Holiday Thread

[Diane65]

Thanks so much for the info.

[Diane65]

This is more re a day out than a holiday. Has anyone been to Brighton Pavilion as it looks amazing or Brighton itself? I know that I'm probably being ridiculous but as the Pavilion is free with the Art Pass (which will be valid for 3 months when it arrives) and I have loads of redspottedhanky codes I'm contemplating booking a day out to Brighton from Manchester so making the most of an opportunity but wondering if it is worth it as I can get there for free using my codes and if I leave home at 7am I will be in Brighton for 11am then will have about 6 - 7 hours in Brighton. I do have these mad ideas but do have lots of stamina too so any tips will be fab.

Arts passes for the Royal Pavilion at Brighton are terrific. We just flashed ours and could avoid the very long queue and you must see this amazing edifice, Diane. Quite mind blowing! Do go inside!
We had a family day out some time back (2 summers ago I think) using extremely cheap tickets from Southern Rail (when they had 50p tickets to loads of places for a short while if you could cope with the awful website) so ended up having a very nice day out for very little money. And don't forget Brighton Pier and there was a very nice Art Museum too. Hope the weather obliges!

Does anyone know how long I should allow for the Pavilion? I'm planning to get the most out of the day but still want to have time to enjoy it. Thanks for any information.

[ejwrank]

This is more re a day out than a holiday. Has anyone been to Brighton Pavilion as it looks amazing or Brighton itself? I know that I'm probably being ridiculous but as the Pavilion is free with the Art Pass (which will be valid for 3 months when it arrives) and I have loads of redspottedhanky codes I'm contemplating booking a day out to Brighton from Manchester so making the most of an opportunity but wondering if it is worth it as I can get there for free using my codes and if I leave home at 7am I will be in Brighton for 11am then will have about 6 - 7 hours in Brighton. I do have these mad ideas but do have lots of stamina too so any tips will be fab.

Arts passes for the Royal Pavilion at Brighton are terrific. We just flashed ours and could avoid the very long queue and you must see this amazing edifice, Diane. Quite mind blowing! Do go inside!
We had a family day out some time back (2 summers ago I think) using extremely cheap tickets from Southern Rail (when they had 50p tickets to loads of places for a short while if you could cope with the awful website) so ended up having a very nice day out for very little money. And don't forget Brighton Pier and there was a very nice Art Museum too. Hope the weather obliges!

Does anyone know how long I should allow for the Pavilion? I'm planning to get the most out of the day but still want to have time to enjoy it. Thanks for any information.

We'd say allow about at least an hour or so for looking inside The Royal Pavilion --it is pretty amazing! We had audio guides which were free as well admission with your trusty Arts Pass. We managed to bypass the long queue of visitors by mentioning our Art Passes. Of course if the weather is dismal you could spend a bit longer inside! And the Art Museum was very close to The Royal Pavilion. But hope you have good weather as Brighton Pier is very nice. And we used our Tastecards for 2 for 1 lunches at La Tasca -- a real FMUKer (without the free film) day trip with our cheapo train tickets thrown in.

[Diane65]

Thanks so much for that ejwrank, now I can get planning. I'm thinking a couple of hours in The Pavilion and gardens, a couple of hours around The Lanes or maybe Hove possibly having lunch there and a couple of hours on the beach/Pier with an ice cream and soaking up the sunshine

[eumenides]

Going to the beautiful Highlands around Helmsdale, Moray Firth and John O'Groats this Sunday and going for just shy of a week - is there anywhere we absolutely shouldn't miss whilst we're driving around ? Thanks to any Scots / knowledgeable non-Scots for some top tips!!

[Yinster]

Going to the beautiful Highlands around Helmsdale, Moray Firth and John O'Groats this Sunday and going for just shy of a week - is there anywhere we absolutely shouldn't miss whilst we're driving around ? Thanks to any Scots / knowledgeable non-Scots for some top tips!!

not that there is much in Dunnet Head but try to go there so you can say you been to the most northernly point of the UK.

[eumenides]

Going to the beautiful Highlands around Helmsdale, Moray Firth and John O'Groats this Sunday and going for just shy of a week - is there anywhere we absolutely shouldn't miss whilst we're driving around ? Thanks to any Scots / knowledgeable non-Scots for some top tips!!

not that there is much in Dunnet Head but try to go there so you can say you been to the most northernly point of the UK.

Thanks Yinster ! Is there at least a signpost we could pose with for a cheesy photo? If so it's on the list.

[Yinster]

So it is almost a week before I go to St Petersburg. Already the Jet2 has changed our hotel from the Ibis to the Park Inn by Radisson as there is overbooking. Not that it matters as long as it is clean. OH says the two hotels are pretty close to each other. We haven't changed much money to roubles as I am discouraging OH from spending money on shopping. So our budget is really just food and non alcoholic beverages. We are going to take some American dollars to change but only if we really have to.

So any tips/advices for me for St Petersburg?

[chelle1973]

Going to the beautiful Highlands around Helmsdale, Moray Firth and John O'Groats this Sunday and going for just shy of a week - is there anywhere we absolutely shouldn't miss whilst we're driving around ? Thanks to any Scots / knowledgeable non-Scots for some top tips!!

Have you been before? I reckon the scenery will take your breath away! Not that ive been there myself but have been to other parts of the highlands and beyond. The furthest being Papa Westray in Orkney. I'm sure there will be a sign in John O'Groats as that place is famous for charity walks/cycles/runs - (or just for fun) the route is usually from there to Lands End or vice versa! Watch out for the bikers, their mental in the highlands lol cause they love the roads further north! Have a great time and i hope the weather picks up for you

[mandmc10]

So it is almost a week before I go to St Petersburg. Already the Jet2 has changed our hotel from the Ibis to the Park Inn by Radisson as there is overbooking. Not that it matters as long as it is clean. OH says the two hotels are pretty close to each other. We haven't changed much money to roubles as I am discouraging OH from spending money on shopping. So our budget is really just food and non alcoholic beverages. We are going to take some American dollars to change but only if we really have to.

So any tips/advices for me for St Petersburg?

Set aside a few days to go outside the city, Petergoff (go by boat from Hermitage), Pavlovsk, etc.
The day you visit the Hermitage - get there early!well before opening! Good places to eat - buffet style cheap restaurants... (not Chinese buffet but the ones with Russian food). Try to get to Mariinsky theatre, you can go for the cheapest seats at the very top, still worth it. Boat trips are a must!
And you are lucky! May-June (white nights) are the best months to go! if you need anything else just PM me. Enjoy your trip!