Holidays #5 2025 onwards

[Former_Antelopee]

The flights I was paranoid I'd miss due to short layovers were all good and my bag made it . On all 3 flights the middle seat was free as well. I never want to do a 12 hour flight again though already dreading the flight home

 

[CallaLily]

Finally talked MrLily into the South America and Antarctica cruise, booked for 2028. I'm trying to ignore the size of the cost and thinking of the

 

[CallaLily]

We were recently discussing how far people had or were willing (me) to travel for short breaks.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I think we have a winner - my friend is just off to Brisbane, for 4 days

That's just nuts! Although probably not the most insane thing said friend has ever done

 

[VirtualSignal]

Wow that is expensive. I did a similar trip 2 years ago and our flights were 10k (that was premium flying out with JAL and back with BA but booked as a round trip with BA). It was worth it and I'm so pleased we did it but you have to time it perfectly, we were very slightly too early for the cherry blossoms in Tokyo but did see them in Osaka and Kyoto. We used the bullet train to get between cities which was the best bit and hired a car to drive from Osaka to Kyoto so we could go to Nara and Mount Yoshino.

Well I did a thing today …. Booked a week in Qatar for 5 at Easter and then booked 2 weeks in Japan at Christmas….all for the price I was quoted for flights to Japan at Cherry blossom time. I just couldn’t justify the cost.

 

[Tinkerbell cat]

Just back from New York for our anniversary and wow, what a place! Loved every second just walking about and exploring.

We stayed in the Moxy hotel in Times Square, great location and the rooftop bar had stunning views of the Empire State. We did central park, a sunset river cruise down the Hudson past Liberty Island, under the brooklyn bridge etc and we did the 9/11 Museum/One World observatory. Surreal. The rest of the time we just spent exploring. Can't wait to go back already!

The next trip is in a few months to Niyama in the Maldives - Hoping it can go ahead but like others have mentioned, everything could change so quickly so just taking it as it comes.

My problem is I just want to be on holiday all the time. and I love reading through holiday threads and seeing where other people are away to in the world

 

[Ratherbeskiing]

Oh I've found my people!

Our 2025 holidays have been skiing in France in February, Vietnam for 2 weeks at Easter (flew into HCMC, flew out of Hanoi and did Mekong Delta, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Ha Long Bay in-between. Happy to answer any questions as I saw upthread someone has booked), 2 nights in Ghent in July, a week at a French Center Parcs in August, and heading to Andorra for Christmas (skiing).

2026 already booked is France skiing at Easter, and two weeks in Brazil in August. Likely to have a short break in February and I'm already eyeing Italy for Christmas next year (skiing in the Dolomites).

 

[ElectricDreams]

We are off on a river cruise on the Danube on Monday. We booked it the day before I had a stroke in December so I was worried we wouldn't get to go. Fortunately I managed to get decent insurance and I'm feeling pretty much back to normal so we're good to go. I'm just a bit worried I might not be able to stop myself from overdoing it as I'm used to cramming lots in! We're doing Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Linz (day trip to Salzburg) and Durnstein. (Budapest and Vienna are overnight stays) Can't wait!

 

[JE172]

Sit tight and wait, basically. I read an article yesterday on your rights and what to do if you've holiday plans. If you've anything booked and it's months away, just wait was the general advice. If you've booked a package holiday, don't attempt to cancel or do anything. If there's no FDCO advice to not visit that country, you'll not be covered by your insurance to cancel.
A lot can change in a short space of time and it's down to the tour operator or airlines to make the call. It's unsettling but unless they recommend an alternative at this time, it's wait and hope things settle down.

We’re booked to go Egypt (Sharm) next month, if that plane is going then I will be on it!

 

[Tinkerbell cat]

The countdown is on for the first trip of the year - Thailand on Friday. It’s absolutely freezing here in Northern Ireland so that’s making me even more excited for some heat!

 

[bellinibobble]

Just spontaneously booked a two night trip to Split this weekend cos the weathers gonna be crap in the U.K. for my birthday plans 🫣 very unlike me.

Anyone been and got food/drink recommendations? Or any generic tips cos now I’m panicking ha.

 

[CallaLily]

I booked the DIY trip to Tokyo, compared to the package deal I saw, we'll have over £3k each to pay for flights and hotels. So, it seemed a no-brainer to book it ourselves. Plus, we can have 4 or 5 nights in Tokyo instead of 3 and 2 or 3 in Seoul instead of none As an extra bonus, I realised I'd misread the itinerary dates, and we have 2 overnights in Shanghai and not 1. We missed Shanghai twice on previous trips, so I'm thrilled with that development.

I'm supposed to be preparing for our upcoming Panama Canal and Alaska trip but got distracted

 

[CallaLily]

Is it the one Jane McDonald did?! That looked fab and I looked up the price at the time well worth it for penguins though!!

No, it's expensive but not that bad! Jane did a full expedition cruise, they're scary prices. We're doing a land and cruise trip. A week in Peru, sail from Santiago, Chile, through the Chilean Fjords, down to Antarctica then up to Falklands, Uruguay, disembark in Argentina and then fly to Igazu Falls and onto Rio.

 

[CallaLily]

Any thoughts with what is currently happening in ME on a family holiday to Turkey in June? Thanks

Sit tight and wait, basically. I read an article yesterday on your rights and what to do if you've holiday plans. If you've anything booked and it's months away, just wait was the general advice. If you've booked a package holiday, don't attempt to cancel or do anything. If there's no FCDO advice to not visit that country, you'll not be covered by your insurance to cancel.
A lot can change in a short space of time and it's down to the tour operator or airlines to make the call. It's unsettling but unless they recommend an alternative at this time, it's wait and hope things settle down.

 

[Notorious PIG]

Just finished booking a month+ in Florida. East Caribbean Cruise from Ft Lauderdale, then a few days in Key West, then a few days in Miami, then a western Carribean cruise from ft Lauderdale, then Orlando for a week, then fly home.

Just gotta book plane tickets, rental car, and Disney/Universal entry. Booked hotel a few miles from theme parks, as the ones inside or just outside are (unsurprisingly) pricey.

Key West accommodation is very expensive but it was either pay it or don’t ever go, and we really wanna go, cos YOLO an’ all that.

I’ve never been to Florida nor Carribean, so I’m excited!

 

[Shinythings]

I keep checking my hotel and flights just in case something happens I'm not going until september so it doesnt feel real yet.

Does anyone have any pre holiday rituals they like to do to get them in the mood? Besides defuzzing and using a gradual tanner for a few days, my favourite thing is the aiport hotel the night before and ordering room service.

I always book the day off before, get my nails done and some beauty stuff. Then always head to the airport hotel. I love to be there the night before the flight so you can just relax. Grab some dinner at the airport or local pub, grab some goodies from M&S and then get into the hotel bed with snacks, a cup of tea and watch TV. Heaven. TBF, I'd happily do that even if I didn't have a flight just for a treat.

 

[Moonflower]

Anyone been to Malta? Just booked 5 nights in June and thinking of booking hotel in Sliema? Seems like a decent location being able to walk to St Julian’s and get boat to Valetta

I didn't like Malta at all. It's the one place I've wanted to come home from. I found it really un-family friendly, people were rude and worst of all there are no birds as they shoot them all.

 

[CallaLily]

Further reflecting on the flight time v destination v duration discussion, I think once upon a time I would've been willing to do the long haul for a short holiday. When I was an employee with a fixed holiday allowance, I would have been restricted so, like a friend who went to the Maldives for 5 nights or @Lucie1001 going to Hong Kong for 5 nights, I think I would have been far more willing. Now that I have no such restriction and have now found travel is more tiring after 50, I'm unwilling.

And, I've booked Senegal

 

[Former_Antelopee]

 

[Tinkerbell cat]

That feeling when you are home and your holiday is over

Thailand fantastic as always! Much prefer Bang Niang area in Khao Lak though over main Khao Lak.

Now for the fun that is sorting suitcases.

Have still a few holidays planned for throughout the year which softens the blow a bit but I do really struggle the first couple of days I'm home. I think all the excitement and build up and then the holiday just goes so quickly.

 

[JE172]

Anyone been to Malta? Just booked 5 nights in June and thinking of booking hotel in Sliema? Seems like a decent location being able to walk to St Julian’s and get boat to Valetta

Don’t stay in st Julian’s, it’s gone very downhill and rough, lots of strip joints and felt quite seedy.