Where Would You Go?

[David Hughes]

Well, I am thinking early April for the Lake District. And, I wonder if Cuba is not too similar to Puerto Rico.

Hi,

April might be difficult in England this year; Easter is late and the week leading up to Easter and the week after are usually taken as holidays by schools. This puts pressure on accommodation.

I'd aim for mid May and will add that the 27th May is a Public Holiday and that, again, the schools will be shut for that week and all the world and his wife and dog will be out and about that week...

Regards, David

 

[ktmrider]

Dave, maybe school vacations are longer in UK but my calendar shows Easter as 21 April. My dates for UK would probably be last week of March and first week of April. Do you really think stuff would book that early? I plan on being back in the US by 15 April (Income Tax Deadline).

 

[MCTuomey]

Well, I am thinking early April for the Lake District. And, I wonder if Cuba is not too similar to Puerto Rico.

Right, at least in general.

Lake District in April sounds really fine.

Madagascar, well now, that looks pretty enticing ...

Great thread!

 

[David Hughes]

Dave, maybe school vacations are longer in UK but my calendar shows Easter as 21 April. My dates for UK would probably be last week of March and first week of April. Do you really think stuff would book that early? I plan on being back in the US by 15 April (Income Tax Deadline).

Would you believe that I specifically wanted to take a short break/long weekend to include the 21st April and the three places on my short list were already booked before Christmas?

In general terms school holidays in the UK are the week before and the week after Christmas and Easter, but the New Year's Day holiday makes it vary a bit*. There's a mid term or half term holiday in the Spring, late May/early June (based on Whit Monday the last Monday in May) and a week vaguely late-ish October. The long vac or summer holiday is usually the last two weeks in July to the first Tuesday or Wednesday in September.

It's now illegal to take kids away from school for holidays without official permission (usually refused) and that puts pressure on those weeks.

I'll think of you on the 15th April as that's when I'll start looking for cancellations...

Regards, David

* These days it's all a bit vague, some went back to school on the 3rd and one, exceptionally, will go back on the 14th...

 

[ktmrider]

Well, I just got an email from Absolute Escapes in Edinburgh and they proposed a five day/50 mile walk in the Lake District. I had told them that I did not want to do the 93 mile hike on their website as I want to try and do some other things while in England besides walking.

So, it looks like a 50 mile loop from Ambleside to Keswick. I think two/three days in York and must investigate crossing the Channel by train for a couple nights in France as suggested earlier. April 8 is my thirty year anniversary so Paris?

 

[colker]

Oaxaca, Mexico.

 

[Mauro]

I agree with Maggieo.
Ok, I am Italian and it can be a "partial" advice: but if you are looking for history - arts - good food - fine weather - photographic opportunities, i would suggest you to consider Rome and Pompeii

 

[ktmrider]

Both my wife and I have done several trips to Italy-loved Florence. And Mexico is about two miles from my house and I get down there at least yearly.

If anyone is looking for an amazing geological vista, might I recommend Copper Canyon. It is 400 miles south of El Paso and larger then the Grand Canyon, and a train runs through it.

 

[giganova]

We have traveled extensively through Europe and North America. She has never been to Asia or South America.

That should narrow it down quite a bit! I suggest going to Argentina, its an amazing country!

 

[ktmrider]

Tokyo?

Tokyo?

I am looking at a "round the world" trip leaving the US in July or August. If you were going to spend five to seven days in Tokyo, where would you go and what would you do? In what section of Tokyo are the good photography stores?

My second stop is probably Manila and I am semi familiar with the Philippines. Third stop Dehli. Am just starting to plan.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2013/05/the-complete-tokyo-camera-shopping-guide/ Here's what you need to know for Tokyo

 

[Faintandfuzzy]

Shinjuku and Shibuya are my faves...but check out the Akihabara district as well.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

All the above comments are good. Still good camera retailers and many good used shops. For rangefinder classics, expensive stores. Ginza, right?

But, my personal favorite is Fujiya Camera in Nakano, one train stop outside of Tokyo. The most amazing array of used gear, 35mm, MF, everything. (5 Chome-61-1 Nakano, Tokyo 164-0001, Japan)

 

[shimokita]

Food is a major part of the experience, and finding a small shop is fun... everyone has their favorite, and the good news is you don't have to spend a lot...

Have a great trip...

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

The beautiful Happo-en garden, right in Tokyo, Minato-ku.

 

[MikeL]

Ktmrider, if you watch baseball, see a Swallows or Giants game. Some aspects are different, and interesting from a cultural perspective.

And if Jon and Gabor are in town, they’ll show you some cool places if you buy them enough shōchū. Just make sure to tell them goodbye before they start taking their clothes off and wearing only their cameras. Their Artist-Artisan woven silk camera straps only hide so much.

 

[maddoc]

Haha! Those were the times! I miss Tokyo.

Ktmrider, if you watch baseball, see a Swallows or Giants game. Some aspects are different, and interesting from a cultural perspective.

And if Jon and Gabor are in town, they’ll show you some cool places if you buy them enough shōchū. Just make sure to tell them goodbye before they start taking their clothes off and wearing only their cameras. Their Artist-Artisan woven silk camera straps only hide so much.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Ktmrider, if you watch baseball, see a Swallows or Giants game. Some aspects are different, and interesting from a cultural perspective.

And if Jon and Gabor are in town, they’ll show you some cool places if you buy them enough shōchū. Just make sure to tell them goodbye before they start taking their clothes off and wearing only their cameras. Their Artist-Artisan woven silk camera straps only hide so much.

hahahaha its surprising how much you CAN hide though 😛
When are you coming back, Mike?!

Haha! Those were the times! I miss Tokyo.

Good times indeed!!!

 

[ktmrider]

So it appears from the posts that there is no economic advantage of buying a camera in Japan. In fact, Leica's could be more expensive.

I guess the fun would come from the "hunt".

 

[Ted Striker]

I am looking at a "round the world" trip leaving the US in July or August. If you were going to spend five to seven days in Tokyo, where would you go and what would you do? In what section of Tokyo are the good photography stores?

My second stop is probably Manila and I am semi familiar with the Philippines. Third stop Dehli. Am just starting to plan.

A full day in Kamakura is a MUST when visiting Tokyo. Only a short 60 min or so train ride from Tokyo station, some of THE most beautiful sights in Japan are there.