2019 Travel Plans

[Boca68]

Awesome, thanks for the recommendations! Lencois De Marahanese looks amazing but I'm wondering how long we should spend there. I also want to go to Rio but my partner is worried about the crime there. I'm sure it's fine going as a tourist though.

The Lencois really needs a whole day, just to experience it. Can be done from Sao Luis. (although means a long day ~12 hours) If the rains have been good, its incredible. First time I went it was a drought year, but I still thought it was amazing. Second time was just divine.

Rio has a bad rep for crime, Copa and Ipanema are draw cards for the pick pocket and the petty thief. The serious gun crime is more just behind those areas. So avoid them, and favelas, but areas like Gavea, Lapa, Botafogo are as safe as any major city in the world. And to be fair, Sao Paulo is just as bad for crime. If I could afford it , I'd buy one of the amazing hilltop villas in Sta Teresa and just drink Caprinhas. But it still has a neighbourhood feel.

Recife, Salvador are inherently safer, but be aware of the pickpocket in crowds, Especially on weekends and around festival times , Christmas/ Carnavale, Pascua..etcc..

It does get a slightly bad rap Brazil, but it's perfectly fine if you take the normal precautions that you would in London, New York etc...

 

[PointsFinder]

The Lencois really needs a whole day, just to experience it. Can be done from Sao Luis. (although means a long day ~12 hours) If the rains have been good, its incredible. First time I went it was a drought year, but I still thought it was amazing. Second time was just divine.

Rio has a bad rep for crime, Copa and Ipanema are draw cards for the pick pocket and the petty thief. The serious gun crime is more just behind those areas. So avoid them, and favelas, but areas like Gavea, Lapa, Botafogo are as safe as any major city in the world. And to be fair, Sao Paulo is just as bad for crime. If I could afford it , I'd buy one of the amazing hilltop villas in Sta Teresa and just drink Caprinhas. But it still has a neighbourhood feel.

Recife, Salvador are inherently safer, but be aware of the pickpocket in crowds, Especially on weekends and around festival times , Christmas/ Carnavale, Pascua..etcc..

It does get a slightly bad rap Brazil, but it's perfectly fine if you take the normal precautions that you would in London, New York etc...

Amazing - thanks for all the information! I think I'll add both Lencois and Rio to my itinerary !

 

[Cossie]

Haven't finished with 2018 yet, currently in far northern Queensland after being in NZ last week, want to do some more small trips before the end of the year, probably Rally Australia in Coffs, middle of November, real motorsport, not those guys that go round and round in circles all day...

Organised Canberra to Singapore for middle of Feb, with 2 separate visits to the Sofitel in Luang Prabang with about a week in between to do a river trip, I hope. Maybe a week in Thailand or Vietnam on the way there.

Rally Japan is meant to be making a reappearance next year, but as the calendar isn't released for another month or so it makes planning difficult. I will admit to be a hardcore M-Sport/MS-RT fan and if Ogier leaves Ford, I may have to reconsider how many rallies I go to.

The boss has Vancouver penciled in for late April/May with a good friend of hers, so I'll have to organise something for that time as well.

Less time in Canberra next winter, I'm so over the cold.

I also have to fit in trips to Ulverstone, would like to go Port Lincoln, plus the silo tour looks like fun as well.

 

[perthjay85]

I have just finalised our holiday plans for 2019, It took quite a bit of effort with Qantas (which I will probably post elsewhere so as to not thread derail).

After having convinced my new wife we needed another cruise + first class travel next year I managed to find some early availability around March and a cruise from Singapore again.

We are currently booked for:

Perth to Dubai first class on Emirates on a 777
Dubai to Singapore first class on Emirates on the A380
Cruise 8 nights from Singapore to Hong Kong with 4 stops in Vietnam on the Voyager of the Seas
Hong Kong to Singapore business class on Cathay Pacific on the A330 I think
Singapore to Melbourne first class on Emirates A380
Melbourne to Perth Business class on Qantas A330

I cannot wait for this holiday. It was worth the 5+ hours on live chat and over 3 hours on the phone to Qantas I think.

 

[RooFlyer]

After having convinced my new wife we needed another cruise + first class travel next year I managed to find some early availability around March and a cruise from Singapore again.

She needed convincing?

 

[perthjay85]

She needed convincing?

Unfortunately michelle doesn't like flying all that much.

But she's learning to enjoy it more in first class thankfully haha.

 

[JohnM]

Unfortunately michelle doesn't like flying all that much.

But she's learning to enjoy it more in first class thankfully haha.

There will be no going back...

 

[perthjay85]

There will be no going back...

Haha when we experienced business class from Perth to Sydney and return about 6 years ago I knew there was no going back.

 

[Denali]

Decided to bite the bullet and pay for private tours in Iceland.

My only justification is we're not paying for flights so that helps me not freak out at the dollar signs.

 

[RooFlyer]

Haha when we experienced business class from Perth to Sydney and return about 6 years ago I knew there was no going back.

I don't think JohnM was talking about going back to Business Class

 

[ontheaisle]

East Africa in October. A much awaited trip to Serengeti and Masai Mara - 12 night luxury safari with the "and Beyond group". Having done much research, we discovered that for 2019, their off peak rates start Oct 1 (usually this is Nov 1) so chances of seeing the migration of animals is still a very high probability. They also have a promotion on where if you book a minimum of 6 nights - they'll fly you free between the various lodges so we're going to the 4 different lodges they have and flying by private plane between locations is included. We're planning to fly in/out of Nairobi and connections aren't the best but likely go with Etihad as they've always been good on business class. We've realised that the only way to do a safari in Africa is at the top end so we're looking forward this once in a lifetime trip. Any one been to any of the "and Beyond" lodges and any advice/pointers is always appreciated.

I haven't been myself, but I have friends (a couple) who have done trips with "and Beyond" over the past three Christmases and they rave about them. Definitely the top end of the market but they tell me their trips have been worth every cent.

 

[ontheaisle]

1 Jan 19 – After Xmas and NYE in Cuba, back to the US for a few days in Arizona (Sedona) and California (Palm Desert) before heading home to Sydney. Managed to grab a sale PE fare on AirNZ over the silly season for pretty much the same price as QF Y back in June. It’ll take a few more hours to get to LAX but we’ll be a lot more comfortable.

Easter 19 – Seriously considering a week away over Easter, to maximise use of my annual leave days. Probably South Korea. Burma is another possibility but a week might be too short a time, especially factoring in flight and transit times.

27 Jul 19 – Booked a QFF award flight on MU from Sydney to Frankfurt via Shanghai in J. Never flown them before so it’ll be an interesting experience, if nothing else. Preference was for MH/BA/QF but I was umming and aahing too long over dates and routes and missed out. Although at 139k points and $250 in taxes I can’t really complain Now just need to work out an award seat getting back to Oz (preferably in J) once I get holiday dates approved at work. My final dates and departure point will determine my itinerary. Only definite is Santorini from 28 Jul-2 Aug for a friend's big birthday but I'd like to fit in some of the Balkans while I'm in the general vicinity.

4 Oct – Thinking of taking an extra day or two around the long weekend and a short trip to somewhere close in the South Pacific, either Fiji or Vanuatu.

21 Dec 19 – Either Africa or Central America, leaning towards the latter. Or the more temperate parts of Europe (Portugal, Spain, etc.) if the parents want to come on holiday.

Travelling overseas over Xmas/NY is my least favourite time of year to travel, for value for money. But work closes down for two weeks over Christmas and I have to take half my annual leave anyway so needs must. First world problems, but I miss my public sector flex time… sigh.

 

[Flashback]

1 Jan 19 – After Xmas and NYE in Cuba, back to the US for a few days in Arizona (Sedona) and California (Palm Desert) before heading home to Sydney. Managed to grab a sale PE fare on AirNZ over the silly season for pretty much the same price as QF Y back in June. It’ll take a few more hours to get to LAX but we’ll be a lot more comfortable.

Easter 19 – Seriously considering a week away over Easter, to maximise use of my annual leave days. Probably South Korea. Burma is another possibility but a week might be too short a time, especially factoring in flight and transit times.

27 Jul 19 – Booked a QFF award flight on MU from Sydney to Frankfurt via Shanghai in J. Never flown them before so it’ll be an interesting experience, if nothing else. Preference was for MH/BA/QF but I was umming and aahing too long over dates and routes and missed out. Although at 139k points and $250 in taxes I can’t really complain Now just need to work out an award seat getting back to Oz (preferably in J) once I get holiday dates approved at work. My final dates and departure point will determine my itinerary. Only definite is Santorini from 28 Jul-2 Aug for a friend's big birthday but I'd like to fit in some of the Balkans while I'm in the general vicinity.

4 Oct – Thinking of taking an extra day or two around the long weekend and a short trip to somewhere close in the South Pacific, either Fiji or Vanuatu.

21 Dec 19 – Either Africa or Central America, leaning towards the latter. Or the more temperate parts of Europe (Portugal, Spain, etc.) if the parents want to come on holiday.

Travelling overseas over Xmas/NY is my least favourite time of year to travel, for value for money. But work closes down for two weeks over Christmas and I have to take half my annual leave anyway so needs must. First world problems, but I miss my public sector flex time… sigh.

If you do settle on the Balkans, check out my TR for a few tips on driving around: Last minute Aussie catch up in the Balkans

Regarding time off over Christmas, I'd say it depends where you want to go. Certainly being Europe based I find some really good deals over Christmas, so more often than not (given both our families don't live local) we tend to go away over the period.

 

[Flashback]

One trip that is already in place that I forgot about, we'll be doing the Scotland NC500 route (thanks Denali for the inspiration!) over Easter.

 

[jeza]

Currently have plans to make my first visit to Europe, arriving in Amsterdam on the 29th July & fly out on the 27th of August. The flight into Amsterdam SIN-HKG-AMS is a 0640hrs arrival & the flight out AMS-DOH-PER is a 1600hrs departure. Plan on using a lot of rail to travel between cities except for between Munich & London where the current plan is to fly that sector on a paid flight.

Have a few rough traveling itineraries in mind

1st possible routing
Amsterdam - Arr Mon 29th July -> Dep Fri 2nd Aug
Berlin - 2nd Aug -> Tues 6th Aug
Prague - 6th Aug -> Sat 10th Aug
Budapest - 10th Aug -> Tues 13th Aug
Vienna - 13th Aug -> Sat 17th Aug
Munich - 17th Aug -> Wed 21st Aug
London - 21 Aug -> Mon 26th Aug
Rotterdam or Amsterdam for 1night - 26th Aug

2nd
Amsterdam - Arr Mon 29th July -> Dep Tues 30th July
Berlin - 30th July -> Sat 3rd Aug
Prague - 3rd Aug -> Wed 7th Aug
Budapest - 7th Aug -> Sat 10th Aug
Vienna - 10th Aug -> Wed 14th Aug
Munich - 14th Aug -> Sun 18th Aug
London - 18th Aug -> Fri 23rd Aug
Amsterdam - 23rd Aug -> Tues 27th Aug

3rd
Amsterdam - Arr Mon 29th July -> Dep Tues 30th July
London 30th - July -> Sun 4th Aug
Munich - 4th Aug -> Thu 8th Aug
Vienna - 8th Aug -> Mon 12th Aug
Budapest - 12th Aug -> Thu 15th Aug
Prague - 15th Aug -> Mon 19th Aug
Berlin - 19th -> Fri 23rd Aug
Amsterdam - 23rd Aug -> Tues 27th Aug


4 nights is the average for most stays with 5 nights for London, a 5 night stay for Amsterdam in 2 parts & 3 nights for Budapest.

Very open to suggestions about whether that is too much moving about or whether to rejig the itinerary to spend more or less time in various cities.

 

[Flashback]

Currently have plans to make my first visit to Europe, arriving in Amsterdam on the 29th July & fly out on the 27th of August. The flight into Amsterdam SIN-HKG-AMS is a 0640hrs arrival & the flight out AMS-DOH-PER is a 1600hrs departure. Plan on using a lot of rail to travel between cities except for between Munich & London where the current plan is to fly that sector on a paid flight.

Have a few rough traveling itineraries in mind

1st possible routing
Amsterdam - Arr Mon 29th July -> Dep Fri 2nd Aug
Berlin - 2nd Aug -> Tues 6th Aug
Prague - 6th Aug -> Sat 10th Aug
Budapest - 10th Aug -> Tues 13th Aug
Vienna - 13th Aug -> Sat 17th Aug
Munich - 17th Aug -> Wed 21st Aug
London - 21 Aug -> Mon 26th Aug
Rotterdam or Amsterdam for 1night - 26th Aug

2nd
Amsterdam - Arr Mon 29th July -> Dep Tues 30th July
Berlin - 30th July -> Sat 3rd Aug
Prague - 3rd Aug -> Wed 7th Aug
Budapest - 7th Aug -> Sat 10th Aug
Vienna - 10th Aug -> Wed 14th Aug
Munich - 14th Aug -> Sun 18th Aug
London - 18th Aug -> Fri 23rd Aug
Amsterdam - 23rd Aug -> Tues 27th Aug

3rd
Amsterdam - Arr Mon 29th July -> Dep Tues 30th July
London 30th - July -> Sun 4th Aug
Munich - 4th Aug -> Thu 8th Aug
Vienna - 8th Aug -> Mon 12th Aug
Budapest - 12th Aug -> Thu 15th Aug
Prague - 15th Aug -> Mon 19th Aug
Berlin - 19th -> Fri 23rd Aug
Amsterdam - 23rd Aug -> Tues 27th Aug


4 nights is the average for most stays with 5 nights for London, a 5 night stay for Amsterdam in 2 parts & 3 nights for Budapest.

Very open to suggestions about whether that is too much moving about or whether to rejig the itinerary to spend more or less time in various cities.

That's plenty of time for each city; any of those itineraries work well enough too. I'd suggest 2 nights in Rotterdam if you can swing it, it's taking off as a city a bit more these days.

From Munich you could also do a day trip to see Neuschwanstein castle.

Between Munich and Vienna you can use the Bayern ticket which is a flat cost and it's only a 1.5-2 hour journey on the train.

 

[Cossie]

IMO, anyone considering Prague should factor in a side trip to Cesky Kromlov, preferably staying overnight so as to avoid the many day trippers from Prague.

Berlin, been there a few times and have enjoyed it, Potsdam, Charlottenburg, but also consider, Dresden, Leipzig and my current favourite small German town, Gorlitz.

The German government has been throwing bucket loads of money at the former East Germany, it's not all grey and drab now, in fact I prefer that area and I think it's cheaper overall than the former west, but anyway I realise that people have time limits.

 

[OATEK]

IMO, anyone considering Prague should factor in a side trip to Cesky Kromlov, preferably staying overnight so as to avoid the many day trippers from Prague.

Berlin, been there a few times and have enjoyed it, Potsdam, Charlottenburg, but also consider, Dresden, Leipzig and my current favourite small German town, Gorlitz.

The German government has been throwing bucket loads of money at the former East Germany, it's not all grey and drab now, in fact I prefer that area and I think it's cheaper overall than the former west, but anyway I realise that people have time limits.

Throw in Juterbog and Bamberg as well - lots of beautiful little towns in Germany.

 

[karen blancfield]

This is a great thread thanks, just what I was looking for to give me inspiration.

 

[AisleSeat]

Unfortunately michelle doesn't like flying all that much.

But she's learning to enjoy it more in first class thankfully haha.

Yep, that'll do it alright.