Holidays 2019

We had a great time in Venice in January and booked it for a few days before Christmas this year. A bit of a worry with the flooding!

Just returned from a tour around Israel. Tel Aviv is a welcoming city with good beaches and the rest is full of interest even the biblical stuff (I’m an atheist). Highlights for me were Masada, Caesarea Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. 

clb74 said:

Going on Caribbean cruise
Stopping at 
Barbados, st lucia, antigua and st kitts.
Has anyone on here ever gone off and done there own thing rather than the cruise liner excursions.
Cheers 

In Barbados, I went down in a submarine, whilst my wife swam with turtles; both recommended. 

In Antigua, we went to a long and arched beach where I watched the local fishermen bringing in their local catch via a long drift net; sorry, cant remember the name of the beach. 

North Lower Neil said:

Peter, what on earth do you do for a living mate to afford all this travel?! 

He's a drug dealer 

North Lower Neil said:

Peter, what on earth do you do for a living mate to afford all this travel?! 

Retired, Neil

clb74 said:

Going on Caribbean cruise
Stopping at 
Barbados, st lucia, antigua and st kitts.
Has anyone on here ever gone off and done there own thing rather than the cruise liner excursions.
Cheers 

I did, and got mugged.

ross1 said:

clb74 said:

Going on Caribbean cruise
Stopping at 
Barbados, st lucia, antigua and st kitts.
Has anyone on here ever gone off and done there own thing rather than the cruise liner excursions.
Cheers 

If you are with Tui, I have done this cruise and very rarely use organised trips as I want to go where I want. I have never had any problems. Enjoy

Hi Ross its a p and o cruise.
Did you pre book your own trips or wait till you got there.

clb74 said:

PeterGage said:

clb74 said:

Going on Caribbean cruise
Stopping at 
Barbados, st lucia, antigua and st kitts.
Has anyone on here ever gone off and done there own thing rather than the cruise liner excursions.
Cheers 

In Barbados, I went down in a submarine, whilst my wife swam with turtles; both recommended. 

In Antigua, we went to a long and arched beach where I watched the local fishermen bringing in their local catch via a long drift net; sorry, cant remember the name of the beach. 

Cheers pete

Forgot to mention that in Antigua, my wife and I interacted with stingray in the sea. In water up to your waist you could swim, paddle of snorkel with the stingray and feed them. They are relatively small, the biggest being about a large dinner plate size.

Pelling1993 said:

Going to Cape Verde next Wednesday for 8 days, cannot wait for some winter sun! Anyone that has been is the quad-biking worth doing?

What Island you going too? 

I went to Sal and the quad biking looked good (was with an ex who was very boring so didnt try!) 

Really enjoy it there though, proper relaxing and you can walk into the town...locals try get you in the shops but a firm no sorts that out.

Can also go out in the town in the evening. Enjoy!

North Lower Neil said:

Anyone been to Rovaniemi/Lapland?

Not for this year, but considering it in the next couple of years while the kids are young enough to believe in Santa but old enough to put up with the cold etc.

Seems very expensive to book a package whereas flights and an Airbnb actually seem OK in November time but I'm interested how much the husky/reindeer rides etc are out there is you do book yourself.  Food/drink too. 

Dont DIY it! If you want to do it properly get it packaged up with experts. Inghams is a good start in terms of reputation, and their activities are reasonably priced (others are available -  Also look at Transun). Rovaniemi is probably trumped by some of the smaller resorts further north - Have a look at Levi and Yllas for a bit more of an authentic experience...

ps the reason I say don't DIY is that you are going to a cold place. The risk of flights being delayed inbound or outbound are probably higher than normal - worse case you are paying for accomodation and activities that you cant get to (or leave) - book a package and you get your holiday or get your money back - I personally wouldn't put a once in a lifetime holiday at risk for what ultimately might be a relatively small saving...

North Lower Neil said:

Anyone been to Rovaniemi/Lapland?

Not for this year, but considering it in the next couple of years while the kids are young enough to believe in Santa but old enough to put up with the cold etc.

Seems very expensive to book a package whereas flights and an Airbnb actually seem OK in November time but I'm interested how much the husky/reindeer rides etc are out there is you do book yourself.  Food/drink too. 

I went to Enontekiö/Hetta with Transun several years ago. Great trip, would strongly recommend it. My family are grown up now, but I'd love to go back for the sledging, huskies, reindeer and snowmobiles. No need to sit an a room with an old man and dopey white beard any more though, I can do that on my own.

king addick said:

Pelling1993 said:

Going to Cape Verde next Wednesday for 8 days, cannot wait for some winter sun! Anyone that has been is the quad-biking worth doing?

What Island you going too? 

I went to Sal and the quad biking looked good (was with an ex who was very boring so didnt try!) 

Really enjoy it there though, proper relaxing and you can walk into the town...locals try get you in the shops but a firm no sorts that out.

Can also go out in the town in the evening. Enjoy!

Going to Boa Vista, doesn't look like a great deal to do outside the hotel but that's pretty much ideal, I can't remember the last time I had a do nothing holiday, normally come back from holiday more tired than i started!

RedPanda said:

This is in the very early stages of planning – where in conjunction with Sydney would make a worthwhile 10 days in Oz? Somewhere more rural but with good public transport would be ideal, so I guess north or south along the coast? I’d like to fit in Tasmania and/or Melbourne but I think making the most of NSW would be the best use of our short time. Thanks.

Sydney is a vibrant city and in my view, you need  an absolute minimum of 4 days to cover all the sites. Sydney Harbour Bridge is worth climbing (but expensive) and visits to Darling Harbour, Manly Beach and Bondi Beach are a must, as is the harbour area around the Sydney Opera House.

Have been twice to Melbourne, which is a lovely city, but not much there for travellers with limited time 

You may wish to consider flying up to Cairns or staying at Port Douglas, both of which are close for connections to the Great Barrier Reef - my best recommendation for Oz. You may also consider a day at Ayers Rock, but again it is a plane journey away from anywhere. Enjoy.

RedPanda said:

This is in the very early stages of planning – where in conjunction with Sydney would make a worthwhile 10 days in Oz? Somewhere more rural but with good public transport would be ideal, so I guess north or south along the coast? I’d like to fit in Tasmania and/or Melbourne but I think making the most of NSW would be the best use of our short time. Thanks.

Recommend a day excursion to the Blue Mountains while in Sydney.
Domestic flight to Ayers Rock for a couple of nights is well worth it. 
Personally, I prefer Melbourne to Sydney, but there’s less actual ‘sights’ here and more an enjoyable all-round experience of cafes, street art, parks etc (although some superb museums here if of interest. There used to be a great Ned Kelly exhibition in the library, not sure if still there).
Otherwise, heading up the east coast from Sydney towards Great Barrier Reef is a good idea. Spend few days on one of the islands, relax and with some snorkelling (or diving if it’s your thing).