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Holidays 2026
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Very jealous. Love Mauritius. March is coming to the end of tourist season anyway so it shouldn't have been massively busy (December its hard to get around) but a few less people will make the experience even better.robinofottershaw said:Currently in Mauritius after flying out Monday afternoon.The travel agent rang first thing Monday morning to check if we wanted to cancel as they were getting a few last minute cancellations, particularly (obviously) those flying via Dubai. As our flight was direct we were happy to go ahead.The hotel concierge told us they only have a 70% occupancy with a number of last minute cancellations mainly due to travel disruption.
What part of the island are you? The Indian ocean is incredible, the reef and marine life are unparalleled. Definitely do plenty of snorkelling. If you've ever wanted to try scuba diving then this is the best place to try - I can recommend a dive shop in Trou-aux-Biches near Grand Baie in the north of the island if you're interested. Can also recommend the catamaran day trip to Flat Island/Gabriel Island. Beautiful untouched white sand beaches with a snorkelling stop on the way back.Flic en Flac is a lovely seaside village on the west coast. Le Morne is obviously very famous. The Chamarel rum tour is great. A hike through the black river gorges national park is well worth it. Being colour blind the 7 coloured earth thing was lost on me but my wife thought it was cool.
You can go whale watching and swim with dolphins if you want - note there are laws about these but there are lots of unregistered and unethical boat companies that will break the rules. We did see a whale being harassed by swimmers which rather ruined the experience for us even though we had paid for an ethical one (cant control what other boats in the area do). Swimming with whales is illegal and unethical. You are allowed to swim with dolphins in the mornings when they are playing rather than hunting. I can pass on the details of the ethical company we used if interested.
Hope you have an amazing trip!0 -
I get 8 days out of a pair of pants. Two days right way round, two days back to front, two days inside out, two days inside out back to front.valleynick66 said:
Can I ask a practical question?TellyTubby said:It's clear that plenty on CL are lucky enough to travel.
MrsTT and myself are looking forward to our main trip this year. Another motorbike tour, a new one for us, a Honda ST1300 seeing as you ask 😀.
Hook of Holland,
Copenhagen
Malmo Stockholm to see the Vasa
Finland
Estonia - Narva before Putin flattens it
Lithuania
Latvia
Poland - salt mines
Ukraine
Slovakia
Then head back to the Hook of Holland
Not planned anything else specific and no fixed route.
For such a trip how do you manage luggage wise for such a long trip. Do you just have to be disciplined and travel ‘light’ or do you have some sort of support vehicle )which I’ve seen for a large group of motorbikes).Just curious.
Plan all items on that basis and you can do several months with a small backpack.3 -
I'm hoping to take advantage of the recently announced visa free entry to China. A few days in Thailand as well. I almost booked with Qatar Airways (return to Thailand) a week ago but decided to hold off until I was back in London. I may look at doing the whole trip using Chinese airlines.
I am currently still in Phuket, having had my Qatar flight cancelled last Sunday, so what was a week's short break has now become a two week holiday! Flying back tomorrow with Air Astana, with a one night stopover in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Should be interesting!
Sad to miss the Birmingham game though.0 -
Just the two of us. This bike has small panniers as original, and a small top box as a Honda optional extra.valleynick66 said:
Can I ask a practical question?TellyTubby said:It's clear that plenty on CL are lucky enough to travel.
MrsTT and myself are looking forward to our main trip this year. Another motorbike tour, a new one for us, a Honda ST1300 seeing as you ask 😀.
Hook of Holland,
Copenhagen
Malmo Stockholm to see the Vasa
Finland
Estonia - Narva before Putin flattens it
Lithuania
Latvia
Poland - salt mines
Ukraine
Slovakia
Then head back to the Hook of Holland
Not planned anything else specific and no fixed route.
For such a trip how do you manage luggage wise for such a long trip. Do you just have to be disciplined and travel ‘light’ or do you have some sort of support vehicle )which I’ve seen for a large group of motorbikes).Just curious.
We mostly just wear the kit we travel in during the day. The base layers are good for two or three days and if we stay long enough to wash anything, the material we tend to use, wicks moisture well, which means non crease and quick drying. This is important as we rarely stay longer than one night in the same place, and often don't have access to an iron. Our change of clothes for the evening tend to only be worn for a couple of hours.
I usually just wear my bike boots in the evening, or perhaps sliders.
So yes, very disciplined. Rather different from our first bike trip in 1986 when we rode to the Med to stay in a caravan for a week. Mrs TT took 6 pairs of stilettoes and dresses etc and never wore any apart from one dress. That was one bike too!
Edit
Some people wear old t-shirts etc and chuck them at the end of the day, replacing them with new on route.3 -
Im looking at booking a trip to Japan/South Korea and China Airlines seem to offer decent flights from the UK have you flown with them before ? just asking as I haventBangkokaddick said:I'm hoping to take advantage of the recently announced visa free entry to China. A few days in Thailand as well. I almost booked with Qatar Airways (return to Thailand) a week ago but decided to hold off until I was back in London. I may look at doing the whole trip using Chinese airlines.
I am currently still in Phuket, having had my Qatar flight cancelled last Sunday, so what was a week's short break has now become a two week holiday! Flying back tomorrow with Air Astana, with a one night stopover in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Should be interesting!
Sad to miss the Birmingham game though.0 -
They're naturistsvalleynick66 said:
Can I ask a practical question?TellyTubby said:It's clear that plenty on CL are lucky enough to travel.
MrsTT and myself are looking forward to our main trip this year. Another motorbike tour, a new one for us, a Honda ST1300 seeing as you ask 😀.
Hook of Holland,
Copenhagen
Malmo Stockholm to see the Vasa
Finland
Estonia - Narva before Putin flattens it
Lithuania
Latvia
Poland - salt mines
Ukraine
Slovakia
Then head back to the Hook of Holland
Not planned anything else specific and no fixed route.
For such a trip how do you manage luggage wise for such a long trip. Do you just have to be disciplined and travel ‘light’ or do you have some sort of support vehicle )which I’ve seen for a large group of motorbikes).Just curious.
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I forgot to mention that bit. Of course that helps.Fanny Fanackapan said:
They're naturistsvalleynick66 said:
Can I ask a practical question?TellyTubby said:It's clear that plenty on CL are lucky enough to travel.
MrsTT and myself are looking forward to our main trip this year. Another motorbike tour, a new one for us, a Honda ST1300 seeing as you ask 😀.
Hook of Holland,
Copenhagen
Malmo Stockholm to see the Vasa
Finland
Estonia - Narva before Putin flattens it
Lithuania
Latvia
Poland - salt mines
Ukraine
Slovakia
Then head back to the Hook of Holland
Not planned anything else specific and no fixed route.
For such a trip how do you manage luggage wise for such a long trip. Do you just have to be disciplined and travel ‘light’ or do you have some sort of support vehicle )which I’ve seen for a large group of motorbikes).Just curious.0 -
It’s our third time in Mauritius but the last time was 12 years ago.cantersaddick said:
Very jealous. Love Mauritius. March is coming to the end of tourist season anyway so it shouldn't have been massively busy (December its hard to get around) but a few less people will make the experience even better.robinofottershaw said:Currently in Mauritius after flying out Monday afternoon.The travel agent rang first thing Monday morning to check if we wanted to cancel as they were getting a few last minute cancellations, particularly (obviously) those flying via Dubai. As our flight was direct we were happy to go ahead.The hotel concierge told us they only have a 70% occupancy with a number of last minute cancellations mainly due to travel disruption.
What part of the island are you? The Indian ocean is incredible, the reef and marine life are unparalleled. Definitely do plenty of snorkelling. If you've ever wanted to try scuba diving then this is the best place to try - I can recommend a dive shop in Trou-aux-Biches near Grand Baie in the north of the island if you're interested. Can also recommend the catamaran day trip to Flat Island/Gabriel Island. Beautiful untouched white sand beaches with a snorkelling stop on the way back.Flic en Flac is a lovely seaside village on the west coast. Le Morne is obviously very famous. The Chamarel rum tour is great. A hike through the black river gorges national park is well worth it. Being colour blind the 7 coloured earth thing was lost on me but my wife thought it was cool.
You can go whale watching and swim with dolphins if you want - note there are laws about these but there are lots of unregistered and unethical boat companies that will break the rules. We did see a whale being harassed by swimmers which rather ruined the experience for us even though we had paid for an ethical one (cant control what other boats in the area do). Swimming with whales is illegal and unethical. You are allowed to swim with dolphins in the mornings when they are playing rather than hunting. I can pass on the details of the ethical company we used if interested.
Hope you have an amazing trip!Thanks for the trip tips but this time around it was very much a last minute decision and we wanted to ‘fly n flop’ and lie in the sun after all the rain we have had. We are staying on the SW coast at a hotel named the Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort. Weather has been good, as has been the food and accommodation.1 -
Sounds like it was. Been a bit strange leaving with snow forecast. Arriving in Auckland in high summer, then slowly but surely getting cooler. With a week to go we are entering early spring and just approaching South Korea where the temperature is a low at 4c and high 10c, after that Japan where temperatures are meant to be similar.TellyTubby said:
A pretty good winter to avoid.CharltonKerry said:January 1st we fly to Auckland where we stay for 10 days and go on various tours, then we join our cruise for 61 nights where we wander around Australia and Asia until we reach Tokyo where we will fly home to hopefully spring, thus missing the vast majority of winter.0 -
Now got two days in Ronda next month. It's a place we have always wanted to go, so when we found out there's a Rockabilly band playing there we tied the two in together.Algarveaddick said:January - London for the Sheff Utd and Derby games, plus want to take in the Gilbert & George and Joseph Wright of Derby exhibitions.
February - Torremolinos for the Rockabilly weekender.
March - Hemsby for the Rockabilly weekender.
June - Algeciras for the Teddy Boy weekender.
July - road trip for the wife's 60th, Oxford, Clovelly, Burgh Island and somewhere TBC.
Got a flight back from the UK booked for the end of August, but not sure when or where are going before, we normally look after Karen's mum in August but if she's still with us then, it will be a miracle (we are hoping she hangs on until this weekend when we are coming over for two nights)...
September - Coimbra for the Rockabilly weekender.
December - Valencia for the Rockabilly weekender.
August we are now going to Northumberland for ten days, with a few days in London either side, and also looking at yet another Rockabilly weekend in Gijon, northern Spain in October.0 -
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She'll be the one asking for help after that.Algarveaddick said:
Now got two days in Ronda next month. It's a place we have always wanted to go, so when we found out there's a Rockabilly band playing there we tied the two in together.Algarveaddick said:January - London for the Sheff Utd and Derby games, plus want to take in the Gilbert & George and Joseph Wright of Derby exhibitions.
February - Torremolinos for the Rockabilly weekender.
March - Hemsby for the Rockabilly weekender.
June - Algeciras for the Teddy Boy weekender.
July - road trip for the wife's 60th, Oxford, Clovelly, Burgh Island and somewhere TBC.
Got a flight back from the UK booked for the end of August, but not sure when or where are going before, we normally look after Karen's mum in August but if she's still with us then, it will be a miracle (we are hoping she hangs on until this weekend when we are coming over for two nights)...
September - Coimbra for the Rockabilly weekender.
December - Valencia for the Rockabilly weekender.
August we are now going to Northumberland for ten days, with a few days in London either side, and also looking at yet another Rockabilly weekend in Gijon, northern Spain in October.5 -
How was hemsby?Algarveaddick said:
Now got two days in Ronda next month. It's a place we have always wanted to go, so when we found out there's a Rockabilly band playing there we tied the two in together.Algarveaddick said:January - London for the Sheff Utd and Derby games, plus want to take in the Gilbert & George and Joseph Wright of Derby exhibitions.
February - Torremolinos for the Rockabilly weekender.
March - Hemsby for the Rockabilly weekender.
June - Algeciras for the Teddy Boy weekender.
July - road trip for the wife's 60th, Oxford, Clovelly, Burgh Island and somewhere TBC.
Got a flight back from the UK booked for the end of August, but not sure when or where are going before, we normally look after Karen's mum in August but if she's still with us then, it will be a miracle (we are hoping she hangs on until this weekend when we are coming over for two nights)...
September - Coimbra for the Rockabilly weekender.
December - Valencia for the Rockabilly weekender.
August we are now going to Northumberland for ten days, with a few days in London either side, and also looking at yet another Rockabilly weekend in Gijon, northern Spain in October.0 -
Finally booked, going Zante first week of school hols in July
me, the missus and our 13&15 year old old and sisters mob, 2A and a 16&19 year old
all inclusive with waterpark job.0 -
Prices are noticeably dearer this year0
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Absolutely brilliant thanks, some great bands and met up with a few old pals I hadn't seen for decades. Had a rather marvellous Sunday lunch at a place called The Boathouse in Ormsby too, if you are ever in that area highly recommend it.Rob7Lee said:
How was hemsby?Algarveaddick said:
Now got two days in Ronda next month. It's a place we have always wanted to go, so when we found out there's a Rockabilly band playing there we tied the two in together.Algarveaddick said:January - London for the Sheff Utd and Derby games, plus want to take in the Gilbert & George and Joseph Wright of Derby exhibitions.
February - Torremolinos for the Rockabilly weekender.
March - Hemsby for the Rockabilly weekender.
June - Algeciras for the Teddy Boy weekender.
July - road trip for the wife's 60th, Oxford, Clovelly, Burgh Island and somewhere TBC.
Got a flight back from the UK booked for the end of August, but not sure when or where are going before, we normally look after Karen's mum in August but if she's still with us then, it will be a miracle (we are hoping she hangs on until this weekend when we are coming over for two nights)...
September - Coimbra for the Rockabilly weekender.
December - Valencia for the Rockabilly weekender.
August we are now going to Northumberland for ten days, with a few days in London either side, and also looking at yet another Rockabilly weekend in Gijon, northern Spain in October.0 -
Gran Canaria for a couple of weeks immediately after the season finishes. Turkey for a couple of weeks during the 3 week September International break.
Hopefully an Egypt tour in November before 4 weeks in Tenerife in January.0 -
Cyprus end of april week for a wedding
Croatia week in october0 -
We've were in Gib 2 weekends ago (for Super Saturday). Second time there and stayed at the Elliot both times - lovely hotelbobmunro said:CAFCTrev said:
Went a couple of years ago, really enjoyed Gib. Want to go back for a long weekend sometime this year.bobmunro said:PrincessFiona said:
Ditto re 3 nights in Gibraltar in MarchAllHailTheHen said:Got a couple of days in Gibraltar in March and a long weekend in Florence in April. Week booked at a villa in Javea in August. Lastly have 3 nights in Lapland in December (staying in Pyhä) which my kids dont yet know about. Its been good to read people's views on that today!
Gib is fantastic for a short break - love it there.We normally stay at The Sunborn - right next to Ocean Village and a short stroll to Casemates Square and Main Street. Often stayed at The Elliot at the other end of Main Street but not since it had a major facelift. Looks good for it and a great rooftop pool.0 -
Caretta Beach ??MrOneLung said:Finally booked, going Zante first week of school hols in July
me, the missus and our 13&15 year old old and sisters mob, 2A and a 16&19 year old
all inclusive with waterpark job.0 -
Yes been to the boathouse a number of times for Sunday lunch. Stayed in Winterton a lot over the years (unbeknown to me originally it’s where my family all come from).Algarveaddick said:
Absolutely brilliant thanks, some great bands and met up with a few old pals I hadn't seen for decades. Had a rather marvellous Sunday lunch at a place called The Boathouse in Ormsby too, if you are ever in that area highly recommend it.Rob7Lee said:
How was hemsby?Algarveaddick said:
Now got two days in Ronda next month. It's a place we have always wanted to go, so when we found out there's a Rockabilly band playing there we tied the two in together.Algarveaddick said:January - London for the Sheff Utd and Derby games, plus want to take in the Gilbert & George and Joseph Wright of Derby exhibitions.
February - Torremolinos for the Rockabilly weekender.
March - Hemsby for the Rockabilly weekender.
June - Algeciras for the Teddy Boy weekender.
July - road trip for the wife's 60th, Oxford, Clovelly, Burgh Island and somewhere TBC.
Got a flight back from the UK booked for the end of August, but not sure when or where are going before, we normally look after Karen's mum in August but if she's still with us then, it will be a miracle (we are hoping she hangs on until this weekend when we are coming over for two nights)...
September - Coimbra for the Rockabilly weekender.
December - Valencia for the Rockabilly weekender.
August we are now going to Northumberland for ten days, with a few days in London either side, and also looking at yet another Rockabilly weekend in Gijon, northern Spain in October.1 -
Sponsored links:
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Been there a couple of times when the kids were younger.Elthamaddick said:
Caretta Beach ??MrOneLung said:Finally booked, going Zante first week of school hols in July
me, the missus and our 13&15 year old old and sisters mob, 2A and a 16&19 year old
all inclusive with waterpark job.You can see the planes taxi on the runway from the top of the water slide as I recall !
Perfectly decent AI hotel for kids / families.2 -
Currently having 2 weeks in Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Francschhoek (wine tours). Food drink and weather has been fantastic. What a place 👍4
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Off to Vilamoura for 14 nights in May
Hoping to get a city trip in around September/October, looking at Berlin, Munich, Rome or Barcelona right now0 -
What are people's opinions about tipping at AI resorts?
We had a superb holiday at Secrets Maroma in Mexico last month (I highly recommend it - we have already booked to go back next year). We don't normally tip as we go at AI hotels but do tip at then end where there has been someone who has gone particularly above and beyond and leave a joint tip, to include frontline staff who miss out otherwise. The service at Maroma was exceptional across the board and pretty mich mentioned in every reviews.
I appreciate tipping is different in different countries and so nationals of different countries then have a different view on tipping, even when in other countries. The issue was Americans (in more ways than one (!) - but it is a low key, chilled resort, so that minimised the most extreme loud (and mostly annoying) behaviour. The hotel website says tips and charges are included - so factored into the price you pay, certainly from the UK, with exceptional service one of the hotel's selling points.
But the Americans still tip (every drink and every meal), and it did seem that those that tipped could get prioritised and those that tipped the most, prioritised the most - thus creating an inequality and Brits (and others) potentially looking mean/tight in comparison, although I'm sure the staff will be aware of the Americans tipping more (in frequency and amount)
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yeah that's the oneElthamaddick said:
Caretta Beach ??MrOneLung said:Finally booked, going Zante first week of school hols in July
me, the missus and our 13&15 year old old and sisters mob, 2A and a 16&19 year old
all inclusive with waterpark job.0 -
Tight cow.PrincessFiona said:What are people's opinions about tipping at AI resorts?
We had a superb holiday at Secrets Maroma in Mexico last month (I highly recommend it - we have already booked to go back next year). We don't normally tip as we go at AI hotels but do tip at then end where there has been someone who has gone particularly above and beyond and leave a joint tip, to include frontline staff who miss out otherwise. The service at Maroma was exceptional across the board and pretty mich mentioned in every reviews.
I appreciate tipping is different in different countries and so nationals of different countries then have a different view on tipping, even when in other countries. The issue was Americans (in more ways than one (!) - but it is a low key, chilled resort, so that minimised the most extreme loud (and mostly annoying) behaviour. The hotel website says tips and charges are included - so factored into the price you pay, certainly from the UK, with exceptional service one of the hotel's selling points.
But the Americans still tip (every drink and every meal), and it did seem that those that tipped could get prioritised and those that tipped the most, prioritised the most - thus creating an inequality and Brits (and others) potentially looking mean/tight in comparison, although I'm sure the staff will be aware of the Americans tipping more (in frequency and amount)
:-)0 -
Oh and the hotel website says 'Tips and taxes are always included'R0TW said:
Tight cow.PrincessFiona said:What are people's opinions about tipping at AI resorts?
We had a superb holiday at Secrets Maroma in Mexico last month (I highly recommend it - we have already booked to go back next year). We don't normally tip as we go at AI hotels but do tip at then end where there has been someone who has gone particularly above and beyond and leave a joint tip, to include frontline staff who miss out otherwise. The service at Maroma was exceptional across the board and pretty mich mentioned in every reviews.
I appreciate tipping is different in different countries and so nationals of different countries then have a different view on tipping, even when in other countries. The issue was Americans (in more ways than one (!) - but it is a low key, chilled resort, so that minimised the most extreme loud (and mostly annoying) behaviour. The hotel website says tips and charges are included - so factored into the price you pay, certainly from the UK, with exceptional service one of the hotel's selling points.
But the Americans still tip (every drink and every meal), and it did seem that those that tipped could get prioritised and those that tipped the most, prioritised the most - thus creating an inequality and Brits (and others) potentially looking mean/tight in comparison, although I'm sure the staff will be aware of the Americans tipping more (in frequency and amount)
:-)0 -
My comment was purely in jest.0
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I flew with China Eastern to Osaka recently. They were good, they had a few quirks. Payment only worked via PayPal, the mobile site is terrible, there's not much entertainment on board. Seat choice was free, though wasn't available when I booked the flight originally. So I got 4 aisle seats for no extra. I'd use them again.AndyG said:
Im looking at booking a trip to Japan/South Korea and China Airlines seem to offer decent flights from the UK have you flown with them before ? just asking as I haventBangkokaddick said:I'm hoping to take advantage of the recently announced visa free entry to China. A few days in Thailand as well. I almost booked with Qatar Airways (return to Thailand) a week ago but decided to hold off until I was back in London. I may look at doing the whole trip using Chinese airlines.
I am currently still in Phuket, having had my Qatar flight cancelled last Sunday, so what was a week's short break has now become a two week holiday! Flying back tomorrow with Air Astana, with a one night stopover in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Should be interesting!
Sad to miss the Birmingham game though.I also had 15 hours in Shanghai, which was well worth the trip into town. Just have Alipay set up beforehand.Also beware that China cancelled all flights to Japan for a while this year due to geopolitics. It seems okay now, but I guess could happen again.0
