OT: International Travelers

Greg the byzantine · Apr 16, 2012

Hi guys, it's been a while. Hope you're all doing well.

I know quite a few of you travel or have travelled internationally, so I thought I would ask you guys since I seem to be asking everyone I know.

I'm going to be traveling internationally for the first time this year. I'll be participating in an archaeological survey project for one month this summer in Turkey. I'll be flying in a week early to stay in Istanbul (By the way if you have suggestions about what I should see there, please suggest them)

So, since I'll be so close to Europe I figured I should take advantage and see another city. I've already looked into doing a multi city flight and if I add one European city to my flight package it's only about $300 more. Problem is I'm having trouble figuring out where I want to go (I'd love to visit every major city, but that's not feasible). My criteria are that 1) it be a major European city,2) that ability to explore areas beyond the city with relative if I want to, that I'm able to communicate at least somewhat in the language (I'm fluent in Greek and English, and am proficient in Italian and Spanish). I'm hoping to spend about 10 days in whichever city I chose around the beginning of August.

Any suggestions, advice, etc. are greatly appreciated

Dorothea · Apr 16, 2012

Wow! Sounds great! It's hard to suggest just one.

Well, how about Greece since you are fluent in the language? There is certainly much to see there.

What kinds of sites are you wanting to see? Religious? Historical? Cultural? I mean because Germany and Austria are GORGEOUS. And France isn't too bad. I never got to go to Italy, but I'm told that's great. My niece went to Florence and Venice last a couple years ago and said it was great. My mom used to visit her friend in Switzerland when dad was stationed in Germany. She went a few times the 3 years we were there. Beautiful pics from there. My sister and her family have been to Spain and loved it. I've been in the Madrid airport...that's it. lol

I've always thought it would be nice to go to Ireland.

I guess that's all I can add.

Colleen1 · Apr 16, 2012

Greg the byzantine said:
Hi guys, it's been a while. Hope you're all doing well.

I know quite a few of you travel or have travelled internationally, so I thought I would ask you guys since I seem to be asking everyone I know.

I'm going to be traveling internationally for the first time this year. I'll be participating in an archaeological survey project for one month in the summer in Turkey. So I'll be flying in a week early to stay in Istanbul (By the way if you have suggestions about what I should see there, please suggest them)

So, since I'll be so close to Europe I figured I should take advantage and see another city. I've already looked into doing a multi city flight and if I add one European city to my flight package it's only about $300 more. Problem is I'm having trouble figuring out where I want to go (I'd love to visit every major city, but that's not feasible). My criteria are that 1) it be a major European city,2) that ability to explore areas beyond the city with relative if I want to, that I'm able to communicate at least somewhat in the language (I'm fluent in Greek and English, and am proficient in Italian and Spanish). I'm hoping to spend about 10 days in whichever city I chose around the beginning of August.

Any suggestions, advice, etc. are greatly appreciated

I don't have any suggestions but it sounds amazing and I hope you have a great time.

ikonographics · Apr 17, 2012

Come to Athens!

Greg the byzantine · Apr 17, 2012

ikonographics said:
Come to Athens!

I keep thinking about it, and it would be nice to be in Greece for dekapentavgousto. I have to ask though, are the strikes affecting things? I hear about strikes every day on Antenna. I mean the majority of them wouldn't affect me but if the transportation workers go on strike, or the taxi drivers go on strike, or the airport employees go on strike I'm stuck.

My dream would have been to go to Cyprus, but I won't go there for the first time without a member of my family. I wouldn't even know where to begin to see the places and things they talk about from there childhood.

ikonographics · Apr 17, 2012

In August everyone takes a break from striking! There haven't been any major strikes in a while. Don't believe everything you see in the media. It has nothing to do with reality! Anyway, take a leap of faith and come to Athens!

Aigina is just about an hour's ferry ride away so you can visit St Nektarios too!

rusmeister · Apr 17, 2012

Don't over-believe the news.
Everybody reading about other countries tends to get an impression of chaos and anarchy, because that's what the media want to report. They don't want to report about tea parties and hard-working successful teachers because it's normal life, and they are in the business of reporting abnormal life. If there IS something going on, it'll generally be in a limited zone that you'll be told to stay away from, anyway.

gurneyhalleck1 · Apr 17, 2012

Amen!

rusmeister said:
Don't over-believe the news.
Everybody reading about other countries tends to get an impression of chaos and anarchy, because that's what the media want to report. They don't want to report about tea parties and hard-working successful teachers because it's normal life, and they are in the business of reporting abnormal life. If there IS something going on, it'll generally be in a limited zone that you'll be told to stay away from, anyway.

gurneyhalleck1 · Apr 17, 2012

My biggest piece of advice: DON'T watch "Midnight Express" before your trip! ^_^

All kidding aside, I envy you, brother. I've wanted to go to Turkey for YEARS! The Christian history and Hellenistic history and even more...my goodness that place is rich in places and holy sites to visit. You have fun for me!

Greg the byzantine said:
Hi guys, it's been a while. Hope you're all doing well.

I know quite a few of you travel or have travelled internationally, so I thought I would ask you guys since I seem to be asking everyone I know.

I'm going to be traveling internationally for the first time this year. I'll be participating in an archaeological survey project for one month this summer in Turkey. I'll be flying in a week early to stay in Istanbul (By the way if you have suggestions about what I should see there, please suggest them)

So, since I'll be so close to Europe I figured I should take advantage and see another city. I've already looked into doing a multi city flight and if I add one European city to my flight package it's only about $300 more. Problem is I'm having trouble figuring out where I want to go (I'd love to visit every major city, but that's not feasible). My criteria are that 1) it be a major European city,2) that ability to explore areas beyond the city with relative if I want to, that I'm able to communicate at least somewhat in the language (I'm fluent in Greek and English, and am proficient in Italian and Spanish). I'm hoping to spend about 10 days in whichever city I chose around the beginning of August.

Any suggestions, advice, etc. are greatly appreciated

Kristos · Apr 18, 2012

Some people love Paris, some love Berlin, some love Prague, some love Rome...

It's personal.

I love Rome...

Dorothea · Apr 18, 2012

rusmeister said:
Don't over-believe the news.
Everybody reading about other countries tends to get an impression of chaos and anarchy, because that's what the media want to report. They don't want to report about tea parties and hard-working successful teachers because it's normal life, and they are in the business of reporting abnormal life. If there IS something going on, it'll generally be in a limited zone that you'll be told to stay away from, anyway.

It's true. Back in May 2010 when we went to Greece, they were protesting, rioting, and apparently their taxi cabs and other such things were on strike. Well, we got there just fine with no problems with anything in Greece. The problem we had was the 2 hour diversion having to go around the ever-erupting Icelandic volcano that I can't pronounce. ^_^

That caused the day or so delay and the luggage ended up in Beirut. Long story. :sigh:

But it was a great vacation! The best!

Greg the byzantine · Apr 18, 2012

I'm torn between Rome and Athens :help:

I wish I could do both but I don't think I have the money or the stamina for that.

Anhelyna · Apr 18, 2012

Rome is a fascinating city but when are you going ? Remember everyone leaves Rome in August because of the heat

Greg the byzantine · Apr 18, 2012

Anhelyna said:
Rome is a fascinating city but when are you going ? Remember everyone leaves Rome in August because of the heat

I'd be leaving Istanbul on July 30th to head to whichever destination I choose. If it's anything like Greece, after the 15th everyone is on vacation so I'd leave right around then.

ikonographics · Apr 18, 2012

Well, I'd love to meet you if you come to Athens!

Dorothea · Apr 18, 2012

Greg the byzantine said:
I'm torn between Rome and Athens I wish I could do both but I don't think I have the money or the stamina for that.

Just don't stay in that hotel in Rome we were put up in because of the mess with the missed connections because of the ash cloud. :sorry:

Don't remember the name of it, though. ^_^

Greg the byzantine · May 2, 2012

I booked my flight yesterday, and I think my head is going to explode :help:

Julina · May 2, 2012

you lucky duck!!!!!!
personally i would like to go to Amsterdam but i think that's just me.

how about Pompeii?

ikonographics · May 3, 2012

Greg the byzantine said:
I booked my flight yesterday, and I think my head is going to explode

So which city did you decide on?

ma2000 · May 3, 2012

Greg the byzantine said:
(By the way if you have suggestions about what I should see there, please suggest them)

I'd visit Agia Sophia, of course, and The Church of St. Mary of the Spring, where the spring where the miracle celebrated on the Feast of the Life-Giving Spring is located.

Greg the byzantine said:
(By the way if you have suggestions about what I should see there, please suggest them)

So, since I'll be so close to Europe I figured I should take advantage and see another city. I've already looked into doing a multi city flight and if I add one European city to my flight package it's only about $300 more. Problem is I'm having trouble figuring out where I want to go (I'd love to visit every major city, but that's not feasible). My criteria are that 1) it be a major European city,2) that ability to explore areas beyond the city with relative if I want to, that I'm able to communicate at least somewhat in the language (I'm fluent in Greek and English, and am proficient in Italian and Spanish). I'm hoping to spend about 10 days in whichever city I chose around the beginning of August.

Any suggestions, advice, etc. are greatly appreciated

I'd choose Athens

OT: International Travelers

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