OT Vacation Plans?
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donkiez
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I'm planning up to a month in Europe in April. Starting in Frankfurt or Amsterdam then I have too many wants and don't want to overload my trip. Looking for some good suggestions for an intenary. I've been to Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Venice, Prague already but am traveling with someone who has never been to Europe so I would consider them all again.
EL PRESIDENTE
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Anyone good with mileage awards? I have like 190k chase ultimate rewards points and the wifey has about the same in capitol one points. I heard it's best to transfer to hotel or airline rewards programs and book that way versus using the credit card portals?
donkiez
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I keep up. I've seen some good deals on Alaska partner American first class to Europe. 75k for a sleeper each way is pretty good. Best way to maximize you miles is to go from major hubs to major hubs, like LAX to CDG or AMS then book regional from there. Also book one way travel with miles and mix n match different airlines for best deals
EL PRESIDENTE
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Where do you see the deals?
donkiez
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Alaska site, not sure what's on AA. Filter out the British Airways, they have some stupid fee that adds like $500+ to milage rewards. Did a quick search and saw some options on Finnair and Iceland air also. I also follow United and Delta. United has some good deals but makes you take a lot of flights or long lay overs. Delta has been watering down their miles recently.
donkiez
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Have you considered a stop over in Iceland? Iceland air does free stop overs up to 7 days. We went in July and loved it, but you could just spend two or three days hanging out at the Blue Lagoon hot pool resort to break up the trip
EL PRESIDENTE
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Flying? May be rainy in the regions.
I'd go Munich (maybe hit up Nuremberg) and Prague. Then fly to Venice then Florence and Rome via train. Or Milan/Lake Como. If you don't want to go to Barcelona again, maybe hit up Lisbon.
I'd finish up in London. Maybe if time allows, taking the Eurostar under the English channel.
Venice has the Bienalle going on, I think towards end of April so maybe finish up there, fly to Paris then London.
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I was looking into it, we really only have a week off, so we are probably limiting ourselves to two destinations.
donkiez
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I like a lot of that. I wanted to go to Krakow but probably not a good idea now. I am really going to try for Florence since I missed it last time. Always love Rome but not sure I need it a 3rd time if I'm doing Florence. I really want to hit some smaller towns and relax some. Ill be with my dad and he is slowing down on his old age so less is more. My buddy lives in Frankfurt and will tour us around some. He says it's awesome there now that Covid restrictions are lifting and all the Chinese still can't come, makes it much more chill
donkiez
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That's a long way for only a week and two destinations. Maybe one day and night at the Blue Lagoon then one destination. Just an idea.
EL PRESIDENTE
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Ok, if it's with your dad, things change.
I did this tour with my parents, it was great.
https://www.trafalgar.com/en-us/destinations/europe/germany
Unfortunately it leaves end of April, but you can get ideas.
The Black Forrest is really cool. Some really awesome inns.
Dresden is an awesome city with a cool vibe and history.
Rothenberg is a quaint little town that is very picturesque.
Heidelberg is on the river and is very lively and fun
I'd consider doing a river cruise in Germany.
I'd probably skip Paris if it's your dad.
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Our last 2 trips to Europe were only 3 days each. Rome and Venice (got engaged) and then London (Thanksgiving weekend). The flight isn't so bad, we want to fit stuff in. The pitfalls of working and not wanting to use all vacation time at once.
This was a sample itinerary. May change it up though to get better flight times.
donkiez
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Looks good. Prague is awesome, if you've never been you will love it. Takes me 2 or 3 days to get over the time changes tho. Gotta do what you gotta do tho. I'm sure I could power through that if I had too, lol
EL PRESIDENTE
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Yeah, I've been to Prague. I'd love to go back. We could have stayed in Spain the whole week but I wanted some cultural contrast and Prague is very unique. It's also small enough that you can see a lot of it in 2 days.
Wifey wanted some nice beaches, but European beaches aren't that nice and in May it's not really hot enough to enjoy. We will stay in a nice hotel in Barcelona, something with a roof top pool or something
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If you go to Florence, take a trip to Tuscany and have dinner at an Agroturisimo
donkiez
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I'm kind of thinking two weeks in Germany along the tour you suggested, and two weeks in Tuscany with maybe a stop on Switzerland on the way and a day trip to Venice
EL PRESIDENTE
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Yeah, with a base in Florence you can take easy day trips to Siena and Pisa. Not sure if you are religious at all but Assisi is a really nice small town.
EL PRESIDENTE
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The town is very nice. One pedestrian friendly main road leading to the big church with stores and restaurants.
It's a hilltop town with a great view
tlongII
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First weekend of March Madness is awesome in Vegas. I will be there. Again.
EL PRESIDENTE
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Me and the boys used to always roll. I remember I was walking around in a Pacers Fred Hoiberg jersey and someone walking by knew him, snapped a pic and texted it to Hoiberg while he was coaching a first round game.
One time, we gave our friend who was a math wiz $50 bucks each. He multiplied it quick at the blackjack table and it paid for a Cabana to watch games the next day, stocked with food and booze at the Mandalay Bay with money left over for drinks later that night at the club. Shit was like that scene in the Hangover where Alan pulled a Rainman.
Unfortunately, the "boys" group got smaller and more whipped, me included. So haven't been in a few. To be fair, the basketball was a cover to go hit the clubs and scam on chicks.
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EL PRESIDENTE
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@BLAZINGGIANTS what do you use for Safe Travels for Hawaii? I just signed up for Clear to upload vaxx info. Linked it to the Safe Travels, hopefully it works well.
I guess you just bring the QR code they email you to show them?
I guess you just bring the QR code they email you to show them?
BLAZINGGIANTS
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Definitely do the Safe Travels site. I haven't dealt with Clear through their site, but Safe Travels, upload your trip data, upload your vax card and details, and then within 24 hours of whichever flight first lands you into Hawaii, you need to log back into Safe Travels for their health survey. Also, you will want to do the pre-screen for the flight that takes you into Hawaii. There, you go and take the pre-screen and get a wristband so you don't have to quarantine or take a test upon arrival in Hawaii. So, when we go into SFO to go to Kona, we take a the pre-screen in SFO. When we go into Seattle and then to Kona, we pre-screen in Seattle. When I've gone from PDX (via Alaska Airlines) direct to Kona, I pre-screen at PDX.
What's your route?
It's all pretty easy. But a minor mistake/oversight can cost you two hours of your life. Happy to offer guidance, grasshopper.
What's your route?
It's all pretty easy. But a minor mistake/oversight can cost you two hours of your life. Happy to offer guidance, grasshopper.
EL PRESIDENTE
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I think they stopped doing the questionnaire. I'm flying LAX to HNL. I have my QR code on safe travels, just need to be screened at airport. I think with clear you get a separate lane.
BLAZINGGIANTS
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Yeah, looks like they just stopped the questionnaire. Was there when I went a few weeks back but appears to be gone. If you hadn’t done, it was causing chaos in the lines for airport pre-screening. Fucking noobs need to learn the rules, then fly, FAMS!
BLAZINGGIANTS
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When is your flight?
BLAZINGGIANTS
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Also, with Clear…. I don’t fly into HNL, but the lanes in Hawaii, in general, are limited/consolidated. In Kona, you’re either cleared to avoid quarantine/covid test and go to baggage or you go through the big process….
EL PRESIDENTE
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Feb 12th