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

Makes sense. For context I’m beginning in Oslo so that unfortunately wasn’t an option since there’s only the three normal check-in counters. Had to wait in the painfully slow regular baggage line.

 

I’ve got YouTube TV and there is some solid stuff on the Smithsonian channel. Not sure if that’s on regular cable or what, but I watched a Mighty Trains episode on this luxury train in Japan called Seven Stars and it was baller. (https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/shows/mighty-trains/uphdtq/season-4). They don’t have your classic bourdain travel shows, but Aerial America is cool, there was one on ancient China too

 

For returning to the US, the Abbott take-home tests (that you take with an online proctor) are super easy. Results in 15 minutes. They sell packs of 4 for around $100, if I recall correctly.

 

where you see that?

 

I thought the current deal expired 4/18

 

That’s the mask requirement

 

Stupid AF

 

the WH advisors are so scared to make any bold decisions. then even if 42 at the border requires a test it creates an opening to be weaponized politically , inept

 

To make it more fucked up, the free tests that were mailed out by the government aren’t accepted to come back into the country, not the right brand.

What a racket


At least it will be reimbursed from our HSA

 

The entire point of the test is to discourage int'l travel and hope to slow the spread of new variants into the US. No way they drop it with this new variant spreading.

 

The new variant that is already in the US? This test requirement has no bearing on its spread here (which has been significantly less than expected due to so many people here getting BA1).

 

Oh, I'm not saying it's sound logic, I'm just saying that it's THEIR logic

 

It isn't about the brand, it's about the fact that the ones that are approved have a telemedicine component for validating the testing.

 

Headed to Geneva, Switzerland the 2nd week of May. Any recs are more than appreciated.

 

Do you have time to get a little closer to the alps?

The spring melt will be running by then and the alps have some incredible waterfalls during the melt.

Lauterbrunnen is accessible 2.5 hours or so from Geneva by train. Very easy by train. Interlaken is 20 minutes from Lauterbrunnen if you are looking for a tourist spot with a lot of hotels to stay.

This is Lauterbrunnen:



We missed it when I was there due to our schedule, but we did hit Interlaken for a day. This is Interlaken, late June:

 

If you're into Tolkien, Lauterbrunnen seems to have been the inspiration for Rivendell, based on his hiking journey in 1911. St. Beatus Caves are nearby, too, which John Howe used as inspiration for his concept art for Rivendell. We had planned to go to St. Beatus Caves in June 2020 (with a 3-day stay in Wengen, above Lauterbrunnen) before the pandemic canceled our trip.

Lausanne is close to Geneva, and it has the Olympic Museum. On the east end of Lake Geneva is Montreux, where in 1971 "some stupid with a flare gun burned the place to the ground" and inspired Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water. I don't think the rebuilt casino/studio is much to see today, but it's still iconic rock music history.

 

Enjoying an airport beer. Calling for decent weather, mid 60s in London and low 60s in Edinburg with a couple sunny days.

 

My gf is speaking on a panel at the WHO headquarters on May 11th and 12th. We'll arrive on the 10th and likely leave on the 16th. I'll add Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken to my things to look up this evening.

By chance do you know much about Montreux? One of her colleagues suggested we go there.

 

I did Interlaken one day and Lauterbrunnen for three last summer. The waterfalls and valley are so insanely beautifully. Definitely recommend.

 

I just got home after a couple weeks out of the country. I flew out of Kathmandu and connected through Qatar on my way to LAX.

Getting a Covid test for my departure from Nepal was a joke. No one there cares about it. They don’t do any testing. Luckily my hotel had someone come by to conduct a PCR test.

Nepal reported 7 positive cases on Monday (the day I tested). They looked at me like I had two heads when I requested a Covid test.

 

Eh it just depends on where you are and what airlines you fly. I’m tickling 1/2 million miles and have had just one flight canceled (snow storm in Seattle). Only one delayed where it didn’t arrive on the scheduled time (Ketchikan).

 

DuffandMuff what'd you think of India?

Always hear incredibly polarizing reports.

 

Any restaurant recommendations for those two spots and Geneva?

 

Never been to Montreux, we took a train from Paris to Interlaken to Milan.

 

While we’re on the Swiss talk, I’ll take any Zurich recommendations. Headed there for a conference in May.

 

Never been to anywhere in Switzerland
I know Montreux is gorgeous, 'spensive, and that I will pilgrimage for the jazzfest at some point.

 

Think I'm going to Nepal in November to do some trekking. Spend a month or so in Nepal, maybe another month in Hanoi.

Last night just Googled "best places to trek in November" and the Himalayans were the top of every list -- apparently Oct-Nov is their best time of year.

Either Annapurna Trek or something a little more off-the-beaten path.

 

There's a beautiful easy day hike in the Eastern part of the country called Mt Everest

 

My gf is doing a long trek in Nepal with NOLS in October, I'll give you some feedback if needed

 

How did you like it? Might try to head there in August.

The Banks it appears you've been there before too

 

My gf and I just did four days in Goa, so I don't think that's a true representation of India. I thought four days there was a good amount of time. The hotel provided us with a driver each day and we were able to traverse nearly the entire region it seemed. Really enjoyed the beaches in South Goa.

It was wild experiencing the locals asking for pics with my gf and/or me. After a while it got to be a bit of a hassle. I enjoyed the seafood. North Goa beaches were hectic. Best part may have been hanging with the cows on the beach.

Having said all that, I'm not sure I have any desire to get back to India soon and see the rest. Seems like it can be a lot. Can't imagine Mumbai or Delhi or anywhere else.

I don't have any restaurant recs unfortunately. It was towards the end of a two week road trip with a couple buddies and we weren't exactly seeking out highly respected dining options. Especially in Switzerland where it can get a bit expensive.

 

I enjoyed it. Laid back little town with some good food and bar options. 10 of us rented a house on Gringo Hill with a pool. We rented a couple golf carts, which made it super easy to get around town. Definitely preferred the beach further north. A friend's family friend owns a place in Los Delfines. We primarily hung out at that beach. Fresh margaritas from a little beach stand.

We also spent a day at San Francisco/San Pancho. It's the next beach north of Sayulita. Small little place, but my buddy's dad owns a condo on the beach so we checked it out.

 

Exactly me

 

Have a wedding near Rio in October. Anyone have recs for award travel strategies? Unfortunately no directs from NY that time of year, which is mindblowing to me.

 

Anyone have any tips for Iceland? Considering going at the end of may.

 

Section in OP I believe

 

I assume you're still up against the covid route cutbacks.
Looks like your only options are repositioning to MIA (AA/oneworld) or IAH (UA/star alliance). What points are you playing with?

 

I’ve got Delta, UR, and Amex to play with

 

Need an all inclusive somewhere tropical.. would prefer more low key/less crowded. Any intel would be appreciated. So many options.

 

One thing I did that was more off the beaten path, was taking a bus into Thorsmork.
It's a really neat area with some cool mountains. We did a short hike up to a viewpoint where you overlook a river valley.
The terrain getting there is really rough, but beautiful to look at and there is a river crossing which makes the bus ride neat.
Other than that most of the main attractions are on the ring road, which makes seeing everything really easy.
In late may you are probably close to 24hr of daylight. One thing we found to be a good idea was visiting some of the more popular things really early in the morning or late at night. At 11 pm you have the same amount of light as during the middle of the day here.

 

https://www.zdnet.com/article/american-airlines-just-showed-the-door-to-customers-who-arent-rich/

This might be the most absurd article I've read in a while

 

So imo you've got a few options to consider, and given that none will be non-stop if it were me it'd come down to a combo of schedule compatibility and product quality. (You trying to do premium cabin btw?)

Avianca does JFK to GIG via BOG
UA connects from EWR to COPA's direct flight from Panama City.
AA does LGA MIA GIG
(I noticed fwiw that the return leg for AA can be done direct)
If you were hoping to use the DL miles, they market LATAM flights via Sao Paolo (from ATL obviously) but then you're into 2 connection territory of course. *edit - I think there are actual DL flights on this route... delta one, etc.
And again UA does direct from IAH but I don't know why you'd want to do that instead of the Avianca or COPA connection route if it's a star alliance situation. (Unless Polaris is of specific interest.)

 

The only thing worse than the article itself are the commenters feeling a need to defend their premium flying habits

 

i was only there for a couple days but I rented a car and did the golden circle. it was a full day of driving and seeing shit but I enjoyed it. could certainly spent much more time but I was limited there

I also ate puffin and some type of whale for dinner one night. Puffin was pretty gamey. I don’t recommend the whale

 

The whale I had in Iceland was very good. I ate whale again in Norway and it was very mediocre.