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[science_expat]

Unlike our colleagues in the US, a meetup of the expats will probably involve travel for many of us. Since flights are often cheaper than trains, this has led to speculation of meeting somewhere outside of Britain. However, ExPat's previous attempt to agree a destination was unsuccessful.

I'd like to give this another go with a suggestion of i) date and ii) possible venue. With respect to the former, at my institution students are off for two weeks at Easter and hence the weekend beginning Friday March 14th is a real possibility (yep, it's that early this year - Paddy's weekend!). Does this work for you?

Second, venue. Dublin would be fun but expensive given the weekend. Alternatively, Amsterdam is cheap to get to and a lot of fun, but accommodation is dear.

Edinburgh is a great city and Glasgow can be a lot of fun. The latter is less expensive than the former and the transport to both is fairly easy.

Finally, in England, London is fun but expensive. Newcastle and Bristol are both options in terms of transport but I know nothing about the nightlife in either place.

Thoughts?

[august_leo]

I'm getting married in the break and likely leaving March 14-15 to my parents' EU country to pick up the gown and have my hair coloured (long story) and then back to the US for the wedding. I think I will be back around April 4. But, I am just one person and very junior here so I am just mentioning this (read: I'm not saying "don't meet without me" or "change your schedule for me").

[expatinuk]

I absolutely HATE Glasgow. Edinburgh is OK, but there's no way to fly to either of them from the Midlands (and there's no point either).

The weekend is fine as far as I know... although I could suggest Valencia the weekend of Feb 29. Hubby Bubba and I will already be there. AND... since I'm there for a conference I have the conference rates for a 5 star hotel ... which, of course, I'd be willing to pass on the name of the hotel and conference name so that others could get the rate.

The conference actually doesn't start until March 3, so you wouldn't be dealing with conference folks...

Ryan Air is having a 'sale' and right now two tickets from Stansted to Valencia Feb 29-March 2 is £40... yep, that's for 2 of them.

[science_expat]

The Valencia weekend wouldn't work for me unfortunately as I have other commitments.

[expatinuk]

OK.. sorry... but y'all figure out a date and as long as it's not Glasgow I'm willing to meet up.

[normative_]

I've just found this thread. I'll have to take a look, and probably come up with something by end of week. I have to check out the cheapies from my new location as well.

Newcastle would be a difficult connection for me, unless something surprising comes up. Glasgow I can also leave to one side. The others are cool.