Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[Wormius]

If you can find an onsen, try one of those. The hotel we stayed at had one, not super traditional onsen, but it was kind of a fun experience. I think the nicer ones are outside of Kyoto.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by activeStick

I did Airbnb and it was great! What are you looking to do? Party (single?)? Somewhere more quiet (family?)?

I stayed in Hongdae and Itaewon before but both were more busy (which I liked).

This is a trip with the family, kids are 13 and 10. We've done previous trips to Panama City, Paris, Rome, Croatia, and Mexico City with them. We like staying in the busy areas of a city with lots to explore by walking around or taking transit. We never shy away from longer walks to get places either.

We have kind of zeroed in on the area in Seoul around City Hall to stay, looks like there is lots around there within walking distance, and the metro lines around to get out farther. We are still quite covid cautious, so would prefer places where we have the options to grab food to go or eat outside as well. I see near this area is Cheonggyecheon, which looks to have lots of eating options. And this reclaimed urban stream and area is the kind of thing that is right up our alley.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

This is a trip with the family, kids are 13 and 10. We've done previous trips to Panama City, Paris, Rome, Croatia, and Mexico City with them. We like staying in the busy areas of a city with lots to explore by walking around or taking transit. We never shy away from longer walks to get places either.

We have kind of zeroed in on the area in Seoul around City Hall to stay, looks like there is lots around there within walking distance, and the metro lines around to get out farther. We are still quite covid cautious, so would prefer places where we have the options to grab food to go or eat outside as well. I see near this area is Cheonggyecheon, which looks to have lots of eating options. And this reclaimed urban stream and area is the kind of thing that is right up our alley.

That river walk is really cool. I strolled up and down there when I was in Seoul. If you don't mind spending a few bucks on a meal there is an office building right near there that has a restaurant up on the top floor with some great views. I was up there and it was pretty cool but I don't remember the building or restaurant name.

Edit: looks like the restaurant I was referring to was in the Jongno Tower a block from the west end of that river walk. The restaurant seems to be closed now permanently but there might be a new establishment up there in it's place.

[Wormius]

I think the Mexico flight deals broke your websites, Chris!

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Wormius

If you can find an onsen, try one of those. The hotel we stayed at had one, not super traditional onsen, but it was kind of a fun experience. I think the nicer ones are outside of Kyoto.

Hakone area is king for onsens, but $$$ and will add 2 days to the trip between Osaka and Kyoto. So many nice Ryokan's to stay at though.

Kurama hot spring north of Kyoto was nice, accepts tattoo's if anyone has one. https://goo.gl/maps/1V4DMrb7uiPpSSDZA Showing temporarily closed, so maybe check closer to the trip. Take train to end of line and then it's a short beautiful walk up a mountain road.

I'm jealous, I have so many different trips for Japan saved in google maps now. Hopefully I can make it back next year. Have a blast for me!

[Bigtime]

There was mention of getting a sim card for Japan (and Korea). Something like this do the trick? https://a.co/d/dYduZSJ

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

There was mention of getting a sim card for Japan (and Korea). Something like this do the trick? https://a.co/d/dYduZSJ

Those would probably work. We got these on a 16-day plan, there is no voice, just data-only which was fine cause.

https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/inte...cess/sim-cards

[jatylo]

I should probably ask here if anyone has any hidden gems.
I'll be heading to Honolulu next weekend. Just wondering if there are any tips from the wise or tours that are worth shelling out for

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by jatylo

I should probably ask here if anyone has any hidden gems.
I'll be heading to Honolulu next weekend. Just wondering if there are any tips from the wise or tours that are worth shelling out for

Leave Honolulu as soon as you can.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by jatylo

I should probably ask here if anyone has any hidden gems.
I'll be heading to Honolulu next weekend. Just wondering if there are any tips from the wise or tours that are worth shelling out for

* Get a rental car and explore Oahu. North Shore is great. If you're not renting a car, you can grab one for the day at a hotel in Waikiki at a decent cost
* While up around the North Shore, stop at Fumi's Shrimp Truck
* While going around the island, check out Lanikai Beach as well. Amazing (it's on the east side of the island)
* Cheap delicious eat is Marukame Udon in Waikiki. There's usually a line but it goes quick
* The Pig and the Lady is a good Vietnamese restaurant downtown
* Don't do the Dole Plantation tour. Just felt that was a total waste of time
* Polynesian cultural center/luau was just ok. Did it once but wouldn't again
* This Catamaran is really good and decently priced, right by the Royal Hawaiian - https://www.kepoikai.com/ (also, if early enough in the day drop into the Royal Hawaiian bakery for a croissant or pastry, it's actually unreal and rivals any place I've been to in Paris)

[tvp2003]

^^ Oh man I would go back to Oahu just for the shrimp trucks. Drool…

[tvp2003]

I’ll be boarding the Via Rail Canadian tonight (sleeper class), going from Edmonton to Jasper to Vancouver. Any tips/stories/experiences to share taking this route (or similar)?

It’s too bad it doesn’t go through Calgary as I understand it did many many years ago…

[stazzy33]

My partner and I are heading to the Netherlands and Belgium in early April (a week in each country). We've got most of the Dutch part sorted, but wondering if there are any recommendations for Belgium. We are planning to go to Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, and Leuven, but could be swayed to check out another spot. Also looking for recommendations on a European sim while we are there.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

I’ll be boarding the Via Rail Canadian tonight (sleeper class), going from Edmonton to Jasper to Vancouver. Any tips/stories/experiences to share taking this route (or similar)?

It’s too bad it doesn’t go through Calgary as I understand it did many many years ago…

This sounds awesome. I'd love to hear more about it and also see some pics. I have always wanted to do something like that.

Via Rail stopped servicing Calgary in 1990 I believe.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by stazzy33

My partner and I are heading to the Netherlands and Belgium in early April (a week in each country). We've got most of the Dutch part sorted, but wondering if there are any recommendations for Belgium. We are planning to go to Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, and Leuven, but could be swayed to check out another spot. Also looking for recommendations on a European sim while we are there.

Are you driving? As a Canadian, visiting the Ypres area with all the war memorials feels like a must do to me. We found it incredible. Bruges is great.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

This sounds awesome. I'd love to hear more about it and also see some pics. I have always wanted to do something like that.

Via Rail stopped servicing Calgary in 1990 I believe.

Thanks — there are some really good YouTube videos that people have uploaded, thought it would be fun to give it a try. I think this is the most scenic part of the trip as the full trip goes between Vancouver and Toronto.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by stazzy33

My partner and I are heading to the Netherlands and Belgium in early April (a week in each country). We've got most of the Dutch part sorted, but wondering if there are any recommendations for Belgium. We are planning to go to Antwerp, Bruges

I hear tell that's a place to avoid, your friend might try to kill you and nick your gun and you'll still be in f**** Bruges.

[stazzy33]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I hear tell that's a place to avoid, your friend might try to kill you and nick your gun and you'll still be in f**** Bruges.

Definitely don't plan to meet up with Colin Farrell on the trip, so we should be good.

[stazzy33]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Are you driving? As a Canadian, visiting the Ypres area with all the war memorials feels like a must do to me. We found it incredible. Bruges is great.

We weren't planning to, mostly train travel, but it does seem a lot cheaper to rent a car. Just not sure how that works with crossing borders in Europe.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by stazzy33

We weren't planning to, mostly train travel, but it does seem a lot cheaper to rent a car. Just not sure how that works with crossing borders in Europe.

Borders don't matter in Europe! Truthfully there are some countries they won't let you go, or they need to know, but they aren't where you are going. I found driving pretty easy, the benefit being you can see a lot more, and aren't beholden to a schedule, and don't have to haul bags from train stations to hotels. Drawbacks can be parking(but we picked places that had it) and you can rest on a train. But with limited time for travel, I usually rent for Europe. Getting around the Ypres area really is better with one. We picked up in France and dropped in Germany.