|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 18, 2019 23:21:27 GMT
I used to do quite a lot of long haul holidays but haven't been far away for many years now and am really feeling the need again.
If at all possible I want to get to one of these three destinations this year.
1. Japan - love to do a general tour of Japan, I find the culture fascinating. Don't want to spend lots of time in Tokyo, would prefer to be more rural.
2. New Zealand - really want to do a fly drive, probably just the Southern island. I was lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks filming for TV on the Northern island and had the most amazing time.
3. Canada - not sure which part yet but would like to do another fly drive here. The mountain scenery just looks absolutely stunning!
I'm wondering what destinations you might want to tick off your 'wishlist' in the coming years?
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Mar 19, 2019 7:23:16 GMT
1. Peru - Macchu Picchu. I've dreamed of going for most of my life and it has become a lot more difficult to do in recent years because of preservation issues. I would also like to trek some of the Andes.
2. Argentina - Patagonia. The Steppe looks fascinating and I've loved the bleakness of deserts ever since travelling the Namib desert in Namibia.
3. Namibia - Etosha Pan, Mountains of the Moon, Skeleton Coast. Yes, I've been there but I would love to return for some more travels in the north.
|
|
|
|
Post by brian2957 on Mar 19, 2019 7:54:30 GMT
I used to do quite a lot of long haul holidays but haven't been far away for many years now and am really feeling the need again. If at all possible I want to get to one of these three destinations this year. 1. Japan - love to do a general tour of Japan, I find the culture fascinating. Don't want to spend lots of time in Tokyo, would prefer to be more rural. 2. New Zealand - really want to do a fly drive, probably just the Southern island. I was lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks filming for TV on the Northern island and had the most amazing time. 3. Canada - not sure which part yet but would like to do another fly drive here. The mountain scenery just looks absolutely stunning! I'm wondering what destinations you might want to tick off your 'wishlist' in the coming years? These are probably my three ' bucket list ' destinations Jules , although never thought of a fly drive . My imagination is running riot once again  |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Mar 19, 2019 8:12:47 GMT
Have done a fair bit of travelling - most parts of Europe, especially trekking in the Alps, also national parks in the US; Utah, Arizona, California. Lived in Spain for a couple of years after retiring early.
But now my wander lust seems to have wandered off, same for the missus.
No plans or aspirations, and we aren't bucket list type of people.
Happy now just to enjoy our local environs in and around Forest of Dean / SW England, and the Cambrian mountains and coast of mid Wales.
No plans at all to leave the UK again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Mar 19, 2019 9:12:27 GMT
We went to Japan while my partner was pregnant with our first, since we figured big trips would be off the menu for a while afterwards, and it was at the top of both out lists. We were there for three weeks and traveled around a fair bit, but still the trip felt more like a reccie for something more substantial. Amazing place - would love to go back.
I'd also really like to do a trip to Yellowstone Park - it just looks stunning.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Mar 19, 2019 11:33:13 GMT
I may be boring Sitting here listening to music  |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 13:24:06 GMT
I used to do quite a lot of long haul holidays but haven't been far away for many years now and am really feeling the need again. If at all possible I want to get to one of these three destinations this year. 1. Japan - love to do a general tour of Japan, I find the culture fascinating. Don't want to spend lots of time in Tokyo, would prefer to be more rural. 2. New Zealand - really want to do a fly drive, probably just the Southern island. I was lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks filming for TV on the Northern island and had the most amazing time. 3. Canada - not sure which part yet but would like to do another fly drive here. The mountain scenery just looks absolutely stunning! I'm wondering what destinations you might want to tick off your 'wishlist' in the coming years? These are probably my three ' bucket list ' destinations Jules , although never thought of a fly drive . My imagination is running riot once again I think it's definitely the way to see NZ - distances are relatively small, open roads and the countryside will take your breath away. |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 13:26:28 GMT
We went to Japan while my partner was pregnant with our first, since we figured big trips would be off the menu for a while afterwards, and it was at the top of both out lists. We were there for three weeks and traveled around a fair bit, but still the trip felt more like a reccie for something more substantial. Amazing place - would love to go back. I'd also really like to do a trip to Yellowstone Park - it just looks stunning. I think my son is definitely old enough to appreciate the trip now. Three weeks is a pretty good crack at it - are you planning on emigrating next?? |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 13:27:58 GMT
1. Peru - Macchu Picchu. I've dreamed of going for most of my life and it has become a lot more difficult to do in recent years because of preservation issues. I would also like to trek some of the Andes. 2. Argentina - Patagonia. The Steppe looks fascinating and I've loved the bleakness of deserts ever since travelling the Namib desert in Namibia. 3. Namibia - Etosha Pan, Mountains of the Moon, Skeleton Coast. Yes, I've been there but I would love to return for some more travels in the north. I know my mother has been to the first two and massively enjoyed both trips. The photos were stunning. Knowing her she has done Namibia as well! |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2019 13:30:38 GMT
Do you know, international travel is one of those things that has never interested me that much at all.
In my time I have been to Brazil, Turkey and Tunisia and whilst I have mostly enjoyed all but the Tunisia holiday, I just never get on with the food and heat and generally end up getting a dodgy belly.
I would much prefer to go to a holiday park such as Center Parcs or equivalent in the UK.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 13:31:05 GMT
But now my wander lust seems to have wandered off, same for the missus. No plans or aspirations, and we aren't bucket list type of people. Happy now just to enjoy our local environs in and around Forest of Dean / SW England, and the Cambrian mountains and coast of mid Wales. When our son was a young one long haul holidays fell off the radar completely. We've done a number of Euro city breaks over the years and visited family in Greece each year, and always spent time exploring the UK. But I'm feeling the urge again for something radically different ... |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 13:35:44 GMT
Do you know, international travel is one of those things that has never interested me that much at all. In my time I have been to Brazil, Turkey and Tunisia and whilst I have mostly enjoyed all but the Tunisia holiday, I just never get on with the food and heat and generally end up getting a dodgy belly. I would much prefer to go to a holiday park such as Center Parcs or equivalent in the UK. That's easily sorted Paul - go somewhere like NZ or Canada where you won't have issues with food or extreme heat ... You wouldn't have liked Egypt at all - I spent a year there and I could tell you some utterly sordid tales about food and sanitation ...   Joking aside, it has to really float your boat or there are then better things to spend your money on like hifi ... |
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Mar 19, 2019 14:04:45 GMT
Three weeks is a pretty good crack at it - are you planning on emigrating next?? Well, there was trade-off with moving around the country and visiting more places - a certain proportion of the trip was just spent getting from one place to another, and then there's not a lot of time to soak up any one place before it's time to move on to the next. I could have easily spent ten days just in Kyoto, but we only managed four. If we went back I'd like to do 4-6 weeks, but that doesn't seem very feasible at the moment. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Mar 19, 2019 14:25:54 GMT
Japan was extreme culture shock for me, I went there a few times for work. My favourite part was taking the bullet train to Mount Fuji which was beyond gobsmacking.
|
|
|
|
Post by SteveC on Mar 19, 2019 16:18:08 GMT
I can thoroughly recommend Canada and Alaska.
Last September, Irene and I went on a Travelsphere Rockies, Rail and Alaska cruise. We upgraded to Gold Leaf standard on The Rocky Mountaineer train journey (600 miles from Banff to Vancouver over two days) which I would say is essential (£399 extra per person, but 360 degree panoramic view from double-decker coach, with meals served downstairs in the restaurant car, better service/overnight hotel accommodation in Kamloops) and an altogether superior experience compared to standard Silver Leaf service.
Other extras included an excursion to Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island (the ladies will love this, but I also found it amazing), upgrade to an outside cabin with ocean view onboard the MS Volendam (£700) and an extra couple of days in Vancouver at the conclusion of the cruise.
The weather was dry and mostly sunny and we saw some awesome sights (highlights for me were the views of the Canadian Rockies from the summit of Sulphur Mountain (reached by cable-car) and the voyage into Glacier Bay National Park on what was probably the most beautiful day with perfect weather conditions (according to the two Park Rangers who came aboard).
Seeing the 100,000,000 year old Marjorie Glacier carve off several thousand tons of ice from it's 250' face into the sea, followed by the sound a second or two later, was truly breath-taking!
Overall impression of Banff was of a spotless, beautiful mountain resort, with very friendly people.
I'll put some photos up on the appropriate page for those of you who are interested in this trip.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 16:25:38 GMT
Three weeks is a pretty good crack at it - are you planning on emigrating next?? Well, there was trade-off with moving around the country and visiting more places - a certain proportion of the trip was just spent getting from one place to another, and then there's not a lot of time to soak up any one place before it's time to move on to the next. I could have easily spent ten days just in Kyoto, but we only managed four. If we went back I'd like to do 4-6 weeks, but that doesn't seem very feasible at the moment. I'm aching to go to Kyoto ... I know what you mean - 4-6 weeks is really almost a minimum if you really want to get a proper feel of a country. Apart from a year for study I have never been able to do that though, perhaps in later years, who knows? I would like to emulate my mother in this regard, who is by far the best travelled person I know. When we talk of going for a long weekend break it's actually quite difficult to find somewhere she hasn't been! |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 16:27:31 GMT
I'll put some photos up on the appropriate page for those of you who are interested in this trip. Yes please Steve, I'd love to see these! Sounds like you had an amazing time ... |
|
|
|
Post by SteveC on Mar 19, 2019 19:02:50 GMT
I'll put some photos up on the appropriate page for those of you who are interested in this trip. Yes please Steve, I'd love to see these! Sounds like you had an amazing time ... Jules, The complete saga is up on the Photography page! |
|
|
|
Post by brettj on Mar 20, 2019 6:35:26 GMT
That's easily sorted Paul - go somewhere like NZ or Canada where you won't have issues with food or extreme heat ... Hey, steady on Jules. It got up to 22ºC today. That's pretty extreme for Wellington in Autumn! |
|
|
|
Post by brettj on Mar 20, 2019 6:38:33 GMT
My 'dream list' is your side of the world.
Ireland and Scotland this trip.
Mostly history and family origins.
First foray into overseas travel.
Next trip will include England.
|
|
