Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[Fuzz]

If you can swing it, Montserrat would be an incredible place to watch the eclipse. An easy train from Barcelona, I think it was an hour or so. Then take the cable car up, better view than the rack rail, and quicker.


https://www.montserrat-tourist-guide...ontserrat.html

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Just book your outbound and return together, if you can. Codeshares should help, I flew Condor to Frankfurt, and Westjet from Paris on one ticket. That saved the Condor almost the same price for outbound as return price. This way, if something happens with the airline, you are still their responsibility to get home.


The only issue booking inter-Europe flights separately is if there is a delay and you miss your separately booked flight, that's your problem. But if you are just flying to London, you have loads of time to figure out how to get there. Plus, tickets tend to be cheap so a loss on one of those is less of a big deal.

Agreed on everything said so far. Just keep in mind if you fly from Spain to London on an ULCC you will likely arrive at a different airport than Heathrow. Just plan accordingly (time, hotel etc).

[Fuzz]

True, but I think they all have train access and aren't too much further time wise.





https://www.visitlondon.com/travelle...on-airport-map


I think Gatwick is the best alternative, though I've done Luton before and it was fine too.

[Cappy]

Anyone have some tips on Copenhagen? going there in a week on a last minute blind trip.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Anyone have some tips on Copenhagen? going there in a week on a last minute blind trip.

Solo trip? Friend, couple, kids? I went a few years ago and it was great. I have a few tips but depends on what you're looking for.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Solo trip? Friend, couple, kids? I went a few years ago and it was great. I have a few tips but depends on what you're looking for.

Wife and I.

Any trip suggestions would be great.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by photon

Starting to think about planning a trip for next year. Would like to go to Spain around the time to see the solar eclipse as well as visit some family (so in Spain around August 12).

However we're thinking of adding in some time in London on the way back.

I've never tried to book a flight like that, is that something that you'd book all together (i.e. get to Spain, then flight from Spain to London, then flight from London home)?

Or do you book the overseas flight and then book a separate one way flight?

When I do those kinds of trips, I buy a return flight into the starting city and home from the finishing city. The connecting part I book separately (although I've used train or bus versus flying).

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

If you can swing it, Montserrat would be an incredible place to watch the eclipse. An easy train from Barcelona, I think it was an hour or so. Then take the cable car up, better view than the rack rail, and quicker.


https://www.montserrat-tourist-guide...ontserrat.html

Tibidabo would be an option but thousands of other people probably think that, as well.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Anyone have some tips on Copenhagen? going there in a week on a last minute blind trip.

A canal tour is a great way to relax and see the city from a different angle when your legs are worn out, or just to get through jet lag. Beer served on board.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Anyone have some tips on Copenhagen? going there in a week on a last minute blind trip.

If the weather is nice (and Europe has had a super hot summer so it might be the case), a picnic in the park is awesome. A lot of Danes will go to the public parks with friends and just chill with some nibbles and cider under the sun.

I don't know if they still do it, but you used to be able to buy these disposable BBQs so you could even cook up some hot dogs in the park.

[marsplasticeraser]

Originally Posted by photon

Starting to think about planning a trip for next year. Would like to go to Spain around the time to see the solar eclipse as well as visit some family (so in Spain around August 12).

However we're thinking of adding in some time in London on the way back.

I've never tried to book a flight like that, is that something that you'd book all together (i.e. get to Spain, then flight from Spain to London, then flight from London home)?

Or do you book the overseas flight and then book a separate one way flight?

If it were me, I'd check kayak to see what prices are like, but I'd probably end up booking WJ to Barcelona, some random low cost carrier from wherever I end up in Spain to London (but only to Heathrow or Gatwick as they're much easier to get into the city), then WJ London to Calgary. I often book flights separately as WJ doesn't put all destinations on sale at the same time.

I've also noticed AC isn't great to get to Europe from YYC anymore. It's quite expensive, and the other European options take you to central europe.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Wife and I.

Any trip suggestions would be great.

Go to that hippy village can’t remember the name. Go to Odense, where my wife is from.

Haven’t been there in a long time. All the kids looked like an ikea catalog.

Go for smörrebrod and have some remoulad, rolepolse and egg sandwiches. It was expensive as hell 20 years ago, can’t imagine now. The main train station was bizarre because it was lit up with black light so adducts couldn’t see their veins.

I heard they have a couple of insanely bizarre world class restos like Alchemist.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Wife and I.

Any trip suggestions would be great.

Sure!

Neighbourhoods

- Indre By – The historic centre/old town. Good for sightseeing and shopping.
- Vesterbro – Hip, lots of restaurants, bars, and nightlife.
- Østerbro – More residential and upscale, with nice cafés.
- Nørrebro – Multicultural, vibrant, and one of the best areas for food.
- Frederiksberg – Leafy, café culture, great bakeries.

Food & drink

- Schønnemann – Traditional Danish lunch (open-faced sandwiches called smørrebrød + schnapps).
- Sanchez – Fantastic modern Mexican. Chef/owner used to be high up at Noma but the prices here are casual.
- Admiralgade 26 – Nice spot for lunch.
- Torvehallerne Food Hall – Lots of great stalls: Il Matterello (pasta) and Albatross & Venter (bakery) are standouts.
- Bakeries: Lagkagehuset, Københavns Bageri, Hart Bageri.
- Coffee: Coffee Collective is excellent.

Tips

- Public transit is excellent—metro and trains come constantly. Easy to get everywhere.
- Rent bikes if you’re comfortable. Copenhagen is built for it.
- Islands Brygge is great for a casual sunset by the water with a drink (beach area near the centre of the city).

Some touristy things (but fun)

- Tivoli Gardens – Fun old-school amusement park, and you’ll just catch it before it closes for the season. The food hall is surprisingly great (much better than you’d ever find at an amusement park back home).
- Nyhavn – Do a boat tour here; the canals and colourful houses are classic Copenhagen.

Day trip to Malmö (Sweden) - It’s only ~40 minutes by train and way cheaper than Copenhagen. Worth doing for the novelty and a fun vibe. We stayed on this side for a couple days for our trip a few years back.

- Malmö Saluhall – Cool food hall (look for Pink Noodle Bar).
- Bastard – Trendy modern European.
- Lyran – Creative tasting menu with local ingredients.
- Bageri Leve – Incredible pastries and sourdough (try the vegan caramel tart).
- Other highlights: Malmö Castle, Gamla Väster (old town), and Ribersborgs Beach.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Go to that hippy village can’t remember the name. Go to Odense, where my wife is from.

Haven’t been there in a long time. All the kids looked like an ikea catalog.

Go for smörrebrod and have some remoulad, rolepolse and egg sandwiches. It was expensive as hell 20 years ago, can’t imagine now. The main train station was bizarre because it was lit up with black light so adducts couldn’t see their veins.

I heard they have a couple of insanely bizarre world class restos like Alchemist.

Yes, it's still expensive. I think slightly more expensive than Manhattan or somewhere between Manhattan and Hawaii.

I just sent over some notes as well for him. One thing I noted was a good way to get out of the high prices is a day trip to Malmö where pretty much everything is half the cost haha.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Anyone take todlers to Mexico recently?
Did you get them any travel vaccines?

Wondering if my 3 YO needs anything before an end of October trip.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Anyone take todlers to Mexico recently?
Did you get them any travel vaccines?

Wondering if my 3 YO needs anything before an end of October trip.

Just look up where you are going and whats recommended. we took
our boy somewhere and they recommended an additional Hepatitis shot he did t have yet so we go that.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Anyone take todlers to Mexico recently?
Did you get them any travel vaccines?

Wondering if my 3 YO needs anything before an end of October trip.

Yeah, they might even still be there...

[WideReceiver]

Three best things to do in Dublin, Ireland? We have a list but need to narrow it down. In May.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

Three best things to do in Dublin, Ireland? We have a list but need to narrow it down. In May.

1. Drink.
2. Drink.
3. I forget...

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

Three best things to do in Dublin, Ireland? We have a list but need to narrow it down. In May.

I enjoyed trinity colllege and the Guiness tour most myself.