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

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

  1. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    So best friends count?

    I'm good, then.
     
  2. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Just get em pregnant
     
  3. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    I feel like the lifetime ROI is not favorable on this one
     
  4. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Short term gratitude man live a little
     
  5. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    #Yolo
     
  6. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    Any input from anyone that has stayed at any of these places appreciated. Called Chase Ultimate Rewards yesterday about using my points for travel. Want to go to Mexico or Jamaica and they gave me these options for July. I have over $1000 in credit from points so if I make my gf pay for herself I can get some of these for like $200-300 out of pocket for myself. Pretty sweet deal.:

    Cancun 4 nights 2 ppl:
    Live Aqua Cancun-$2650-5 star hotel-adults only. Delta airlines
    Pyramid Grand Oasis-$2267
    Riu Cancun-$2263
    Grand Park Royal-$2297

    Jamaica
    Riu Montego Bay-$2658 ocean front
    Jewel Dunns River-Hilton Property-$2603
    Rio Ocho Rios-$2408
    Rio Palace-Adults only junior suites $3164
     
  7. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Go somewhere better for the same amount of money
     
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  8. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    Such chivalry.
     
  9. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    I guess it depends on what you're looking for, but if Mexico, I'd look into Playa Del Carmen for sure. You'll have equal or better prices in what I consider a much better beach town than Cancun. Don't be stuck to the All-Inclusive thing, as you can make that back by just paying for meals and drinks. If I was really wanting the Caribbean, I'd look into BVIs as well, but that's just me.
     
    Arkadin likes this.
  10. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    Virginia Tech HokiesIndiana HoosiersAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksAtlanta Falcons

    I need to start figuring out a SA trip for late summer. Asheville this weekend though.
     
  11. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Playa del Carmen, riviera Maya, tulum. He's not going to listen though we told him this shit months ago
     
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  12. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Need recs or you got it for Asheville?
     
  13. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    I got them the last time I went 2 years ago, but definitely down to hear about anything new. I think the GF was looking for a good place to eat, as she's researched the hiking and brew spots.

    She won't want to eat anywhere I ate last time. I remember eating at The Admiral, White Duck, and Sunny Point for brunch. Met another TMBer at a Wine Bar, and also hit up nearly every brewery that was within walking distance downtown. My favorite spot for hanging, iirc, was One World Brewery.

    Oh, we also saw one of those huge basketball brothers that played at UNC at one of the nightclubs on Saturday night. Fun times.
     
  14. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    I love the south slope area where burial, Catawba, twin leaf, green man, etc is. For food we love Gan shan station, Blue dream curry house, Buxton bbq, 9 mile, Chai panai, early bird, the junction. Can provide a few more if needed
     
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  15. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    The Sierra Nevada brewery had awesome food as well and it's an amazing facility. New Belgium also cool and their beers at the brewery are actually good, I hate their stuff elsewhere
     
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  16. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    Virginia Tech HokiesIndiana HoosiersAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksAtlanta Falcons

    Didn't do Sierra Nevada last time, but may have to try this go around.

    I live a couple miles from a Chai Pani in ATL, so I'll probably save it for here. She's looking into the others, because I don't really care, it's her trip.
     
  17. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    They're all awesome. You'd be happy with any of them. Sunset st sky bar is cool, show up and get a table and a bottle of wine
     
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  18. LeonardWashington

    LeonardWashington Leader of Tuanon
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    heading to Medellin tonight, any suggestions? Arkadin I believe has been
     
    Room 15 likes this.
  19. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    If any of you guys come to Austin or the hill country at large, feel free to @ the Austin based posters or reply in the Austin thread.
     
  20. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    Virginia Tech HokiesIndiana HoosiersAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksAtlanta Falcons

    For hiking, she wants to do the Grandfather or something in Pisgah. I also did Mount Mitchell last time, which I thought was OK at best. Any other reccos for outdoorsy shit?
     
  21. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    I heard it bombed at Caanes
     
  22. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Happy Buddha hostel at the bar is where tons of people meet up before going out. We stayed there and drank with everyone then went on a bar crawl or just as a group to some clubs/bars. It's also a 5 minute walk to the area with all the good night life. Indian food across the street is awesome, restaurants around there pretty good as well. Head down there then make moves
     
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  23. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Grandfather and Pisgah are cool. Black balsam, roan, looking glass, craggy, devils. Some others I don't remember right now
     
    Gin Buckets likes this.
  24. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
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    Oregon Ducks

    It seems that delta devalued awards Tix again. One way business class seats are now 95k miles to most places. Sucks.
     
  25. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    How many days you got? You looking for things that aren't night life?
     
  26. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    Didn't see this mentioned but probably the most nationally recognized new opening since Buxton Hall exploded is Local Provisions.

    Sovereign Remedies getting lots of pub for being a great cocktail bar/snack place.
     
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  27. FriendsofJtyler

    FriendsofJtyler I strenuously object
    Donor TMB OG
    Clemson TigersWashington Capitals

    It's getting harder and harder to get legit award travel tickets.
     
  28. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
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    Colorado BuffaloesOakland RaidersFulhamLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    I feel like every time I try to look for delta rewards they're hundreds of thousands of points and never worth it. United seems to be the best of the big 3 for award availability at decent point amounts.
     
  29. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
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    Oregon Ducks

    You just have to book them way out and book them on partner airlines. I found JFK to Johannesburg for 190k RT - JFK to London on Delta one and then LHR to J burg on Virgin. There are also flights to Asia on Korean for 190

    Delta is the best US airline by a very wide margin so they don't feel they need to have a great rewards program to attract people.
     
    Fran Tarkenton likes this.
  30. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    I don't disagree with them being the best (I assume we're just talking legacy carriers here) but the bar is set pretty fucking low.
     
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  31. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    I don't really see delta as far and away better at anything
     
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  32. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    If you want a top dinner for much cheaper than the states, go to Ocio. It's amazing. If you have time, a day trip or overnight trip to Guatape would be cool.
     
  33. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    The Pablo guatape tour is amazing
     
    Room 15 likes this.
  34. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
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    Oregon Ducks

    I logged over 100 flights last year, including flights on all 3 carriers. I only fly economy+ or first class so I can't speak for economy, but Delta was miles better than the others in all categories: on time arrivals, customer service, plane comfort, in flight entertainment, general staff friendliness, etc. American was delayed and I missed a connection and they treated me like I was stupid and that it was my fault that I missed the connection. Delta was super apologetic and gave me compensation for the inconvenience when similar situations occurred. I won't fly united or American unless it's the only reasonable option to a given city.
     
  35. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    They're far and away better at being from Atlanta, and that goes pretty far 'round these parts.
     
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  36. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    No. Shes in SF if still interested.
     
  37. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    The difference is very marginal between the major carriers. It's not nearly as drastic as you want to make it to be
     
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  38. FriendsofJtyler

    FriendsofJtyler I strenuously object
    Donor TMB OG
    Clemson TigersWashington Capitals

    Basically every Asian airline >>> any US carrier.
     
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  39. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    Anyone with SAS experience lately?
     
  40. Keef

    Keef Liked by Pierre Gasly
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    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta UnitedMilanUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamFormula 1

    Idk man they lose planes from time to time.
     
    racer likes this.
  41. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
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    Yeah, my experience is American and Delta are both pretty similar overall (decently shitty) and United is horrid. Jet Blue, Virgin American, and Alaska are better than any of them by a good margin.
     
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  42. FriendsofJtyler

    FriendsofJtyler I strenuously object
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    Loss of cabin pressure sitting in a lay flat seat watching Sully wouldn't be the worst way to go.
     
    Keef likes this.
  43. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
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    Oregon Ducks

    I don't work for delta - I don't have any agenda. I fly a lot and that's been my experience. I live in NYC and have three airports to choose from; if there was a better option than delta, I'd be all over it
     
  44. Open Carry

    Open Carry TMB Rib Master
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    Hartford WhalersAuburn TigersConnecticut HuskiesAtlanta United

    I'm flying with them from Amsterdam to Copenhagen in a few weeks
     
    racer likes this.
  45. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Yea I'm still gonna go with dying old in my sleep. Sully can be the movie that put me to sleep though.
     
  46. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
    Staff Donor
    Florida Gators

    this was in my email from my trip:

    Hotel:

    Hostal Lleras Calle 8 Medellin
    Calle 8 No. 37A 59


    Restaurants/Bars/Areas we will be going:

    Great spot: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaur...ews-Carmen-Medellin_Antioquia_Department.html

    Charlee
    Calle 9A 37 16 | Parque Lleras, Medellin, Colombia

    Cable Car Ride: metro pablado to metro Acevedo to Santa Domingo to Parque Avri. Metro Cable Car.


    Plaza Botero in El Centro

    El Hueco
    Cl. 48, Medellín,
    Carrera Junin

    Comercial Santa Fe
    Cra. 43 #7, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

    Pergamino Cafe
    Cra. 37 #8A-37, Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia
    Rock Dali Calle 9

    Bariloche parrilla argentina
    Calle 20sur No 38-181
     
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  47. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
    Staff Donor
    Florida Gators

    Here is what a friend (girl) sent:

    Here is what I loved, would do:

    Day 1:
    Do the Free walking tour in the morning. You have to sign up the night before.
    They take you around downtown and share so much history. It was a good overview.

    Have lunch where they recommend, and then go on the cable cars. Get off and walk around. we just went to the top, but there is a cool area I heard others walked around at, and there was a great mushroom something stand. Not really sure, but some stops are not safe, and then another stop is cool with a park.

    Day 2:
    Pablo Escobar tour. There are two companies - and one is owned by his family. That one charges more, supposedly b/c they donate to charity, but I don't trust it. I went on the other one, and I really liked it because it was pretty neutral. This tour was more about this history and background, than the sights.

    Day 3:
    Sabaneta - a really awesome area, that is much less developed and more old school. That said, there's still a strip of tourist spots. (You could do this after Day 2 if you wanted)

    Go to the Poblado park - everyone hangs out here and drinks on the weekend. The restaurants surrounding it are pretty mass and western, but the locals all go to the corner store and hang out in the center. If you go a block or two away, there are really cool restaurants. We ate at a great vegetarian one on the corner next to the gym.

    Bogata Brewing company was good too! And there was another beer place on the corner.

    SO many cool restaurants and spots in Poblado. But try and get to a local salsa / dance place.

    Just keep in mind the city, especially el Poblado, is very 2015 and developed, so it's not going to feel super foreign. But it is an AMAZING city!!!

    Somethings to consider:

    Day trip to Guatape. It's a really pretty town, but its pretty quick to walk around. The view of the lake and islands was really nice. But the rest of it was filler and long. So it's a toss up on how interesting the town and view looks to you. I'm not sure if you could do it without a tour.

    I thought the botanical gardens sucked, even though they are a top thing to do.
     
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  48. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    I'm not saying you work for them or anything. I'm just saying their on time percentage and their customer service shit isnt drastically different or anything. They're all very similar
     
  49. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsManchester United

  50. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    Delta no longer uses a standard rate, afaik. If there is a posted and or standard rate, I'm not aware of it.