2025 Travel Plans

[simple girl]

Third week of September we are headed to Sedona for 3 nights followed by the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for 3 nights. Looking forward to some beautiful hikes!

 

[audreyh1]

Third week of September we are headed to Sedona for 3 nights followed by the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for 3 nights. Looking forward to some beautiful hikes!

Well just barely enough time ha ha, but you will still really enjoy. The drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon is quite spectacular via scenic highway 89A. Dramatic switchbacks as you climb the Mogollon Rim (the edge of the Colorado plateau) and a great rest area at the top where you can walk to an overlook looking down to traffic climbing those switchbacks.

 

[simple girl]

Well just barely enough time ha ha, but you will still really enjoy. The drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon is quite spectacular via scenic highway 89A. Dramatic switchbacks as you climb the Mogollon Rim (the edge of the Colorado plateau) and a great rest area at the top where you can walk to an overlook looking down to traffic climbing those switchbacks.

Definitely looking forward to that!

I know it's limited time, especially for Sedona. I wouldn't be surprised if we schedule a repeat trip there someday.

 

[audreyh1]

Definitely looking forward to that!

I know it's limited time, especially for Sedona. I wouldn't be surprised if we schedule a repeat trip there someday.

You’ll get a little taste. You have to be at the trail heads at the crack of dawn (before sunrise) if you want to be able to park for a decent popular hike. It’s an extremely busy area for visitors.

 

[Zona]

You’ll get a little taste. You have to be at the trail heads at the crack of dawn (before sunrise) if you want to be able to park for a decent popular hike. It’s an extremely busy area for visitors.

If you want to avoid parking hassles, there is also a hiking shuttle Thursdays-Sundays (the busiest times). It is something like $2 per ride. There is a link to the app and an FAQ here: Sedona Shuttle - Three easy and eco-friendly ways to explore some of Sedona’s favorite trails!

 

[Zona]

Great time of the year for the Dolomites, if you don’t get a lot of rain.

...or snow. There was an unexpectedly early snow storm in Alta Badia and Val Gardena the second week of September last year when we were there. Unfortunately that meant that we missed out on the beautiful green photo of Seceda ridge because it was covered in slushy snow patches by the time we got there. Still amazing though!

 

[audreyh1]

If you want to avoid parking hassles, there is also a hiking shuttle Thursdays-Sundays (the busiest times). It is something like $2 per ride. There is a link to the app and an FAQ here: Sedona Shuttle - Three easy and eco-friendly ways to explore some of Sedona’s favorite trails!

Good point. I forgot about that. But I think it also did not go all the way to our trailheads of interest. Didn’t go to Fay Canyon or Bell Rock. We really enjoyed arriving super early because the birds are singing like crazy and the trail had few hikers for the first hour even though several cars were in the parking lot. Light was fantastic.

 

[GRR1865]

Took this boat, to see this guy in Alaska with my sister to celebrate my early retirement. It was very fun to see how Tiny my Uncruise ship was in comparison to the big ships visiting Juneau. We also got to see Humpbacks communal bubblenet hunting from about 100 meters away on a zodiac.

 

[audreyh1]

On our Alaska trip back in 2001 I remember a speck at the base of a huge glacier approaching us. It kept getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger. By the time it got close it was massive, towering way above us! Princess line I think. We were in a quite small ship like yours. I think UnCruise owns a couple of the old Cruise West ships.

 

[GRR1865]

Most likely. They mentioned they purchased the Legacy from a different company. Unlike a big boat, the Uncruise made me think of summer camp. We had an AM and PM outdoor activity and after dinner we had either a presentation or something like Trivia up in the lounge, but with a bartender included.

 

[audreyh1]

Most likely. They mentioned they purchased the Legacy from a different company. Unlike a big boat, the Uncruise made me think of summer camp. We had an AM and PM outdoor activity and after dinner we had either a presentation or something like Trivia up in the lounge, but with a bartender included.

Yep, those are the kinds of cruises I like. Nature oriented lectures, and no nightlife or shows. Very small ship of course.

• Spirit of '98 - 96 passengers - Sold, Current owner- Un-Cruise Adventures, renamed "Safari Legacy"- will enter service in 2013[11][12]

Cruise West - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[GRR1865]

Onto the next trip. I didn’t realize I made them only about a week apart, I’m off to Italy, Milan, a backroads hiking tour in Tuscany (in addition to small boats I’ve discovered I kind of like small active adventures where someone else takes care of the details) then some time in Florence. After this I’m looking at a trip a quarter which may or may not turn out to be the correct rhythm. In part, during the last few years I tended to travel plan when I was stressed at work, now I get to learn how much I just like to travel.

 

[audreyh1]

Onto the next trip. I didn’t realize I made them only about a week apart, I’m off to Italy, Milan, a backroads hiking tour in Tuscany (in addition to small boats I’ve discovered I kind of like small active adventures where someone else takes care of the details) then some time in Florence. After this I’m looking at a trip a quarter which may or may not turn out to be the correct rhythm. In part, during the last few years I tended to travel plan when I was stressed at work, now I get to learn how much I just like to travel.

That’s really cool. Yes, it’s a good time to experiment and see what rhythm works for you.

 

[grasshopper]

Took this boat, to see this guy in Alaska with my sister to celebrate my early retirement. It was very fun to see how Tiny my Uncruise ship was in comparison to the big ships visiting Juneau. We also got to see Humpbacks communal bubblenet hunting from about 100 meters away on a zodiac.
View attachment 58263

Our first small ship cruise was UnCruise on the Wilderness Discoverer inner passages Alaska in 2013. Ruined us for life, Lindblad and Windstar are also nice in the small ship category.

 

[OldConch]

Our first small ship cruise was UnCruise on the Wilderness Discoverer inner passages Alaska in 2013. Ruined us for life, Lindblad and Windstar are also nice in the small ship category.

We sailed the Wilderness Discoverer on one of her first trips post-pandemic. It was at 50% capacity and there were no big ships in Juneau at the time. About as close to perfect as you could get. Swam with sea lions while on the Safari Voyager out of La Paz in 2023 and are starting to seriously consider a trip on the Safari Explorer in Hawaii spring of 2026.

We're having coffee this morning on the porch of our AirBnB in Moorea with a beautiful view of Cook's Bay, Mount Tohivea and Mont Rotui. We'll catch the ferry to Papeete in a couple of hours and board the Windstar Breeze this afternoon. We zipped past the Oceania Regatta on jet ski's yesterday. It's small but not as small as the Breeze.

Haven't tried Lindblad yet but definitely thinking about it.

 

[grasshopper]

We sailed the Wilderness Discoverer on one of her first trips post-pandemic. It was at 50% capacity and there were no big ships in Juneau at the time. About as close to perfect as you could get. Swam with sea lions while on the Safari Voyager out of La Paz in 2023 and are starting to seriously consider a trip on the Safari Explorer in Hawaii spring of 2026.

We're having coffee this morning on the porch of our AirBnB in Moorea with a beautiful view of Cook's Bay, Mount Tohivea and Mont Rotui. We'll catch the ferry to Papeete in a couple of hours and board the Windstar Breeze this afternoon. We zipped past the Oceania Regatta on jet ski's yesterday. It's small but not as small as the Breeze.

Haven't tried Lindblad yet but definitely thinking about it.

We did the Hawaii cruise in 2014 on Safari Explorer. I believe it is the best way to see the islands. Way to many things to see, Sea turtles, night swim with Manta rays, plenty of whales (February), going to Molokai. We celebrated our wedding anniversary on board with a special dinner topside by ourselves hosted by Marika.

 

[GRR1865]

A running group buddy is a marine biologist guide on Lindblad. She’s out on the NW passage boat right now. We were close to being in Juneau at the same time so I kept asking anyone coming off a boat from them if “Gail” was on board. (I think she was actually in Anchorage when I. Was asking) At some point, I’ll likely take them for an Antarctic or the like cruise. It’s too bad all her buddy cruises go to her roommate Paul.

 

[FlyingCircus]

Now planning to tag along with part of DD's 30th birthday adventure in South America. After she sightsees Buenos Aires for a week and hikes around Patagonia for another week, we're heading to Santiago Chile and west for Christmas week +. No idea what we're doing details yet but THWI - going.

 

[anethum]

I don't schedule travel as far in advance as many of you. I just got back from a spur-of-the-moment trip to the Galapagos. 7 days/6 nights on a catamaran. It was outstanding. The first half of December is a slow travel time and there were deals to be had. I found the following website which was offering deeply discounted cruises during the first half of December, traditionally a slow travel period. I reserved my boat and flights just a week before I flew to Ecuador.

Galapagos Cruise Links - Clearing house for last minute cruises

Find your last minute Galapagos cruise today! Contact Galapagos cruise ship owners directly. - No middlemen - no extra fees. Up to 50% OFF. Book Direct and Save Today!

www.galapagoscruiselinks.com

There are 3 categories of boats in the Galapagos, the lowest being Tourist Superior, the middle being First Class, and the highest is Luxury. I was on a First Class boat, and it was probably classier than me. The catamaran I was on, Seaman Journey, has 8 cabins and can accommodate up to 16 passengers. I was one of just 9 passengers and the 3 of us who were singles each got a private cabin at no additional cost. The price I paid was about half of what they are charging for the same cruise in the late December to March time period. We had a very congenial and fun group. The guide was excellent, my cabin was comfortable, the food was varied and tasty, and the excursions were great. I saw everything I had hoped to see, and lots more. The trip exceeded my expectations.

Beginning in mid-September this year, I rented a furnished studio apartment in Paris for 37 nights. I spent about 10 days in France outside of Paris, including a week cycling. It all worked out great.

From mid-January to mid-February, 2025, I spent about a month in Guatemala, Belize, & Mexico. I traveled overland in Guatemala & Belize (first time in both countries), and flew from Merida->Oaxaca->Mexico City on Volaris, a low-cost Mexican airline that I was very pleased with.

I also did some overnight excursions to NYC and within the mid-Atlantic region. Overall, I traveled for 83 days this year, and still managed to have a flourishing vegetable garden.

As for 2026, I'm still trying to decide where I'd like to go, likely beginning in mid-January.

 

[deserat]

@anethum - great finds! I'm too much of a planner....plus a veggie garden?!? Excellent....

 

[braumeister]

I don't schedule travel as far in advance as many of you. I just got back from a spur-of-the-moment trip to the Galapagos. 7 days/6 nights on a catamaran. It was outstanding. The first half of December is a slow travel time and there were deals to be had.

The great thing about the Galapagos is that being right on the Equator the weather is pretty much the same all year round so it doesn't matter when you go. Definitely in my top five places to see on the planet!

 

[brett]

Just spent two weeks in Zihautanejo, Mexico.

Big mistake.

We should have made it four weeks and returned home on Dec 17 instead of Dec 3.

DW says 'I told you so' . She was right. As per.

I will know better next year.

 

[anethum]

The great thing about the Galapagos is that being right on the Equator the weather is pretty much the same all year round so it doesn't matter when you go. Definitely in my top five places to see on the planet!

There is more weather variation during the year than might be expected. The temperature, rainfall, humidity, and water temperature in the Galapagos are significantly affected by ocean currents. December is a transitional period when the cold Humboldt current from the south and Cromwell current coming from the west, give way to the warm Panama current coming from the north. This results in warmer ocean water for snorkeling, warmer air temperatures, increased humidity, and more rain esp. from Feb-April. The activities on my boat were walks, panga (small inflatable raft) excursions near the shore, snorkeling, and kayaking. The water temperature during my early December trip was not higher than 70/21C. I got cold the first time I snorkeled on this trip and I was shivering when I got back on the panga. I wore a shortie wetsuit after that. By February, the water temperature is significantly warmer, up to around 77/25C. OTOH, our guide said it will be hotter and more uncomfortable during walks, with more bugs. We had very comfortable weather on land.

I had only snorkeled once previously in my life and that was 45 years earlier in calm, very warm waters. I can't say that I love snorkeling, but I'm glad I did it on this trip. There are things you can only see if you're in the water with a mask. It was memorable watching penguins swimming incredibly rapidly, seeing sea tortoises and small sharks just below me, and watching the coordinated movements of large schools of fish.

Each boat has its own activities and its own itineraries. Our itinerary was focused largely on the western islands of the archipelago, which are the newest islands with the most recent volcanic activity. Some of the walks were on lava and you had to watch your step carefully.

I was on mainland Ecuador more than 25 years ago, and there are wet and dry seasons with big rainfall differences.

 

[braumeister]

There is more weather variation during the year than might be expected. The temperature, rainfall, humidity, and water temperature in the Galapagos are significantly affected by ocean currents. December is a transitional period when the cold Humboldt current from the south and Cromwell current coming from the west, give way to the warm Panama current coming from the north. This results in warmer ocean water for snorkeling, warmer air temperatures, increased humidity, and more rain esp. from Feb-April.

Thanks, I didn't realize the differences were so noticeable. We were there in May and thought conditions were absolutely perfect in every way.

 

[audreyh1]

There is more weather variation during the year than might be expected. The temperature, rainfall, humidity, and water temperature in the Galapagos are significantly affected by ocean currents. December is a transitional period when the cold Humboldt current from the south and Cromwell current coming from the west, give way to the warm Panama current coming from the north. This results in warmer ocean water for snorkeling, warmer air temperatures, increased humidity, and more rain esp. from Feb-April. The activities on my boat were walks, panga (small inflatable raft) excursions near the shore, snorkeling, and kayaking. The water temperature during my early December trip was not higher than 70/21C. I got cold the first time I snorkeled on this trip and I was shivering when I got back on the panga. I wore a shortie wetsuit after that. By February, the water temperature is significantly warmer, up to around 77/25C. OTOH, our guide said it will be hotter and more uncomfortable during walks, with more bugs. We had very comfortable weather on land.

I had only snorkeled once previously in my life and that was 45 years earlier in calm, very warm waters. I can't say that I love snorkeling, but I'm glad I did it on this trip. There are things you can only see if you're in the water with a mask. It was memorable watching penguins swimming incredibly rapidly, seeing sea tortoises and small sharks just below me, and watching the coordinated movements of large schools of fish.

Each boat has its own activities and its own itineraries. Our itinerary was focused largely on the western islands of the archipelago, which are the newest islands with the most recent volcanic activity. Some of the walks were on lava and you had to watch your step carefully.

I was on mainland Ecuador more than 25 years ago, and there are wet and dry seasons with big rainfall differences.

Did they provide the shortie? I’ve snorkled in 70 degree water in sea of Cortez and dang it was cold!