Your most unique travel destination was?
Nov 16th, 2003, 11:51 AM
#41
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In America, Sonoma Valley off-season.But the absolute best so far, and I've been loads of places, has been Capetown , South Africa. The roads are easy to drive, the people are friendly, the views/mountains and spectacular flora and fauna-breathtaking. Gorgeous old wineries. Fresh seafood. And best of all, DIRT cheap for Americans. I'm talking gourmet dinners with the BEST wine for under 50 dollars. Stayed at a couple of 5 star hotels for under 200 bucks. WAY under in off season (June) It was supposed to be winter, but it was 70 and sunny every day.(my trip report is on traveltalkonline.com)We were treated so well, and there's SO much to do there.South African Airlines is the absolute best, too! Even the cheap seats had TV sets and free movies, free wine, meals/snacks/hot towels...you name it!
Nov 16th, 2003, 05:49 PM
#43
You can take freighters to lots of places - generally cheaper than conventional cruiselines, (usually around US$90-$100 per person/day), with bigger cabins, no casinos, buffets or art "auctions" or any of that. You eat with the officers, generally have the run of the ship (bridge, engine room by arrangement, etc.) and see a very different side of international travel than the norm. Most of the routes are pretty long (usually at least 2 weeks, up to 120+ days for round-the-world trips.) There are age restrictions and a medical certificate is needed 'cause there's no doctor on board (trained officers but no clinic as such) and you may be days away from the nearest port.
The two big US agents handling freighter cruises are Freighter World Cruises in LA (http://www.freighterworld.com/) and Maris Cruises (http://freightercruises.com/) - you can get an idea of the possibilities there.
We are utterly converted and wish we had more time to explore the possibilities.
The two big US agents handling freighter cruises are Freighter World Cruises in LA (http://www.freighterworld.com/) and Maris Cruises (http://freightercruises.com/) - you can get an idea of the possibilities there.
We are utterly converted and wish we had more time to explore the possibilities.
Nov 16th, 2003, 06:48 PM
#44
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LLindaC,
You are right. There was so much to see there and descriptions don't do justice at times. Did you get to hike to Lion's Head, or take the tram to Table Mountain? The colored people were, at that time, quite excited to talk to Americans, they wanted the same freedoms as the people of color in the U.S.
We also took a tour by bus to the tip of the Cape, where we noticed oranguatans on their perches keeping a watchful eye on us. We were warned that they are thieves, and likely to steal backpacks, cameras, all sorts of things. Clever little deviants! I remember the Indian population there, tasting crayfish(lobster's cousin), the waterfront area and wonderful restaurant meals.
I would love to go back any time. In fact, it was around this time of year in 1983 when I traveled to S.A. We flew B.A. out of Anchorage to London, 9 hrs, 12 hr. layover in London, then a 14 hour flight to Jo'burg. At some point of the last segment, I awoke to see a huge river glistening under the moon, and it was a thrill to know I was flying over the African continent.
You are right. There was so much to see there and descriptions don't do justice at times. Did you get to hike to Lion's Head, or take the tram to Table Mountain? The colored people were, at that time, quite excited to talk to Americans, they wanted the same freedoms as the people of color in the U.S.
We also took a tour by bus to the tip of the Cape, where we noticed oranguatans on their perches keeping a watchful eye on us. We were warned that they are thieves, and likely to steal backpacks, cameras, all sorts of things. Clever little deviants! I remember the Indian population there, tasting crayfish(lobster's cousin), the waterfront area and wonderful restaurant meals.
I would love to go back any time. In fact, it was around this time of year in 1983 when I traveled to S.A. We flew B.A. out of Anchorage to London, 9 hrs, 12 hr. layover in London, then a 14 hour flight to Jo'burg. At some point of the last segment, I awoke to see a huge river glistening under the moon, and it was a thrill to know I was flying over the African continent.
