Travel • Page 26

Make sure to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, there are phenomenal views and lots of vantage points. There are also tons of waterfalls along the way, some of them right off the road. The Biltmore Estate is pricey and touristy, but a wild thing to behold. My wife and I also booked a session in a Japanese spa in the mountains, but that was more of a romantic thing lol.

Tons of good restaurants and bookstores to be found!

 

I think driving the Blue Ridge Parkway would be the best thing for you to do. Lots of great views and some nice short hikes right off of it like Devils Courthouse and Craggy Pinnacle. It runs through Asheville so you could use it on your route to or out of town.

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What should I go do/see on a day trip up to Lake George? I've already rented
a vacation rental through https://www.newyorkrentalbyowner.com/search/lake-george so I'd like to do a little hiking, eating and maybe put my feet in the water. Any ideas how I can spend the 3 nights there?

 

While I haven’t personally visited Lake George, a neighbor mentioned taking a scenic boat tour at the lake. It seems like a great way to engage in water activities and enjoy the scenery. Apologies for the brief info, @Rizzo.

As for my own plans, I’m excited to explore Portugal this coming October. I’m aiming for a quieter experience with milder weather. My itinerary includes Lisbon, Porto, and The Algarve. It’ll be my first visit to Portugal, and I’m looking forward to discovering Lisbon on my own since it’s such an accessible city. I’ve come across the Lisboa Card Lisboa Card - Tourist Pass for Free Sightseeing and Transportation which seems like a smart choice for saving both money and time, offering complimentary or discounted access to numerous attractions and unlimited public transit in Lisbon. However, for Porto and The Algarve, I’m considering enlisting local guides to fully delve into the local culture, food, and architecture via https://gowithguide.com/portugal/porto/guides

 

I was in Lisbon and Porto over the summer - it’s a great time! Didn’t have enough time for the algarve but from what I was reading it’s uncomfortably hot in the summer anyway.

 

It sounds like you had a fantastic trip, @disambigujason! Lisbon and Porto are indeed beautiful in the summer. It’s a shame you couldn’t make it to the Algarve, but perhaps that’s an adventure for another time.

 

Anyone been to Bogota and have any food recs or must-sees, particularly around the Chapinero area? I'm staying there for a couple days on my way to Bolivia - been so focused on that part of the trip that I didn't really look into Bogota at all.

 

I would also like to hear Colombia recs...Medellin or Bogota

 

update we got matching tattoos

 

Pics

 

i'm a lil embarassed haha



tarot // bass + treble

 

I’m planning a trip to Japan for next year. For all those who have been there, I’d love to know the ideal amount of time the trip should be to get a good amount of experience in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. I know it is an entire country and that’s simplifying it a lot but I’ve never planned a trip that broad and intimidating.

 

Doing a Washington , Philly and NY trip in October.

So many people saying you can’t get a tour of the white house I’m almost about to make it my sole purpose of September to try and find a way! Unfortunately first stop with British embassy and they pretty much say they won’t do it as it’s too much hassle. If anyone has any ideas let me know

ps- suggestions for Washington and Philly would be appreciated.

 

Sounds like you went the route the official website tells you to go which is to contact the British embassy in DC. Maybe try to find some reddit threads on it? I did a quick search and I hate to say it, but it sounds really difficult as a foreign national to do so.

FYI I have never done the interior but have seen the outside from a few different points, and there is plenty else to see in DC as well. The capital building sounds much easier to tour. Good luck.

 

Old post but since I'm in here...

I have never been to Japan, but I did Scotland and then Prague / Budapest / Vienna (2 trips) and I'd say it depends on your tolerance for being constantly on the go / vs taking time to relax. When I did Scotland we had 6 locations spread between 15 nights and it involved trains, driving and ferries. It was a mix of city and nature with cities on either end. For the other trip, it was a flight to Prague, a flight to Budapest and then a train to Vienna. For that, it was 4 nights, 1 night, 3 nights, and everything was go go go in the cities with NO time to do anything but move from museum to show, to food, to night out and rinse and repeat.

Personally for me, I'd say you'd need at least 10 days to do 3 places, especially as far as Japan is. I'd also say I liked doing a mix of cities, then outdoors, then back to the city. It gave the trip nice balance.

For both trips, I ran the itinerary. It's a lot of research on flights, ferries, trains, rental cars, etc and took months to get done. Then after that, I promised myself no FOMO. Whatever I picked, was what I'd see and I just let go of seeing everything. I made a few small mistakes but nothing major. You just can't see everything so figure out how fast you want / are realistically able to go, what the major items are, and go from there.

 

Thanks for the insight, I totally get your point. My issue is I really want to be in Japan for fall or spring but I’m a teacher so summer is kind of my only option… and my cousin has been there twice and said the heat is very challenging in the summer.

 

2024 travel challenge going strong, continues on:

jan: miami
feb: new orleans
mar: london
apr: philly
may: vegas
jun: copenhagen
jul: asheville
aug: dallas
sep: chicago
---------------
oct: st louis
nov: ???
dec: los angeles

 

Oklahoma City

 

finishing up a few days solo in Iceland and it’s been such an incredible time. never done a solo trip outside of the country but it’s been so much fun here I honestly forgot I was alone?

saw the northern lights while walking home from dinner in a parking lot??? just an insanely amazing trip I’ll never forget.

 

Heading to Washington & Philladephia if anyone has recommendations

 

what part of WA?

 

Washington DC probably should have clarified that

 

hm never heard of it

 

Probably should have asked this sooner as I’m at the airport now and about to depart, but what should I make sure to see/do in Lisbon, Portugal? Going for a wedding so I have events planned Thurs, Fri, and Sat night, but I should be able to explore during the day and have all day Sunday.

 

a lot of Lisbon city sightseeing is based around various scenic viewpoints (miradouros). Santa Luzia is the most instagrammable and is close to a busier waterfront area so could definitely kill time there but plenty more to choose from. Pick a couple viewpoints pand just stroll the city looking for them. Lots of hills so i wouldnt stretch yourself too thin but some truly lovely views.

alternatively, can take a day trip to the nearby town of Sintra which is really stunning - pick 2-3 attractions there (all on a bus loop) or take a half day-day to Belem and see a couple things there. Both are very easy to get to and Jeronimos monastery in Belem and Quinta de regaleira in Sintra are 2 of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, definitely better than any one single building in Lisbon proper.

 

Thank you!