Where have you travelled (going to travel) open thread

[overthere]

Canadian cities are unique in the world. They're extremely interesting places to visit.

In what way are they unique?

Most Canadian cities are much too new to have much flavour or character.

[Smallc]

In what way are they unique?

Most Canadian cities are much too new to have much flavour or character.

Canadian cities are unique for their diversity, not for their architecture.

[cybercoma]

Canadian cities are unique for their diversity, not for their architecture.

I dunno. Have you been to Montréal or Québec City?

[Smallc]

I dunno. Have you been to Montréal or Québec City?

Both - but I wouldn't say they're so much unique for it, even though they're both beautiful.

Edited August 25, 2016 by Smallc

[-TSS-]

About that scenario of a car breaking down in the middle of nowherei most places in the USA as well as in Europe passing cars wouldn't dare stop to see if everything is ok for fear of a trap and attempted robbery at least if there is absolutely no other traffic anywhere around.

I wonder how is it in Canada.

[capricorn]

Cross Canada Via Rail Trip. Something every Canadian should do before they die. A little pricey depending on accommodation desired but a life long experience.

I did that, Ottawa to Vancouver, and had rented what they called a roomette. Three nights and four days of glorious indulgence on board. Then, spent a month in Vancouver and flew back to Ottawa. A wonderful experience.

[overthere]

Canadian cities are unique for their diversity, not for their architecture.

Yes, I know that is an oft repeated and IMO overused meme. Nobody comes to our cities to marvel at our diversity. People do come here to marvel at our landscapes. Our cities are nearly all dull and new and sprawling. Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, QC, Vancouver and others have some interesting neighbourhoods. I don't see anybody flying the Atlantic to spend a few hours marvelling at The Plateau or Cabbagetown. Yes, I know Torontohas the most foreign born people or whatever, but it is still grey and generally dull compared to so many others on the planet.

No matter what we want to think, Toronto is not even remotely as interesting as other diverse cities which include London, Paris, Berlin, Chicago, New York and many others.

[Smallc]

I don't know, the tourism numbers seem to show differently. There was nothing about New York that I found to be any more special than Toronto.

[Bonam]

About that scenario of a car breaking down in the middle of nowherei most places in the USA as well as in Europe passing cars wouldn't dare stop to see if everything is ok for fear of a trap and attempted robbery at least if there is absolutely no other traffic anywhere around.

I dunno, living in the US, whenever I've seen a broken down car I've seen people stop and see if they can provide help. I've had a flat once and was working on it and 2 separate people stopped and asked if I needed help. And I've stopped to help a person with their car issues once, myself. All on very low traffic mountain roads. People get very different ideas about the US from watching sensationalist media than what is the actual day to day reality.

[-TSS-]

Tourists driving in the USA are strongly adviced against stopping at any random areas between built-up areas.

However, there is a world of difference of having your car breaking down in California in 30C as opposed to somewhere in Canada in -40C.

[-TSS-]

Speaking of holiday; I just started a four-week holiday. No work until Sept 26.

As for travel, Jyväskylä is my usual destination and it will be that again. Perhaps I will venture into Pori and certainly into Vaasa but all my within the borders of Finland.

[Bonam]

Tourists driving in the USA are strongly adviced against stopping at any random areas between built-up areas.

However, there is a world of difference of having your car breaking down in California in 30C as opposed to somewhere in Canada in -40C.

Pretty sure that if you're on an untraveled road (i.e. just a few cars per hour or less) and in trouble, more people will stop and try to help than won't, whether you're in California or the Yukon.

[The_Squid]

I broke down in Norway... There was no end of people trying to help!

[-TSS-]

Fortunately common sense prevails; usually a one second-glance is enough to tell you whether you can trust someone is in real need and not trying to rob you. Some people just look beyond suspicion.

[Boges]

I've booked a trip to Spain. 3 Nights in Barcelona and 2 Nights in Ibiza. Looking forward to combining time in a historic city and a beautiful island resort.

[Smallc]

So, I'm going back to Puerto Vallarta in January. I'm less excited than usual, because I'm not usually a repeat traveler.

So, I'm trying to decide where to go in the late spring. This is going to be too long a stretch with no new dots added to my Tripadvisor travel map.

[cybercoma]

Why go back then?

[Smallc]

My brother was really diappoibted in Veradero last year, so I thought I'd so him somewhere better. He booked early and tied my hands. If he had waited, we would have been going to Cozumel for the same price.

My fiancés family is supposed to be coming with us. I don't believe in God, but I'm praying for a miracle that stops them somehow. They're far more dangerous than any part of Mexico....mostly to me having any fun whatsoever. They probably won't come anyway. They talk a lot more than they do.

[Guest]

Coming back to AB from Seattle last week we detoured through Glacier National Park in Montana, and took the "Going-to-the-Sun Road".

Spectacular. Well worth a drive. Only open from July - September though.

[overthere]

If you'd like a more interesting trip to Mexico, outside a resort...... I really enjoyed Merida and that area. The city itself is quite cool, and not mobbed with tourists. There are many good side or day trips from Merida. Progresso is an hour away on the Gulf, it is kind of cottage country on the ocean for native Meridians. Campeche is a very interesting World Heritage site a couple hours drive west, worth an overnighter or longer. Uxmal and Chichen Itza are not far, big Mayan sites. Palenque is a bit further, deep in the jungle and an interesting place.

The easiest way to get there from Western Canada is to fly to Cancun and rent a car for a week, not expensive and in my experience driving in Mexico is no biggie. There is a modern freeway west from Cancun and it is about 3 hours to Merida. We doddled along, and spent the night in Vallodolid. From there we visited Chichen Itza and the nearby large cenotes.

[Smallc]

If you'd like a more interesting trip to Mexico, outside a resort

Just to be clear, I don't stay in resorts in Mexico (I did the first time, but then I realized there was no reason to). I have gone to resort towns so far (though Puerto Vallarta is more than that), but that's going to change in the near future.

I really enjoyed Merida and that area. The city itself is quite cool, and not mobbed with tourists.

That's great, as Merida was on my list. I'd also plan to visit Mexico City, SMA, Queratero, and Guanajuato. I'm thinking Mexico City and SMA might be this summer (mountain climate makes for an all year destination).

There are many good side or day trips from Merida. Progresso is an hour away on the Gulf, it is kind of cottage country on the ocean for native Meridians. Campeche is a very interesting World Heritage site a couple hours drive west, worth an overnighter or longer. Uxmal and Chichen Itza are not far, big Mayan sites. Palenque is a bit further, deep in the jungle and an interesting place.

Merida is moving further up my list then.

The easiest way to get there from Western Canada is to fly to Cancun and rent a car for a week, not expensive and in my experience driving in Mexico is no biggie. There is a modern freeway west from Cancun and it is about 3 hours to Merida. We doddled along, and spent the night in Vallodolid. From there we visited Chichen Itza and the nearby large cenotes.

There's also a direct flight from Toronto to Merida on Westjet now. It's an easy connection from Winnipeg.

[Bryan]

Looks like much of my international travel is going to get redirected to the US for the next little while. Probably won't even go to Cuba this winter for the first time in what seems like forever. My daughter is starting to qualify and/or get invited to some high level jiu-jitsu tournaments, and most of the big ones are in California. There's going to be at least two trips there this winter alone. Starting to burn through those banked holiday days at a rapid rate.

[Bryan]

My brother was really diappoibted in Veradero last year

People often make the mistake of jumping on the cheap deal. There are some nice places to stay in Varadero, but also a lot of bad ones. It's probably the worst place in Cuba to see overall though. Its only redeeming quality is its proximity to Havana. There are much better places and much more to see farther east.

[Smallc]

People often make the mistake of jumping on the cheap deal. There are some nice places to stay in Varadero, but also a lot of bad ones.

No question that was the problem. My sister had a better time, although she did experience a few hotel related problems as well. It also didn't help that they visited during a week that happened to be very cold last year. Between the cold and the jellyfish, there was no swimming.

[Bryan]

No question that was the problem. My sister had a better time, although she did experience a few hotel related problems as well. It also didn't help that they visited during a week that happened to be very cold last year. Between the cold and the jellyfish, there was no swimming.

Cold fronts are no fun when you've paid for what you were hoping would be a sunny beach vacation. Can't blame the hotel or the city for the weather though!