Holidays Advice: Page 2 - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

Holidays Advice

Pepe LeFrits

Anyone been to Portsmouth?

James

Pepe LeFrits Only to Fratton Park. Can’t say it screamed holiday destination. There are much nicer spots on the South Coast both east and west of it.

Don Pacifico

Not gonna lie mate, have not heard the best reviews of Portsmouth. Not been myself though.

Asterix

Bath is a lovely city, and both Bristol and Bath have some great museums and pubs. A mate used to live on a narrow boat on the Kennet & Avon canal in Bathampton, just out of Bath. Lovely spot. Captain Arthur Phillip - he of Australia's First Fleet and founder of the colony of Sydney - is buried in the church at Bathampton.

In the countryside I've enjoyed the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales immensely.

As a frequent tourist to the UK there are many places I still wish to visit - Northumberland, Cornwall, Welsh coastline and national parks, all of Ireland. Need more money and time.

James

Asterix As a frequent tourist to the UK there are many places I still wish to visit - Northumberland, Cornwall, Welsh coastline and national parks, all of Ireland. Need more money and time.

Visited Northumberland last year for the first time. I’d forgotten how much of the country exists beyond Newcastle. Beautiful part of the country, but even in the hottest spell of the year, it was incredibly wet and cold. Stayed at the foot of Bamburgh Castle which is very impressive. Stunning beaches up there too which look largely untouched. Driving across the causeway to Holy Island was an experience.

Going up to the Lake District in March, which is now becoming an annual jaunt. Not a bad drive for us where we live, and we absolutely love it up there. As long as it’s not too wet.

Mirth

Clrnc

If you are going to cross the Irish Sea, I would recommend spending more than 2-3 days and visit more than just Dublin/Belfast alone. The Atlantic coast is worth driving down and stopping along the route.

If you're staying in Great Britain, combining Bath and Bristol is a good shout. You could also visit Cardiff or stop by the Cotswolds as part of the same trip. Cardiff is a fun place for a night out.

Controversially I don't recommend Brighton at the moment - I visited in 2021 and thought Covid has hit the place hard. Plus it's London prices for everything.

RocktheCasbah

Mirth I went to a family friend's (woefully inadequate description, the girl is like my younger sister) wedding in Kenmare, Co Kerry six years ago, around this time of year actually. It was astonishingly beautiful, crazy sunsets, although I missed out on a beach walk to watch the Arsenal against Crystal Palace and so got the beauty of Oli G's scorpion kick instead!

HomeSteak

Booked a trip to Japan and South Korea, cannot wait, been dreaming of it for a long time now.

Don Pacifico

Loved Japan - where are you visiting whilst you're there?

HomeSteak

Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara - Osaka

Clrnc

HomeSteak suggest you take a trip to Hiroshima. My favorite.

Okonomiyaki there is brilliant.

Nagoya is underrated as hell too. The Miso katsu there is world class

MistaT

HomeSteak unless you’re there for 10+ days I’d suggest decreasing the number of cities, or changing a few to be day trips. Far better to spend more time per city!

The trains are great but it’s still a lot to navigate some of the larger subway stations (in Tokyo, Osaka, etc) and hotel check in can be challenging. You can stay in Osaka and easily do day trips to Nara and Kyoto.

That said, I really liked biking around Kyoto as it has a great canal. I would also highly recommend a guided tour of a temple/garden in Kyoto.

Holler if you want any tips.

Don Pacifico

Good mix - haven't done Nikko or Hakone but spent time in all the other places. So much to do in all of them but a couple of small suggestions based on my experience, I wouldn't spend too long in Kyoto (I reckon you don't need much more than a day) and in Osaka, worth checking out the aquarium and the museum of human rights (also be sure to try okonomiyaki if you've never had it).

One caveat - I went quite some time ago now so am sure there have been some changes been then!

Don Pacifico

Would also endorse Hiroshima for what it's worth - very moving to visit but also Miyajima island is a treat.

Clrnc

Don Pacifico Yeah definitely.

Ōkunoshima island is brilliant too, a full rabbit island. Basically everywhere in Japan is amazing

HomeSteak

Thanks for the advice I'll try to keep them in mind, especially the food ha

Asterix

Looking at going to New York next New Year's Eve for a week. It will be me, my wife and 2 adult daughters. Anyone got tips on reasonably priced but also comfortable and well located places to stay? And thinking of going via Hawaii - tips about Honolulu also appreciated. Will Honolulu be crowded in the first week of January?

James

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.

invisibleman18

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.

MistaT

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.

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