Would do a few days in Havana first….plenty to see/do. Varadero is much like any other ’strip’ full of international hotels and not the ‘real’ Cuba in my experience…….Varadero Cuba. Day trips to Havana are possible
Did you nip over to Tirana while you were there?I was in Durres in Albania last year. The people there are great, the food great and it's cheap. We were considered a
novelty being Brits. I would say only one thing. The beaches are beautiful (sand etc) but the facilities around the beaches are not
great and things are a little run down still. Needs massive upgrading to get to Spain and Italy etc standards.
Bit of a strange reply - There's nothing to boast about as I've got nothing booked, just looking for some suggestions on places that are awesome but maybe not as well marketed as other places.
Also, I'm English and proud but I don't think it's wrong to want to avoid going somewhere that is trying to be a hot version of England with Stella on tap and Turkey dinosaurs with chips and beans at the buffet.
If that's what you want from a holiday then more power to you and hope you have a wonderful time!
Absolutely get this and will be following this thread with interest. Quite a few years ago we wanted similar from a holiday but didn’t have loads to spend. The ‘budget’ Caribbean option was Margarita. We had an amazing time, helped by there being so few other tourists there especially as US citizens were barred from visiting Venezuela at the time. Only downside is that it’s much more difficult to get there nowBit of a strange reply - There's nothing to boast about as I've got nothing booked, just looking for some suggestions on places that are awesome but maybe not as well marketed as other places.
Also, I'm English and proud but I don't think it's wrong to want to avoid going somewhere that is trying to be a hot version of England with Stella on tap and Turkey dinosaurs with chips and beans at the buffet.
If that's what you want from a holiday then more power to you and hope you have a wonderful time!
I spent a month in Cuba & went varadero, Havana, baracoa, Santiago, Trinidad & vinales. I don't like all inclusives, so varadero was my least favourite. Definitely it's not the real Cuba. But he said they like all inclusives - hence the suggestion. & option of getting out to old Havana for a trip outWould do a few days in Havana first….plenty to see/do. Varadero is much like any other ’strip’ full of international hotels and not the ‘real’ Cuba in my experience…….
Bologna is amazingTwo of the best places I have stayed are in Italy Taormina https://villaducale.com/
and the city of Bologna which has the best Italian food.
Yes. What a great city indeed. There is a free guided tour every day and that really gave us our directions. SomeDid you nip over to Tirana while you were there?
Oh brilliant!Yes. What a great city indeed. There is a free guided tour every day and that really gave us our directions. Some
excellent museums too.
Is this some in joke that's over my head as all I can see is the suggestion that he may have more than one holiday. I call harsh!Holiday boast AND you slag off Brits in a single post. A solid 9/10. Good work.
The thing I loved most about it though was the youth there are so great, friendly and decent and want to get ahead and be good at what they choose to be. I think Albania has a very bright future and bloody good luck to them.Oh brilliant!
I loved it there, so many new, colourful buildings being built, and loads to do. Only managed the Bunk Art 2 museum due to time constraints but hoping to go back to visit The House of Leaves -(ex-Sigurimi HQ)- if I get to Durres next year.
The house of leaves was quite a traumatic experience, so brace yourself mate for a very upsetting and emotional gig.Oh brilliant!
I loved it there, so many new, colourful buildings being built, and loads to do. Only managed the Bunk Art 2 museum due to time constraints but hoping to go back to visit The House of Leaves -(ex-Sigurimi HQ)- if I get to Durres next year.
They are indeed, but even the older people we met were genuinely pleased to see us and happy that people can now visit. They’re very proud of their country and, with learning English being mandatory from a young age,The thing I loved most about it though was the youth there are so great, friendly and decent and want to get ahead and be good at what they choose to be. I think Albania has a very bright future and bloody good luck to them.
They are indeed, helped by learning English being mandatory from a young age. Whilst Albanian clobber has been notoriously shabby in the past, the chicness of some of the women wouldn’t have looked out of place in Paris!The thing I loved most about it though was the youth there are so great, friendly and decent and want to get ahead and be good at what they choose to be. I think Albania has a very bright future and bloody good luck to them.
Absolutely. It’ll be a shocker but I’ve read up on loads of stuff about the Sigurimi so not expecting it to be pleasant, but essential to understanding more about their past.The house of leaves was quite a traumatic experience, so brace yourself mate for a very upsetting and emotional gig.
Lots of Albanians in the German health service as well. The ones I have met are a lovely bunch. As an aside, they also all seem to be very good lookingThe thing I loved most about it though was the youth there are so great, friendly and decent and want to get ahead and be good at what they choose to be. I think Albania has a very bright future and bloody good luck to them.
Mud Sweeter Than Honey by Margo Rejmer is a gruesome series of interviews with survivors (and family members - where no survivors exist!)- of the Sigurimi, detailing their methods and inhumane treatment of anyone who dared to think or express a bad thought about Hoxha, often using family members or neighbours to grass on them, with horrendous consequences.Absolutely. It’ll be a shocker but I’ve read up on loads of stuff about the Sigurimi so not expecting it to be pleasant, but essential to understanding more about their past.