Why do you holiday in the US?
Jul 4, 2011 | 5:10 am
#151
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,045
The Texas BBQ trail
http://www.lulingcitymarket.com/
Although I admit there are several excellent places in Lockhart as well
Black's
http://www.blacksbbq.com/
Smithy's
http://smittysmarket.com/
and as mentioned before Kreutz (not my favourite though)
If in Fort Worth visit Angelos
http://www.angelosbbq.com/
be aware that many BBQ joints in Texas don't serve beer
(but will be happy to offer you ice tea
- talk about cultural clash)
Jul 4, 2011 | 5:16 am
#152
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
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I completely agree. The US national and the various park services are one of the best things in the USA. I'm dismayed by how much of a political football their funding can be, and I always make an extra money donation over the entry price. Everyone who I have ever come across working in a park or for a park service has been very welcoming and they are often very easy to get around and pleasant to visit. I have a lot of respect for all park service people.
Jul 4, 2011 | 5:58 am
#153
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Latinpass Million Miler. BA Gold.
Posts: 3,544
I think that some of the people travel to meet people or who have friends there. So if they dont like the people they meet or have come into contact with it puts them off.
Other people dont worry about this and therefore have different reasons for going to a country or area.
Its just what people look for when they are travelling. I suppose when you have been around the world and seen things your ideas are different.
I personally have never been. I have flown over on the way to Chicago. Its one of the countries that I would like to visit. I hopefully will take family there in the next few years. Its on my list. Well maybe not the French areas.
Other people dont worry about this and therefore have different reasons for going to a country or area.
Its just what people look for when they are travelling. I suppose when you have been around the world and seen things your ideas are different.
I personally have never been. I have flown over on the way to Chicago. Its one of the countries that I would like to visit. I hopefully will take family there in the next few years. Its on my list. Well maybe not the French areas.
The "French" areas are nice too. And most people do speak English.
Jul 4, 2011 | 6:14 am
#154
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Why not? Some people would say that Quebec has some of the most beautiful scenery in Canada.
If you want some spectacular scenery, why not drive to to James Bay, about 1,000km to the north? You will see some jaw-dropping sights of natural beauty. You could then drive east for probably another 700/800km and be at the most remote point in NA (at least in the east) as it is possible to get. You will have not other humans around (at least none that you can see or contact) for almost 1,000km.
If you want some spectacular scenery, why not drive to to James Bay, about 1,000km to the north? You will see some jaw-dropping sights of natural beauty. You could then drive east for probably another 700/800km and be at the most remote point in NA (at least in the east) as it is possible to get. You will have not other humans around (at least none that you can see or contact) for almost 1,000km.
Jul 4, 2011 | 6:21 am
#155
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Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but is this not a bit like saying "The UK doesn't do it for me, I met a real w@nk3r in a pub on Leicester Square once. They do have quaint villages, thought."
Jul 4, 2011 | 6:22 am
#156
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: I am a lowly ant
Posts: 1,756
I completely agree. The US national and the various park services are one of the best things in the USA. I'm dismayed by how much of a political football their funding can be, and I always make an extra money donation over the entry price. Everyone who I have ever come across working in a park or for a park service has been very welcoming and they are often very easy to get around and pleasant to visit. I have a lot of respect for all park service people.
Jul 4, 2011 | 6:42 am
#157
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Jul 4, 2011 | 6:53 am
#158
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Kent UK
Programs: BA Silver,
Posts: 132
I find that simply, whatever type of holiday I want, I can have it in the US. There is such a variety, from skiing to beaches and anything in between.
I have friends (ex Pats) that live in the Florida panhandle for amazing beaches, when I was younger I skied in Colorado and Utah, and recently have discovered the National Parks. Last summer I was in Glacier and Yellowstone, and because of that experience I am off to Alaska in a months time. We will take in another fantastic city on our way through, San Francisco.
When my kids were younger, it was great as there were no language barriers, food can be anything you want, from the bland and fast food to some amazing experiences. Basically, whatever you want, you can find. Yes there are negatives, but that is the same wherever you go.
I will still try to get over there every year, but that doesn't preclude the fact that the world is a very big place and there are still many adventures to be had...
I have friends (ex Pats) that live in the Florida panhandle for amazing beaches, when I was younger I skied in Colorado and Utah, and recently have discovered the National Parks. Last summer I was in Glacier and Yellowstone, and because of that experience I am off to Alaska in a months time. We will take in another fantastic city on our way through, San Francisco.
When my kids were younger, it was great as there were no language barriers, food can be anything you want, from the bland and fast food to some amazing experiences. Basically, whatever you want, you can find. Yes there are negatives, but that is the same wherever you go.
I will still try to get over there every year, but that doesn't preclude the fact that the world is a very big place and there are still many adventures to be had...
Jul 4, 2011 | 7:04 am
#159
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
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Posts: 3,764
I love visiting the US and after my trip to Macedonia last year, it made me really appreciate having the same language (well, almost).
What I don't like about the USA -What I do like about the USA-I wouldn't limit my self to the US, but can see it becoming an "easy holiday option" as I get older when I don't want to struggle with the language issues any more.
What I don't like about the USA -
- Immigration on the East Coast. My only West Coast entry into LAX went very smoothly! And probably the most polite customs official ever! Where as the East Coast ones can be like eating at Wong Keys - if you don't get abused you feel cheated!!
- Tipping. I appreciate it's part of the culture and staff in some cases don't get wages, but when a place whacks on a 20% "service charge" and then leaves the "gratuities" line open, it doesn't get my respect or money.
- Rich variety of food - if you know where to look, ie past the chains etc.
- Shopping - nuff said!
- TV - Loves seeing episodes of my fave TV shows before they are shown in the UK (admittedly that's happening less and less now with shows broadcast with a few days of US launch).
- The People - Generally I've come across some really nice people and my radar normally warns me of ones that I wouldn't trust.
- The Landscape - Have only recently done the Grand Canyon and want to do Yellowstone and more someday.
- The Cities - probably the same reason why I felt so at home in London when I moved here (thanks to EastEnders!
) is that via film and TV you already have some idea of what to expect when you land there - just don't be watching a movie from to long ago as it's probably changed a bit since then!!
Jul 4, 2011 | 8:58 am
#160
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 10,709
Why not? Some people would say that Quebec has some of the most beautiful scenery in Canada.
If you want some spectacular scenery, why not drive to to James Bay, about 1,000km to the north? You will see some jaw-dropping sights of natural beauty. You could then drive east for probably another 700/800km and be at the most remote point in NA (at least in the east) as it is possible to get. You will have not other humans around (at least none that you can see or contact) for almost 1,000km.
If you want some spectacular scenery, why not drive to to James Bay, about 1,000km to the north? You will see some jaw-dropping sights of natural beauty. You could then drive east for probably another 700/800km and be at the most remote point in NA (at least in the east) as it is possible to get. You will have not other humans around (at least none that you can see or contact) for almost 1,000km.
I shall look up the locations that you mentioned and try to visit them in a few years time.
Jul 4, 2011 | 9:07 am
#162
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Latinpass Million Miler. BA Gold.
Posts: 3,544
Reading this thread I notice that a lot of people put the language as an important reason why they holiday in the States. So does that mean these people only take holidays in countries where the first language is English?
Jul 4, 2011 | 9:34 am
#163
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Jul 4, 2011 | 9:41 am
#164
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I mentioned this to someone yesterday and the response I got was that although it wasn't the only reason, "I enjoy the pat down you get from the TSA on the way home, better than my partner can manage after a hard day at work." Not sure they were being that serious though 
Not sure they were being that serious though
Jul 4, 2011 | 9:45 am
#165
Join Date: Sep 2007
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The language barrier has put me off places like Japan though, where I've heard from various visitors that it has been a pain to get about, due to neither parties being able to speak much of each others lingo and the signage being Japanese only in the main.