Asterix Anyone got tips on reasonably priced but also comfortable and well located places to stay?

Stayed at the Archer Hotel when I went. Lovely hotel. Small rooms, but you’ll find that with every hotel in Manhattan. 10/10 for location, in between 5th and 6th Ave with everything walkable really (unless you’re heading to lower manhattan). This was 6 years ago though now (edit: shit it was 7!), but it was reasonable at the time in terms of price. Reviews still seem very good. Sky bar has this view.

    If you can find the old holidays thread there was a lot of discussion on New York a few months ago. I went in 2019, initially mainly to go to the US Open tennis but it turned into a much larger trip across USA. For New York we stayed in an Air BnB in Brooklyn which was very cost effective as we had I think 17 days there. It did mean a lot of time spent on the subway though (about 45 mins to Times Square). If you only have a week then I'd probably suggest staying somewhere more central around Times Square. Others may be able to suggest specific hotels. Edit: As James has whilst I was typing.

    If you want to climb up the Statue of Liberty I think you need to book in advance (that's what I did), but if not bothered about going to the island to see it close up you get a good view from the free Staten Island ferry that goes past it - also get a good view of the Manhattan skyline from the ferry too. Probably wouldn't have bothered with the ferry but got in touch with some distant relatives (Father was my Grandfather's cousin I think) I'd never met who live on Staten Island and they invited us to their house. Might not interest you and you may not have time but it was only when looking up things to do near New York that I realised Philadelphia was so close (<90 minute train) so did a day trip there basically to run up the Rocky Steps which was on my bucket list.

    Happy to answer any questions on any other attractions you're interested in. If you find the old thread I think I posted pretty much the same as this.

    Be mindful that Times Square is a complete clusterfuck on NYE. It can take hours to get out of there, even when on foot.

    No NYC local would ever bother with being there for the ball drop.

    That said, overall, the holiday period is nice in NYC.

    Hadn't considered the NYE part (I went in August/September). Would love to be there around that time to experience a white Christmas one day. Christmas in this part of the world is summer and tends to be spent at the beach.

    Thanks guys - I will dig up the old thread thanks Invisi. I have heard about Times Square on NYE - it does not sound appealing to me!

    Didn't realise Philly was so close either - will look into it, cheers!

    9 days later

    Clrnc tickets on sale for Ireland vs France now. Only come in a package with Ireland vs Latvia though so pricey.

        Qwiss That rules the game out for me then. Unfortunate. Would have love to experience the atmosphere there.

          Honestly you're not missing much.

          a month later

          Anyone have any idea how to get tickets for old firm derby?

          Seems insane that even reseller websites has no tickets available for this

          Not a chance unless you know someone in a supporters club.

            11 days later

            Kel Varnsen Decided to skip Tromso mate, unfortunately couldn't fit it in with the change of timing for the Liverpool away match. Chose abisko and Rovaniemi to go instead.

            Tam is doing the Ibrox tour worth it in your opinion? Everyone recommends visiting Celtic Park but thought of going Ibrox instead

                  In Paris all next week if anyone about and wants a pint. Debating going to the France Netherlands match

                  Clrnc
                  I can't speak from experience for either tour. I'd say Ibrox is perhaps more of a traditional stadium (marble staircase, lots of wood panelling, distinct stands) whereas Celtic Park is more a bit more modern. I reckon you'd be happy with either really. Might be worth having a look at the photos tab on Tripadvisor for Ibrox and Celtic Park to get a feel and see what jumps out at you.

                  How long are you in Glasgow?

                      Tam 5 days in total in Scotland, Probably just 1 day in Glasgow and 4 for Edinburgh and the highlands

                      • Tam replied to this.

                          Clrnc what’s your plans in Edinburgh and the highlands. Travel-wise and for sightseeing? A lot of tourists often try to cram a lot in not appreciating how long the travel can take.

                              21 days later

                              Tam 2 days in Edinburgh to explore the old town, 1 day guided tour for the highlands and 2 days in Glasgow (one for the old firm derby and one for ibrox stadium tour and general exploration! Going there tomorrow so can’t wait !

                                Ideal. Never been myself but there’s apparently a bar in Glasgow that the supporters club watch games, Alfie’s on West Nile Street, but you should find the game on in a lot of pubs on Sunday afternoon if you’re about and looking for it.

                                Give me a shout if you want any recommendations or are looking for ideas.

                                  9 days later

                                  Having a mind-bogglingly good holiday in Khao Lak at the moment, and I say that as someone who's holidayed in Thailand quite a few times.

                                  Went on a couple of island scuba dives in the Similans today. My group descended into vast schools of fish from the surface to the eighteen metre deep summit of a large coral pinnacle. There was a ridiculous amount of action, felt like more fish than I've seen on the Great Barrier Reef, the whole ocean was teeming. We circled this beautifully decorated pinnacle (aka "Yellow Rock") down to thirty metres deep, popping up over its back ridge. I was surrounded by schools of smaller reef fish, with hunting packs of trevally and jackfish skimming around the outside in the deeper blue.

                                  Out off the sea floor I guess, this six metre manta ray suddenly billows up, moving like a black and white pennant in the breeze, flapping gently like a magic carpet. Everyone in my group of four divers gets super excited … it's the right season to see mantas, but it's still far from a common thing.

                                  I think I had about three minutes pure interaction with this creature, hovering over it … don't reckon I ever got closer than about 3–5 metres away, but I could see it looking at me, checking me out. I was tracking it intently during this whole period, after which I realised I'd chased myself about thirty metres from my group and drifted up 5–10 metres (which is not so good), and had to deflate my buoyancy vest like mad to go rejoin the crew.

                                  Talk about experiences you never knew you needed …