Location to celebrate Hogmanay

[{Dakota}]

My friend and I are wanting to go away somewhere to take in 2008, New York is our first choice but it's out of our budget (if any of you can find a flight and hotel package for around �500, I'd be grateful!).

Can any of you guys recommend somewhere?

[VillageVicar]

Just a note for those travelling to the states: Booking packages to the states is not always the best value for money. You can often find much better values when booking your hotels, cars and flights independently. Also, package pricing masks the profits of the travel arrangers (travel agents, etc.)

However, if you're using a charter flight, then you may do well to stick with the package pricing.

Also, at certain peak times, where some operators hold blocks of rooms, you may actually find their pricing turns out to be the only rooms you can get.

Good travels

Fr Bill

[legend760]

is it new year yet ???


lol

[BBWCHATT]

If you are adventurous, you might consider one of these for free:

http://www.couchsurfing.com/


http://www.hospitalityclub.org/


BBWCHATT
The old lady in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

[{Dakota}]

WOWOWOWOWOWOW VillageVicar!!!

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time and energy you've put into you answer!

I'm delighted NY is possible on a shoestring!

BBWCHATT, Thanks for those links, I'm going to browse through them now :)

[VillageVicar]

Dakota: Thanks for that. Let me know if it begins to appeal to you. I'll need to tell you some initial steps to take when you go to the airline's booking site to make this work.

And just as a note, I only added the YMCA as a thought because of the steam room and pool. They're great after a hangover and on a cold crisp day. However, there are lots of economical places you can stay in Manhattan (generally due north of Lincoln Centre towards 110th street)

Hope everyone's ideas helped.

Bon Voyage

Fr Bill

[BBWCHATT]

Dakota - can you let me know if you find anything that interests you on those sites please? I stumbled on them - but I am toooooo old now to take advantage of knowing about them!!! I would have done so when I was younger and in better physical shape though!!!


BBWCHATT
The old lady in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

[VillageVicar]

BBWCHATT: The more I see your posts, the more I want to fly in, swoop you up and take you to Bea's for a Sunday Lunch! Then we could head over the mountains, down Tallulah Gorge just at the NC/GA border and have a nice little supper at Dillards! And we could wrap it up with a fried pie and PC at the Varsity!

Have a great Sunday! Off to Mass 2 :-)

Fr Bill

[BBWCHATT]

VillageVicar - that made me laugh out loud - the swooping me up part, since I am a FAT little old lady :) I would love it - well except for the Bea's part, they don't have a very good cleanliness rating from the Health Department now :) It is 7:28 in the morning and even now, I would love one of those peach pies with my morning coffee!!!

I love reading all your posts helping people with such a variety of information - you are just soooo knowledgeable - I am glad you decided to join this site!!!

I am convinced that between you and Buenchico (spelling?) Chris - you guys could help anyone travel ANYWHERE!!!


BBWCHATT
The old lady in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

[VillageVicar]

BBWCHAT: 'Morning my little southern sweetie!' I'm sad to hear that about Bea's. From the first time I ate there, it was a bit grubby, but my 'guests' were determined to experience local cuisine as only the locals would experience it. I think the last time I was there was about 3 years ago. Thank you for the warning. It's getting near time for me to do another 'site inspection' trip.

Depending on the guests I take, I sometimes do a crash course of the journey ahead. It gives me the chance to inspect, form bonds, and keep up on the natural evolution of things. Dillard House has been such an institution, I wouldn't need to revisit it. Bea's, whilst now apparently grubby, did at the time have a decent rating. I clearly recall the white sheet with the 'A' on it. Oh how I wish we had such a system here in the UK!

You've twisted my arm...I'll give you a choice. We can hit the Waffle House...any of them...or Cracker Barrell, or you can name the place you prefer. I'm willing to go up to Tyson Airport if you prefer...or we could just wander around Pigeon Forge till we find a place you prefer. For my British, Russian and Middle Eastern guests - they're even delighted with Red Lobster!! Go figure!

Have a wonderful day in your beautiful location! I know the leaves must be stunning right now!

be well

Fr Bill

[BBWCHATT]

Village Vicar -

Do you mean to tell me the Health Department doesn't inspect the restaurants in the UK??? That is scary!!!

Here in Chattanooga, our NBC Channel 3 announces some of the ones inspected during the week and tells you their rating number - I thought you might like to look at the list:

http://www.wrcbtv.com/features/restaurantrepor t.cfm

Right now we don't have a real "country cooking" restaurant that I would recommend here - but I always keep my eye out for one and will be sure to report back to you on it!!!

I do like a Chinese buffet called Chef Linn best for Chinese right now - and in the same location is Provino's Italian Restaurant that I used to love but stopped going because it was always a long wait and I am not a patient person:)


BBWCHATT
The old lady in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

[VillageVicar]

Good morning BBW! Many apologies for not responding to this earlier. I have a problem with AB, where I�m not certain when someone has posted another message or reply to what I�ve written. I find it rather frustrating. I do occasionally check the �questions I�ve answered� area, but it doesn�t really make it clear. So I tend to just catch when I can the �recent� posts section.

So please don�t think me being rude if I�ve not replied to other threads. It�s just the limitation of my understanding of AB.

No, we DO inspect restaurants on a regular basis. However, the results of those inspections are never displayed for the consumer to see. That�s one of the features I�ve liked most about Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas, where the consumer has an excellent idea of what standards the restaurant is keeping.

I have �heard� that in the past, there are some unscrupulous inspectors who will �lease� an A grade for a bit, whilst they clean up their act. (excuse the pun.�

My goodness, I find it sad that there is no longer any quality low country cooking around Chattanooga. That�s quite sad, but also reflective of the changes in society. It has become quite a metropolitan area�hopefully not to end up being annexed into part of Atlanta! ( I hope that was a joke!)

Continued

[VillageVicar]

Part 2

No, the days of the great L&N sleepily winding its way up the gorge from Atlanta, enroute to Louisville is long gone. I was even sad to learn that my favourite steak house in Knoxville suffered a severe fire. I�m not sure they�ll ever return to what they were.

And if I REALLY wanted to lament over the past, don�t even get me started on Aunt Fanny�s Cabin and Mammy�s Shanty! (How�s that for ghosts of the past!)
No, it sounds as if I have to go over to Augusta, or maybe Savannah to still enjoy some of the traditions of low country cooking. Strangely enough though, I have a favourite place in Manhattan (Harlem) that I love. Although the more popular it became the more city-fied it has become.

See, you�ve done it again. I�m longing for a bowl of grits with bacon, some fried catfish, fried okra, and a big bowl of hushpuppies!

Heathrow here I come!

Be well

Fr Bill