Travel Message Board Forums - IndependentTraveler.com http://boards.independenttraveler.com/ Travel Message Boards from The Independent Traveler Talk travel with other travelers, travel tips, travel information, and more en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:20:28 GMT vBulletin 60 http://boards.independenttraveler.com/images/misc/rss.png Travel Message Board Forums - IndependentTraveler.com http://boards.independenttraveler.com/ Poll of the Week: Changing Eating Habits While Traveling http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40605-Poll-of-the-Week-Changing-Eating-Habits-While-Traveling&goto=newpost Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:11:32 GMT Do you eat differently on the road? Vote in our poll! Do you eat differently on the road? Vote in our poll! ]]> Travel Polls SarahS http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40605-Poll-of-the-Week-Changing-Eating-Habits-While-Traveling <![CDATA[Disney's FASTPASS system changed?]]> http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40604-Disney-s-FASTPASS-system-changed&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:27:36 GMT I've heard that Disney changed the FASTPASS rules. Now you have only one hour window to return. Would appreciate some feedback from people who recently visited Disney World. Is that a problem? Did you manage to return in time? Do they let you through if you are a little bit late? I HATE visiting Disney during summer time, but its the only time we can go on vacation this year:mad::(:mad: ]]> Florida LadySara http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40604-Disney-s-FASTPASS-system-changed Poll of the Week: Cancellations vs. Delays http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40603-Poll-of-the-Week-Cancellations-vs.-Delays&goto=newpost Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:43:46 GMT Would you rather have your flight be delayed significantly or canceled? Vote in our poll! Would you rather have your flight be delayed significantly or canceled? Vote in our poll! ]]> Travel Polls SarahS http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40603-Poll-of-the-Week-Cancellations-vs.-Delays North Vietnam highlights (part 2) http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40602-North-Vietnam-highlights-(part-2)&goto=newpost Wed, 12 Jun 2013 01:16:37 GMT Part 1 already describe the beautiful and feature of Hanoi, Sapa and Ha Long Bay. This part is going to introduce 3 other destination in north Vietnam. *4. Ninh Binh:* Consider as a Ha Long Bay in land. As you already know Agriculture is the... Part 1 already describe the beautiful and feature of Hanoi, Sapa and Ha Long Bay. This part is going to introduce 3 other destination in north Vietnam.

4. Ninh Binh: Consider as a Ha Long Bay in land. As you already know Agriculture is the mainstream economic of Vietnam, so why don’t you take a trip to this country side to see how people growth rice and other grains, cycling around Ninh Binh you will see the spacious green rice fields interleaving with a lot of Limestone Mountains. There is plenty of scenery that you can visit at this land: For the one who admire the religious, they should go to see decent Bai Dinh Pagoda and the ancient stone church Phat Diem. There is an ecotourism near Bai Dinh Pagoda called Trang An, This place allows you to sit on a small boat with 6 people, go around the river, visit the caves, enjoy the cool weather – but note that the caves look not beauty as the caves in Ha Long Bay or in Phong Nha Ke Bang (middle of the country). Far away from Ninh Binh town, Cuc Phuong national park – the vast natural museum, richest limestone mountain keeping and feeding animal and plant. The natural protected area Van Long and the thermae Kenh Ga is worth a day to Visit too. Van Long is a fascinating landscape and knowing as the "no wave Bay" as you go on a boat you'll find flat water like a giant mirror; thermae stream flow from the heart of the mountain loacated on a floating village named Kenh Ga. The stream has high concentrations of sodium chloride salt, muriate of potash, canxiclorua, magieclorua and bicarbonate salts. The water in streams colorless, odorless, slightly tart taste and has a stable temperature is 53 ° C. Another place you should not miss in Ninh Binh is Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Tam Coc has many winding and arduous caves beautiful as Penglai scene, Bich Dong was named as the South celestial II, after the First South Celestial Huong Tich. In the caves still remain many, many precious artifacts such as stone and two strange dragons stone, when flap in, the sound emitted like a bass guitar sound and a high negative sound. The famous dish of Ninh Binh is grilled goat. Once you head to Ninh Binh, try grilled goat or you will regret.

5. Mai Chau: Mai Chau located about 130km from Hanoi to the northwest, is the ideal destination for thousands of domestic and foreign tourists every year. Go here, as tourists from a life of hustle, struggle daily to come to the land of peace, cool climate, friendly people, sociable. If you don’t have much time to go to Sapa, one day/night to Mai chau is one special option that you can visit and witness the daily life of minority villages, experience home stay, enjoy ethnic foods. The funniest activity in Mai Chau is campfire in the evening. A big fire accompany with sound system outside the door in the foothills will make you fully entertained like never happen before. Do not forget to bring the little corn, potatoes; sugar cane would be great for baking. You can buy a pig with approximately $20 1kg. Normally a pig weighing about 10kg is enough for about 20 to 30 servings. You can also order a chicken soup for evening eating. Also, those who have obtained artistic fun can also sing, dance “XAP”, spreading dance.
In Mai Chau, tourist can comfortably take nice photos with souvenir items there but did not have to buy anything at all. If you prefer, you can also hire ethnic colorful dresses, brilliant for photography with very cheap price around $1 to $2.

6. Moc Chau: Moc Chau Plateau is situated at an altitude of 1050m over sea level and about 190 km from Hanoi to the northwest in the direction of Highway 6 (Ha Noi - Hoa Binh - Moc Chau). This plateau is about 80 km long, 25 km wide, with 1600 hectares of pasture. In the middle of the plateau is a microclimate with cool summer, temperatures average 20 degrees Celsius and drier winter than in other regions. You can either take a bus from Hanoi to Moc Chau or biking along the highway 6. Before you go, at least you should be prepared candies to give the minorities children. There are several places that you would love to visit. The first one is: “the Loong Luong’’ located on Highway 6 with the vast forest of peach, plum, visit here in the end of January and begin of February you will see the blooming of peach and plum spreading the forest; “Tan Lap” commune and “Ban On” have many wild sunflowers fields and poinsettias fields. Beside that you will find a lot of green tea hills and yellow wild sunflowers blooming spread the hillside. One nice thing about Mai chau is the ideal destination for many marrying couples goes there to take the wedding photos. The specialty foods in Mai chau are the quick sautéed veal, buffalo meat stewed with the sour leaves (around $2.5 per bowl), chicken hills, streams fish and fresh, sweet and green vegetables…

These destinations are all the must see places in the north of Vietnam. It takes about two weeks to cover enough all these mentioned. Each place has its all features – the unique one. Come to north of Vietnam, you will be surprised by not only the beautiful scene of the area that has typically 4 reasons with their all style and unique in each season, but also the friendly people, special culture and delicious foods. ]]> Southeastern Asia tuntravel48 http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40602-North-Vietnam-highlights-(part-2) <![CDATA[I'd like to hear your opinions about: visiting small towns in Spain......]]> http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40601-I-d-like-to-hear-your-opinions-about-visiting-small-towns-in-Spain......&goto=newpost Sun, 09 Jun 2013 17:19:55 GMT Hello everyone!
Has anyone done a trip to Spain just to visit the small towns?
I'd like to do that,but I do not know where to begin.......If you went thru the
experience,please kindly share pro and cons of making a trip as such.Are there
any travel books that will be useful in this matter?Looking forward to your replies,
Charles.......... ]]> charlesgardel http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40601-I-d-like-to-hear-your-opinions-about-visiting-small-towns-in-Spain...... Poll of the Week: Have You Memorized Your Passport Number? http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40600-Poll-of-the-Week-Have-You-Memorized-Your-Passport-Number&goto=newpost Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:47:11 GMT Do you know your passport number by heart? Vote in our poll! Do you know your passport number by heart? Vote in our poll! ]]> Travel Polls SarahS http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40600-Poll-of-the-Week-Have-You-Memorized-Your-Passport-Number Grand Tour of Iceland In 17 Minutes (Video + Stills) http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40599-Grand-Tour-of-Iceland-In-17-Minutes-(Video-Stills)&goto=newpost Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:19:29 GMT Attachment 1447 (http://boards.independenttraveler.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1447)Attachment 1445 (http://boards.independenttraveler.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1445)Attachment 1446... Attachment 1447Attachment 1445Attachment 1446


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]]> Iceland Intrepid Berkeley Explorer http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40599-Grand-Tour-of-Iceland-In-17-Minutes-(Video-Stills) Home Exchange Destination for 2014: Poland http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40598-Home-Exchange-Destination-for-2014-Poland&goto=newpost Tue, 04 Jun 2013 03:38:26 GMT I have one exchange locked in for the town of Bielsk-Biala. I am waiting to hear definitely from a second prospect in Krakow itself. The exchanges are about 1 1/2 apart. I would use the first to do a lot of driving around and the second to mainly... I have one exchange locked in for the town of Bielsk-Biala. I am waiting to hear definitely from a second prospect in Krakow itself. The exchanges are about 1 1/2 apart. I would use the first to do a lot of driving around and the second to mainly concentrate on Krakow itself.

I also have an offer of home hospitality in Warsaw and Poznan. I will take up the offer in Warsaw. Uncertain about the other destination.

And so the home exchange adventures continue. ]]> Eastern Europe LSKahn http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40598-Home-Exchange-Destination-for-2014-Poland In Verona,,,,,,, http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40597-In-Verona&goto=newpost Fri, 31 May 2013 02:26:43 GMT .......and that's about all I know so far. I've been awake about 24 hours now thanks to rowdy guests at the Gatwick Belmont House where I stayed to catch and early flight to Verona that WAS NOT early! I'd not checked online as the hotel's wifi was on/off and quite frankly, it hadn't occurred to me though I couldn't have done a thing about it.

Evidently, the plane that was to take us at 08:25am had technical problems and so they had to wait for another plane to arrive. I was booked on Monarch Airlines....pre-paid for 2 bags to be checked BUT there's a weight allowance that did not come into play when crossing the Atlantic. Yet these regionals have limits and I had no idea how much my bags weigh but based on how my body feels....quite a bit though I can"t explain how i'm able to carry them/wheel them if indeed they weigh what they do, as of today! While I was 15 kilos over, the gate agent decided to write me down to 9, then when I went ot different desk to pay and get new boarding pass, the other agent lowered it to 5 because we would not be leaving Gatwick until.......14:15! So, a day at the airport!! We were given two five pound vouchers to use for food/drink during the day which isn't enough in airport food prices but it helped.
Naturally, things were taken....again. This time it was the single plastic bag rule. I know about the size limits of liquids, but fitting them all inside one sandwich baggie? I actually told the female security officer I was NOT going. I got upset, (unexpectedly, too tired I guess because I'm all too aware folks in Oklahoma and elsewhere have had everything taken away from them) but then she began to trouble shoot, we got most of it in somehow. And I thought they'd be worried about the razor blade cartridges.

So finally we begins what must be the world record for fastest boarding and pushback of any flight and we're off. We were served free ANY type of drink, due to delay. Neos something operated our flight instead of Monarch; they are becoming Italy's RyanAir, it seems as I read in their magazine. Nice Boeing 737-800, new. No seat recline but it's a short flight. I had room.

Alas, I was expecting to be in Verona by 11:30 or so local time but the day was lost. I got to my hotel........NOT HAPPY......naturally got ripped off by my taxi driver...we spoke Italian, I was too tired to fight. It's a 3 star, looked better on Laterooms.com, sounded better too. This thing I'm typing on? A combo TV/Computer/Movie/Capuccino maker.....I wish. No free wifi. It said free wifi. I'd not be here otherwise because I could not pack guides, maps......no room. So I've been relying on my iPad and haven't even turned on my laptop yet! Signing on to this thing....I don't know any of my passwords....well here I do but not for email, FB, etc. This machine is like a Commodore 64! I had to pay 9 Euros to use it for 24 hours. I have to find alternate wifi locations. That might prove to be a challenge in Verona! I've still not yet scraped the surface yet on England, what I did do, couldn't do, the flight across the pond on Kuwait Air.....but the Cotswolds were lovely....in one day!

So I'm here, had a dinner in the hotel restaurant, creepy waiter hitting on me.....not many women staying here. I'm about 4km from city center, evidently there's a bus outside that goes right in. Might be a nice walk, but weather in Europe, in general, has been, my word, "blicky" so don't know. I have to get my bearings first. Then see about walking and where to.

Saw the amazing castle flying in, as well as Lago di Garda. The mountains have some snow on top, not surprising given the cool temps....looks pretty. Otherwise, my hotel is on a busy ordinary street opposite a Ford dealer (you can leave America but......) and it's quiet now, but it's also 3:30am. It's a noisy street and I have the front room, first floor. No idea where my earplugs are but I have my eye mask (scented) from Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden via Boots (love Boots) so perhaps I'll sleep but I'll have to wake up for breakfast because that IS free.

The thing I've got figured out with Laterooms and Hotwire, with whom I booked this hotel (Laterooms) and Aloft London ExceL (Hotwire) is this: since you're getting their unsold rooms = you're getting the crap rooms in the hotel, no bonuses/extras. More details later, but this is NOT the way to go. It's also NON refundable so forget about changing your mind.

Now it seems like there is a concert Saturday that would be irresistable if it's not sold out. Bocelli, Carreras and Domingo doing Arias from the upcoming season at the Verona amphitheater/colisseum. If I can score a ticket, I'm going. If not, well......if I'm half awake tomorrow I'll head into town center tomorrow "centro historico" and definitely will go up to the Lake though from the plane I know there a bunch of weddings up there this weekend so it might pay to wait until Monday? I've been moving at half pace (at best) since I've left America so we'll see what I can manage.

It definitely looks pretty flying in and not too big or overwhelming to take in which sounds about right for me! There's plenty nearby as well.....vineyards, other towns....I'm booked here till Wednesday but my room was never a non-smoking room (doubt the hotel was) and the room is sort of awkward/old but clean for sure. If I had wifi access I'd actually be looking up nearby SERVAS hosts for alternative stays (they are free 2 nights per host) since I cannot get a refund for this, even if I argued that it did not meet advertised standards. Some hotels self-rate, and country ratings vary anyway....3 star French may not equal 3 star English or Italian or German etc. Photos do look better online too!

I need to get laundry done but surely not here! There's a slight chance I could go to Ireland and then maybe come back to Italy.....I had a plan but I am nowhere near ready.

Also, can't recall if I wrote about this......forgive me if I'm repeating but my bank account got hacked in America.....lots of Amazon Marketplace charges and some Chinese restaurants! About a dozen all total....several hundred dollars. It's being investigated, thankfully I have another account to use and was able to transfer all the money over but I also have to transfer direct deposits...need phones to do that and I've not found a phone yet that will even let me use a prepaid calling card to make arrangements. Funny thing was, I called the bank before leaving the US to tell them to expect foreign charges/debits; ironically, American charges popped up!

On the up side, it seems like exchange rates have been fairly decent as I review things...that is, the dollar seems like it's worth a bit more but seeing the news here, the markets in the States, overseas, US Banks making money (??) though the world is in crisis.....the financial models I studied no longer make sense in analyzing todays economy. Global Events seem to and a series of "X" factors that have nothing to do with Simon Cowell. I've just got a lot of heavy English coins left right now but I suppose I'll be using them. I was counting them out like they were my "everyday" currency but then they have been for almost a month and it feels weird being back on this side of the road again!

Now I have to get familiar with the Euro coins though like the 2 Pound, the 2 Euro is easy.....nice & big! Switching from Brit-speak to Italian.....not an accent, just phrases....one catches on to.

Gatwick duty free lady didn't catch me as American; not a lot have. They can't seem to figure where I'm from but based on how I feel and with a sister who is an astro-physicist, I've asked her to have a look at recent pics from the Mars Rover to see if I'm there. Cause I've traveled all over the world but I've never felt so out of place, not even on my first trip abroad so many years ago!

And Italy.....last time I was here I was taken to another place, not another planet, just....heaven, even in the simplest settings gazing over a field of flowers, sun and cypresses. Perhaps leaving NYC for good has me all jumbled up; kind of being homeless but that was the plan.

I do know this. I have to get to Switzerland to replace my confiscated Swiss Army knife. Yes, I know they exist everywhere. But not everywhere did it have the name of the town mine came from on the main blade....Rapperswil. Perhaps a train ride north.......although in the Verona airport, the baggage carts had ads for Aer Lingus flights from Verona to Dublin; 39 Euros. Doubt that's the real price but.......I am an Irish citizen and have not been to Ireland. But I know someone in Sicily too........

This is starting to sound like "where's waldo" except with aches, pain & exhaustion! But yes, good times mixed in :)
Proper tea time in Bibury, Cotswolds....like stepping back into history but then, that's the beauty of travel.

Let's see what Verona has. Let's see if I can find a map! I know the general layout already in my head but not the streets! Oh and I want to go to that concert. I'd have seen the three tenors, albeit not all three at the same time, plus Bocelli twice who was with Pavarotti when I saw him here in Modena, Italy.

If I can get wifi somewhere I'll get posting. Or I'll spring for another 9 Euros in a day or two in this joint......Hotel Monaco is where I am. I think the Monaco Grand Prix is on soon....or just was.

Ciao tutti :) ]]> Italy Host Bonjour http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40597-In-Verona <![CDATA[Poll of the Week: What's Your Weather Preference?]]> http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40596-Poll-of-the-Week-What-s-Your-Weather-Preference&goto=newpost Thu, 30 May 2013 16:22:58 GMT When traveling, would you rather have the weather be too hot or too cold? Vote in our poll! When traveling, would you rather have the weather be too hot or too cold? Vote in our poll! ]]> Travel Polls SarahS http://boards.independenttraveler.com/showthread.php?40596-Poll-of-the-Week-What-s-Your-Weather-Preference