2019 Travel Plans

[GarrettM]

We'll be travelling to the hospital at the end of March for BabyGM 2.0.

Anything outside of that would seem outrageously optimistic I must say.

 

[tgh]

I just loved Bryce and Zion - absolutely amazing scenery

That's great , we will be there next week ..

 

[LadyC]

And am adding a Perth visit over the Easter break. A few trips planned for 2019 now.

 

[blackcat20]

We'll be travelling to the hospital at the end of March for BabyGM 2.0.

Anything outside of that would seem outrageously optimistic I must say.

Not far behind you on that one; we're due early April.

Our last hurrah will be BNE in January.

 

[Major]

Not far behind you on that one; we're due early April.

Our last hurrah will be BNE in January.

Outstanding month for a birth

 

[Milboo]

Feb: Vegas to Denver road trip via Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyonlands and Arches National Park. Then a week snowboarding in Breckenridge and sampling as much Colorado beer as possible.

Oct: Honeymoon! Cape Town and surrounding wine regions, the Garden Route, and a 2-3 day safari somewhere, probably close to Jo'burg (will take all recommendations!). Followed by some serious down time in Zanzibar to relax and do some diving. Playing with the idea of a few days in Namibia at the end of the trip to see the massive dunes and check out the Oktoberfest there.

Lamenting a serious lack of annual leave after all that!

I recommend the Emily Moon Lodge in Plettenburg. And La Petit Dauphine Guest Farm in Franschhoek (Winelands).
The elephant sanctuary in Plettenburg was a great experience.
Safari - fly into Nelspruit or Hoelspruit and go into one of the private reserves in the Kruger to get the proper experience. We stayed at Shumbalala (in Thornybush) and loved it.

 

[mrsterryn]

Have to add an extra trip to Paris and London in Feb . Very nicely it is a reward seat. Bribed husband and said he might want to spend his points. Soo he is going to Denmark and London in Sept

 

[HockeyMonkey]

After 11 international trips in 2018, 2019 is very quiet so far.

Only trip booked is a trip to Vietnam via a QF award flight via SIN. SGN, DAD and HAN. Looking forward to trying QF F for the first time and experience companion dining with Mrs HockeyMonkey. Suspect it won't stand up against the EK F trip this year.

Mrs HockeyMonkey would also like to try Croatia, Sardinia or Crete but that might not be until 2020 when Miss HockeyMonkey has completed VCE.

I'm sure some business trips will come up as well, but with WP sorted until September 2020, my motivation has waned somewhat.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I was going to try bareboating Croatia, but have ditched that idea. I also think that my alternate idea of a small specialty cruise will be too restrictive, so does anyone have any ideas of a "special" (meaning out of the ordinary or not boring) Europe trip for August? I've only been to Amsterdam in 1986 and +1 has only been to Italy last year. I couldn't really give a toss about Europe, but +1 is definite so I'm resigned to the fact I have to endure it, but I'd like it to be worth it. Have about 6 weeks to spare. Any ideas??

 

[Flashback]

I was going to try bareboating Croatia, but have ditched that idea. I also think that my alternate idea of a small specialty cruise will be too restrictive, so does anyone have any ideas of a "special" (meaning out of the ordinary or not boring) Europe trip for August? I've only been to Amsterdam in 1986 and +1 has only been to Italy last year. I couldn't really give a toss about Europe, but +1 is definite so I'm resigned to the fact I have to endure it, but I'd like it to be worth it. Have about 6 weeks to spare. Any ideas??

There's some nice river cruises with the likes of Viking, they're not cheap though!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I've scrapped the cruise idea for the moment as I think it will be too restrictive given neither of us have seen much of Europe. I've also got well over 1M HH points I'd like to take advantage of!

 

[Flashback]

I've scrapped the cruise idea for the moment as I think it will be too restrictive given neither of us have seen much of Europe. I've also got well over 1M HH points I'd like to take advantage of!

I can suggest plenty of good European trips for you! What time of year?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I can suggest plenty of good European trips for you! What time of year?

Actually, I thought it was August, but I just checked my booking and we arrive LHR at the end of Aug, so Sept-Oct (LHR so we could easily grab an old SQ suite).

 

[VPS]

Actually, I thought it was August, but I just checked my booking and we arrive LHR at the end of Aug, so Sept-Oct (LHR so we could easily grab an old SQ suite).

Tell me what interests you guys (art, history, cathedrals, countryside, cities or rural and we can make lots of suggestions)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Tell me what interests you guys (art, history, cathedrals, countryside, cities or rural and we can make lots of suggestions)

Yes, I guess "what's to do in Europe" is somewhat broad.

We like difference. I'd prefer to poke toothpicks in my eyeballs than line up at some crusty old church with hoards of camera toting tourists to view a hollowed out wall which may or may not hold the remains of someone of past importance!

We like art, but hate guided tours of galleries (or guided tours of anything). Love the countryside, especially distinctly unique areas which are relatively untouched by the commercial tourism industry. Quaint villages, friendly genuine people (sorry, I've met too many arrogant French gits to have even a minute interest in visiting France ), great wine, nice food (informal relaxing settings a must), some history of course, stunning vistas ... oh and a nearby Hilton with good points and pay deals!

And many thanks for the offers to assist. I know I must sound like an idiot. I'd prefer to be going elsewhere but, as the saying goes ... happy wife, happy life.

 

[GarrettM]

Yes, I guess "what's to do in Europe" is somewhat broad.

We like difference. I'd prefer to poke toothpicks in my eyeballs than line up at some crusty old church with hoards of camera toting tourists to view a hollowed out wall which may or may not hold the remains of someone of past importance!

Not to go to far O/T but as much as I deplore organised religion, and am disgusted by the grotesque displays of wealth seen in a lot of old churches - I absolutely adore a lot of them for their architecture.

As for your wish list, maybe somewhere like Transylvanian Romania? Ticks a lot of your boxes, and is still under appreciated even in these "eastern Europe is so hot right now" times.

 

[Flashback]

Yes, I guess "what's to do in Europe" is somewhat broad.

We like difference. I'd prefer to poke toothpicks in my eyeballs than line up at some crusty old church with hoards of camera toting tourists to view a hollowed out wall which may or may not hold the remains of someone of past importance!

We like art, but hate guided tours of galleries (or guided tours of anything). Love the countryside, especially distinctly unique areas which are relatively untouched by the commercial tourism industry. Quaint villages, friendly genuine people (sorry, I've met too many arrogant French gits to have even a minute interest in visiting France ), great wine, nice food (informal relaxing settings a must), some history of course, stunning vistas ... oh and a nearby Hilton with good points and pay deals!

And many thanks for the offers to assist. I know I must sound like an idiot. I'd prefer to be going elsewhere but, as the saying goes ... happy wife, happy life.

I think a trip around the Balkans (Eastern Europe) would tick those boxes pretty well and being September, it'll be shoulder season so it'll be very pleasant weather but not too hot and not too overrun (except the Croatian coastal cities of course!).

Hopefully my TR gives some tripspiration (and tips!) for you..... Last minute Aussie catch up in the Balkans

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks @GarrettM and @Flashback. I'll brush up on that TR and go online and do some research.

 

[Renato1]

Actually, I thought it was August, but I just checked my booking and we arrive LHR at the end of Aug, so Sept-Oct (LHR so we could easily grab an old SQ suite).

Since you were originally thinking of a boat trip in Croatia, and since you are going to be in Europe September/October, you might want to consider a driving trip around Croatia. After the first week in September, the huge numbers of Germans in Istria (northern Croatia) go home and accommodation prices tumble amazingly (e.g. what was 150 Euros a night drops to 45 or 30 Euros a night). By the beginning of October, prices start tumbling in southern Croatia - not in the middle of Dubrovnik or Split themselves, but in the outlying suburbs like Lapad next to Dubrovnik.

There are heaps of ancient Venetian towns to see in Istria, the island of Krk we really enjoyed, Split and Dubrovnik are great, and Zagreb is an interesting place too - and it's only an hour and a half's drive from Ljubljana in Slovenia. More importantly, driving is very pleasant over there - I wrote it up in a Trip Report. If you hire a car in say Italy, companies like Hertz won't let you drive into Bosnia or Montenegro. But local companies may (though it will be a basic car) and then you could also visit Neum and Mostar in Bosnia or Kotor and Budva in Montenegro.
Regards,
Renato

P.S. Only nuisance is that to enjoy the rocky beaches over there, you have to buy a foam mat and rubber water shoes.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Many thanks @Renato1. It seems to be firming around that neck of the woods err, continent!