I'm planning a year-long trip to the UK and Europe, and am interested in learning of anyone here from the UK or Europe, who might be able to give tips on local travel.
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I'm planning a year-long trip to the UK and Europe, and am interested in learning of anyone here from the UK or Europe, who might be able to give tips on local travel.
Wow, I bet it will be an amazing trip! I don't have any tips but just wanted to wish you a great time! When are you leaving?
My goal is mid-March. At my age, I am done with cold and snow. I left the midwest for Hollywood in 2004, and found LA to be tough in Jan and Feb, with 50°F temps, in uninsulated buildings, that more often than not did not have heating.
A US citizen with passport can visit the UK for 6 months. Other European countries for 3 months. So if I am there from March-September, or April-October, the weather should be temperate.
Airfares are very reasonable from where I am now in Florida. Lodging in the UK so far is a little high by US standards. I can stay in nice fully-furnished hotels, with kitchen, TV, utilities and Internet, here for $25USD/night. So far in the UK, the lodging prices are too high at $50USD/night in some comparison.
I have a long list of actors and models - and photographers - to shoot with, in 35 different cities. I plan to travel to about 6 of those cities, to meet up with as many models as time and budget - and their travel ability - allow.
As a one-man shop, the Internet allows me to do this. But it also begs the question now and then about being a one-man everything in terms of planning, shooting, producing and selling my finished book and DVD products always on my own. And in the context of periodic threads here on the topic of: "If you would die tomorrow, what would happen to your stuff?".
I've got 12 active VOD and tangible goods revenue partners who sell my products, while 8 or so have gone by the dump over the past 2-3 years. I keep looking for more - especially the long elusive goal of having paysite(s) based on both my erotic and non-erotic content niches.
One thing interesting is that I spent 3 weeks writing a java code feature to my handwritten SQL/PHP address book, to create a Google Map showing where everyone in my address book is located. Fascinating, and useful tool.
I still have 6-10 weeks to make this happen.
Install those Lonely Planet apps Nick.
Those are great when travelling.
I will put them on my iPad this weekend.
I have to figure out how to have an iPhone in the UK and Europe.
Does one carrier serve many UK/European countries?
One SIM card, or do you have to swap SIMs when you cross a border?
Hi, I'm in the UK, predominantly London but regularly travel to Buckinghamshire, Oxford, Cambridge, Birmingham, Manchester...
I don't know if you have a plan but I guess you've considered all the places you want to see. But I also know a lot of tourists come here and only see London. So I'll offer a few places I think every tourist should visit.
If you're coming for leisure as well as business, I would seriously recommend visiting Oxford and Cambridge. The student scenes there are great, and they both have a fantastic mix of youthful energy and ancient architecture.
Oxford
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/...15904f320a.jpg
There are the usual places to see in London: Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace...
But you should also check out Soho for the gay scene, especially in the summer. I can spend all day there going from pub to pub and sitting in the green square there enjoying the sun. And then the party starts in the evening with all the bars and clubs competing for your attention. And if you're here at the right time, keep an eye on the pride march and the carnival. They're usually in June/July I think.
http://www.pinkweddings.biz/images/p...and%20edge.jpg
Also check out Camden Town. Go to the right pubs and you'll probably bump into the odd famous musician here and there. It's a very "alternative" scene with a weird mix of predictable touristy markets and great venues full of really interesting people. It's one of the most colorful places in London in the Summer. Avoid the Worlds End pub though, it's a really interesting venue, but has a reputation for charging insane prices for a pint. There are plenty of other pubs there with reasonable prices and bigger crowds as a result.
http://www.soldoutticketmarket.com/m.../venue_349.jpg
If you can get there, you should also visit Manchester. The center of Manchester is a little controversial. Some say it's a bit of a dump, but there are loads of small side streets with some great old pubs and it has both a great alternative music scene and one of the best gay scenes in the UK. Canal Street is the focus of it. It's just a couple of streets right along the side of the canal with about twenty venues. It's like a little village and in the summer it's busy all day and then becomes like a street party at night. It's within walking distance of the station and cheap hotels.
http://hattersgroup.com/wp-content/u...nal-Street.jpg
Cornwall is also on my list of must see places. It can be odd in the summer with a mix of British tourists crowding the beeches and studenty life in the pubs and bars, but at night it really does turn into a great atmosphere and you're surrounded by great views, cliffs, small beeches and friendly people.
As you're here for the summer, you might also want to consider a festival. The predominant ones are of course Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury and Download at Donington.
I only go to Donington, as it's the "Spiritual Home of Rock". 100,000 people all camping for a weekend and enjoying some great bands. It's the main alternative event here in the UK, but it's known as one of the friendliest festivals you could go to.
Glastonbury is of course the most famous, but tickets are incredibly rare and trying to get to it is like a mission of planning and takes months to organize.
Avoid Birmingham at all cost. Only go there if you have something to do. That place really is a complete dump and unless I'm going for business or to see a band there is no other reason I would willingly travel there! It really doesn't have any redeeming features that I can think of.
Many gay people in the UK would automatically suggest Brighton. It's the gay capital. But it is a dump in my opinion. There are plenty of gay venues, but they're all empty before ten at night, and they're all stereotypical and quite bland. Imagine the cheapest, tackiest gay venue in any town on Earth, then imagine thirty of them all in a sea front location. Nothing special.
So there is my personal whirlwind tour of the UK. The predominant location I would suggest is Manchester. It is very underrated in the UK and in the summer it's a great place to relax and enjoy a good nightlife.
Ouch - they are expensive!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Notime
Thanks, Conran!
My "plan" is my address book Map posted above, for the purpose of shooting with models. Little or no tourism - unless I happen to be in the right place at the right time for one of the many UK "naked bike rides" or Pride weekends.
My big obstacle to over come now is the high cost of lodging. I need independence, so I'm not out looking to couch surf, but compared to US lodging, UK hotels/motels are like $30USD/night higher.
That's a couple hundred bucks per week that could be spent on models, not corporate real estate.
But you'll be needing a location to shoot won't you?
Unfortunately, I think that only leaves you with the chain hotels like Holiday Inn and Travelodge. The next step down from that is a B&B, which would be cheaper but nowhere near the kind of environment needed for a shoot.
It's definitely a tricky one, and I suppose it's all about just comparing the cost of all the options. Have you considered setting up a temporary base in London and just inviting all the guys down for the shoot?
It might be cheaper to stay at a B&B and find a location to shoot in London. You'll be saving cash on travel and all those different hotels, and not having the risk of being "ejected" should a hotel find out why you're there.
Vodafone and T-Mobile come to my mind - but mind the roaming charges that apply!Quote:
Originally Posted by nickbaer
I will get a new iPhone in the UK. I'm hoping - like in the US - any provider serves the whole UK - England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland.
Then, I'm hoping there is a provider that might serve European countries, even if that means swapping SIM cards, from country to country, to fit local cell phone frequencies.
I'm still trying to educate myself about this. When I was in Poland in 2009, the price of an iPhone was like $900US, and that didn't fit my plans. I did have the use of a low cost non-smart phone, but really didn't use it because for me it was 2000 era technology. I left my AT+T iPhone off, except for sending 3 text messages pertaining to travel plans.
All the major networks here cover the entire UK. O2 is generally considered the best, and it looks like they cover the whole of Europe too.Quote:
Originally Posted by nickbaer
I don't think there's any need to change SIM's and so on, you'd just need to make a note of any changes for dialing out of whatever country you're in.
All that is based on it being a UK provider, but as it's owned by Telefonica, I don't see why there would be any problems calling to the US.
I need to plan for phone and Internet, inexpensive lodging, scheduling and logistics for shooting with models, and keeping my head above water with existing sales.
January historically has been my best month, but this month started off shaky. The second half is looking better. I can't stop treading water with keeping my existing product hot, while also looking to understand UK/Europe telecommunications and economies. Glad I got my banking set up and in place.
We want to hit Europe ourselves for 30 days just to do some sight seeing and lots of photos. Most likely going to wait another year so though as I want a cruise for vacation this year. Finding a 1 month cruise is a lot harder than you might think.
I agree Manchester is a great place - but now I'm in Amsterdam. Book early enough and you can get a flight over for around $45. Get in touch if you make it overQuote:
Originally Posted by nickbaer
All the UK Operators have full UK coverage, and most also offer coverage in all of Europe with the same SIM card.Quote:
Originally Posted by nickbaer
Europe has a maximum mobile charge rate, so that a mobile operator can only charge up to the maximum so it doesn't matter really which UK network or European network you use the charges are about the same.
There are a couple of specific virtual operators that offer fairly cheap charges using the same SIM, the two I remember of the top of my head are Talk Mobile, offered by the UK's biggest mobile phone retailer, and Tesco Mobile from the UK's biggest supermarket
If you are plannning to visit Czech and Slovak republics, Germany, Austria or Switzerland hit me up with any questions you might have. :)
I almost bought my ticket tonight!
But I need to call them first, and they are closed for the evening.
I will recommend UK countryside. anyone like it too? :pigs10:
- Yan
I will be arriving at Gatwick Airport.
Nickbaer, good luck!Quote:
Originally Posted by nickbaer
- Yan :slurp:
I live in the UK what sort of thing do you need to know?Quote:
Originally Posted by HunkMoneyLuke
Inexpensive lodging. In the US, we have great Hotel chains, with furnished studios and suites, with kitchens, TV and Internet, for $30/night. I need some better lodging options in the UK.
I do plan to visit Cardiff. Wales is half of my ancestral heritage. North of Cardiff, as well as Beaumaris. I hear Beaumaris (and Anglesey) has been busy with tourists this WInter, because Wills and Kate were living up there. But maybe that is improving, as the wedding approaches.
interesting nickbaer I live about 30mins from cardiff so if you fancy a coffee let me know lol! Its a great city and you should have some fun there.
Look out for Premier Inns they do some cheap deals though I have to say that you'll find it hard to find anything decent for under £40! If you google Cardiff Im sure you'll find the best deals.
I just got off the phone with Orange. I probably will need to buy a new iPhone, 395GBP, and get a Pay As You Go plan. A US Tourist won't pass the 'credit check" with no UK credit history, for anything more than Pay As You Go.
In order to travel to other countries, and be able to swap SIM cards, I will need an unlocked iPhone, 20GBP.
Does anyone have experience getting an unlocked iPhone in the UK? Apparently Orange will do it, perhaps not every authorized reseller.
My current US AT+T iPhone 3G is 1 1/2 years old. I took it to Europe in the summer of 2009. Turned it off for 79 of the 81 days I was in Poland-Germany-Belgium. Except to use it as my alarm clock.
I will most use the phone for GPS, and SMS txt. In other words: Data, rather than voice.
It is a bit old so I am not against getting a new model - although I'm not flush with cash and could get along with not spending the $634USD, plus $30 to unlock, and $30 Pay As You Go on the first day I arrive. That all cuts into my shooting budgets.
Better deal with Apple Store White City (near Gatwick).
Walk in, buy unlocked iPhone, with removable SIM card, buy Orange pay As You Go.
Walk out the door with a working phone activated, configured, paid for!
450GBP - phone, tax, 1-2 month's prepaid service with Orange.
if you need to get your phone unlocked there are plenty of places in the tottenham court road. It wall to wall with electrical shops and a few have signs out side for that service- thats if your staying in central london
I am looking to stay in Kensington at first.
Any pros and cons about Kensington? It seems to be a bit less expensive to live in than Chelsea, and inner city London.
What actually defines the "West End"?
I would like to go to what we call in America "community theater". Not big commercial theater stages, but the small, independent, groups of actors who put on shows a few times a year... often with gay themes or stage nudity (male).
kensington is a nice area but victoria is better from the point of view of many more hotels and not far from area called Vauxhall where a lot of the gay bars and clubs are now located. west-end is north of charing cross train station and thats where most of the theaters are-not sure about fringe places though .I think you 'll have to have a look around on the internet theres no main area for them.
Thanks! I'll change my search params.
Then, I'll get your advice about Cardiff or Swansea. No Beaumaris until after the Royal Wedding.
Hello from Cardiff, Wales.
The men here are so incredible.
More to come.
haha...glad you are having fun already!Quote:
Originally Posted by nickbaer
oh, and you know of course, you will have to prove that statement with some pics :bananacock:
Jake was my first shoot! He'll be up on the sites soon.
http://www.DudeLodge.com/CONTENT/Tal...e_Harrison.jpg
nice!!! :heartu: :pinkylove:Quote:
Originally Posted by nickbaer
yup very cute!!!
I've been in Wales for 2 1/2 weeks, and have met up with one Producer. Looking forward to meeting more - in other parts of the UK.
In September, I will be going on to Schengen for 90 days.
I would like to message with UK and European webmasters and content producers to try to set something up.
- Nick
One of my Welsh relatives... although he thinks I might be from a *more* Welsh part of Wales, UK, than even he.
Dan Carter. Book tomorrow, DVD next week.
http://www.DudeLodge.com/CONTENT/Tal...Dan_Carter.jpg
http://www.DudeLodge.com/CONTENT/Tal...Dan_Carter.jpg
Gabriel Sessi. UK immigrant from Slovakia. Book currently available.
http://www.DudeLodge.com/CONTENT/Tal...riel_Sessi.jpg
http://www.DudeLodge.com/CONTENT/Tal...riel_Sessi.jpg