Glam
Mad Cat Woman
Right, this is where I show my naivety, or indeed my ignorance. Don't you have to be careful buying souvenirs from these markets, owing to the materials used? Or is that just in those countries where Ivory is harvested/ butchered?
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Holidays 2025.
- Thread starter Thehooperman
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Trumpet
Well-Known Forumite
Always thought that the light show on The Burj Khalifa was laser projected, then found out it is squillions of computer controlled LEDs.
LilyWoo
A few posts under my belt
Went to Egypt in February and killed my hair by swimming in the Red Sea. Snorkled and relaxed and ate yummy food. Unfortunately, brought a load of cash back with us which I just found out we can't exchange because it shouldn't have left the country. Be aware, if you're going this year.
It was bloody gorgeous though. And I saw a cuttlefish!
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
@Glam , the illegal ivory trade is mainly in Africa and Asia.
In the Middle East because the penalties for being dishonest / disobeying the rules are so high, everywhere is safe and above board.
There is practically zero crime anywhere.
So it was lovely to browse the souks without being hassled (unlike Tangiers last year) and just stroll along enjoying the sights, sounds and wonderful spice smells.
I was particularly taken with the beautiful fabrics amongst other things.
Quite a lot of stuff is the usual tourist tat, the only thing that we bought was a Christmas decoration. We buy a bauble from every country we visit.
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Glam
Mad Cat Woman
Thank you. As I say, naivety, or ignorance, I'm not aware. Looks like you had a very enjoyable time.
Trumpet
Well-Known Forumite
Are the taxis still ridiculously cheap? May be visiting later this year.
staffordjas
Well-Known Forumite
Torquay and Exmouth booked so far.
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
Yes.
Put it this way, in Abu Dhabi we went from Yas Island to The Emirates Palace Hotel which was about a 35 minute drive.
The taxi cost less than the 2 coffees and an orange juice that we’d bought from a cafe earlier.
kilmaccumsey
Well-Known Forumite
anyone been to Menorca. I'm. looking at Spain for a short break any recommendations. not too hilly though. thanks
Mudgie
Well-Known Forumite
I've sadly never been to Southwold but enjoyed two pints of Adnams Southwold Bitter in the Green Man at Milwich last Thursday. And thirteen pints of Adnams with a trip to East Anglia last September.
staffordjas
Well-Known Forumite
We went to Sa Caleta years ago , but went at the end of October so from our experience avoid that time of year. The pool had ice on it and all the local bars & restaurants had closed down for the winter. The Thomsons hotel opposite was taking the pool chairs up as people got up off them and storing them away
Had to walk into Ciutadella (past houses with their fires on) to get a drink as even the hotel bar had shut. Had the hairdryer blasting into the bed to get warm. (At least our hotel restaurant let us stay in there after the meal for something to do).From memory it was flatish ,but that was in our younger days where we didn't notice hills.
staffordjas
Well-Known Forumite
Been to Torquay and Exmouth already this year , and returning to same hotel in Torquay in a few weeks time when hubby retires.
Got a Manchester short break to organise as well sometime , to use my Coronation Street birthday voucher (any recommendations for where to stay convenient for Corrie set and to experience shops/pubs of Manchester gratefully received....)
Got a Manchester short break to organise as well sometime , to use my Coronation Street birthday voucher (any recommendations for where to stay convenient for Corrie set and to experience shops/pubs of Manchester gratefully received....)
Mudgie
Well-Known Forumite
I've spent nine nights at the canalside Manchester Youth Hostel which is just two furlongs from "the Corrie set". Private en-suite rooms for two start at £45.
Otherwise, the Oxnoble is nearby on Liverpool Road and within a mile are Abel Haywood on Turner Street, the Lower Turks Head on Shudehill and the Millstone in Thomas Street - four pubs that I know quite well but have never stayed in. Remember that a pub is for bed and breakfast, not just beer and lunch.
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staffordjas
Well-Known Forumite
Cheers @Mudgie . The Abel Haywood rooms look ok with good reviews . Is the northern quarter the place to aim for then to be in the centre of things? (looking on streetview , is that the NCP car park entrance right facing the Abel Haywood ?). Will give them a ring tomorrow and check out the parking etc (reviewers mentioned NCP discounted for guests.)
Looks a good choice of ales for hubby in the pubs you mentioned.
(Oxnoble says temporarily closed)
Son will be coming with us as he bought me the Corrie tickets, so he can be the' finder-of-the way ' everywhere . Got until end of the year to use the tour tickets though .
Mudgie
Well-Known Forumite
Yes, I think the northern quarter is the place to aim for to be in the centre of things, busy and lively but civilised is how I noticed it with my middle pub on a recent Saturday lunchtime being the Millstone very near to the Abel Haywood.Cheers @Mudgie . The Abel Haywood rooms look ok with good reviews . Is the northern quarter the place to aim for then to be in the centre of things? (looking on streetview , is that the NCP car park entrance right facing the Abel Haywood ?). Will give them a ring tomorrow and check out the parking etc (reviewers mentioned NCP discounted for guests.)
Looks a good choice of ales for hubby in the pubs you mentioned.
(Oxnoble says temporarily closed)
Son will be coming with us as he bought me the Corrie tickets, so he can be the' finder-of-the way ' everywhere . Got until end of the year to use the tour tickets though .
I usually have two nights in Manchester with there being so many lovely pubs, my favourite being the Hare and Hounds on Shudehill.
Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
Some truly excellent stuff there - much nicer than the nightly pictures we got fifty/sixty years ago...Just awaiting our final connection home after 2 and a half weeks in Vietnam. Far too many pictures to post on here so you'll have to find me on Instagram if you're interested
littleme
250,000th poster!
Can you make that a bit easier please? At least a clue, as I'd love to see piccys
