|
Post by doublestuf on Nov 26, 2023 8:10:37 GMT -6
Leaf 🌱, is NC too far south for the beach? We have 3 in beach towns along the coast (northern, central, and Southern areas) with aquariums. I have only been to one of them (they're medium-sized), but each area has a good amount of other stuff to do-along with great beaches-and aren't crazy busy.
|
|
|
Post by kittyriot on Nov 26, 2023 9:01:30 GMT -6
Can I talk about 2023 travel in here real quick? On Saturday, we leave for a week in Finland. Helsinki and Rovaniemi. Santa, northern lights, arctic circle. It better be awesome Please!!!!! Report back! What an amazing adventure. If I remember correctly, DD isn’t the most excited. Has she come around to the trip at all?
|
|
joy
Global Moderator
TTC, Pg, B&C
Posts: 9,194 Likes: 41,673
|
Post by joy on Nov 26, 2023 9:10:50 GMT -6
Can I talk about 2023 travel in here real quick? On Saturday, we leave for a week in Finland. Helsinki and Rovaniemi. Santa, northern lights, arctic circle. It better be awesome Please!!!!! Report back! What an amazing adventure. If I remember correctly, DD isn’t the most excited. Has she come around to the trip at all? She has. It took us awhile to figure this out. She thought we were sleeping on a glacier because that’s what 7 year olds picture when you say “arctic.” Agggh. Lol. We leave on Saturday! I’m nervous and excited. I just booked an arctic circle crossing ceremony.
|
|
|
Post by shamycooler on Nov 26, 2023 9:14:21 GMT -6
Oh, I forgot DC for a week in the summer. I’m travelling for work and DH and DD will likely come along. I think I’ll be at this conference too! I’m hoping I can convince ExH to let DD come along (it’s technically his week but I’m hoping we can swap so she gets to go to DC).
|
|
|
Post by taconight on Nov 26, 2023 10:07:25 GMT -6
I’m starting to get into planning for next year. I love the planning part. We’re going home to DC for spring break, our favorite fancy ranch for 4th of July, and my H wants to do a family trip to Maine, cause he travels there a lot for work and the rest of us haven’t been. We’ll either go in July or October. Whichever one of those times we don’t go to Maine, we’ll make a trip to Austin. My oldest has a weeklong trip with her Girl Scout troop in May, and I volunteered to chaperone so maybe going to Savannah with them, too. Can you tell me more abt this fancy ranch? I would love to do something like this with my family; (and extended family too as long as there is golf for my dad!) Sure! It’s got the classic ranch type activities, but upscale accommodations and an amazing restaurant. Lots of activities for kids and families. They don’t have a golf course on site, but there’s one not too far away. If you’re interested, I’ll send you the name of the resort.
|
|
|
Post by kittyriot on Nov 26, 2023 10:07:54 GMT -6
Oh, I forgot DC for a week in the summer. I’m travelling for work and DH and DD will likely come along. I think I’ll be at this conference too! I’m hoping I can convince ExH to let DD come along (it’s technically his week but I’m hoping we can swap so she gets to go to DC). Ahhhhh!! You’re going again!?!? Yay!! I haven’t looked at whether my dates overlap with DH’s annual conference but even if it does, I’m figuring this one out. This should be the best they’ve ever put on me thinks! And a bunch of us from Canada are planning on attending!!
|
|
|
Post by kittyriot on Nov 26, 2023 10:08:49 GMT -6
Can you tell me more abt this fancy ranch? I would love to do something like this with my family; (and extended family too as long as there is golf for my dad!) Sure! It’s got the classic ranch type activities, but upscale accommodations and an amazing restaurant. Lots of activities for kids and families. They don’t have a golf course on site, but there’s one not too far away. If you’re interested, I’ll send you the name of the resort. Can you send me the name of the resort too? This is high on DH’s type of vacation! Lovely countryside but with amenities!!
|
|
|
Post by taconight on Nov 26, 2023 10:16:14 GMT -6
Sure! It’s got the classic ranch type activities, but upscale accommodations and an amazing restaurant. Lots of activities for kids and families. They don’t have a golf course on site, but there’s one not too far away. If you’re interested, I’ll send you the name of the resort. Can you send me the name of the resort too? This is high on DH’s type of vacation! Lovely countryside but with amenities!! Sent you a PM
|
|
Cher
Global Moderator
BMB, GD, Special Interests
Posts: 57,529 Likes: 442,332
|
Post by Cher on Nov 26, 2023 10:24:45 GMT -6
Booked: St Maarten, Anguilla, Disney, Jamaica, Canouan.
Planning: Ireland and Punta Mita.
I do a yearly girls trip with girls in my neighborhood. That’s happening in the spring. We all pitch a trip and vote on them, so TBD where we go.
That said, we just decided to do a major renovation/addition. So these plans may all get thrown out because I’m going to have to buy cabinets.
MH wanted me to go to Asia with him this year but we don’t have people to watch our kids and the baby is still a little too young. So I’m tentatively planning on bringing them in 2025 and focusing on that post-Reno travel life.
|
|
|
Post by hugsfordrugs on Nov 26, 2023 10:51:21 GMT -6
SweetPotato, wedding, I had a travel agent (who I’ve worked with for many years) plan it for me. The hotels we are staying at: The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel Nairobi Video - Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli Video: Sweetwaters Serena Camp Ol Pejeta Video - The Fairmont Mara Safari Club Video: You have to take small planes in between locations so you are limited to a duffel bag (they give you measurements but I would say it’s like a medium size duffel bag) and your total luggage weight (including carry on) can not exceed 35 pounds. It’s an expensive vacation (therefore bucket list) - were at about $11k/person but that includes flights to Africa and then (copied from my information pack): With 8 nights luxury safari lodgings; morning + afternoon game drives; Special lion tracking expedition; 23 meals; all transfers; 3 safari transfer flights; and all gratuities except for your safari guides. We decided to do it now because a) it’s not going to get any cheaper, b) some of these animals might not be around in 10 - 15 years and c) we want to be young/mobile enough to really enjoy it. Hope this helps!
|
|
jaidit
Ruby
Posts: 18,126 Likes: 300,112
|
Post by jaidit on Nov 26, 2023 11:24:09 GMT -6
We are taking the kids to Madrid, London, and Paris this summer. It will be our first trip to Europe all together (DDs are 9 and 12). I have never been to London or Paris. We are so excited! If anyone has any tips or recommendations I’m all ears. We are just doing two nights in Madrid, then a week in London and Paris (early July, before Olympics start). We have two places booked in Paris at that moment but if you have other recs jaidit please let me know. We have booked Hotel Harvey and also Hotel de La Motte Picquet. If you have any opinions about location of those hotels let me know too. I’m not familiar with either hotel, but based on location alone I’d lean toward Hotel Harvey. It is near the Eiffel Tower, the musée d’Orsay, the Louvre, Luxembourg gardens and Saint germain des pres. The second hotel, while close to the arc de triomphe, is far from the other things you will want to see - The 17e arrondissement is more residential. I expect next summer to be a madhouse and the last thing you will want is to be stuck in a taxi all day.
|
|
|
Post by peachesncream on Nov 26, 2023 11:38:11 GMT -6
I had to cancel our Disney cruise planned in February so I could pay the retainer for my divorce lawyer. I'm really bummed about it, but I'm hoping we can pivot to a cheaper cruiseline with a similar itinerary or a short, budget-friendly Disney World trip.
Spring break if STBXH doesn't want to take the kids anywhere I think I'll do a state or national park within driving distance - Great Smokies, Cuyahoga Valley/Hocking Hills, Hot Springs, RMNP.
DD1's 10th birthday is this August so on a whim I bought us tickets to a show at Red Rocks, I think I will make a whole birthday weekend of it in Denver for her.
I would love a fall trip to the west coast, I've been dying to go to Oregon for some time, but I also need to squeeze a visit or two to my parents in SC in so I'm not sure I'll have the funds or the vacation time but we will see.
My mom and I are trying to plan a mother/daughter trip to St. Thomas or Belize, not sure if that will happen or not.
|
|
|
Post by Carmichael on Nov 26, 2023 12:24:38 GMT -6
We spent more on our Disney/Disney Cruise trip than we originally budgeted, so our 15th anniversary trip in May needs to be scaled back. We want to go somewhere in the Caribbean for 8-10 days, but location is TBD since I can’t make up my mind where to go.
|
|
|
Post by spicysalmonroll on Nov 26, 2023 14:16:50 GMT -6
H has a guys golf trip in April, he gets home and 2 days later we all as a family fly down to my parents in Hilton Head. (We’re going there for Xmas in a month as well) End of June, us and my parents are going on Vancouver/ Alaska cruise together. What cruise? We’ve been talking about doing that this summer but I feel like maybe we’re already too late to plan it princess Ruby on 6/22. I don’t think you’re too late, I booked mine back in Aug just to make sure I got the cheapest points flights. I’m sure there are plenty of options!
|
|
emma
Ruby
Posts: 18,827 Likes: 86,503
|
Post by emma on Nov 26, 2023 14:33:49 GMT -6
Planning a spring training trip in late Feb - first time taking DS. Tentative Hawaii for spring break. I want to go to the big island for the first time. Not sure beyond that but I have so many ideas. I really want to go to Japan with DS in the summer but I’m still working on convincing H. I need to plan a weekend away for H and I. I would love to do Vancouver or another west coast city and ideally wrap it in with a concert of some sort. I was thinking of Vancouver for our spring break trip since it’s an easy flight! But I wasn’t sure what kid stuff there was to do, and it would be a family trip. Vancouver is an awesome family city break. Science World is great for all ages, the aquarium is fun and right in Stanley Park with has a bunch of other stuff going on like the small gage railroad, a bunch of different playgrounds, you can rent bikes and ride the sea wall. Capilano suspension bridge is cool, Granville Island is a farmers market and a lot of small independent shops and restaurants, Grouse Mountain has a bunch of activities up the top. And if you rent a car I’d highly recommend driving up to Squarmish and doing the Sea to Sky Gondola and the Britannia Mine Museum. If you’re there at the right time in spring you might hit cherry blossom season too.
|
|
Pistol
Diamond
Posts: 28,064 Likes: 62,420
|
Post by Pistol on Nov 26, 2023 14:49:10 GMT -6
More races. Lol. Schedule isn't out yet but should include a week in Florida around the first week or two of March and then another week in Indiana in October. Other than that looking at long weekends to South Carolina x 3, another long weekend in Indiana.
|
|
mc03
Gold
Posts: 627 Likes: 3,135
|
Post by mc03 on Nov 26, 2023 15:57:58 GMT -6
We are taking the kids to Madrid, London, and Paris this summer. It will be our first trip to Europe all together (DDs are 9 and 12). I have never been to London or Paris. We are so excited! If anyone has any tips or recommendations I’m all ears. We are just doing two nights in Madrid, then a week in London and Paris (early July, before Olympics start). We have two places booked in Paris at that moment but if you have other recs jaidit please let me know. We have booked Hotel Harvey and also Hotel de La Motte Picquet. If you have any opinions about location of those hotels let me know too. I’m not familiar with either hotel, but based on location alone I’d lean toward Hotel Harvey. It is near the Eiffel Tower, the musée d’Orsay, the Louvre, Luxembourg gardens and Saint germain des pres. The second hotel, while close to the arc de triomphe, is far from the other things you will want to see - The 17e arrondissement is more residential. I expect next summer to be a madhouse and the last thing you will want is to be stuck in a taxi all day. Thank you! This is such helpful info. We are figuring it’s going to be crazy busy so want to try to plan well to at least minimize headaches. We were dumb and didn’t even think about the Olympics when we booked the trip, they were just the dates that worked in our schedules.
|
|
thatgolfb
Unicorn
Posts: 55,023 Likes: 234,913
|
Post by thatgolfb on Nov 26, 2023 16:31:17 GMT -6
jaidit for our night in Paris, we are staying at the Jardin La Bréa Hotel in the 6th, it was recommended in another travel group I’m in. It seemed pretty central. Is that right? We splurged and booked dinner at the Jules Verne inside the Eiffel Tower (mixed reviews, but generally really good ones), and then the next morning we have tickets to the Louvre with a guide that takes us straight to the Mona Lisa. We are doing the earliest train to Paris that day and then afternoon train back to London the next day. I am sure there are plenty of amazing restaurants in Paris, but we figured eating inside the Eiffel Tower was a pretty cool thing to check off our list.
|
|
thatgolfb
Unicorn
Posts: 55,023 Likes: 234,913
|
Post by thatgolfb on Nov 26, 2023 16:31:41 GMT -6
I was thinking of Vancouver for our spring break trip since it’s an easy flight! But I wasn’t sure what kid stuff there was to do, and it would be a family trip. Vancouver is an awesome family city break. Science World is great for all ages, the aquarium is fun and right in Stanley Park with has a bunch of other stuff going on like the small gage railroad, a bunch of different playgrounds, you can rent bikes and ride the sea wall. Capilano suspension bridge is cool, Granville Island is a farmers market and a lot of small independent shops and restaurants, Grouse Mountain has a bunch of activities up the top. And if you rent a car I’d highly recommend driving up to Squarmish and doing the Sea to Sky Gondola and the Britannia Mine Museum. If you’re there at the right time in spring you might hit cherry blossom season too. Thank you!
|
|
thatgolfb
Unicorn
Posts: 55,023 Likes: 234,913
|
Post by thatgolfb on Nov 26, 2023 16:38:09 GMT -6
hugsfordrugs that looks spectacular! Please report back on your trip. H’s aunt just did a long safari and I know they went to Zanzibar, but I don’t know where else.
|
|
Cher
Global Moderator
BMB, GD, Special Interests
Posts: 57,529 Likes: 442,332
|
Post by Cher on Nov 26, 2023 16:56:12 GMT -6
thatgolfb I’ve eaten in Jules Verne. I wasn’t blown away but it’s worth skipping the line and eating in the Eiffel Tower is a really cool thing to do!
|
|
jaygee
Diamond
Posts: 28,294 Likes: 219,945
|
Post by jaygee on Nov 26, 2023 17:34:06 GMT -6
Eating in the Eiffel tower sounds amazing. I would tolerate subpar food for the experience.
|
|
mc13
Sapphire
Posts: 3,414 Likes: 12,121
|
Post by mc13 on Nov 26, 2023 18:23:25 GMT -6
March/April Spring Break - South Korea and Japan (pulling the girls from school for a 2nd week)
July - week in Italy, Paris for the Olympics the hopping to Amsterdam to fly home.
November - kid-free trip to Undecided destination in Asia, so I can get back to Shanghai to visit Disneyland for my 6th Disney Castle. It opened in 2016 and we were there last in 2014.
|
|
abs
Sapphire
Posts: 4,039 Likes: 20,924
|
Post by abs on Nov 26, 2023 19:51:34 GMT -6
February-cruise out of Galveston. I’m not excited about this one but whatever. It’s cheap and easy.
June-Breckinridge or Boston/Maine. Would love recommendations for either!
November—hopefully Disney but we may be priced out. It’s so expensive and we can only go during school breaks.
|
|
|
Post by CurlieWhirlie on Nov 26, 2023 20:42:37 GMT -6
We're not big travelers, but we have a Disneyland trip planned in mid-January that we're all looking forward to, with some side visits planned in LA while we're down there. Summer is our annual family get-together with H's family and it's quite possibly going to be in a new location in 2024 after 30 years of the same location, so that could be a fun adventure!
December 2024 will be our 10th wedding anniversary so it might be nice to have a kid-free weekend somewhere not too far. I'm loving seeing what everyone else is up to!
|
|
brux
Diamond
Posts: 35,332 Likes: 282,476
|
Post by brux on Nov 26, 2023 23:16:00 GMT -6
Can you send me the name of the resort too? This is high on DH’s type of vacation! Lovely countryside but with amenities!! Sent you a PM i’d love to know too, please!
|
|
brux
Diamond
Posts: 35,332 Likes: 282,476
|
Post by brux on Nov 26, 2023 23:19:46 GMT -6
January is Jamaica on my dad’s dime.
But other than that, we have nothing planned or booked.
I’m thinking Kansas City for spring break to see a Twins vs Royals game. And we keep saying we’re going to Iceland in summer 2024, but I don’t know how realistic that is.
|
|
|
Post by toebeans on Nov 27, 2023 4:58:58 GMT -6
Two ski weekends, one in January, one in February (NH and ME respectively).
DS (will be 15!! by then) and I are going to London with my sister and her daughter in August. They’re going to see Taylor Swift but we’re planning a vacation around it. We’ll be cutting it close as school starts in the end of August.
We’re keeping it loose for April vacation. We usually go someplace tropical but weren't feeling it this year. Maybe a trip to DC to see my nephew and his adorable baby and wife and also touristy stuff. We’ll see how it shakes out.
|
|
jaidit
Ruby
Posts: 18,126 Likes: 300,112
|
Post by jaidit on Nov 27, 2023 5:19:27 GMT -6
jaidit for our night in Paris, we are staying at the Jardin La Bréa Hotel in the 6th, it was recommended in another travel group I’m in. It seemed pretty central. Is that right? We splurged and booked dinner at the Jules Verne inside the Eiffel Tower (mixed reviews, but generally really good ones), and then the next morning we have tickets to the Louvre with a guide that takes us straight to the Mona Lisa. We are doing the earliest train to Paris that day and then afternoon train back to London the next day. I am sure there are plenty of amazing restaurants in Paris, but we figured eating inside the Eiffel Tower was a pretty cool thing to check off our list. The 6th is super central and a great neighborhood to stay in. If you’re travelling with a stroller it is an older part of Paris and will have cobblestone roads and roads with barely any sidewalks, just a heads up. It is super charming and worth it though! I always recommend to take a reservation in the Eiffel Tower because it’s just a way less stressful way to see it. There’s also the newly opened madame brasserie, which is the same chef and in the Eiffel Tower but slightly less fancy and less expensive.
|
|
jaidit
Ruby
Posts: 18,126 Likes: 300,112
|
Post by jaidit on Nov 27, 2023 5:21:02 GMT -6
March/April Spring Break - South Korea and Japan (pulling the girls from school for a 2nd week) July - week in Italy, Paris for the Olympics the hopping to Amsterdam to fly home. November - kid-free trip to Undecided destination in Asia, so I can get back to Shanghai to visit Disneyland for my 6th Disney Castle. It opened in 2016 and we were there last in 2014. Which events did you get tickets for? I’m so excited to see the events!!
|
|