Enthusiastic snowboarder and a member of the tripsay team.
If you value your nights sleep, stay clear of Himos on new year's eve. The place is crowded with 18 years old people that party all night long and don't care too much about skiing the following day. 9 days, 2 hours ago
A group for people interested in history in general
A group for people who want their vacations to be a party!
Share tips on cool dinner places. Not the michelin star places but cool places, you know...
"castor and pollux" by Ron Layters from Flickr
The Monte Rosa area consists of three linked ski areas in the shadow of the eponymous Monte Rosa mountain in the Valle d'Aosta region of Italy. The valleys sta...
"Wave _DSC22246" by youngrobv from Flickr
Balaton is major lake in Hungary and the biggest lake in Central Europe.
| I have created | 35 | places: 175 pts | |
| I have been to | 138 | places: 138 pts | |
| I have tipped | 48 | places: 96 pts | |
| which gained me | 41 | thumbs: 164 pts |
I've got 573 traveller points which means I'm 8th in my network of 227 people. If I get 317 more points, I'll pass jjtravel!
If you value your nights sleep, stay clear of Himos on new year's eve. The place is crowded with 18 years old people that party all night long and don't care too much about skiing the following day. 9 days, 2 hours ago
They also serve great italian lunch here with average prices. I recommend trying out their fish - salmon in tomato sauce was delish. 43 days, 16 hours ago
For all the information about Stryn Summer Ski Center, try http://gostryn.com/ 48 days, 18 hours ago
Wonderful pub downtown Helsinki with relaxed atmosphere and besides icehockey nights, lot's of free space.
Too bad they serve Fosters from the tap instead of quality beer.
48 days, 21 hours ago
psalmi wrote to eydiseydis:
Seems like a fun enough place to spend your winter in, thanks. It seems like I have many winter's vacations planned already as this goes to the top of my must visit list. :)
Any other places you would recommend for enthusiastic snowboarders?
48 days, 21 hours ago as a reply to eydiseydis:
I spent the winter season of 07/08 living in Alpe D'Huez. It has the the longest black run in Europe and apparently the world! It's a massively fun place and for us boarders pretty goddam amazing. The best off piste ever and some mental parks to play in.
It's also one of the main stages of Le Tour De France and with it's 21 hairpin bends to the top.
So that's summer for cycling and winter for boarding!
eydiseydis replied:
ohh it was magical! Where else is on your list?
I've also tried andorra for boarding and i would rate that pretty high but the alps win really is terms of snow conditions. We had weekly falls of feet and feet of powder and clear blue skies.
I havn't actually been to scandanavia but its number one on my list!
48 days, 20 hours ago
psalmi replied:
From Scandinavia, Åre is the place to visit, at least for me. In Central Europe places like Monte Rosa, Italy, Val Thorens (or the whole three valleys area) in France and Sölden, Austria are places I'm definitely going to have to see.
Elsewhere in the world maybe Rocky Mountains and New Zealand are interesting destinations. Maybe something in Southern Americas (e.g. Chile) could be found as well.
Anyway, there are lot's of wonderful places in Scandinavia to see (but none in Finland after you've been to Alps). Sweden and Norway provide lot's of fun things to do, for example Stryn summer ski options in Norway which I've heard lots of good.
48 days, 19 hours ago
Innsbrück railwaystation (Hauptbahnhof) is a great place to check out when you need to get to surrounding villages. Both local and Intercity trains stop here frequently and you can save a lots of euros if you travel to your desired destination by train and bus instead of expensive taxis.
Remember to enjoy the scenery while traveling through Austrias countryside!
49 days, 15 hours ago
psalmi wrote to nwmusicman4ever:
Loved the review. :)
I hope you don't mind me adding it to the Beachbums group and share it with everyone.
55 days, one hour ago as a reply to nwmusicman4ever:
The BEST tour guide!
Our company went on a trip to Jamaica (it was my first time) last January and although I loved the luxury hotel we stayed at, my real memories were hanging out in Negril with Sexy Rexy. He literally thought of everything; we had booked him from New York and he was waiting for us at the airport, even though we had told him that the hotel was sending a shuttle for us. Thank God he did, the drive from Montego Bay to Negril was about an hour and a half but Rexy made it so much fun, he seemed to have a hilarious personal story attached to everything on the island. Before we reached the hotel, he pulled over to make sure our first meal on the island was authentic: traditional Jamaican patty and a bottle of Red Stripe.
The rest of the trip was incredible: Rexy took us to a local reggae concert, a dance club where we watched a true local dance off, and, of course, the world famous Rick’s where we watched the bird man dive and the beautiful sun set. We also spent plenty of time at his bar, which is just across from one of the prettiest cliffs of the island. There we met his family and friends. His daughter was an incredible dancer and she taught us Jamaican dance moves. Rexy kept wanting to cook for us.
As his name might suggest, Sexy Rexy is truly a character. Ask him about Big Rasta or the time he was a soldier in Cuba or the time he drank 40 beers in a row for his 40th birthday. He is a master storyteller and we all decided that we had more memories of Rexy than anything else in Jamaica!
My only regret was that we never saw Bob Marley’s hometown. Rexy had suggested it but when we finally got around to agreeing it was almost dawn and our plane was leaving the next day. Rexy just grinned and said “Next time” and, in fact, we are going back this year.
i hear he's opening a bar...
Nice tip. :) I took the liberty of adding this tip to the group "Luxury Hotels" as it definitely sounds like one.
61 days, 20 hours ago as a reply to akm23:
My friend recently got married at the West Shore Cafe on the water. We stayed the night after and the hotel is exquisite. 46 inch flat screen TVs in each room, lovely views, fluffy robes and slippers, etc. Highly recommended to anyone with a "luxury" budget.
psalmi
wrote on group Photography's wall:
Good news to all photographers and fans of photographing! You can now upload your favourite pictures as a part of your review or comment. If you have already uploaded it to flickr or picasa, we have an option for that, too. Happy photographing and fun moments with Tripsay Photography group!
62 days, 18 hours ago
Hotel Pierre Milano is a smallish hotel quite near to center of Milano. While it doesn't quite match with all the luxury hotel chains, you have to give them points for attempting their best.
Lobby is beautiful and if you know any italian you can read local newspapers there. Cable channels are also free, but we didn't manage to figure out if there was a free wifi connection.
62 days, 18 hours ago
I would've preferred Beer Lake but maybe Bear Lake will have to do in the event I ever end up in that corner of the world. :)
63 days, 3 hours ago as a reply to jussi:
Bear Lake is only 100 meters or so from the parking place and thus packed with people. It is, however, an excellent starting point, from which many trails begin. The lake itself is nice: the surroundings are handsome and the waters are clear. We continued from Bear Lake to the glacier lakes upper in the mountains... Another good option could have been to go to the Flattop Mountain - maybe next time...
Breakfast in this hotel is unique, too. Instead of an average breakfast buffet, you'll have your own "mini-buffet", sortiments of cheese, meat (or fish) and vegetables on your own small plate. Contents of the plate changes daily but every day you get also freshly squeezed energy juice, fruit salad, cereals (in a design jars, of course) and a selection different omelettes and desserts.
Fabolous place and best breakfast in any hotel I've ever been.
76 days, 3 hours ago
Hotel Hollmann Beletage Design & Boutique was a unique place in the downtown vienna in first district just a few blocks from all major sights.
The atmosphere of this hotel cannot be described in words. Everything is designed to be unique and quite unlike anything I've ever experienced before.
Rooms are quite big (for 2 persons at least). What makes them different is their design. Bath is in a closet-like space behind a desk+bed combination. Minibar is put in an oval shaped table and decoration is finished with a nice sofa.
76 days, 3 hours ago
Tihany has large nature reserves including three lakes within the peninsula. Most areas are still accessible by foot so leave your bikes and cars at the village and spend a day exploring the nature around the peninsula. 76 days, 4 hours ago
Tihany peninsula in the middle of Lake Balaton is an excellent place to visit by bike. Climb up the hill all the way to Tihany village to see the great views over the lake in both directions. 76 days, 4 hours ago
Get a Budapest card. It costs you a little but in addition to (care-)free traveling in the local trains, metros and buses you get free or discounted entrance to most of the museums in Budapest and a complimentary guide to the city. 76 days, 22 hours ago
Be careful when traveling in local area trains and metro with a single ticket. If you are changing trains you need to re-stamp the ticket at each station on you are subject to a fine of 6000 florints in case you get caught. You also need to save your ticket until you are cleared from metro area, otherwise you may have to search the ticket from the garbage bin you threw it before exiting station to avoid being fined.
Unbelievable but true.
76 days, 22 hours ago
If you want a trip back in time to the beginning of the 20th century, Restaurant Nosztalgia is the place to go in Budapest. Decorated in the fashion of the era, the place has a classy feeling quite unlike anything else in Budapest.
Adding to the atmosphere is a live gyspy orchestra that play their sad melodies almost constantly. Service is also good, while food lacks a bit behind. Main courses are excellent but as it is often in Hungary, starters seem to be impossible for them to make delicious. Beware also national dishes as they might be anything.
Apparently Nosztalgia is also famous for its fish so try it out. Waiters are willing to recommend it to you in case you have difficult time in selecting the dish.
77 days, 2 hours ago
Andrássy Avenue is the place to see in Budapest if you have only day to visit in the city. Almost every major museum and city's famous opera house are located onto it. In a matter of fact, the whole street is Unesco world heritage site.
In addition the street is crowded with shops of expensive brands while those that don't have a presence there yet are queuing in line for a spot in the center of Budapests fashion & shopping street.
The biggest attraction of Andrássy Avenue still isn't on the street but rather under it. Along the path of the avenue just underneat it follows a mini-metro or mini-subway, the oldest of its' kind in continental Europe, at 125 years of age. Metro is a must-see for those who visit Budapest.
77 days, 2 hours ago
A five star hotel from the luxury Kempinski hotel chain in the center of Budapest delivers everything it promises. Excellent and friendly service with relaxed atmosphere combined with great location makes this the #1 choice of hotels in Budapest.
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus is also one of the two hotels that made it to the Leading Hotels 2008 -book together with neighbouring La Meridian.
Rooms are huge as well as the beds that come with goose feather pillows and blankets to guarantee a good nights sleep.
90 days, 2 hours ago
They sure know how to make chicken in Hungary. Sama applies to Bazsalikom Restaurant in particular, their chicken-breast with salad was one of the best I've ever tasted.
Conveniently located at the beach, you have also good views to Lake Balaton so you can enjoy the sights while dining.
90 days, 17 hours ago
When you are in dire need of fast food while in Balatonfüred nearby its main railway station, check out this place. Popular amongst natives it serves excellent lunch in very low prices, even on Hungarian scale. 90 days, 17 hours ago
Füred Kemping beach has lots of sandy beach combined with excellent water sports activities. You can rent a windsurf (with an international license) or practise water skiing of -boarding in the 1 kilometer long track built in the water in addition to just enjoy the shallow waters by swimming.
There are also cabins to change into swimming gear and restaurants to fill your stomach after a full day of water sporting activities. In case you are biking around Lake Balaton, this is the place where you want to spend an extra day if you can afford to.
90 days, 17 hours ago
Hotel Azur is the family hotel of the party capital of Hungary, Siófok. It has lots of activities for children, including guided drawing, sports and even mini-olympics while parents may relax over the bar or taking sun baths.
It has also private beach over the Lake Balaton so you don't have to pay the high prices to the Coke Club in order to swim in the lake. You can also enjoy their spa massages, free morning yogas or rent tenniscourt for some afternoon sport fun.
Bikes are available to rent so you can take a trip outside Siófok to see the countryside of Hungary. While it is possible, I recommend to take a ship or a ferry to northern Balaton and rent a bike there. There is much more to see, including Tihány nature reserve and Loćzy cave above Balatonfüred to mention some.
94 days, 3 hours ago
Bigger than all Finnish summer festivals put together, Sziget is really a festival to see. Tens of stages means every genre is available in Sziget, only your imagination is the limit. Music isn't still played too loud as you can still hear on the day after the festival.
People also come here to stay for the whole week. Every open green bit contains dozens of tents, not only the official camping area. Even while the place is crowded, the toilets seem to be in rather good condition. There are also containers with water closets so you don't need to use bajamajas if it's not urgent.
There is also other activities besides music in Sziget. You can try everything from bungee jump to ourdoor table tennis, yoga, rope gliding and "hanoi tower" building where you climb as high as you can with the help from empty beer cases you lay on top of each other while climbing.
94 days, 3 hours ago
psalmi replied:
Bungee jumping at Sziget.
61 days, 21 hours ago
Jokai Villakert serves a bit above than average priced food near the party district of Siófok. You can get both traditional Hungarian foods and nprmal restaurant dishes, beefs chicken etc.
Grilled chicken is worth having here. It was served only with grilled vegetables in marinade but man was that good.
94 days, 3 hours ago
What's the best thing you can do in Venice after nightfall?
Take the euronight train to Budapest. Traveling through Trieste, Ljubljana in Slovenia and Zagreb, Croatia, it takes you to the beautiful Lake Balaton in Hungary and eventually to its capital, Budapest.
Be reminded that while the train actually leaves Schengen area so you'll be waken up some six times a night with the annoying wake up calls like "passport control".
94 days, 3 hours ago
Siofok is the party capital on Hungary. Thousands of young Hungarians arrive to the beaches and bars of Siofok all the way from Budapest by train to party. Accompanied with the 200 000 visitors it really makes the village one big party.
Coke Club is biggest of these attractions, just by Lake Balaton with organized programme all day long.
95 days, 2 hours ago
Get your tickets to this second annual Granefegg Musik Festival 2008 from classictic.com (see link below). 98 days, 17 hours ago
Vienna State Opera season starts unfortunately on September and thus we are going to miss the season opening when visiting the place on August.
We are going to try their Dinner and Concert offers instead.
98 days, 23 hours ago
A place holder review for Széchenyi Medicinal Bath.
Come back after 23rd of August to read my review about the spa. This is a must place to visit on our central europe tour while in Budapest.
98 days, 23 hours ago
psalmi wrote on group Summer vacation 2008's wall:
It seems our hotels are all in the vicinity of local state operas. Maybe it's a sign that we need to visit one.
98 days, 23 hours ago
psalmi wrote on group Snowboarding's wall:
Has anyone been to Monte Rosa? We're thinking of coming winter's activities and it looks like a viable option?
99 days ago
Turtle Island become my #1 dream destination the very moment I read Scott Adams's, the creator of Dilbert, wonderful trip report about their belated honeymoon in Turtle Island.
Here's a quote of what he wrote to convince you further "The experience is indescribable. There is no TV, no BlackBerry signal on most of the island, and no Internet unless you borrow some time on the gift shop computer. Each couple can book an entire private beach, complete with picnic lunch, almost any day you want. And these are no ordinary beaches. Any one of the several choices is the best beach you have ever seen. In fact, the movie Blue Lagoon was shot on this island. By the second day, your regular life becomes a faint memory. You are completely immersed."
Must... go... there...
99 days, 3 hours ago
alkuperäinen vastaukseni --> Kun mä kerran lupasin niin kai mä tällä viikolla sitten :)
105 days, 2 hours ago
psalmi replied:
Toi tällä viikolla on hieno määritelmä. Jokainen viikko on tämä viikko. :) Ai niin, huomasitko jo hienon tirpsayn kommentointimahdollisuuven.
63 days, 3 hours ago
Also notice that Iron Maiden perfoms at Sziget day before festival actually starts on 12th of August. 105 days, 3 hours ago
This year (2008) Central Europe's biggest festival will be held on 13th to 18th of August. See you there! 105 days, 3 hours ago
In case you need to travel between Budapest, Bratislava of Vienna, why not to take a hydrofoil boat and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Danube between these cities. 121 days, 3 hours ago
psalmi wrote on group Summer vacation 2008's wall:
Gathering up places of interest and hotels already reserved. Any tips on what to do after Lake Balaton are welcome.
121 days, 16 hours ago
psalmi wrote on group Iron Maiden World Tour 2008's wall:
It was a nice trick to warm up the audience by playing an old UFO song "Doctor Doctor" just before the gig started. Sounds like Maiden while not being exactly it.
124 days ago
Belgrade is the jewel of Serbia. Due to it's central location it has always been between two cultures, byzantine and ottoman empires which can be seen from everything. Must see places are the biggest orthodox church ever built (the St. Sava Church) and massive Belgrade fortress complex. 135 days, 3 hours ago
Don't walk anywhere here (or Russian countryside in general) by nighttime if you look like a tourist. One female in our group got attacked and almost abused by drunken young russians even when she was accompanied by finnish males.
153 days, 23 hours ago
A pub with a wonderful atmosphere and loads of Czech beer. Steer clear from Hadanka on league nights as it's the crowded with supporters of local ice hockey team, HIFK on those evenings. 160 days, 4 hours ago
Description says it all, Roskapankki is a place with cheap beer and atmosphere according to it. So if you like to get stuck on the floor due to all the poured beer and don't mind the shards of glass everywhere on the floor, Roskapankki is the place to go for cheap beer in Kallio. 160 days, 4 hours ago
A bavarian era palace that was meant to be an exact replica of Versailles, only bigger. Due to lack of funding, it was never completed. Even in it's current state, it's a must see for everyone that loves old castles, history and art. 170 days ago
Avoid lunch at Boom. There are lot's of fast food restaurants at Iso Omena that beat eating at Boom by miles. Or visit the nearby pakistani restaurant Peshawar that has excellent pakistani buffet table every day. 217 days, 22 hours ago
They make decent chicken pasta 'limonello' here but, alas, use bulk honey marinated chicken from local super market thus cutting the costs and the possible culinary experience short. 217 days, 22 hours ago
Stay clear of Geronimo unless you want to spend an evening with noisy minors that come here for it's the only place that will sell them beer without identification.
Their 1 liter glasses of beer are still famous amongst Tapiola natives.
217 days, 22 hours ago
If your head and feet are up to it, it's definitely worth taking the 530 steps up to the dome and enjoy the wonderful views over London. Also the whispering gallery is a must stop in the middle. The scary part with rusty iron see-through staircases starts only from here so you may also turn back and descend if you are scared of heights. 218 days, 23 hours ago
Be careful not to go swimming naked into river cam even after dared by friends and lured by their cash offer. Natives won't look it too good. 236 days ago
Alhtough it is stated to be the largest airport in the Tyrol area it is still pitifully small. Be sure to eat before going through the security check since in the departure area there is only world smallest bar/cafe and one tax free shop for shoppings.
When landing into Innsbrück international airport queues can also be long as there are only three belts for luggage. Luckily skis are automativally taken outside the terminal so they don't clutter belt any further.
236 days, one hour ago
When taking the cable cars up to the skiing area it is definitely worth taking either fimbabahn or pardatschgratbahn as the main cable connection, silvrettabahn is usually very crowded during mornings. 255 days ago
Hotelli Yöpuu is the hotel in Jyväskylä. It has 12 unique rooms in different themes like British room, Safari room or Bridal suite.
Service was unbelievably friendly, including room service and reception. Restaurant we didn't have time to check out as we were too busy in enjoying sauna premises (with jacuzzi, of course).
273 days, 20 hours ago
A wonderful park in a middle of Rome, just around the corner from spanish stairs. This place is at it's best on winter time when grass is green and flowers are pretty. You can also hire a boat and row around the pond. one year, 109 days ago
Best italian food was served in La Pace Del Palato during our weeks stay in Rome. In addition the atmosphere was pleasant and service very friendly. one year, 116 days ago
Definitely a must see place after dark. People gather here around musicians, performers and artists. In addition, it is worthwhile to walk towards Vaticane from Piazza Navona as it's filled with good restaurants, bars and cafes. one year, 121 days ago
A really comfortable four star hotel with rooms equipped with satellite television, minibar and good showers. Half of the rooms have also a balcony or even an own terrace. Absolutely wonderful place, the only minus comes from the harder than average beds. one year, 121 days ago
Beautiful hiking grounds of about 18 kilometers down the gorge until you get to a village by Mediterranian sea which you can reach only by foot or by a boat.
one year, 132 days ago
