2025 travel plans

[Disco]

The one in Alhambra is....how do I put it, quite expensive for no good reason imho....back in 2019 it was 400 something euros I don't want to think how much it would be now...
I would recommend the Washington hotel just outside, much cheaper, a lot nicer room and the location is just a short walk away.

Could be depending on time of year . We stayed in the old, hilly, area with night views from the patio of the Alhambra. However, if you become an amigo the Paradores have some good offers over a number of stays or visits to different places. E.g we stayed in what was an old Palace in Zamora complete with knight in armour. No fee for joining and you can assess whether it is suitable for where you are travelling.

 

[Flashback]

Could be depending on time of year . We stayed in the old, hilly, area with night views from the patio of the Alhambra. However, if you become an amigo the Paradores have some good offers over a number of stays or visits to different places. E.g we stayed in what was an old Palace in Zamora complete with knight in armour. No fee for joining and you can assess whether it is suitable for where you are travelling.

I had a way, way cheaper place that was nice. But, each to their own.

 

[MARTINE]

I had a way, way cheaper place that was nice. But, each to their own.

Name?

 

[rbjhan]

Could be depending on time of year . We stayed in the old, hilly, area with night views from the patio of the Alhambra. However, if you become an amigo the Paradores have some good offers over a number of stays or visits to different places. E.g we stayed in what was an old Palace in Zamora complete with knight in armour. No fee for joining and you can assess whether it is suitable for where you are travelling.

There are some Paradores that's worth the money, I like the one in Toledo for example.
Ronda is not bad either. They are still more expensive than hotels nearby (and all the ones I stayed at, rooms were in dire need of renovation), but at least not that much.
But none of the other Paradores are on the same price range as the Alhambra one, and that is the one I have a problem with.

 

[Disco]

There are some Paradores that's worth the money, I like the one in Toledo for example.
Ronda is not bad either. They are still more expensive than hotels nearby (and all the ones I stayed at, rooms were in dire need of renovation), but at least not that much.
But none of the other Paradores are on the same price range as the Alhambra one, and that is the one I have a problem with.

Yes, probably because of popularity. We stayed in a beautifully furnished unit that was part of a small complex with inside tiled atrium and it's own patio. From recollection the tariff was roughly 100eu and the best value we had in Spain. I guess it was because of the location in small windy one way streets, where even the taxis had difficulty. We were able to walk to Alhambra and around but it required an average amount of fitness.

 

[rbjhan]

Yes, probably because of popularity. We stayed in a beautifully furnished unit that was part of a small complex with inside tiled atrium and it's own patio. From recollection the tariff was roughly 100eu and the best value we had in Spain. I guess it was because of the location in small windy one way streets, where even the taxis had difficulty. We were able to walk to Alhambra and around but it required an average amount of fitness.

I had booked a night session at the Alhambra (starting 10pm! don't you just love the Spanish time) which was why I booked it. But in hindsight the Washington hotel would be just fine for a third of the price....
I stayed 3 nights in Granada, the other 2 nights I booked a hotel right next to the Catedral for about €100 and the room was much nicer.

 

[Disco]

I had booked a night session at the Alhambra (starting 10pm! don't you just love the Spanish time) which was why I booked it. But in hindsight the Washington hotel would be just fine for a third of the price....
I stayed 3 nights in Granada, the other 2 nights I booked a hotel right next to the Catedral for about €100 and the room was much nicer.

Yes, there are some good options in Granada, we really enjoyed our 3 nights. Lots of outdoor dining options - after 9.0pm of course

 

[MonteCristo]

To kick off retirement, 10 weeks in Greece island hopping, 3 weeks in Vietnam on a tour. Then maybe 4 weeks in New Zealand at the end of the year, but that'll probably be January or February 2026.

 

[OATEK]

Our trips have been family focussed since Covid, with an occasional side venture. Planning for UK in May/June 2025, 5 weeks, with a family get away to the South Coast for a week in there somewhere. Much of the rest of the time in and around London with the usual side-trip to catch up with family in Manchester.

Booked for May/June 2025.

QF CR SYD-SIN on QF291 in PE.

2 nights CP Changi.

EK355/11 SIN-LGW, returning on EK16/348, all in J.

2 nights CP Changi.

SQ211 SIN-SYD in Y (day flight).

 

[Clayton]

A few longer trips for us now we're both retired.


April -
SQ J ADL-SIN, JAL F SIN-HND,
28 day JP cruise on HAL, then
SQ J HND - PER for family event, then
VA PER-ADL

August, October -
SQ J ADL-SIN-HND, JAL F HND-CDG
5 days Paris, then
SAS CDG-CPH
3 days CPH, then
SAS CPH to KEF,
3 days KEF then
14 days Viking cruise ending in Bergen.
SAS BGO-BCN
14 day HAL cruise to eastern Med,
disembark ATH for 4 days,
QR J ATH-DOH-ADL

Looking for fun itineraries for 2026.

 

[xen0n33]

February:
Uluru. VA had a special offer on fares when they launched. I picked a cheaper time, hotel-wise. Still not cheap, but I've never been there.

March:
Hong Kong & Jakarta. Saw redemption availabilty on QF J SYD-HKG & CGK-SYD so decided to make a trip of it. After visiting Europe annually recently I want to spend more time in Asia.

June:
Wellington & Queenstown. Paid NZ Y on the way over, VA J points on the way back. Hoping to do some hiking while the weather is cool.

November:
Taipei and hopefully various stops in Japan (Sapporo, Osaka). I've booked MEL-SIN-TPE SQ J on points; waiting for NH J NRT-PER or HND-SYD (not likely until close in)

 

[CaptainCurtis]

June:
Wellington & Queenstown. Paid NZ Y on the way over, VA J points on the way back. Hoping to do some hiking while the weather is cool.

I highly recommend the Moke Lake trail, about a 25 minute drive out of Queenstown proper.