2025 Travel Plans

[explanade]

We had a group excursion cancel on us, and decided to find someplace warm we'd never been to travel this month. Just returned from an 8 night cruise of the Persian Gulf. Dubai, Doha, Sir Bani Yas, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi. This was an entirely new part of the world to me. The architecture was astounding, and the Italian ship we sailed on was impressive. But it was too large for me - I am not a "big cruise" person. If I were a shopper I would have been in heaven. I learned a lot about the history of the area, and about some of the negative ways immigrants are treated versus locals. I am glad I went, but I am not sure I will return any time soon.

The modern architecture or the Muslim/Arabic architecture?

 

[Lagniappe]

The modern architecture or the Muslim/Arabic architecture?

Mostly the modern architecture. I was especially impressed by the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Quatar. Designed by I.M. Pei, it is both modern and traditional, in the most graceful way imaginable.

 

[explanade]

Well they had a lot of money to throw at modernizing their cities.

But some problems couldn’t be overcome. For instance the Burj Khalifa couldn’t be connected to a modern sewage infrastructure so they use trucks to transport waste from the world’s tallest building.

 

[jrgators]

Just returned from the 9 day trip to Paris. Back in October, we found that American airlines had a deal on flights. $386 round trip per person. We were not planning a trip, but decided that we should take advantage of the really cheap fares. I was a bit concerned since it was basic economy seats, but it turned out that both transatlantic flights were only about 40% full. On both legs my wife and I each had a three seat row all to ourselves. That made the trip quite comfortable. So huzzah for off season flights. Paris was cold and with light rain most days, but the city was uncrowded and I enjoyed the trip. Plus we found four new restaurants that were great. And if my fitbit is to be believed, I walked 45 miles that week.

going to Paris for the first time at the end of the month. havent made any restaurant reservations. Care to share some suggestions?

 

[tulak]

Bought plane tickets for my trip to Europe in May. We're going to start in Bordeaux for a week, then visit family, and then end with a road trip around the Austrian Alps. The road trip will likely start in Salzburg and end in Munich, visiting Hallstatt and possibly staying in or around Zell am See. Still need to figure out the details, but at least the dates are set.

 

[oldphd]

going to Paris for the first time at the end of the month. havent made any restaurant reservations. Care to share some suggestions?

My personal favorite... L'ilot Vache on the Ile Saint-Louis. I had dinner on New Year's Eve in 1980 with my GF (who later became my wife). While I was in Paris a few times over the years since, the next time we were there together was 2018, and we went back for dinner. My French was not as good on the return trip, did my best, but the waiter told us that the chef from our first trip had retired not along ago and there was someone new he hoped we'd enjoy. We did. Second head chef in almost forty years. Obviously I'm biased, but I'd go back in a heartbeat. Small place, good location, take a walk down to the Ile de la Cite, see Notre Dame, take boat ride on the Seine, make it an outing!

 

[skyking1]

I am filling in the dates on our Ucluelet getaway the first week of April.
We'll stay in our apartment on the way up and on the way back to break up the drives, and staying a night here and there and a couple of nights elsewhere on the island.
I want to return and camp the island one summer with our travel trailer. We'll investigate the possibilities on the way through.

 

[erkevin]

A lot of Mexico in the first half of 2025. Wife and I were in Cancun in January. I am going to Mazatlan next week (solo). In April we fly to Austin, TX to watch our son being awarded his Doctorate. A week later, he joins us for a trip to Cabo (early May). The wife and I are in Mazatlan in June. She goes with girlfriends to Puerto Vallarta in July.

Why Mexico so often? It is so darn easy to get there from Arizona. My flight Monday is at 7:30 am and I am in Maz at 12:30 pm

 

[brett]

We just got back from a 6 week trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It was amazing. Already planning our return.

We went once for a snowbird trip. DW was not enthusiatic. Went back for five more winters....it became DW's first choice!

 

[OldConch]

A lot of Mexico in the first half of 2025. Wife and I were in Cancun in January. I am going to Mazatlan next week (solo). In April we fly to Austin, TX to watch our son being awarded his Doctorate. A week later, he joins us for a trip to Cabo (early May). The wife and I are in Mazatlan in June. She goes with girlfriends to Puerto Vallarta in July.

Why Mexico so often? It is so darn easy to get there from Arizona. My flight Monday is at 7:30 am and I am in Maz at 12:30 pm

We had shrimp tacos and burrito at Taco De Mar in the Centro about 40 minutes after totality during the eclipse last year. We both agree it was one of the most satisfying meals we've ever had. It was our second time in Mazatlan and we'll be back. Heading to PV in November - it's one of our favorite getaway locations. In Sabah now. Congrats to son.

 

[brett]

Just got back from a few weeks at one of our favorite Mexican destination. Zihuatanejo.

Booked on a Saturday, left on Wednesday.

Priced direct air to Zih, Puerto Vallarta, and Huatultco. Then two hours later priced air again to Zih, our preferred destination. Price can down substantially during those 2 hours to the fare that we usually pay. Grabbed it. Direct 5.5 hour flight, same time zone. Perfect.

Did exactly the same going to Puerto Vallarta last Nov/Dec.

 

[skyking1]

Just got back from a few weeks at one of our favorite Mexican destination. Zihuatanejo.

Booked on a Saturday, left on Wednesday.

Priced direct air to Zih, Puerto Vallarta, and Huatultco. Then two hours later priced air again to Zih, our preferred destination. Price can down substantially during those 2 hours to the fare that we usually pay. Grabbed it. Direct 5.5 hour flight, same time zone. Perfect.

Did exactly the same going to Puerto Vallarta last Nov/Dec.

did you stay there or in Ixtapa? We stayed in a resort there but spent time in the old town.

 

[brett]

did you stay there or in Ixtapa? We stayed in a resort there but spent time in the old town.

No. We always stay in and around Playa La Ropa. We walk or take the combi into town just about every evening. Lots of great dining choices in town.

 

[Montecfo]

I am filling in the dates on our Ucluelet getaway the first week of April.
We'll stay in our apartment on the way up and on the way back to break up the drives, and staying a night here and there and a couple of nights elsewhere on the island.
I want to return and camp the island one summer with our travel trailer. We'll investigate the possibilities on the way through.

Sounds fun. Love Vancouver Island.

 

[skyking1]

No. We always stay in and around Playa La Ropa. We walk or take the combi into town just about every evening. Lots of great dining choices in town.

Thanks Brett. I want to go back, and also get a beach bungalow at Playa Del Carmen across from Cozumel.
We've never been to Baja California either.

 

[brett]

Thanks Brett. I want to go back, and also get a beach bungalow at Playa Del Carmen across from Cozumel.
We've never been to Baja California either.

Not big fans of Cancun.

We do however like Peurto Morales. Half way between Cancun and Playa. Have not been there for several years.

We prefer the Pacific coast areas of Mexico and Costa Rica

 

[skyking1]

we would not go back to Cancun either. Playa or south is the target there.

 

[Michael8746]

I am from the catalonia, france side of it. Just go check out Majorca islands in Spain during summer time... beautiful beaches by boat...

 

[audreyh1]

I am from the catalonia, france side of it. Just go check out Majorca islands in Spain during summer time... beautiful beaches by boat...

Interesting. Did you speak Occitan or Catalan? Just wondering.

 

[Ozz]

I am filling in the dates on our Ucluelet getaway the first week of April.
We'll stay in our apartment on the way up and on the way back to break up the drives, and staying a night here and there and a couple of nights elsewhere on the island.
I want to return and camp the island one summer with our travel trailer. We'll investigate the possibilities on the way through.

Visited Ucluelet a couple years back. Great town. Last year went to Gold River, took an overnight trip on MV Uchuck III to Kyuquot. Wonderful trip to learn about all of the various ways of life on the Nootka Sound. Stops were at fish farms, logging camps and fishing resorts. Overnighted at BB with outstanding halibut dinner. Would love to do that trip again. Oz

 

[skyking1]

Visited Ucluelet a couple years back. Great town. Last year went to Gold River, took an overnight trip on MV Uchuck III to Kyuquot. Wonderful trip to learn about all of the various ways of life on the Nootka Sound. Stops were at fish farms, logging camps and fishing resorts. Overnighted at BB with outstanding halibut dinner. Would love to do that trip again. Oz

Thanks so much, Ozz. This is the gold part of this site.
We are all booked up for this trip, but it is the first of many. Our new home in Sequim is 20 minutes from the ferry docks. Somebody already reported that the drive from Campbell River to Gold River was a great one.
One summer we plan on leaving the RV on the island and going back and forth with the truck.

 

[scfr]

Purchased our timed entry reservation to Arches National Park in September! (They were released at 8am MT this morning.)

 

[Ozz]

Thanks so much, Ozz. This is the gold part of this site.
We are all booked up for this trip, but it is the first of many. Our new home in Sequim is 20 minutes from the ferry docks. Somebody already reported that the drive from Campbell River to Gold River was a great one.
One summer we plan on leaving the RV on the island and going back and forth with the truck.

We are looking at a trip to the Southern Gulf Islands. Have you been? any recommendations? BC Ferry from Victoria (Swartz Bay) - Southern Gulf Islands (includes Galiano, Mayne, Pender & Saturna Islands). Stay a night or two on each island if there are places to explore.

 

[audreyh1]

Purchased our timed entry reservation to Arches National Park in September! (They were released at 8am MT this morning.)

Wow! Although I believe they reserve some for availability for the night before at 5PM. At least that’s what they did at Rocky Mountains NP in 22. I got on right at 5pm for a couple.

 

[anethum]

Purchased our timed entry reservation to Arches National Park in September! (They were released at 8am MT this morning.)

You can enter Arches before 7am or after 4pm without a pass.

Timed Entry FAQ - Arches National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov