii was on my bucket list and I loved it! I wanted to go to Herculaneum but I went from the cruise with a DIY excursion We took the disgusting train from Naples to Pompeii... worst idea ever. Did you rent a car or take a tour?

 

[macquariumguy]

We had so much fun with our month in Europe last summer that I'm planning another one for this year. This time I think we'll make a loop from Rome to Venice and then down the Adriatic coast in Croatia before coming back across to Italy.

This is my map so far. The circled numbers are the number of nights at each stop.

http://techquarium.com/gallery2z/d/59436-1/Europe2016Map3.jpg

 

[Huntn]

Great pictures! Which one did you prefer? I went back in June with a cruise. Pompeii was on my bucket list and I loved it! I wanted to go to Herculaneum but I went from the cruise with a DIY excursion We took the disgusting train from Naples to Pompeii... worst idea ever. Did you rent a car or take a tour?

I was on a Viking cruise, top notch. We have rented a car previously and toured much of Italy on our own not part of a cruise or a tour, but this time we took an excursion, paying extra, that was offered by the cruise line. A travel touring bus picked us up at the ship (Naples) and drove us about 10-15 miles to the site. Both locations are excellent, but if I had to choose just one, it would be Pompeii due to it's size, 10x as large. Herculaneum is just 5 acres, but a very interesting 5 acres.

We've been on cruises before, my other Oceanic cruise was a Caribbean Disney tour. That cruise line is also top notch, with more of a family instead of a party atmosphere due to the presence of children. Both had excellent food, but Viking edges out Disney for cuisine. Besides the excellent restaurants, The World Cafe was an amazing eating experience. As an example, things like crab legs, lobster, huge shrimp, duck, snails in pesto, and the best muscles I've ever tasted. And they had High Tea too.

My impression with many cruise lines, is that if you don't want the port stop to consist of hanging out in the port, a glorified tourist trap shopping experience, you had to pay extra for an excursion.

What is cool about Viking, is that the cruise, whether it's a River or Oceanic cruise, for each stop, there is an included itinerary, with a tour guide, a walking or panoramic tour, maybe buses, all included in the upfront price of the cruise. So you will see a lot without paying extra. On this 2 week cruise, we paid for 3 extra excursions, which you do instead of the included tour. Herculaneum was one of those, as was the Greek ruins on Sicily. They cost us (2 people) about $500. Viking also had complementary wifi, although if everyone onboard was connected, it was overloaded and glacial.

 

[filmbufs]

We had so much fun with our month in Europe last summer that I'm planning another one for this year. This time I think we'll make a loop from Rome to Venice and then down the Adriatic coast in Croatia before coming back across to Italy.

This is my map so far. The circled numbers are the number of nights at each stop.

http://techquarium.com/gallery2z/d/59436-1/Europe2016Map3.jpg

That looks like a mighty fine trip! Although I would add another night in Venice for sure!

 

[Huntn]

I mostly just hit the county fair these days, since I have long since realized my dream of living where I used to vacation up here in the mountains. However, some of my family love traveling, so I of course collect the impressions they mail back home. Below is one that actually tempted me. It was taken in Sitka, Alaska. There was another photo from there of two eagles “chatting” from the tops of twin masts on a fishing boat in the harbor (probably agreeing to skip the hunting step and try going right to the feast) but I seem to have misplaced it. Anyway I’ll probably stick with my ventures to the county fair. Still, I hope my kin keep getting on those planes and boats because they send back some great desktop photos. Here's Sitka Sound, Alaska (2011).


View attachment 604833

That's the kind of view I've always dreamed of out my back door, but with a less harsh environment.

We had so much fun with our month in Europe last summer that I'm planning another one for this year. This time I think we'll make a loop from Rome to Venice and then down the Adriatic coast in Croatia before coming back across to Italy.

This is my map so far. The circled numbers are the number of nights at each stop.

http://techquarium.com/gallery2z/d/59436-1/Europe2016Map3.jpg

Paestum, Italy looks like an interesting place.

 

[Drewski]

Sounds like you're running a marathon of a different kind. I miss the food!

Oh yes, the food. Wow, did we eat...

It doesn't get much fresher than this. Make your picks right at the seaside fish markets and let them cook it up.

You can't throw a stone without hitting a food vendor of some sort there. So we ate...

...and ate...

...and ate...

...and, well, you get the idea.

Baby octopus!

So good, and it costs pennies. Fresh, at a "locals only" type place up the mountains. The next closest restaurant was buried in a recent landslide. Good for the competition, I guess.

Here, I'll save you the head.

It is an island after all. Seafood everywhere, and so cheap.

Ok, now I'm getting hungry.

 

[bradl]

Oh yes, the food. Wow, did we eat...

It doesn't get much fresher than this. Make your picks right at the seaside fish markets and let them cook it up.

You can't throw a stone without hitting a food vendor of some sort there. So we ate...

...and ate...

...and ate...

...and, well, you get the idea.

Baby octopus!

So good, and it costs pennies. Fresh, at a "locals only" type place up the mountains. The next closest restaurant was buried in a recent landslide. Good for the competition, I guess.

Here, I'll save you the head.

It is an island after all. Seafood everywhere, and so cheap.

Ok, now I'm getting hungry.

Dammit, I hate you. Now I'm hungry.

BL.

 

[AlliFlowers]

Now I'm homesick as well as hungry! I've got to go back. Bought some starfruit the other day and the memories flooded back. I'd kill for some fresh lychees....

How'd the race go?

Oh yes, the food. Wow, did we eat...

It doesn't get much fresher than this. Make your picks right at the seaside fish markets and let them cook it up.

You can't throw a stone without hitting a food vendor of some sort there. So we ate...

...and ate...

...and ate...

...and, well, you get the idea.

Baby octopus!

So good, and it costs pennies. Fresh, at a "locals only" type place up the mountains. The next closest restaurant was buried in a recent landslide. Good for the competition, I guess.

Here, I'll save you the head.

It is an island after all. Seafood everywhere, and so cheap.

Ok, now I'm getting hungry.

 

[T Coma]

Now I'm homesick as well as hungry! I've got to go back. Bought some starfruit the other day and the memories flooded back. I'd kill for some fresh lychees....

How'd the race go?

For her it was quite challenging since (1) it was in the mountains with lots of elevation changes, and (2) it was 56km which of course is longer than the usual marathon length.

For me, it was a challenge too, since there was plenty of 台灣啤酒 available at the finish line area. But I met the challenge and bravely worked my way through it.

 

[AlliFlowers]

For me, it was a challenge too, since there was plenty of 台灣啤酒 available at the finish line area. But I met the challenge and bravely worked my way through it.

Oh you poor, poor, brave man!

Kudos to your wife!

 

[Huntn]

Oh yes, the food. Wow, did we eat...

It doesn't get much fresher than this. Make your picks right at the seaside fish markets and let them cook it up.

You can't throw a stone without hitting a food vendor of some sort there. So we ate...

...and ate...

...and ate...

...and, well, you get the idea.

Baby octopus!

So good, and it costs pennies. Fresh, at a "locals only" type place up the mountains. The next closest restaurant was buried in a recent landslide. Good for the competition, I guess.

Here, I'll save you the head.

It is an island after all. Seafood everywhere, and so cheap.

Ok, now I'm getting hungry.

Any bugs in there?

 

[T Coma]

Any bugs in there?

Nope.

However, if you'd like a sip...

Hey, you asked.

Wasps. That's right, I said wasps. This makes that "worm in the tequila" bit look like kid's play.

 

[T Coma]

Also, I'd be remiss in neglecting to mention the NYE countdown and fireworks show. They shoot the fireworks from the Taipei 101. That's right, from the building itself... one of the tallest buildings in the world. It's quite the amazing show, and there are many, many videos on YouTube.

We had a great view from on top of our hosts' 10 story condo building; we weren't at the million+ person celebration down by the 101, but the convenience of a nearby bathroom and stocked refrigerator more than made up for it.

 

[Huntn]

Visiting the Circle B Reserve (a wildlife reserve and water conservation/ restoration project) on a quick trip to see my Dad in central Florida. 1200 plus acres of widllife goodness, really enjoyed it. Saw bunches of birds, Sand Hill Cranes, and 3 gators. If you are familiar with the history of Florida, in the name of farming, the U.S. Corps of Engineers really screwed the State up before they understood the importance of estuaries, and rivers. Or maybe they understood it, but held commercial agriculture above all the tree-hugger stuff.

All taken with my iPhone 6... In ideal conditions the iPhone takes outstanding shots.

​

Spot the Bird

​

 

[Tilpots]

Just got back from a weekend in Boone, NC and posted some shots on my site here:

http://capefeargear.com/high-country-escape-boone/

This was my fav. It's a guy taking a pic of The Blowing Rock.

 

[Huntn]

Mall of America Water Park, Bloomington, Mn. Winter outside, sauna inside...

 

[lowendlinux]

Lake Garda looks soooo beautiful. I would love to see this place with my own two eyes. Post a pic here when you return!

We live at the beach, so we do mini trips all year. NYC in March/April, DC for the Fourth, and Cincinatti next month. Hoping to get to the NC mountains to camp this fall too.

From out the hotel room balcony...little late though

 

[maflynn]

We're going to be heading up to the White Mountain regions of NH later this summer. I'm, looking forward to that trip. I my take a quick extended weekend trip up there, just me and the kids. The wife doesn't do camping but my kids want to go.

 

[Apple fanboy]

We're going to be heading up to the White Mountain regions of NH later this summer. I'm, looking forward to that trip. I my take a quick extended weekend trip up there, just me and the kids. The wife doesn't do camping but my kids want to go.

Enjoy it. If you get good weather that makes all the difference.
Maybe taking a short trip in the summer. Our first vacation for 5+ years. Just have to see if a couple of things pan out first.
Probably go for one of those lodges in the forest. Somewhere nice and quiet where we can head out if we want to, or just chill out if we don't. Just in the UK though (where I live).

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I'm going to go hiking at Pinnacles National Park soon with my family; I've never been there and it seems very interesting to me. I plan on taking a lot of photos with my new DSLR so I might post a few if there are any decent ones

 

[maflynn]

Enjoy it. If you get good weather that makes all the difference.

I go up there a number of times each year, and while the weather will certainly enhance the experience, I've camped in less then ideal weather and still had a great time.

 

[Huntn]

We're going to be heading up to the White Mountain regions of NH later this summer. I'm, looking forward to that trip. I my take a quick extended weekend trip up there, just me and the kids. The wife doesn't do camping but my kids want to go.

The last time I took the family camping 2 decades ago, Custer State Park, S.Dakota, it thunder stormed every night and I longed for a cabin, although it was a fun trip.