European Vacation

[Randy Daytona]

Some other places worth noting

Naples: Naples is dirty and crowded, but it has good food (it's the supposed home of pizza). Vesuvius provides a nice view and Pompeii and Hercolaneam are good for a history fix. For the military traveler, there are regular flights in/out of Capodichino, which doubles as a US base and the Naples Airport. If you're time-limited or want to keep in a smaller area, I would skip Naples itself. You can get a better South Italy experience in several other places.

Amalfi Coast: Beautiful. Positano is the only town I've stayed in down there, but I've seen a good chunk of it from sea and air. It's small, cute, and relaxed. There's fantastic seafood (eat at Da Adolfo) and it's the home of Limoncello. Positano is awesome. Google pictures. If you go there, you're likely travelling through Naples. It's a short trip from Naples down to Sorrento, and along the coast. In the right weather it's a beautiful drive along the ocean.

Modena/Maranello: I'm a huge car nerd, so if you want your Ferrari fix, I can recommend this. Modena is also the home of balsamic vinegar, so you can do tastings and tours there just like the wineries in other parts. There are two Ferrari museums, one at the factory in Maranello, and one in Enzo's old garage in Modena. It's also really easy to rent one and tear around the countryside. I rented a 458 for an hour (500 euro) and it was well Worth it. Bologna is home to Lamborghini and Ducati if that's more your thing. The Whole pianura, or the Po river valley, geographically speaking, is rather bland, so don't expect lots of pretty hilltop castles and Tuscan-style villas. It's the industrial heartland of Italy.

Milan: Never been, but I know a lot of people who have. It's got a duomo and is the mecca for high-fashion if that's your bag. I don't really have any desire to go for whatever that's Worth. On the plus side, it's near Lake Como, so it makes sense as a connection.

Puglia: This is the "heel" of the boot and the region I live in now. It's largely 'undiscovered' tourist-wise, but a great place for food and beaches. The food down South is much simpler than the heartier dishes from the North. Fewer ingredients, but lots of flavor. You have some of the best beaches in Italy - this is where many Italians travel to during the summer - both on the Adriatic and Ionian. The Gargano peninsula (the spur on the heel) has tons of beaches and caves along the water that can only be explored by boat. Rent a gommone (RHIB) and wander the coast. There are a ton of little towns dotted all over that each have their own particular charm (Matera, Polignano a Mare, Otranto, etc...), but are not as tourist-centric as some of the major cities, and therefore great deals. The South is much more agrarian than the North, so it has a much more lax lifestyle and is a little poorer and less modern than other zones.

Sicily: Taormina is cool and has fantastic views. Siracusa is a cool little seaside city a bit further South down the coast that has a lot of ruins and is good to checkout if you're in the area. Noto is a cute little city that does this crazy flower festival in May (?). Catania is a big city, but has a giant fish market and some good areas to check out on the waterfront. Palermo, outside of the main piazzas, is dirty and sketchy as hell.

Sardegna: Most beautiful water I've ever seen. Porto Cervo is on the northeast coast along the "Costa Smeralda" and nearby some Island nature preserves that are well Worth checking out. Porto Cervo itself is EXPENSIVE as hell, but it's easy to stay outside of it for a lot less. Rent a boat and sail around to check out all the Amazing water and beaches. I can't emphasize enough how Amazing the water is there.

(part 2 of probably 3)

Back in the day, we saw some red Ferrari screaming around and around a track - chased it at 1,000 ft in the Phrog (couldn't catch it...)

Thoughts on Lake Como?

 

[nittany03]

(culture bullshit)...and the table wine and brushcetta is pretty much awesome too. And they don't leave the house unless they're dressed to the nines.

Well, it wasn't all culture bullshit. I can second squeeze's recommendation of Piazza Navona; there are some great Anglo-Irish-American beer bars off the piazza which are a nice taste of home. There's also a great craft beer and whisky place called Tree Folk's on Via Capo d'Africa about two blocks from the Colosseum. I want to say Pizzeria Luzzi was the place nearby where JOPA went when we were there, but that whole night is a bit of a blur. One of my roommates and I decided to finish the evening off with a round of Scotch. The hotel bartender's "double on the rocks" turned out to be like three quarters of a cup of Johnnie Walker Black, on top of what else I'd had. Tried to sip it slow; tried to let it melt a little. It didn't help. I was hung over as fuck for most of the Vatican Museums the next day. Note to self . . . apparently there's an exchange rate for Italian versus American whiskey shots. Man, that was painful.

 

[Randy Daytona]

This locale just showed up on one of my travel locations - wow. Anybody ever been to Ronda, Spain? Looks like it was made for Game of Thrones.

 

[Pags]

Recently got back from 10 days in the Netherlands. Highly recommend it. Amsterdam is a great city even if you aren't down for the coffee shops and red light district. Lots to see and do even with little kids. Locals all speak English and were very friendly.

 

[DanMa1156]

Has anyone ever actually used Armed Forces Vacation club? It almost looks like a scam to me with deals too good to be true...

 

[Flash]

Has anyone ever actually used Armed Forces Vacation club? It almost looks like a scam to me with deals too good to be true...

I haven't but a few coworkers have and it has worked out well for them and they have been very happy. I believe there are some limitations but if you find a good deal that works, why not?

 

[DanMa1156]

I haven't but a few coworkers have and it has worked out well for them and they have been very happy. I believe there are some limitations but if you find a good deal that works, why not?

Interesting. Seemed too good to be true, and online there is no verification system for joining, so I wasn't sure if it was a scam or not.

 

[Flash]

Interesting. Seemed too good to be true, and online there is no verification system for joining, so I wasn't sure if it was a scam or not.

It does not appear so, I am inclined to try them myself soon for a trip or two if the limitations aren't too great.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I haven't but a few coworkers have and it has worked out well for them and they have been very happy. I believe there are some limitations but if you find a good deal that works, why not?

A former coworker who was a retired Master Chief used it all the time, I am also inclined to check it out.

 

[webmaster]

Has anyone ever actually used Armed Forces Vacation club? It almost looks like a scam to me with deals too good to be true...

We have used it extensively over the years and recommend it. You need to research properties though so there aren't any surprises. I.e. You were expecting a five star property and you get there it looks more like two stars. You can't beat the rate.

 

[DanMa1156]

We have used it extensively over the years and recommend it. You need to research properties though so there aren't any surprises. I.e. You were expecting a five star property and you get there it looks more like two stars. You can't beat the rate.

Thanks! I will use it then!

 

[webmaster]

Thanks! I will use it then!

It is uses the existing RCI vacation club network so they have properties world wide. We started using it around 8 or so years ago when it began. We used it to travel and stay at all the Hawaiian islands. Think the program started at $189 for a week back then. It's incrementally gone up in price and popularity since then to $349 now. We recently used it down here again in Florida at three different properties while we were house hunting and then waiting on furniture delivery of our house hold goods. Much cheaper than a hotel room for those weeks!

We haven't paid for the upgraded membership and I can't speak to that value.

Lately we have been exploring and taking advantage of travel industry rates since we are now airline employees. Quite a few good deals there also.

 

[HokiePilot]

This locale just showed up on one of my travel locations - wow. Anybody ever been to Ronda, Spain? Looks like it was made for Game of Thrones.

I went there about a year ago. It is a great hill town in the Southern Spain. Lots of old Moorish Architecture. It is also Historical enter of bull fighting with the oldest purpose-built bull ring.

 

[Brett327]

Lots of old Moorish Architecture.

I believe it's spelled "Moopish."

 

[exNavyOffRec]

We have used it extensively over the years and recommend it. You need to research properties though so there aren't any surprises. I.e. You were expecting a five star property and you get there it looks more like two stars. You can't beat the rate.

Good to know, maybe if enough people use it someone could make a thread about using that service and people could put where they have been and the quality, but until enough people use it I will just ask you