Suggestions for Vacations and Tour Groups for June

[Chad Constantine]

I still have a bottle of Becherovka in my liquor cabinet, but I never seem to have an occasion to open it. When I lived in CZ, I was told to have a glass of Fernet whenever my stomach was somewhat upset from a heavy Czech meal (is there another kind?) and it always worked.

 

 

Oh wow I will have to see if they sell it here in the States and pick some up to try. It would probably be more fun to drink then eating Tums. What has been your favorite country living/traveling to so far?

[Chad Constantine]

California is a favorite of mine to visit too. Not LA or SF but Monterey to San Simeon along Big Sur, Land's End-Pacifica-Half Moon Bay,Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Huntington Beach and other Orange County beaches, La Jolla and San Diego. It's expensive to live there but vacationing is surprisingly cheap. Add short hops to Hawaii, Las Vegas and Oregon and it's central.

 

My 1st visit I took my Bel Ami guys to NY, DC and Key West. Next trip here for them I'll take them to the west coast (I'm just scared they will want to stay there). How do you keep a boy on the east coast after they've seen the west coast?

 

I totally forgot I went to Las Vegas not a big gambler but was fun seeing the site. Your Bel Ami guys.... is that why so many come over for a few weeks at a time?

[+ tassojunior]

I totally forgot I went to Las Vegas not a big gambler but was fun seeing the site. Your Bel Ami guys.... is that why so many come over for a few weeks at a time?

My Bel Ami guys are friends from Czech I've known very well for a few years and their friends I meet through them. Networking. Wonderful guys. Hot and sweet. I enjoy showing them the US. They like hanging out with me which is a huge compliment.

[Chad Constantine]

My Bel Ami guys are friends from Czech I've known very well for a few years and their friends I meet through them. Networking. Wonderful guys. Hot and sweet. I enjoy showing them the US. They like hanging out with me which is a huge compliment.

 

Ahhh! Do any of them provide city tours though I doubt I could afford them lol. Would you say it would be best to learn everyday phrases in Czech or do many people understand English?

[Chad Constantine]

...nothing....ahhhh.

I can understand that being on an island you just want to sit back and relax at the beach.

[+ tassojunior]

Ahhh! Do any of them provide city tours though I doubt I could afford them lol. Would you say it would be best to learn everyday phrases in Czech or do many people understand English?

Most of the guys live a couple hours outside Prague and few know Prague very well to be a guide.Most speak English. A little Czech is nice as a few speak almost zero English. Of course everyone knows the basics like sex, escort date, active, passive, hotel, etc. Extremely nice people.

[+ Charlie]

Oh wow I will have to see if they sell it here in the States and pick some up to try. It would probably be more fun to drink then eating Tums. What has been your favorite country living/traveling to so far?

I have bought Becherovka here in the US, but I have not seen Fernet.

 

A few phrases in the local language are always nice to have, but don't confuse that with speaking the language (or being able to understand the responses when you use them). It's probably more important to learn how to read some basic signs in Czech (e.g., it's not a good idea to ignore a sign that says "POZOR!") In Prague, most younger people will speak English, in other parts of the country it is often more helpful if you can speak German, especially with older residents.

 

I don't really have a favorite foreign country; I have lived in a few and visited many all over the world, but in my old age I find I like traveling in the US the most. However, as a young man, I found England, Netherlands, Germany and Austria my favorite European countries to visit, and India, Japan and Australia my favorites when I was older and had more money.

[Geriatric Otter]

I would second the vote for India, especially if your limit is 10K for a 2-4 weeks. Singapore and Hong Kong are very, almost prohibitively, expensive. In my 5-6 trips to India, I've found the people to be very hospitable, and even if as crowded as China, it is not so intimidating. The Taj Mahal is not disappointing, but Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa are all very different with lots of history and endless varieties of food. And with precautions, I never experienced Delhi belly. Don't fly Air India.

[Chad Constantine]

I would second the vote for India, especially if your limit is 10K for a 2-4 weeks. Singapore and Hong Kong are very, almost prohibitively, expensive. In my 5-6 trips to India, I've found the people to be very hospitable, and even if as crowded as China, it is not so intimidating. The Taj Mahal is not disappointing, but Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa are all very different with lots of history and endless varieties of food. And with precautions, I never experienced Delhi belly. Don't fly Air India.

 

You found Hong Kong to be expensive I thought it was rather inexpensive when I went. Maybe because to me expensive is Japan. I geek out so much there that I burn through money like I am drinking water. I am hoping I see my friend tomorrow in class and ask him about it. I was asking one of my other friends how his experience was and he said he liked it a lot. So definitely I am going to have to add India to my travel list. I love Indian food but I never liked the heavy Turmeric smell from their curry which is why I always bypassed it as a place to visit.

[Chad Constantine]

I have bought Becherovka here in the US, but I have not seen Fernet.

 

A few phrases in the local language are always nice to have, but don't confuse that with speaking the language (or being able to understand the responses when you use them). It's probably more important to learn how to read some basic signs in Czech (e.g., it's not a good idea to ignore a sign that says "POZOR!") In Prague, most younger people will speak English, in other parts of the country it is often more helpful if you can speak German, especially with older residents.

 

I don't really have a favorite foreign country; I have lived in a few and visited many all over the world, but in my old age I find I like traveling in the US the most. However, as a young man, I found England, Netherlands, Germany and Austria my favorite European countries to visit, and India, Japan and Australia my favorites when I was older and had more money.

 

I love Japan!!! Unfortunately for me the only language I can say I sort of mastery over is English. Luckily enough with technology the way it is I can always communicated by phone I though I always try to memorize general everyday small phases to help me get around countries I am traveling too.

[Chad Constantine]

Most of the guys live a couple hours outside Prague and few know Prague very well to be a guide.Most speak English. A little Czech is nice as a few speak almost zero English. Of course everyone knows the basics like sex, escort date, active, passive, hotel, etc. Extremely nice people.

 

Would they show off the town they live in? Sometimes the best places to see are outside the major cities like Burgos in Spain or

Fujikawaguchiko in Japan. For you to show them around and travel with them they must be extremely nice people and great friends.

[+ tassojunior]

 

Would they show off the town they live in? Sometimes the best places to see are outside the major cities like Burgos in Spain or

Fujikawaguchiko in Japan. For you to show them around and travel with them they must be extremely nice people and great friends.

They live in Olomouc, often called "Little Prague", a medium size historic city in Morovia 2 hours south of Prague, 3 hours east of Vienna.

Edited February 19, 2019 by tassojunior

[Geriatric Otter]

Re: Indian food. Don't fear the spices. It is highly variable, and spicier in the South. My solicitous hosts would always ask me if the food was too spicy, and invariably it was less so than my local Indian restaurant in suburban Philadelphia.

[+ Charlie]

Our favorite Indian restaurant in Palm Springs always asks us how spicy we want a dish, from 1 to 10.

[+ Charlie]

They live in Olomouc, often called "Little Prague", a medium size historic city in Monrovia 2 hours south of Prague, 3 hours east of Vienna.

Olomouc is a charming little city that does remind me of Prague. (BTW, it's in Moravia, which I suspect your automatic spell-check converted to Monrovia.)

[Chad Constantine]

Our favorite Indian restaurant in Palm Springs always asks us how spicy we want a dish, from 1 to 10.

Re: Indian food. Don't fear the spices. It is highly variable, and spicier in the South. My solicitous hosts would always ask me if the food was too spicy, and invariably it was less so than my local Indian restaurant in suburban Philadelphia.

 

I am pretty good with spicy food. I love my spicy Korean food. Who hosted you in India?

[Chad Constantine]

Olomouc is a charming little city that does remind me of Prague. (BTW, it's in Moravia, which I suspect your automatic spell-check converted to Monrovia.)

 

Do they have any castle stays in either city?

[Geriatric Otter]

Dr. Reddy, the largest generic drug maker in India. I was spoiled rotten, staying in Taj hotels, which may be the reason I see it with rose-colored glasses. Jaipur is actually referred to as the Pink City...

[+ WilliamM]

Have you been to many cities in France? What would you say were your most favorite/memorable things to do there? I loved seeing a glimpse of their Basque region.

 

I drove from southern Spain to Paris, but it was February. I liike San Remo, Monaco and especially the French Med

Coast. But go just before or just after the season. I am the first so far who mentioned renting a car, or hitching a ride (both are easy and fun).

[+ tassojunior]

Do they have any castle stays in either city?

 

Prague Castle is just called "The Castle" for a reason. If it's not the world's biggest I'd hate to see what's bigger. It's gigantic. Bohemia and Moravia are both full of German castles.

[Chad Constantine]

I drove from southern Spain to Paris, but it was February. I liike San Remo, Monaco and especially the French Med

Coast. But go just before or just after the season. I am the first so far who mentioned renting a car, or hitching a ride (both are easy and fun).

Did you have to get some kind of international drivers license?

[Chad Constantine]

Dr. Reddy, the largest generic drug maker in India. I was spoiled rotten, staying in Taj hotels, which may be the reason I see it with rose-colored glasses. Jaipur is actually referred to as the Pink City...

 

Dr. Reddy did/do they have generic drugs there that are not generic drugs here? Why is Jaipur called the Pink City?

[Chad Constantine]

Prague Castle is just called "The Castle" for a reason. If it's not the world's biggest I'd hate to see what's bigger. It's gigantic. Bohemia and Moravia are both full of German castles.

 

Do any of them allow you to sleep in them? I know/heard they have some castles in the UK that you can actually stay in.

[+ WilliamM]

I drove from southern Spain to Paris, but it was February. I liike San Remo, Monaco and especially the French Med

Coast. But go just before or just after the season. I am the first so far who mentioned renting a car, or hitching a ride (both are easy and fun).

Did you have to get some kind of international drivers license?

Yes, but not difficult at all

[+ tassojunior]

Do any of them allow you to sleep in them? I know/heard they have some castles in the UK that you can actually stay in.

 

Probably more in Czech than any other similar size country. The most famous is the Alchemist Hotel which is in Prague Castle. It's super expensive though. All the other castle stays are super cheap. If you google Czech Castle Hotels you'll get many.

 

https://www.czechtourism.com/p/sc-accommodation-castles-chateaux-around-prague/

https://www.roadiscalling.com/castle-hotels-in-czech-republic/

 

and a guide to Czech food:

https://www.roadiscalling.com/must-try-foods-prague/

Edited February 19, 2019 by tassojunior