Has anyone been...

[cambcam]

Joking aside, there were some very undermining examples of hypocrisy at the ER protests. So throwing the curveball out there, where do we stand on the impact of our travel?

Has anyone genuinely decided to not have an air travel holiday for environmental reasons alone? Are we happy to capitalise on low cost airlines and fill our boots?

I’m struggling to believe even the most vocal would decide to curb their travel. Fair play if they do.

I figured I’ve reasonable environmental concerns and respect the scientific analysis, but f-king detest the weirdos, fruitcakes and anarchists that come out of the woodwork. Those nutters make me want me to travel more. Will freely admit the lure and opportunities of low cost travel completely overwhelm any environmental concerns. Selfish, but true.

So where do you stand on these matters?

[Tom Shaw's Fist of Rage]

May 17, 2019 10:34:17 GMT cambcam said:

Joking aside, there were some very undermining examples of hypocrisy at the ER protests. So throwing the curveball out there, where do we stand on the impact of our travel?

Has anyone genuinely decided to not have an air travel holiday for environmental reasons alone? Are we happy to capitalise on low cost airlines and fill our boots?

I’m struggling to believe even the most vocal would decide to curb their travel. Fair play if they do.

I figured I’ve reasonable environmental concerns and respect the scientific analysis, but f-king detest the weirdos, fruitcakes and anarchists that come out of the woodwork. Those nutters want me to travel more. Will freely admit the lure and opportunities of low cost travel completely overwhelm any environmental concerns. Selfish, but true.

So where do you stand on these matters?

Guess the counter argument would be that traveling to protests/disruption is a small short term increase to emissions, but they could result in larger longer learn decreases.

[cambcam]

Several questions in one here.

So, winter sun. Head east or west?

Never been to the Caribbean as for some reason it’s just never appealed. I dunno why, maybe it’s the mistaken thought of too many overweight, loud Americans? Heading east always seemed more appealing, nicer people, lovely food, a touch of culture and better value for money.

Also, a cruise? Never been on one as have always hated the idea of being trapped and tied to an itinerary, but everyone bangs on about them and they are the boom industry so must have something going for them. The last boat I went on was a cross channel ferry to Ostend so I’m assuming it would be somewhat different to that.

So starting to think about heading west and killing two birds with one stone, being spoon fed several islands from a ship could be the way to go. Or just play safe and hit an Indonesian beach for a couple of weeks?

Anyone done the Caribbean and/or a cruise? And if you’ve been east and west, which do you prefer?

[nutsaboutamber]

Ever been to north west Wales(!), Barmouth and the Mawddach estuary and then upwards via Harlech, Portmeirion, Ffestiniog, Snowdonia, Aberdaron, Bardsey Island, etc. Some may scoff but it is truly idyllic. Even the most ardent Wales(Welsh) haters are shocked when they see the beauty of this area...seen it with my own eyes. Still nice in September too.

Slightly more seriously(maybe), my missus ranks a cruise along with having her wisdom teeth out. As for the Caribbean, all cricket related trips I must say but have 'done' Antigua, St Lucia and Barbados. I must say Barbados was a poor third, the other two fantastic islands. Locals great, food great, yes some yanks around of course(and Wayne Rooney's family in Barbados). Grenada is supposed to be the one isn't it, the Spice Isle. On my bucket list.

[getoffmyland]

Had a friend who went on cruise to carribean and they weren't overly impressed. Said it was all much the same and a lot of the places they described as 'third world'. However, they can be picky!
P and O has ships Azura and Brittania over there this winter and they have also dropped tipping this year as well, which cheapens things.

[Russ Greaves]

I would never have imagined I’d go on a cruise but I went on one last year and I have to say I enjoyed it. It wasn’t so much the experience of being on the boat, mind, more the places we got to see. It took in Dubrovnik, Chania, Athens, Kalamata, Corfu and Kotor, with just the one full day at sea.

Although I wouldn’t say it converted me to someone who would want to go on regular cruises, it definitely put a Caribbean cruise on our radar. And, as with many things, it’s certainly worth trying before you make a judgement.

[getoffmyland]

Could look out for a 'party cruise' , which is just a two night sampler ( across to Guernsey / Belgium etc ). Shows you the ships and could be a nice weekend break, that's used as a tester to see if you like it , before commiting to a bigger trip.

[soulhalshall]

Sept 2, 2019 18:29:28 GMT Russ Greaves said:

I would never have imagined I’d go on a cruise but I went on one last year and I have to say I enjoyed it. It wasn’t so much the experience of being on the boat, mind, more the places we got to see. It took in Dubrovnik, Chania, Athens, Kalamata, Corfu and Kotor, with just the one full day at sea.

Although I wouldn’t say it converted me to someone who would want to go on regular cruises, it definitely put a Caribbean cruise on our radar. And, as with many things, it’s certainly worth trying before you make a judgement.

I haven't been on cruise but I used to live 20 minutes from Kotor and now live in Athens. There's so much good stuff in Europe.

[Russ Greaves]

Europe is incredible. When I was younger I always looked further afield, as though the greater the distance I travelled the better the destination would be. Not sure how I figured Rome, Athens, Paris etc would be underwhelming just because you could get there quickly and cheaply.

[cambcam]

Thanks for the comments on the Caribbean/cruise questions.

Interesting to read the different thoughts and it the Caribbean does seem a bit hit and miss. In some respects a multiple-island trip reduces the overall impact of one place being a miss, but to be honest, for winter sun I just want a bit of uncomplicated luxury and to avoid the faff. The whole cruise thing is a bit of a minefield too and maybe a European ‘taster’ would be the way to go in time. I dunno, still a little uncertain about the concept overall.

So, to that end have played safe and gone with a couple of weeks on a lounger in Bali. One of those villa jobs in Seminyak if anyone’s been?

Thanks again for the comments, they did influence the decision.

[Russ Greaves]

Not a bad plan B! We had our honeymoon in Bali. Loved it.

[cambcam]

Sept 3, 2019 8:05:24 GMT Russ Greaves said:

Europe is incredible. When I was younger I always looked further afield, as though the greater the distance I travelled the better the destination would be. Not sure how I figured Rome, Athens, Paris etc would be underwhelming just because you could get there quickly and cheaply.

I completely agree.

Funnily enough, the more you travel the more you appreciate things closer to home. The further away you travel the greater the sense of excitement and unpredictability, but generally speaking the less likely you would want to live there. Not permanently at least.

In fact, on that note, I still reckon Cambridge is one of the greatest places on the entire planet. It is a fantastic city. For various work and recreational reasons I’m probably away 2 weeks out of 4 and I can honestly say I don’t think there is anywhere to beat it. Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder.

Sure, a zillion other places have other fantastic attributes, but size for size, pound for pound, I reckon this place tops them all.

[pedrosacapuntas]

We have been blessed with a jewel of a city, that's undeniable.

[cambcam]

May 16, 2019 19:48:21 GMT Russ Greaves said:

I went to Borovets in Bulgaria. It's a ski resort but I went in June. It was beautiful. Or, moreover, the surrounding area was.

Have to agree, Bulgaria is stunning, the mountain areas at least.

Some fabulous hikes and all that outdoorsy horse riding and quad bikes stuff. Very, very quiet in late summer and lovely weather too.

A sort of Alps with humility. Highly recommend.

[cambcam]

May 16, 2019 10:27:32 GMT Denton said:

I've been to a ski resort in Bulgaria, Samakov. For a Ski resort it is disgustingly cheap, 80p a beer and 40p a shot. Food costs about 3 quid for a banging meal, I've been told the rest of Bulgaria is even cheaper

Not too sure I agree with that my old mucker.

Yes, cheap, but not that much. In Bansko at least. But, I’d imagine the ski resorts are much the same. Decided to try one of the local restaurants, y’know the sort, where the locals choose to eat. Jesus Christ the good lady has lost two days of her holiday with food poisoning. You forget just how debilitating that is. Not a great idea. Won’t make that mistake again.

Oh well, will just follow the football online all day.

Still, the place is stunning and buoyed by the relative safety of hotel food will definitely check out skiing options, which does to be fair look like it would be amazing.