2024 Travel Plans

Just booked to go to Morocco for a month in the Spring.

We originally had tickets for last Sept/Oct leaving two days after the earthquake. Airline let us cancel bank the money instead. We realized that there was a time limit on the reticket so we are going for a month in April/May. Do not want of forfeit the tickets.

We had bargain tickets booked to Paris at the same time. Cancelled and refunded them because of the time fuse on the Morocco tickets (different airline).

We sense that some international air prices are getting better...with the exception of SE Asia.
 
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Just came back from extended winter travels (Belize, Costa Rica & Cancun). Our favorite was Tamarindo in Costa Rica.

Only have long weekend trips in California and Oregon for the Summer 2024. I love endurance bike races, especially on gravel and dirt roads and most of our summer travels on the west coast wraps around my summer race schedule.

Starting to throw out some ideas for Winter 2024. In Central and South America.
 
1242Vintage said:
Just came back from extended winter travels (Belize, Costa Rica & Cancun). Our favorite was Tamarindo in Costa Rica.

Only have long weekend trips in California and Oregon for the Summer 2024. I love endurance bike races, especially on gravel and dirt roads and most of our summer travels on the west coast wraps around my summer race schedule.

Starting to throw out some ideas for Winter 2024. In Central and South America.
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During your trip to Costa Rica, did you happen to go to the Arenal Springs resort? I don't know if it is like it was years ago, but back then it was amazing. We were having drinks while sitting in different levels of hot spring water flowing right off the volcano. When night came, the volcano was throwing car size chunks of glowing rock out every now and then. I want to go back some day if it is still like that.
 
Just booked Zihautanejo for two weeks in March.

Same as last year. Fares going down we good and there was choice. Snagging good return fares was much more challenging. Same issue we experienced at the same time last year.
 
We leave for Australia / New Zealand in a few weeks. Will be there almost 30 days. Then NC and CA for weddings, then a VT lake vacation with the kids in the summer. Just returned from a short trip to FL to see friends and family.
 
Heading to Belize in a couple of weeks for a couple of weeks. This will be our 6th trip there. Then in May we are joining friends for a week cruising the BVI's on a large catamaran. This time they've hired a captain and a cook. It's been at least 17 years or more since we've done this. Can't wait.
 
Our next trip is a ski trip to Banff next month! Never been but it looks beautiful.
 
Got back from a 9 day family vacation on Maui. Had a great view from our vacation rental in South Maui. Saw and felt the devastation of the wildfires. Mana to all the deceased and survivors.

Seeing the kids just LOVE the ocean and splashing around was great! We've been to the ocean a few times but as they are now 9, 6 and almost 4 but they played really well and travlled well also.

Whale watching, visiting with old friends (DW and I spent 1 yr on-island prior to kiddos), beach fun, ocean fun, swimming in the pool and hanging in the hot tub were highlights. Amazing Pacific Ocean Seafood. And some relaxing!

The weather was a little wild the first day, lots of rain and wind.

Next trip is to Mazatlan for the total solar eclipse in April.

Fairly light after that. I need to book some suncountry credits so I will go somewhere warm with my daughter for a daddy daughter trip. She is super exctied...any suggestions?
 
brett said:
Just booked to go to Morocco for a month in the Spring.

We originally had tickets for last Sept/Oct leaving two days after the earthquake. Airline let us cancel bank the money instead. We realized that there was a time limit on the reticket so we are going for a month in April/May. Do not want of forfeit the tickets.

We had bargain tickets booked to Paris at the same time. Cancelled and refunded them because of the time fuse on the Morocco tickets (different airline).

We sense that some international air prices are getting better...with the exception of SE Asia.
Click to expand...

I went to Morocco right after Ramadan last year. It's an incredible country. Casablanca, Rabat, Kenitra, Fes, Marrakech. Volubilis, Atlas Mountains.

I want to go back but go further up the coast past Kenitra to Tangier, pop over to Gibraltar, and head up to Portugal.

Someday.
 
kgtest said:
I went to Morocco right after Ramadan last year. It's an incredible country. Casablanca, Rabat, Kenitra, Fes, Marrakech. Volubilis, Atlas Mountains.

I want to go back but go further up the coast past Kenitra to Tangier, pop over to Gibraltar, and head up to Portugal.

Someday.
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We are very much looking forward to it. If we want a change before the month ends our back up zip up to Tangier and either ferry/bus to Marbella or low cost flight to BCN.

A little concerned about the weather...April 27-May 28 but those were the only dates that worked for us and for our airline credit based on canceling the previous trip one day after the earthquake.

Plan to get down the coast as far south as Mirleft. We were in Tangiers for a day years ago so this is all new for us. A little aprehensive since it will be independent travel. I hope to pick up a tour from Marakesh into the Atlas mountains for a few days. My spouse is on board but after so many years of marriage she is used to me dragging her around to back of beyond places! Hopefully by somewhat poor French will suffice to get us about as required.

Highly recommnend Portugal. We have done several trips there. Last one was 18 months ago for 30 days. First time we have ever done it using rail and the occasional bus. Prior to that it was always rental cars. People so very friendly...much more so than in Spain from our limited experience.
 
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kgtest said:
Got back from a 9 day family vacation on Maui. Had a great view from our vacation rental in South Maui. Saw and felt the devastation of the wildfires. Mana to all the deceased and survivors.

Seeing the kids just LOVE the ocean and splashing around was great! We've been to the ocean a few times but as they are now 9, 6 and almost 4 but they played really well and travlled well also.

Whale watching, visiting with old friends (DW and I spent 1 yr on-island prior to kiddos), beach fun, ocean fun, swimming in the pool and hanging in the hot tub were highlights. Amazing Pacific Ocean Seafood. And some relaxing!

The weather was a little wild the first day, lots of rain and wind.

Next trip is to Mazatlan for the total solar eclipse in April.

Fairly light after that. I need to book some suncountry credits so I will go somewhere warm with my daughter for a daddy daughter trip. She is super exctied...any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Is your daughter 9, 6, or 4? Assuming she is 9, as that would be a great age for a trip with Dad alone. Maybe Disney, either Florida or California? Legoland?
Or a short cruise.
Whatever you do, she will remember it, such a special time with Dad!
 
I just discovered the Hawaii of Portugal, Madeira, which appears to be closer to Africa than Portugal itself.

Did a bit of research on it. Not sure I will visit this year but I guess you can make it a part of visit to Portugal or just append it to some other trip to Europe.

But the direct flights are limited and very long, at least 4 hours nonstop, whereas it's a 2-hour flight from Lisbon.
 
Our last trip to Portugal started with a week in Madeira. We stopped there on a transatlantic cruise a few years ago and wanted to spend some time on the island.

The flight cost on TAP to Madiera, with change of plane in Lisbon, was actually $100 less expensive than the same flight to Lisbon.

After a week we had flight back to Lisbon for $50. It was the exact same going home. We flew home from Faro on Transat instead of returning to Lisbon. Same pricing experience and far more conventient for us. We have also done a transatlantic flght into Porto instead of Lisbon.

We want to stop in the Azores next time.
 
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brett said:
Our last trip to Portugal started with a week in Madeira. We stopped there on a transatlantic cruise a few years ago and wanted to spend some time on the island.

The flight cost on TAP to Madiera, with change of plane in Lisbon, was actually $100 less expensive than the same flight to Lisbon.

After a week we had flight back to Lisbon for $50. It was the exact same going home. We flew home from Faro on Transat instead of returning to Lisbon. Same pricing experience and far more conventient for us. We have also done a transatlantic flght into Porto instead of Lisbon.

We want to stop in the Azores next time.
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Well I want to avoid TAP and Lisbon airport but that may not be possible. That airport had the worst immigration queue I've ever seen, long line which took at least an hour. One or two windows for dozens of people waiting.
 
Agree with you about Lisbon. It is awful...especially if you happen to be landing around 11am or noon time. The lineup was up the staircase even before one got to the customs entry floor.

BUT....you can move as far to the right as possible, connect with an airport security person and show you onward boarding pass. A local tipped us to this.

We did that and were thankfully moved to another line and were through in 10 minutes. But it took us 20 minutes to get throught to the right person. Made our Madeira connection with lots of time to spare.

We did premium economy on TAP to Lisbon. It was as good a flight as we have ever had. Good service, good seats. On time. THis was our third TAP flight. Perhaps we have had good luck.

My only complaint...we did not get our Star Alliance points. Not sure if this is a TAP, a Star Alliance, or an Aeroplan issue. Not a biggie though.
 
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Earning rates for United on some Star Alliance carriers is lower than on others.

For instance, the Asian carriers don't net you as many miles as ANA or Lufthansa or Air Canada.

I think TAP is in that category of lower-earning for United.

Yeah I have to imagine there would be an expedited line for people who have to connect to another flight.

Supposedly, you can fly to Madeira from Toronto.
 
explanade said:
Earning rates for United on some Star Alliance carriers is lower than on others.

For instance, the Asian carriers don't net you as many miles as ANA or Lufthansa or Air Canada.

I think TAP is in that category of lower-earning for United.

Yeah I have to imagine there would be an expedited line for people who have to connect to another flight.

Supposedly, you can fly to Madeira from Toronto.
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We flew from Toronto. There were no direct flights on TAP to Madiera when we booked. There are however direct flights from Toronto to the Azores.

Premium economy one way seats on TAP were a fair bit less expensive that economy seats on AC at the time we booked.

When flying to Europe we prefer to select a EU based airline. They are subject to EU261 passenger compensation rules. Much tighter and much more consumer oriented than our NA rules.

Our flight home on Transat was 7 hours late leaving Faro. We made a claim, Transat (canada) satified the claim by sending us each a 600 euro compensation cheque for the delay. Within 30 days of our filing.

The EU 261 rules apply to all EU carriers flying from NA to Europe. BA and SAS apparently honor the same rules. Lots of incentive for the carriers to get it right or to stop jerking passengers around.
 
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I'm planning a TAP flight Toronto to Lisbon in the fall. Doing a multi -city (with points) to Toronto and from Boston (where the TA cruise ends). Business class on TAP is 75% cheaper than from my home airport. And flying from my home airport still requires a stop.

Amazing deal discovered by Nemo2...12 day TA on Azamara (700 passenger ship) for $2K, all-in, gratuities included as well as basic booze package. And $1000 OBC! Mostly refundable in case things change (risking only $150 until 4 months before departure).
 
When my spouse's flight from Toronto to Calgary was cancelled earlier this week and she was rebooked for the next day Air Canada was no help. Moreover....she was booked next day standby (along with everyone else on that cancelled flight) on a flight that showed full. She managed to get out on an earlier AM flight through her own efforts.

AC were of no help. THe agent gave her a business card size card with tiny writing outlining the process to get paid for hotel, meals, etc.

Compare this to our 7 hour delayed Transat flight from Faro.

First of all we immediatelyu got meal vouchers. When I approached the desk to ask if these vouchers could be used for the outdoor cafe near the terminal the agent said yes....and reached down to give us some additional vouchers to cover what he said would be the more expensive menu cost.

As we were boarding the aircraft, we were each given 8x11 double sided sheets outlining not only our rights as passengers but how to go about making a claim for compensation. That compensation claim for 600 euro was paid to us without questions within 30 days of our claim.

Our friends in the UK have said that their experience is that this is essentially what they have experienced with BA, Lufthansa, and AF.
 
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DW and I are retiring in May. We live in Ohio but used to live in Georgia. Not sure where we will eventually land.


We are not traveling out of country (USA) but have:


June- booked a week in Ft Myers at my BIL's house.
July - Some time with the Grandchildren in Kentucky
August - Heart concert, then Styx and Foreigner
September - we booked a month stay in St. Simons Island. We will drive there and take our two cats and two dogs.
 
brett said:
Our last trip to Portugal started with a week in Madeira. We stopped there on a transatlantic cruise a few years ago and wanted to spend some time on the island.

The flight cost on TAP to Madiera, with change of plane in Lisbon, was actually $100 less expensive than the same flight to Lisbon.

After a week we had flight back to Lisbon for $50. It was the exact same going home. We flew home from Faro on Transat instead of returning to Lisbon. Same pricing experience and far more conventient for us. We have also done a transatlantic flght into Porto instead of Lisbon.

We want to stop in the Azores next time.
Click to expand...

Spent 5 nights in Lisbon with a free layover on TAP last December and liked it so much we're going to Porto for 5 days in April. Paid cash for our TAP ticket SFO LIS MUC return and it was significantly cheaper than SFO to LIS.

Liked the TAP experience. The direct flight SFO LIS was excellent. Our flight home starting in Munich was delayed due to an ice storm and we missed our connection LIS SFO. A TAP rep was waiting for us at the gate with new tickets LIS IAD SFO on United. She escorted us to the gate with just a few minutes to spare. Sadly the plane was old, the food was subpar, and immigration at Dulles was a disaster. The transcon to SFO was just as bad. Kudos to TAP however for getting us home ASAP after a weather delay.

Snagged tickets SEA IST LIS on Turkish and LIS SFO on TAP for next January. Honestly never heard of Madeira before reading about it on this thread. Looks lovely and have booked our first week there at an AirBnB. Thinking about a week near Faro and then a couple of days in Lisbon after Madeira but haven't booked anything yet.

Suggestions?
 
I finally nailed down my 2 week itinerary for Ireland in September. This is a trip that was fully booked and cancelled at least twice during Covid. Hopefully I get to pull it off this time.

I've already spent multiple nights in Dublin on previous trips, so this time it's time to drive on the wrong side of a the road for a bit. The high-level itinerary is:

2 nights in Dublin - with a full day bus tour to Newgrange, Knowth, Hill of Tara
1 night in Kilkenny after visiting Glendalough
2 nights in Kinsale after visiting Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, maybe Blarney Castle
3 nights in Kenmare to hit the Beara Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park
2 nights in Dingle to hit the Dingle Peninsula loop
2 nights in Galway with a day trip to the Aran Islands
1 night in Westport after visiting the Connemara
1 night back near the airport after visiting Trim Castle, Athlone, Clonmacnoise

I look forward to getting on the ground and enjoying the beauty of Ireland.
 
PaunchyPirate said:
I finally nailed down my 2 week itinerary for Ireland in September. This is a trip that was fully booked and cancelled at least twice during Covid. Hopefully I get to pull it off this time.

I've already spent multiple nights in Dublin on previous trips, so this time it's time to drive on the wrong side of a the road for a bit. The high-level itinerary is:

2 nights in Dublin - with a full day bus tour to Newgrange, Knowth, Hill of Tara
1 night in Kilkenny after visiting Glendalough
2 nights in Kinsale after visiting Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, maybe Blarney Castle
3 nights in Kenmare to hit the Beara Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park
2 nights in Dingle to hit the Dingle Peninsula loop
2 nights in Galway with a day trip to the Aran Islands
1 night in Westport after visiting the Connemara
1 night back near the airport after visiting Trim Castle, Athlone, Clonmacnoise

I look forward to getting on the ground and enjoying the beauty of Ireland.
Click to expand...

I predict you'll love that. We did our first trip to Ireland in 2019, spent three weeks there so we could include Northern Ireland as well.

Since you'll be in Kilkenny (love that town), it's close to Waterford which is also a great visit.

I would love to go back and see more.
 
I just got back from a spur-of-the-moment 2 week trip to Andalucia (southern Spain), northern Morocco, & Gibralter. The airfare from DC to Madrid was cheaper than the airfare to the Mexican destinations I had been considering. I bought my plane ticket just a week before my trip began. Great trip. Andalucia has comfortable February temperatures but is insanely hot in the summer.

I had a great time. I took the high-speed AVE train to Cordoba after I landed in Madrid. I later took a ferry from Tarifa to Tangiers. After visiting Tetouan (another nice Moroccan town with a great medina), I took a ferry from nearby Ceuta back to mainland Spain. Great view of Gibralter on that ferry. Ronda is a wonderful town up in the hills of Andalucia. Ended in Granada before an AVE train back to Madrid before flying home.

The Rick Steves guide to Andalucia was superb with lots of precise & mostly accurate information, esp. for transportation and attractions. Saturday night was the only night of the week when hotels were sometimes fully booked, so I made sure I had reservations for those nights. The other places I either made a reservation the night before or just showed up, and there was always a vacancy at my 1st choice. Most of the tourists in Andalucia in February were Spaniards, and were French in Tangiers.

I speak French & Spanish, so getting around was no problem, though English is very widely spoken in the big tourist towns in Andalucia. Signage at tourist attractions, museums, & train stations, was usually bilingual Spanish/English. Speaking French is a big help in Morocco. Signage there is bilingual Arabic/French, though Spanish is the 2nd language in Tetouan after Arabic. It had been the capital of Spanish Morocco.
 
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