Host Bonjour

Just reading your post but not entirely sure of your question because you refer to the beaches being closed. Imagine if they were open, that is where you would be heading? Are you asking for excursion suggestions in Santorini and Mykonos? First thing I'd recommend is doing two searches of the boards using the search box located in the menu bar (in the dark blue) further up the page) using the following terms: Excursions Mykonos Excursions Santorini Results will list multiple posts for each inquiry and you can click on any link that looks interesting and scroll through posts. You can post in that topic or, if you'd like to, come back here and add to this topic with more questions about what you've found on the search, get feedback on tours and operators. You'll get helpful answers and info when the community members have a clear understanding of what you're interested in doing, putting their vast experience to great success in helping fellow CC members. I hope this helps!

Torch = flashlight 🙂

Certain credit cards are providing access to clubs and lounges to their members American Express does for Platinum Card and also the Chase Sapphire card, but the annual fee for the cards are steep however the travel benefits are immense if it seems likely you'll use them. Some clubs have been restricting access to lounges due to the access from outsiders (day passes etc) because airline status members have found them too crowded and unable to enjoy the perks they've earned. But lucrative partnerships with major cards such as Amex, JPMorgan Chase or another major sponsor might not eliminate all partner perks, but buying in airport day passes may go by the wayside if they haven't already. There's also just been record-breaking travel numbers since 2019, and everyone is arriving in not great condition, maybe because even on international flights, where even coach was generally comfortable, it's not as great as it used to be, upgrades are harder to come by, and mileage programs aren't what they used to be. So now everyone wants access to a lounge rather than sitting in a noisy, packed gate with a news outlet, souvenir shop and sandwich concession while waiting and looking for somewhere to charge their phones/tablets etc. Who wouldn't want a better place to wait?

Oh no, that is sad! It sounds like it was an amazing journey, doing the original route 66. I wonder if it's due to the Instagram effect, which isn't meant to ding IG, but that now anyone anywhere can snap a photo, do a quick edit or add a filter, geolocate, add hashtags to get looks on it, etc etc (and get PAID in some cases) thereby running some traditional operators out of business. Of course nothing replaces doing the journey, but that's not what the some of the posts are about: the exploring the history, seeing places, and then combining that with creating distinctive images and making memories. A lot of things also make comebacks. Here's hoping 🙂

Luxury Lifestyle Magazine piece by Rebecca Underwood

So fascinating! Thanks Terry. NY Times piece by: Lauren Leatherby

Thrilled to hear you'll be making your first-ever trip to India! You are in for an amazing adventure and I know everyone will be looking forward to reading your report and, of course, seeing incredible photos when you're back. Always appreciate the supporting media, this time to a CNN piece by: Tara Subramaniam Have fun planning, always a fun way to kickstart every adventure. Keep us posted. 🙂

Thanks Terry! 🙂 Original Condé Nast Traveler article from May 2021 By: Ashlea Halpern

So interesting to know the reference of dodgy (and sleazy), which I hadn't thought to ask, but also didn't want to be rude and ask for details, and also maybe naively thought, dodgy might be universal? But this is fairly specific, and I understood it more as a binary concept. @possum52 I mean, it's like all advertising: you have to promote, but not everyone is buying. 😂 Definitely so convenient for the CBD, and most everything else I did because I could connect to transit etc. so it worked out really well. Colleen

Have you ever taken a film photography class? That's when I first properly learned photography with film. I first started taking pictures when I was about 5, having been given a camera kit by my grandfather. It was astounding to learn how professional film photographers created special effects back when there were no in camera effects (or few) and few ways to have an impact on them when processing; some things you could do in a darkroom, but not a lot. What could be done while shooting, to the camera rig, to the surroundings/environment, the lens, whether that involved light or altering the light/blocking the light/changing the color/augmenting/reflecting with home-made rudimentary materials, a foreign substance (vaseline on the lens) or some sort of material (nylons/panty hose or window screen in front of or over the lens) to create an effect that was desired but for one reason or another, not easy to conjure up. Studio photographers, established ones, in a modern era would have certain tools available to them: strobes, key lights, filters/reflectors/diffusers, gels and more. A lot of people freelancing, which would be a lot of people (then and now) might not have had access to so many things (even cinematographers) due to budget constraints, and had to come up with smart and creative ways to win a gig, create a visual impact and stand out. Just being technical wasn't enough. You might enjoy the challenge, and be surprised by the results because since you're already taking the advice of your instructors and not over-relying on the software to obtain results, (you know how to get a quality image) it's actually almost next level to see what can come of say, going out with a roll of black and white to try some contrast photos and play with light. Then see how Instagram came up with all those different filters: based off of all the different types of films photographers used, exposures, etc. You never know. BTW, I love the neon image...really cool. Keep learning, however you study!

Is Kings Cross still considered "dodgy" (this is what Aussie people said to me on our former Independent Traveler message boards, if anyone remembers them!)? I stayed there a long while back and for not one reason could I think of why it had the moniker, but then my tolerance level might have registered on a different scale (especially late 90s) having been a lifelong native of NYC. I booked it (in spite of warnings) because the B&B looked and sounded lovely and it was. I could walk to so many places, including the Quay, from where I was in no time and always felt safe. Things got popping a little bit at night, there were bars, restaurants, cafes, El Alamein fountain which is gorgeous lit up at night, and rows pretty gingerbread houses that were beautiful too see walking towards downtown (and in the direction of the Botanical Gardens) by day. Maybe a tiny bit of..."nightlife"? I don't know. But then I knew Times Square before the Disney Store, Sephora, and M&M World blah blah. I'm guessing there's no dodgy part of Sydney left, if it's gone at all the way Brooklyn is going (and soon enough, Queens 😂) But it was a thought. It was affordable, convenient, and lovely. I stayed pen pals with the owners for quite a long time.

Can confirm. My luggage was completely unpacked and dogs were on the baggage conveyor carousel at Christchurch airport. As someone who regularly flew in/out of JFK all my life, I'd never seen anything this intense, but maybe that's just because of the volume of people and and that was home, so I knew what to expect. I don't know why I seemed like a likely target to have fruits, plants, or whatever–I was traveling alone, maybe that sent up a flag (but meeting people in Chch), but it was a surprise. And not fun repacking because friends were waiting on me. Of course it made sense when the reasons were explained to me...I just hadn't recalled seeing such strict verbiage in any of my research, but it's part of what was interesting to travel, learning/understanding. Also, I wasn't busted for anything 😉 If you're ever not sure, just easier to ditch stuff on the plane, especially if it's open, or as everyone has said, declare it. Enjoy your visit 🙂 Colleen

Hi Everyone, Hope you're all in the midst of summer travel or soon will be. Thanks as always for the wonderful contributions and participation on the forums, you drive this community! Noticing many posts lately for inquiries on ports in France, understandable as some are close to the U.K. might be part of an itinerary, or added on as visits pre or post cruise. The other observation, as long time community members may be able to verify, is that the France inquires don't get as much traction here because naturally, the U.K. and Western Europe questions are prioritized when folks come to add their replies. It seemed like a good idea, at least in the short term, to go ahead and link the France Port board to this forum and see if that helped avert the misdirection of posts into this forum. Folks seeking assistance with their visits to these ports will receive much quicker responses to their questions, and traffic on this board will be more efficient with only relevant posts in the feed. France Ports 🇫🇷 Thanks as always to everyone, safe and happy travels to you all. 🙂 Colleen

Hi! I should probably pin a topic to the top of this board, maybe for London Hotels: for example, there's one for Rome Hotels on our Italy Ports board because we noticed that questions about Rome hotel recommendations were one of the FAQs. Now, folks can scroll through (or use the search function) the posts like a resource guide for info based on the posts by veteran members of the community, as well as feedback from folks who have taken the recommendations and posted feedback on their stays. (There's also a restaurant topic with images of meals that tease! 🤩) Also, not everyone is looking for the same thing when searching for a hotel, the price being top of mind: not all budgets are the same. Another thing that varies is the type of accommodation sought, amenities, location (all of these impact the price), time of year one is traveling, and also length of stay. What's important to some travelers may not hold the same importance to others, hence why providing a little bit more information on one's "must haves" and price range helps experienced travelers/and or locals conjure up a response quite quickly. London has an abundance of hotel rooms, and the price variance can be astounding, as in any major city. Sharing a price range and any deal breakers, must haves, certainly conjures up a short list for folks who have a short list of tried and true faves that they can drop in here. Do you want to be near theatres and museums? Certain landmarks? A particular tube or rail station? You might get all of the wishes in one place, but maybe close enough to be pleased...again, there are a lot of hotel rooms. And, we can see about doing the London hotel topic. It's time may have arrived, though folks will keep on posting their questions separately...it did catch on well for Rome. Good luck with your planning! 🙂 Colleen

Which again, why it seemed like a good idea to solicit examples peoples' (plural) experiences (not their thoughts), for whatever reason acted differently, not speculating whatsoever. I again direct you to our Northern Europe board, where folks living in Denmark, Norway or Sweden who posted examples of places or situations, with each scenario being completely different and otherwise a time (and they specifically write this in the post) when they would otherwise never tip, along with the reason why they did so in this instance. Again, it is not to convert or advocate for tipping in any WAY SHAPE OR FORM. Quite the opposite in fact, it is to highlight the limited, atypical circumstance wherein anyone local would go so far as to feel moved to do so, and why. Sometimes storytelling is a clever way to help bridge cultural gaps and create understanding, comfort, respect, and familiarity with practices that are outside the norm of what one lives by when experiencing new places. This is what the point of the request was about. As for tax consequences, it is beyond the scope of this forum and the point of the conversation, though the point is not unreasonable, for anyone who is required to report and pay tax on income, which is... most people. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Perth.

Thank you, I have, and I researched and complied with every local culture where I was a guest, which was liberating. (Including Australia and New Zealand 💕) The reason I posted the request, which perhaps I may have worded better, was to ask locals to describe their own interactions as examples of transactions, IF EVER, where they may have felt that some experience warranted anything extra when the custom is otherwise, most definitely NO. I thought perhaps by highlighting what might be construed as extraordinary by someone who would otherwise do what is normal, feel compelled to break practice. Even I, when reading answers to the no tipping thread, see explanations that state "unless there has been exception service or something above and beyond" which lead me to the question: "what might this look like in a scenario that would otherwise be a non-tipping event?" On the Northern European port board, folks have been describing some experiences such as when getting into a car rental, as one might do if their car is being repaired, they offered a tip because the agent ended up setting up so much inside the car that they did not expect, but which was very helpful, that it warranted some kroner for an otherwise non-tipping situation in a non-tipping country. In no way had I intended to imply, suggest, or encourage that this would be any sort of common practice, quite the opposite. The goal was to help put visitors more at ease with adopting local practices and enjoying the culture. Pocketing extra cash for whatever isn't half bad either. Thanks for commenting so I could make my thoughts clearer on the age old Cruise Critic international tip chat. I think experiences are amplified the more we try to absorb local cultural traditions and practices, isn't it the point of traveling? We get to do all the usual things when we get back home. And to be honest...the tip assault that happens here now (no counter is without a tip jar) is getting press and discouraging patronage (as is the option with certain payment terminals) so dodging certain businesses...yep, that's a thing now. To some extent, I think it's the equivalent of airline baggage fees, which straight up were never anything more than a cash grab (and was not even taxed, but that's a different story...) so yeah. Rant over. Loved the post with the $2K "tip" from someone hearing about needing extra shifts to cover uni costs (can relate once upon a time) but that's not so much a tip as a random act of kindness, which I see pop up once in a while online. I don't think anyone objects to that kind of tip anywhere, do we? Don't tip where it's not a tipping culture. Please. Hope everyone is doing well this week 🙂

Thanks everyone for following up and providing examples. I've asked the same question on other Port boards and while I know it's not as common for locals to do tourist-y things in their home cities, we all still do things in some settings that visitors are asking about or, perhaps when hosting guests to our home city, suddenly find ourselves a temporary tourist (which is fun sometimes 😉 ) and so it's a little easier to imagine situations where visitors might envision a scenario that they thought a tip was expected, but as everyone has thoughtfully explained here, it is not required nor expected. Nothing better than real-life situations to help illustrate and confirm that yes, you'll be fine to do as the locals do. 🙂 Appreciate everyone's contributions. Colleen

There are two birds, their colors are brilliant and it appears to be a rainforest, so the program hit all your marks. Seems to have done a fair job with the feathers, though a few look to be ruffled so maybe it's windy? What I first noticed after the colors, however was the syrupy rain falling from the wood branch, and from there I felt like since I knew it was AI generated, felt challenged to see how well the program did with other photographic details and realism. I believe it's been reported or understood that AI may be challenged with certain features and eyes may be one of them, so that may be why it's difficult to discern whether the birds' eyes are open or closed...detail is not great. It also seems that the focus varies, as does the light, though it's possible the forest canopy may vary, from right to left. There also seems to be different weather on the right side of the image than on the left side of the image. With that said, in tropical climates, I know it can rain on one side of the street and not the other, with the sun out, never mind AI. But the depth of field would be consistent from right to left and I'm not sure it looks that way in this image because the fern is more visible behind the bird on the left than whatever might be behind the bird on the right–which could be partly due to the lighting, but a good camera properly set up would have enough light to produce detail on the right side of the image. Then there's the birds' feet. Again here, the bird on the left fares a bit better and so when I zoomed in on the image to get a better look, it was interesting to see traces of bird skin in places above and below the branch...it seems the program decided to do some camo with the bird's foot and wood. One of the ways in which more detail/refinement is needed. Maybe in the rainforest there is a way rainwater can get syrupy? I'm not sure...but that's what got me into looking. Did the program create what was asked of it? Yes. Would I use it in an ad or magazine or frame it? No. I'm not sure why yet AI imagery is needed, especially since there are stock photo websites, phenomenal, easy to use photo editing app and programs, smartphones with incredible cameras and better than ever traditional cameras. If you want or need a photo, either it's out there for free (don't take it if it's not clearly free) or to buy or you can make it yourself. People use actual images to create new things, combining other elements like graphic design or paint, text, and any other of a number of things to create a visual representation of something they'd like to see that for them, is true, unique and one of a kind. The alarming thing with AI and imagery is that in order for it to generate output, it has to search through images that have already been created by people and use them without their consent to produce an AI image: a new work, which may or may not resemble any of the images harvested in the sourcing for the new output, but which nevertheless could not exist without the creation of prior work. So, is everyone's work worthy of payment? Maybe not, because not everyone works as a photographer, artist, photojournalist, etc. But everyone does put effort into creating their images and has a personal connection to their photographs, and just because their photos live on the internet, may not want them being usurped for the purposes of random image generation by artificial intelligence. There had been talk of the ability to include a sort of scrambler or protection filter to the images owned by someone online to help counter the harvesting ability of AI programs, but there were doubts as to the effectiveness and to the impact of the ability to store, host and maintain images on websites/blogs etc when attaching such protections. (Anything added to websites carries a cost and technical element.) AI has enhanced so much of what we do everyday in positive and questionable ways (certain algorithms, ads) so this is an area to keep an eye on. What are the benefits, if any? If we look to the past, some inventions were found to be game changers, some were clever or looked good, but proved to be not worth it in the end. A recent Supreme Court case might be a factor in how the use of at least certain images will play out, Goldsmith v. Warhol Estate, which looked at image use rights in whether or not an image was substantially transformed from its original appearance when made into a new work of art that the work was transformed enough so that a usage fee would not need to be paid because the original work was not obvious and recognizable to the viewer of the newly transformed work. Warhol Estate lost the case, because an image of Prince by Lynne Goldsmith was painted by Andy Warhol, then Vanity Fair put the Warhol on its cover and only paid the Warhol Estate, but not Goldsmith. Goldsmith sued...and has won because the Court found that the painting had not substantially transformed her original image. (If Vanity Fair had just paid her, maybe it never would have gone to court; Warhol paid to use the image when first making the painting.) And yes, it's controversial because how is the Court equipped to decide about transformative art etc etc... but the case centered more on Fair Use, an area of copyright law wherein original work that is protected from being reproduced allows limited exceptions for use for free, but the court case obviously was a case involving money. And that's where a lot of the concern arises with AI. Will it put photographers out of work? Will their work be used without permission? How can protections be put in place or guardrails installed on the use of the programs. Should any limits exist? I love what tech has done for creativity, but hopefully it won't obliterate creativity, privacy, or for some folks, rights. We'll see.

Hi Everyone! Lately I've been asking our locals to describe an experience when they have left a tip. Describing the monetary situation, I've observed after years of watching this debate unfold on boards covering multiple continents, is that mathematical examples might not be cracking through the cultural divide. Providing some experiential scenarios might just: "when we were out at this restaurant, we left something extra because the food/host/server ______" or some other service somewhere was wonderful, and provide descriptions about the reasons why you felt compelled to round up or pay a bit extra, instead of how much extra you paid. (Including how common or uncommon an experience this might be, optional.) These scenarios might be helpful prompts or guides for visitors to keep in mind when they're having experiences and feeling more comfortable in the moment. Always nice to feel at ease on holiday and who better to have advice from than the folks at home? Thanks in advance to our friends in Oz and NZ and hope you're all doing well, whether at home or away. 🙂 Colleen

Try watching Italian film and telly. Pump up the volume a bit if you can, keep on the subtitles, listen and start to notice the phrases you recognize again and again. I know we have a thread on here with recommendations if you're interested. It's tough to learn with dialect, that's for sure...dialect is what you hear, for example when watching The Godfather, or the great series called Gomorrah, set in Naples. Most things, but not all, and not all the time, set south of Rome will include a lot of dialect...depends on who is speaking and why. There are also some podcasts you could always put on, just for background, on any topic in Italian for listening: they tend to speak proper Italian and cover any range of subjects, as one might imagine. It's another great way to practice listening, which you can do for short stints so it doesn't become overwhelming and to see how you're doing. Many of them also speak with a cadence that tends to be like broadcast news...not too fast, eloquent, and thus comprehensible. Sometimes I put on a news podcast, or something about film/television, or even a crime podcast, because the storytelling mode isn't too fast. What slows everyone down is translating in our heads...the more you hear something and recall what it is, the less you have to do the conversion, no matter the age. If you enjoy it, just find fun ways to keep at it. You can do it 🙂 Andiamo 🇮🇹

Absolutely correct. 😂 And again, some of the students in Italian class from families who spoke dialect at home didn't do well, but that could have been down to just... the usual not being into school stuff. But knowing dialect was no leg up on studying proper Italian, which I think drove the teachers who were also Italian (not all were) completely pazzo. And yes, tagliatelle in Italy would be: tah-ya-tell-ay, whereas, in NY, leave off the ending "ay" and same for most other things like mozzarella (mozzarell) manicotti (manicott) ricotta (ricott) and no, I don't know why. It just is this way. I don't make the rules, but I don't break them either. 🙃 When in Rome...Quando à Roma (Quick tv tip: find if you can, Solo, an undercover police gets deep into the mob (shocker) in Gioia Tauro, Calabria & also Rome, lots of great outdoor scenery, including the beach, and good characters including an actress you might recognize if you've seen Suburra) Ciao!

Not exactly, but it's definitely changed since camera phones have come so far. You can check out some manufacturer websites like Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Sony (& other mfgs) and see that they make cameras for professionals as well as amateur (consumer) photographers. BestBuy would sell mostly consumer cameras, and you could find something that works quite well. As someone also mentioned, there may also be camera shops in your area who deal in many of these camera brands, but the prices tend to be the same as online...pretty standard for current models. What can be a good idea, especially if you want something a bit nicer is to buy certified pre-owned. Cameras are thoroughly inspected and rated (I met someone who does this for a well known re-seller) and they come with warranties too. It's also good to get a camera in your hands and see how it feels. Looking at them online, it's not always easy to get a feel for the size of the camera: some of these models are quite large, and not very one-size-fits-all, especially keeping in mind using while traveling. Find what feels comfortable and meets your expectations.

Hi Crew News! Thanks for all of the wonderful contributions in the topic and on the board! I was wondering, once you've settled in back home and done some editing, if you'd share a few images here in the topic? Add a watermark/copyright if it feels more comfortable... I've been working with a nonprofit that produces exhibitions locally, nationally & internationally and I can definitely say it's not often we see any work from areas such as the Bering Sea. There are some occasionally from Antarctica or Greenland, but even then, not many, and even fewer fishing! I do recall a project looking at Indigenous people at work on the annual whale catch and storage. Obviously no rush/no pressure, but it would be lovely to see here if you're willing, maybe share what you shot with...etc. I think the insight everyone is getting from folks with high level or pro knowledge is really amazing, including yourself and @pierces @eileeshb, to name a few. Thanks again!