http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/ This is an area for our members who love to travel to share their experiences about great (and not so great) destinations. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:58:42 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/images/early_r/misc/rss.jpg http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/ http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/cheaply-calling-the-us-from-germany-france-47312-new-post.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:26:12 GMT I will be vacationing in Germany and France next week. What are inexpensive ways to call home to the USA from over there? Can phone cards be... I will be vacationing in Germany and France next week. What are inexpensive ways to call home to the USA from over there? Can phone cards be purchased over there? I looked at Verizon's rates, Yikkes! Over $3 per minute.
Thanks in advance for advice. ]]> Travel Information settam http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/cheaply-calling-the-us-from-germany-france-47312.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/post-turkey-day-discount-travel-47287-new-post.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:04:18 GMT Seems the weeks after Thanksgiving before Christmas always seem to provide a wide variety of discount travel possibilities. DW get's a little stressed about being able to 'get ready' for Christmas when we're gone so close to it, but it is oh so hard to pass up some of those deals.
This year, we're headed to a Daytona Beach TS (no we're NOT TS owners t-u) with our son(he's not either) the Sunday after turkey for a week. Then we'll head across the state to Sarasota and a 'resort' a couple blocks from Lido Beach. A real 'coast to coast' vacation. Sunrise over the Atlantic and Sunset over the Golf on 6Dec. The last time we stayed at the Lido resort we thought we got a never to be seen again deal, but depending on the 'room' we get I think we may have just top it!
There seems to be a wide variety of excess TS inventory available for trade or 'rent' in this window. We've also taken a cruise and arepositioning cruise in this time frame at less than half price. Any other frugal travelers taking/taken advantage of this lul period? :greetings10: ]]> Travel Information JustNtime http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/post-turkey-day-discount-travel-47287.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/favorite-area-of-new-york-city-47280-new-post.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:54 GMT Just back.
Walked our toes off from the Upper East & West sides down to Soho Village Lower East side and Tribeca plus across the Brooklyn Bridge. Loved it except for staying around Madison Square Garden area. ]]> Travel Information Danny http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/favorite-area-of-new-york-city-47280.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/hiking-biking-tour-groups-europe-and-beyond-47230-new-post.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:50:26 GMT I have a handful of travel catalogs from various tour companies offering their international services as hiking and biking hosts. Companies like REI,... I have a handful of travel catalogs from various tour companies offering their international services as hiking and biking hosts. Companies like REI, Sobek, and Vermont Bike Tours.

I'm single, don't drink, and prefer comfortable accomodations over luxury. The tours seem like they favor couples and some favor traveling from pub to pub, or to wineries and brag about some 5 star accomodations.

I've never traveled overseas and actually would like to do this on my own, but have thought to go with a tour group a time or two first.

Any of you have experience with these types of tours. Companies you like or dislike, and any thoughts about my how they would fit a single non-drinker?

I'm fairly fit, but not into anything too radical like technical climbing or hundred mile a day bike rides. And on a moderate budget.

Thank you. ]]> Travel Information roger r http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/hiking-biking-tour-groups-europe-and-beyond-47230.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/hotel-recommendations-paris-and-london-47217-new-post.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:17:19 GMT DH and I are booked on a cruise that leaves out of England in September 2010. We are planning to spend a few days in Paris prior to the cruise and a... DH and I are booked on a cruise that leaves out of England in September 2010. We are planning to spend a few days in Paris prior to the cruise and a few days in London after the cruise. We have never been to either city. We need to find comfortable, safe, reasonably priced hotels in both cities. Because we are staying just a few days in each place we would like to stay in areas close to tourist attractions or near subway, etc. Does any body here have any recommendations? ]]> Travel Information Cruisinthru http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/hotel-recommendations-paris-and-london-47217.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/favorite-national-park-47132-new-post.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:24:02 GMT My goal is to see all the National Parks in the US before I expire... Here is streaming video of Yellowstone, my personal favorite: (so far;))

NPS Streaming Video

Anyone here have a favorite park or photos to share? ]]> Travel Information Westernskies http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/favorite-national-park-47132.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/usa-west-coast-driving-tour-47124-new-post.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:34:15 GMT We (DW and I) are considering a US west coast driving tour.

Likes - nature, scenery, etc.
Dislikes - big cities, crowded "attractions", over-hyped/commercialized stuff
I would like some suggestions from personal experience - either a trip you did, or maybe you live in the area. Now for some specifics of what I am looking for.
1) Time of year -I am thinking about starting either in the North or South, and doing a fairly "linear" tour. Since we like to go when most of the kids are in school to minimize crowded attractions, we usually do a spring or fall vacation. I was thinking that doing a spring trip (April/May?), you might want to start in the South and go North to avoid more severe weather. Alternatively, we could do it in the fall (Sept/Oct?), and go the opposite way. Thoughts?
2) "Must See" - We want to hit some of the biggies like Yosemite, Sequoia, Redwoods, etc. What else that maybe is not as well known?
3) Avoid - any over-hyped or over-commercialized stuff to avoid?
4) Hidden gems- maybe stuff off the beaten path?
5) Great places to stay - maybe B&B's you've really enjoyed, good value hotels, etc.
I think we want to limit it to the western 2 tiers of states - California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington.
Thanks for any suggestions. ]]> Travel Information SciFiFan53 http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/usa-west-coast-driving-tour-47124.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/skype-phones-vs-headsets-47117-new-post.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:57:52 GMT Our DD is going to London for the Spring 2010 semester. Up to now we've use a headphone and mic attached when using Skype. Just wondering if anyone has any input on Skype phones or Skype speaker phones and how you might like them (pros/cons) vs. the headset mode we are in now. Thanks for any input. ]]> Travel Information MovingtotheCove http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/skype-phones-vs-headsets-47117.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/another-one-headed-for-las-vegas-47005-new-post.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:58:24 GMT Off to LV tomorrow for a quick two-night professional trip. I won't have a lot of spare time but nights should be free. I'm staying up toward the Summerlin area. Any suggestions for food or entertainment welcome.

I am somwhat morbidly curious to see just how bad it really is in this city of supposed financial devastation. I have a good hunch it will be well hidden from the casual traveler, unlike someone in the housing market or looking for a job. ]]> Travel Information Rich_in_Tampa http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f46/another-one-headed-for-las-vegas-47005.html