Alright Tpunkers Again I need your wisdom,this thread is actually travel related!

[travelchick75]

Alright Ladies and Gents. As some of you may know I am currently at a crossroads in my academic career and have decided to switch to the arts program to study history/russian studies (and perhaps later transferring to study archeology...long story) HOWEVER I have decided to take the fall semester off to (as my advisor put it) "get better". So whoot! Opened up some opportunities for me travel wise. I am taking a little vacation back home to good ole' manitoba for two weeks (well most of the time i'll be harangued in Saskatoon trying to sort out the mess that is my dad's books/office) and my dad has hired me on until i go back to school (score, but this is a job im actually gonna have to work at haha seriously his organization skills pretty much make me want to cry) So as i was talking to one of my best friends from back home we decided perhaps a little trip together was in order. Now I am totally open as to where we go, but we'd both like to keep it as cheap as possible. We're trying to decide where we want to go, she's thinking vegas, i'm thinking frankfurt (sweet deals on right now) but we're pretty open. Its more time constraints on her part. So if you guys have any suggestions let me know! She probably only has a week or two she can get off (as she's got one of those "real" jobs) so we have to factor that in. Anyways just thought i'd give you an update and i beg your well traveled minds for suggestions!

Thanks!

Ash

[joe7f]

I think it you can't go wrong with Frankfurt (providing you get out of Frankfurt) or Vegas.

Since you are thinking of doing some Russian studies, how about applying for a Russian travel visa now, flying to Frankfurt, training it Moscow via Poland? Or fly from Frankfurt to Estonia and go to St Petersburg from there.

Or just have fun and don't worry about trying to get a double word score of fun and your academics.

--Joey

[travelchick75]

Hahah yes well the plan was to fly into frankfurt, and then make our way to Berlin, and perhaps Munich for Oktoberfest depending on when/if we fly out. Really at this point if i can find a cheap enough ticket, im just gonna hop on a plane and go wherever the wind takes me :D

[Elizabeth]

I really suggest Ukraine/Russia. Especially if you're considering Russian studies. This is a region where its imperative that you need to "try it before you buy it." I'm applying to study abroad in Moscow, and the program I'm applying with suggests participants travel to Russia before considering studying there because it can be so intense. As in very different, rough and cold at first. For example, no one smiles on the street or in the metro. In the winter the sky is always grey. All these little things about the society and the place add up. People go home early because it wasn't what they expected and waste a lot of money.

I'm not trying to down Russia and the FSU. Every place has its good and its bad. Russian people can be friendly and warm once you get to know them. There are many other positive things. If you want to potentially work with or in this region as your career, you just need to know the whole picture.

PS Double check on that train to Moscow via Poland. It might pass thru Belarus which requires a visa to obtained in advance. I'd go Krakow-Lviv-Kyiv-Moscow.

[TheJake]

This is the one and only time I will ever suggest this and it probably has more to do with wanting to meet you....
VEGAS! VEGAS! VEGAS!

[pinknic38]

I've been to both Vegas and Frankfurt (and both recenty) and I would venture that a) you would spend LESS money going to Frankfurt than Vegas and b) you would find more to do in Germany, whatever you decided to do. I was burnt out of Vegas in like 3-4 days. I love Vegas, but it's one of those things that can only be done in doses, in my opinion.

While we're all putting in suggestions, I would KILLLLLL to go back to my original route I took in June in Germany in the fall... Seeing Koln and especially Heidelberg with the leaves turning, just the train trip alone would be amazing. It's a 3 hour train ride from Koln to Heidelberg (and 1 hour from the Frankfurt airport to Koln), and if you wanna head to Munich from Heidelberg, it's like an hour I think. Maybe two. Anyhoo, that would be quick but sweet visit. The Rhineland area in the fall has to be freaking spectacular.

[travelchick75]

Ahh that sounds awesome. The more I think about it, the more I want to go to Germany. I LOVED it there when i went but didnt get to see half as much as i'd like to. And your right nic, i probably WOULD spend less money there than in vegas haha What was your budget for your original route? I'm looking at plane tickets into frankfurt or hamburg for $568 (Taxes included) and you can either go for one, two or three weeks. That part more depends on my friend but I suppose i could go solo for a little bit after she goes home. I'm also thinking Oktoberfest... And lizz i would LOVE to go to the Ukraine and Russia. Polands high on my list too, but i'd rather go there when I have more time/money to really experience it you know? Thanks for all your suggestions guys keep 'em coming! :D

[travelchick75]

Alright! Updated plan....sort of haha what we've basically decided to do is book a ticket on a whim at the end of sept/start of October. My friend also really wants to go to Russia, so we're seeing what we can do with that lol We're gonna roadie it to T.O. I think, book the cheapest ticket we can out of there and bugger off for said number of days Practical? Probably not, Exciting? I think so! I can't wait! :D

[Somnambulation]

Have fun in Vladivostok

I like the Oktoberfest idea. It wouldnt be the cheapest trip but it would be a wild time

[joe7f]

Originally Posted by Somnambulation

Have fun in Vladivostok

^That is what we would refer to as being a bit off the beaten path

--Joey