Wikivoyage:Tourist office/Archives/2017/February

Italy

In Italy, especially in Florence, stores have more than one floor. What are these upper floors used for? 2601:248:1:1140:2834:B899:556C:474 01:01, 5 February 2017 (UTC)

Hello! Are you referring to the building itself? Some larger stores use multiple floors for sales. In cases where there's only one floor in the shop customers can go, the upper floors may be used for stock storage, and / or very often are apartments where people live. This kind of mixed-use building is very common all over Europe. Does that answer your question? Happy travels, --ThunderingTyphoons! (talk) 01:15, 5 February 2017 (UTC)

Long fingered, Opera gloves in London....

This is on the Tourist Office, as it's a shopping question. Where in London do you purchase long fingered, opera( shoulder) length gloves?

Asked by: ShakespeareFan00 (talk) 16:58, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

Hi ShakespeareFan00, you could try somewhere like...

• Harrods (at 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL) - go to Knightsbridge station on the Picadilly line. They have stuff like this.
• Or you could try Liberty London (at Regent Street, W1B 5AH) - go to Oxford Circus or Picadilly Circus on the Tube. They have a smaller range (from what I can see on their website), but have stuff like this.
• There's cheaper, party shops, like Escapade (at 45-46 Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8AJ) - go to Chalk Farm or Camden Road Tube stations (both on the Northern line). They have stuff like this.

I can't find shoulder length gloves that easily, and the above three don't have these length (at least, I can't find them). The only thing I could find however, is Honour of London (at 86 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, SE1 7AB) - go to Waterloo train station or Lambeth North Tube. Note though, that they are a "world leading fetish fashion brand" - this may not be what you're looking for. They have stuff like this. I'm not sure what you're looking for exactly, but that is the only thing I could find.  Seagull123  Φ  19:11, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

Perhaps a weird suggestion, but eh... why not search kinky web shops? ;) Jahoe (talk) 00:16, 13 February 2017 (UTC)

What is the expected weather in the beginning of March in the UK?

I would like to get the following information: 1. What is the expected weather in the beginning of March in the UK? 2. and when going by a privet car from Gattwick airport to the wales, is it necessary to pass any toll road? 3. If I'm going to Stanford hill or Golders green areas in London, should I pay the Congestion Charge (between 7:00 -18:00)? 4. Where should I put car if I want to travel in the center of London (tourist places) without to pay a lot of money on parking lot? 93.126.88.30 02:09, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

I live in NL, with a similar climate, and I've traveled the UK in various seasons. Early March the worst time of winter will be gone, but the tourist saeson will not have started yet. Likely you will see wind, cold, clouds and rain (lots of it), but no severe frost. Bring warm and dry clothing and be prepared to wear it most or all of the time. No need to bring a bikini. Of course you can be lucky too, it's too early for a real prediction. Happy travel! :) Jahoe (talk) 12:46, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

Oh, and forget about using a car in the center of London. Use public transport. It's abundant, though not really cheap. Jahoe (talk) 13:10, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

As Johoe says, it will rain, and if you head to the west of Wales you can experience horizontal rain. Travelling to Wales there is a toll on the Severn Bridge (about 7 pounds), if you are going to the south of Wales via the M4. Entering by any other road by travelling further north there are no tolls but the roads are not so good increasing your journey time and fuel costs. From Gatwick I assume you will go clockwise round the M25 but note if you go north (anti-clockwise) and go though the Dartford tunnel (or over the Dartford bridge in the other direction) there is also a small toll. There is here however no booth for this crossing, your number plate is scanned and you have 24 hours to pay on the internet, do not forget to do this, the fine is very high! As for travelling in London, find some cheap long stay car park in a town outside and take the train into the centre. Or as it is a rental car just take it back and get another one after your London visit. --Traveler100 (talk) 13:36, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

This might be piling on, but yeah, the easiest way to avoid the congestion charge is to simply not have a car while you're in London. Hobbitschuster (talk) 19:42, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

Did you mean Stamford Hill? Neither Golders Green or Stamford Hill are within the Congestion Charge Zone, so provided you aren't driving right through Central London to reach them you won't need to worry about the charge. That said you'll need exceptional luck in finding a parking space (even at weekends.), as many of the outer suburbs of Greater London have parking permit schemes, which are as (if not more complex than) car rental "excess" terms ;) I've been advised by many many people that unless you have a lot of luggage, getting a tube (or Overground) +bus combination is usually the best bet for most parts of North London.

Weather wise, an umbrella is strongly suggested.ShakespeareFan00 (talk) 19:58, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

Thank you all. I'm really surprised that this is the country - not friendly in meaning of drivers and transportation. 93.126.88.30 02:36, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

London is not England. Do not judge the rest of the country by experiences in this international city. --Traveler100 (talk) 05:58, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

On the contrary, I've not seen places where public transport is so easy and well organized as central London. And, at least for a tourist, it's fun too. Of course rush hours should be avoided, as in any city. Jahoe (talk) 15:11, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

Country that has territory

In Europe, I remember there was a country that had pieces of its territory in another country, most likely because of a war of some kind. Can you please tell me what that country is? Asked by: 2601:248:1:1140:FC4F:F942:D4A:972E 04:08, 19 February 2017 (UTC)

Are you thinking of Russia, with the Kaliningrad Oblast? Ikan Kekek (talk) 04:12, 19 February 2017 (UTC)

Spain has an enclave inside France called w:Llívia (no Wikivoyage article yet!) . The UK has an enclave called Gibraltar in Spain. Spain also has enclaves in Morocco although I suspect that you don't mean non-European territory. --Andrewssi2 (talk) 04:46, 19 February 2017 (UTC)

@2601:248:1:1140:FC4F:F942:D4A:972E: The border between Croatia and Slovakia is piecemeal as well. Andorra is not what you asked but is similar--it is a co-principality whose two princes are the head of state of France (formerly the king, now the president) and the bishop of the Spanish city Urgell. Also, San Marino and Vatican City are surrounded by Italy... —Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 04:58, 19 February 2017 (UTC)

The question is asking about places that are both enclaves and exclaves. An enclave is entirely surrounded by another country. An exclave is a small part of another country that is separated from the main part. The Kaliningrad Oblast, the pieces of Spain on the Moroccan coast, and (the largest example) the US state of Alaska are all exclaves, but none of them are enclaves because they all have coast on the open sea. So does Gibraltar, so it's also not an enclave, and it isn't an exclave either, because it's a British Overseas Territory (a type of dependency) and is not part of the UK. San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves, and so is a third country, Lesotho; but they are not exclaves, because each of them is an independent country.

Places that are both enclaves and exclaves tend to cause problems for their inhabitants unless the countries are on very friendly terms. The most numerous enclaves of this type are near the Belgium-Netherlands border, which definitely qualifies as friendly. There are parts of each country surrounded by the other, and sometimes parts of the other country within those (second-level enclaves). The area around the India-Bangladesh border used to be even worse, with numerous enclaves, including some third-level enclaves, causing real problems for people who lived there; but in 2015 the two countries agreed to cede all of these exclaves to the country surrounding them. See the article I linked for lists of other enclaves and exclaves and for various places that where similar issues arise although they are not actually enclaves or exclaves. --76.71.6.254 05:58, 19 February 2017 (UTC)

Thanks for the answer. 2601:248:1:1140:6C76:E67D:E095:FD52 15:31, 19 February 2017 (UTC)

Actually 76.71.6.254 the original question was about Europe, not Bangladesh/Alaska. --Andrewssi2 (talk) 06:03, 19 February 2017 (UTC)

Additionally, the OP's question was not hyper-specific or particularly literate on the nuances of border law. He's just asking about some European place with a weird border. E.g. there is a part of Estonia which can only be reached on a road by driving through a portion of Russia. Someone could walk through the wilderness to get to that Estonian piece but functionally, it's like the question he asked. There are, of course, many such examples--he's just trying to get us to think of something like an enclave/exclave situation, so we tried to name several. There are some tricky old borders in Europe--also parts of Switzerland that are on mountains and only accessible by crossing into Germany, etc. —Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 06:12, 19 February 2017 (UTC)

Yes, good points. But I think Belgium-Netherlands qualifies as the weirdest case, and that is in Europe. --76.71.6.254 05:31, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Details (including a map) about that case can be found at the Baarle Wikipedia article. Jahoe (talk) 16:40, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

Büsingen is a case of an exclave as well of an enclave - a part of Germany all surrounded by Swiss territory, and no coast anywhere nearby. As Germany and Switzerland usually are on very friendly terms, the problems for inhabitants are really small. There is no part of Switzerland only accessible by crossing into Germany, but this is the case for a part of Austria, the Kleinwalsertal. Well, you can reach it from the rest of Austria, too, without going to Germany first - but not on a road. --Markobr (talk) 20:44, 23 February 2017 (UTC)

Uber from Gattwick to Cardiff works for foreign drivers?

Is it ok to rely on Uber as a foreign? I want to take a car and to submit my driving to Cardiff (and back) through Uber and to save up money (the passenger/s take a part in the outcomes), but I don't have any experience with uber as a driver, especially not in UK. What do you think about it? 93.126.88.30 02:34, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

Gatwick to Cardiff is a fairly long drive (3 hours). Even if Uber allows it, I'm not sure you'd find any passengers for that route. --Andrewssi2 (talk) 02:46, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

Maybe I can take to the half of the way etc. I don't have Uber drivers yet so I'm not experienced in it.93.126.88.30 14:47, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

Supposing you're not flying in your private car, check with the rental company too, they may not allow you to use their car as a taxi, or they may require additional insurance. Check immigration laws too. If you're on a tourist visa, working as a taxi driver is probably not allowed. Perhaps it's OK if you're an EU citizen, but I would check it anyway. The British embassy in your home country will give you advice. Jahoe (talk) 16:30, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

Wait, is this a one-off trip you're taking, and you just want to save some money on the fuel? Or do you want to start working for Uber regularly? If the latter, you're better off picking one city, and working there. The vast majority of people do not use Uber to travel long distance cross-country. But if you're just making a one off journey, then it's BlaBlaCar you're looking for, not Uber. That is a ride-sharing service, where travellers without cars can find people doing a trip they want to make and not pay much money, and solo drivers making a trip can advertise for passengers, to save money on fuel, make the journey more environmentally-friendly, and some company for the trip. A car hire company will definitely not allow you to take paying passengers in one of their vehicles. --ThunderingTyphoons! (talk) 16:39, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

Well I think car rental companies have a problem with Uber, but I don't think they have any major problem with the classical ride sharing sites like BlaBlaCar (what are others active in the UK?) Hobbitschuster (talk) 20:12, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

Uber operates on the same basis as private hire taxis in the UK. So you will need to pass the application process (criminal record checks etc) of the local council in the area that you which to work. I think that Uber also requires you to use a vehicle that is approved by them, which can be leased (from a specialist hire company) if you are going to work for them for a few months. See some driver reviews. AlasdairW (talk) 20:25, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

Adding to my previous post; citing the Uber article on the English Wikipedia: In the United Kingdom on October 28, 2016, the Central London Employment Tribunal ruled that Uber drivers are "workers" entitled to the minimum wage,... etc.

In other words: you need a work permit to be a foreign Uber driver in the UK. For your purpose, the Uber way may not be the best way to keep out of legal trouble.

I'm feeling I'm pretty close to giving legal advice (which we're not supposed to do here), but keeping you out of trouble seems equally important. See for yourself what you do, and enjoy your visit to the UK! Jahoe (talk) 20:34, 20 February 2017 (UTC)

I think it is not risky to say that you should not fly into the UK, rent a car and try and Uber your way over to Cardiff because A) it probably isn't legal for Uber B) possibly isn't allowed by the care rental company and C) unlikely to provide the passengers you need to get over to Cardiff.

Seriously, National Express Bus will be direct Gatwick to Cardiff and will cost like GBP 25. Why think about driving? --Andrewssi2 (talk) 05:45, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Friends, first of all thank you. Second I'm not going to work there, it is a academical study mission for 4 days only (that means that I can take 2 times passengers, once I go to Cardiff and once I back from there. I think it doesn't make me a taxi driver:). I'm simply an adult student who tries to save money (because I took automatic transmission then it costs more money (significantly, because it's less common in the UK. I couldn't allow myself to use manual transmission in this country especially because I come from a country with opposite driving and it's enough for me to cope with this fact in my first time there). Then I understand that Uber cannot allow me to use it as a foreign in the UK. Am I right? 93.126.88.30 15:28, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

That's right, and it would also be illegal under UK law. Your best course of action would be to advertise on a car-sharing site (like BlaBlaCar) to see if anyone is interested. Bear in mind you won't make any money on this, you will just receive a contribution towards fuel costs. Or, if you really want to save money and don't need the car (Cardiff has good public transport), cancel the rental deal and take the coach like Andrewssi2 suggested. That will take the stress out of driving on the other side of the road. Hope you have a good trip, and enjoy your time in Wales =) --ThunderingTyphoons! (talk) 15:37, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Thank you. Believe me or not the public transport in the UK is very expensive (for the most of the foreigns), more than the rental car and even less comfortable. I've checked it. 93.126.88.30 15:56, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Driving for Uber would make you a "worker" in the eyes of the authorities, even if don't see it that way yourself. Sharing costs is different I guess, so that may be the way to go. Don't worry too much about driving on the left, you'll adapt quickly. Shifting gear with the left hand is the trickiest part, so automatic gear sounds like a perfect plan to me. Enyoy your trip. :) Jahoe (talk) 16:02, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Please check this link! It will cost you GBP 20 from Gatwick to Cardiff and take 4 hours. That is much much cheaper than any rental car + gas deal you are going to be able to find, even when that journey is subsidised by (probably illegal and impractical) Uber fares.

That said I get the impression you don't want to be convinced that renting a car is a bad idea. We are however giving you the correct advice so take it or leave it. Andrewssi2 (talk) 20:30, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Plus, if Cardiff#Get around is to be believed a day pass for public transit in the city is by far cheaper than any rental car I could imagine. Hobbitschuster (talk) 21:31, 21 February 2017 (UTC)

Of course it's obvious, probably even to the OP, that a rental car is far more expensive than a bus fare. But some people just don't get out of their car, no matter what. See the "central London by car" question by the same OP, just a few days ago. Discussion pointless, it's his own free choice, and driving through the Cotswolds is quite nice.

On the sideline: it surprised me that nobody mentioned a connecting flight to Cardiff Airport. The OP's IP is in Ukraine, so he could change at Berlin, Amsterdam, Heathrow, etc. Probably not that expensive an certainly the fastest, simplest and most comfortable option.

But let's not forget that the original question was "Is it ok to rely on Uber as a foreign?". We really did out best to answer that. Jahoe (talk) 00:02, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

You'd be surprised by the amount of self deception regarding the economic case for a car some people are able to engage in. Hobbitschuster (talk) 00:33, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

Yep. But we do have freedom of religion... ;) Jahoe (talk) 01:02, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

Actually you've answered my question while you said that it's not possible to use Uber driver in London as a foreign (btw, I've never used it ever in any place, so I don't have any experience with that. Before I wrote my question here I thought that it's application of sharing car with people, I din't think that it's bushiness app). But anyway I'd like to refer to two things that were mentioned above: 1) using bus in 20GBP 2) Flying directly to Cardiff. I've checked both of the options (in addition to other that I didn't mentioned) and I found them worthless. 1) I've used sky-scanner to find the cheapest flight, and you may be wonder but the flights to Cardiff (at least in the date that I'm going to be there in beginning of March) cost significantly more the flight to London -maybe it is because the less of Supply and demand. You can check it by yourself:) Based on my calculations it worth to fly to London and from there to take a car (includes the gasoline and rest of the days). Don't forget that you have to use public transport from the Airport to the destination/s (I have the place when I sleep and the place when I'm going to be for my studies. They are not close to each other (If I wanted close place I had to pay more, again). 2) Regarding to the transport in 20GBP I've checked it now, and in the day that I'm going to come, it's even cheaper :14GBP (to be accurate, it ranges from 14GBP to 35 GBP), but the problem is that it is 8 hours before I come and the next one is after 12 hours and also cost 40GBP. So that doesn't fit to me:)93.126.88.30 18:24, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

It is not fair or even accurate to state both options as worthless. a) It was worth seeing if a connecting flight to Cardiff is viable. Costs too much? Fine, but a good suggestion. b) there are bus connections on your route to Cardiff every 90 minutes, they might just have to make a change and the journey extends an hour. Even at GBP 40 it is far cheaper than car rental. Saying that you have to wait 12 hours just looks like you want to convince yourself it is a bad option.

Obviously if you want to rent a car then by all means do it. You just stated that you wanted to rent a car in the UK because it is cheaper and more convenient than public transport, which was incorrect and we should totally call that out. Andrewssi2 (talk) 20:46, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

I think our friend has made his / her decision; there's not much point continuing to force our opinions (even those based on fact!) on him or her. --ThunderingTyphoons! (talk) 21:11, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

It was more about countering a false assertion rather than an attempt to convince. Andrewssi2 (talk) 21:29, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

Well, certainly, but it seems that the user in question is no English native speaker, so there may have been false perceptions based on misunderstood information or a lack of information. Overall, I think it is fair to say that for a trip such as the described one, a rental car does not appear to be the cheapest option. Especially one rented at an airport where they tend to charge extra due to the captive market. Hobbitschuster (talk) 21:46, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

Obviously the OP is trolling. A rental car for four days cheaper than a bus return? Plain bullshit of course. I suggest we close this thread (or delete it, fold it, etc). I'm not a native speaker either, but what does it matter. Jahoe (talk) 22:07, 22 February 2017 (UTC)

"I'm not a native speaker either etc.". I'm sure in that because you're not polite to say about someone that he's a troll even you don't know him. You should have a minimal respect for someone who asks here question as he does by himself. If such conversation looks for you trolling, probably you've never saw what it is trolling. For me, that conversation ends here.93.126.88.30 19:54, 28 February 2017 (UTC)

A number of people, including me, spend time and effort here to answer you as good as possible. Yet you keep going against it in an irrational way. It's okay that you make your own decisions, but why keep people busy seeking confirmation for decisions you've already made. That's not a genuine question. Jahoe (talk) 20:57, 28 February 2017 (UTC)

Is there any zip-line or any extreme sport with adrenaline on the way between London to Cardiff?

I would like to know if there is any zip-line or any extreme sport 'with adrenaline' on the way between London to Cardiff? --93.126.88.30 19:56, 28 February 2017 (UTC)

Train surfing perhaps? Jahoe (talk) 21:05, 28 February 2017 (UTC)

w:Cotswold_Water_Park is in the middle. They have a range of outdoor activities such as jetskiing and maybe some more 'extreme' activities as well. I would say Caving around your destination in Cardiff would be a good experience. --Andrewssi2 (talk) 21:17, 28 February 2017 (UTC)

That would be one really long zipline. Powers ^(talk) 21:54, 28 February 2017 (UTC)

Haha, that's a classic. In all seriousness, it's a shame Cardiff is so far south in Wales, as Bethesda in north Wales has quite possibly the best zip wire in the world, which by the way we don't list on WV. I'll add it next. Before you ask, there is no quick way to travel from Cardiff to BF; transport from the south to the north of Wales is notoriously poor. --ThunderingTyphoons! (talk) 22:01, 28 February 2017 (UTC)

There is an article about Ziplining. It lists the 2 big ones in North Wales, though not very convenient for Cardiff. You could look at Go-Ape, they have a number of "Tree top adventures", which include some zip lines. Maybe Go-Ape at Forest of Dean?--Fuaran buidhe (talk) 22:50, 28 February 2017 (UTC)