Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:The thread is a joke. The idea that people living in DC of all places are qualified to pass judgment on their superiors around the globe is hilarious.

We’re the oldest and greatest country on the earth, we have the highest standard of living, and we’ve never lost a war, we can judge whoever we want!

We are definitely not the oldest country on Earth. Not even the oldest democracy. As far as standard of living, I would disagree also it is nowhere as evenly distributed as European countries. As far as never lost of a war, you may not be familiar with Vietnam or our efforts in Afghanistan.

Quit spewing Russian propaganda! We literally invented freedom. Ever since we ratified the Constitution in 1776 everyone here has been free and able to vote in Democratic elections. Even most European countries like France and Germany still have kings instead of elected presidents. There’s no comparison!

Don't forget Spain! Someone upthread met King Felipe. Such medieval backwards government! How can they claim the food is good?

I thought they still have Franco instead of a king. But I might be mistaken, I’m not an expert in geology.

You must be joking? Franco died in 1975 and it had nothing to do with geology.

King Felipe was at Wimbledon yesterday watching Carlos beat that anti-vax clown.

This is obvious misinformation. There’s no way we would allow a Spanish monarch on our soil after we defeated Spain in the Falklands War.

Tut tut. He got in through a loophole by kindly offering England his country's turn at hosting Wimbledon. As we know, it's every 4 years in a different host country who can prove they have a fruit that goes with cream. Dubai won it for next year because slave labor + cream is apparently a great pairing?

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The only mainland US beaches that pass muster for me are in Miami because they’re basically like the Caribbean. Don’t try to sell me your cold brown water waters like it’s Bali. There’s nothing more disappointing than going to a sad a** East Coast beach after swimming in the crystal clear warm waters of the Caribbean or Mediterranean.[/quote]

You clearly have never experienced the beautiful beaches on the Gulf coast of Florida, from the panhandle all the way down the SW coast. They have beautiful warm emerald colored water and white sugar sand beaches. They’re so pretty.[/quote]

[b]And completely overbuilt[/b][/quote]

Yep you haven’t been yet, and that’s okay. They’re not all over built, by a long shot. Still plenty of gorgeous natural Gulf seashore and coastline. There are tons of Europeans who visit SW FL just for the beaches, every year.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread is a joke. The idea that people living in DC of all places are qualified to pass judgment on their superiors around the globe is hilarious.

We’re the oldest and greatest country on the earth, we have the highest standard of living, and we’ve never lost a war, we can judge whoever we want!

We are definitely not the oldest country on Earth. Not even the oldest democracy. As far as standard of living, I would disagree also it is nowhere as evenly distributed as European countries. As far as never lost of a war, you may not be familiar with Vietnam or our efforts in Afghanistan.

Quit spewing Russian propaganda! We literally invented freedom. Ever since we ratified the Constitution in 1776 everyone here has been free and able to vote in Democratic elections. Even most European countries like France and Germany still have kings instead of elected presidents. There’s no comparison!

Don't forget Spain! Someone upthread met King Felipe. Such medieval backwards government! How can they claim the food is good?

I thought they still have Franco instead of a king. But I might be mistaken, I’m not an expert in geology.

You must be joking? Franco died in 1975 and it had nothing to do with geology.

King Felipe was at Wimbledon yesterday watching Carlos beat that anti-vax clown.

This is obvious misinformation. There’s no way we would allow a Spanish monarch on our soil after we defeated Spain in the Falklands War.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread is a joke. The idea that people living in DC of all places are qualified to pass judgment on their superiors around the globe is hilarious.

We’re the oldest and greatest country on the earth, we have the highest standard of living, and we’ve never lost a war, we can judge whoever we want!

We are definitely not the oldest country on Earth. Not even the oldest democracy. As far as standard of living, I would disagree also it is nowhere as evenly distributed as European countries. As far as never lost of a war, you may not be familiar with Vietnam or our efforts in Afghanistan.

Quit spewing Russian propaganda! We literally invented freedom. Ever since we ratified the Constitution in 1776 everyone here has been free and able to vote in Democratic elections. Even most European countries like France and Germany still have kings instead of elected presidents. There’s no comparison!

Don't forget Spain! Someone upthread met King Felipe. Such medieval backwards government! How can they claim the food is good?

I thought they still have Franco instead of a king. But I might be mistaken, I’m not an expert in geology.

You must be joking? Franco died in 1975 and it had nothing to do with geology.

King Felipe was at Wimbledon yesterday watching Carlos beat that anti-vax clown.

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Quite honestly, you can get incredible food and views in the US without all the hassle. I'd put Big Sur, CA, much of the state of Washington, Sedona, AZ, and the 30a beaches against most international destinations.

This is so true. While I like the occasional overseas trip, my most memorable trips are to the western U.S. Never tire of the landscape and beauty.

+1. This. I'm a huge fan of visiting the US national parks and put them up against any of the world's major travel destinations. It's a shame that so many Americans skip visiting other parts of the US when we have arguably some of the best scenery in the world. We try to do a national park trip once a year - or every other - to ensure that kids will appreciate it. We also travel overseas quite a bit, though still think UT, AZ, WY have been our best vacations.

Very hard agree. We’ve done a big National park trip the last three summers as my kids have gotten big enough to do more hiking/ strenuous activity. I feel such an intense sense of well being when in the parks. The beauty is unreal. We almost planned Mexico City this summer and then I was like nah, save that for another time - summer is for the national parks. Every American should aim to visit the ones accessible to them. Absolute treasures.

We’re big fans of the National Parks/Western US and typically go to Colorado once each summer. That being said, you should check out the mountainous national parks in Austria/France/Italy/Switzerland. We were in Rocky Mountain National Park less than two months ago. It’s beautiful, but the Alps and the towns there are much more striking - check out Chamonix and Courmayeur.

I could have written this response myself. Totally agree. Though we're not rich enough to do Switzerland, so our experience has been limited to the Dolomites in Italy. Also considering the Pico de Europa in Spain for next year, they look pretty cool.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The only mainland US beaches that pass muster for me are in Miami because they’re basically like the Caribbean. Don’t try to sell me your cold brown water waters like it’s Bali. There’s nothing more disappointing than going to a sad a** East Coast beach after swimming in the crystal clear warm waters of the Caribbean or Mediterranean.[/quote]

You clearly have never experienced the beautiful beaches on the Gulf coast of Florida, from the panhandle all the way down the SW coast. They have beautiful warm emerald colored water and white sugar sand beaches. They’re so pretty.[/quote]

And completely overbuilt[/quote]

And Miami isn’t?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quite honestly, you can get incredible food and views in the US without all the hassle. I'd put Big Sur, CA, much of the state of Washington, Sedona, AZ, and the 30a beaches against most international destinations.

Incredible food in the US is very hard to come by, [unless you have deep pockets to pay for the best restaurants] and I say this as a New Yorker with access to the best restaurants in the world. Our food industry sucks, and our ingredients are just not as good/fresh. Even our fruit is not as good as in other parts of the world, it is never quite as sweet and flavorful. Therefore, I suspect that those claiming that the food in Paris, Spain, Italy is not good have what I call that soda/burger palette…

I don’t disagree with you, but ending on the misuse of “palette” instead of the correct “palate” casts a slight pall over any claim to sophistication you might make.

Wow, a snob AND an English teacher all rolled into one!

I’m not wrong.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The only mainland US beaches that pass muster for me are in Miami because they’re basically like the Caribbean. Don’t try to sell me your cold brown water waters like it’s Bali. There’s nothing more disappointing than going to a sad a** East Coast beach after swimming in the crystal clear warm waters of the Caribbean or Mediterranean.[/quote]

You clearly have never experienced the beautiful beaches on the Gulf coast of Florida, from the panhandle all the way down the SW coast. They have beautiful warm emerald colored water and white sugar sand beaches. They’re so pretty.[/quote]

And completely overbuilt

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quite honestly, you can get incredible food and views in the US without all the hassle. I'd put Big Sur, CA, much of the state of Washington, Sedona, AZ, and the 30a beaches against most international destinations.

This is so true. While I like the occasional overseas trip, my most memorable trips are to the western U.S. Never tire of the landscape and beauty.

+1. This. I'm a huge fan of visiting the US national parks and put them up against any of the world's major travel destinations. It's a shame that so many Americans skip visiting other parts of the US when we have arguably some of the best scenery in the world. We try to do a national park trip once a year - or every other - to ensure that kids will appreciate it. We also travel overseas quite a bit, though still think UT, AZ, WY have been our best vacations.

Very hard agree. We’ve done a big National park trip the last three summers as my kids have gotten big enough to do more hiking/ strenuous activity. I feel such an intense sense of well being when in the parks. The beauty is unreal. We almost planned Mexico City this summer and then I was like nah, save that for another time - summer is for the national parks. Every American should aim to visit the ones accessible to them. Absolute treasures.

We’re big fans of the National Parks/Western US and typically go to Colorado once each summer. That being said, you should check out the mountainous national parks in Austria/France/Italy/Switzerland. We were in Rocky Mountain National Park less than two months ago. It’s beautiful, but the Alps and the towns there are much more striking - check out Chamonix and Courmayeur.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread is a joke. The idea that people living in DC of all places are qualified to pass judgment on their superiors around the globe is hilarious.

We’re the oldest and greatest country on the earth, we have the highest standard of living, and we’ve never lost a war, we can judge whoever we want!

We are definitely not the oldest country on Earth. Not even the oldest democracy. As far as standard of living, I would disagree also it is nowhere as evenly distributed as European countries. As far as never lost of a war, you may not be familiar with Vietnam or our efforts in Afghanistan.

Quit spewing Russian propaganda! We literally invented freedom. Ever since we ratified the Constitution in 1776 everyone here has been free and able to vote in Democratic elections. Even most European countries like France and Germany still have kings instead of elected presidents. There’s no comparison!

Don't forget Spain! Someone upthread met King Felipe. Such medieval backwards government! How can they claim the food is good?

I thought they still have Franco instead of a king. But I might be mistaken, I’m not an expert in geology.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quite honestly, you can get incredible food and views in the US without all the hassle. I'd put Big Sur, CA, much of the state of Washington, Sedona, AZ, and the 30a beaches against most international destinations.

Incredible food in the US is very hard to come by, [unless you have deep pockets to pay for the best restaurants] and I say this as a New Yorker with access to the best restaurants in the world. Our food industry sucks, and our ingredients are just not as good/fresh. Even our fruit is not as good as in other parts of the world, it is never quite as sweet and flavorful. Therefore, I suspect that those claiming that the food in Paris, Spain, Italy is not good have what I call that soda/burger palette…

I don’t disagree with you, but ending on the misuse of “palette” instead of the correct “palate” casts a slight pall over any claim to sophistication you might make.

🤭

That must be the more sophisticated European way of spelling it...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread is a joke. The idea that people living in DC of all places are qualified to pass judgment on their superiors around the globe is hilarious.

We’re the oldest and greatest country on the earth, we have the highest standard of living, and we’ve never lost a war, we can judge whoever we want!

We are definitely not the oldest country on Earth. Not even the oldest democracy. As far as standard of living, I would disagree also it is nowhere as evenly distributed as European countries. As far as never lost of a war, you may not be familiar with Vietnam or our efforts in Afghanistan.

Quit spewing Russian propaganda! We literally invented freedom. Ever since we ratified the Constitution in 1776 everyone here has been free and able to vote in Democratic elections. Even most European countries like France and Germany still have kings instead of elected presidents. There’s no comparison!

Don't forget Spain! Someone upthread met King Felipe. Such medieval backwards government! How can they claim the food is good?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quite honestly, you can get incredible food and views in the US without all the hassle. I'd put Big Sur, CA, much of the state of Washington, Sedona, AZ, and the 30a beaches against most international destinations.

Incredible food in the US is very hard to come by, [unless you have deep pockets to pay for the best restaurants] and I say this as a New Yorker with access to the best restaurants in the world. Our food industry sucks, and our ingredients are just not as good/fresh. Even our fruit is not as good as in other parts of the world, it is never quite as sweet and flavorful. Therefore, I suspect that those claiming that the food in Paris, Spain, Italy is not good have what I call that soda/burger palette…

I don’t disagree with you, but ending on the misuse of “palette” instead of the correct “palate” casts a slight pall over any claim to sophistication you might make.

🤭

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quite honestly, you can get incredible food and views in the US without all the hassle. I'd put Big Sur, CA, much of the state of Washington, Sedona, AZ, and the 30a beaches against most international destinations.

Incredible food in the US is very hard to come by, [unless you have deep pockets to pay for the best restaurants] and I say this as a New Yorker with access to the best restaurants in the world. Our food industry sucks, and our ingredients are just not as good/fresh. Even our fruit is not as good as in other parts of the world, it is never quite as sweet and flavorful. Therefore, I suspect that those claiming that the food in Paris, Spain, Italy is not good have what I call that soda/burger palette…

I agree that Italy, etc. have great food, but I also think that great food is not universal in Europe AND that the same snob appeal in your post may limit your view of American food. Is industrial produce the best? No. But we have beautiful heirloom produce in markets and restaurants.

It is human nature to view the things that we had to work hard to get (and spend $$$$ for) as superior. That doesn’t make Europe actually superior.

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Anonymous wrote:Was in Amsterdam last month for a few days. Have been many times...always liked it.

This time the city seems much dirtier. Trash everywhere. The train station was horrid.

Can't see us going back anytime soon.

Sad to see.

In Amsterdam now... totally agree. It's disappointing.

Serious question: Could it be due, in part at least, because you are spending too much time on your computer while travelling abroad ?

Much of the excitement and mystery of travel is gone due to the internet which alters expectations.

Umm... no. I've been in Amsterdam for 10 days, and have seen enough "mystery" to render an opinion on the place. It's OK if you like Amsterdam. For me, it has been disappointing. We've had fun doing many of the museums, had wonderful Dutch guides for tours, etc., but it is a place that I've now visited and have no real desire to return. Those moments of joy have been equaled by moments of disgust and hassle.

And if I walk around a city for 10-12 hours a day and then spend a few minutes on DCUM at night, that doesn't make me less of a traveler than you...

I suggest you visit some of the smaller towns, and bike on the dikes.

Please stop suggesting that you know how to travel better. I did all of this during a total of 3 weeks in Benelux (just leaving today.) I am fully able to form an opinion. My day in one of my ancestral villages was a highlight. I also preferred Bruges to Amsterdam. Why don’t you focus on posting the locale you think is most overrated?