Holiday destinations
 

I just thought I would start this up as the favourite sport thread went off-topic!



To continue from where West Ender finished:

My in-laws told me that the drivers in Malta drive where the shade is, it doesn't matter which side of the road it is on!

Another thing that puts me off from going to Malta is your comment that it is like being at home, only warmer.

When I go on holiday, I want it to be different from home, and that includes the language. Anyway, it gives me the opportunity to learn their language.

You should see the looks I got when I started talking to the locals in Greek!

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Funnily enough, that is normally the case!

The only other places I have been on holiday are Wales and Turkey, but I didn't try that there

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I spoke a bit of Greek last time I was in Cyprus. The chap I was talking to said, "Oh you speak Greek. Did you learn it at school?" I explained that my Greek is confined to "Good morning", "Good evening", "How much?", "Please", "Thank you" and "You're welcome". He proceded to give me a lesson in Greek, which was quite funny as he was brought up in Wandsworth and had only been back in Cyprus for 3 years. He went "home" because the English climate was playing hell with his arthritis and he spoke English with a broad London accent.

Malta is very English in some ways but it still retains its own, unique Maltese character. The Maltese people are lovely, and what's more they like the English, but they are NOT English. I drive when I go to Malta and I don't have many problems - apart from roundabouts. They have only had them for about 10 years and they haven't really grasped the concept of what they are FOR. To a Maltese, a roundabout is just a bloody nuisance on the road, to be negotiated as quickly as possible. The food in Malta tends to be largely Italian, which suits me, and the hospitality is second to none. One thing I really love is that, being a widow, I can go to Malta alone and I feel perfectly safe going out by myself. There is almost no crime in Malta and none at all in its sister island, Gozo, where they leave their keys in their front door locks all day, quite safely.

I have been to many countries in this world in my time. All are special in their own way and I've never been anywhere I don't want to go again but I do love Malta.

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[QUOTE=West Ender]He proceded to give me a lesson in Greek, which was quite funny as he was brought up in Wandsworth and had only been back in Cyprus for 3 years. He went "home" because the English climate was playing hell with his arthritis and he spoke English with a broad London accent.
QUOTE]
We go across to spain two or three times a year, costa del sol. You are right about the londoners, the place is full of them.

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We love the Greek islands - the weather is the best part of it.

Not madly keen about going to Spain, because of the impressions I get of it being full of lager louts.

I would like to see other parts of the world, but Greece seems to be the most affordable at the moment, and that's fine by us!!!

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I agree and I've been to a lot of the Greek islands and they are fantastic. In fact the whole family are going back later this year to Skiathos. This will be the third time we've been back. Unfortunately, we've been told that they've now got a McDonalds and that prices in general have gone up dramatically.

Nothing wrong with Malta. I had a good holiday there some time ago. But it's like Spain was about 15/20 years ago. Very commercial, very British orientated and just on the brink of being awful.

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But its lovely walking through the sand and warm sea.

Got pictures of the kids playing in the sea and on the beach.

Our first foreign holiday with the kids - we got plenty of disapproving comments from the family when we told them we were taking the kids abroad.

Neither of us went abroad when we were kids, but I think it did them no harm at all - they really enjoyed it. My daughter nearly frightened the life out of us when she jumped in the swimming pool - fortunately she had her armbands on and just floated around, kicking her legs!

The great thing was that we were on the ground floor, 50 yards from the pool and bar area, so we could put the kids to bed, and still keep an eye on them without a hike around the hotel to our room.

I am sure full board is not all its cracked up to be. I'd hate to be tied to the hotel for meals and everything else, plus you wouldn't get to see much of the resort, as you'd have to get back for the meal.

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Vorlon24, i agree with your inlaws about the driving in Malta. I was there in 1980. They tended to drive in the middle of the road, The buses were ancient.and the drivers i'm sure had never passed a driving test.

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The Greek Islands are lovely as is Cyprus. I love the Greek people also they are very welcoming. I found the same with Turkish people although they can't seem to get along with each other very well. Once in Turkey we were wandering along a street when we saw some men sat outside of their house around a table playing some kind of board game. As it was right on the roadside we stopped to watch. One of the men said something to his wife and she disappeared inside the house to emerge shortly with two chairs for my wife and me and two cups of coffee! Unbelievable.

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I don't think they've replaced the buses in the last 25 years. Or the bus drivers for that matter.

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Nothing wrong with Malta. I had a good holiday there some time ago. But it's like Spain was about 15/20 years ago. Very commercial, very British orientated and just on the brink of being awful.[/QUOTE]



Sounds to me like you stayed in Bugibba, St Juliens or St Georges. I stay in the north of the island, either Melieha or Paradise Bay. It's quiet, peaceful, has lovely sandy beaches and it just ain't commercial. In fact, at Paradise Bay there is absolutely nothing except the hotel and the ferry terminal - no shops, no bars and no houses. Not everyone's cup of tea but I like it.

I last went to Spain about 20 years ago and I've never been back since. It really was awful. Having said that I know people who have been to quiet spots in Spain and love it. I think you have to know a country to find what suits you best.

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you must try the USA, no language problem super food and weather and loads to do and see.

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I do it 3 times a year . at least, you have just got to make the flight part of the holiday. Dont go on the cheapest flights you can find, pay the extra and go scheduled with a big carrier, and book the executive lounge at the airport. The free bar in their helps you enjoy the trip, or sleep through it. !!!!!!!!!!!

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My dream holiday would be to go to America.
First I would go to Memphis
Then to Florida and hit vagas on my way home.

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I would like to visit Cairo again. I spent an overnight there in 1985, en route from Saudi Arabia, with my youngest daughter who was 9 at the time. We arrived at lunchtime and stayed at the very upmarket Hotel Concorde, not far from the airport. In the afternoon I decided we should see the pyramids at Giza so we took a taxi, together with a family from Milton Keynes who were also flying to London with us next day.

Do NOT attempt to take a taxi in Cairo if you are of a nervous disposition or have heart problems. We travelled at 60 mph, 4 abreast on a 2 lane highway. Every half mile there was a junction, with a traffic policeman with a whistle. He would hold his hands up, blow the whistle and literally leap on to the pavement as the traffic screeched to a halt. Off again, nought to 60 in 3 seconds. We went through the heart of the city, the business quarter and the slums, and eventually reached Giza where we could see the pyramids right behind rather nice suburban houses as we passed them at, now, 80 mph.

The trip round the pyramids was a story on its own and far too long, involved and almost unbelievable to relate here but I will just say I can boast that I have ridden a camel, by moonlight, round the great pyramid of Cheops. It's quite an experience. Then we had to take the taxi back to the hotel - at 6:30 p.m. - rush hour, still at 60 mph. I clung to the hanging strap, praying all the way, and my legs had turned to jelly when I got out of the cab.

I'd love to go back, for more than just 24 hours, and have some time to see the city properly. I don't think I'll ever take a Cairo taxi again, though.