Tagged With "International Tourist Zones"
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Re: Iceland: 'No we're not Disneyland'
Iceland is a great destination, but it has limited tourist facilities. The population of the entire island is about 300,000 and there aren't all that many hotel or B&B choices in smaller places. I think the lack of infrastructure is the main problem. They certainly have the space and ability to handle more tourists, but need to develop services for them outside Reykjavik.
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Re: Liverpool: Three Thoughtful Museums
Excellent history lesson Paul. Interesting and good photos too.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov. 16, 2015: Franklin Automobiles in Tucson, Arizona
The pictures I found on my quick look were all of NY and Montreal tourist buggy drivers...and I since realized that they must be a special case because...even more important than the whip, probably...you have to sit on the side where the lever for the brake is!
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Re: Local Flavor: Pearl Brewery Farmers Market, San Antonio
I'm so tempted to buy the wonderful foods I see in street markets. But being a tourist with nowhere to store and cook I regret I must pass. Much of the fruit and veg I have never seen before and I'm eager to try. Which is true I suppose for most folks in England. If we don't recognise a sweet potato - then we don't buy it. I do miss the vanilla flavoured Apples ( Custard Apples ) I had in Australia.
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Re: Why I Travel
My early travels in the US were all done with maps. I've been lost many times. So I bought the American Maps for my UK TomTom Sat Nav. Best thing I've done in years ! I love taking roads that aren't tourist routes - and getting lost - now. Explore the back woods and the one horse towns. Explore where the rich folks live and the poor. Taking photo's of local characters. Folks that have worse teeth than the Brits ! Show me the tourist route and I'll go the other way !
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Re: Where Gumbo Was #12. Brasov, Romania
Years ago ,I went. It wasn't as big of a tourist draw back then. If I'm remembering right, they told me at the time it might not of been one of Vlad castles,but I guess that makes little difference in the enjoyment.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day: Jan. 16, 2014: Liverpool Victoria Gallery
Hello GarryRF, good post. Interesting to know there is more to see in Liverpool than The Beatles (it's okay, I'm a huge Beatles fan). I've always wanted to visit there, not only for Beatles sights, but I've heard it's had a revamp over the last few years and is now a tourist hot spot. Can you recommend a good time of the year to visit and how many days to see the main attractions?
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Re: Where Gumbo Was (#9): Poiana Brasov, Romania
This area brings back fond memories I remember falling a lot too because I was unable to buy good boots in an era when Romania rationed just about everything. The hike from Brasov to Poiana is a nice one and there is a bus as well if you don't have a car. Besides skiing, there is also a good tourist restaurant in Poiana that serves hunters food. Not sure if the outdoor ice skating rink is still there?
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 4
Great Info! Skype is great but I found Magic Jack versatile when the other person is not sitting on a computer. I am also a fan of Google Voice ,but I don't think I'm using all their features.
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Staying in the UK is no more expensive than being a tourist in the USA. You wont get a month in London. Same as me travelling from the UK to New York. Silly Prices ! So decide on what you want to do over here and start planning, Have a look at the YHA web site. Youth Hostels Association. Forget the Youth reference. My Kids aren't Youths anymore. And I use them too! They are used by Travellers like yourself - and me - across Europe. They are Family groups and Ramblers ( Countryside Walkers)...
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Hank, While you're in London you can get a Coach (Bus) Tour that will show you Stonehenge and Bath and The Cotswold Villages - very pretty and very old. Leeds Castle (not in Leeds, close to London). Stonehenge is not an overnight stop - remember what I said about distances in the UK being smaller? If you need to fill a gap take the Train (or Bus) to York. Very old - lots of History and a Museum that will take you back 150 years walking the streets of Victorian England. Go into Old Shops and...
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Re: The Tulou of Fujian Province
Wow, an interesting way of living, but people are still living there or is just a tourist attraction?
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Re: The Tulou of Fujian Province
These are living communities. A few have been abandoned in favor of apartment blocks and are melting back into the earth, as mud-brick construction does, but most of the thousands scattered through the hills of the province continue to be villages in themselves, enjoyed and maintained by the Hakka communities that occupy them. A few of the largest individual tulous and clusters have become tourist attractions but if you hurry you'll likely be, as I was, one of the only western tourists for ...
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Re: The Tulou of Fujian Province
HistoryDigger, I'll explain. At the end of the first day of tulou visits, the large tour bus rendezvoused with a small van and it was indicated that I should bring my things and come with a young man. Since no one could explain, I had to simply trust and go along, an interesting sensation. I later realized that I was the only one who had opted for the second day. The young man drove me to a very basic village of mostly new buildings built, I suspect but of course don't know, for...
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Re: Finally some good news! Whistler or Banff
I don't ski either (bad knees), but I've visited both of these destinations. There are pros and cons to each. Both is a little over an hour's drive from their closest major airport, Vancouver for Whistler and Calgary for Canmore. Whistler is close to the coast, but high up. So they usually have good snow, but depending on the year, it can get soggy by spring and sometimes ice crusted. Banff area is far more likely to have nice light powder during the spring break season. Some people swear by...
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Re: Denver airport leads the charge for your phones
Having traveled to Denver in the past month, I'll vouch for that fact there a lot of places to charge your devices. And there are still lots of gates that completely lack chargers, so they still have a long way to go. The free wifi at Denver is quite fast and widely available. Much appreciate! I think this should be a top priority for all airlines -- places to charge that phone and iPad before you fly. It would be good if the consumer organizations provided comparative scores.
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Re: Last light. Embleton Bay Northumberland. Half an hour after sunset
One of the amazing features of the North of England is how long the day is. I love waking at 4am with the sun shining on my bed. And sitting in the garden until the sky goes a dark blue for the 3 hours of night. The Twilight Zone maybe. No mosquitoes and a glass of Prosecco. Fine end to the day.
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Re: Swindon's 7 layer traffic circle
That is amazing! And I see it as a convincing argument for traffic lights. Perhaps locals know their way, but for a tourist traveling here it would be a nightmare. While the videoclip says that there are few fatal accidents, that's likely because of the low speeds involved in the roundabout. I suspect the rate of fenderbenders is extremely high. Thanks for sharing this, Jonathan.
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Re: Good news, bad news on UNESCO's world heritage
I enjoy traveling to UNESCO sites because most of them are very interesting destinations. I even know of some travelers whose goal it is to see "every" UNESCO listing. Good luck to them! I really think UNESCO is doing it's job by identifying important places and encouraging their conservation. I shudder at the thought of a global UNESCO police swooping in to "defend" these sites. It's up to the countries that govern them to do so. Some do a great job; others don't. Some citizens care, others...
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Re: It's a loooong way to the tip of the wing!
The photo reminds me of that famous episode of the "Twilight Zone" series. When a young William Shatner is a passenger on the window seat, looking out at the wing, while a gremlin starts tearing pieces from it. No one can see the Gremlin except for Shatner.... But that doesn't mean the Gremlin isn't there. You didn't happen to see a Gremlin, did you PHeymont?
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Re: New Orleans—Museum Highlights Young Voices of Resilience
Great piece! Yes, it is good to hear from our children about what they learned in the past decade living in New Orleans after the storm. So many were impacted, many were harmed and suffered PTSD. Great to hear kids speak about the positive outcomes from their Katrina experiences. I can't wait for the new LA Childrens Museum to open in its new and amazing facility in City Park, another NOLA gem. Ya'll come visit soon and often to experience a city like no other, New Orleans. It has not been...
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Re: The Difference between Tourists and Travelers
Interesting thoughts on a constantly recycled debate. I certainly tried to prise the tourist out of the people in the groups I led, but not all were willing victims. Part of it surely is the time allocated to holidays - the tourist tries to see as much as possible in that time, but a traveller would be as happy poking around local markets - it's TOO easy to get sight-sore !
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Re: The Difference between Tourists and Travelers
I think it may not be all that easy to divide the world into 'tourists' and 'travelers;' the world is not really that binary, and there are many shades between them. And many of those we meet are on the path to deeper experiences as they experience more and travel more. I think of the many new travelers who used to post on the Frommer forums about their desire to 'see as much as possible' and 'do as many countries as possible' in impossibly short time allowances. Some of us who were regulars...
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Re: Heather in Bloom - North York Moors.
A most amazing and lovely landscape (with tip of the hat to its Scottish counterpart). When is a good time for a tourist to see the heather in bloom? I know some folks that would plan a trip just to see these colors.
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Re: Heather in Bloom - North York Moors.
Early to mid august would be the prime time to visit and view.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? #62
I have never been to Iceland, although I've flown over it many times (usually covered in clouds), but looking at the Reykjavik Tourist wesite, the windows resemble those of the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre.
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Re: Do traveling Brits hate kids?
Getting a 25 hour flight can be a painless experience with the correct preparation. Music, books and magazines. But taking a young child who screams with inner ear pressure problems is a nightmare and no one gets to sleep. So you arrive with no sleep for maybe 36 hours. Of course we love kids as much as anyone. I've been on an American flight to Hawaii where all the other passengers were kids on spring break. That flight should have carried a health warning. They behaved like animals. Yes...
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Re: Do traveling Brits hate kids?
Having traveled with children myself, I'm quite sympathetic to folks on the road with their tots. It's hard to do and difficult to keep them entertained and sitting still for such long periods of time. I feel sorry for parents who are trying to comfort their children -- some in obvious distress from ear pain -- without success. A lot of poorly behaved kids (eg. kicking seats) are poorly parented. I'm far more upset with the parent than with the child. the kid needs to be instructed not to do...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, September 25, 2014: Statue of Elvis Presley, Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
I'm old enough to remember the Vegas Years, although was too young at the time to go see Elvis in Vegas. Fans always commented that Elvis was at his best in Vegas -- relaxed, chatty (talking to the crowd a lot), and despite it's large size, it was a fairly intimate performance venue with lots of direct audience contact. (Watch the video all the way to the end to see the audience) The statue was unveiled by Barron Hilton just outside the showroom where Elvis performed, and it stood there for...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, September 25, 2014: Statue of Elvis Presley, Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
DrFumblefinger: I really appreciate your feedback and extra information you provided in the above comment. As Elvis would say "Thank you. Thank you very much. Your a beautiful audience. Thank you."
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Re: Cruising California's 17 Mile Drive
Fine houses in their pristinely manicured gardens. Don't think I could even afford the taxes. I do like the areas that remain untouched by golf and the hand of fortune. I prefer the untouched to the "candy box tin" painting of nature. I've been to many places where the presence of paupers - like myself - detract from the ambiance of opulence. Even today I had a note attached to my car, that parking in a non-designated zone was being selfish. Even though they were full !
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 13, 2014: Statue of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, Kuhio Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
So there really was a "Big Kahuna". I thought it was just a slang expression.
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Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, November 14, 2014: Postcards from Morocco - Ait Ben Haddou
Still very much an inhabited ksar but the numbers of folks are, I suspect, pretty much reduced to those living off the tourist trade. I had great photo sessions in 2 different dwellings, both where the lady of the house was making carpets in the very traditional way. One lady cooked us a great cous-cous lunch!! Very welcoming people.
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Re: VisitBritain, British Air point out "undiscovered places"
VisitBritian is my favorite official tourist info agency and what they are doing really is working .
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Re: Finding Your Hike in Prospect Park
Sounds very familiar! Old money, big houses and the park becomes a buffer zone. But for now it's a great place to fill your lungs and for the kids to run wild - like kids need to !
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Re: Endangered tourist destinations around the World
Without the tourist would many of these places survive? Without the billions of euros spent on Venice to keep the water out would it still be walkable ? Would the Taj Mahal still be showing the scars of conflict if people didn't visit and contribute to its hunger for refurbishment ? Or maybe leave it to fall into ruin like the pyramids. Which do we remove? The tourists or the high heels ?
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Re: Endangered tourist destinations around the World
I agree that these destinations are famous and must-sees for every tourist, but all of us have an obligation to not destory these beautiful corners of the World. Like for Venice, as mentioned in the article that so many Cruises pass through here (stops) each year, so they must have dig-up the area and hence the water level keeps rising?! If we don't take care, our future generations wouldn't be able to see these historic places.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 22, 2015: Machu Picchu
Beautiful photos, Grand Escapes! I'm especially fond of the one of the llama roaming the streets of Machu Picchu. They are the official "lawn mowers" of the park. Machu Picchu after the tourist train leaves and before it arrives is a totally different experience than during the peak of the day. If there's one travel spot you'll want to spend a night or two so that you can enjoy some tranquility before it gets overwhelmed with people, then I'd say this is the one.
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Re: Italian Competition Authority fines TripAdvisor €500,000
I know TripAdvisor has had some problems with a minority of people posting false reviews so I can kind of understand in 2012 the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK telling TripAdvisor not claim the reviews were from real travelers or use the word trusted describing reviews. As far as the Italian Competition Authority goes, below is their Press Release when the investigation started in May. It seems like it would be very difficult for TripAdvisor to prevent fake reviews , so I'm not...
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Re: Visiting Versailles
Palace of Versailles is an awesome royal place of France which is very famous among tourist. I also went there before going to san diego fun trip . Although I visited this site but after reading your detailed blog post many new things is came to my knowledge. I am highly grateful at this informative post and increase my information.
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Re: Where do the "permanent travelers" go?
I have one friend who's a permanent traveler. While he spends time in a variety of places, his preference is Asia, with Thailand at the top of his list. Chiang Mai is where we met and in nearby villages is where he spends the majority of his time. He has a private income so work has nothing to do with his choice. I'd be interested to see how the results of the survey would change if that element was removed from the equation. And how it would change if broken down by age group. Also, how...
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Re: Americans Leaving Half Their Paid Vacations Ununsed
I also can't imagine not using vacation time....I never had enough and I have more than many. Travel doesn't have to be expensive. There are inexpensive destinations and activities one can do. "Being a tourist at home" is one way -- seeing those sites others come to see and that locals never seem to get around to. Visiting family and friends. And of course, there is camping. If you've the gear, or can borrow some, a tank of gas and cost of a tent pad is your only expense. I certainly did...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo (#31)
One last night for this puzzle, and some hints. Yes, it is in France...and it is near, but not in, a popular tourist destination
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Re: GPS v. Sicily = WTF
Since I downloaded the US Maps to my UK TomTom I've had great fun ! I love exploring the single track roads through villages and one horse towns! Exploring is great fun - getting lost is a pain. GPS opens up a whole new world to the Tourist !
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Re: GPS v. Sicily = WTF
Originally Posted by GarryRF: Exploring is great fun - getting lost is a pain. GPS opens up a whole new world to the Tourist ! Sometimes getting lost is the beginning of the fun...but it's nice to know the way back!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi
I too am a fan of Colonial era hotels. The only ones I've ever stayed at were in Sri Lanka where, at the time, they weren't much more than a night at a Howard Johnson's. When you make your way to Sri Lanka, PortMoresby, check out some that island has to offer. You might be pleasantly surprised. Sri Lankan people I interacted with actually were quite grateful overall for the contributions the British made to their island -- tea plantations, roads, railroads, and government. And, of course,...
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Re: Russia to Open Up Gulags as "Tourist Camps"?
So I've finally heard of a place that I want to go even less than the "Jihadi hotspots of Afghanistan"! Thanks, but no thanks. My grandfather died in one of those gulags. The Puttinites aren't getting a dime of my tourist money -- not that megabillionaire Putin needs it.
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Re: The Banff Park Museum National Historic Site. Where Gumbo was #(133)
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Its been several years since I have even been to Banff and I haven't been to the museum since the early 80s. It is a nice look at the old Banff before it exploded into the mass tourist site it is now. I will have to revisit the museum in the near future.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Aug. 30, 2015: Just don't go...
I believe what it means is the end of a traffic-free pedestrian zone.