Swamp Travel Guide

[DaveInSeattle]

We've made a booking to go to the Playa Del Carmen area at the end of March, and stay at this place: Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun.

Going to try something different this trip...we are leaving on Tuesday night, and doing the red-eye, arriving in Cancun at 6am. We figured that we got a much cheaper flight that way, and didn't waste a day of vacation with sitting on an airplane. We'll see how that works out.

[sancarlos]

We've made a booking to go to the Playa Del Carmen area at the end of March, and stay at this place: Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun.

Going to try something different this trip...we are leaving on Tuesday night, and doing the red-eye, arriving in Cancun at 6am. We figured that we got a much cheaper flight that way, and didn't waste a day of vacation with sitting on an airplane. We'll see how that works out.

My daughter is a fan of red-eyes for the reason you mentioned. But, personally I can’t do it anymore, because I am always desperate for a nap the next day. Old dudes need their sleep.

[GoodKarma]

I've never been able to sleep on planes so I've always avoided red eyes unless it's the only option. Problem is they are the only way I've ever managed to get home from Hawaii and they have always been brutal. During overnight trips to London and Frankfurt last year I was hoping I would be tired enough to at least doze in and out for 20 minutes or so...even that little amount usually helps me but I wasn't able to on either one. Ended up being awake 33 straight hours on the Frankfurt trip; broke the "don't go to sleep until bedtime" rule in London and took a 2 hour nap before dinner and I have to say that ended up helping quite a bit.

[DaveInSeattle]

We've made a booking to go to the Playa Del Carmen area at the end of March, and stay at this place: Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun.

Going to try something different this trip...we are leaving on Tuesday night, and doing the red-eye, arriving in Cancun at 6am. We figured that we got a much cheaper flight that way, and didn't waste a day of vacation with sitting on an airplane. We'll see how that works out.

My daughter is a fan of red-eyes for the reason you mentioned. But, personally I can’t do it anymore, because I am always desperate for a nap the next day. Old dudes need their sleep.

I don't sleep great anyways, so I should be ok. And we figured that we can nap by the pool when we get there.

[Giff]

One of these days I'm sure I'll be disappointed after meeting a Swamper. Yesterday was not one of those days. Thanks for hanging out DiS and for all the great recommendations!!

[DaveInSeattle]

One of these days I'm sure I'll be disappointed after meeting a Swamper. Yesterday was not one of those days. Thanks for hanging out DiS and for all the great recommendations!!

Great to meet you guys! Sorry for the text explosion this morning with all the google links!

[mister d]

Great to meet you guys! Sorry for the ... explosion this morning with all the goo...!

[DSafetyGuy]

Don't know if that's something you need to apologize for.

[DaveInSeattle]

One of these days I'm sure I'll be disappointed after meeting a Swamper. Yesterday was not one of those days. Thanks for hanging out DiS and for all the great recommendations!!

And now you are getting the full Seattle December weather experience!

[garyclark]

Italy was simply fantastic. If you follow me on Facebook, I apologize for the deluge of pictures. But it's breathtakingly beautiful.

Super friendly people. Oodles of history. Food was excellent (to me, it's #3 food country behind Japan and Mexico of those I've visited). I could not pick a favorite city between Florence, Venice, and Rome.

If you are interested in going at any point, happy to make recommendations.

Note: one of the best decisions I've made in years was taking up Italian. Duolingo did a solid job laying the foundation of vocabulary. But if you are trying to learn a new language, I cannot recommend Pimsleur strongly enough. I was mistaken for an Italian on a regular basis based on my conversational speaking skills. Don't get me wrong. I am a very elementary speaker, but most of the conversations you have are basic when you travel. And I was able to manage/mangle my way through 20 to 30 minute conversations with a few folks. And credit to Italians for appreciating the effort to speak their language.

Another note: this was the first trip my wife and I took alone in five years. And the longest one we've ever taken away from our kids. There was some significant pre-trip anxiety leaving a 16, 19, and 22 year old alone for 10 days a continent away. But man, this was a good trip for our relationship and marriage. That was the best part of the trip.

[govmentchedda]

Super jealous of Alinea; I only know one real life person who has been and she said its just as amazing as you expect. We were there summer 2022 and eating with kids, but our best meal there was brunch at Little Goat Diner (Stephanie Izard).

Pack your heaviest coat. If you don't have a coat that comes to mind as your heaviest, go get a new coat. First time there in the winter was a full body reset for "coldest I've ever been in my life".

Holy shit, Ever was amazing. If not the best meal I've ever had, it's absolutely in the conversation. And yes, bracing for "coldest I've ever been in my life". Chicago weather is about to stop being polite and start getting real.

[DaveInSeattle]

Italy was simply fantastic. If you follow me on Facebook, I apologize for the deluge of pictures. But it's breathtakingly beautiful.

Super friendly people. Oodles of history. Food was excellent (to me, it's #3 food country behind Japan and Mexico of those I've visited). I could not pick a favorite city between Florence, Venice, and Rome.

If you are interested in going at any point, happy to make recommendations.

Note: one of the best decisions I've made in years was taking up Italian. Duolingo did a solid job laying the foundation of vocabulary. But if you are trying to learn a new language, I cannot recommend Pimsleur strongly enough. I was mistaken for an Italian on a regular basis based on my conversational speaking skills. Don't get me wrong. I am a very elementary speaker, but most of the conversations you have are basic when you travel. And I was able to manage/mangle my way through 20 to 30 minute conversations with a few folks. And credit to Italians for appreciating the effort to speak their language.

Another note: this was the first trip my wife and I took alone in five years. And the longest one we've ever taken away from our kids. There was some significant pre-trip anxiety leaving a 16, 19, and 22 year old alone for 10 days a continent away. But man, this was a good trip for our relationship and marriage. That was the best part of the trip.

Glad to hear you had such a great trip!

We tried doing the online Italian classes before we went last year, and it didn't really help us much. The only time we really had a problem was in a grocery store in Alba where we hadn't realized that you have to weigh your stuff yourself in the produce section and print out a label. The poor kid who was working as a cashier was trying to tell us that, and we had no clue. Luckily someone in line behind spoke English and was able to clue us in.

[Rush2112]

The only time we really had a problem was in a grocery store in Alba where we hadn't realized that you have to weigh your stuff yourself in the produce section and print out a label. The poor kid who was working as a cashier was trying to tell us that, and we had no clue. Luckily someone in line behind spoke English and was able to clue us in.

Funny, when we were in Germany we got by with my one semester of college German aside from when we went to a grocery to stock a little food in the AirBnB. Had a similar problem with the produce.

[govmentchedda]

Super jealous of Alinea; I only know one real life person who has been and she said its just as amazing as you expect. We were there summer 2022 and eating with kids, but our best meal there was brunch at Little Goat Diner (Stephanie Izard).

Pack your heaviest coat. If you don't have a coat that comes to mind as your heaviest, go get a new coat. First time there in the winter was a full body reset for "coldest I've ever been in my life".

Holy shit, Ever was amazing. If not the best meal I've ever had, it's absolutely in the conversation. And yes, bracing for "coldest I've ever been in my life". Chicago weather is about to stop being polite and start getting real.

Wife preferred Alinea. I preferred Ever. Her opinion could be influenced by the half a gummy she consumed just before we left, (she was starting to feel like a cold/flu was coming along and had no appetite so she decided to boost that a little). Service was slightly better at Ever (like 99/100 compared to 97/100). Alinea leaned a little too much on truffles, sauces, and trickery for my preference.

Ever dishes were simpler and cooked to perfection. There's probably a specific definition of each restaurant's style that would differentiate them better than I can at the moment.

[DaveInSeattle]

So...anyone done time in Ireland?

Looks like Robin is going to be running a "Sky Running World Series" race (Mourne Skylen) in Northern Ireland (here's map of the course) in mid October, and we are thinking of going.

We've looked into it, and there's a direct flight from Seattle to Dublin. So we'd likely do a few days in Dublin...then rent a car, and go to the race area. Then maybe go to Belfast(?)...and then maybe to the east coast (?).

Any recommendations?

[govmentchedda]

All I got is Scotland recs.

[rass]

So...anyone done time in Ireland?

Looks like Robin is going to be running a "Sky Running World Series" race (Mourne Skylen) in Northern Ireland (here's map of the course) in mid October, and we are thinking of going.

We've looked into it, and there's a direct flight from Seattle to Dublin. So we'd likely do a few days in Dublin...then rent a car, and go to the race area. Then maybe go to Belfast(?)...and then maybe to the east coast (?).

Any recommendations?

My wife’s family is from Co Down, the Mournes are beautiful. Ask away, if you have any specific questions. One of her cousins has a little B&B in Kilcoo, which is where a lot of my wife’s family is from, it’s a little north of the race.

And Newcastle is a really nice shore town, but I’ve never spent more than part of a day there. Irish Sea to the left, mountains straight ahead, town to the right - https://photos.app.goo.gl/wgzY8YedExv8qUPG8

ETA: i forgot her family also runs this place, whereas what I mentioned above is literally one little cottage in her cousin’s backyard- https://www.millersclose.com/ourhistory

[DaveInSeattle]

So...anyone done time in Ireland?

Looks like Robin is going to be running a "Sky Running World Series" race (Mourne Skylen) in Northern Ireland (here's map of the course) in mid October, and we are thinking of going.

We've looked into it, and there's a direct flight from Seattle to Dublin. So we'd likely do a few days in Dublin...then rent a car, and go to the race area. Then maybe go to Belfast(?)...and then maybe to the east coast (?).

Any recommendations?

My wife’s family is from Co Down, the Mournes are beautiful. Ask away, if you have any specific questions. One of her cousins has a little B&B in Kilcoo, which is where a lot of my wife’s family is from, it’s a little north of the race.

And Newcastle is a really nice shore town, but I’ve never spent more than part of a day there. Irish Sea to the left, mountains straight ahead, town to the right - https://photos.app.goo.gl/wgzY8YedExv8qUPG8

ETA: i forgot her family also runs this place, whereas what I mentioned above is literally one little cottage in her cousin’s backyard- https://www.millersclose.com/ourhistory

Awesome. I'll definitely be hitting you up for some tips/pointers/recs when we get closer to making it happen.

[tennbengal]

Boston/NE peeps - if I were hypothetically thinking about a train trip to Boston to see a game at Fenway - what is the Amtrak stop I want - North Station? Looking for the one that is most central to highest number of Airbnb /hotel options. Am I also , I assume, able to ride rail/transit to Fenway if I find a place around north station?

[govmentchedda]

Boston/NE peeps - if I were hypothetically thinking about a train trip to Boston to see a game at Fenway - what is the Amtrak stop I want - North Station? Looking for the one that is most central to highest number of Airbnb /hotel options. Am I also , I assume, able to ride rail/transit to Fenway if I find a place around north station?

You can absolutely ride the T to get pretty damn close to Fenway. IIRC, you have to walk over the Mass Pike which runs behind the green monster.

I seem to remember South Station as the first main stop from points south, but I could be wrong.

[garyclark]

Boston/NE peeps - if I were hypothetically thinking about a train trip to Boston to see a game at Fenway - what is the Amtrak stop I want - North Station? Looking for the one that is most central to highest number of Airbnb /hotel options. Am I also , I assume, able to ride rail/transit to Fenway if I find a place around north station?

I don't think you can get to North Station from where you're coming. South Station and North Station don't connect. You use North Station to head up to Maine.

You'll take the Amtrak to Back Bay (one stop before South Station, which is end of the line). Fenway's a very pleasant 20 minute walk from there. Or you can take the green line.

[garyclark]

So...anyone done time in Ireland?

Looks like Robin is going to be running a "Sky Running World Series" race (Mourne Skylen) in Northern Ireland (here's map of the course) in mid October, and we are thinking of going.

We've looked into it, and there's a direct flight from Seattle to Dublin. So we'd likely do a few days in Dublin...then rent a car, and go to the race area. Then maybe go to Belfast(?)...and then maybe to the east coast (?).

Any recommendations?

If you want to go to Belfast just to go there, maybe stop in for a half-day at most and take a Black Taxi Tour. They drive you through different areas of the city and give you the history. There's a reason that driving through these areas is the preferred method of transit. And that's because many neighborhoods are very unfriendly to outsiders to this day because of the Troubles. Other than that, unless you're a big Titanic buff, there's not much to do in Belfast.

Where Northern Ireland shines is The Antrim Coast. It's one of the most beautiful drives I've ever experienced. Take the scenic route (it's not that long as Ireland really isn't that big). There are a number of great places to stop along the drive. One of our favorites was Dunluce Castle. And if you do one thing in Northern Ireland, visit Giant's Causeway. To this day, it's one of the most incredible wonders of nature I've ever seen. In terms of where to stay, Portrush is a very nice seaside tourist town where the Irish go on vacation. I imagine it would be very affordable in October.

[tennbengal]

Boston/NE peeps - if I were hypothetically thinking about a train trip to Boston to see a game at Fenway - what is the Amtrak stop I want - North Station? Looking for the one that is most central to highest number of Airbnb /hotel options. Am I also , I assume, able to ride rail/transit to Fenway if I find a place around north station?

I don't think you can get to North Station from where you're coming. South Station and North Station don't connect. You use North Station to head up to Maine.

You'll take the Amtrak to Back Bay (one stop before South Station, which is end of the line). Fenway's a very pleasant 20 minute walk from there. Or you can take the green line.

Thanks - so I can’t take the Amtrak from Baltimore to north station? I want a ticket to Back Bay station and look for airbnbs around back bay station?

[garyclark]

Boston/NE peeps - if I were hypothetically thinking about a train trip to Boston to see a game at Fenway - what is the Amtrak stop I want - North Station? Looking for the one that is most central to highest number of Airbnb /hotel options. Am I also , I assume, able to ride rail/transit to Fenway if I find a place around north station?

I don't think you can get to North Station from where you're coming. South Station and North Station don't connect. You use North Station to head up to Maine.

You'll take the Amtrak to Back Bay (one stop before South Station, which is end of the line). Fenway's a very pleasant 20 minute walk from there. Or you can take the green line.

Thanks - so I can’t take the Amtrak from Baltimore to north station? I want a ticket to Back Bay station and look for airbnbs around back bay station?

No. You have to get off Amtrak, buy an MBTA ticket to take the green line. Or walk or Uber to South Station.

Back Bay is the Amtrak stop closest to Fenway. It is a pretty office-building-heavy area right when you get off. You might find more places to stay closer to Fenway. I'd look anywhere in that area. As for airbnb, just an FYI that they changed policies in recent year or two to really not protect renters, and I've heard some horror stories. For our next trip, I used vrbo. And there are hotels around there as well.

ETA: If you are coming from Maine and other points north, you can take Amtrak to North Station, and then you have to take the reverse trek to South Station.

[mister d]

Fenway's a very pleasant 20 minute walk from there. Or you can take the green line.

Which will take 25 minutes.

[garyclark]

Fenway's a very pleasant 20 minute walk from there. Or you can take the green line.

Which will take 25 minutes.

And not be as pleasant, unless it is raining. And then, maybe still not.

[tennbengal]

To be clear, I don’t think I necessarily want the Amtrak stop closest to Fenway in Boston. I am thinking of staying a night or two, so was curious about the station closest to the largest number of Airbnb/hotel options near an Amtrak stop - and can take local rail etc from there to wherever. Never really visited Boston is my point, and am sorta clueless on best options.

[mister d]

Start looking at hotels now because Boston is really expensive for pretty much the entire year. If you take Amtrak into south station you’re a mile or less walk from the newer seaport hotels. We’ve stayed there and it’s fine but kinda isolated from everything else so don’t do that if you want a more historic Boston-y experience. We try to stay around Kendall square in Cambridge because it’s pretty centrally located (two stops down from Harvard and two stops up from Boston common / public garden). In terms of being close to things, as long as you have proximity to the red (north/south) or green line (east/west), you’re able to get most anywhere. I’d probably try to stick to Boston proper or Cambridge because the western areas are more college-y but that could just be bias from where we were.

(And I’d also probably avoid the hotels at Copley just because I hate that area.)

((Oh and south station has a red line stop there so you can jump off Amtrak and onto the subway without any real movement.)

[garyclark]

To be clear, I don’t think I necessarily want the Amtrak stop closest to Fenway in Boston. I am thinking of staying a night or two, so was curious about the station closest to the largest number of Airbnb/hotel options near an Amtrak stop - and can take local rail etc from there to wherever. Never really visited Boston is my point, and am sorta clueless on best options.

Aahhh.

Some of the best areas to stay for someone who has never been.

Back Bay - To me, The Charles River is the star of Boston. And if you find a place to stay, especially in "Back Bay East," you just need to walk on a pedestrian bridge over Storrow Drive, and you're at the Charles River Esplanade. You will be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful place on a nice day. Massive park running along the river with paths, plants, sculptures, lovely chairs and benches you can sit on and look over the River. There will be bridges and boats and crew teams rowing. And great people-watching.

Fenway - The area in and around the stadium is actually wonderful. It's very residential. Rows and rows of nice rowhouses, tons of cafes and restaurants. The Muddy River runs through the neighborhood and there are lots of nice parks and walkways in there. There are a lot of college students in this neighborhood, so there's lots to do.

Beacon Hill - hilly, winding, cobblestone streets with brick rowhouses. Also, right near Boston Commons, which is a place you should definitely visit. Lots of hotels. Likely the most expensive as well. What's nice about this area is that you can easily walk to Faneuil Hall and down past Cheers towards the river.

South End - Diverse, funky, foodie heaven with lots of fun shops and nice parks.

Charlestown - Especially good for history buffs.

Cambridge - Across the water, Harvard Square is a great place to at least visit. The Charles River is arguably the most beautiful here. Lots of Ivy and history, and a ton of great restaurants. Note: Cambridge is home to my favorite live music venue in the area, The Middle East. It's a about 1.5 miles from Harvard area.

A lot of people will say the North End, which is full of mostly-mediocre Italian restaurants. But is a pleasant enough place.

[tennbengal]

Gracias D and gc

[Giff]

Headed to Detroit Thursday and thought we had Saturday all planned with family friends, but didn’t realize they’d be in Florida. What should we do? I’ve done the Henry Ford museum which was awesome.

[The Sybian]

Headed to Detroit Thursday and thought we had Saturday all planned with family friends, but didn’t realize they’d be in Florida. What should we do? I’ve done the Henry Ford museum which was awesome.

Did they focus on his Nazi support and publication of antisemitic series The International Jew? A seriously deplorable man.

[brian]

Headed to Detroit Thursday and thought we had Saturday all planned with family friends, but didn’t realize they’d be in Florida. What should we do? I’ve done the Henry Ford museum which was awesome.

Did they focus on his Nazi support and publication of antisemitic series The International Jew? A seriously deplorable man.

It’s not ABOUT Henry Ford it’s just named after him.

[brian]

Headed to Detroit Thursday and thought we had Saturday all planned with family friends, but didn’t realize they’d be in Florida. What should we do? I’ve done the Henry Ford museum which was awesome.

Consider checking out the DIA and also maybe the Charles Wright African American history museum. It’s one of the first Black history museums in the country and has a fantastic collection.

A can’t miss in the DIA is the Diego Rivera “Detroit Industry” murals which are awe-inspiring.

[brian]

Not sure if your girls know how to ice skate but there’s a popular outdoor ice skating rink in Campus Martius downtown also.

[The Sybian]

Headed to Detroit Thursday and thought we had Saturday all planned with family friends, but didn’t realize they’d be in Florida. What should we do? I’ve done the Henry Ford museum which was awesome.

Did they focus on his Nazi support and publication of antisemitic series The International Jew? A seriously deplorable man.

It’s not ABOUT Henry Ford it’s just named after him.

[brian]

Giff has already been but the Ford has some amazing American artifacts that you would assume were in the Smithsonian like the chair Lincoln was assassinated in, the car Kennedy was assassinated in and the bus Rosa Parks was riding in on 12/1/55 when she was arrested amongst dozens of other fascinating pieces of Americana.

[Giff]

Giff has already been but the Ford has some amazing American artifacts that you would assume were in the Smithsonian like the chair Lincoln was assassinated in, the car Kennedy was assassinated in and the bus Rosa Parks was riding in on 12/1/55 when she was arrested amongst dozens of other fascinating pieces of Americana.

Yeah it’s a pretty phenomenal experience tbh. The time i went there was a big Jim Henson exhibit which is among one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.

Just the adults this trip so very much looking forward to it.

[brian]

Giff has already been but the Ford has some amazing American artifacts that you would assume were in the Smithsonian like the chair Lincoln was assassinated in, the car Kennedy was assassinated in and the bus Rosa Parks was riding in on 12/1/55 when she was arrested amongst dozens of other fascinating pieces of Americana.

Yeah it’s a pretty phenomenal experience tbh. The time i went there was a big Jim Henson exhibit which is among one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.

Just the adults this trip so very much looking forward to it.

If its adults only could have a full day just in Midtown. That’s where the DIA and Wright museum are. Also Jack White’s Third Man Records. Lots of good food and drink in that area too. Think there’s a Hopcat there.

[mister d]

Hopcat in Grand Rapids was a great bar for the week I spent there.