The New Travel Thread: Now with write ups in the OP

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Jax Teller, Apr 8, 2015.

  1. Pasta88

    Pasta88 Canes, Bruins, Raps, Jays and Sunderland.
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    The backpack hostel. It looks pretty legit from the reviews and photos.
     
  2. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    Any recs on wine tours in Tuscany?
     
  3. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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  4. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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  5. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    We went at the end of March and it was a great time. I think we went to 3 different places and had an incredible lunch prepared for us at one winery. We got lucky and really liked the people that we got grouped up with which was nice because most of the tastings are at a smaller table in a group setting. Compared to the tours we've done in Oregon, I'd say we got to taste more on this one
     
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  6. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    awesome thanks for your help
     
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  7. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    Anyone been to Cabo and have restaurant recs?

    Wife and I are doing a quick birthday trip next weekend. I got in touch with Arkadin about the whale watching he did in Guerrero Negro last year, but the few lodging options were booked, plus getting there is quite an ordeal (12 hour drive from Cabo or 2 flights then 5.5 hours from Loreto).

    We have a seafood street tour booked the day we arrive, whale watching the next day, diving with whale sharks the day after that, so we need dinner two nights. Doesn't have to be a Michelin-starred spot. If there's a hole in the wall with really great seafood that's more our style anyway. Otherwise I'm sure our street tour will give us some ideas.
     
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  8. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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    I did the super Chianti tour with them in 2017. I think we went to three different wineries of varying size.

    You stop at Dario Cecchini’s butcher shop and he fills you up with meats, cheeses and wine. Then you walk across the street and have a huge lunch. Cap that off with some shots of grappa.

    Anthony Bourdain has an episode where he went to the butcher shop as well. You pretty much get the same experience.

    It ended with a stop in some small village where you can walk around and enjoy a bottle of wine. I really enjoyed the tour. We had a great guide.
     
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  9. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    It seems like every travel show has had an episode featuring Cecchini’s place.
     
  10. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    That sounds awesome.
     
  11. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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  12. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    Went in October. Which street tour are you doing? Ours was a waste. It just goes to obvious taco spot to obvious taco spot in the busy area. Guide will know the backgrounds though. With your adventures already scheduled, your trip needs no help. Best food I had was at Bar Esquina and Nicksan. There is a Nobu if you’ve never been as well:
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradja...his-new-hotel-in-cabo-san-lucas/#7e5450c3335a

    There is a small little casino about a mile from the main bar area (where Squid Rowe is). Basically walking from Squid Rowe to the casino will walk you past a ton of places. Try different items at each spot. Maybe say 6 restaurants, 12 different items, all for $36 or so. Solid night.
     
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  13. CTownND

    CTownND Well-Known Member
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    Edith's is pretty much the big traditional Cabo restaurant - been twice and the food and experience are fantastic. I'd get a couple drinks at The Office then go to Edith's around 8 PM

    Flora Farms is a drive toward San Jose, and through a pretty winding dirt area way off the beaten path, but is worth the difficult trip to get there. The grounds are gorgeous, drinks are great, farm to table food very good.

    Bar Esquina was really good food but felt a bit like being in a trendy LA restaurant or something, depends on if you want that or prefer a more traditional feel.
     
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  14. BigReff73

    BigReff73 Well-Known Member
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    Places to eat and things to do in Austin?
     
  15. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    There’s an Austin thread that was helpful to me.

    eat nothing but bbq and tacos.
     
  16. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    During the day you're fine.. At night, stick to busy areas and don't be an idiot.
     
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  17. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Franklin if you have a few hours to wait.

    La Barbecue and Micklethwait are also very good.

    Get tacos at Veracruz. Craft Pride if you like craft beer, they specialize in Texas beers.
     
    #20417 Jimmy the Saint, Feb 4, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2020
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  18. cheddarisbetter

    cheddarisbetter Well-Known Member
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    Heading to Costa Rica for belated honeymoon, how much USD and colones should I have on hand from the start on a week long trip? Flying to san Jose airport, traveling to santa Teresa then Arenal and back to airport, TIA
     
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  19. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    Leaving on Saturday for my delayed Costa Rican honeymoon as well. While not directly what you asked, here's what my TRAVEL AGENT told me in regards to tipping (which seems kind of over the top but still helpful):

    Emphasis on travel agent only to make everyone ITT aware that I used a travel agent, since they seem to hate them
     
  20. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    i might be real basic and book an all inclusive for next december :0
     
  21. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    No idea how to answer this without knowing how you travel or what you plan to do. Most restaurants, grocery and gas stations took credit card. Still found cash easier most places.
     
  22. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    $80 a day just in case but you’ll be fine w card. And see my post on this page about Arenal.
     
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  23. cheddarisbetter

    cheddarisbetter Well-Known Member
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    Renting a car and traveling through staying at same spot in each stop
     
  24. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    You’ll need colones for tolls.
    I think $80 / day mentioned above is a fair guess.
     
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  25. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    I haven’t had colones on my person in years, and I go to Costa Rica 3-4 times a year. The farther you get from San Jose the more they prefer dollars.

    Still, the question of how much is hard to answer without knowing what you’re doing and if the tours and restaurants you’ll frequent take cards.

    You can pay tolls in dollars as well, but if you feel the need to hold colones get some at an ATM. There’s an ATM in the baggage claim area at the airport where you can get some at the start of the trip, and there are some in La Fortuna as well if you need to replenish
     
  26. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    Have you been to Don Rufino in La Fortuna?
     
  27. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    No, never been there
     
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  28. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    Don Rufino! that made me laugh. Yes I have. Good food. That’s in the “downtown” area. Right by the sushi place I liked (Kappa). Fun to walk around in. There are 2-3 bars that stay open late and get rowdy.

    You can also pay for a pass and eat/play at Springs Resort (the hotel I keep mentioning) https://www.thespringscostarica.com/day-pass
     
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  29. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    just went on Maps to refresh my memory. Lots of good places near there. Just park by the park and walk around. There will be $30 massage places off the main road, those are legit too.
     
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  30. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    Got any recommendations for places that are better than Don Rufino? Have a free night in the La Fortuna area so wanted to head into town to check it out.

    And lol at paying for a day pass to check out a resort when I'm staying right down the road. Thanks, but no thanks
     
  31. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    Leaving Saturday and of course the BFF is sick with a stomach bug and had to miss a half day of work yesterday and has yet to go into work today.

    On Sunday, to get to our accommodations on the Pacuare River we have raft class III-IV rapids... or take a helicopter. The rest of the trip she could manage to be leisurely and rest up, but the first stop is very remote and the hardest (physically and logistically) to get to, so we've got that going for us
     
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  32. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    Not the resort per se but the property. A bunch of natural hot springs, a mini zoo, water rafting, swim up bars, etc. We found a hot spring about 20 feet off a trail due to monkey’s making noises. The land/property is awesome. I’m an anti stay at resort guy but this place is different. Which hotel are you staying at?
     
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  33. cheddarisbetter

    cheddarisbetter Well-Known Member
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    We have not planned anything other than we know we are staying at Latitude 10 and Nayara Gardens. No dinner reservations. We have an idea of tours we want to do but did not book anything.
     
  34. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    Nayara Gardens. And that's fair, we will have some downtime but I don't think I could get over the mental hurdle of paying to visit a resort for a day
     
  35. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    :warn:
     
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  36. cheddarisbetter

    cheddarisbetter Well-Known Member
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    well well
     
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  37. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    Maybe not the best example, but the top of that is actually a hole/pool. You can climb/walk up there. Water is about 98 degrees (via hot spring). So cool little finds like that all around (many areas of Costa by Volcano I suppose).
    upload_2020-2-5_9-42-19.png
     
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  38. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    If we cross paths, I apologize in advance for being an asshole but the last thing I am looking to do is make "honeymoon friends" with another couple. Yuck.

    That said, if you throw me the TMB grip then I may let my guard down long enough to drink a beer
     
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  39. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    Cool, I had family stay there same time I was at the springs. Your place is sick too. You should do an ATV tour, Water rafting, zip lining, etc.

    If you want to see/pet a sloth, your best bet would be the resort I think though.

    upload_2020-2-5_9-52-44.png

    upload_2020-2-5_9-50-16.jpeg
     
  40. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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  41. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    So I was watching this video...

    Georgia is in "Eurasia" which I guess is technically Europe? If so, why do they say Istanbul, which is far East of Georgia, is split in 2 continents.
     
  42. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    i'm about to book the adults only equivalent next door and saw this post

    how was it
     
  43. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    why wouldn't you

    wasn't going to do the excellence club but was going to do rooftop plunge pool
     
  44. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
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    The pool isn't heated so when we were there (October) it wasn't warm enough to spend a lot of time in it. I can imagine in the summer that it's likely very enjoyable but at least during our stay it wasn't warm enough to enjoy. Pretty much in the end we didn't spend enough time up there to warrant the extra cost. The excellence club meanwhile was really nice because it had it's own area of the beach marked off so there was never an issue getting a lounger or bed on the beach. Meanwhile for the area open to the rest of the resort people would go out and claim spaces first thing in the morning so you'd be lucky to get a lounger if you got down there later in the morning. Also the Excellence Club area has waiters and waitresses who will bring you food and drinks out on the beach where as the other area you have to go and get them yourselves. In the end it was just benefit wise we saw a lot more from the Excellence Club then the rooftop pool. Enjoy though, the food is excellent for it being a resort, and the service there is second to none. I would say depending how long you're staying plan at least one day excursion to either Isla Mujeres or Chichen Itza.
     
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  45. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    Glad I read your post. On more research looots of people talk about it being cold, but you can get them to come warm it up which involves them sitting on your deck for half an hour while it warms with varied results.

    Think going regular room with the double jacuzzi set up with excellence club is the move, especially since it'll be december when we'd go.
     
  46. Tilly

    Tilly Souf Cack
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    Bit of a random question, but has anyone ever traveled with a bunch of suits? I have a trip in May where I'll probably need to pack 5+ suits. I have no clue how to even approach that endeavor, so figured I'd check with the board to see if anyone has tips or suggestions.
     
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  47. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    Probably just get a hanging garment bag

    https://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/brig...tes&sp_source=rakuten&sp_campaign=TnL5HPStwNw
     
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  48. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Guess there’s no chance of dry cleaning while traveling?

    Either a big hanging bag, or the fold method. I know Youtube has tutorials on how to fold suits with minimal wrinkles.

    What you need 5 suits for/can’t wear the same?
     
  49. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    I've folded numerous jackets and they all come out fine after traveling as long as I take them out and hang them.

    Also this. Should be able to mix shits and ties to change the look.
     
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  50. Tilly

    Tilly Souf Cack
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    Intensive trial CLE. Have to be in court attire every day for over a week. Could wind up mixing and matching, but I'm in the early planning stages so trying to plan for needing a bunch of suits available.
     
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