A Far Cry from Home - Travel Discussion

[Colourful Stuff]

We're an international bunch, so let's make the most of this and share our collective knowledge of the world.

I'll start the ball rolling by asking about Warsaw. My partner and I are going there in a couple of weeks because when asked, "where do you want to go?" I answered, "Poland!" The tickets were booked within the hour. How can we make the most of this long weekend?

P.s. we are flying with Wizz Air, obviously.

[Argobot]

My experience with Eastern Europe begins and ends with Russia, so I don't have any concrete travel tips to provide but I will say that I am extremely jealous of you going to Warsaw. Drink the beer, eat the sausage, post pictures when you get back.

[Nappi]

I've only been to Krakow so I don't know the must-see places in Warsaw. Just wander around the old town, visit museums and churches, and climb the Stalin's Syringe I guess. It's unfortunate that Wieliczka Salt Mine is so far away from Warsaw. It was pretty stunning.

[Hermie]

I might be what you call "a travelled"? I've been to most places in north-northwest Europe (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, England), I've done the traditional Mediterranean family vacations in Greece and Cyprus,  I've gone to South Africa to play music, and I recently came back from Fortaleza, Brazil. 

 

I hate the traditional "run from tourist attraction to tourist attraction" kind of vacation. A lot of these trips have been to meet internet friends, so instead you get to find the unknown gems that only locals know about, which for me is the best part. 

 

Sadly I've not been in eastern Europe yet, but we want to go some day. Warsaw, Sofia, Prague, and Riga are all places I would love to see.

[Gormongous]

I hate the traditional "run from tourist attraction to tourist attraction" kind of vacation. A lot of these trips have been to meet internet friends, so instead you get to find the unknown gems that only locals know about, which for me is the best part. 

 

I have the same feeling. I'm something of a homebody, so my only time abroad has been the four months I lived in Greece, but my least favorite part was all the people in my program running back and forth to all the tourist traps. I think, if you can't have someone to show you the private side of the place you're visiting, it's best to take it slow.

 

Anyway, I know Athens and southern Greece pretty damn well (or at least I did before all the austerity and anarchy shit went down the past couple years) so that's what I can give advice on, if anyone's curious.

[Colourful Stuff]

I'm growing increasingly excited about my trip. At five Zloty to the Pound we are basically going to be minor royalty. From what I can gather the best restraints ask 50 Zloty for most mains. The war museum looks extraordinary, with everything from Winged Hussars to T-34s on display. We will probably also visit the Palace of Science and Culture because it is a hilarious BioShock nightmare.

[Dosed]

I'm not sure how many German Thumbs are living on the forums but I'm currently travelling around Deutschland at the moment. I'm near Chemnitz and I'm hoping to go visit a place near Berlin within the next week or so. Has anyone got any sights I should definitely go see? Any districts I should definitely check out? Any restaurants it would be a crime to miss out on? 

[Erkki]

I hate the traditional "run from tourist attraction to tourist attraction" kind of vacation. A lot of these trips have been to meet internet friends, so instead you get to find the unknown gems that only locals know about, which for me is the best part.

With the Internet and sites like tripadvisor, are there really many gems any more that only locals know? I don't know, haven't travelled that much. I kind of agree though (I skipped Alcatraz and Golden Gate at SF), but sometimes things become tourist attractions because they really are worth seeing.

[Joewintergreen]

I have pretty much only been to a bunch of places in Australia, and also China for three weeks. Oh and America for work a couple times I guess.

 

Since I just had a long relationship end and am no longer sure I have a good reason to live where I live, and might have some amount of money coming in next month from my video game, I'm kind of thinking I might just get on a random plane to a random destination. Or England.

 

Is England good?

[Squid Division]

I'm not sure how many German Thumbs are living on the forums but I'm currently travelling around Deutschland at the moment. I'm near Chemnitz and I'm hoping to go visit a place near Berlin within the next week or so. Has anyone got any sights I should definitely go see? Any districts I should definitely check out? Any restaurants it would be a crime to miss out on? 

 

Never been to Berlin, but I've always wanted to go to see the Ishtar Gate and Pergamon Altar on Museum Island.

[Colourful Stuff]

Just got back to Liverpool from Warsaw. Warsaw is an amazing city. I've filmed over an hour of footage and will edit it down to about five minutes over the next few days.

[osmosisch]

Most Poles I know advised me to not go to Warsaw at all and visit Krakow instead. So I did, and can't help you from experience I'm afraid. I'm currently with the in-laws in southern Poland so I can ask around if you want.

[Nappi]

You are a bit late, I think.

[Colourful Stuff]

That was very close to being useful, thanks. Most of the Poles I know say the same, no idea why. The rest of Poland must be pretty remarkable to beat Warsaw. It could be that it suits our holiday needs. We enjoyed Brussels immensely despite people claiming it is nothing special, the same applies for Warsaw.

[Nappi]

Krakow is amazing. But as I said, I haven't been to Warsaw, so I can't compare the two. Not that there is any point in that either. Glad to hear you enjoyed your holiday!

[osmosisch]

I've been to Brussels and hated it - all those creepy EU monoliths everywhere. Very dystopian. That's actually similar to what people say about Warsaw so I guess your tastes just run in that direction. You should check out Ottawa and Washington DC next I guess!

 

Also sorry for being late, I forgot to check dates.

[JonCole]

I don't have anything to contribute, except for the creative criticism that this topic should have been named "A Far Cry 2 from Home - Travel Discussion"

[Argobot]

I don't have anything to contribute, except for the creative criticism that this topic should have been named "A Far Cry 2 from Home - Travel Discussion"

 

A Far Cry 2 Gone (from) Home -- Travel Discussion

[Hermie]

Bumping this topic because I'm going to Amsterdam in a couple of weeks, and I would love the latest tips & tricks for stuff to see there!  

 

 

Bonus points for non-touristy, multiplier for romantic, and zero points for "weed and/or prostitutes".

[osmosisch]

1) Count on shitty weather. Bring an umbrella at the very least, preferably strong enough to withstand wind. Plan mostly indoor activities.

2) Most things worth seeing in Amsterdam have been touristified in the sense that they are known as things to visit and/or had a museum built around them. The amazing paintings in the Rijksmuseum, the cool nerdy stuff in New Metropolis, the restored East Indies merchantman of the nautical museum, the historical impact of the Anne Frank house are all things I would recommend experiencing at some point - but only when you are able to reserve enough time to appreciate them properly.

3) Similarly, the central area of the city around the central station and within the canals is well worth experiencing by just pottering around and visiting cafes and shops - but again, this is something most people know and hence it's pretty busy and commercialised as well. When in doubt, hang westish.

4) Don't be afraid to at least consult a tourist guide to check what things sounds interesting despite their touristical nature.

5) joke answer: take a 2.5-hour train ride up north to Groningen

[Hermie]

Yeah, we're definitely not avoiding avoiding touristy locations alltogether, but we're already reading about those everywhere else. That's why I'm asking like this, I want to know about the cool local pub that has a million beers on tap, the romantic restaurant that isn't crowded/absurdly expensive, the nerd store that has every board game and comic book, etc. Hidden gems, so to speak.

 

As for the weather: Bring it on. I'm originally from way above the arctic circle, and I live in the town in Sweden that has the most rainy days per year.

[dibs]

Do something emergent. Hide in the Anne Frank house all night, and when the guards come try to make as little noise as possible. Bonus points if you keep a diary of your time there and/or listen to Justin Beiber.

[Hermie]

Do something emergent. Hide in the Anne Frank house all night, and when the guards come try to make as little noise as possible. Bonus points if you keep a diary of your time there and/or listen to Justin Beiber.

 

Only doing this if there's an achievement for it.

[prettyunsmart]

So this is much more modest in scope, but I'm going to be travelling within the American midwest a few times in the next couple of months for work. In the event that any thumbs have some advice on places to eat or things to do that don't cost a ton of money, that would be neat.

 

In a couple of weeks I'm going to be in downtown Chicago for the Popular Culture Association conference. I'll probably just be doing academic things most of the time. I've been before a couple of times, but only in "let's go look at the Willis Tower/Navy Pier" mode with family.

Then over the summer I'm headed to Bloomington/Normal Illinois for a writing program administrator conference (wooo!). Any ideas?