"oneworld" award inspiration

[Jacques Vert]

I agree with @Doctore1003 that cherry blossom time in Japan is worth considering but don't just think of Tokyo; I would have thought Tokyo is a destination city and you have indicated you want to avoid these. There are plenty of other options in Japan (although connections if F may take some planning).

You haven't said exactly what month you are travelling so it's not possible to be specific but note that Cherry Blossom time starts around the end of January/ early February in places like Okinawa and runs through to late April/early May in the northern Island of Hokkaido. You can see predictions for various areas of Japan here: Cherry Blossom Forecast 2021 (Note that the information on that site is for the 2021 season as it's too early for official predictions for 2022; predictions for 2023 won't be available until the end of next year.)

If you want to see the blossoms at their best, it's important to keep an eye on the predictions and build a little flexibility into your itinerary. And be aware that the blossoms only last a week (2 at best).

As for Europe, there are so many options but, as @RichardMEL has pointed out, it could be quite cold depending on how "early" you are travelling and whether you are into winter sports or hoping for something a little warmer.

 

[Mr H]

Just some random thoughts to take or leave...

If you are looking to get somewhere that is otherwise difficult to get to from Australia, consider Royal Air Maroc to Marrakesh and beyond - or perhaps a week or so in Egypt (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel). Or both.

You could also consider Southern Africa - for culture, safaris and potentially beach.

I have a OWA booked with a week in Sri Lanka (including UL business class which I am really looking forward to). But although Sri Lanka has an accessible coast, much of it has strong tides that make swimming inadvisable.

Be aware that Europe will be cold and, the further north you go, the earlier it will get dark. That is likely to impact on the kind of activities you do.

Avoid the United States except for transit - it is just the same as Australia except you have to tip everybody. Food comes in only two flavours - sweet or salt.

And finally, based on previous trips with lots of flights, they start to blur into one. None of them is quite as exciting as the first one. Lounges are basically waiting rooms and less exciting than the world outside, and I would base trips around cool destinations rather than cool flights.

 

[Stevo.1702]

Just some random thoughts to take or leave...

If you are looking to get somewhere that is otherwise difficult to get to from Australia, consider Royal Air Maroc to Marrakesh and beyond - or perhaps a week or so in Egypt (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel). Or both.

You could also consider Southern Africa - for culture, safaris and potentially beach.

I have a OWA booked with a week in Sri Lanka (including UL business class which I am really looking forward to). But although Sri Lanka has an accessible coast, much of it has strong tides that make swimming inadvisable.

Sri Lanka is certainly a cool idea. Are you staying around Colombo or travelling further south?

I think I have initial grand intentions but will likely wind them way back to areality that we can afford. My points balance is fatter than our $ allowance will likely start dictating what we can do where.

Thank you for the idea.

 

[RichardMEL]

Probably not terribly useful right now but a note that Oman Air (which apparently has a great F product) has applied to join OW. I mean it's not approved and there are no dates (and I doubt QR, RJ and Royal Air Maroc would be too pleased) but that may be an option by 2023. Maybe. Maybe not.

 

[Mr H]

Sri Lanka is certainly a cool idea. Are you staying around Colombo or travelling further south?

Actually going north to Jaffna for a few days.

You do need to check the monsoon season before you book - Sri Lanka has two different monsoon zones with different schedules.

 

[RichardMEL]

Avoid the United States except for transit - it is just the same as Australia except you have to tip everybody. Food comes in only two flavours - sweet or salt.

As I was reading I was sure you were going to write Food comes in only two SIZES - Extra Large and HUGE! lol but I digress...

I think this throw away line, with respect, is doing the US a disservice - both in general and in its many and varied foods.

Yes sure, the home of the Heart Attack Grill, fast food clusters on every other corner and in general huge portion sizes of not great quality (in the chains generally) has all those things.. but it has so much more.

It's not all the laughably named "Outback Steakhouse" a supposedly Australian themed restaurant which is insulting to any aussie who steps foot in the joint (back in the 90's I was taken to one by well meaning friends.... oh the pain, the pain ), Maccas, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts....

thinking of just food.. what about the Cajun/Creole cuisine in New Orleans?! Unique and fantastic... to the different pizza types between Chicago and NYC, to the different kinds of BBQ (and people get SO passionate about their kind) Texas, Memphis, North and South Carolina, Alabama (and many more)_.. and then you have pan Asian fusion cuisines of the West Coast say San Francisco up to Seattle. The weirdness that is Portland and so on.

Like everywhere the US has so many options and varieties (and yes qualities) available. A couple of years ago in Miami I stumbled across a Peruvian place that was amazing. I have very little experience with South American food myself, but this was delicious and I was so glad I found it! Just around the corner from an endless (seemingly) series of rip off tourist traps on South Beach with massive Margaritas and the standard fare.

One thing about the US which doesn't really apply anywhere near as much in Australia is that regional flavours really are a huge thing in different parts of the US.. from the various BBQ styles (google them!) to aforementioned South American food, to things like native american food in places like New Mexico and Arizona (note... you can have red, or green... or "Christmas" chilli ) and all the influences of the various cultures who have settled there. I mean sure Adelaide has pie floaters and various regions have their own takes on things here, but it's not even close in terms of variety when it comes to an "Australian Food" culture as it is in the US in my view.

But quite apart from food... the place is so diverse in nature (Grand Canyon, PNW forests and lakes and mountains, South Western deserts, Florida Panhandle, through the midwest prairies, and the north east areas) plus the history, specially in the NE, but also the South and through to the west.

I'm sure the comment above was more or less tongue in cheek, but I do want to stick up for the septics to an extent. The first time I went there decades back I wanted to know if it was all like it was in the movies and I was so happy to find so much variety, diversity and they're not all redneck yokels at all. There's much more than stereotypes. It's not for everyone for sure, but it's also more than many may think.

I do not mean to say the US is the best place in the world both for food and other things - not at all. Every place is special in its own way and has much to offer.. I just wouldn't dismiss an entire (huge) country based on watching Guy Fieri stuff his face with a burger

just my 48 cents worth

 

[Mr H]

just my 48 cents worth

just my 48 cents worth

48 cents plus an unpredictable amount of tax that is bizarrely not included on the price tag.

 

[Matt_01]

48 cents plus an unpredictable amount of tax that is bizarrely not included on the price tag.

The US has state based taxes and like others it has been a while since I have traveled to the US or anywhere else. When I was travelling regularly I had become quite accustomed to this practice. It is not just taxes it is also laws, as an example MA has a law about free and discounted alcohol so basically forget free booze in any hotel lounge whereas over in CA the Hilton in SFO were promoting the alcohol in the Hilton lounge but it had to be served (no self service) not sure if these rules may have changed since I was last there.

 

[FenderQF]

Congratulations on the wedding! I have just planned a RTW J ticket for my honeymoon also.

I agree with those that have said New Orleans. Absolutely fantastic place and the food/culture is as good as the fun you can have in the French Quarter. Close to the Caribbean too for transit through Miami if that is on the cards too. BA fly out from a lot of Caribbean islands too which would open up Europe.

Due to the time of year you want to go, Southern and Eastern Africa has some great award availability with QR. Could always go on safari and finish off on a beach in Zanzibar or Mozambique.

JAL F is a great experience and the whole country of Japan is great anytime of the year so I wouldn't rule that out.