Vacation Thread

If the Navy has been good for anything for us (ok a few things) it's travel opportunities! Lived in England for 3+ years and hit Scotland quite a few times. My takeaways for anyone going next.... The people in general are much more friendly than your average Englishman, who tend to keep to themselves. Hubs is partial to his time in St. Andrews with a wee golf club in his hand. Glasgow is much more of a modern city than the charm of Edinburgh but still neat to see. I find Scotland to be not so much the destination as the experience just driving the rolling hills, avoiding sheep, and soaking in the clean air. It's green everywhere. Stirling is pretty cool for the history and views. Explore the little B&Bs and quaint towns along the firths and lochs on the west coast. My parents lived in Dunoon before I was born and it was lovely to go back and visit 30+ years later. Hadn't really changed much. Hubs had a mid-deployment upkeep port visit not long after we first got married and many spouses flew over to meet the boat. Wonderful experience just roaming about. Visit the highland coos, waterfalls and forests in between castles, cathedrals and distilleries. The Tattoo is pretty great and you'll hear bagpipes in your head for the days following. Generally still pretty damp in the summer months so many layers from short sleeve through to sweaters and various forms of gore-tex are good to have. Expect the ground to be muddy at least SOMEWHERE you go. A good number of hotels across the UK don't have elevators so don't pack too heavy. When we first moved over, a British cabbie said to me "oh you're from America, well our food and our weather aren't much to write home about but they won't kill ya!".... oh the accuracy of that statement. Pub food starts tasting a lot alike after awhile but worth the experience and always the atmosphere. National Trust, English Heritage, and Scottish Heritage all sell various length passes to gain entry to government managed sites. Remember everything takes a lot longer to drive to off the motorway than you think because it's likely a very windy, possibly narrow road. Plus the sheep... The more digits in the road number (frequently start with A) the smaller it is. M roads are like our interstates. Trains are amazingly easy!

Besides Scotland we covered southern England pretty thoroughly, good bit of Ireland, main touristy spots in all of west Europe, some Norway and Iceland and Italy a few times. My big tourist goals to cover the Middle East have been seriously dashed with the activities of last October and we can't travel to most countries. But it sounds pathetic to say I "only" spent spring break in Dubai and Presidents Day weekend sliding around the sand dunes of Abu Dhabi in a 4 wheeler. Israel, Jordan, and Egypt will have to wait I suppose. Complain though I might every time we need to schedule a PCS, travel has made it all much more enjoyable. Get out and see the world!
 
Day 2 DW reserved and paid for two tickets for the Edinburgh castle. They were for early in the morning and by the time we hiked and stepped and climbed and huffed and puffed, we were a few minutes early. Pictures do not fully emphasize the unevenness of that city. Nothing is flat. We took in views of the city and surrounding landmarks. We researched and watched videos for two months prior to arriving and knew we could experience all four seasons, sometimes all in one day. I was counting on it. Yesterday's weather was perfect, and today's weather was cold, wet, and gray. I noticed the ticket takers seemed to not be paying attention to the times so we went in early. More walking and climbing. We had watched “Mary, Queen of Scots” and I wanted to see the room where she gave birth to James VI. We did. We also saw crown jewels and other national treasures. The castle is still an active military garrison, mainly administrative. We saw the 105 mm field gun from which the One O’clock Gun is fired. In days of old, ships in the harbor would set their clocks on the firing of the gun. We were long gone at 1300 and didn’t see/hear it. The Grand Hall and St. Margaret’s Chapel was interesting and of course we stopped at the gift shop on the way out. Edinburgh Castle is a must-see destination and it made for a good first full day.
 
Devil Doc said:
Day 2 DW reserved and paid for two tickets for the Edinburgh castle. They were for early in the morning and by the time we hiked and stepped and climbed and huffed and puffed, we were a few minutes early. Pictures do not fully emphasize the unevenness of that city. Nothing is flat. We took in views of the city and surrounding landmarks. We researched and watched videos for two months prior to arriving and knew we could experience all four seasons, sometimes all in one day. I was counting on it. Yesterday's weather was perfect, and today's weather was cold, wet, and gray. I noticed the ticket takers seemed to not be paying attention to the times so we went in early. More walking and climbing. We had watched “Mary, Queen of Scots” and I wanted to see the room where she gave birth to James VI. We did. We also saw crown jewels and other national treasures. The castle is still an active military garrison, mainly administrative. We saw the 105 mm field gun from which the One O’clock Gun is fired. In days of old, ships in the harbor would set their clocks on the firing of the gun. We were long gone at 1300 and didn’t see/hear it. The Grand Hall and St. Margaret’s Chapel was interesting and of course we stopped at the gift shop on the way out. Edinburgh Castle is a must-see destination and it made for a good first full day.
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Were there sheep grazing on the hill? My memory from 1976 is of flocks of sheep grazing among the gorse as we bushwacked up to the castle.

Sounds like you are enjoying yourselves. What's next on your itinerary?
 
cb7893 said:
Were there sheep grazing on the hill? My memory from 1976 is of flocks of sheep grazing among the gorse as we bushwacked up to the castle.

Sounds like you are enjoying yourselves. What's next on your itinerary?
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We saw no sheep in the city but thousands in the Highlands and on Skye. We wanted to see the Highland cows, hairy coos, but saw none the entire week.

We had an awesome trip to Scotland. We're thinking about where we'd like to go next. I want to explore more of the USA, maybe a Mediterranean or Baltic cruise, and I especially want to go back to the Caribbean but not on a ship. I love the sun, sand, and surf. I've been to Nova Scotia twice and would like to explore more of the Canadian Maritimes.

Both grandsons are on travel teams, one soccer and the other baseball, and most weekends are taken up by going wherever they are. My wife goes to Disney with them every summer and they want me to go but I'd rather spend a week in the dentist's office than a week in Orlando.
 
Devil Doc said:
@Gnarlygoat27 that covered a lot of my visit and looks like info from a travel brochure. Nice post.
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Mostly just a brain dump of random memories but I do have a friend planning a UK trip this summer who had asked for advice, so I'd been thinking about it lately. Now back to regularly scheduled mom life :)
 
I am always open to U.S. and international hot springs resort/spa suggestions. In between “exploring” trips by land or sea, we are fond of going to a place for a week, soaking in hot springs or mineral water, getting massages, hitting the steam room and sauna, napping, reading, hiking/walking, just slowing down.

My dad worked at The Greenbrier and The Homestead (the Jefferson Pools!), so we’ve been there. We have a stay booked at the Bedford Springs Omni in PA this year. When I was stationed in Naples, Italy, I went to many terme there for day visits. and long weekends. We did a week at one of the Santa Fe hot springs places 2 years ago. When I was at Naval Postgrad School in Monterey, we visited Calistoga (hot springs and wine country - ahhhh). We have been to Berkley Springs in WV and Capon Springs in VA.

Tell me about ones you know about. One caveat - much as I enjoyed doing it back in the day, I no longer find it fun to hike in/hike out to a hot spring. I want Amenities these days.
 
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Capt MJ said:
I am always open to U.S. and international hot springs resort/spa suggestions. In between “exploring” trips by land or sea, we are fond of going to a place for a week, soaking in hot springs or mineral water, getting massages, hitting the steam room and sauna, napping, reading, hiking/walking, just slowing down.

My dad worked at The Greenbrier and The Homestead (the Jefferson Pools!), so we’ve been there. We have a stay booked at the Bedford Springs Omni in PA this year. When I was stationed in Naples, Italy, I went to many terme there for day visits. and long weekends. We did a week at one of the Santa Fe hot springs places 2 years ago. When I was at Naval Postgrad School in Monterey, we visited Calistoga (hot springs and wine country - ahhhh). We have been to Berkley Springs in WV and Capon Springs in VA.

Tell me about ones you know about. One caveat - much as I enjoyed doing it back in the day, I no longer find it fun to hike in/hike out to a hot spring. I want Amenities these days.
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It's not the Greenbriar, but the location is near perfect.

mtprinceton.com

Colorado Hot Springs At Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort

Colorado hot springs open to the public at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort. Hot springs are included with your overnight stay. Soak in natural geothermal pools and enjoy stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
mtprinceton.com mtprinceton.com
 
cb7893 said:
It's not the Greenbriar, but the location is near perfect.

mtprinceton.com

Colorado Hot Springs At Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort

Colorado hot springs open to the public at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort. Hot springs are included with your overnight stay. Soak in natural geothermal pools and enjoy stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
mtprinceton.com mtprinceton.com
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Thank you - adding to list. I know I could just google lists of these, but I like hearing human input.
 
My wife, her sister and a few of their High School girlfriends spend a week together each summer at a lodge in the Adirondacks.
I got invited to come up for a few days last year and it is nice but quiet. A beautiful lake but a bit cold with boating and hiking very available in the park that by itself is bigger than some states. I fished a bit but didn't catch anything. Not the area for fancy dining either but it does have a certain charm.
 
Capt MJ said:
I am always open to U.S. and international hot springs resort/spa suggestions. In between “exploring” trips by land or sea, we are fond of going to a place for a week, soaking in hot springs or mineral water, getting massages, hitting the steam room and sauna, napping, reading, hiking/walking, just slowing down.


Tell me about ones you know about. One caveat - much as I enjoyed doing it back in the day, I no longer find it fun to hike in/hike out to a hot spring. I want Amenities these days.
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The only two I've been to, but two of the best if you head back to the north Atlantic. The Blue Lagoon in Iceland - amazing. Lots of modern facilities to use when you get in and out. Iceland in general is just cool... and warm :). Here's pics of signs I took there a few years ago to give some background info. And the Thermae Bath in Bath England. Very close to the Cotswolds and Oxford and I think it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. Super cute town in general where you can tour Roman bath ruins and a lovely Abbey. Did not stay at the hotel on site but had a girls day trip to the spa - highly recommend!

IMG_2797.JPGIMG_2796.JPGIMG_2793.JPG
 
Capt MJ said:
I am always open to U.S. and international hot springs resort/spa suggestions. In between “exploring” trips by land or sea, we are fond of going to a place for a week, soaking in hot springs or mineral water, getting massages, hitting the steam room and sauna, napping, reading, hiking/walking, just slowing down.
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Budapest is my favorite international spot for vacationing and hot baths. To me, the outdoor baths at Széchenyi cannot be topped. There are many hot baths to consider here - depends upon the experience you are looking for but it is a "must do" while in Budapest. There is so much more to do in Budapest from tours, to outdoor cafe's, restaurants, church tours, walks in parks, etc. Tourist friendly locals. Great spot.
 
USMCGrunt said:
Budapest is my favorite international spot for vacationing and hot baths. To me, the outdoor baths at Széchenyi cannot be topped. There are many hot baths to consider here - depends upon the experience you are looking for but it is a "must do" while in Budapest. There is so much more to do in Budapest from tours, to outdoor cafe's, restaurants, church tours, walks in parks, etc. Tourist friendly locals. Great spot.
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I’ve seen those in articles but could never remember the name. Adding to list.

On a layover, I made it to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. I was piecing together military hops going through NAS Keflavik.
 
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