Holidays

Started by Oakleafer93, June 03, 2009, 01:17:25 PM

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Milltown Row2

Finally got round to going to San Sebastian this year..

Five nights was plenty to enjoy the sights, a day trip to Bilboa and head back to Biarritz early and spend a day there before flying home..

San Sebastian is unique in a way to the rest of Spain, obviously the Basque culture is huge, I'd say they are more patriotic than other place I've been to

There were plenty of demonstrations going on and the support to Palestine as you'd imagine was everywhere, wasn't a street in Old town that didn't have multiple Basque or Palestinian flags hanging

At no point was there any hassle, very relaxing place to be and the people great to be around.

A completely family orientated culture with large groups of locals all out eating drinking in the streets, I'd say the older folk outweighed the younger ones   

The crescent shaped bay is stunning to be at night, plenty of people watching places

Weather brilliant for us, warm (not hot), overcast at times as I'm not massively into the baking sun type stuff, though we are off a as a family in a few weeks to somewhere warm, not my call!!

Not a place that I would bring young children or any lol! especially if they aint in to eating 'different' foods , as I know one of mine would struggle and the other would love it

As for the food, it took us a couple of nights to get the hang of what to do, but essential the best approach we found was get a small plate in each place and move on to the next one.

The Pintxos are basically bite sized over elaborated, delicious, perfectly made, posh party food, that's a bad way to describe it as party food but it's like that.

First couple of nights I couldn't walk I was that stuffed. Its a bar crawl with food, pretty decent in price all over the place for the drinks and food, even the one restaurant we went to, drinks and all came to 55 quid

The other thing, very rarely we heard any English or Dutch, everything is Spanish, there was even signs/posters letting people know they are not into tourists coming! They don't bend either, no speaking English that much when out, thankfully she's a bitta Spanish learnt over the years for us to get by 

Also was no late nights, most places closed early enough we generally headed back for one drink at around 10.30 to the hotel.

Would defo go back, 8/10 probably lack of direct flight would be the mark down, as need to fly from Dublin to either Bilboa or Biarritz and bus it, which wasn't too far but it all adds up when driving/bussing to Dublin and again when you get there
None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an after thought.

Harold Disgracey

San Sebastián is great. Did you get to Belfast?

Milltown Row2

Quote from: Harold Disgracey on July 23, 2025, 11:04:19 PMSan Sebastián is great. Did you get to Belfast?

Yes, plenty of Irish republican memorabilia lol

But to be fair there was 3  'Irish' pubs other than things on the wall it was proper Basque, pintxos good but didn't really go back
None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an after thought.

gallsman

Checking out of Center Parcs on a Friday. Flying from Cork 7pm on Saturday. Two little buggers, 5 and 18 months.

Is the best option to hang around CP and leech it as much as possible and then stay locally before heading down the following day?

lurganblue

Quote from: gallsman on July 25, 2025, 09:15:44 AMChecking out of Center Parcs on a Friday. Flying from Cork 7pm on Saturday. Two little buggers, 5 and 18 months.

Is the best option to hang around CP and leech it as much as possible and then stay locally before heading down the following day?

Just left Centre Parcs a couple of weeks ago.  Staying might not be a bad idea.  We stayed on for a right while on our last day, after vacating the cabin.  Went to the pool again, grabbed some lunch etc. Usually we pack up and leave.  It was much better to hang around for another while.

Rois

You might enjoy a half day at Fota Island animal park when you make it down to Cork - not a long distance from the airport, very pram friendly, and if your five year old is into animals, there's loads to see.

A few hotels on the outskirts if you wanted to drive down the night before - Fota Island resort itself is lovely and kid-friendly (pool, big playpark, fairy trail and probably even a kids club etc). 

gallsman

Anyone any experience of driving the Gap of Dunloe towards Killarney rather than away for it. Have already been thoroughly rinsed by the jaunting cars on this trip and don't fancy paying them again.

DaleCooper

Damn you weren't lying. €450 for two adults and two kids under 12?!

armaghniac

Quote from: DaleCooper on August 15, 2025, 09:15:37 PMDamn you weren't lying. €450 for two adults and two kids under 12?!

I hope you give man a tip and brought something for the horse.
MAGA Make Armagh Great Again

AustinPowers

Quote from: gallsman on August 15, 2025, 09:00:27 PMAnyone any experience of driving the Gap of Dunloe towards Killarney rather than away for it. Have already been thoroughly rinsed by the jaunting cars on this trip and don't fancy paying them again.

We walked part of it  then headed back to  what's her names place.  Was a nice afternoons walk

Killarney is a lovely  spot no doubt , but  there's something very false  about it all.  It's  like they're giving the yanks  what they think Ireland is like, ie.  Lots of us  live in thatched cottages and  get about on horse and cart , and carry shillelaghs.  I definitely  wouldn't be in a hurry back to it.

Just seen €450  mentioned!! Christ almighty.  :o  I'm sure you could  hire bikes instead and cycle it?

BigGreenField

Total rip off. Far better to drive up to Cronins Yard (2 eur to park) and walk the first bit of the Carrauntoohil Path, it's pretty gentle for at least 2km before the main climb- right amongst the hills, and a nice walk up to between the loughs.


https://www.activeme.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Carrauntoohil-Mountain-Devils-Ladder-Route_MacGillycuddys-Reeks_Kerry_Ireland-2.jpg

gallsman

The entire town is essentially dedicated to creaming money off tourists. Yesterday was a stunning day and we unexpectedly had to buy some more sun cream for the kids. 22 f**king euro in Tesco, but clubcard price was 11, i.e. absolutely milk the tourist. Back home in Barcelona, Aldi's bigger, award winning sun cream is like 5e a bottle. None of this is unexpected so we're not having to compromise in terms of budget but Christ it's still a shock.

Muckross House and gardens I have to say are fantastic and you can have an unreal time without spending a penny. We spent 24e to to the traditional farm circuit and it was well worth it.

Jaunting cars I'd not go near other than the kid has been promised it in terms of her behaviour. I figured it might be 50e and that didn't cover it...

AustinPowers

How much for the  boat trip to the Skelligs now ?

I remember hearing  pre covid  it was  around €120 per adult but I'm sure that's  gone up since

RedHand88

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15068685/British-woman-jailed-life-Dubai-stupid-mistake.html

Wasn't sure where to put this. What a silly silly girl. More and more people are choosing to holiday in this place but don't realise how seriously they frown upon this stuff.

Last Man

Quote from: RedHand88 on September 05, 2025, 08:55:23 PMhttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15068685/British-woman-jailed-life-Dubai-stupid-mistake.html

Wasn't sure where to put this. What a silly silly girl. More and more people are choosing to holiday in this place but don't realise how seriously they frown upon this stuff.
Them's the rules, they don't mess around.