Holiday Thread

[prettyxcool]

I'm going to South Africa on 1 Feb. Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Timbo, you are going to have the most marvellous time! I have been, and we had such a wonderful time. Just wished we had more time, we went to Cape of Good Hope (where two oceans meet), Mossel Bay, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Hermanus, Boulders Beach, staying at some of the backpackers along the way, we always managed to book the ensuite doubles, which we found to be so much nicer than the B&Bs which cost more! We saw penguins, dolphins and whales! In Cape Town, I had breakfast with Desmond Tutu, met Princess Irene (Prince Philip's niece) and went to Tutu's book launch to commemorate his 75th birthday. We also managed to go on a Safari - Pilanesberg National Park near Jo'burg. As we didn't need to take malaria tablets beforehand

[Timbo]

I'm going to South Africa on 1 Feb. Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Timbo, you are going to have the most marvellous time! I have been, and we had such a wonderful time. Just wished we had more time, we went to Cape of Good Hope (where two oceans meet), Mossel Bay, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Hermanus, Boulders Beach, staying at some of the backpackers along the way, we always managed to book the ensuite doubles, which we found to be so much nicer than the B&Bs which cost more! We saw penguins, dolphins and whales! In Cape Town, I had breakfast with Desmond Tutu, met Princess Irene (Prince Philip's niece) and went to Tutu's book launch to commemorate his 75th birthday. We also managed to go on a Safari - Pilanesberg National Park near Jo'burg. As we didn't need to take malaria tablets beforehand

So excited. We are spending 3 nights in Cape Town including a tour of a vineyard. Then driving to Mosselbay to stay with a friend. Apparently she has organised a camping trip to Storms River Mouth.

[Diane65]

I'm going to South Africa on 1 Feb. Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Timbo, you are going to have the most marvellous time! I have been, and we had such a wonderful time. Just wished we had more time, we went to Cape of Good Hope (where two oceans meet), Mossel Bay, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Hermanus, Boulders Beach, staying at some of the backpackers along the way, we always managed to book the ensuite doubles, which we found to be so much nicer than the B&Bs which cost more! We saw penguins, dolphins and whales! In Cape Town, I had breakfast with Desmond Tutu, met Princess Irene (Prince Philip's niece) and went to Tutu's book launch to commemorate his 75th birthday. We also managed to go on a Safari - Pilanesberg National Park near Jo'burg. As we didn't need to take malaria tablets beforehand

So excited. We are spending 3 nights in Cape Town including a tour of a vineyard. Then driving to Mosselbay to stay with a friend. Apparently she has organised a camping trip to Storms River Mouth.

Sounds absolutely amazing - have a fabulous time.

Has anyone been to Venice and can you recommend any particular area to stay? I will be going with my daughter who is 19 for a few days towards the end of June/ early July. I love culture/history and just wandering around but she will be bored stiff after too much of that and would 3 days be long enough? I tend to walk around from the moment I get up until I collapse at bedtime (my perfect holiday - I'm not too good at resting for too long). Thanks so much for any information at all. I am doing my homework and researching the place but personal recommendations are also nice to have.

[TheDude]

Has anyone been to Venice and can you recommend any particular area to stay? I will be going with my daughter who is 19 for a few days towards the end of June/ early July. I love culture/history and just wandering around but she will be bored stiff after too much of that and would 3 days be long enough? I tend to walk around from the moment I get up until I collapse at bedtime (my perfect holiday - I'm not too good at resting for too long). Thanks so much for any information at all. I am doing my homework and researching the place but personal recommendations are also nice to have.

Stay for at least 3 days Diane! I went for a week and there was plenty to see and do (especially if you like art, culture & history!). And it's a perfect place to wander around and lose yourself. Mid-summer will be quite hot & crowded though, I would have gone off season for a more relaxing time. San Marco is the more touristy/expensive area to stay, I found a nice hotel in Cannaregio (quieter/more residential part of Venice) and walked everywhere or took water buses (very reliable & quick). Off the top of my head, Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica are a must see... I'd also recommend a day trip to islands of Murano & Burano!

I'm also going back to Italy again this year, much further down south and far less exciting too, but it's somewhere I haven't seen yet so that's okay. I have also agreed to a ridiculously long train journey which won't be fun, but hey ho...

[steve]

Has anyone been to Venice and can you recommend any particular area to stay? I will be going with my daughter who is 19 for a few days towards the end of June/ early July. I love culture/history and just wandering around but she will be bored stiff after too much of that and would 3 days be long enough? I tend to walk around from the moment I get up until I collapse at bedtime (my perfect holiday - I'm not too good at resting for too long). Thanks so much for any information at all. I am doing my homework and researching the place but personal recommendations are also nice to have.

Stay for at least 3 days Diane! I went for a week and there was plenty to see and do (especially if you like art, culture & history!). And it's a perfect place to wander around and lose yourself. Mid-summer will be quite hot & crowded though, I would have gone off season for a more relaxing time. San Marco is the more touristy/expensive area to stay, I found a nice hotel in Cannaregio (quieter/more residential part of Venice) and walked everywhere or took water buses (very reliable & quick). Off the top of my head, Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica are a must see... I'd also recommend a day trip to islands of Murano & Burano!

I'm also going back to Italy again this year, much further down south and far less exciting too, but it's somewhere I haven't seen yet so that's okay. I have also agreed to a ridiculously long train journey which won't be fun, but hey ho...

Surely your daughter is 19 for 1 year the same as everyone else.

[Beate]

I allow you to hit him, Diane.

[Diane65]

Has anyone been to Venice and can you recommend any particular area to stay? I will be going with my daughter who is 19 for a few days towards the end of June/ early July. I love culture/history and just wandering around but she will be bored stiff after too much of that and would 3 days be long enough? I tend to walk around from the moment I get up until I collapse at bedtime (my perfect holiday - I'm not too good at resting for too long). Thanks so much for any information at all. I am doing my homework and researching the place but personal recommendations are also nice to have.

Stay for at least 3 days Diane! I went for a week and there was plenty to see and do (especially if you like art, culture & history!). And it's a perfect place to wander around and lose yourself. Mid-summer will be quite hot & crowded though, I would have gone off season for a more relaxing time. San Marco is the more touristy/expensive area to stay, I found a nice hotel in Cannaregio (quieter/more residential part of Venice) and walked everywhere or took water buses (very reliable & quick). Off the top of my head, Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica are a must see... I'd also recommend a day trip to islands of Murano & Burano!

I'm also going back to Italy again this year, much further down south and far less exciting too, but it's somewhere I haven't seen yet so that's okay. I have also agreed to a ridiculously long train journey which won't be fun, but hey ho...

Thanks so much for all the information and I don't have to go in July it was just after she finishes her A levels but we could go early September for her birthday instead. It would be a shame to go there and for it to be too hot and stuffy to enjoy the break. Burano looks like an Italian version of Balamory it looks so pretty - I just love places like that. Murano looks just gorgeous you have certainly inspired me and got me rethinking on dates. Where are you off to? There are so many places I want to visit Italy (along with lots of other places). Thanks once again

[prettyxcool]

I'm going to South Africa on 1 Feb. Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Timbo, you are going to have the most marvellous time! I have been, and we had such a wonderful time. Just wished we had more time, we went to Cape of Good Hope (where two oceans meet), Mossel Bay, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Hermanus, Boulders Beach, staying at some of the backpackers along the way, we always managed to book the ensuite doubles, which we found to be so much nicer than the B&Bs which cost more! We saw penguins, dolphins and whales! In Cape Town, I had breakfast with Desmond Tutu, met Princess Irene (Prince Philip's niece) and went to Tutu's book launch to commemorate his 75th birthday. We also managed to go on a Safari - Pilanesberg National Park near Jo'burg. As we didn't need to take malaria tablets beforehand

So excited. We are spending 3 nights in Cape Town including a tour of a vineyard. Then driving to Mosselbay to stay with a friend. Apparently she has organised a camping trip to Storms River Mouth.

The vineyards are fab too - we did the wine route on another trip! Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Spier are some of the ones I can remember. The Camp is in the Tsitsikamma National Park, and is breathtaking! There is so much to do. I love SA, could retire there!

[Diane65]

Surely your daughter is 19 for 1 year the same as everyone else.

Behave yourself

I allow you to hit him, Diane.

You don't know how much I appreciate that Shame he's going to get hit at his birthday meal out You can see what trouble lies ahead on the 20th April

[prettyxcool]

Has anyone been to Venice and can you recommend any particular area to stay? I will be going with my daughter who is 19 for a few days towards the end of June/ early July. I love culture/history and just wandering around but she will be bored stiff after too much of that and would 3 days be long enough? I tend to walk around from the moment I get up until I collapse at bedtime (my perfect holiday - I'm not too good at resting for too long). Thanks so much for any information at all. I am doing my homework and researching the place but personal recommendations are also nice to have.

Stay for at least 3 days Diane! I went for a week and there was plenty to see and do (especially if you like art, culture & history!). And it's a perfect place to wander around and lose yourself. Mid-summer will be quite hot & crowded though, I would have gone off season for a more relaxing time. San Marco is the more touristy/expensive area to stay, I found a nice hotel in Cannaregio (quieter/more residential part of Venice) and walked everywhere or took water buses (very reliable & quick). Off the top of my head, Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica are a must see... I'd also recommend a day trip to islands of Murano & Burano!

I'm also going back to Italy again this year, much further down south and far less exciting too, but it's somewhere I haven't seen yet so that's okay. I have also agreed to a ridiculously long train journey which won't be fun, but hey ho...

I went to the Venetia Riveria for my honeymoon which included a stay at the Lido de Jesolo, a visit to Lake Garda, Venice, Burano and Murano, and there is definitely a lot of culture and history there Diane.

In Venice, you can wander over the Rialto Bridge and view the Grand Canal. Head to St Mark's Square. Or splash out and enjoy that most romantic of experiences, a ride in a gondola, but to keep costs down, you can share! Burano is famous for its lace and brightly coloured houses. Murano is famous for its glass, and you can see glass blowing demonstrations. I can't remember which restaurant it was that all the famous film stars have been to dined. My honeymoon was a long time ago! But I agree with TheDude, too hot and crowded that time of year.

I allow you to hit him, Diane.