Europe and the Med ?
Aug 28th 2008, 7:42 pm
#46
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 429
Re: Europe and the Med ?
NO! Our local theatre opens on the water side next spring and there are many others around. The music scene is fantastic here. The Stones in Moncton for example. Fashion I can buy all over including many designer labels. I have not found anything I cannot get or have given up. I love old buildings and especially the ones here. There are many old buildings in Halifax still standing even after the explosion.
Aug 28th 2008, 7:45 pm
#47
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Europe and the Med ?
NO! Our local theatre opens on the water side next spring and there are many others around. The music scene is fantastic here. The Stones in Moncton for example. Fashion I can buy all over including many designer labels. I have not found anything I cannot get or have given up. I love old buildings and especially the ones here. There are many old buildings in Halifax still standing even after the explosion.
Aug 28th 2008, 8:06 pm
#48
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 129
Re: Europe and the Med ?
Do you miss Europe ?
Hi,
I hope you don't mind me posting this post, but to be honest I really want to try and get views on how you guys feel about having moved to Canada, though so far away from Europe ?
No doubt, it depends entirely on how much you love or have loved the Countries in Europe.
But, what i'm trying to ask is, do you miss the UK or Places in Europe as there are so many cultures/countries crammed into a fairly small space and those places that you can visit can be completely different from the other ? The history in Europe, I find amazing, and I feel it maybe one of those things i'll miss. Who knows ?
Canada no doubt is beautiful,.. landscapes, mountains, lakes etc.
We're looking to move next April time, only I find it hard to imagine how life can be without having so many different Countries around, so close together.
In all honesty,.. I love Europe (the history especially),.. I love Italy, the Med (greek islands), Switzerland, even London a very close home town. As said,.. it's the history, Castles, Art etc, I find quite amazing.
Realistically, we stuggle as a family to save for hol's around Europe, only it's comforting to know it's not so far away. We do usually manage 1 week in the Med with the kids each year though,.. which of course is more than many other people. (So, I'm far from ungrateful
). Those places are cherished !
Can I ask, have you found Canada to be much of a Culture shock ? If so, why ?
We're hoping to move to Greater Vancouver, BC. Not for work and more money as such, infact less than here in the UK ! ..Just for the difference
And hoping that this move could be a better quality of life for ourselves aswell as our kiddies.
More laid back, (No rat race
! Outdoor sports all around, beautiful scenery, lakes and swimming).
Though, one thing thats been on my mind for along time is
...
How do you feel that moving from such a historic country as UK/Europe to moving to a huge country as Canada? And where do you guys go on holiday?
It'll be good to know where you guys were originally from too, and do you think that's made a difference in your move/some maybe financially?
Thanks
x
Hi,
I hope you don't mind me posting this post, but to be honest I really want to try and get views on how you guys feel about having moved to Canada, though so far away from Europe ?
No doubt, it depends entirely on how much you love or have loved the Countries in Europe.
But, what i'm trying to ask is, do you miss the UK or Places in Europe as there are so many cultures/countries crammed into a fairly small space and those places that you can visit can be completely different from the other ? The history in Europe, I find amazing, and I feel it maybe one of those things i'll miss. Who knows ?
Canada no doubt is beautiful,.. landscapes, mountains, lakes etc.
We're looking to move next April time, only I find it hard to imagine how life can be without having so many different Countries around, so close together.
In all honesty,.. I love Europe (the history especially),.. I love Italy, the Med (greek islands), Switzerland, even London a very close home town. As said,.. it's the history, Castles, Art etc, I find quite amazing.
Realistically, we stuggle as a family to save for hol's around Europe, only it's comforting to know it's not so far away. We do usually manage 1 week in the Med with the kids each year though,.. which of course is more than many other people. (So, I'm far from ungrateful
). Those places are cherished !Can I ask, have you found Canada to be much of a Culture shock ? If so, why ?
We're hoping to move to Greater Vancouver, BC. Not for work and more money as such, infact less than here in the UK ! ..Just for the difference
And hoping that this move could be a better quality of life for ourselves aswell as our kiddies. More laid back, (No rat race
! Outdoor sports all around, beautiful scenery, lakes and swimming).Though, one thing thats been on my mind for along time is
...How do you feel that moving from such a historic country as UK/Europe to moving to a huge country as Canada? And where do you guys go on holiday?
It'll be good to know where you guys were originally from too, and do you think that's made a difference in your move/some maybe financially?
Thanks
x
You swap going to Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, etc for destinations like the Mexico, the Caribbean and various destinations in the States and of course other parts of Canada. I am now at an age where I like to be spoilt and have super clean toilets (where you can flush away the paper too!), fluffy towels and king size beds. Even before we lived here we would holiday in the States and if you asked me to choose between Florida and Spain there would be no contest. We have just returned from a four day trip to Las Vegas which is as far removed from Europe (although we did stay in Paris!) as you can get but that was booked the day before we left and for a really reasonable price. Great weather and fabulous facilities and shows, etc.
Then there is the ease at which we can get to these destinations, a quick drive to the airport and very rarely long queues. No drive around the M25 (in our case) and really hassle free. We regularly fly to Kelowna from Calgary and the airport thing really is so easy.
You will find that you will get lots of visitors too. When my girlfriends came over last year and wanted to visit Seattle for a couple of days - one said she really couldn't face another airport trip after Gatwick the week before but I persuaded her that flying from Kelowna to Seattle is nothing like experiencing Gatwick.
But I would say that if you really are a Europe lover then North America may not be for you. But it might grow on you!!
Aug 28th 2008, 10:09 pm
#49
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 176
Re: Europe and the Med ?
To be honest I don't really miss much at all about Europe other than being able to nip across and stock up on cheap French wine.
You swap going to Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, etc for destinations like the Mexico, the Caribbean and various destinations in the States and of course other parts of Canada. I am now at an age where I like to be spoilt and have super clean toilets (where you can flush away the paper too!), fluffy towels and king size beds. Even before we lived here we would holiday in the States and if you asked me to choose between Florida and Spain there would be no contest. We have just returned from a four day trip to Las Vegas which is as far removed from Europe (although we did stay in Paris!) as you can get but that was booked the day before we left and for a really reasonable price. Great weather and fabulous facilities and shows, etc.
Then there is the ease at which we can get to these destinations, a quick drive to the airport and very rarely long queues. No drive around the M25 (in our case) and really hassle free. We regularly fly to Kelowna from Calgary and the airport thing really is so easy.
You will find that you will get lots of visitors too. When my girlfriends came over last year and wanted to visit Seattle for a couple of days - one said she really couldn't face another airport trip after Gatwick the week before but I persuaded her that flying from Kelowna to Seattle is nothing like experiencing Gatwick.
But I would say that if you really are a Europe lover then North America may not be for you. But it might grow on you!!
You swap going to Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, etc for destinations like the Mexico, the Caribbean and various destinations in the States and of course other parts of Canada. I am now at an age where I like to be spoilt and have super clean toilets (where you can flush away the paper too!), fluffy towels and king size beds. Even before we lived here we would holiday in the States and if you asked me to choose between Florida and Spain there would be no contest. We have just returned from a four day trip to Las Vegas which is as far removed from Europe (although we did stay in Paris!) as you can get but that was booked the day before we left and for a really reasonable price. Great weather and fabulous facilities and shows, etc.
Then there is the ease at which we can get to these destinations, a quick drive to the airport and very rarely long queues. No drive around the M25 (in our case) and really hassle free. We regularly fly to Kelowna from Calgary and the airport thing really is so easy.
You will find that you will get lots of visitors too. When my girlfriends came over last year and wanted to visit Seattle for a couple of days - one said she really couldn't face another airport trip after Gatwick the week before but I persuaded her that flying from Kelowna to Seattle is nothing like experiencing Gatwick.
But I would say that if you really are a Europe lover then North America may not be for you. But it might grow on you!!
Hi Jancal,
You must be huge lover of USA. Glad you enjoyed Las Vegas. Afew destinations in USA i'd like to visit is New York, Seattle, California/San Francisco. Mexico is also a country i'd love to visit aswell as the Caribbean.
It's interesting to read that your choice from Florida or Spain is Florida. For me it's the other way round, I have been to Florida for a two week stay. Florida, is no doubt a nice place to visit, the beaches were pretty cool, though as said before I truly think it's the art/culture, med atmosphere aswell as the small fishing villages and beaches etc i'd miss the most. I love Barcelona and i'd like to see other parts of Spain,..quiet and secluded coastal destinations (they do still exist, so I've been told and read lol
)Thanks for your post, I do think that by thinking about things in more depth over the last few days, I will truly miss Europe loads !! But, also you're so right, that Nrth America may grow on us too
Take care x
Aug 28th 2008, 10:14 pm
#50
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Europe and the Med ?
I have worked all over the US and tacked on as many vacation days to each trip as I dared. NYC is wonderful, the Pacific Coast Highway down through San Francisco to LA is one of the world's great drives. Seattle though? Seattle has quite a good fish market, not something one immediately thinks of flying to visit.
Aug 28th 2008, 10:18 pm
#51
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,835
Re: Europe and the Med ?
The only thing is, those European places can be done for a price ranging from dirt cheap (but still comfortable enough) to expensive.
The new alternatives are at the upper end of the price scale.
I used to take late deals, mainly Greece, for between £160 and £180 including flights, transfers and a decent apartment for two weeks. I generally used a nearby hotel for pool, comfy furniture, salad lunch and I had the freedom to eat wherever I wanted.
Mountain bike hire was a few quid and that would get you up and down the coast for secluded beaches if that's what you wanted, out of town tavernas with great views of the sea.....etc
Is the equivalent available on this side of the atlantic?
I too like luxuries, but I found I could still get many of them on this type of holiday.
Aug 28th 2008, 10:23 pm
#52
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 176
Re: Europe and the Med ?
I have worked all over the US and tacked on as many vacation days to each trip as I dared. NYC is wonderful, the Pacific Coast Highway down through San Francisco to LA is one of the world's great drives. Seattle though? Seattle has quite a good fish market, not something one immediately thinks of flying to visit.
LOL, to be honest I know nothing about Seattle, I actually just put that one down because it's close to Vancouver, where we'll be staying.
Last edited by Katie76; Aug 28th 2008 at 10:54 pm.
Aug 29th 2008, 3:28 am
#53
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 129
Re: Europe and the Med ?
I have worked all over the US and tacked on as many vacation days to each trip as I dared. NYC is wonderful, the Pacific Coast Highway down through San Francisco to LA is one of the world's great drives. Seattle though? Seattle has quite a good fish market, not something one immediately thinks of flying to visit.
To my mind Europe is hard work but then I suppose I have been spoilt now.
Aug 29th 2008, 11:25 am
#54
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Europe and the Med ?
Seattle. It's just that its a major city that we can drive to or fly to easily from Kelowna when we are there. Each time we have been its been great. Fantastic cheap restaurants with good service. Happy hours with oysters at $1 each and wine at $3 a glass and then shopping to die for. Each to their own I suppose but for us its a cheap and wothwhile trip. My husband and I go at least twice a year and he stocks up on clothes which are much more reasonably priced especially with the Can $ at the present time.
To my mind Europe is hard work but then I suppose I have been spoilt now.
To my mind Europe is hard work but then I suppose I have been spoilt now.
Aug 29th 2008, 11:54 am
#55
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 176
Re: Europe and the Med ?
Seattle. It's just that its a major city that we can drive to or fly to easily from Kelowna when we are there. Each time we have been its been great. Fantastic cheap restaurants with good service. Happy hours with oysters at $1 each and wine at $3 a glass and then shopping to die for. Each to their own I suppose but for us its a cheap and wothwhile trip. My husband and I go at least twice a year and he stocks up on clothes which are much more reasonably priced especially with the Can $ at the present time.
I think we may well be making those trips too then
Aug 29th 2008, 3:22 pm
#56
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,020
Re: Europe and the Med ?
I guess you'd have to spend a lot on clothes, or not place much value on your time to make the slog to Seattle worthwhile. The round trip has got to be at least 6-10 hours depending where you're coming from.
Aug 29th 2008, 3:26 pm
#57
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 129
Re: Europe and the Med ?
But it really has a lot more to offer.
Aug 29th 2008, 4:05 pm
#58
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: Europe and the Med ?
From White Rock it is an hour and 45 minutes and in parts a very attractive drive. I don't "do" shopping so that has no interest to me, but Seattle is a great city to visit. The downtown has a more intimate feel than many North American cities, there are dozens of attractive parks, the international district, Seattle Center, many interesting and different neighborhoods, the aforementioned cheap booze and wonderful food, and the stunning, stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains over Puget Sound.
Yeah, there is the Pike Street market as well.
Yeah, there is the Pike Street market as well.
Aug 29th 2008, 6:59 pm
#59
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 176
Re: Europe and the Med ?
From White Rock it is an hour and 45 minutes and in parts a very attractive drive. I don't "do" shopping so that has no interest to me, but Seattle is a great city to visit. The downtown has a more intimate feel than many North American cities, there are dozens of attractive parks, the international district, Seattle Center, many interesting and different neighborhoods, the aforementioned cheap booze and wonderful food, and the stunning, stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains over Puget Sound.
Aug 29th 2008, 7:33 pm
#60
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,020
Re: Europe and the Med ?
From White Rock it is an hour and 45 minutes and in parts a very attractive drive. I don't "do" shopping so that has no interest to me, but Seattle is a great city to visit. The downtown has a more intimate feel than many North American cities, there are dozens of attractive parks, the international district, Seattle Center, many interesting and different neighborhoods, the aforementioned cheap booze and wonderful food, and the stunning, stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains over Puget Sound.
Yeah, there is the Pike Street market as well.
Yeah, there is the Pike Street market as well.
Having said that, the only North American cities that I've been to that I thought were with visiting in their own right are Montreal and San Francisco (I haven't been to New York yet and we've got a short stop in Portland in a couple of weeks).