Anyone have any fun, exciting travel plans for the summer/fall? Going anywhere cool domestically or internationally? Contemplating traveling somewhere and have questions?
Long story, short; my wife, kids, and I are traveling to San Miguel Island, Azores (Portugal) this summer.

The intent of this post isn’t to stunt, but if you wish to, by all means flex. I’ll detail my plans below. First, a little context. Up until the age of 40, I only traveled once in my life outside the US and that was to St. Marteen’s with my family. I had traveled all over the US and Puerto Rico, but just never found the right time or made it a priority to travel internationally. Then I met my wife and remarried. She’s a child of immigrants - father from Nigeria, mother from Ireland. Her dad’s side is spread all over - Lagos, London, and the US. Most of her mom’s side live in Ireland. My wife grew up in the DC suburbs, but very much considers herself more of a nomad bc she spent a lot of time traveling internationally growing up and lived in London in her 20s. All that to say, international travel is a high priority for her. Thankfully, we have lots of family and friends to stay with abroad. And also, thankfully we are in a place where we can afford to make these trips happen (though it comes at a cost!).

Flash forward to 2023. It started with a long weekend bachelor’s party in Iceland with 3 of my close friends. Dope trip and probably more fun bc it was the spring and so much cheaper and less crowded than normal. Then, that summer my wife and I celebrated our marriage (already had been married, but Covid messed up plans) with an epic trip to Europe. We stayed in Paris for a few days, then Ireland for a week, then London for a week, then San Sebastián Spain through Northern Spain to Lisbon, Portugal. Last year we returned to Spain and spent most of our time in Costa Brava and Barcelona.

Flash forward to this year, back in January we found “cheap” flight tickets from NYC to the Azores. I’ve done a lot of research on the Azores these past few months and it looks extremely dope. Very relaxing and tranquil. Definitely more of a place to disconnect, enjoy the natural environment, enjoy the food, and take in the culture. Anyone here ever been to the Azores? Anyone interested in going?

But got laid off - so we're not sure about summer family plans. My wife and I are celebrating 25 years of being in a relationship this year in October so we are still trying to do that trip. Considered teh Azores there, but because oct/Nov is colder -- I'm pushing us for Madeira which is warmer. Also have the Canaries and Mallorca as possibilities.


This is somewhat controversial amongst my friends (some people loathe this idea), but a few years ago, someone told me about Home Exchange - (it's a very European thing). During the pandemic we put our two bedroom on the site for shits and giggles and started getting exchange requests from ALL OVER the world. Places I hadn't thought of

Fjords of Norway
Farmhouses in the south of France with pools
Luxury apartments in the heart of Barcelona
A home in Fiji
and places in S Africa and Australia -- both on and off the beaten path.

Apparently NYC is a popular destination so folks were willing to swap those things for a 700 sq ft apartment.


Fast Fwd - we never did the exchange in that apt, but we bought a house in 2023 and I convinced my wife to put the house up.

Last Spring we stayed in a dope apartment when we went to Paris for 10 days, and this Christmas we got a house in San Luis Obispo with friends.

Its really the only way I want to travel now. I know some folks are weirded out by people staying their house, and staying in other people's homes - but the benefit of feeling like you live in said place that we felt in Paris outweighs the initial awkwardness imo.

What I've learned is you can also collect points on the platform and use them as currency and stay at someones house without exchanging your home simultaneously.

Really an amazing way to travel and we saved probably $3000 at least not getting an apt or airbnb in paris.


Here is our listing and the site for context:
https://www.homeexchange.com/homes/view/2480408

You can create an acct and piut your home up for free to see what it yields-- but once you want to exchange you have to pay an annual fee.

Feel free to ask me ?'s and if anyone is interested use my referral code so we both get a guest point bonus!

I didn’t know about the home exchange program, but am definitely interested and will be sharing this with my wife. We live in a small, boring town so I’m not sure how attractive our home would be to outsiders. Our home has a ton of space and character though, so there’s that.

From the research I’ve done, June-Sept is the best time to visit the Azores. It’s a bit drier and warmer - though it’s peak tourist season though. Madeira, Mallorca and the Canary Islands are all warmer options if that’s important to you. I’m not looking at Azores for beaches - more the stunning scenery. I believe there’s quite a few geothermal/warming pools we can hit up.

I know you already have accomodations planned -- just as a future ref

https://www.homeexchange.com/homes/view/2199810

https://www.homeexchange.com/homes/view/2677553

https://www.homeexchange.com/homes/view/2677553

https://www.homeexchange.com/homes/view/1840073

https://www.homeexchange.com/homes/view/2862272

https://www.homeexchange.com/homes/view/2763966

gonna also look into that home exchange mentioned above..thanks!!

i've heard so many great things about the Azores. i should probably do that while i'm there lol

d


"i do more for both our communities than you'll ever know." - Heinz
"But rest assured, in my luxurious house built on the backs of people darker than me, I am sipping fine scotch and scoffing at how stupid you are." - bshelly

Originally we were planning to go to Faro or Lagos in the Algarve, but then noticed a very moderately priced ticket to the Azores, which led us to another direction. You can get pretty cheap flights from Lisbon to the Azores.

Eventually, I’d like to spend more time in Portugal. Last time, we stayed in Obidos for a few days and just passed through Porto and Lisbon. Only 1.5 hours north of Porto is Vigo and Pontreverde Spain. We loved those cities. The food was insanely good.

gonna also look into that home exchange mentioned below..thanks y'all!!

d


"i do more for both our communities than you'll ever know." - Heinz
"But rest assured, in my luxurious house built on the backs of people darker than me, I am sipping fine scotch and scoffing at how stupid you are." - bshelly

As good as it gets, as far as I’m concerned!

I live closer to Baltimore, so I might try to see them in DC. It still seems like yesterday when I saw them at a smallish venue (Ottobar) in Baltimore now 20+ years ago. Crazy how time flies!


*edit*

Just did a search and the show I was referring to was 10/07/2003 at the Ottobar in Baltimore. Heiroglyphics, Del, and the Souls of Mischief also performed. Such a dope show. I had just turned 21 and was a bit new to the more underground hip hop scene. This was a few weeks before I joined these boards. Maybe it was someone at the show who guided me to check out OKP?? Or LB was promoting it?? Man, such memories though.

>I live closer to Baltimore, so I might try to see them in DC.
> It still seems like yesterday when I saw them at a smallish
>venue (Ottobar) in Baltimore now 20+ years ago. Crazy how
>time flies!
>
>
>*edit*
>
>Just did a search and the show I was referring to was
>10/07/2003 at the Ottobar in Baltimore. Heiroglyphics, Del,
>and the Souls of Mischief also performed. Such a dope show.
>I had just turned 21 and was a bit new to the more underground
>hip hop scene. This was a few weeks before I joined these
>boards. Maybe it was someone at the show who guided me to
>check out OKP?? Or LB was promoting it?? Man, such memories
>though.

First, that sounds like an amazing show!

I was lurking and hadn’t registered yet and some of the details are vague for me, but I know that I often read about LB on here in 2002, then checked out the music that was out there, then got the album when it dropped in early 03, and have been a huge fan since. And at some point back then I realized they were all people whose posts I’d read on here.

And speaking of 02-03, I’ve been playing that new Clipse song all day - in spring ‘03 I saw Clipse opening for 50 Cent, weeks after GRODT dropped. Actually I had a headset on and turned the lights off when the sound guy told me to for that concert, and helped set up and take down the stage, and chopped it up with Lloyd Banks for a few minutes after the show. LB - I’d exclusively heard about on OKP, Clipse and especially 50 were on radio and TV all day every day, and back then it was all just music that I loved, and to this day those are 3 of the biggest albums that define that year and time period to me: Lord Willin’, The Listening, and Get Rich or Die Trying.

What a time. Somehow it connects to me - Clipse putting out new music for the first time in many years, and LB doing their last tour - they ran that entire year of college for me when their first albums were out!

……anyway, yeah, Im going to Brooklyn. lmao. I’ll do an upstate NY lakes and mountains trip too, but I probably won’t leave the state this summer. It’s an amazing state this time of year. Next winter, I’ll be trying to make one of these warm weather trips for sure though.

Been going to Chicago the past few summers and I really like it. Dope city.

Got my first-ever passport, so we're planning to get to Paris, France while the getting is still good. First time ever leaving the continent for me.

Probably gonna make a trip or two to NYC, Baltimore, DC and the Jersey Shore, but those are just short drive day trips from here.

that is huge and i'm so excited for you to see the world outside of the united states...

I also happen to be a very experienced and Certified travel advisor (I work for Fora Travel) and would be happy to help you book your Paris trip and any others you are planning. You would not have to pay me directly as I receive commission from whatever hotels etc I book for you.

Holla if you're interested!
https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/veronica-manning

veronica.manning@fora.travel

"i do more for both our communities than you'll ever know." - Heinz
"But rest assured, in my luxurious house built on the backs of people darker than me, I am sipping fine scotch and scoffing at how stupid you are." - bshelly

I would love to:

catch the taste.
Go back to PR for Halloween Or maybe Xmas, or maybe NYE - Man I just wanna go back!

lol

Then I though about Mazatlan or Nicaragua (Managua) I've only been to either place once for short hops and FELL IN LOVE with both of them for different reasons. Maybe Belize....

I'll probably...

end up going to the Chi
Maybe Seattle / San Diego to visit my nieces at college. If I go to SD I WILL DEFINITELY end up in TJ maybe even Rosarito / Nuevo Leon at some point and I am NOT MAD AT THAT.

We will see.

they misspelled her name on the first passport.

We plan on going to Oaxaca this year.

This summer is the annual Juneteenth trip to Pittsburgh
We have a Christmas in July with our extended family in Pigeon Forge, TN
Usually we go to the beach for a weekend or 2 but my wife and her mom aint seeing eye to eye right now.

Maybe hit up a beach in GA or SC on one of those little islands.

Someone brought up Chicago. We’ve never been so that could be a nice little trip.

Kids want to go to Japan but that aint happening this year.

Why Oaxaca? I'm curious.

"i do more for both our communities than you'll ever know." - Heinz
"But rest assured, in my luxurious house built on the backs of people darker than me, I am sipping fine scotch and scoffing at how stupid you are." - bshelly

its on my list because of that episode of Parts Unknown.

d

"i do more for both our communities than you'll ever know." - Heinz
"But rest assured, in my luxurious house built on the backs of people darker than me, I am sipping fine scotch and scoffing at how stupid you are." - bshelly

based on her research.

I think its close enough to the beach without the touristy vibe too.

but we have no idea if its what she envisions.

If not I HIGHLY suggest it. It is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous in the most homey/comfy way.

It's a total beach town, but also kinduva city.

lol

it's a weird vibe, but I love it and SERIOUSLY considered buying a vacation home out there. I still might.

Right now I'm going back and forth between Puerto Rico and SOMEPLACE in Mexico.

she os just watching videos by Black folk and wants to visit later this year to see if it lives up to the expectations.

I have a childhood who has lived there for 20 years so hopefully he can help us out.

If America keeps going to shit, we may move there for a while. This is just our trial run.

>Anyone have any fun, exciting travel plans for the
>summer/fall? Going anywhere cool domestically or
>internationally? Contemplating traveling somewhere and have
>questions?
>Long story, short; my wife, kids, and I are traveling to San
>Miguel Island, Azores (Portugal) this summer.


I live in London/NYC for half the year , so travel within Europe is pretty cheap and easy (althought it was WAY easier before Brexit) and Ive seen quite a bit, but now that I'm older....I want to explore America more. Ive never really travelled within the country other than to places I have relatives or places I lived studied in...



>The intent of this post isn’t to stunt, but if you wish to,
>by all means flex.



Ive been all over the world 70+ countries, 6 continents, and I just want to tell people one thing. The best beaches in the world are in the Caribbean, hands down lol. Dont get FOMO, or let people make you jealous with pics of Maldives or Seychelles or some other exotic location. Been there done that.

THe vibes, people, food and music in the Caribbean is unmatched. Barbados / Aruba / St Lucia...paradise

God help me

in Guatemala in July with my lady and her bilingual daughter. There's a teacher cooperative among all the Spanish language schools surrounding this incredible lake (Atitlan).
Got a scuba trip somewhere in mind, like in the Yucatan again. San Potosi is a region in Mexico with hella waterfalls and a Surrealist sculpture park that we may hit up as well. Last major trips included a solo run in three states of India, which was spectacular. Also a couple of solo trips to Vietnam. Got a suit tailored up there after hollering at Uncle Ho lying in state in Hanoi, and now that I have a partna I want to head back with her soon.

.

been to phoenix, scottsdale, tucson, st. petes, jacksonville, amelia
island. going to d.c. soon (hometown) and hopefully chicago this summer.
will be in portugal and madrid in the fall (going to the commanders vs
dolphins game)