5 Yr wedding Anniervisary - Which city ?

PompeyPete

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Forget the shopkeepers is the shoeshine crooks that are the biggest problem.

I hate to admit this but I was almost caught out by the shoeshiner. Fortunately I was in a hurry, picked up the brush, and lobbed it back to the scammer before he had chance to offer me a 'free' shoeshine. Since then I've just ignored the brush and carried on my way.

Minor scams are easily avoided though by a bit of pre-trip homework, such as flicking through Lonely Planet or Rough Guide.

poet123

PompeyPete wrote: »

Blimey, you've extended your net to the whole of the country now! You make it seem like nowhere is safe from pushy traders.

I've just been looking at some of the pitfalls awaiting the unwary in Venice. It's seems just as easy there to have your stay in that wonderful city soured by the odd unpleasant incident. Is there such a thing as an honest Gondolier?

Oh, come on, are you seriously saying Turkey is not known for hassle from traders?

You are as entitled to your opinion on Venice (assuming it is first hand experience, as mine was and not anecdotal) as I am on Istanbul, and I would not dream of making rash assumptions on your depth of character based on that real life experience. But hey, it takes all sorts:D

DMC75_2

Thanks to all , I am probaly going to go for madrid as flights cheap from local airport and was looking at trying to get the westin on hotwire or priceline.

Anyone been to madrid ?

Maybe try and get some real madrid tickets as well

PompeyPete

DMC75 wrote: »

Anyone been to madrid ?

It's the highest capital in Europe.
Best bet is to look at the Madrid forum on Trip Advisor.
You've probably got several questions, and there'll be resident experts there to answer them objectively.

lynzpower

We've been to Madrid, really liked it. Just come back from Barcelona, again, really liked it. really liked Girona as well where we flew into and had a couple of days there ( day-night-day-then train to barcelona)

For a wintery destination i always suggest Stockholm, i went alone in December and it was so romantic im angling for the OH to take me back stunning, was snowy, hundreds of twinkling lights and loads to see and do and the nightlife is great as well! Not the cheapest but where is these days

PompeyPete

poet123 wrote: »

Oh, come on, are you seriously saying Turkey is not known for hassle from traders?

Not much point going to Morocco, Tunisia or Syria then:D

Paris streets are caked in doggie poo.
Paris waiters are aloof, arrogant and rude.
Even Parisians don't like Parisians.
It's always raining in Paris. But at least that clears the doggie poo:D

Don't go to Romania or Bulgaria, you'll get fleeced by the Roma Gypsies.
Barcelona is the pick-pocket capital of Europe.
Bangkok is gridlocked, dirty, and scammers everywhere.
Amsterdam's full of druggies.
Give New Zealand a miss, there might be an earthquake.
Cambodia is full of limbless beggars.
Myanmar is a police state (went in February for 3 weeks, stunning and wonderful people)

Everywhere has something wrong with it.
The main problem though is us, because in general we don't do our homework before we embark on these jaunts abroad.

poet123

PompeyPete wrote: »

Not much point going to Morocco, Tunisia or Syria then:D

Paris streets are caked in doggie poo.
Paris waiters are aloof, arrogant and rude.
Even Parisians don't like Parisians.
It's always raining in Paris. But at least that clears the doggie poo:D

Don't go to Romania or Bulgaria, you'll get fleeced by the Roma Gypsies.
Barcelona is the pick-pocket capital of Europe.
Bangkok is gridlocked, dirty, and scammers everywhere.
Amsterdam's full of druggies.
Give New Zealand a miss, there might be an earthquake.
Cambodia is full of limbless beggars.
Myanmar is a police state (went in February for 3 weeks, stunning and wonderful people)

Everywhere has something wrong with it.
The main problem though is us, because in general we don't do our homework before we embark on these jaunts abroad.

And your point is? Look, I made a point about somewhere I disliked and gave my reasons, you found them shallow;) because you love the place, a strange conclusion to draw imo, but up to you.

I have been to several of the places you mention above and enjoyed them despite whatever issues exist there, I just didnt like Istanbul. It is allowed for others to have a different travel experience you know. And I though travel broadened the mind;) another cliche bites the dust.

PompeyPete

poet123 wrote: »

And your point is? Look, I made a point about somewhere I disliked and gave my reasons, you found them shallow;) because you love the place, a strange conclusion to draw imo, but up to you.

My point is that the OP asked for recommendations for a romantic break.
Several people made their suggestions, including you.
Now just suppose I'd then googled for scams/annoyances in Venice, and then posted them. I'd obviously have worded my post as though I'd actually been there myself. How would you have reacted?

I then put up a reasonable case for Istanbul. I could easily have added not to get into conversation with a carpet salesman unless you are interested in buying one, but didn't see the need. There are a myriad of things to recommend in Istanbul, and you select the obvious one which even lovers of Istanbul dislike. There was no need to post that opinion.

If you disliked a city that millions of people visit every year, and many keep returning to, why did you make a second visit? Using your words, seems a bit strange to me.;)

poet123

PompeyPete wrote: »

My point is that the OP asked for recommendations for a romantic break.
Several people made their suggestions, including you.
Now just suppose I'd then googled for scams/annoyances in Venice, and then posted them. I'd obviously have worded my post as though I'd actually been there myself. How would you have reacted?

Well obviously that would have been your opinion and holding it does not make you shallow imo. If that had genuinely been your experience you would have been entitled to comment. This is a discussion forum.

PompeyPete wrote: »

I then put up a reasonable case for Istanbul. I could easily have added not to get into conversation with a carpet salesman unless you are interested in buying one, but didn't see the need. There are a myriad of things to recommend in Istanbul, and you select the obvious one which even lovers of Istanbul dislike. There was no need to post that opinion.

If you disliked a city that millions of people visit every year, and many keep returning to, why did you make a second visit? Using your words, seems a bit strange to me.;)

Firstly, I suspect that if asked for a "romantic city" Istanbul would not be in most people's top 5. Secondly, it is really not in your remit as a poster to police what others choose to post, if I have an opinion on whatever, and I deem it relevant I will post.

I don't consider Istanbul a romantic destination and I wanted to convey that point.

There may be a myriad of things to reccommend Istanbul to you, but not to me. Although we did enjoy the Topkapi Palace.

Many may visit the city every year, and of those not everyone will like it, such is life.

After having visited once for a long weekend, we had a cruise stop there, and so we got off the ship and decided to give it a second chance. We still were not impressed.

Ilovesnorkelling

I agree with poet123, Istanbul would be very low on my list for romantic breaks. Interesting, yes – romantic – no. I would suggest Rome for a romantic break. We went in February 2 years ago for my birthday when the temperatures were about 19 degrees and we had a wonderful time.