2025 Travel Plans

[explanade]

So a package tour and they hire local car services.

When I first used to travel I used shared airport transfers, there used to be many bargains though not as convenient as direct transfers.

But this sounds more like hiring private drivers to take people around.

 

[audreyh1]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Costco Travel used the destination hotel to arrange the private transfer between airport or train station. Many larger hotels offer these services through local private transfer companies.

Costco Travel offers several European city stays with various hotels to choose from.

 

[oldphd]

We were going to be in Colorado to visit my sister for Easter. I thought, hey!, lets make a side trip to Rocky Mountain NP. I check their website, nothing but snowshoeing and cross country skiing available. Maybe 20 years ago we'd have rented gear...
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Another option is to get a set of micro spikes. They are like mini crampons, just put them on your walking shoes/boots. It's just like walking, but gives you stability from slipping. The snow on the well traveled trails is packed down enough that it's all you need, unless you get a MAJOR snow storm with a foot or more of fresh snow, or you are doing a really off the beaten path/long route. RMNP is my "neighborhood" park, I travel there regularly year round. I own a set, use them much more than my snowshoes (I actually did an outing last year right after about 3 foot of snow at Bear Lake just to get to use the snowshoes!), but am almost positive that you can rent them at one of the outdoor stores in Estes. I know my kids did a few years ago. Excellent time of year to do a trail, temps will normally be pleasant, possibly windy, dress in layers so you can avoid getting too hot.

 

[oldphd]

Nobody goes to the national parks anymore. They’re too crowded.

Just go in the cold rainy season. The NPs are open all year long.

+1 on going off season... and the weather isn't necessarily bad... we were at Arches last December, not crowded at all and just a little on the cool side, barely needed a jacket with the sun out.

 

[Surewhitey]

We started talking about a family trip to Victoria Island in the summer and then maybe 3-4 weeks in Italy (Venice), Switzerland, Prague, Warsaw (to see an old friend) and maybe Amsterdam. Got lots of miles burning a hole in our pockets.

 

[zinger1457]

Just came back from a long road trip, visited Yosemite, Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon national parks. The Grand Canyon was the only place that was super crowded, difficult just to find a parking spot at the visitors center. Someone forgot to tell the foreigners they were supposed to avoid the US because of tariffs, seemed like over half the people we came across in the parks were speaking a foreign language.

 

[HFWR]

So a package tour and they hire local car services.

When I first used to travel I used shared airport transfers, there used to be many bargains though not as convenient as direct transfers.

But this sounds more like hiring private drivers to take people around.

The “limo” service on my trip was from da Vinci airport to our hotel. We had to provide our own transport to the train station for the trip to Florence on high-speed rail. Again hoofing it from and to the train station in Florence, then high-speed rail to Venice. After Venice, it was limo to the Venice airport for the flight to Paris. Limo/van from and to de Gaulle in gay Paris.

This was all part of the Costco package. As mentioned, there were several choices of hotels. It was a three-city package, to which we added Paris.

For seasoned travelers the hand-holding might be less desirable, but after a redeye to Rome, it was nice to see a guy holding a sign with my name on it. Drove like a bat out of hell, but we arrived safely. Turned out our Rome accommodation was maybe 100m from Trevi fountain.

 

[Kings over Queens]

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

I just bought mine for May 8th. We start in Vegas on the 1st, then to Phoenix, Sedona, drive to Grand Canyon then Monument Valley, Arches then to Denver. Fly home on the 11th.

 

[audreyh1]

Drum roll - we’re getting ready to head out to our BTD trip for 2025: Amsterdam, Greece Ancient sites tour, Catalonia Spain, Mediterranean cruise visiting many islands between Barcelona and Athens, finally Crete. 6 weeks in total.

We’ve been preparing for this so long that it’s hard to believe it’s almost here!

(Knocking on wood)

 

[oiseux]

I've bought my ticket for a two month stay in Europe. Ticket prices dramatically dropped (30%+) from earlier in the year, and bargain fares could be found. Loosely planned, much of the time will be at our place in the south but I have two weeks to plan where we wont' have accommodations. I'm thinking a trip from Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia. Alternatively, a two week drive through the western continent.

I also did a three week stay in February, with two weeks in the south (1 week of language school) and a week in Paris.

 

[Ozz]

Planning on a Sept trip to the Southern Gulf Islands in BC. Does anyone have recommendations for lodging, restaurants, day trips or excursions. Thanks! Ozz

 

[cbo111]

Heading back to Banff in August for a week of hiking and biking. That place is inspirational. Following Banff, we will spend a few days exploring the waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge region, Oregon side. Reserved a plush airbnb house located right on the river!

 

[ShipofDreams]

Planning on a Sept trip to the Southern Gulf Islands in BC. Does anyone have recommendations for lodging, restaurants, day trips or excursions. Thanks! Ozz

We travelled via our boat and enjoyed Poets Cove (nice hotel there) and Port Browning on the Pender Islands, Ganges on Salt Spring Island, Montague Harbor Marine Provincial Park (beautiful) on Galiano Island. Probably a few more stops I’m forgetting!

Planning on a Sept trip to the Southern Gulf Islands in BC. Does anyone have recommendations for lodging, restaurants, day trips or excursions. Thanks! Ozz

 

[audreyh1]

Heading back to Banff in August for a week of hiking and biking. That place is inspirational. Following Banff, we will spend a few days exploring the waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge region, Oregon side. Reserved a plush airbnb house located right on the river!

Have you hiked in the Valley of Ten Peaks from Moraine Lake? Talk about inspirational!

 

[Ozz]

We travelled via our boat and enjoyed Poets Cove (nice hotel there) and Port Browning on the Pender Islands, Ganges on Salt Spring Island, Montague Harbor Marine Provincial Park (beautiful) on Galiano Island. Probably a few more stops I’m forgetting!

Thanks for your reply. We definitely are going to 3 islands, Galiano, Salt Spring and Pender where we will stay at least one night on each. May do a day trip to a couple others, Mayne and Saturna.

 

[Blue Poles]

Been in Paris but avoided the Louvre. Late May visited Musée de l’Orange, got there first thing and had some of the magnificent mural rooms to ourselves even! Musee d’Orsay we lucked out with an evening visit. Wasn’t bad crowd-wise. And the Musee de Cluny to see the amazing Girl with a Unicorn tapestries. That was enough museum-wise for us, although we took a small group day trip to the Monet gardens in Giverney which was fantastic.

Spending just a small handful of days in Paris this summer, but just read about the David Hockney exhibit that will be there. Just bought my tickets. I was first introduced to Hockney about 35 years ago when I saw a photography exhibit of his at a local college. It will be nice to see much more of his work

 

[ShipofDreams]

Thanks for your reply. We definitely are going to 3 islands, Galiano, Salt Spring and Pender where we will stay at least one night on each. May do a day trip to a couple others, Mayne and Saturna.

I’m sure you will enjoy it there! We also went to Prevost Island. Surprised I forgot that one as I managed to fracture my arm slipping on some sharp slimy rocks on the shoreline.
Salt Spring has a great farmers market and also an amazing hardware store if you’re into those!
Enjoy your trip. I’d like to hear about it when you return!

 

[brett]

Mexico for two weeks in Nov/December. PVR or Zih.

Somewhere TBD in Southern Europe mid/late Sept for 4-6 weeks. Probably Greece/Albania.

Also watching airline fares for winter '26 fares to SE Asia. Seem to be much lower than 2025.

 

[Ozz]

I’m sure you will enjoy it there! We also went to Prevost Island. Surprised I forgot that one as I managed to fracture my arm slipping on some sharp slimy rocks on the shoreline.
Salt Spring has a great farmers market and also an amazing hardware store if you’re into those!
Enjoy your trip. I’d like to hear about it when you return!

Thanks. As we will be traveling by BC ferry not sure if they stop on Prevost.

 

[fosterscik]

Spending just a small handful of days in Paris this summer, but just read about the David Hockney exhibit that will be there. Just bought my tickets. I was first introduced to Hockney about 35 years ago when I saw a photography exhibit of his at a local college. It will be nice to see much more of his work

We're debating whether to see the Hockney exhibit or not. We'll be in Paris in June. DW is a huge fan but we've been to the Hockney "home exhibit" in Yorkshire (Saltaire) and a special exhibit at the van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, so not sure it will have lot of we haven't seen.

 

[Salaryman]

May southern Italy tour with my youngest daughter, a graduation present for her and bonding time for us over lots of carbs and wine. Summer rental near PalmBeach for my family (only way to get all the kids and family over at various times, free lodgings/food, beach, pool, tennis and golf courtesy of Bank of Dad...sigh), winter rental near Sugarbush VT since my legs are still attached/working to my skiboots. Pondering Asia or other trips while USD is still worth something, saw that USD vs other currencies down over 10% since beginning of new administration. Cause and effect...

Had Dubia for New Years, Cabo/Mexico, CO/UT for powder, Toronto (before they hated 'Mericans) previously.

 

[skyking1]

Heading back to Banff in August for a week of hiking and biking. That place is inspirational. Following Banff, we will spend a few days exploring the waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge region, Oregon side. Reserved a plush airbnb house located right on the river!

If you have time, pop across the bridge of the gods and drive up towards Mt. Adams. Check out the White Salmon River, it has very photogenic falls with whitewater rafting going over them.
South of the mountain there are ice caves, lava tubes that have year round ice in them.

 

[Luvtoride]

So we’re on our 4th trip this year, right now in Italy with our 13 year old granddaughter (like Salaryman, a reward/ bonding trip). Of course, we’re in Rome at the same time that Vice President JD Vance is here (with his family) to hold Tariff talks with Italian PM Meloni and tries to smooth over riffs with the Pope, over criticism of US deportation policies. Yesterday, the Coliseum was closed due to his visit, and today, St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica was closed due to “an important person visiting”per the Polizia keeping people from entering.
Then while on a Tuk Tuk tour (sort of like a golf cart) of Rome today, traffic comes to a halt as the VPs motorcade comes through central Rome. Of all times for him to visit, while we’re spending the last 2 days of our Italy trip here in Rome. Thankfully, we are flying home tomorrow on Easter Sunday morning and he will be attending mass at the Vatican with the Pope, so we shouldn’t have any issues. Not political…just saying.

 

[Salaryman]

So we’re on our 4th trip this year, right now in Italy with our 13 year old granddaughter (like Salaryman, a reward/ bonding trip). Of course, we’re in Rome at the same time that Vice President JD Vance is here (with his family) to hold Tariff talks with Italian PM Meloni and tries to smooth over riffs with the Pope, over criticism of US deportation policies. Yesterday, the Coliseum was closed due to his visit, and today, St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica was closed due to “an important person visiting”per the Polizia keeping people from entering.
Then while on a Tuk Tuk tour (sort of like a golf cart) of Rome today, traffic comes to a halt as the VPs motorcade comes through central Rome. Of all times for him to visit, while we’re spending the last 2 days of our Italy trip here in Rome. Thankfully, we are flying home tomorrow on Easter Sunday morning and he will be attending mass at the Vatican with the Pope, so we shouldn’t have any issues. Not political…just saying.

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" Animal farm George Orwell.

Sorry you were inconvenienced, that would not sit well with me.

 

[audreyh1]

So we’re on our 4th trip this year, right now in Italy with our 13 year old granddaughter (like Salaryman, a reward/ bonding trip). Of course, we’re in Rome at the same time that Vice President JD Vance is here (with his family) to hold Tariff talks with Italian PM Meloni and tries to smooth over riffs with the Pope, over criticism of US deportation policies. Yesterday, the Coliseum was closed due to his visit, and today, St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica was closed due to “an important person visiting”per the Polizia keeping people from entering.
Then while on a Tuk Tuk tour (sort of like a golf cart) of Rome today, traffic comes to a halt as the VPs motorcade comes through central Rome. Of all times for him to visit, while we’re spending the last 2 days of our Italy trip here in Rome. Thankfully, we are flying home tomorrow on Easter Sunday morning and he will be attending mass at the Vatican with the Pope, so we shouldn’t have any issues. Not political…just saying.

Wow, that’s a tough break!

Also you managed to hit a jubilee year!