mc13
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Post by mc13 on Nov 27, 2023 6:16:07 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!! Me too! I've never been to any Olympics, so very excited for the experience. Table tennis, beach volleyball, and general admission for the La Concorde urban events area. We'll only be in town for 2 nights since accommodations for a family of 5 are $$$$. I saw more tickets are being released on the 11/30, so might try to grab 1 more event!
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adelbert
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Post by adelbert on Nov 27, 2023 7:03:29 GMT -6
This year we'll be skiing in the Dolomites and probably the Alps so Italy and Austria and maybe Switzerland, it depends a lot on the snow and the weather when the boys have school ski holidays.
We'll definitely take some weekend breaks to different German cities as that's something we started doing 1-2 years ago and have really enjoyed with the boys. There are so many cool cities we haven't seen yet.
I also want to do a long weekend in Copenhagen with the boys as I really liked it when I visited.
We'll be in Italy in the summer and want to definitely do Rome with the boys and also maybe Tuscany again or Sicily. And in the fall we'll visit the States this time probably checking out the west coast before doing Halloween in Minnesota.
What we would love to do is decide spontaneously on trips, just exploring a new location when the mood hits and the weather sucks (super often where we live from November to April) but with the boys in school that's not a possibility. But we still try to not plan too much ahead.
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Post by taconight on Nov 27, 2023 7:54:25 GMT -6
i’d love to know too, please! Sent you a PM
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Post by calendula on Nov 27, 2023 8:29:31 GMT -6
I love reading everyone's plans. Travel makes me happy.
In 2023, I did a week in Aruba, a week in Iceland, a week at a lake cabin in New Hampshire, and then long weekends at the Jersey shore, 100 Mile Wilderness in northern Maine, and just got back from spending Thanksgiving in Quebec City.
2024 is still wide open. The kids and I were thinking about spring break in New Mexico, maybe doing some camping and national parks? I also want to do a week in August at either my favorite beach town close to the Cape or at the Jersey shore. Can't decide.
I do want this to be a year for some solo travel. At least three of this year's trips got hijacked by travel companions and I'm still salty about it.
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piratecat
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Post by piratecat on Nov 27, 2023 9:42:33 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. What's on your agenda/itinerary for Korea and Japan? I'm doubtful we can swing it for this year but I think we'll have to try and make it happen for 2025.
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piratecat
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Post by piratecat on Nov 27, 2023 9:44:13 GMT -6
We have a wedding in the DR and owe my ILs a visit so it feels like most of our travel has been pre-selected for us. We’re working on a big South Korea/Japan/Tokyo Disney trip in 2025 so 2024 needs to be a bit chill. We’d like to spend a week at the beach with another family -if you’ve got any recommendations for a midatlantic-ish beach that has cute, relaxed vibes and maybe a good aquarium, I’m all ears. Big boardwalks and high rises are not the vibes are are looking for. What time of year will you be going to Korea and Japan? I think we might try for June 2025 hopefully we can make it before the monsoon season starts.
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piratecat
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Post by piratecat on Nov 27, 2023 9:46:13 GMT -6
We don't have a lot planned as schedule and finances are both tight with the new house work. We did book a couple nights at Kalahari water park with H's family for February and I'm wondering about an easy trip for a few days for April break but I'm not sure where.
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jaidit
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Post by jaidit on Nov 27, 2023 10:23:35 GMT -6
mc13 we bought the max amount of tickets (60 in total) for my family which equals 4 events each. I’m definitely going to see swimming and rowing but hoping it works out to see beach volleyball and track and field, too!
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adelbert
Amethyst
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Post by adelbert on Nov 27, 2023 11:29:51 GMT -6
I love reading everyone's plans. Travel makes me happy. I do want this to be a year for some solo travel. At least three of this year's trips got hijacked by travel companions and I'm still salty about it. This reminds me that I went on a little mini break alone and stayed at a vineyard on the Rhine, and at a hotel on Lake Constance and it was so amazing and I definitely want to do that again this coming year. Girl's trips are so fun but a solo trip is good in a different way.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Nov 27, 2023 11:34:38 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. Thank you! It’s just me and H for this trip, so no stroller. 🙌
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Post by sweptaway on Nov 27, 2023 11:43:04 GMT -6
hugsfordrugs, my cousin just came back from two weeks in South Africa and he said it was life changing. I'm so excited for you! (and also v.v. jealous)
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Post by sweptaway on Nov 27, 2023 11:43:36 GMT -6
This is making me want to try to figure something out for spring break even though we have no money for travel. I have such wanderlust though!
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jaidit
Ruby
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Post by jaidit on Nov 27, 2023 12:00:41 GMT -6
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. Thank you! It’s just me and H for this trip, so no stroller. 🙌 Ooh in that case I would recommend a seine river ride at sunset - they take 1 hour and my favorite is the bateau mouche Pont Neuf. So romantic!
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Post by flippinchica on Nov 27, 2023 12:37:14 GMT -6
Fun! So far only 2 trips fully booked- Skiing Vail over New Years Skiing Whistler for Spring Break Half booked- one way tix to Vienna for my older daughter and me late June but just found out some scheduling conflicts with my younger daughter and I might need to cancel. Older dd is going to be devastated. We'll do something else late July but not sure it will be Europe with the Olympics. I'd love to make a trip to Asia but I hate traveling when it's hot. Likely a girls trip in Feb. and I'm pushing for Palm Beach. Fall break plans and on to be determined I really want to whistler some day but Park City is just so much easier logistically at least until the kids are older (direct flight and closer to the airport) We have park city booked for spring break and Florida to see the inlaws for the first week in January hopefully with a swing thorough Legoland. Not sure for summer. They are opening a direct flight from here to frankfurt so maybe will go to Europe for the first time since our honeymoon
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Post by flippinchica on Nov 27, 2023 12:38:07 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!! Me tooo!
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sweetpea
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Post by sweetpea on Nov 27, 2023 12:46:26 GMT -6
So far, I have Denver for "ski week" and NYC/DC for spring break
We have 50th wedding anniversary for ILs and 80th bday for my dad but neither seems to be getting planned. We'll probably do Hawaii also
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Post by sweptaway on Nov 27, 2023 13:20:10 GMT -6
Spring break is the end of March which means anything within driving distance will probably still be frigid.
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sterling
Global Moderator
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Post by sterling on Nov 27, 2023 14:49:10 GMT -6
We don’t have all our plans firmly in place yet, but I think we’ll do Mexico in February to swim with whales/roadtrip our way there and back, a bigger trip in June (but TBD where, we can’t decide. Italy is the front runner, but keeping options open), and back to Mexico in October for an annual adventure trip. We’ll also have several shorter trips sprinkled in, like a long weekend in San Diego, some camping trips, and probably something in Arizona we can drive to. Oh, and I booked a couple nights at a great wolf lodge in January as a surprise for just me and my boys as part of their Christmas gift.
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mc13
Sapphire
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Post by mc13 on Nov 27, 2023 17:53:28 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. What's on your agenda/itinerary for Korea and Japan? I'm doubtful we can swing it for this year but I think we'll have to try and make it happen for 2025. I’m still working out what we’ll do in each city, but I have flights and hotels done. We have 2.5 days in Seoul then 2 days in Osaka (with one of those at Universal Studios), 3 days in Kyoto (with 1 of those in Nara) then 3 days in Tokyo then 2.5 days at Tokyo Disneyland/Disney Sea.
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loony
Emerald
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Post by loony on Nov 27, 2023 20:23:45 GMT -6
We don't have anything planned just yet except Mt. Shasta (staying for free in my cousin's AirBnb and lift tickets are not too ridiculous) for my siblings' 40th for a ski weekend in February (and it will likely be just me and the kids).
H is starting a new business opening just before Christmas, so we're in deep and can't financially plan yet...however, his partner has a LOT of family in Mexico and Central America, so I'm making sure our passports are renewed so we can maybe do a trip down there during our Shoulder Season.
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Post by peachesncream on Nov 28, 2023 16:58:45 GMT -6
FYI, didn't know whether to post this in the sale thread or the travel thread, but apparently today is "travel Tuesday", lots of flight deals today - I have been using SkyScanner to look for deals. hip2save.com/tips/how-to-get-cheap-flights
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Post by AnnPerkins on Nov 28, 2023 19:49:52 GMT -6
DS is going to space camp in June, so DH and I will be hanging in AL for a week. I’ll take any recs for things for us to do. In November DS and I will take a mother/son trip to Universal in FL. I think there might be more travel in 2025 for us. He's going to have a...blast. I was a Space Camp counselor and am still in the area. June will be warm, but not too unbearable. You'll definitely need a car. Things are pretty spread out here and public transportation isn't really a thing. Are you guys more artsy, naturey, sporty, or nerdy? Any food preferences?
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Post by AnnPerkins on Nov 28, 2023 19:57:16 GMT -6
We're going to try DC for spring break, I think.
Cleveland with the kids in the Summer.
We've been tossing around trips to New England or Disney, so we'll see what sticks. Dd2 keeps saying she's never been to Disney, which, is not true. We just haven't been since early 2020. So we should probably go back now that she's an age that she'll actually remember the trip.
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zoeylucy
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Post by zoeylucy on Nov 29, 2023 8:40:21 GMT -6
DS is going to space camp in June, so DH and I will be hanging in AL for a week. I’ll take any recs for things for us to do. In November DS and I will take a mother/son trip to Universal in FL. I think there might be more travel in 2025 for us. He's going to have a...blast. I was a Space Camp counselor and am still in the area. June will be warm, but not too unbearable. You'll definitely need a car. Things are pretty spread out here and public transportation isn't really a thing. Are you guys more artsy, naturey, sporty, or nerdy? Any food preferences? I would call us naturey and nerdy, lol. I enjoy artsy things, DH not quite as much. I saw something about a cavern close by that I want to check out, and I’m sure we’ll spend a day at the space museum. We’ve done Kennedy Space Center, the Neil Armstrong museum, and talks with astronauts locally this year, so space and aeronautics are family interests. I also saw a locomotive museum. Is that any good? We are driving from Ohio so we will have a car. Food-wise, we don’t like fish or seafood, but anything else goes.
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Post by blurnette989 on Nov 29, 2023 8:48:36 GMT -6
My best friend and her son are meeting us in France for Disney Paris just before Easter and then we might do scenic train trip through Switzerland.
I am also then going back to Paris for just a few days of the Olympics. So far we are going to see some track cycling, table tennis and the women's football gold medal game.
Also a planning a couples trip to Montenegro for a friend's birthday.
And not 2024, but next week is a long weekend here and my mom, me and baby blurnette are doing a girls trip to London to see Christmas stuff and the Frozen musical as a big surprise for baby blurnette. At least one of my children is bound to like the theater!
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piratecat
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Post by piratecat on Nov 29, 2023 10:27:38 GMT -6
What's on your agenda/itinerary for Korea and Japan? I'm doubtful we can swing it for this year but I think we'll have to try and make it happen for 2025. I’m still working out what we’ll do in each city, but I have flights and hotels done. We have 2.5 days in Seoul then 2 days in Osaka (with one of those at Universal Studios), 3 days in Kyoto (with 1 of those in Nara) then 3 days in Tokyo then 2.5 days at Tokyo Disneyland/Disney Sea. That'll be such a great trip. How old are your kids?
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mc13
Sapphire
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Post by mc13 on Nov 29, 2023 11:35:58 GMT -6
I’m still working out what we’ll do in each city, but I have flights and hotels done. We have 2.5 days in Seoul then 2 days in Osaka (with one of those at Universal Studios), 3 days in Kyoto (with 1 of those in Nara) then 3 days in Tokyo then 2.5 days at Tokyo Disneyland/Disney Sea. That'll be such a great trip. How old are your kids? Thanks! My husband lived in Japan as a kid (dad was in the Marine Corps), so he's especially excited to take them. Our oldest will be 9 in January and twins are 7.
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melohdy
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Post by melohdy on Nov 29, 2023 11:40:30 GMT -6
I know they're not everyone's cup of tea, but we really want to do a cruise next year. We like them a lot, but haven't been since covid. Our 15-year wedding anniversary is next year. We'd love to do a trip for just the two of us; but, between H not having a ton of time off, and childcare, we're leaning more toward a family trip to celebrate. Maybe a Caribbean cruise over Thanksgiving next year.
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piratecat
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Post by piratecat on Nov 29, 2023 12:02:41 GMT -6
That'll be such a great trip. How old are your kids? Thanks! My husband lived in Japan as a kid (dad was in the Marine Corps), so he's especially excited to take them. Our oldest will be 9 in January and twins are 7. I'd love to hear about how it went and what you did. If we go in 2025 my oldest would be 8 and my youngest 4.
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Post by AnnPerkins on Nov 29, 2023 20:40:54 GMT -6
He's going to have a...blast. I was a Space Camp counselor and am still in the area. June will be warm, but not too unbearable. You'll definitely need a car. Things are pretty spread out here and public transportation isn't really a thing. Are you guys more artsy, naturey, sporty, or nerdy? Any food preferences? I would call us naturey and nerdy, lol. I enjoy artsy things, DH not quite as much. I saw something about a cavern close by that I want to check out, and I’m sure we’ll spend a day at the space museum. We’ve done Kennedy Space Center, the Neil Armstrong museum, and talks with astronauts locally this year, so space and aeronautics are family interests. I also saw a locomotive museum. Is that any good? We are driving from Ohio so we will have a car. Food-wise, we don’t like fish or seafood, but anything else goes. Cathedral Cavern? It's neat, we've been there a few times. The guided tour through the cave takes about an hour and change. I think you have to buy tickets over the phone or in person, it's a pretty quaint setup. I've never been to the North AL Railroad Museum. Nature: Monte Sano State Park Madison County Nature Trail Big Spring Park (they host free concerts on Mondays in the Summer) If you're willing to drive 1-2hrs, there's Bankhead National Forest and Smith Lake to the West and the Hippie Hole at Little River Canyon to the East. Burritt on the Mountain does Cocktails with a view on Wednesdays. Free to go, you buy drinks and snacks there, best view of Huntsville. Nerdy: Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment is an old mill that now houses independent shops and artist studies. Several lean nerdy and they have an outdoor market with even more vendors on Saturdays. The Deep Comic Store Other: There's a minor league baseball team (Trash Pandas) and a brand new soccer team (Huntsville City Football Club). I think June is in their seasons? I don't sports. The Orion is a new amphitheater that's had a lot of pretty solid acts come through. High Point Climbing Top Golf There will be a History of Animation exhibit at the Art Museum in the Summer. Nashville is 2hrs North, Birmingham is 1.5hrs South, Atlanta is about 3.5hrs East. Walk around the lovely historic homes surrounding downtown. Maple Hill Cemetery if your a weirdo like me and enjoy old cemeteries. Drink: Piper and Leaf Tea (shops in Lowe Mill and downtown) Straight to Ale Brewery The Jefferson Hotel Rooftop Bar Interspace Brewery Rocket Republic Brewery Catacomb 435 Phat Sammy's Beezr Eat: Canadian Bakin Sam and Greg's Domaine South Poppy and Parliament Papa Gyro Hildegard's Commerce Kitchen Peppered Pig Stovehouse Treats: The Bakingist The Moon Bakeshop Big Spoon Creamery L'Etoile Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
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