u/playful_explorers

For various reasons, we rarely stay at FAT hotels, and have never asked concierges to do anything.
But we do have a trip in a few weeks where we'll stay at FS Seoul and Bulgari Tokyo. In reading reviews on this sub, it seems their concierges were highly praised, we were wondering what, if anything, they can do for us. It seems most use them for restaurant bookings, transportation, and shopping arrangements.

- We don't really care that much about restaurants. A nice meal, sure, but 3-4 hr tasting menu is not something both of us (mostly me) enjoy.

- We don't shop.

- We are quite content with Ubers.

What we would be interested in is an unusual, perhaps exclusive cultural or educational experiences, that require personal connections and introductions. A behind-the-scenes peak, a private site, a notable acquaintance. But I am not certain if concierges do that.
So, with our preferences in mind, is there anything I could ask the concierge for, or is restaurant recommendation it?

We'll be in Seoul for several days in early September, staying in the city center and covering the usual ground (palaces, Bukchon, Seochon). On our final day we want to get out of the city, and we're overnighting near ICN for an early flight the next morning, so a westward day that ends at the airport makes sense. We'll have a private driver/guide.

We're genuinely interested in the political and cultural dimensions of the Korean divide, but have zero interest in the standard DMZ package. From our research, Gyodong Island looks more our speed: the checkpoint into the civilian control zone, Daeryong Market with its North Korean refugee history, viewpoints across the water, then Ganghwa sites (Peace Observatory, Gwangseongbo, maybe Jeondeungsa) on the way toward Incheon.

Questions for anyone who's been:

1. Is that read on Gyodong accurate? We've seen mentions of it being marketed as a "retro" day-trip destination for domestic visitors, which gives us pause.
2. Anything on Gyodong or Ganghwa you'd consider a must or a skip for people more interested in history and daily life than photo stops
3. Would you suggest a different area to explore the countryside and/or cultural divisions?

Thanks!

First time in Seoul, coming off a trip to Mongolia in gers and homestays, so need something with running water for a change. Not too picky about hotels, will not use spa, pool, gym, or public spaces. Room size and convenience matter more.

4S booked via FHR, Premier room, hoping for the suite bump but no guarantee. JW Dongdaemun has a great suite confirmed at a fraction of the price after free awards. Our 2 full days are entirely on foot in the palace quarter (Gwanghwamun, Cheonggyecheon, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung/Huwon, Bukchon, Seochon).

4S is right in the middle of all of it. Is Dongdaemun far enough from that footprint to be a dealbreaker?

Our last day is likely outside the city (Ganhwa, Gyodong, Incheon) and overnight at the Grand Hyatt Incheon for an early flight, in case that makes a difference. Komatsu (Beniya Mukaya) - Kanazawa(Sanraku)- Tokyo (probably Bulgari) .

Thank you for your thoughts!

We travel a lot and like to meet interesting people on our trips. This year we've started reaching out to people who work in the region (in many different fields), and ask if they would have an hour or so to meet over coffee for a conversation.

While most cold emails obviously go unanswered, we will often find a couple of people who are happy to chat with two curious and respectful travelers. We've had a number of fascinating encounters that would be impossible within a regular tourist infrastructure.

On our upcoming visit to Mongolia, we reached out to a well-known archeologist leading a dig there, who graciously invited us to visit. We are excited about it, but are concerned about one thing.

In our outreach email, we mentioned that we would be happy to offer an honorarium or a donation to the project. Oftentimes in the response, it is clear what we are expected to do (we read "happy to have a coffee with you" as a purely social visit , "your support will be very appreciated" denotes something else, or there is an obvious request for an amount). Here this was not addressed in any way. We are thinking it will be a brief chat. Is there an expectation of a compensation? I would think it's almost insulting to hand over $50-100 to a distinguished professor... but maybe not?

Just trying to be respectful and consistent.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Have a trip coming up in a few weeks, that starts in Mongolia, routes through Seoul to Kaga Onsen/Kanazawa, and ends with a few nights in Tokyo.
As much as we like to stay in authentic, country-specific places when we travel, after gers and homestays and ryokans, a bit of corporate bland might be actually welcome.

Not so much into public areas - would rather have a better private space than a beautiful lobby, and would likely book a suite. We don't usually use the spa or the gym - but a nice rooftop bar would be a plus. Any thoughts?

We'll be in Seoul in a few weeks, staying at 4S most likely. Looking for restaurants recs relatively nearby. While one of us enjoys elaborate tasting menus and long dinners, the other one just wants good food without theatrics, and to be done in 1-1.5 hrs.

Any recommendations for places that might please both of us?
Thank you so much!

Early/mid 50s couple. I am semi-retired, still work a few days a month, and between that and cap gains distributions from ETFs that supports about 75% of our spend.

However, I will likely stop working completely soon, have enough cash for 2-3 years, and instead of selling assets would rather draw from an SBLOC.

Morgan Stanley is offering SOFR +1.5% on $10M of pledged assets, and +1.25% on $15M.
Waiting for reply from Schwab. I don't think Fidelity or Vanguard are competitive.
Anyone else?

We travel all the time, like to stay in Airbnbs, and usually go for the high-end listings as more spacious alternatives to 5 star hotel suites. As we rarely stay for more 3 nights, I am very familiar with the platform... but this I haven't seen before.

A host with 51 listings in London, many of them very upscale, over $1000/night, absolutely gorgeous looking, and no reviews. None. The host has 3 reviews over the past 12 months.

I am reluctant to post the link, but if you search for high end listings in London for next week, many of the properties will show up. There is also a co-host, with 150+ listings, very similar situation, where nearly all of them have no reviews at all.

The calendar is empty, but when inquired, the host says many listings are unavailable and communication is spotty.

Another odd thing is that the properties seemed to be priced per guest - each additional guest over 1 adds hundreds of dollars to the nightly price. These are large properties - 2-3 bedroom apartments, not small rooms.

I have no grounds to say it's a scam - but it's very, very odd, and not anything I've seen having stayed in dozens of properties. A property I was interested in was $1K more for 3 nights for 2 guests vs 1, which put us over our budget, and the host did not try to "close the deal" by discounting it, which they probably would if it were a scam?

Thoughts? Legit? If it's a scam - what's the scam?

We are struggling with an itinerary for a short trip to Mongolia this August. We like to move fast and not be at any one place for long. Looking at different accommodations in Gobi, it seems our choices would be a homestay/private tent packed by our guide (fine for a night or two, but not longer), a tourist ger camp, and then, after a considerable gap - Three Camel Lodge.
TCL looks great - but not exactly sure it's our style. We generally don't like places where the local culture is sequestered, sanitized, and packaged for presentation to Western luxury tourists.

Folklore dance shows, cooking classes, archery demonstrations- that's not really our thing.

At $2K+/night, it seems to emulate African lodges, but in those the attraction is the wildlife - not present here.

To those who have been - did it feel authentic? Or too staged and sterile?

Traveling to Japan in early September, coming off some time in Gobi.

Interested in traditional culture, nature, uncrowded places.

The plan is to arrive in Komatsu, Kaga Onsen for 2 nights.
Drive via White Road to Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa, 2-3 nights.
Shikansen to Tokyo (have been before, briefly), 2 nights.

Questions:

• Are there things to do around Kaga Onsen? We would use this time to relax, but would also like to go out exploring. Not quite certain what's there.
• Shirakawa-go visit would fall on Sunday, mid-day (2 hr drive from Kaga Onsen). From what I've read, that is as antithetical to our preference for uncrowded places as there could possibly be. Is that correct?
• If Shirakawa-go is expected to be packed, we'd rather skip it altogether. If that is the case, is it still worth going to Kanazawa via the White Road or would we be better off taking the quick route and exploring other areas, like a loop drive on Noto peninsula.
• Our other idea was to skip Kaga Onsen, go directly to Kanazawa, then Takayama and Tokyo from there. Thoughts on that?

Thank you very much!

We'll be visiting UK (London, countryside around, Scotland highlands, Edinburgh).
In the past we've used sdc in London and Fabswingers elswhere.
I see Fab has not updated its site since dialup days. Is it still the go-to, or is there something more designed for 21st century?

Trying to understand the logistics of driving from Kaga Onsen to Kanazawa via the White Road.

Looking at https://hs-whiteroad.jp/en/access-price/ but still confused. Google maps doesn't allow me to lay out the route because of road closures.

Am I correct in estimating that the drive portion of the route is roughly 3 hrs (1 hr each for Kaga Onsen to White Road, White Road itself, and Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa)?

Thank you!

Considering a flight UBN-ICN-KMQ with an overnight layover. It would be nice to stay in the Transit Hotel to save time on immigration/security. But UBN-ICN arrives at T1, while ICN-KMQ departs from T2.
Can I stay airside to transfer between terminals?

Thinking of going to Gran Canaria for a few days in October.
We've been to Desire, Hedo, Cap multiple times -looking for something different.

We are not really big party people, prefer chill and relaxed atmosphere. Ideally we meet people for drinks or at small parties, and happy to bring them back to our place.

How is the scene there? Is it mostly club based, or people make contact on the beach or on apps/sites beforehand? We looked at Venus and Mirage - facilities look very dated, we'd rather rent a private villa, but not sure if then we'll exclude ourselves from all the fun.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thinking about staying near Vera Almeria this October.

We are not nudists, but do enjoy being nude outdoors and on the beach and like the nude scene. Generally we prefer staying in very quiet private villas near but not in the center of action.

Looking at the photos - it looks like another overbuilt/overdeveloped coastal Spanish city, with covered with resorts and condos. Does NOT present itself as a place for long nude walks on an uncrowded beach. Is this an accurate description?

Thinking about staying near Vera Almeria this October. We know it's primarily a naturist destination, but usually where there are nude people, swingers are lurking nearby. We are not looking for clubs or parties - more for couples we can get together for a drink with.
For people who are not into the party scene of Cap/GC etc - is this a popular spot?

Hoping to get advice on the best area to stay for us.

We will be spending 5 nights in/around London in July, and will likely take 3 day trips - south to Surrey, east to Kent, north to ... I don't know yet 😄 (we've explored the western direction before). Stately homes, beautiful landscapes, quaint villages (suggestions are welcome, we are thinking Hever Castle/Chiddingstone, Hatfield/St.Albans/Highgate, etc, but are open).

We were planning to stay 3 nights in London itself, 2 nights in the countryside, and leave via LTN (preferred) or LGW (also works), but having difficulties finding an area that works for all the directions. There is a spot in the middle, and it's called London. So, considering that as a single base.

Will have a car. We like to drive around the countryside, and multi-stop itineraries are difficult to do by public transport. We're aware of parking costs and CCZ charges - convenient exit and proximity to tourist attractions is the more important factor.

Our ideal day trip day would be visiting a stately home or castle in the morning, lunch and wander in a historic village, drive around nice scenery, and back to London in late afternoon/early evening to enjoy a night in the city - and trying to understand if there is an area in London that might be more convenient than others.

Two of those trips can be done on a weekend. The third would be essentially a one-way drive to LTN or LGW for an evening flight with attractions on the way.

Thank you!

We'll be staying near Peccioli for a few nights next month, and driving around the region to Lucca, Volterra, Livorno.

We enjoy visiting wineries, but don't want the guided tour. Would much rather taste their products over a lazy long lunch. Having difficulties finding such places in the area- would love your recommendations!
Thanks in advance.