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Post by 13thGeneral on May 29, 2015 14:54:50 GMT
So, now that I'm doing well at my new job - and we're on track to not being poor anymore (thank goodness) - the wife and I have been thinking saving up and taking a trip for our Anniversary next spring. There are several different vacations we've thought about over the years - like tracing some of the Oregon Trail - but it's a dream of ours to visit the British Isles. My wife is really into genealogy and has tracked down some of our ancestry there (mostly mine) and we both love historical structures - not to mention peaceful green hills and majestic white cliffs. The accents don't hurt, either. OK, she's a bit obsessed with 1D too, but let's pretend I never mentioned it. So, it's currently in the preliminary investigation planning stages, to map out what we would do and where we'd go, as well as all the financials. And, since many of you fine folks are moderately familiar with that region, I thought I'd put it out there. Any advice would be most welcome. Also, having a pint at pub isn't out of the question; especially if it's a traditional stereotypically quaint historic pub.  Cheers! |
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Casinha
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Post by Casinha on May 29, 2015 15:10:52 GMT
Tip #1: Be prepared for rain.
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Post by colin22cans on May 29, 2015 15:14:17 GMT
Have you considered Scotland? It's full of historical structures, exceedingly peaceful hills and incredible mountains! Not to mention it's fair share of monsters.. I visited Loch Lomond earlier in the year and you can pretty much wake up to scenes like this:  |
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Post by mindless on May 29, 2015 15:23:31 GMT
The quaint British pub is dying out, they have been in serial decline for many years now, you have no idea how many pubs have been closing around where I used to live. If pubs are your thing, then you may want to check out a few of these curiosities. Britain’s weirdest pubsThere really are few joys in the world more satisfying than sticking your pint to the wall |
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Post by Qetesh on May 29, 2015 15:25:55 GMT
Tip #1: Be prepared for rain. Oh how true that is here in Belfast.  |
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Post by 13thGeneral on May 29, 2015 15:57:08 GMT
Tip #1: Be prepared for rain. Well, I was born and raised in Massachusetts, and now live in a southern city that is on record as the wettest in the US (most precip per capita). So I think we'll be fine. |
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Post by 13thGeneral on May 29, 2015 16:04:01 GMT
Have you considered Scotland? It's full of historical structures, exceedingly peaceful hills and incredible mountains! Not to mention it's fair share of monsters.. I visited Loch Lomond earlier in the year and you can pretty much wake up to scenes like this: Beautiful. Reminds me of the American Midwest (heartland) and the Appalachia in particular. We have discussed Scotland, tho it may not be able to this time around, as there is truly more to see than time available. But we will certainly consider it.  |
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Post by 13thGeneral on May 29, 2015 16:07:23 GMT
The quaint British pub is dying out, they have been in serial decline for many years now, you have no idea how many pubs have been closing around where I used to live. If pubs are your thing, then you may want to check out a few of these curiosities. Britain’s weirdest pubsThere really are few joys in the world more satisfying than sticking your pint to the wall That's unfortunate. As much as I love progress and new technology, I value historical architecture. But, thus is all the more reason to visit now, while they're still around. |
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Lord Ba'al
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Post by Lord Ba'al on May 29, 2015 17:01:42 GMT
Well if you like historical architecture or architecture in general, I would recommend not going to Belfast. Coz I really haven't seen any of interest around here. Plus the weather sucks balls but I guess the same is true for the rest of Brittain. Though I haven't visited myself (yet), The Giant's Causeway would be something to see around here. It's at the northern coast of Northern Ireland, close to Scotland.
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Post by morsealworth on May 29, 2015 18:15:32 GMT
Tip #1: Be prepared for rain. Tip #2 be prepared for fog and slight chill. Yes, it is slight compared to continent. |
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Post by 13thGeneral on May 29, 2015 20:50:57 GMT
Tip #1: Be prepared for rain. Tip #2 be prepared for fog and slight chill. Yes, it is slight compared to continent. Sounds a lot like northern New England - Maine into Nova Scotia. I'll bring my woolen lined pullover, which I don't get to use much in the deep South. |
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Casinha
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Post by Casinha on May 30, 2015 15:10:23 GMT
Tip #1: Be prepared for rain. Well, I was born and raised in Massachusetts, and now live in a southern city that is on record as the wettest in the US (most precip per capita). So I think we'll be fine. If you're coming from Nola (awesome, awesome place, btw) then yeah, you'll be more than used to it  I'm in the wettest city in the UK and it doesn't touch 1000mm. If you can visit while the weather's good it'll be a nice bonus; Holidays in the UK typically involve going somewhere wet and windy with a tiny caravan for the whole family. |
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Post by morsealworth on May 30, 2015 15:13:20 GMT
Tip #2 be prepared for fog and slight chill. Yes, it is slight compared to continent. Sounds a lot like northern New England - Maine into Nova Scotia. I'll bring my woolen lined pullover, which I don't get to use much in the deep South. Makes you wonder about origin of the name. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2015 17:16:53 GMT
Speaking as someone who has seen much of the world - if you can take the opportunity to see more of this planet, do so*.
I have to second Scotland, but also suggest a trip through a few cities. If you know someone there and all you're having to spring for is petrol money then you can extend your vacation area quite a bit.
I have many fond memories of Britain when I was a young scamp (though spent a bit more time in Alaska - the fishing's better), but after seeing a few soggy bits of historical brick...I loved Manchester, Liverpool, never saw the sun in Bristol, London's fun around Christmas, looked around a few others...after a while if you do any of the usual tourism stuff you'll probably want to go up north to have a good wander around the land. One of the family's outings was to indeed go somewhere wet and windy for a picnic, and it was up to the kiddies to go running after anything the wind picked up.
As others have mentioned about the old pubs...some friends back at one of my homes have told me that even some of the old chippy shops are closing up or being sold (sometimes one and the same). There are still some good ones, would have to be else there would be riots in the streets, but some of the shops that would be considered historical landmarks in the US have been going.
Then again, Sting's childhood home is now a Chinese take-out place called Happy Chef. They missed the perfect name opportunity - Woksanne!
* - Currently in the States again for a while, the Lower 48 this time around - it's so surreal here at times. When I was in Arizona, at the local Basha's (a supermarket chain there, like a small Tesco) there was an advert pasted to the door about a "gun show" being held at a local church. It was...interesting, to say the least. Sort of like the EDL holding a munitions demonstration.
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Post by Crumpy Six on May 30, 2015 17:24:28 GMT
Come to Cambridge. Loads of architecture and history, you can do the tourist thing of punting on the river, and if you're here on a Thursday night you can come to our regular pub quiz.
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Post by Qetesh on May 30, 2015 22:03:51 GMT
The difference is that MA still has an actual summer. Yes it is short, but Belfast is far far north of MA. I was surprised too, take a look at a map. I am hoping and praying for maybe a month of not needing oil for the year. Warm rain is one thing but 40 or less Farenheit degree in "Spring and Summer" just makes me sad.
All in all, I still love Belfast for what it has given me, but weather is not it's strong suit.
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Post by morsealworth on May 31, 2015 1:43:26 GMT
I would be also sad if I had to measure temperature in Fahrenheit scale.
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Post by Qetesh on May 31, 2015 1:50:00 GMT
I would be also sad if I had to measure temperature in Fahrenheit scale. Ha Ha.....you so funny. |
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Post by morsealworth on May 31, 2015 1:52:08 GMT
I didn't mean to offend, it's just... So unpractical.
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Post by Qetesh on May 31, 2015 1:56:06 GMT
I didn't mean to offend, it's just... So unpractical. Not for an American. It is our way of life. I am only half offended. I find it ironic some judge my cultural upbringings as wrong while also judging us as being overly judgmental against others. Glass houses and all that. |
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I'm in the wettest city in the UK and it doesn't touch 1000mm. If you can visit while the weather's good it'll be a nice bonus; Holidays in the UK typically involve going somewhere wet and windy with a tiny caravan for the whole family.
