2027 Travel Plans

[grasshopper]

In the fall Lindblad sent those that wanted to to the hot springs in the Santorini caldera. I loved it Ms,G so so. Photos are still on my water camera and not on my laptop.

 

[audreyh1]

For those who want to really BTD, Smithsonian Journeys is offering a 29 day trip around the world to seven continents on a private jet:

https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/seven-continents-around-the-world-by-private-jet/

"You'll step aboard a state-of-the-art Airbus A321, unmatched by any other. Reserved for just 52 guests, with 18 expert staff and crew, the jet sets an unrivaled standard for comfort, featuring full lie-flat Italian leather seats with 6.5 feet of personal space, an onboard chef crafting meals tailored to your preferences, in-flight entertainment, and the ability to fly nonstop between destinations without layovers."

The price starts at $205,000 and the website claims there is currently a waitlist for the trip beginning in late December, 2026, but there is space available for the trip beginning in late December, 2027.

Looks like they are giving Nat Geo a run for their money. It’s more expensive but a smaller plane. Not for us though. Maybe if you were trying to play catchup on your travels.

I’ve been interested in Smithsonian for a while, particularly their private tour options.

 

[audreyh1]

Not sure how welcome Americans might be right now and a small concern about ICE when returning. Also, really don’t want to do the small talk thing inherent with group tours and hearing lots of geopolitical opinions. Sometimes very strong opinions.

US Embassy in Canada shot up earlier this week, synagogue attacked in Michigan today…

OTOH not sure things will be better anytime soon and we’re not getting any younger and more mobile….

Well Canadians have been grumbling about Americans for a while (tariffs), but generally polite they aren’t likely to take it out on you personally. And if you are traveling on a US passport, are you really concerned about ICE on return? We returned from overseas twice last year, and it was US Passport Control and Customs as usual as far as we could tell. We use Global Entry when re-entering the US so we’ve already had some level of US Customs background check including any criminal record.

I didn’t know about the US Embassy attack in Canada but the Michigan synagogue attack implies you aren’t safer traveling in the US either.

Personally the small group tours we travel on don’t discuss politics, or spout off political opinions to everybody. That has not been an issue. We tend to travel either nature/conservation or historical groups. I also have no problem telling a fellow traveler that I prefer not to discuss politics or geopolitical events, but have never had to. If you are traveling independently IMO this should be even less of a concern.

Of course it’s a very personal decision.

Taking a break from news is often a good idea. Realize that it’s in their commercial interest to keep you anxious, riled up, and glued to their news program so that you are exposed to more advertising.

 

[tulak]

I was in Canada a couple of weeks ago (BC) and over the holidays with no issues. I'll be going back in a few weeks too. We have Nexus, which makes the border crossing easy. Again, no issues.

As for 2027, I'm still trying to get my planning done for 2026!

I should start thinking about 2027, but it's been hard to plan due to factors outside of my control.

 

[CalBird]

Wondering if it’s better to postpone this year’s international travel to 2027, given the unsettling situation around the world and potential short term travel cost bump up.

 

[audreyh1]

We hadn’t thought to postpone our travel this year to the Netherlands and British isles. We’re at a point where we don’t have that many international travel years left anyway.

 

[DrRoy]

Planning a week in Arizona in the winter, cruise to Japan on Azamara, another to Alaska on Celebrity plus a DIY land extension, and probably a visit to Voyageurs National Park.

 

[old medic]

With DW retiring in Oct it opens the doors wide open for us. I highly doubt we will be doing international flying trips. Her only flying experience was a helicopter ride over Gatlinburg, My only commercial flight was going into the Army in 1981. Will probably look into some cruises. But for sure we will be hooking up the camper and head out... the only destination will be back home at some point. As a kid we would take a weekend road trip with no destination, just ride and explore. In my late teens It was summer break with a backpack and my thumb. I guess they call it wanderlust.
Unfortunately we are holding back on travels this year till she retires, can't afford to take the time off. We have a few weekend camping trips lined up, and our big NY family reunion trip is basically just a week.

 

[rodi]

Only part of one trip booked for 2027.... So far...

Panama canal cruise at the end of January from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. BIL/SIL will fly from Florida here before the cruise, we'll all go on the cruise, we'll visit their house after the cruise before heading to Key West and/or a Caribbean destination.

Still noodling with possible trips to Japan. Morocco, Portugal in 2027. But first we have to get our next big 2026 trip over with - leave in a week for Fiji. New Zealand. And a transpacific cruise home.

Hoping our trip to Egypt/Jordan happens this fall. I purchased refundable airfare just in case. A lot can change between now and late September.

 

[CO-guy]

Tentatively planned Japan in winter to ski, possible Greece and Croatia in May and definite Australia, NZ and Patagonia in fall...maybe South Korea somewhere in calendar. Still working on 2026...need a few airline tix and hotel reservations but It's not difficult as I will either be staying with friends or cheaper hotels while in EU-UK.

We did a 2 week ski trip to Japan last year. Be aware that the ski season is surprisingly short and ends quite abruptly. If you're after that bottomless champagne powder like we are, then late-Jan to early-Feb is your best chance for consistent magic.

 

[CO-guy]

We've done a pretty good job filling up 2026, including trips to visit family and a Lindblad.

For 2027, the only travel we've started discussing is a 2-week tour through central Italy on e-bikes. Nothing organized. Just my better-half and myself. We spent a month exploring central Italy last summer and had no issues finding high end e-bike rentals for a few day trips (e.g. Castrovalva). The region is filled with disused secondary roads that have been turned into bike paths that connect towns and villages throughout the region. It was our experiences last summer cruising the countrysides that have inspired us to consider skipping the rental car on our next trip and relying solely on e-bikes to get around.

 

[grasshopper]

After brunch at home with a bottle of sparkling we pulled the plug on a Lindblad 13 day cruise from the Channel Islands to Loreto MX. Wine tasting at vineyards, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, whale & bird watching early November. 100 or less guests should be a great time. Plus another close to home air travel trip.

 

[OldConch]

After brunch at home with a bottle of sparkling we pulled the plug on a Lindblad 13 day cruise from the Channel Islands to Loreto MX. Wine tasting at vineyards, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, whale & bird watching early November. 100 or less guests should be a great time. Plus another close to home air travel trip.

We sailed out of La Paz on the Safari Voyager in March of 2023 and swimming with the sea lions near Los Islotes was one of my all time favorite snorkeling experiences. In the Galapagos we saw sea lions, marine iguanas, and penguins underwater and all within 10 minutes which was very cool but none of those animals really wanted to be near you. At Los Islotes we got to PLAY with the sea lions. If you dove underwater and twisted or rolled the sea lions tried to imitate your motions. Highly recommend this activity if you're so inclined but take the wetsuit if offered - it was cold.

 

[audreyh1]

After brunch at home with a bottle of sparkling we pulled the plug on a Lindblad 13 day cruise from the Channel Islands to Loreto MX. Wine tasting at vineyards, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, whale & bird watching early November. 100 or less guests should be a great time. Plus another close to home air travel trip.

Wow, sounds wonderful! We loved cruising the Gulf of California way in the past now, and look forward to doing a whale cruise there again. It’s not just whales either, other sea life and so many birds!!

We were on a small long range fishing vessel out of San Diego doing whale cruises in the spring, definitely a more primitive experience but it was fantastic.