Anyone got any travel planned?

[Nemo2]

Freshly ensconced in our Sofia, Bulgaria, airbnb studio.....suits us perfectly.

Both gone beyond the "Wow, I'm zonked" stage, and directly into "I don't think I'm going to be able to fall asleep" mode.

Flew Turkish Airlines for the first time.....quite impressed......and as for Istanbul airport, (where we had a 4 hour layover)....it's bloody HUGE!

First time I was in Istanbul, 1963, hitchhiked in, so didn't see the airport.....time before this trip, circa 1987, the airport was nowhere near the size it is now......currently it's not to our liking at all.

 

[Nemo2]

Has anybody used Go Kenya Travel. DW has a friend who praises it. If you have how was the trip and was it worth the cost?

Haven't used them, but I have, (as I am sometimes wont to do), expressed opinions on Kenya....been more than 30 years since I was there, and it was overdone then......if I were you I'd investigate Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia, and even South Africa in its stead.

 

[brett]

We have flown Turkish Airlines (and also their in country discount airline) and were also impressed. Long flight, Capetown to Rome.

We have been through both airports in Istanbul. The smaller one, on the Asia side is much easier to navigate.

 

[sengsational]

Freshly ensconced in our Sofia, Bulgaria, airbnb studio.....suits us perfectly. Both gone beyond the "Wow, I'm zonked" stage [...]

Dare the tardy tide to wash it all aside. Nothing that a long slow day tomorrow won't cure.

 

[DrRoy]

Just finished up a 2 1/2 week run through southern Utah: The "Big 5" NP's Zion, Bryce, Capital Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches, plus 2 National Monuments and 3 state parks. Got a lot of Photoshopping to do.

 

[Nemo2]

Dare the tardy tide to wash it all aside. Nothing that a long slow day tomorrow won't cure.

08:54 a.m. Tuesday....just dragged our carcasses out of bed...still zonked*...after imbibing hot stimulating liquids, then showering, etc.....we'll wander over to the store for provisions......then take it from there.

(*Just said to DW that we should walk over to the library......she asked why......said I didn't mean the library, I meant the train station.)

 

[Eagle43]

Haven't used them, but I have, (as I am sometimes wont to do), expressed opinions on Kenya....been more than 30 years since I was there, and it was overdone then......if I were you I'd investigate Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia, and even South Africa in its stead.

Thanks, I'll do that.
Being old, I asked trip advisor and Lonely Planet how the safari travelers do the rest room. It seems you have to notify the driver in sufficient time for him to find a safe space. Then it's men on one side and women on the other. #2 requires him to dig a hole. I hope that was a joke, but there were so many posters that maybe it's not. I can do it, but DW might complain. I think you pride yourself on what you can do without. Does your airbnb have a john?[emoji1]

 

[Nemo2]

Thanks, I'll do that.

Have sent you a P.M.

 

[Ronstar]

Getting ready for an Illinois to Arizona road trip. Just need to pick a route.

 

[kcowan]

Flew Turkish Airlines for the first time.....quite impressed......and as for Istanbul airport, (where we had a 4 hour layover)....

We flew Turkish from Zagreb to Istanbul and then from there to Zurich 8 days later. Very nice!

 

[brett]

We arranged for a Kruger safari plus Zambia and Zimbabwe. Could not find an agency where we lived that we were happy with.

So, we did some research on web and found a SA based company that provided the safari and arrange for the follow on. Small group-seven us for a few days, then four of us for a few days. The principal of he company was our safari leader. The name was Wild Wings Safari. We plan to do this again in the next few years.

We were extremely pleased with the experience. We dealt with them via skype and email. No issues whatsoever. Much better information that our so called local TA who specialized in this. Plus, the cost of the safari was about 30 percent less than the prices our local TA was quoting.

We arranged all of our own flight inside SA and after the tour flew to Port Elizabeth. Picked up a rental car and toured independently for two weeks.

 

[ABQ2015]

Just finished up a 2 1/2 week run through southern Utah: The "Big 5" NP's Zion, Bryce, Capital Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches, plus 2 National Monuments and 3 state parks. Got a lot of Photoshopping to do.

Nice! I'm planning a similar trip next year but am breaking it up into several since I don't live that far from Utah. First is Bryce, Capital Reef, and Grand Canyon North Rim next summer. Canyonlands, Arches, Monument Valley, and a couple of other nearby places in the fall.

This week I'm headed to central Oregon to visit friends. It is a little late in the year and nights are getting cold but I'm thinking about moving there so want to experience it at different times of year. Hope to see some nice fall foliage.

 

[gayl]

Just got back from Princess Cruise Circle Japan on the Diamond Princess. It was a fantastic trip but here's a few caveats:

1. It has a heavy Japanese flavor, which I actually appreciated as this was my first trip to Japan. It enhanced everything that I saw on land. They give you a shuttle into each port and you do not need to book the excursions. Despite them stating there's nothing to do in the ports, they are wrong. There are temples, Parks, cooking demonstrations as well as free sushi lessons in Aomouri, and much much more to do in the individual ports. Plus in Busan there's the hop on and off for the equivalent of 12USD.

2. Do not book Princess Air. Instead of the non-stop SFO to Tokyo to SFO, it took me 28 hours to get there and 23 hours to get back. Compare that to $50 more + 9 hr trip each way

3. Our table had three singles at it. Actually that turned out to be a bonus as we were able to pal around for most of the trip despite the guys wanting to do only excursions and I prefer to see each port on my own to increase interacting with locals

4. If you are a fan of wind instruments, this is not the ship for you. If you like ukuleles and violins --- this is a good fit. I'll repeat Princess but not Diamond Princess



Still trying to secure a driver for the Ukrainian trip in May. Will book through TripAdvisor for the day portion because I want a layer of security there. Not too sure about the area


Also looking for another Cruise. I did get that trip to Singapore on UAL, and not sure what I'm going to do there once I get there. But I don't lose a whole bunch and the airline ticket is insured in case I have to back out in a hurry.

 

[audreyh1]

Also looking for another Cruise. I did get that trip to Singapore on UAL, and not sure what I'm going to do there once I get there. But I don't lose a whole bunch and the airline ticket is insured in case I have to back out in a hurry.

According to my sister even the airport is awesome with a walkin butterfly exhibit right there!

The food courts in the city are the best places to eat and super clean.

I think you'll have no trouble finding things to do!

 

[Koogie]

Also looking for another Cruise. I did get that trip to Singapore on UAL, and not sure what I'm going to do there once I get there. But I don't lose a whole bunch and the airline ticket is insured in case I have to back out in a hurry.

Combine the two.. Singapore is a big cruise hub. DW and I have used this line... although I think some American lines hub there too.

https://www.starcruises.com/sg/en


But besides cruising, Singapore is awesome. I remember a thread on here not to long ago about it...

 

[brett]

Singapore is the start of our winter trip. Never been before. Just today got the
touring book on the Philippines. So far we plan to spend time in Singapore, fly up to Krabi, in Thailand, then work our way down to Kuala Lumpur, then fly to Cebu. Not yet done much planning on the latter part of the trip.

We are thinking of three days for Singapore. Might be four nights because we arrive early in the AM and will probably be ready to drop.

 

[explanade]

I'm going to Singapore too, in June. Combining with a few days in Bali.

Used an award flight with United miles, just before they raise the award redemption price for business-class tickets from US to the part of Asia where Singapore is.

First time for me to that region.

 

[Breedlove]

We just got back from Key West, we do this party every year . I must say they worked hard to clear the roads . We seen entire mobile home parks destroyed on the way down. I heard they ha 5' of sand in certain areas . We talked to a police officer and he explained the reason the shut the Keys down was to not permit bad people into the Keys. Key West was fine although the party was down in attendance....We love Key West !

 

[RunningBum]

Not sure where I'll go next but I just got Global Entry approved! The interview process was incredibly quick and easy at the office. It's about a 2 hour drive for me so I left some buffer and got there about 25-30 minutes early. Walked into the waiting room, saw one lady sitting in a chair, and a window with nobody behind it and apparently no sign in sheet. I was about to sit, when an officer came in through another door, looked at her and asked "Global Entry?" She said yes, but she was early for her 12:30. I piped up that I had 12:15. He looked at me and said "Follow me". Bingo!

He took me into another office, asked for my passport, entered some info and did a bunch of mouse clicks and waiting for the system, then took my picture and fingerprints. After a lot more mouse clicks and grumbling about the new system, he showed me the kiosk process on his computer, then went back to his screen and said "OK, you're approved. You'll get your card in 1-2 weeks. Then go online to activate it. Any questions? No? That's it then." Incredible. I was done about 10 minutes BEFORE my appointment time. The only way it could've been better was if they'd have come to my house and saved me the drive.

 

[Aramis]

We will be travelling to Germany in December to visit the Christmas markets for the 3rd time. Live, love,love, the atmosphere. No one does Christmas like the Germans.

Then it will be Portugal and Spain in April and May. Lisbon, Coimbra, Evora, and the world's largest cheese festival in Trujillo, Spain before finishing in Lagos in the Algarve.

I loves me some Spanish cheese!

Shooting for Transylvania and Hungary next fall.

 

[MuirWannabe]

Going on the Bourbon Trail through Kentucky in early December. Never been to that part of the country. But I have drank bourbon before.

 

[ohyes]

DH and I returned home last week from a Road Scholar trip to Assagteague/Chincoteauge. It was a great experience. We stopped enroute in Asheville and toured the Thomas Wolfe Memorial and Biltmore.

Friday, we take off for Santa Fe & Taos with two of our adult offspring.

Guessing we will be home for a few months. Hoping to get back to Ft Walton Beach in the spring (not during spring break time).

 

[Ologist]

Spending January & February at our apartment in Bangalore.This will be the fifth consecutive winter we have spent there. Originally from Bangalore, DW and I immigrated to the States in 1981. Took ER at age 63 at the end of 2015. Have reconnected with friends and relatives there.
During the two to three months we are in India, use it as a starting point for side trips. In Feb 2018 will do Vietnam. In previous years have visited Malaysia and Sri Lanka. In the future plan China and Australia.
Book with a local TA in Bangalore. Have saved a minimum of 30% vrs booking from the States.
Hope to continue doing this as long as we are healthy enough to travel. Flying business class with a flat bed makes 14 hour flights possible.

 

[gayl]

Kinda excited.

I just returned from a two-week trip to Japan. A 9 nights cruise, the rest of it was mostly travel time. So I'm sitting here watching the Miami / VT game which is sort of a blowout and I got an urge to go online and see what it would be like to cruise Australia. I have one on hold until November 7th. It's Australia and Tasmania, 8 nights. And I'm getting kind of giddy again. In a way I feel guilty for taking three major trips outside the US in less than a year. But in another way I kind of feel like I deserve it. Eager for input.

It would take 2 months disposable cash. That's how cheap it all is ... that is all except the hotels. I will probably splurge on almost a week before the cruise at a Hyatt. Would you do it?

 

[brett]

gayl....just go. Do it. Who knows what the future will bring.

We typically do two international trips a year. Eight weeks in the winter and 6-8 weeks in Sept/Oct. Plus some short last minute travel in between.

We have a long list that seems to be even longer than it was when we FIRE'd. We want to get as much in while we have the desire and physical capability to do it.

Why stay home?