Post: #26

(11-01-2018 09:21 AM)atlant Wrote:  Sicily is the worst shithole I've ever seen in Europe.

Which towns or places you have seen? Why you didn't like it?

Post: #27

What about Cyprus or Malta?

Post: #28

(11-01-2018 01:24 PM)nomadbrah Wrote:  What about Cyprus or Malta?

Been to both in winter. Sunny, but had my pea coat on the whole time and I was coming from cold temperatures in the UK.

As said before the only reliable beach/warm weather in Europe in winter and all year round is the Canaries.

Post: #29

(11-01-2018 09:21 AM)atlant Wrote:  Sicily is the worst shithole I've ever seen in Europe.

I am curious why you say this. Care to elaborate?

Post: #30

(11-01-2018 09:05 PM)Conquerer7 Wrote:  

(11-01-2018 01:24 PM)nomadbrah Wrote:  What about Cyprus or Malta?

Been to both in winter. Sunny, but had my pea coat on the whole time and I was coming from cold temperatures in the UK.

As said before the only reliable beach/warm weather in Europe in winter and all year round is the Canaries.

Yep, and Canaries is not Europe in the geographical sense of the word.

Post: #31

Most of Spain is absolutely dead during that time of the year except the major coastal cities (Valencia, Barcelona..). Once November rolls in a lot of restaurants, bars and clubs close until March or so. We get our fair share of winter as well down South and you can even get a week of straight rain. If I were you I would stick to a bigger city, perhaps Barcelona or go to the Canary Islands as it will be warmer over there.

Post: #32

(11-02-2018 04:28 PM)Trumps Intern Wrote:  

(11-01-2018 09:21 AM)atlant Wrote:  Sicily is the worst shithole I've ever seen in Europe.

I am curious why you say this. Care to elaborate?

I've written about it elsewhere. Was in Catania and passed through a couple smaller towns. Filthy, piss- and graffiti-stained streets and buildings, migrants everywhere, people are incredibly unfriendly, and a strong general feeling of decay and desperation wherever you go.

Such a difference in Andalusia, which is another poor Southern European region yet people are awesome, streets and buildings are immaculately maintained, and it actually feels like Europe and not like a third world country with European architecture.

Post: #33

I'd like to throw my hat in for Cyprus as the place to be, there are still many Russians there and you can get highs of up to 20ºc although I think 16ºc is about average? Don't expect it to be like it is in summer though, not as many bars are open and it's not really party central but it's still quite pleasant.

Post: #34

Maybe the OP dude wants to try Georgia, in particular Rize or Batumi at the Black Sea coast?

Post: #35

(11-03-2018 11:06 PM)atlant Wrote:  I've written about it elsewhere. Was in Catania and passed through a couple smaller towns. Filthy, piss- and graffiti-stained streets and buildings, migrants everywhere, people are incredibly unfriendly, and a strong general feeling of decay and desperation wherever you go.

Such a difference in Andalusia, which is another poor Southern European region yet people are awesome, streets and buildings are immaculately maintained, and it actually feels like Europe and not like a third world country with European architecture.

For the record, I was all over Sicily some years ago, and Catania was uniquely bad. From the moment I arrived, I had the overwhelming sense I was going to get mugged by a transvestite plumber. I had a much more interesting time in the villages around Mt. Etna, some of those towns come alive with ski action in the winter and are like portals to 1920, and not in a touristy way at all. Outdoor church parties were the local social hubs and the locals had a genuine interest in new people.

Siracusa and Palermo were much more interesting cities, and the quality of the women on the upscale side of Palermo, shopping around Via della Liberta, was impressive. I don't know much about the nightlife but Palermo had many sights to see and lots of good cheap food. Just choose a safe neighborhood and try not to step in feral dog shit.

As for other places that have been mentioned:

Tourist-Crete is dead in the winter, but Chania might still be interesting. I was told that most of the waterfront closes for the season but the working city is pretty charming, too. A lot of the locals I spoke with were former Athenians who considered themselves fortunate to have left. Heraklion is rougher and grittier but is "the big city".

Consider Granada, as well. It's beautiful, has beautiful women, and it must be off the hook when the students are in. The university supposedly has a non-traditional September-February semester, there might be a lot of action in January.

Post: #36

Was in Lisbon last Christmas. Fantastic weather and great city. Wasn't checking out the talent as was there with my ex-gf. Don't go to Porto in winter as it will be super rainy.

Post: #37

(11-04-2018 04:49 AM)Bikal Wrote:  I'd like to throw my hat in for Cyprus as the place to be, there are still many Russians there and you can get highs of up to 20ºc although I think 16ºc is about average? Don't expect it to be like it is in summer though, not as many bars are open and it's not really party central but it's still quite pleasant.

I've been to Cyprus for the week of Christmas and I second what you said. It was sunny the whole week but a little chilly at times so a jacket is needed. Apparently the weather was warm and beautiful just a week before I got there.

Not that many tourists during the winter but there are still quite a few in the touristic cities, and the local women can be truly stunning. Many of them were eyeing me (me being white which is exotic there, was with my gf though).

Post: #38

(10-29-2018 09:59 PM)Trumps Intern Wrote:  So, anywhere outside the Mediterranean is a no-go, it seems? Is the weather seriously that bad?

I was thinking about Sicily. Any of you been there?

I was in Sicily too and can't confirm the negative things being said about it here. However, if you don't speak near perfect Italian, it's gonna be pretty tough. In addition, there isn't much nightlife. Go there, if you want to see the volcanos and freshen up your history and geology knowledge.

Here are my recommendations.
If you want to party: Berlin, Zurich (you'll be spending 100 bucks a night here, but the people are fun), Prague

If you want weather, culture, sightseeing, food: Italy, Spain, Portugal

Post: #39

South Tyrol is pretty great, awesome skiing, cool germans who live in Italy and great food.

Post: #40

(11-03-2018 11:06 PM)atlant Wrote:  

(11-02-2018 04:28 PM)Trumps Intern Wrote:  

(11-01-2018 09:21 AM)atlant Wrote:  Sicily is the worst shithole I've ever seen in Europe.

I am curious why you say this. Care to elaborate?

I've written about it elsewhere. Was in Catania and passed through a couple smaller towns. Filthy, piss- and graffiti-stained streets and buildings, migrants everywhere, people are incredibly unfriendly, and a strong general feeling of decay and desperation wherever you go.

Such a difference in Andalusia, which is another poor Southern European region yet people are awesome, streets and buildings are immaculately maintained, and it actually feels like Europe and not like a third world country with European architecture.

Where are you from?

you where in Sicily for a long period (like some months) or just a vacation?

Usually South of Italy -although there are beautiful places- has a lot of troubles. South much more is poorer than Northern Italy, people are desperate and try to cheat everyone, are usually less educated and there are also more criminal organizations due to these problems and lack of job places. You can go there for a vacation but you can't live there...
Not all people from south of Italy are like that, and not all northern people are good but it is mostly like described.

As for beatiful places look on Google or you tube Eolie islands, Lampedusa, Pantelleria, Sardinia. Those are typical summer locations, weather would be good even during winter but they would be empty.

During winter I would go in to see mountains in Italy if you like skiing is the right place. Then there are some great location in Austria and Germany too, I love towns like Munich, Frankfurt, Vienna, they have lot of colture and night life too. The Austria part near Italian border has some of the beautiful landscapes I ever seen.

Post: #41

North Africa seems like a better bet for sun and it gets its fair share of tourists. There's a datasheet from RagnarLotbrok (?) about Morocco. I'm usually not very keen on muslim countries, because of all the pushy touts and lack of women in public life, but apparently Morocco isn't too bad. Maybe someone who have been in winter can chime in?

Post: #42

Many people here are focusing on wather, but the truth is all Europe is relatively cold. I'll recommend Czech Republi or Hungary during the winter. Still pretty solid and pretty during the wintert time. Poland will fit well also.

Post: #43

(11-08-2018 04:09 AM)OCZ Wrote:  Many people here are focusing on wather, but the truth is all Europe is relatively cold. I'll recommend Czech Republi or Hungary during the winter. Still pretty solid and pretty during the wintert time. Poland will fit well also.

Big difference between Poland and Portugal/Spain/Italy in the winter in terms of temperature, hours of sunshine, amount of rain/snow, etc. Poland, especially the north gets very dark in the winter and the weather is just depressing.

Post: #44

clubbing in Belgrade is better in Winter imho.
Branko and Kasina are really packed then...

Post: #45

I also recommend the EE cities, Prague, Bucharest, etc. Anyplace that has too many tourists when there is no risk of snow is great in January or February. The locals are still there and still going out.

Post: #46

I feel like people are tripping in this thread...Sicily a shithole? Have you ever heard of Scala dei turchi, Cefalú, Fontane bianche? Just to name three beaches that can take carribeans any day. Or if you are into art and culture Taormina, Modica, Agrigento, Siracusa have everything from Norman castles to greek temples to Roman amphiteater. Not to mention that you can ski and go to the beach in the same day in Catania.

I won't deny that Southern Italy have a lot of issues but never heard anyone saying Sicilians are unfriendly before. People will go out of their way to do their best to help you if you are a tourist.
Also no nightlife? Catania and Palermo have a higher percentage of clubs/disco compared to the size of the city than any city in the united states apart from NYC/Miami probably lol.

And regarding people being desperate and cheating at any opportunity - go to a small town and your chance of getting robbed or any other violent act are virtually 0%. Italy is one of the safest country in Europe and most of the shady shit happens only in the big cities, in the small towns in Southern Italy children still play on the street till late at night.
You just have to be street smart, which a lot of foreigners are not thats why they are seen as dumb and can be taken advantage of from a very small percentage of malicious people.

Now I would never recommend anyone to go there for gaming as its a fucking nightmare if you don't have a strong social circle, probably worst place in Europe for pulling girls.