Stopover cities?

[dajop]

With the proliferation DONE's and the like, I am sure many AFF members have had short stopovers in different cities in the world. I'd be interested in where people have done short stopovers (say 12-36 hours), and what cities were their favourite?

For mine, I'd have to say my most enjoyable have been Berlin (25 hrs), Barcelona (23hrs) and NYC, and even had a really enjoyable day in San Diego last year filling in the day waiting for QF94 (had enough spare miles on my DCIRC26 to get there and back for the day).

But generally I do like going somewhere I haven't been before, and usually try to make the most of these (my most extreme was a 4.5 hr connection at KIX, managed to get the train into a certain suburban area in Osaka - can't remember the name of it - and wander the streets, visit a temple and a park and get back in time for my departure, much better than sitting in an airport, lounge or no lounge (done similar in HKG, but that was a simple exercise).

 

[Keith009]

Singapore is always a good one for a short stop (5 hours was my shortest) - so easy to get to/from downtown and the food's delicious.

Chicago: 1 night visits just to stay at my favourite W, the W Chicago Lakeshore.

Bali: A 2 day visit, mainly due to time constraint. Was enough to get a feel of the place and its nightlife. Would love to go back for a longer visit.

Sydney: Usually try to schedule long connections there so I can have coffee with friends prior to flying off.

I've also dashed out of the airport over long connections at LAX to grab a burger at The Counter in Santa Monica. But it always feels like a crime not to be staying for longer in LA, my favourite city in the world other than Melbourne...

Am now waiting to leave for the airport for a one day visit to Sydney, and flying back at 0600 tomorrow right after a long night...:shock:

 

[serfty]

I always enjoy HKG for a short stop; the airport express makes it easy/cheap to get to/from the airport.

Plenty to do/see/eat/drink/shop.

 

[Keith009]

Oh and yes HKG too - always great for an overnight stop and you don't even need a hotel if departing in the morning...

 

[JohnK]

It is always good to have an overnight stopover in Singapore on the way over to BKK. Just avoid being there during the F1 Grand Prix. On the way back I am only there for 4-5 hours so just stay in the lounges rather than go out into the city.

I had 5 stopovers of <24 hours, Los Angeles, Tampa, Zurich, Helsinki, Brussels, during a Oneworld RTW award in August/September 2007 and had mostly bad experiences. Too much trouble getting to/from the airport, delayed luggage and being tired from the constant travel.

It is nice to get a tick that you have visited a city but I prefer to be at a place I would enjoy so next time I am going to limit the number of cities where an overnight transit is required.

 

[codash1099]

I've had stopovers in Honolulu (very relaxing way to break up a flight), Nadi, Singapore (on the way to LHR) and San Francisco (a busy way to break a flight).

I've also had one in Adelaide but I'm not sure that would count!

 

[NM]

Apart from the usual places like LAX, LHR, SIN, HKG etc, my most interesting would have to be KBP. I have also chosen to spend a weekend in HEL rather than LHR or DFW, just for something a little different.

 

[Mal]

NRT, HKG, SIN, BKK are my fav's.