Miscellaneous Forum

I see u r from Finland where i thought Vitiisari was a wonderful place between 2 lakes, people were friendly, stayed there in@73 b4 u were born. I consider my home town to be Puerto Princesa, Palawan (16 yrs here), so what would be first? Probably the open prison which has been here for 100 years with a land area of over 50,000 hectares. The prisoners such as rapists and murderers are kept under maximum security for several years and then sent to work on the land or some other project and after several years they are allocated an area where they can construct a native house and they can bring their family to live with them. The prisoners have dammed the river and you can visit there, rent a native hut, swim in the cool water and the prisoners might supply you with food or help you with your BBQ. Second choice would bring my guests to my favourite restaurant

Our town plaza is usually the first stop. We have a charming stone City Hall, and there are paths that wind through a park and past a duck pond. There are shops and restaurants all around the plaza. After that, there are historical sites like the mission, the soldiers' barracks, General Vallejo's restored home, and wineries for wine tasting. If the visitor has a lot of time, we'd also go to Jack London State Park a few miles away. And of course, San Francisco is only an hour's drive.

I live in London so it really is a very difficult question, there are just so many things to see. I suppose it depends on what you mean by place. On the principle that most travellers will find Buckingham Palace, British Museum, Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge et al by themselves, the first "place" I would show them is the East End where I live. It is an area travellers don't often get to but it is absolutely alive with history and interesting places. I have had the privelege of guiding VT members round there before and will meet two other members in a few days time to do the same. I am really looking forward to it. If, by place, you mean a single building or location, I really couldn't say as there are just so many. It would probably be my local pub (bar) because a) I can have a drink and more importantly b) they would get an idea of what London was really like away from the tourist trail.

Mine is not a particular place. It is the sky. We have so much sky, due to few trees or tall buildings, that you can see forever. Maybe from the top of the Rims would be good. You can on a clear day see for 50 miles in any direction.

The way out. It is no secret that I find my hometown utterly unattractive and too expensive. Well, not my hometown, but the place where I actually live.

well I am still torn between two places as moving next week. Right now I will show them the Chateau de Versailles. By next weekend, will take them on a boat cruise on the Gulf of Morbihan in Brittany to see the islands in the Gulf before the Atlantic Ocean steps in. cheers

This depends on the time of year and the interests of the visitor, and how long they wanted to spend on their first outing.

Probably I would take them to the lake. There is a big lake in Caldonazzo (IT); the village where I live.

The nearest city to me is Cologne, and of course I would take visitors to the cathedral first! It just is the icon of Cologne, and I guess you just have to see it in order to feel like being in Cologne. In addition, it is the first thing most people arriving in the city see anyway, as it is next to the main train station :-)

This may sound odd, but I always take people to Al Capone's grave. I do this partly because it gets people out of the touristy and well to do neighborhoods and out onto the grittier side. Also, this man represents an era of the city's history which is absolutely crucial to any understanding of our local identity. Most of all, it isn't a tourist destination.

I think we would have a wonderful time on a hike of the hills, a boat ride on the lake or maybe over to the Gardens of the World. But the question is "What would be the first place to show to a foreigner in your home town?"> I would have to say the first place I would show them is the local coffee shop for a pick me up after a visit to the restroom. Now we can take that hike or boat ride. The Gardens of the World has restrooms, so that would be the second stop.

Shalom, Shalom: Here in Arad, Israel, I take friends to 4 places close to home. 1) Dead Sea 2) Masada 3) Overlook above Dead Sea (by way of 4x4 jeep trip) 4) Muza, OUR local pub in Arad. Martin

Martin, glad to see another vote for the local pub!

Yes, I love those local pubs as well! But they are sometimes so hard to find without these inside tips.

Tarja, get yourself to London, I'll show you plenty, well those that aren't closed down now as so many are.

Fergy, you are the first one to contact when I come to London :)

Those "inside tips" are what we are here for. Well that and take our friends to the pubs of course ^O^ Martin

Honestly folks, I am not just saying this. I am just about to log off here and go and meet a VT member from US who I have had the pleasure of meeting before. Any member who visits London is more than welcome to contact me. If you ar3e worried about me being some crazed axe murderer, I can provide VT "references" as necessary. I also know that the members of London-Calling (the VT "chapter" in London) are very good about meeting people. One of us will always try to meet you if at all possible.

"crazed axe murderer", yes I am sure that some of us have been described thusly to those outside the VT community... The ABSURDITY of thinking you can make friends online...^O^ So "showing" local hospitality is also something that we share with our VTistors. Martin