Any Travel Plan for 2019?

[Sunset]

No problem. I got a small Skoda because the roads are relatively narrow, just like in England. I'm OK with a right hand drive manual transmission, but DW tends to stare down at the phone in her lap while we're on the road. Actually, driving anywhere in Europe makes her nervous.

There are a lot of roads in Ireland that are only about 1.5 cars wide, although they're two-way roads. Also quite a few in more rural areas that are not much more than one car wide. You just have to pay attention and be willing to maneuver a bit (or even back up to a wider spot if necessary). Pretty similar to parts of the Lake District in England IMHO.

It's a pretty big deal to get a driving license over there. Once you pass the basic test, you have a very large "L" decal on your rear window, meaning you're a Learner. No driving without a fully qualified driver in the seat next to you. Then when you get your full license, you have a very large "N" decal meaning you're a Novice driver. You have to wear the N for two years until you can take it off and you're fully qualified. They take it seriously.

Right now they're running notices on the radio telling Northern Ireland drivers that their UK licenses won't be any good in the Republic once Brexit is final, so they had better make plans!

So as a tourist, how can you drive over there regarding license requirements ? (what do you do about rented car insurance ?)

 

[NW-Bound]

We spent 10 days on Maui and one day on Oahu. We loved it - I highly recommended splurging on a helicopter ride. In 47 days we are of to the Panama Canal on a 12 day NCL crusie.

This will be our 3rd time in Maui. When we first went to Maui 30 years ago, we did take a chopper ride. It was OK.

About the Panama cruise at year end, I decided to delay it till next year. Too much travel already this year, and I am afraid I will not enjoy it.

 

[braumeister]

So as a tourist, how can you drive over there regarding license requirements ? (what do you do about rented car insurance ?)

Doesn't seem to be a problem as long as you buy the rental car company insurance. That can definitely get expensive but I normally do it for the peace of mind. I have enough on my mind driving on the "wrong" side of the road and shifting with my left hand. You can shop around -- there is enough competition among companies.

 

[NW-Bound]

This will be our 3rd time in Maui. When we first went to Maui 30 years ago...

My wife told my son that this will be his 2nd trip to Maui.

That first time we went, she was a few months pregnant. And my son turned 30 a few months ago.

I often forget this, but of course a mother won't.

 

[Scrapr]

I have been poking around the Virgin Atlantic flight schedules & cost. From West Coast to a major European gateway is typically $5-7k for Upper Class (Business Class). I just have seen some for about $2500 RT. Now I need a reason to go to Paris.....

 

[explanade]

First and foremost, visit outside of tourist season.

As I said, Kilkenny would certainly be worth more time than we spent. Same goes for Dingle.

Waterford is interesting (oldest city in Ireland, founded by Vikings) but was so overrun with tour buses that it was impossible.

Parts of the Boyne Valley that we didn't get to, although we saw quite a lot. Less than an hour outside Dublin and easily worth two days.

In Northern Ireland, Derry (or Londonderry if you prefer) was a fascinating town and worth another visit.

The Irish, both in the Republic and in Northern Ireland, are incredibly friendly people and just delightful to talk with. And we ate extremely well everywhere -- the food is wonderful.

I would imagine the summer months maximizes the chances of getting some sun?

There's also suppose to be some attraction which is big around one of the equinoxes.

There must also be Game of Thrones tours. There seems to be some very rugged and unique coastline sights as well.

$350 per person for 19 nights? That merits a post in the Blow that dough thread.

 

[NW-Bound]

I have been poking around the Virgin Atlantic flight schedules & cost. From West Coast to a major European gateway is typically $5-7k for Upper Class (Business Class). I just have seen some for about $2500 RT. Now I need a reason to go to Paris.....

Hmmm... Perhaps the airlines are anticipating a travel slowdown next year due to the world's economy weakening.

I should look into that trip to Malta then a cruise around the Greek islands, something I have been contemplating for a while.

 

[NW-Bound]

Wow, less than $2300 a piece.

Let's see if there's a Greek cruise in that time frame.

PS. Only 1 stop in Heathrow, but layover of more than 6 hrs. Seems awful. Perhaps there's a lounge to make that time go faster.

 

[Scrapr]

Hmmm... Perhaps the airlines are anticipating a travel slowdown next year due to the world's economy weakening.

That's what I thought. Or Brexit. If I'm doing it better lock it in before BoJo blows up the Empire

and now that Google knows I'm looking at Virgin Atlantic that is all the ads I'm seeing on my banner. That's not helping

 

[explanade]

No they have sales they run. I paid about $2600 for direct flights from SFO to London in business class and then I bought a separate ticket to Italy this year.

Next year, I've done the same, I think it was about $2300 all in for late May to mid June. Then a separate flight to France.

I may book a couple more for around that price.

Typically you have to leave Tues/Wednesday and similar restrictions on when you fly back. That's what being FIRE'd allows you to do.

 

[brett]

If you are interested in Malta check out Air Malta flights from various European gateways. We flew from Prague and then a short hop tp Catania, Sicily. Fares were excellent, as was the service and the equipment.

 

[Freedom56]

The Seasonal Business Class fare sale is going on now for travel next spring and summer. There are some great deals from Air France, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM and Lufthansa. American Airlines is starting to lower their prices and have some deals also.

I just booked on Virgin Atlantic from LAX to GVA for next summer. I paid $1012 ($506 each) less than last year for the same two tickets except we are flying into peak travel season. The price I just paid broke last years record low for Business Class to Switzerland from Los Angeles by 17%. Just like last year I found this deal with Google Flights and just like last year I had to book it through Expedia or call into Virgin Airlines by phone. I booked through Expedia. It is not available through the Virgin Atlantic web site. Air France had similar prices but with a connection through CDG.

From Expedia:

Traveler 1: Adult$2,489.13


Traveler 2: Adult$2,489.13
Total$4,978.26
View receipt
All prices are quoted in USD.


From Google Flights

Round trip 2 Business Class
Los Angeles
Geneva
Total price:
$4,979
Selected flights
Track prices

Departing flight Sat, May 23

6:30 PM
Los Angeles International Airport LAX
Travel time: 10h 15m
Overnight
12:45 PM+1
Heathrow Airport LHR
Virgin Atlantic
Business Class
Boeing 787
VS 144
Lie flat seat
Wi-Fi
In-seat power & USB outlets
On-demand video
2h 45m layover
London LHR

3:30 PM+1
Heathrow Airport LHR
Travel time: 1h 45m
6:15 PM+1
Genève Aéroport GVA
British Airways
Business Class
Airbus A319
BA 734
Average legroom (30 in)

Returning flight Sat, Jul 4

1:10 PM
Genève Aéroport GVA
Travel time: 1h 45m
1:55 PM
Heathrow Airport LHR
British Airways
Business Class
Airbus A321
BA 729
Average legroom (30 in)
In-seat power & USB outlets
1h 50m layover
London LHR

3:45 PM
Heathrow Airport LHR
Travel time: 11h 10m
6:55 PM
Los Angeles International Airport LAX
Virgin Atlantic
Business Class
Boeing 787
VS 23
Lie flat seat
Wi-Fi
In-seat power & USB outlets

 

[Sunset]

I just booked a pair of cheap seats to Edinburgh and return via London for next spring with 120K points + $370.

I wanted first class, but the available award flights had terrible hours, so had to pick the cheap seats.

 

[MBAustin]

We just returned from our 24-day, 3766 mile RV trip to Niagara Falls. Only minor issues - I hit something backing up while leaving the first RV park and busted the awning; the water heater failed the next day so we boiled water for dishwashing and showered in the park restrooms the rest of the trip, and we discovered a slow water leak behind the powder room wall when we got home (waiting for the plumber to arrive now).

Niagara Falls (DH's bucket list item) was spectacular - we went over to the Canadian side two days. It's worth staying until evening to see them lit up (we didn't stay until 10pm for the fireworks, though). The view from the state park on the US side is also very interesting. Unfortunately, the town of Niagara Falls NY has seen better days.

We also took in several other sites along the way. Top two were
- Crystal Bridges (American art museum in Bentonville AR build by one of the Walton family) which was so spectacular we're planning a second visit to have more time to see it all and
- National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis - I thought the one in Atlanta was excellent but this one is even better. Allow 2-3 hours to see it. Excellent ribs at Central BBQ behind the parking lot.

Also visited Niagara-on-the-Lake (charming tourist town about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls CA), Fort Niagara (very interesting and just across the Niagara River from Niagara-on-the=Lake), Pro Football Hall of Fame (history interesting, hall of busts not so much), Mammoth Cave (interesting history and geology, not so many spectacular features as Carlsbad), and Graceland (more interesting than we expected).

Here are a few pictures of the Falls

 

[Teacher Terry]

We have been to Niagara Falls and they are breathtaking. Definitely a place you could visit more than once. Letchworth State Park is called the Grand Canyon of the East. We saw it on the same trip.

 

[NW-Bound]

About the cost of the flight to Malta, if the price I saw is the regular price, then I will not rush into it now. I need some time to flesh out the trip a bit more.

Another thing is I thought I would alternate between a long international trip and a long RV trek, and next year is the time for the RV as we did not do one this year.

No, I no longer have the stamina to do both. One long trip and a shorter trip may be, and that's enough for one year.

 

[NW-Bound]

We just returned from our 24-day, 3766 mile RV trip to Niagara Falls. Only minor issues - I hit something backing up while leaving the first RV park and busted the awning; the water heater failed the next day so we boiled water for dishwashing and showered in the park restrooms the rest of the trip, and we discovered a slow water leak behind the powder room wall when we got home (waiting for the plumber to arrive now).

Niagara Falls (DH's bucket list item) was spectacular - we went over to the Canadian side two days. It's worth staying until evening to see them lit up (we didn't stay until 10pm for the fireworks, though). The view from the state park on the US side is also very interesting. Unfortunately, the town of Niagara Falls NY has seen better days.

We also took in several other sites along the way. Top two were
- Crystal Bridges (American art museum in Bentonville AR build by one of the Walton family) which was so spectacular we're planning a second visit to have more time to see it all and
- National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis - I thought the one in Atlanta was excellent but this one is even better. Allow 2-3 hours to see it. Excellent ribs at Central BBQ behind the parking lot.

Also visited Niagara-on-the-Lake (charming tourist town about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls CA), Fort Niagara (very interesting and just across the Niagara River from Niagara-on-the=Lake), Pro Football Hall of Fame (history interesting, hall of busts not so much), Mammoth Cave (interesting history and geology, not so many spectacular features as Carlsbad), and Graceland (more interesting than we expected).

Here are a few pictures of the Falls

View attachment 32620

View attachment 32619

View attachment 32618

This brings back memory.

A few years ago in an RV trip, we stopped for a few nights camping out in Fort Niagara, although we had been to the Falls before. But the earlier time, we drove from Toronto, and spent more time on the Canadian side.

In that RV trip, we spent more time on the US side, and even had time to drive to Buffalo to see what the town was about, and stumbled on the restaurant that was the birthplace of the Buffalo wings. I love having the toad to drive around for sightseeing.

We then followed the river going down to Thousand Islands and spent a few nights in a state park. Then, crossed into Canada to go to Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec before going to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. That trip was more than 10,000 miles just on the RV, and there were a couple thousand more miles with the toad excursions.

About water problems with the RV, I had so many times when the fittings just came loose from road vibrations. I always turn the water pump off when we are not using water, particularly when we leave the RV.

 

[brett]

We are travelling in Greece. One of our Autoeurope vouchers highlights the need for an International Drivers Permit. Cannot recall seeing this bolder notation on any prior rental voucher.

We rented from Thrifty in Ioannini. I was asked if I had the permit (I did). The clerk did not ask to see it. This is the very first time in many rentals in Europe over the past 30 years that it has ever been mentioned by an auto rental store.

The other first for us in Greece..we paid for our hotel in
Metsovo today with a credit card. The hotel’s bank (alpha bank) asked us if we wanted to pay in our home currency or euros. The default was the former.

 

[JDARNELL]

We are travelling in Greece. One of our Autoeurope vouchers highlights the need for an International Drivers Permit. Cannot recall seeing this bolder notation on any prior rental voucher.

We rented from Thrifty in Ioannini. I was asked if I had the permit (I did). The clerk did not ask to see it. This is the very first time in many rentals in Europe over the past 30 years that it has ever been mentioned by an auto rental store.

The other first for us in Greece..we paid for our hotel in
Metsovo today with a credit card. The hotel’s bank (alpha bank) asked us if we wanted to pay in our home currency or euros. The default was the former.

We will be in Greece next month. I did get my IDP. I always pay hotels in local currency via card so I get the current exchange rate. What are you doing about rental car insurance?

 

[frugal-one]

We have been to Niagara Falls and they are breathtaking. Definitely a place you could visit more than once. Letchworth State Park is called the Grand Canyon of the East. We saw it on the same trip.

We are in the Finger Lakes region of New York right now. We stopped at Niagra Falls and DH was very disappointed by the tourism. Everything had a price and there were many people. Letchworth State park outshined Niagra by far. There were 3 beautiful falls. Even in Ithaca, one of the falls was tallier than Niagra.

The Finger Lakes region has exceeded our expectations! It is BEAUTIFUL and there is so much to do.

 

[SoReady]

It has been a busy travel year. So far this year my wife and I have been to these places. I have not gone with her to the ones in bold.

Egypt
Nashville
Florida
Jamaica
Tenerife
Madrid
Maldives St. Regis
Sri Lanka
Qatar
Estes Park
Traverse City
Oshkosh
Dublin
Tucson
Tahiti
Moorea
Bora Bora
NYC

Later this week we are going to Jordan. Then Nov has a short trip to Las Vegas. And immediately after Christmas we are off to Sydney Australia to ring in NYE!

 

[Nemo2]

Sri Lanka

How is it there now?....always had a 'soft spot' for Sri Lanka.

 

[NW-Bound]

Been doing some very preliminary planning for going to Malta next year, then taking a cruise from there.

Just looking at all the flights with airport layover tired me out already. Still, my wife said that if we don't do it now, it is only going to be harder as we get older.

Next year is supposed to be the year for long-range RV travel, but I thought I would save RV'ing for later when we don't want to do air travel anymore, or get tired of international trips.

Darn, I am not even Medicare age yet, why am I feeling so pooped?

 

[Nemo2]

Darn, I am not even Medicare age yet, why am I feeling so pooped?

Those solar panels you keep playing with are sucking the vitality right out of you?

 

[NW-Bound]

I can take a break from them any time.

When I am stuck in an aluminum tube at 35,000 ft, or languishing on a bench in an airport terminal, or jostled in a custom/immigration line, I cannot escape!