The Travelling Thread/ The Home Town Thread

[SpaceCowboy]

Well, I didn´t found anything like this, so why not?

Want to travel somewhere?
Want to share your dream travels with your forum mates?
Are you planning a trip to some place and need help planning it?
Want advices, or suggestions about places to travel?
Or do you want to publicize your own home town and grow some traveling appetite?

So, use the traveling thread/ Home Town Thread!

So yeah, the point of this is to share your travelling desires and show your home town to your forum buddies.

And since I´m supposed to take the initiative, here are some places in a 5 min. radius from where I live.

!

[C_uggs]

There is a place I want to go, and that place is Portugal, so if someone is kind enough to help me with tips and cities to visit, I will be glad.

About my city, shish..is a pretty big city, if you like big cities, you will like São Paulo.

[Monkey King]

I'd like to visit the home villages/areas of my recent immigrant half.
County Cavan in Ireland, and Settefrati in Italy.

Otherwise I'd like to visit Georgia (the country lol) some day.

Where I live near is this place.
Though come at the right time of year and you don't even need to hop on the train to go anywhere, because you'll see this just around the town.

[Carmilla]

@Monkey:

Otherwise I'd like to visit Georgia (the country lol) some day.

Good luck

[C_uggs]

And also, this is very close to my house.

[Mr. Truth]

I live in this metro area which is incredibly convenient for getting internships at foreign policy-related think tanks and institutions, and also if you like cherry blossoms and museums I guess. IMO the height restrictions get a lot of shit from some members here but honestly I find it makes the city pretty manageable without being completely boring. The Maryland suburban area where I live is pretty comfy and not too big (although development is crazy right now in Montgomery County), and Virginia's immediate suburbs are where you go if you want to feel like you're in a slightly bigger city with tall buildings (most of which I'm very glad are on the other side of the Potomac). Right now though I'm going to college in rural northeastern Ohio about an hour outside of Cleveland, so it's pretty cold and there's not too much to do in the surrounding small town. During the summers I go up to Cape Ann which I'd say is a pretty great place during the summer. New England really knows how to make its god damn ice cream!
I'd also love to visit Bulgaria sometime, particularly Dupnitza where my grandmother came from but also Sofia because it looks like a pretty neat city.

[Vectorkov]

I'd like to visit Germany, Ireland, and England to explore my roots. I'd also like to visit Japan, Spain, and Malta. Also, I really wish my wife felt safe going to Mexico, I think it would be interesting and it would be a short flight. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to venture into Juarez when I go to El Paso for work.

This is near my home

[Monkey King]

@Carmilla:

Good luck

I've already been to North Cyprus, a country recognized by nobody but Turkey, with off limits soldier guarded territories ringing it, and a pack of feral stray dogs right near where we parked the car.
Georgia should be a cinch.

[wolfwood]

I always wanted to visit Russia. But i reckon i'd have to take a couple more Russian classes before that

[Carmilla]

@Monkey:

I've already been to North Cyprus, a country recognized by nobody but Turkey, with off limits soldier guarded territories ringing it, and a pack of feral stray dogs right near where we parked the car.
Georgia should be a cinch.

Well yeah~ No it's not really a bad place. Good food, wine, sights, people are at least polite too I guess.. But speaking of cars:

You should never drive. Never xD

[taboo]

Definitely want to take carter to Texas this summer so we can hang out around Austin and maybe visit the river walk in San Antonio, maybe spend a day at schlitterbahn and drink piña coladas on the hills near lake Travis

It's been sooo long since I've been up that way

[Vectorkov]

@taboo:

Definitely want to take carter to Texas this summer so we can hang out around Austin and maybe visit the river walk in San Antonio, maybe spend a day at schlitterbahn and drink piña coladas on the hills near lake Travis

The lake is really low right now so the view from the Oasis isn't as nice as it used to be.

[taboo]

@Vectorkov:

The lake is really low right so the view from the Oasis isn't as nice as it used to be.

ahhh noooo ;_;

Hmmm well maybe we'll go to the iguana grill instead since they still have those amazing iguanacoladas

[Monkey King]

@wolfwood:

I always wanted to visit Russia. But i reckon i'd have to take a couple more Russian classes before that

Aside from some pretty churches isn't there like…nothing there otherwise...like in terms of sightseeing and experientally and the like.

[wolfwood]

@Monkey:

Aside from some pretty churches isn't there like…nothing there otherwise...like in terms of sightseeing and experientally and the like.

St.Petersburg as a whole is pretty stunning. I could definetly wander around there for a while.

But mostly it's a culinary thing. They've got somethings i wanna check out.

[SpaceCowboy]

@Captain:

There is a place I want to go, and that place is Portugal, so if someone is kind enough to help me with tips and cities to visit, I will be glad.

About my city, shish..is a pretty big city, if you like big cities, you will like São Paulo.

If you ever need help in Lisbon/Sintra/Cascais just ask.

Not sure about São Paulo. The size scares me.

@Monkey:

Aside from some pretty churches isn't there like…nothing there otherwise...like in terms of sightseeing and experientally and the like.

Well, they have the trans-siberian…
I wouldn´t mind taking a ride in it.

--- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Vectorkov:

I'd like to visit Germany, Ireland, and England to explore my roots. I'd also like to visit Japan, Spain, and Malta. Also, I really wish my wife felt safe going to Mexico, I think it would be interesting and it would be a short flight. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to venture into Juarez when I go to El Paso for work.

This is near my home

That´s Texas?

I always thought it was… drier...

[C_uggs]

@SpaceCowboy:

If you ever need help in Lisbon/Sintra/Cascais just ask.

Not sure about São Paulo. The size scares me.

**Lisbon, Coimbra and Leomil are the cities I want to go.

About São Paulo, yeah..It is big but don´t let the size scares you, there is a LOT of things to do.**

[wolfwood]

On the immediate food travel wishlist we have, in no particular order.

-Russia. Lots and lots of interesting soups, beverages and lots of interesting local variations.

-Italy. Lots of simple, pure flavours, and many vegetable heavy dishes.

-Germany. Like the sausages and charcuterie alone merit a visit. And all those beers.

-China. Do i even have to motivate this? More intersting food than i could dream of.

But there are of course a bunch more that i'd wanna check of before i die.

[Vectorkov]

@SpaceCowboy:

That´s Texas?

Yep, that's Central Texas and in the middle of a big city.

@SpaceCowboy:

I always thought it was… drier...

You're thinking of West Texas. Speaking of West… here's El Paso. Can you tell where the US ends and Mexico begins?

One place in Texas I'm ashamed I've never been to is Big Bend National Park.

[Zar]

I'm not quite sure where I'd like to travel. I'm a bit of a coward when it comes to such things, but one day I'd like to travel someplace, alone. Finally an adult after all, so I'd be nice to save up and go on a short trip without my family dragging me around. Does anybody know any good places south of sweden? Someplace a coward broke first-time tourist would enjoy? It doesn't have to be stunning or amazing, and preferably anything but a planted forest.
I'm a villager at heart, so I feel most comfortable in those environments.

Other than that, I've been thinking of the baltic countries, or anywhere near or around Germany. I'd love to visit Wales, Scottland or England as well. Some of the rural areas look absolutely stunning! A bit nostalgic, somehow…
And of course both Japan and the U.S. are up there, along with New Zealand, but that's another story entirely. Costa Rica also seems neat.

.....
As for where I live... close by is an area called Österlen. It's the very, very, very, very southern-eastern tip of sweden (south-eastern scania, to be exact) and it has some beauitful scenery. It's not spectacular or world famous, but if you like nature, walking and relaxing places I'd recommend it. There should be several nature reserves, probably a few ruins, and the National park Stens Huvud. There is also the town of Kivik. Every year, in August-September, they display a painting made entirely out of apples. Though if you're ever going there, I strongly recommend May-June instead, when everything blooms.
There are also plenty of beaches nearby, and close access to both Malmö and Copenhagen, along with the danish island Bornholm. Actually, Bornholm is a pretty fantastic place as well. There is a neat castle ruin there, among other things.

[Cyan D. Funk]

Cyan's Travel Hit List:

• Gettysburg
• Nashville
• Memphis
• Tahlequa
• Zion National Park
• Haida Gwaii
• Navajo reservation
• Taos Pueblo
• General tour of the old Puebloan centers
• New Orleans

I'm on Long Island, which is functionally a vacation home for asshole stockbrokers and WASPs from NYC. Westhampton is a lovely place, though (fucking terrible in August, avoid it like the plague.)

[Monkey King]

@Cyan:

Cyan's Travel Hit List:

• Gettysburg
• Nashville
• Memphis
• Tahlequa
• Zion National Park
• Haida Gwaii
• Navajo reservation
• Taos Pueblo
• General tour of the old Puebloan centers
• New Orleans

I'm on Long Island, which is functionally a vacation home for asshole stockbrokers and WASPs from NYC. Westhampton is a lovely place, though (fucking terrible in August, avoid it like the plague.)

Long Island in my experience is too flat and a little suburban sprawly at least around Mineola and Hempstead (where I've been outside Queens).

[Cyan D. Funk]

@Monkey:

Long Island in my experience is too flat and a little suburban sprawly at least around Mineola and Hempstead (where I've been outside Queens).

Oh yeah Nassau county is basically a giant suburb. Levittown and all that.

[Robby]

@SpaceCowboy:

That´s Texas?

I always thought it was… drier...

Texas is the length of 1/3 of the country. WHile in popular media its presented as just a desert with cowboys, its got grass, lakes, forests, and all the good stuff in quantity. Plains, hills, mountains, beaches… we got it all.

[Nobodyman]

I'm a bit disappointed with myself that, with all the money I make, I've never really traveled anywhere (except on business) and I've never left the country. Of course, if I did go somewhere, I'd like to go with somebody else to share the experience, and the only people I could take are maybe my mom or my brother.

[wolfwood]

@Zar:

I'm a villager at heart, so I feel most comfortable in those environments.

Heh refering to oneself as a villager just sounds so damn cute.

Other than that, I've been thinking of the baltic countries

I've heard good things about Riga. Lots of beautiful old buildings, and it ain't to hard on the wallet.

A friend of mine has been bugging me to go for a weekend trip over there.

As for where I live… close by is an area called Österlen. It's the very, very, very, very southern-eastern tip of sweden (south-eastern scania, to be exact) and it has some beauitful scenery. It's not spectacular or world famous, but if you like nature, walking and relaxing places I'd recommend it. There should be several nature reserves, probably a few ruins, and the National park Stens Huvud. There is also the town of Kivik. Every year, in August-September, they display a painting made entirely out of apples. Though if you're ever going there, I strongly recommend May-June instead, when everything blooms.
There are also plenty of beaches nearby, and close access to both Malmö and Copenhagen, along with the danish island Bornholm. Actually, Bornholm is a pretty fantastic place as well. There is a neat castle ruin there, among other things.

Don't be so modest. Scania as a whole is beautiful. And the produce you get from those fertile soils are just wonderful.

Me, as i forgot to add to my earlier post, i'm currently living in "the winter city" Östersund. Haven't lived here for too long, but so far it's been very nice. Lots of local buisnesses that make the city center seem more alive, instead of the usual major chains you'd find elsewhere. Lots of local pride, and a pretty vibrant eco farming scene. And of course all the winter sports you'd ever want in town, with the added compliment of having the major Swedish ski resorts just a short train ride away.

[Vectorkov]

@Cyan:

Cyan's Travel Hit List:

• Gettysburg
  - Nashville - Memphis
• Tahlequa
• Zion National Park
• Haida Gwaii
• Navajo reservation
• Taos Pueblo
  - General tour of the old Puebloan centers
• New Orleans

Nashville is a fun city to visit. I get to go every year so I should explore more when I'm there. If you're interested in Pueblo ruins you should check out the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, west of Durango.

[wolfwood]

@Robby:

Texas is the length of 1/3 of the country. WHile in popular media its presented as just a desert with cowboys, its got grass, lakes, forests, and all the good stuff in quantity. Plains, hills, mountains, beaches… we got it all.

But the most important question remains. The food, is it great, or better than great?

[Robby]

@wolfwood:

But the most important question remains. The food, is it great, or better than great?

Well, Mexican food sucks north of here, I know that. Otherwise… I dunno.

[Kaze]

So in about a month when I get taxes done, I'll be looking to travel and explore Japan. I wont be going until August and we'll only be there for about two weeks, but I just want to know where my friends and I should visit rather than the obvious tourist choices.

We'll be arriving and staying in Tokyo, but we'll be wanting to travel to Saitama, Osaka, kyoto, yokohama, sendai, but since We only have two weeks we have to narrow it down to like 3. So, should it be Osaka, Tokyo, Saitama? There's so much I wanna do and experience and with only two weeks to do it all I just don't know where to start. aha

I'll be trying to learn a little Japanese, I mean at least to get around to the bars/ temples/lives(bands)/malls/ etc. But am I going to have to buy rosetta stone orrrr? O_o

EDIT: Tex-mex and Authentic Mexican food are two complete different things, but both are delicious.
And you could find either places around every street corner in Houston, and most of them are actually really good.

[wolfwood]

@Kaze:

EDIT: Tex-mex and Authentic Mexican food are two complete different things, but both are delicious.
And you could find either places around every street corner in Houston, and most of them are actually really good.

So which side does tex-mex better? Does the Mexican side just hog all the glory or what?

Like if you visited the Mexican border cities, would there be anything you'd miss out on from the yank side.

[Vectorkov]

@wolfwood:

But the most important question remains. The food, is it great, or better than great?

The BBQ, Tex-Mex, and Mexican food is good. Oh, and we really love breakfast tacos here.

[Kaze]

Firstly, never visit border towns on either side. That is literally where all the drugs, rape, and murder you hear about in mexico actually goes down. lol. Secondly, I would say it's gets more and more one sided the further south you travel, that being the Mexican food side.

[Vectorkov]

@wolfwood:

So which side does tex-mex better? Does the Mexican side just hog all the glory or what?

Like if you visited the Mexican border cities, would there be anything you'd miss out on from the yank side.

If you wanted to visit a border town and get a PhD in Tex-Mex and Mexican cooking you would visit El Paso, which is a perfectly safe place to visit. San Antonio would be a good choice as well, although it isn't on the border.

[wolfwood]

I've been dabbling a bit in Tex-Mex, y'know carnitas, al pastor, wetribs etc.

Would be nice taste the real deal and see how far off the mark i've been.

So i guess El-Paso goes on the bucket list. I should really make an essential US food stop list too

[Monkey King]

@wolfwood:

would there be anything you'd miss out on from the yank side.

The ability to ingest tap water without getting the runs.

[taboo]

@Robby:

Well, Mexican food sucks north of here, I know that. Otherwise… I dunno.

i must have gained 10 lbs from visiting Houston this past Xmas. We went to this new place called Gringos and I got the Pollo con Queso and it was fucking incredible

Seriously tho

[wolfwood]

Where's Prism when you need him. Someone needs to have Mexico's back in this fight lol

[taboo]

@Vectorkov:

The BBQ, Tex-Mex, and Mexican food is good. Oh, and we really love breakfast tacos here.

breakfast tacos (and kolaches too for that matter) don't exist in georgia and the only place you can get one is at sonic and nobody wants to do that bc they aren't that great there ;_;

[Prismeru]

Sigh, can't read signatures? Oh well… I guess i have to impart some knowledge Takes off the...wait i don't have anything in my hands. Fuck

Regarding the first question, My brother and i promised we would go to India together and i've felt the itch to return to Chicago this year. Apart from that i'm open to visit any other country. I like to get to know other places. Also, i've already been to the countries i dreamt to visit (Well, not dream but hope).

Now on México. As with any country we have a different type of cuisine in each state and we range in a wide variety of foods ranging from dishes composed of masa de tortilla in various presentations to insect kitchen (Which is fuckin delicious) to some excellent choices in "Drink till you black out". What? You're saying that's not food? Pfft, you must don't drink much son. Let me put on some dishes pictures in here.

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As for Tacos you have to risk to go to the street, to go out (As with all the great food). You're not gonna find the real authentic one in that shelted restaurant hotel. Heck,if you come to el DF i will personally take you to some great place. We will end up somewhere like this.

but if you are afraid of having a tummy-ache you can go and keep on eating mc donalds or whatever it is you child eat. I'm sure we have Kiddie meals in here too.

As for Sightseeing, a little sample:

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As for people i'm of the worst ones in here so it can only go up from there.

TL;DR: México has a fuckload of beautiful landscapes, food, culture, Museums, People and even drink. We will blow your panties off and will leave you wanting for more. If you don't believe just google how much people has been bewitched by my beautiful country (That yes,it has been suffering so much cause of the drug war but we still walk with our head uphigh cause pain is one of the greatest joys of living). Here's one:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/09/10/style/tmagazine/redzepi-searches-for-the-perfect-taco.html?_r=0

[Vectorkov]

@taboo:

i must have gained 10 lbs from visiting Houston this past Xmas.

Try growing up there. Constant struggle to not be huge.

@taboo:

breakfast tacos (and kolaches too for that matter) don't exist in georgia and the only place you can get one is at sonic and nobody wants to do that bc they aren't that great there ;_;

What?! That sounds awful. No breakfast tacos… does not compute. :wassat:

No kolaches either.. wtf man, wtf. My part Czech wife would not be happy.

@Prismeru:

TL;DR: México has a fuckload of beautiful landscapes, food, culture, Museums, People and even drink. We will blow your panties off and will leave you wanting for more. If you don't believe just google how much people has been bewitched by my beautiful country (That yes,it has been suffering so much cause of the drug war but we still walk with our head uphigh cause pain is one of the greatest joys of living).

Where is that green canyon of awesomeness?

[wolfwood]

@Prismeru:

Regarding the first question, My brother and i promised we would go to India together and i've felt the itch to return to Chicago this year. Apart from that i'm open to visit any other country. I like to get to know other places. Also, i've already been to the countries i dreamt to visit (Well, not dream but hope).

India is probably the country i'm the least interested in visiting.

Not to slam on your choice at all, just throwing it out there since it came up. I'd probably go crazy with the crowds and heat.

As for Tacos you have to risk to go to the street, to go out (As with all the great food). You're not gonna find the real authentic one in that shelted restaurant hotel. Heck,if you come to el DF i will personally take you to some great place. We will end up somewhere like this.

but if you are afraid of having a tummy-ache you can go and keep on eating mc donalds or whatever it is you child eat. I'm sure we have Kiddie meals in here too.

I'll take that as a sort of admittal of the diarrehea risk:ninja:

Which is fine really, you only live once, might as well have a nice meal no matter the consequence.

[Prismeru]

@Vectorkov:

Where is that green canyon of awesomeness?

The first one is Barranca del cobre in Chihuahua. The Second one is Cañon del sumidero in Chiapas.

@wolfwood:

India is probably the country i'm the least interested in visiting.

Not to slam on your choice at all, just throwing it out there since it came up. I'd probably go crazy with the crowds and heat.

I'll take that as a sort of admittal of the diarrehea risk:ninja:

Which is fine really, you only live once, might as well have a nice meal no matter the consequence.

Well, i want to see where Buddhism was born (yeah, yeah. I know. Don't correct me all over the place). I can't really call it pilmimagre cause i'm not really…well, it's weird.

And for the second part i've had so many delicious food in so many "dirty" parts that i've learned to suck it up. Also i got diarrhea of all places in Nara (A watermelon given to me as a gift from some nice lady which in retrospect maybe wasn't nice and was trying to kill me) so it can happen anywhere.

[Monkey King]

@Prismeru:

Well, i want to see where Buddhism was born (yeah, yeah. I know. Don't correct me all over the place). I can't really call it pilmimagre cause i'm not really…well, it's weird.

The area where Buddhism got it's start is like… one of the worst parts of India. Like you're basically visiting the non-warzone parts of the Congo.

Like I know you're having a laugh at the first worlder stomachs not being able to handle Mexican street food, but Mexico is basically Norway compared to Bihar. Like we're talking severe food poisoning type things. I heard a story about a lady from China who accidentally was drinking tap water in her India hotel, and has had stomach problems ever since.

The richer nicer parts of India are supposably areas near Punjab and Delhi, Mumbai, and the southern cone in the Dravidian speaking areas (kinda like South America lol). Kerala especially is supposed to be waaaaaaaaaaay ahead of the rest of the country.

Also Sri Lanka where people are actually still Buddhist is like wayyyyy beyond India and most of it's states (to say nothing of Pakistan, Nepal, or Bangladesh). Actually Sri Lanka according to the HDI is basically the same as Mexico, except with a much tinier area and population which probably means on average it's better than where you live unless you're in a richer part of Mex! Somehow! In spite of the rest of the region being poo!

Like I dunno, South Asia has some nicer parts but you might want to not focus in on the Buddhism birth area.

[wolfwood]

In food terms, which parts/cities/areas of the US do ya'll count as neccesities?

El Paso has already gotten the stamp of approval, and i'm thinking Louisiana deserves a spot.

And if Zeph is to be believed the New York area has the quasi-Italian stuff on lock.

[Vectorkov]

@wolfwood:

El Paso has already gotten the stamp of approval, and i'm thinking Louisiana deserves a spot.

You could stop in New Orleans for Cajun food, hop on over to Houston for just about anything (including hurricane Katrina refugees selling Cajun food), keep going west west to Austin & Lockheart for BBQ, then keep going and going way out west to El Paso for Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. That's only a 15-16 hour drive from end to end. BTW, saying X BBQ is better than than Y BBQ often amounts to fightin' words.

And if Zeph is to be believed the New York area has the quasi-Italian stuff on lock.

New York is definitely a necessary stop on an American culinary tour.

Perosnally, I'd love to one day try Indian food somewhere where it's considered the best.

[SpaceCowboy]

Have I created a food porn thread?

Anyway, Wolfwood, if you want good food, why not take a trip over here?
Portuguese food is not as known as Italian or French, but it´s honestly as good, if not better, and it isn´t as expensive as both those places, so you can end up with your stomach filled and your wallet in the same condition.
Best fish in Europe, and a lot of good meat too.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Captain:

**Lisbon, Coimbra and Leomil are the cities I want to go.

About São Paulo, yeah..It is big but don´t let the size scares you, there is a LOT of things to do.**

Leomil?

Any special reason? That´s a pretty weird choice.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Zar:

…

How far to South would you be willing/interested going to?

[C_uggs]

@SpaceCowboy:

Leomil?

Any special reason? That´s a pretty weird choice.

This is where my family is from.

[Monkey King]

@wolfwood:

In food terms, which parts/cities/areas of the US do ya'll count as neccesities?

El Paso has already gotten the stamp of approval, and i'm thinking Louisiana deserves a spot.

And if Zeph is to be believed the New York area has the quasi-Italian stuff on lock.

It's not quasi-Italian if you're actually going to the right places. There's good pizza everywhere, but you mean like the cuisine? No worry. Little Italy in NYC and all sorts of little places everywheres else has what you need. Even in my town we have an extremely good place and I live between Bridgeport and New Haven rather than anywhere super close to NYC itself.

Also the NYC area being the most immigrant heavy part of the world means you can probably find the food of absolutely anything you could imagine.
In fact I think I just sold you on it with that line alone lol. If you can get over the urban transition you'd be in gastronomic heaven.

[Cyan D. Funk]

There's also a bunch of halal street food places in the city these days. I got one of the best burgers I've ever eaten from one.