Budapest is another one I'm seriously considering, along with Prague but not sure that's my sort of thing anymore really. That part of Europe though is very appealing to me
New York is amazing (I was lucky enough to live and work there between 1999 and 2004), but you definitely need more than a few days and, although you can find relatively cheap accommodation, it's not what I'd call super cheap, though eating out isn't that expensive and there are loads of things to do which don't cost money (take the Staten Island ferry to get good pictures of the Statue of Liberty, walks in Central Park, etc). But for a short trip, I'd go to one of the islands in the Med as recommended.
If you live near Southampton then Amsterdam is good for a short break as it only takes an hour to fly there and then you can get a train straight into town which doesn't take long either. Beautiful city, friendly people, everone speaks english, which is useful when you're not there long enough to pick up the lingo, canals, art galleries (New Stadts museum and Van Gogh are good), Trams (Mrs S loves trams), history, parks and Chips & Mayonaise! Just avoid the Red Light district, because its a tourist trap
I was just looking for news of tomorrow's new season opening MotoGP race from Qatar when I stumbled on some stuff from last year's IOM TT. It was that John McGuinness had become the first rider to lap the 37 mile (yeah, thirty seven miles) circuit at over 130mph. He AVERAGED 132.71 mph for 37 miles. And this is no bowl circuit. It is hairpins and sharp bends. I've done about 1 mile on my VFR at 130+ mph, just to see what it was like, and although the bike thought nothing of it, believe me it is fast. So that average speed has just completely blown me away. Anyway, Qatar tomorrow evening. Dare I say proper racing? With lots of overtaking? No, I probably shouldn't.
Even allowing for the cost, it's a long journey. You can reduce jet lag by trying to sleep on the way back, but it's not really practical. I combined NY with Washington, Philadelphia, and Baltimore....also Niagara (but that was too far, so I wouldn't recommend it....better to go for a Canada holiday to see the Falls). The thing about America is that you learn to appreciate British pub food again....any average pub would give you tastier food than you get in America. I'm sure there are great restaurants, but they aren't the ones you will be grabbing a meal from on a tour. Americans write tasty menus....shame about the food.
First time I've done that.....I forgot the time change. My mobile told me I was in a different time zone....thought I'd gone abroad in my sleep.
+1 for Budapest, went there for 3 days about 4 years ago with the other half midweek - really loved it.
If you're ever in NY again, Fran, I can recommend the Brooklyn Diner on 57th and (I think) 2nd or 3rd avenue. Get there early and order their Chicken Pot Pie. Amazing, proper home cooked food! Plus Brooklyn Lager and some American craft beers.
I did a river cruise which I really enjoyed and it took in Durnstein (no, I'd never heard of it before either....famous for holding Richard the Lionheart hostage), Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava. Nice taster of the countries on the Danube.
Awful. Again. I've linked to this before but it's worth another look. Shows every mass (4 or more people hit) shooting in the USA since Sandy Hook in December 2012. The map's interactive. Blow it up to full screen and zoom in on the circles. Click on them. Look for, say, Chicago and click on where the circles overlap. If your jaw's not hanging open by the end of the exercise I'll be amazed. http://www.vox.com/a/mass-shootings-sandy-hook Vin
Honestly, why are Americans worried about the odd terrorist getting into the country when they have so many nutters there already with guns killing people daily.
Well, that has been the argument of many sane gun control speakers in the last few years. The USA kill or main each other, with their own guns, many times over what any terrorist might 'achieve' per year. Logical reasoning doesn't appear to figure high in the list of assets when people vote for or against particular measures.
Seems harsh to say this, but I can see the day when tragic 'incidents' like this from the USA won't make the World news anymore. Americans know what needs to be done to cure their problem. They just don't do it.
I got caught out last night. Was watching a film during the time period when the clocks moved forward by one hour, and when the film finished I looked at the time and had that split second of surprise at the lateness of the hour. Basically, I fell for it.
Well that was the first bike to feature meaningfully on Top Gear for many years. And it got a cheer. One little bit of rehabilitation at a time.
Just found out this evening that I've been invited to have lunch with Lawrie McMenemy next Monday. Am nervous as hell already!!!
I have spoken to him on the phone before. Tried to act all calm, polite and professional whilst inside I'm going "Aaaaah it's Lawrie McMenemy!!!!"