LJ

Dump bags in hotel, go buy fresh fruit of wahtever type is big with locals, turn back bed to reveal those wonderful crisp white sheets, turn on TV to first local sports I can find and drift off with the taste of (apple, pinepapple, oranges...) in my mouth and the roar of goal scoring in my ears...bliss!

BikerScott

Dump bags in the hotel, then head out for a random walk in the neighbourhood to get our bearing and see what's around (or re-acquaint ourselves if we've been there before). At some point I'll have a espresso if its before noon, or an aperitif if its after noon (usually a pastis or glass of red wine if in France, a beer in the UK).

laughingd2

Dump bags in apartment, find closest market and buy provisions: cheese, fruit, a few wild card food items (whatever looks fun), wine, vodka , toilet paper and paper towels, bottled water, an extra ice cube tray if necessary, and (gasp) INSTANT COFFEE - There, I said it!

Then, a glass (or two) of wine, and a very long walk, no matter the time or location.

travelerjan

Since almost the only place I go to is Greece, it's a little different. After a loooong flight (suppertime until lunchtime next day arrival) to Athens, I must then take another plane to reach an island, usually not before 5 or 6 pm.
So my first thing (after a quick shower) is to go find a cafe on the waterside, and just Sit with a glass of red and Do Nothing and watch the Sun go down -- in May that takes until about 8:30, and the glorious sunset revitalizes me for my adventure.

laartista

Call my neurotic mother(who I love dearly) then get a coffee.

Celticharper

Make my obligatory stop at Lost Luggage to describe the lost bags and tell airline personnel where to deliver the bags when they finally arrive.
I’m not joking, my husband said last trip “why don’t we just go directly to lost luggage and skip the carousel all together, you know the bags won’t be there”, and sure enough they weren’t.

Than on to car rental to stow whatever bags have arrived to start our vacation.

vjpblovesitaly

When arriving in Italy, I love to go to hotel and freshen up and then walk around to absorb that I am really there and then get something to eat.

NeoPatrick

Assuming I'm going to be at the first destination for more than three nights, the first thing I do is totally unpack everything, putting the luggage out of sight. In the bathroom, I take everything out of the case. So for starters I can sort of feel like I "live" there. Then I go out and get any basics we need -- like juice, milk, and cheese -- assuming we are in an apartment. A nice walk, a little local sit in a cafe for whatever is appropriate to the area, and I'm ready for anything.

dutyfree

My ritual upon arriving at the hotel in a foreign city is to take a shower and lay down for 2-3 hours( no more as you will get into the REM sleep and then won't sleep at night). Then get up(feeling like death) and get outside in the sunshine.I start out by a coffee and a sandwich to hold me till dinner and then joyfully switch to WINE at a later hour!!! I do this everyweek for work and it really works for me.

Dukey

Quite frankly, and assuming the room is ready, unpack and have sex.

travelbunny

..quick lunch nap (often alone unfortunately), then a long walk..my favorite food fix- raw milk cheeses..I always stop at a local cheese store then I know I have returned.

NeoPatrick

OK, Dukey, but what about the rest of us who DON'T travel alone?

LOL

sandypaws3

Our ritual when arriving in Paris is to drop our baggage at our hotel and head for Les Deux Magots for lunch. Then, we run around picking up Carte Orange, museum passes, and telecartes. By then, our room is usually ready. We don't nap, but head back out to explore Paris!

Sandy

VLambert

In London, dump our stuff at the flat and head for Sainsbury's to pick up supplies. These always include a steak and mushroom pie for our first night's dinner. This pie I'm sure would horrify any nutritionist or cardiologist and we don't care. It's delicious and it's our tradition.

DonaM

Never Nap... gotta stay awake until at least 8pm local time!! I dump the bags, brush my teeth, wash my face, freshen up and head outside to explore.. It's so much fun to wake up the next morning in a new place and know what you are heading out to see! If there are things to see on the way from the airport to the hotel and it's early in the day, I pick a great place for a late breakfast or early lunch -local cafe, espresso, wine, and just sit and people watch. It's a great reenergizer.

Beatchick

I suppose I'm prosaic like Bob_Brown and hit the ATM first thing!

Well, actually, there's a sense of anxiety I feel when I get off the plane, get on the train, maneuver to the hotel, dump my suitcase. ONCE all that's done I feel like my trip/vacation has started! I don't usually do anything in particular, just head to the first thing that I've been dreaming about exeriencing.

First trip was to London/Paris, once I landed in London, first thing I wanted to do was try the Fish & Chips that Ben Haines had vowed were the best in London; in Paris it was to see, of course, the Eiffel Tower.

Second trip (Paris), I burst out the door to get to the Catacombs - I'd been dying to see it and had missed it my first trip.

Third trip (Paris), climbed the towers of Notre Dame, then a long leisurely Sancerre-soaked lunch at a bistro.

Last trip, I headed straight for Rodin's gardens.

Kristinelaine

Since I never sleep on the plane, I have to have at least a 2-hour nap. Then I can make it until bedtime. I know this is frowned on by many, but it is critical for me. Since I am the travel guide (for my husband and me), it wouldn't do to be guiding while asleep on my feet!

NeoPatrick

OK, beatchick, so which fish and chips were those? And were they as good as Mr. Haines says? I've apparently missed his fish and chips recommendation.

tod

NeoPatrick -I was thinking the same thing about Dukey but HE knows that WE know, if that were true, the unpacking would be done later......much later.

Scarlett

<i> Dukey
Date: 10/21/2006, 05:42 am
Quite frankly, and assuming the room is ready, unpack and have sex.</i>

This is gonna thrill the Solo Travelers on the boards LOL
Or do you grab someone on the way into the hotel ?