Fuddland

It’s one of those “there’s got to be a catch, there just has to be” affairs, but for the time being it does appear that Samsung are offering free flights to one of ten European destinations from the UK. Dubious but thrifty, I signed up and duly received my secret URL and voucher code onto the next stage which, ignoring all the ease and speed of online transactions, involves printing out a form and mailing it off to somewhere in Chester.

So now I have to decide upon which destination to designate my designs:

• Amsterdam
• Barcelona
• Brussels
• Dublin
• Madrid
• Milan
• Malaga
• Faro
• Palma
• Paris

I’ve ruled out Dublin as I’ve been there a number of times; having said that, although I’ve also been to Paris before, it was about twelve or thirteen years ago so I wouldn’t mind seeing it again [now that I am fully prepared to find that the Eiffel Tower is painted brown and not black as I always thought it was—to add further confusion the shoddy plastic replicas sold nearby are all painted gold as far as I remember].

Anyone got any reasons for visiting one of the remaining options over the others?

#1

Gordon | 2004 / 12 / 01 – 10:41

The catch is where you fly FROM (I think I posted about this, at least I meant to).

In essence, this is a good thing for the English, but I have to get to Southern England as well, jacking the price somewhat.

I’d be tempted by Barcelona, been there once but only had a day. Like you, I’ve ‘done’ Dublin. Paris is always worth a visit. Milan intrigues as well. Er.. not much help there. Sorry!

#2

David | 2004 / 12 / 01 – 10:58

Re #1: Indeed—if you want to fly from any of the London airports there is no surcharge. However, you are given a space on the form to specify a different airport, for which a “supplement may apply”—disconcertingly vague.

Thanks for your help though, you’ve narrowed it down to just nine choices now. ;)

#3

Jann | 2004 / 12 / 01 – 13:05

I am obliged to suggest Amsterdam not just for all of the obvious reasons (you may be pleased to note that many coffee shops serve a wide selection of teas) but because I used to live there and it was the best year of my life. If you can go at new year, the atmosphere is electric (crazy Chinese firecrackers) and it’s usually cold enough to ice-skate on the canals in your shoes.

I’m shocked to discover that Paris is the only other destination I can count as having visited so I’d prettty much plump for anywhere else. Sorry.

#4

bsag | 2004 / 12 / 01 – 13:25

Barcelona. Gaudi. Simple as that.

I’ve never actually been there myself, but it would be top of my list.

#5

Daisy | 2004 / 12 / 01 – 16:56

Hmm, tough choice. I’m half with bsag, have always meant to go to Barcelona too and half with Jann, Amsterdam is a great place for short holidays.

I organised these tickets for my brother & his wife, they’d planned to have a week in Palma but are disappointed to find that you can only have one ticket per household (don’t think that was mentioned anywhere on the original website?).

#6

meesh | 2004 / 12 / 01 – 16:57

2nd nomination for amsterdam. great art galleries and the best science museum ever - nemo. hang a left at the train station and head for the building that looks like the back end of a sinking ship. i had a great time there. kids science museums should never be restricted to kids!

#7

David | 2004 / 12 / 01 – 18:24

Re #3: Unfortunately you need to give them at least 30 days before your first choice departure date, so I’ll not make it anywhere for New Year, but Amsterdam seems to be in the lead right now following fence-sitter Daisy and Meesh’s votes, although Barcelona is very tempting too—great architecture, as bsag points out.

Re #5: In the Terms & Condtions it does say only one ticket per household [point 4], so I’m afraid you’ve no grounds to sue. :(

[Edited by commenter — 18:24]

#8

Lyle | 2004 / 12 / 02 – 09:10

See, I knew there was a benefit to not living with partner straight away…

#9

Kav | 2004 / 12 / 15 – 19:14

Very late to this thread but thought I would vote for Barcelona.
Its fantastic, Gaudi for art lovers and a red light district for the others. Nice waterfront, beautiful surrounding area and the Nou Camp is impressive.
By the by, thanks for fielding the robotic phone call.

#10

David | 2004 / 12 / 15 – 19:42

Re #9: Barcelona was indeed my first choice, until I fell at the next hurdle. :(

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