2025 travel plans

[chitown_boy]

OK I now need you to find something this cheap somewhere further south in Europe for me please

That really is fantastic value and I don't really don't have a great desire to go back to Berlin

You and me both (re cheap southern accomodation)! In my first trip to EU after covid I spent 7 nights in the Pestana on Gran Via in Madrid in peak summer for 747 EUR (king bed, rooftop pool with sunbeds, al fresco rooftop buffet breakfast included). Now it’s 3 x that price!

Funny you should say that about Berlin. I’ve been back to Berlin 3 x since covid and my last time I swore I was done with it but that calculus changed in Dec last year when I was trip planning and realised I could stretch my budget in 2025 to miss almost all of Melburnian winter this year…

 

[VPS]

You and me both (re cheap southern accomodation)! In my first trip to EU after covid I spent 7 nights in the Pestana on Gran Via in Madrid in peak summer for 747 EUR (king bed, rooftop pool with sunbeds, al fresco rooftop buffet breakfast included). Now it’s 3 x that price!

Funny you should say that about Berlin. I’ve been back to Berlin 3 x since covid and my last time I swore I was done with it but that calculus changed in Dec last year when I was trip planning and realised I could stretch my budget in 2025 to miss almost all of Melburnian winter this year…

I want to escape the Adelaide summer

 

[MARTINE]

I want to escape the Adelaide summer

Oslo?

 

[VPS]

Oslo?

Alcohol is too expensive for me

 

[chitown_boy]

Alcohol is too expensive for me

Very true - I think the beer works out to be about 6-8 times the cost it is in Berlin lol

Northern winter - what about the year-round inhabited Greek islands ? I did Naxos between Santorini and Mykonos in 2023 and it was dirt cheap and just an amazing island to holiday in…little villages with old school spit roast barbecues and small shops, and the island itself is huge and great for hiking and has plenty of beaches…the seafood in the restaurants along the main boardwalk were also amazing and not too dear

I really should get around to posting some of these trips as TR’s, but as a newb wasn’t sure whether it’s kosher to post something 1-2 years ago…

 

[RooFlyer]

The sculpture of the Fab 4 on the waterfront facing the Mersey is very cool. I will let you do research about one item in each of the four statues put in my the sculpter that many don't know about. I found out about it waiting in the women's toilet Q at Eurovillage when I started chatting to a Beatles Guide for Liverpool!!

OK. Where is the only other statue where they are all 4 together? And predates the Liverpool one. Hint: Its in one of my TRs (but you won't find it by searching on Beatle )

 

[MARTINE]

OK. Where is the only other statue where they are all 4 together? And predates the Liverpool one. Hint: Its in one of my TRs (but you won't find it by searching on Beatle )

I know there’s one in Mongolia

 

[drron]

I originally found it on booking.com but it was more exy (suspect they were taking a cut), so I went to the source and was very pleased I did!

Yes it always a great idea to try and find the source. We have stayed at 3 or 4 Air BnBs but have never booked through their platform. Found the owner's websites and save considerably money booking direct. Even did it for long stays in Launceston when I was working I was put up at the Quest for the first few times but they closed down. So the last 5 stays for 1-3 month stats were in places listed on AirBNB but again I was put in touch with the owner of 5 properties through contacts at the hospital. Much better rates.

 

[RooFlyer]

I know there’s one in Mongolia

Not the one I was indicating - and not really a statue?

 

[VPS]

Very true - I think the beer works out to be about 6-8 times the cost it is in Berlin lol

Northern winter - what about the year-round inhabited Greek islands ? I did Naxos between Santorini and Mykonos in 2023 and it was dirt cheap and just an amazing island to holiday in…little villages with old school spit roast barbecues and small shops, and the island itself is huge and great for hiking and has plenty of beaches…the seafood in the restaurants along the main boardwalk were also amazing and not too dear

I really should get around to posting some of these trips as TR’s, but as a newb wasn’t sure whether it’s kosher to post something 1-2 years ago…

Trip reports are always good - I often get started and then get sidetracked. No idea how people can do them on the go.

I've spent a bit of time in Greece and no great desire to go back - I'm no spring chicken!! I'd love somewhere in France, Italy or Spain or UK.

Edit somewhere not someone!!

 

[RB]

Mmmmm Post 52 in this thread isn't by you and there is nothing about a bullring in this thread by you

Sorry, link now attached

 

[drron]

I missed an important part of Malaga. Our Art Historian Guide told us this was the best restaurant in Malaga. But perhaps because they run some tours and he is sometimes the guide for their Picasso tour.

Home - El Pimpi

www.elpimpi.com

And there Cultural Experiences (tours).

Cultural archivos - El Pimpi

Get to know our city by the hand of our most authentic “Pimpis”. They will be the best guides for you to enjoy an unforgettable experience in Málaga with its most demanded monuments and museums. After the visit, we will continue enjoying the experience with a custom-designed menu.

www.elpimpi.com

If the guides are all as good as our fellow was these should be worthwhile.

 

[VPS]

Sorry, link now attached

Thanks

 

[Flashback]

Trip reports are always good - I often get started and then get sidetracked. No idea how people can do them on the go.

I've spent a bit of time in Greece and no great desire to go back - I'm no spring chicken!! I'd love somewhere in France, Italy or Spain or UK.

Edit somewhere not someone!!

Well, UK is simple! France or Spain for me, for a month of language immersion. Should do something useful with my free time.. Spanish maybe, then can go hit up central and south America more.

 

[chitown_boy]

OK. Where is the only other statue where they are all 4 together? And predates the Liverpool one. Hint: Its in one of my TRs (but you won't find it by searching on Beatle )

HAMBURG! Will be returning to HAM in May and might just check that area out again its been 7 years or so - first saw them on a Beatles tour there along the Reeperbahn…toured the seedy places where they first played long gigs (allegedly) under the influence of copious amounts of amphetamines pre-Liverpool and pre-fame

 

[SuePa]

OK. Where is the only other statue where they are all 4 together? And predates the Liverpool one. Hint: Its in one of my TRs (but you won't find it by searching on Beatle )

Almaty, Kazakhstan.

 

[RooFlyer]

Almaty, Kazakhstan.

That's the one I had visited! They told us "it was probably the only one with all 4, except maybe Liverpool"

 

[markis10]

OK. Where is the only other statue where they are all 4 together? And predates the Liverpool one. Hint: Its in one of my TRs (but you won't find it by searching on Beatle )

If you don’t count Ukraine

Siberia

Almaty

And of course everything is bigger in Texas (Houston)

 

[chitown_boy]

If you don’t count Ukraine
View attachment 426560
Siberia
View attachment 426561
Almaty
View attachment 426562
And of course everything is bigger in Texas (Houston)
View attachment 426563

Ok not as impressive as the others
But here’s HAM’s Beatle-Platz

 

[DejaBrew]

Ok not as impressive as the others
But here’s HAM’s Beatle-Platz
View attachment 426564

Is it just me, or does the one of the far left look more like Elvis....?