The Swamp

Brian you're recommendations will also be appreciated due to the Grand Trunk recommendation last year.

BSF21 wrote:

Rush2112 wrote:Anyone have any advice about Minneapolis? (I go the most fantastic places.)

Don't know. Minneapolis is awesome. Go over to St Paul and check out Summit Brewing

I agree. I've spent two different weekends in Minneapolis and loved it both times. I don't have any recommendations for you, other than there's a place with lawn bowling downtown that was fun (some big multilevel Irish(?) bar), and the neighborhoods around the chain of lakes near downtown are really nice, if you like jogging near mansions.

cerrano wrote:bump...

so were going to be renting a car in ireland, and i'm seeing a lot of conflicting info regarding the purchase of collision damage waivers from the rental company vs. your credit card co. vs. independent travel insurance companies, etc... also, it appears that ireland has different policies regarding this kind of blarney than most every other country on earth besides jamaica and isreal.

if you've rented a car in ireland, what did you do for the cdw insurance? did you go with the coverage from the car hire company, credit card or other? would you do the same thing again?

bump. nada?

I got nothin'.

I've always wanted to go to Mpls, I have a layover there tomorrow but unfortch it's only an hour.

cerrano wrote:

cerrano wrote:bump...

so were going to be renting a car in ireland, and i'm seeing a lot of conflicting info regarding the purchase of collision damage waivers from the rental company vs. your credit card co. vs. independent travel insurance companies, etc... also, it appears that ireland has different policies regarding this kind of blarney than most every other country on earth besides jamaica and isreal.

if you've rented a car in ireland, what did you do for the cdw insurance? did you go with the coverage from the car hire company, credit card or other? would you do the same thing again?

bump. nada?

You should check tripadvisor forums. This is the ish that they're good for.

Barring a stub hub disaster, definitely stuck the landing. Thanks for the advice guys.

Heading to Scotland for the first time later this week. Will be staying in Edinburgh but plan to venture out to Glasgow for one day. Any suggestions on what to do in the cities? Also would like to see about doing a outdoor day trip to somewhere that isn't too remote.

I was supposed to go to Scotland last summer, but my wife had health issues (thankfully cleared up) and we had to cancel.

Happy to share my notes.

Pruitt wrote:I was supposed to go to Scotland last summer, but my wife had health issues (thankfully cleared up) and we had to cancel.

Happy to share my notes.

That would be great, actually. Thanks!

If you find yourself in Mystic, CT, and for fucks sake avoid it at all costs, highly recommend The Pita Spot. Lebanese restaurant, fantastic food, seriously under priced, and the most gorgeous waitress I have ever seen. So awkward being the only only patron in the place when the couple across the dining room left, and it is just me trying not to oggle. It was more difficult since she was wearing a belly dancer coin skirt thing jangling whenever she walked. Unfortunately she had pants under the coin thing and no skin showing, but the food was great.

I finally got a chance to get out of the hotel and headed to Mystic. The fuck? The Seaport is like half a block, and closed before I got there at 6:30. You couldn't even walk up to the water or sit anywhere with a view. The good news is the hotel has a really nice bar with a wide selection of scotches, and a really good DIPA out of Rhode Island. Grey Sail, IIRC.

We are headed out to see the SIL in Berkeley the second week of June. It has been a couple of years since I have been that way, and much longer for the wife. This will be her first trip out to CA since her sister moved back there. It is also the girls (9 and 7) first visit. Any kid friendly suggestions for the area? Mrs. Duff and I will be celebrating our aniversary while we are out there too. Any tips for a nice night out that won't break the bank?

We will have a car to get around and the SIL is a block or two from the North Berkeley BART station.

duff wrote:We are headed out to see the SIL in Berkeley the second week of June. It has been a couple of years since I have been that way, and much longer for the wife. This will be her first trip out to CA since her sister moved back there. It is also the girls (9 and 7) first visit. Any kid friendly suggestions for the area? Mrs. Duff and I will be celebrating our aniversary while we are out there too. Any tips for a nice night out that won't break the bank?

We will have a car to get around and the SIL is a block or two from the North Berkeley BART station.

Go ahead and break the bank at Chez Panisse. Do it at lunch, and your bank will break less.

duff wrote:We are headed out to see the SIL in Berkeley the second week of June. It has been a couple of years since I have been that way, and much longer for the wife. This will be her first trip out to CA since her sister moved back there. It is also the girls (9 and 7) first visit. Any kid friendly suggestions for the area? Mrs. Duff and I will be celebrating our aniversary while we are out there too. Any tips for a nice night out that won't break the bank?

We will have a car to get around and the SIL is a block or two from the North Berkeley BART station.

My colleague lives in El Cerrito (just north of Berkeley) and is a big-time foodie. I'll ask him for some recommendations.

Sooo, in early July, the wife, daughter and I are flying to Quebec City for a few days, meeting up there with some family friends from New Jersey. Not going to Montreal - focusing on QC and that area. I know some things were highlighted upthread, and gawd knows, my wife is already on the case - but I'd appreciate a listing of the best things to check out, for somebody who doesn't know from what.

sancarlos wrote:Sooo, in early July, the wife, daughter and I are flying to Quebec City for a few days, meeting up there with some family friends from New Jersey. Not going to Montreal - focusing on QC and that area. I know some things were highlighted upthread, and gawd knows, my wife is already on the case - but I'd appreciate a listing of the best things to check out, for somebody who doesn't know from what.

It's been like seven years since I was there, I don't even really remember anywhere I ate (so this is an extremely unhelpful post), but you're going to love it. The city is incredible. Be prepared for lots of stairs. That's the best advice I got. I believe it's the largest walled city in the world.

Wish I could help, but haven't been to Quebec (don't call it "Quebec City" when you are there - and pronounce it "Kay-beck") since the Trudeau years.

I'm going to The Yacht Week Greece next week.

How fucking convenient with all of the bullshit going on, right?

I was told by their most recent email to bring about 600 Euro. And I read via the State Department that I should also bring money because of the atm situation. So I'll be doing that. But I'm being given two different stories about using my card at local places. Obviously my banks are international in Europe, so I should be ok. But will I be?

Johnnie wrote:I'm going to The Yacht Week Greece next week.

How fucking convenient with all of the bullshit going on, right?

I was told by their most recent email to bring about 600 Euro. And I read via the State Department that I should also bring money because of the atm situation. So I'll be doing that. But I'm being given two different stories about using my card at local places. Obviously my banks are international in Europe, so I should be ok. But will I be?

Should be OK using your credit card at like a restaurant or store or stuff like that. But yeah don't plan on being able to use your debit card at an ATM or anything like that.

(Of course if they actually pull out of the Eurozone on Sunday who the fuck knows.)

Yea, that's the other worry. What currency would they use all of a sudden? However, I've been to places not in the euro zone and they'll take euros - albeit with an atrocious exchange rate.

My boss is landing in Greece on Monday. What country she'll see nobody knows.

Johnnie wrote:Yea, that's the other worry. What currency would they use all of a sudden? However, I've been to places not in the euro zone and they'll take euros - albeit with an atrocious exchange rate.

Honestly I think even worst case you should be fine. They can't pull out of the euro that quickly. It would have to be some kind of organized change. As long as you bring plenty of Euros with you, I wouldn't worry.

Johnnie wrote:Yea, that's the other worry. What currency would they use all of a sudden? However, I've been to places not in the euro zone and they'll take euros - albeit with an atrocious exchange rate.

Even if they decide to go back to the drachma, it will take weeks, more probably months to actually pull it off. They’ll have to print enough money for the whole country, have a transition period of both money being legit and set a date far ahead in the future, so people and business can handle every step necessary. Add all the legal hassles enforced by the EU by-laws (it’s not like you can quit over night, it s a negociation process which can theoritically take up to 2 years), plus the possibility of the whole referendum being a bluff to strongarm the IMF/EU (I’ve just read an article stating that Greece would be ready to cancel Sunday’s vote if they get more time to restructure their debt) and i’d say it’s pretty safe there will still be euros when you show up.

Not in the ATM though, so be sure to bring enough cash.

On Saturday, my wife, daughter and I are heading out for a two week vacation.

Quebec City, than through New Brunswick (quickly!) and onto Nova Scotia. Four days in the south, two days in Halifax and then 4 days in Cape Breton (and two days of golfing at the stunning Cabot Links).


Anyone been to New Scotland - any sights or restaurant recommendations would be apreciated.

Been to Halifax a few times for business. Honestly wish I remembered much, but I always seemed to have too much of a good time there. Definitely check out Citadel Hill there. The whole downtown area is lovely. Lots to do and great restaurants and shoppes.

Pruitt wrote:On Saturday, my wife, daughter and I are heading out for a two week vacation.

Quebec City, than through New Brunswick (quickly!) and onto Nova Scotia. Four days in the south, two days in Halifax and then 4 days in Cape Breton (and two days of golfing at the stunning Cabot Links).


Anyone been to New Scotland - any sights or restaurant recommendations would be apreciated.

Never been to the maritimes, but my wife and I are seriously considering moving there in one of those "sell everything and take up a completely new life" moves. Specifically Nova Scotia, somewhere rural between moncton and Halifax. I'd be interested to hear what you thought of the area when you're back - specifically what regions seemed touristy or were part of cottage country.

I have never been to the maritimes either, so I have nothing to add.,there. But this seems like an appropriate time/place to note that in July, we went to Quebec City and the small towns up the St. Lawrence, and we had a great time.

And, now I own a Quebec Remparts shirt.

Just got back from a week in Boca Raton. That place has to be top five for most attractive, yet completely-bitchy looking women. Just dripping with wealthy privilege.

Shirley wrote:Just got back from a week in Boca Raton. That place has to be top five for most attractive, yet completely-bitchy looking women. Just dripping with wealthy privilege.

Well, Boca Raton does mean "Rat Mouth", right? You should have gone to Boca Buena.

sancarlos wrote:I have never been to the maritimes either, so I have nothing to add.,there. But this seems like an appropriate time/place to note that in July, we went to Quebec City and the small towns up the St. Lawrence, and we had a great time.

And, now I own a Quebec Remparts shirt.

Gives you something to watch o'er, at least.

sancarlos wrote:I have never been to the maritimes either, so I have nothing to add.,there. But this seems like an appropriate time/place to note that in July, we went to Quebec City and the small towns up the St. Lawrence, and we had a great time.

And, now I own a Quebec Remparts shirt.

I'm going to scoop up one of those, if they still look as cool as when Guy Lafleur wore thm.

Never been to the maritimes, but my wife and I are seriously considering moving there in one of those "sell everything and take up a completely new life" moves. Specifically Nova Scotia, somewhere rural between moncton and Halifax. I'd be interested to hear what you thought of the area when you're back - specifically what regions seemed touristy or were part of cottage country.

I will file a full report...

Buddy of mine (rich buddy - old time Toronto WASP money... good guy though) told me that he and his wife bought a cottage in St. Andrews By The Sea in New Brunswick. He paid $220,000 for a 7 bedroom castle on the water. Needed $100,000 in renovations, but it's good to go. He may be renting it out for parts of the summer, so next year, we may set up there. Point is... real estate in the Maritimes seems ridiculously cheap.

Pruitt wrote: I will file a full report...

Buddy of mine (rich buddy - old time Toronto WASP money... good guy though) told me that he and his wife bought a cottage in St. Andrews By The Sea in New Brunswick. He paid $220,000 for a 7 bedroom castle on the water. Needed $100,000 in renovations, but it's good to go. He may be renting it out for parts of the summer, so next year, we may set up there. Point is... real estate in the Maritimes seems ridiculously cheap.

Yeah, even coming from Manitoba we would have no mortgage or debt and some money in the bank, based on what we would sell our house for here and what we would be looking to buy there.

I really wonder why more people who own homes in Vancouver or Toronto don't just retire early, sell their million-dollar bungalows and live like kings in the maritimes.

travzilla wrote:

Pruitt wrote: I will file a full report...

Buddy of mine (rich buddy - old time Toronto WASP money... good guy though) told me that he and his wife bought a cottage in St. Andrews By The Sea in New Brunswick. He paid $220,000 for a 7 bedroom castle on the water. Needed $100,000 in renovations, but it's good to go. He may be renting it out for parts of the summer, so next year, we may set up there. Point is... real estate in the Maritimes seems ridiculously cheap.

Yeah, even coming from Manitoba we would have no mortgage or debt and some money in the bank, based on what we would sell our house for here and what we would be looking to buy there.

I really wonder why more people who own homes in Vancouver or Toronto don't just retire early, sell their million-dollar bungalows and live like kings in the maritimes.

Same reason people don't sell their million dollar houses in San Francisco or Orange County and move to Topeka to retire.

brian wrote:

travzilla wrote:

Pruitt wrote: I will file a full report...

Buddy of mine (rich buddy - old time Toronto WASP money... good guy though) told me that he and his wife bought a cottage in St. Andrews By The Sea in New Brunswick. He paid $220,000 for a 7 bedroom castle on the water. Needed $100,000 in renovations, but it's good to go. He may be renting it out for parts of the summer, so next year, we may set up there. Point is... real estate in the Maritimes seems ridiculously cheap.

Yeah, even coming from Manitoba we would have no mortgage or debt and some money in the bank, based on what we would sell our house for here and what we would be looking to buy there.

I really wonder why more people who own homes in Vancouver or Toronto don't just retire early, sell their million-dollar bungalows and live like kings in the maritimes.

Same reason people don't sell their million dollar houses in San Francisco or Orange County and move to Topeka to retire.

That's it exactly.

Who knows, in a decade or so, my wife and I may look into it. Our current dream is to sell our ridiculously overvalued home and move to Seville.

We are considering a Europe trip this summer, and are looking at including 3-4 days in Berlin.

Has anyone been there recently?

I love visiting European cities for the old-city feel. But I'm wondering if I would get that feeling in Berlin.

Steve of phpBB wrote:We are considering a Europe trip this summer, and are looking at including 3-4 days in Berlin.

Has anyone been there recently?

I love visiting European cities for the old-city feel. But I'm wondering if I would get that feeling in Berlin.

Guessing 1998 is not "recently", huh

Steve of phpBB wrote:We are considering a Europe trip this summer, and are looking at including 3-4 days in Berlin.

Has anyone been there recently?

I love visiting European cities for the old-city feel. But I'm wondering if I would get that feeling in Berlin.

Never been to Germany, but from what I understand, a lot of German cities look modern. It's a side effect of World War II.

Prague definitely has an old-city feel.

wlu_lax6 wrote:

Steve of phpBB wrote:We are considering a Europe trip this summer, and are looking at including 3-4 days in Berlin.

Has anyone been there recently?

I love visiting European cities for the old-city feel. But I'm wondering if I would get that feeling in Berlin.

Guessing 1998 is not "recently", huh

Yeah, it was 1999 for me. Berlin was all cranes back then. I imagine it is much less old world than Munich. Berlin felt much more like mid-century Bauhaus.

1998 and 1999 count as recently to this old man. How was it? Were there any neighborhoods left that felt like they were two hundred years old?