Mittens 2014 Portugal - 19-26 July

[Disco]

I would be a bit nervous, though not completely against sharing driving duties. Mostly it is the preference for manual transmissions (which I am over ten years out of practice on) in Europe that deter me.

As for location, I voted Portugal in the poll, but am open to other ideas. One idea I just had is a return to Spain. Sure, we spent 2006 there, but that was our last year "roughing it", before we turned to villas, so it would be an entirely different experience. We could (please! ) stay somewhere other than Benidorm, and the number of villas there outnumber almost anywhere else on these sites.

I am of course all up for new places, but revisiting different places in former locations is still a good option.

Thoughts?

[Wyz]

I'm completely with Mods on this one. Please forgive me for speaking freely but it has come to my attention that Mittens is becoming more of a holiday trip rather then a community meeting. I know I have no seniority on this but personally I don't mind the circumstances but rather would enjoy the company of fellow AGSers. I don't mind having no pool (although it would be nice)l, heck I'd even sleep in a tent if that means we could all hang; but I do mind when it is simply too hard for me to get there.
You can just book a trip to Croatia if you'd like to see that country and still go to Mittens right? Or is that it really part of Mittens now that it should be in a unique place?
Oh well, just my two cents.

[AGA]

Mittens has never really been about meeting AGS users, whether that was the original plan or not.  It's always been about cool people, who happen to have a shared interest in adventure games, hanging out together for a week; most of the time we barely talk about AGS or adventure games.  AdventureX is what you want if you want more of a game dev related thing, Mittens is more about a group of friends (new people included!) getting away once a year.

Anyway, it looks like most people are agreed Croatia is unlikely for various reasons.

[Andail]

If July is set in stone you can remove me from the maybe list and put me in the definitely list. Now whether my better half will come too is less certain...

I would probably prefer Croatia, but I'm totally fine with any of the suggestions - I love Amsterdam and Dutch people in general and Portugal seems really nice too - so whatever results in more people wanting to come I'm down with that.

I'm also an experienced driver and don't mind driving minivans or whatever, manual transmissions or not.

[AGA]

There will of course be Dutch people there regardless of where it is.  I can't do anything before mid July, which is obviously the most important thing.  So mid - late July it must be!

[AGA]

http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P2268.htm?src=LS <- this one looks cool.  Nice facilities (both types of pool!), 2 hours from Lisbon, 30 minutes from Faro airport.  Pretty close to the ocean too, for the beach lovers.

Some other options:
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P600.htm?src=LS
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P15306.htm?src=LS
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P2415.htm?src=LS

Each seems to be at least potentially available.

As people have said, bookings are going very quickly, so we need to make a decision NOW.

[tampie85]

All of them look great! Let's pick one of those!

[Radiant]

There will of course be Dutch people there regardless of where it is.

There will?

[DoorKnobHandle]

As I said before, my first criteria is time. If it's mid July or earlier I will definitely not be able to make it. Late July is a maybe and later is a go as far as time is concerned. Second criteria is the location, it's unlikely I will be able to afford plane tickets to Portugal or Croatia on top of all other expenses, even with cheap airlines. Personally, I also believe that an accessible location for almost everybody is better than a more far out place where much fewer people can make it to, but that's just my opinion, doesn't have to 'influence' anything. I will confirm that I take part or not once a time and location is set.

[AGA]

There will of course be Dutch people there regardless of where it is.

There will?

You're not the only Dutchie out there!

dkh, we already have 19 people showing an interest.  Given the way Mittens works, regardless of the location we will never suit everyone's wants, and a lot of those people won't make it (and others will who haven't yet expressed an interest).  We've had like 35 people provisionally show an interest before, but that eventually worked down to something like 22.  People who are open to any options (and have the relevant funding) like myself and CJ are unfortunately the only people who manage to make it [almost] every year.

[DoorKnobHandle]

That's cool. As I said, you guys decide and then I'll see if I'll make it! Would probably help if we get a (more) realistic number of people who want to and can make it to Portugal though to start? I'm a (most likely) no!

[Snarky]

Didn't check it in detail yet, but 'castle' sounds interesting. Up to 24 persons.
http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p2089254

Much as I like the sound of a luxury castle w/ wedding chapel, helicopter landing pad and...

Onsite Services:

    Chauffeur
    Concierge
    Massage

    Private Chef
    Staff

Attractions:

    library
    autumn foliage
    churches
    restaurants
    theme parks
    waterfalls
    water parks

    winery tours
    pond
    cinemas
    ruins
    marina
    playground

...  â,¬7,500 per week might be a bit steep.

http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P2268.htm?src=LS <- this one looks cool.  Nice facilities (both types of pool!), 2 hours from Lisbon, 30 minutes from Faro airport.  Pretty close to the ocean too, for the beach lovers.

Some other options:
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P600.htm?src=LS
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P15306.htm?src=LS
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P2415.htm?src=LS

Each seems to be at least potentially available.

As people have said, bookings are going very quickly, so we need to make a decision NOW.

Well, if we genuinely are ~24 people, only the last one works. But of course experience is that a number of people drop out during planning. Still, I think we should look at something for 18 at least. I'd support any of the last three. If we pick something in Algarve, I might potentially drive from Malaga and could therefore provide a car for the week (though that's contingent on getting my license renewed by then).

[miguel]

 Just wanted to inform you of some precautions you'll need to take if you do come to Portugal. Portuguese authorities are very strict concerning the more relaxed behaviours of other European countries. You will go to jail if you cross some laws. But that's nothing compared to what they do to us: testicles removed!

Spoiler

- no funny cross gender looks:
     A man shall proudly show a full grown moustache;
     Women do not use short hair, piercings or even sunglasses;
- you must smoke tobacco, if you don't then it's time to start. We're a nation of smokers and it's gonna stay like that!
- Men do not touch other men at all (except for shaking hands and harm-wrestle);
- Your manhood will be questioned if you drive sober;
- Always make sexist commentaries about everything you see;
- If a local farts, respect!

[close]

:-D:-D

Actually no, I live 30 minutes from Vilamoura and know the town well. It's a tourist place and has been for the past 40 years so people are more than used to foreigners. There's a nice Marina, pubs and discos and the beach is not far. There's really nothing else to see but I guess you're looking for the sun and relaxed time.

Any info you may need about the area just ask.
   

[AGA]

The favourite place I posted houses 16, which I thought was a fair estimate given the current interest (19 who would attend assuming it wasn't only taking place in their home countries...).  Maybe I'll post another poll later, and send out a message to all previous Mittens attendees to draw their attention.

miguel, how good is Vilamoura for access to other places (Lisbon or Faro, for instance) that may have more of interest?

[cat]

Second criteria is the location, it's unlikely I will be able to afford plane tickets to Portugal or Croatia on top of all other expenses, even with cheap airlines. Personally, I also believe that an accessible location for almost everybody is better than a more far out place where much fewer people can make it to, but that's just my opinion, doesn't have to 'influence' anything. I will confirm that I take part or not once a time and location is set.

People come from all over Europe and hopefully even from America. So no matter where Mittens will take place, almost everyone will have to come by plane.

All houses that AGA posted look nice. Tamara's castle looks great but it is way above our price limit. We should also consider the houses Disco has posted here http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=49800.msg636479067#msg636479067

[Disco]

This one that Berian posted in Vale Covo has my vote! http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P15306.htm?src=LS

[AGA]

Added a poll.  Possibly not the most sensible way of doing it, but let's see.

[cat]

Taking a closer look at this, the villa seems to be in a neighbourhood similar to the house in Ireland and far away from Lisbon.

None the less, it looks nice enough to hang around there for a week!

[AGA]

Ignore the poll, that was a silly idea.  Let's try a

Doodle poll

instead, that'll cover the various options more fairly.

[cat]

Ok, I'll write a few thoughts about each house:

1) A bit off from Lisbon, but this house seems to have the nicest communal areas, shops and restaurants are close, might be a bit expensive
2) Also far from Lisbon, large communal BBQ area, not sure how close shops and restaurants are
3) Also far from Lisbon, looks very nice, I don't see any large communal area for all to sit down, shops in 5min driving distance
4) I think it looks ugly
5) Very far from Lisbon and neither house nor pool appeal to me
6) Close to Lisbon, but this seems to be one villa that shares the pool with other houses?
7) Close to Lisbon, but I'm not sure what to think of this - which part of this huge estate is rented here?
8) Far away from Lisbon, I don't see any large communal area and the house doesn't appeal to me
9) Close enough to Lisbon, looks nice, several commnual areas, very nice location but not sure if there are shops or restaurants in walking distance. Make sure we get to rent the whole house, not only one or two floors, than this is my favourite so far. Pool with sea view FTW!