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The holiday 2023 thread

What are Palermo and Catania like to visit generally? I've always liked the Palermo kits, get the impression they've suffered from terrible ownership over the years (not exactly unique in Italy) and they had an absolutely fantastic team on one of the FM games, Caracciolo, Grosso, Barzagli sort of era i think it was.

@Sick Boy will get the hump with me, but as an alternative view I found both cities complete shit holes. Was massively dissapointed to be honest. Some of the coast and smaller resorts seemed nice, but I thought the cities themselves were awful.
 
@Sick Boy will get the hump with me, but as an alternative view I found both cities complete shit holes. Was massively dissapointed to be honest. Some of the coast and smaller resorts seemed nice, but I thought the cities themselves were awful.
I really like the city centres of both cities, especially Palermo, which is my favourite of the two. As I said though, they’re Sicilian cities so you have to expect some dirt and chaos.

They’re not the places I’d recommend to someone visiting the island for the first time though! To see the best of it, you really need to hire a car and spend a couple of weeks exploring.
 
I really like the city centres of both cities, especially Palermo, which is my favourite of the two. As I said though, they’re Sicilian cities so you have to expect some chaos.

They’re not the places I’d recommend to someone visiting the island for the first time though!

I really want to know what I am missing because the whole thing puzzles me. Palermo center is nicer I agree. However, I've been to many shit hole cities around the world and I usually find they at least offer something in absence of cleanliness or comfort. The nightlife in both Palermo and Catania seemed dejected and dull though, with both places shady in parts (and not in a good way). We went to the same restaurant takeout below our apartment and ordered the exact same thing two days in a row in Catania - different price both times. Sums the place up!
 
I really want to know what I am missing because the whole thing puzzles me. Palermo center is nicer I agree. However, I've been to many shit hole cities around the world and I usually find they at least offer something in absence of cleanliness or comfort. The nightlife in both Palermo and Catania seemed dejected and dull though, with both places shady in parts (and not in a good way). We went to the same restaurant takeout below our apartment and ordered the exact same thing two days in a row in Catania - different price both times. Sums the place up!
If you've been to Naples how would you say it compares to them? I found Naples pretty shabby in places but did still really like it. Appreciate the honest take on the places though, you can only speak as you find.
 
Fucking BA have cancelled my flight home.

All they did was send a text and say look on the website for another flight. Website shows all flights fully booked until later in the week.

So I’ve had to fork out nearly £600 with another airline and won’t be home, if all goes well as I’m no longer flying direct, until about 1am when I have work on Tuesday.

Knew it was all going too well.
Hope you got back, keep all receipts and put the compensation towards the next trip
 
made it back to cov about 2am so the alarm going off for work this morning wasn't fun
Ooh. I remember 'work' and 'alarm'.
Seriously though, hope you're properly compensated.
 
First family holiday with kids coming up in a few days…..

Always swore I wouldn’t do it with kids this young, as it’ll be like spending time with them at home, except without their home comforts, routines - and even the occasional break via the Grandparents!

However, I’ve been persuaded and for almost three weeks too! Don’t know how that happened.

Has anyone been to Turkey recently and got any advise on phone/roaming charges?! Plan to do a fair bit of exploring (best I can with two young kids!) so ideally I’d like to have access to data at all times without paying an extortionate amount.
 
Similar to posts above, i'm off to Sicily next May (although i'm racing there so half holiday, half "business"!).

By necessity i'll need to stay on the east of the island, and have booked flights into Catania (from London City....... it was cheaper to go Business Class from London City, admittedly with a stop in Rome, than to go direct on Jet2 from Birmingham in economy... my experience in B'ham recently has put me off using it for a while).

I'm not necessarily against staying in Catania as i'll be out in a hire car every day..... but will more likely stay in Syracuse/Ortigia.

As Sick-Boy mentioned, Italian cities, whilst beautiful, aren't the 100% glamour they are sometimes made out to be. Even places like Milan have some really rough areas.....
 
First family holiday with kids coming up in a few days…..

Always swore I wouldn’t do it with kids this young, as it’ll be like spending time with them at home, except without their home comforts, routines - and even the occasional break via the Grandparents!

However, I’ve been persuaded and for almost three weeks too! Don’t know how that happened.

Has anyone been to Turkey recently and got any advise on phone/roaming charges?! Plan to do a fair bit of exploring (best I can with two young kids!) so ideally I’d like to have access to data at all times without paying an extortionate amount.

Any proper network should charge you a set daily figure for normal use of your UK allowance. In France it was about a fiver a day, in Florida it was eight quid iirc. That’s on Vodafone who I’ve since realised are expensive. About half that for my wife on EE. Suggest you message your provider via online chat and the bot will talk you through it.
 
Any proper network should charge you a set daily figure for normal use of your UK allowance. In France it was about a fiver a day, in Florida it was eight quid iirc. That’s on Vodafone who I’ve since realised are expensive. About half that for my wife on EE. Suggest you message your provider via online chat and the bot will talk you through it.
With EE I pay a tenner a month to use my allowances overseas. Only get charged when I use it.
 
With EE I pay a tenner a month to use my allowances overseas. Only get charged when I use it.

For comparison I don’t have this and thought I did and ended up paying £35 in data charges for ten days in the Netherlands.
 
Athens next week, apart from the obvious, any hidden gems or restaurants/bars people would recommend
 
Athens next week, apart from the obvious, any hidden gems or restaurants/bars people would recommend
One of my favourite cities!!

I had a great meal in this place but you need to book a table outside on the terrace as the views at night are absolutely stunning!


If you’ve never been before then this is more than enough to see and do with the obvious believe me!
 
Returning to Crete again in April. This time with Mrs BSB’s parents as well who have never been abroad in their lives and want to try it.

Could be entertaining
 
Similar to posts above, i'm off to Sicily next May (although i'm racing there so half holiday, half "business"!).

By necessity i'll need to stay on the east of the island, and have booked flights into Catania (from London City....... it was cheaper to go Business Class from London City, admittedly with a stop in Rome, than to go direct on Jet2 from Birmingham in economy... my experience in B'ham recently has put me off using it for a while).

I'm not necessarily against staying in Catania as i'll be out in a hire car every day..... but will more likely stay in Syracuse/Ortigia.

As Sick-Boy mentioned, Italian cities, whilst beautiful, aren't the 100% glamour they are sometimes made out to be. Even places like Milan have some really rough areas.....
Both Siracusa and Ortigia are beautiful - good luck driving out of Catania haha.
 
Decent. Vodafone are a complete rip off. Won’t be renewing.
Sacked them off a few years ago. Awful level of customer service on the phone. Whenever I was in the store the majority of the staff were sat there sorting out problems and no one was selling anything.
 
I get Data Roaming at no extra cost within the EU....

I'm on EE...... SIM only and unlimited phone/txt/data

Not sure if that is standard or not.... or if likely to change in the near future
 
I get Data Roaming at no extra cost within the EU....

I'm on EE...... SIM only and unlimited phone/txt/data

Not sure if that is standard or not.... or if likely to change in the near future

Yeah that’s what I was on and why I thought I had free roaming on my new cheaper contract. I don’t.
 
Athens next week, apart from the obvious, any hidden gems or restaurants/bars people would recommend
Heading there in a few weeks you for the away game. Got a couple of spare days for touristy stuff.
 
One of my favourite cities!!

I had a great meal in this place but you need to book a table outside on the terrace as the views at night are absolutely stunning!


If you’ve never been before then this is more than enough to see and do with the obvious believe me!
Cocktail bar could not have been better placed and very nice
 
We’re currently considering whether to go to LA and San Diego or Thailand at the end of January - only ever been to NY so keen to see more.
 
Athens next week, apart from the obvious, any hidden gems or restaurants/bars people would recommend
Just booked for next March.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated (apart from the cocktail bar, already on the list).
 
We’re currently considering whether to go to LA and San Diego or Thailand at the end of January - only ever been to NY so keen to see more.

I lived in San Diego. Amazing city and I think you will love it. It's what a lot of people think LA is. Nightlife amazing as well.

I'm also going to Thailand in January. Best time of the year to be there.
 

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