thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 13:26:12 GMT -6
I want to plan a big kid free trip, just H and me, probably for our 10 year anniversary in almost 4 years. The two main places I am personally thinking are South Africa (I know H wants to go, so this is the front runner), or French Polynesia (probably Tahiti or Bora Bora). Since we have a few years, we are starting to save for it, and I am open to a range of budgets. I know flights will be expensive AF to most places I want to go anyway. Costa Rica and Belize are also on our short list, but I know the ILs wanted to do a Costa Rica trip before I even got pregnant with A, so that one may be a big family affair at some point. For this trip, I am also going to go ahead and eliminate both Hawaii and Mexico, because those are easier flights from here and will more likely be family (possibly extended family) trips. We both like a variety of relaxation and activity. I like going places I can explore. We live by a beach, so I don't really want to do "just" a beach vacation for something like this (although, Bora Bora would be amazing so that is one I am okay with, lol). We went to a Sandals in Jamaica for our honeymoon and I loved it, but we did excursions most days. It was a good balance. I am open to all inclusives. Thoughts? Advice? HilarityEnsued I know you just went to South Africa, and Cher I think you have been to Bora Bora so I am tagging you both. This is all v v theoretical at this point, I haven't even told H what I'm thinking.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2018 13:29:34 GMT -6
For that kind of trip I would do:
South Africa New Zealand/Australia Southeast Asia
This are all long travel time, active, and not super kid friendly (due mostly to the long travel time).
Everything else you listed would be kid friendly unless you plan to scuba dive or scale a mountain while you are there.
If South Africa is on both of your lists, that’s what I would do. It will be the trip of a lifetime.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 13:31:17 GMT -6
For that kind of trip I would do: South Africa New Zealand/Australia Southeast Asia This are all long travel time, active, and not super kid friendly (due mostly to the long travel time). Everything else you listed would be kid friendly unless you plan to scuba dive or scale a mountain while you are there. If South Africa is on both of your lists, that’s what I would do. It will be the trip of a lifetime. I had thought of Asia, but for some reason I had not even thought of NZ/Australia. That would also be amazing! I will at least add it to the possibility list.
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Post by imapenguin on Jun 13, 2018 13:35:09 GMT -6
South Africa was my favorite trip we’ve ever done. We did day trips to wineries and breweries from Cape Town along with some really great (cheap) meals. We also did a visit to the Cape of Good Hope and a penguin sanctuary and rehabilitation center from there. Then we flew to Johannesburg and road tripped to Kruger National Park (short stop at Blyde River Canyon) where we spent 4 days on safari—I could have stayed twice as long. Definitely go luxury and guided. We were there for 16 days but the first week was part of MHs course work for his MBA.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 13:36:43 GMT -6
South Africa was my favorite trip we’ve ever done. We did day trips to wineries and breweries from Cape Town along with some really great (cheap) meals. We also did a visit to the Cape of Good Hope and a penguin sanctuary and rehabilitation center from there. Then we flew to Johannesburg and road tripped to Kruger National Park (short stop at Blyde River Canyon) where we spent 4 days on safari—I could have stayed twice as long. Definitely go luxury and guided. We were there for 16 days but the first week was part of MHs course work for his MBA. So you will just be planning my vacation? Because this sounds amazing. I'm sold already! Did you use a travel agency, and/or particular guide group? (I don't know how this works.)
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 13, 2018 13:39:23 GMT -6
My favorite thing ever has been a 10 (or 12?) day cruise on Regent Seven Seas in the Caribbean. They cater to really old rich people, so you’ll stick out as a young person, but it was such a great way to see fabulous places and be treated like a princess.
That cruise line includes all food, all alcohol, all shore exclusions in the fare. We ate and drank like royalty. We took amazing tours on all these cool islands.
The ships are smaller so they stop at smaller ports that you never get to on big boats. I think we stopped at 8 or 9 countries. And each was glorious.
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Post by imapenguin on Jun 13, 2018 13:41:15 GMT -6
South Africa was my favorite trip we’ve ever done. We did day trips to wineries and breweries from Cape Town along with some really great (cheap) meals. We also did a visit to the Cape of Good Hope and a penguin sanctuary and rehabilitation center from there. Then we flew to Johannesburg and road tripped to Kruger National Park (short stop at Blyde River Canyon) where we spent 4 days on safari—I could have stayed twice as long. Definitely go luxury and guided. We were there for 16 days but the first week was part of MHs course work for his MBA. So you will just be planning my vacation? Because this sounds amazing. I'm sold already! Did you use a travel agency, and/or particular guide group? (I don't know how this works.) I made most of the reservations myself. I had no kids and an easy job, so lots of time.
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Post by bunnyfungo on Jun 13, 2018 13:43:22 GMT -6
South Africa was my favorite trip we’ve ever done. We did day trips to wineries and breweries from Cape Town along with some really great (cheap) meals. We also did a visit to the Cape of Good Hope and a penguin sanctuary and rehabilitation center from there. Then we flew to Johannesburg and road tripped to Kruger National Park (short stop at Blyde River Canyon) where we spent 4 days on safari—I could have stayed twice as long. Definitely go luxury and guided. We were there for 16 days but the first week was part of MHs course work for his MBA. I looooved Cape Town! They have vineyards all over down there and it’s so beautiful. Plus you have the ocean right there. I really wish we could have added in Johannesburg like you guys did. It has probably been our favorite vacation to date even with the nightmare flight times 😂
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 13:45:54 GMT -6
imapenguin, when you say to go guided, which things did you use guides for?
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 13:46:33 GMT -6
brux, I actually love cruises, which I know is a UO here. That also sounds amazing. I would love to go back to the Caribbean, so I am not excluding it.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 13:46:52 GMT -6
imapenguin , when you say to go guided, which things did you use guides for? I'm guessing the safari probably, now that I ask, lol.
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Post by mothafuckinteatime on Jun 13, 2018 13:51:28 GMT -6
SO loves South Africa.
One thing-if you’re wanting Beachy time the water there is very very cold.
Also think about seasons. I always get tripped up thinking about visiting New Zealand in summer when we have winter. So that may help determine where/when you go too.
I would not go to the Caribbean or Hawaii/Mexico, because you can usually find good deals there quite often. I would do a once in a lifetime thing.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2018 13:54:14 GMT -6
brux, I actually love cruises, which I know is a UO here. That also sounds amazing. I would love to go back to the Caribbean, so I am not excluding it. If your thinking of cruising, I would look into a Mediterranean cruise. Leave from Italy, cruise around Greece, etc.
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 13, 2018 14:03:08 GMT -6
brux, I actually love cruises, which I know is a UO here. That also sounds amazing. I would love to go back to the Caribbean, so I am not excluding it. they go lots of other places, too. It was such a fun way to be pampered and lazy but also explore all these places we’d never otherwise see. The dinners were so many courses with a different menu every night. Wine pairings, cheese plates, it was so so good.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 14:04:56 GMT -6
brux, I actually love cruises, which I know is a UO here. That also sounds amazing. I would love to go back to the Caribbean, so I am not excluding it. If your thinking of cruising, I would look into a Mediterranean cruise. Leave from Italy, cruise around Greece, etc. My parents did that (a couple weeks before that ship sank, actually 😬) and absolutely loved it. This is a good thought. Although now I'm 98% sold on South Africa. 😊 How is transportation in SA? I know that some tours would offer transfers depending on what we are doing, but what about if we stay at a hotel in Cape Town and want to go a winery like you guys mentioned? Did you rent a car? Do they have taxis or Uber?
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 14:05:40 GMT -6
SO loves South Africa. One thing-if you’re wanting Beachy time the water there is very very cold. Also think about seasons. I always get tripped up thinking about visiting New Zealand in summer when we have winter. So that may help determine where/when you go too. I would not go to the Caribbean or Hawaii/Mexico, because you can usually find good deals there quite often. I would do a once in a lifetime thing. This is a really good point. I'm okay with not actually having beachy weather- despite living in a warm climate, I'm happy when the temp is below about 68F. Hah.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 14:06:11 GMT -6
And yes, I'm a California wimp, but I can do colder than that if I need to, lol.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 14:06:53 GMT -6
My favorite day in Cape Town is when we took a guided tour. It was long and very exhausting, but we basically went to an ostrich farm, went to the Cape of Good Hope and schlepped all the way to the top, went to Boulder Beach to see the penguins and then had an amazing meal. I'm not joking it was a gauntlet but we saw everything and it was amazing. DH was very upset we didn't get to climb Table Mountain so I would also put that on your Cape Town list. This sounds awesome. How did you find this tour?
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 14:07:37 GMT -6
I have never planned "excursions" or guided tours that weren't directly from a cruise ship or a resort, so sorry for my dumb here.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 14:09:54 GMT -6
Also, what is the best month to go, weather wise? I don't really know the climate there.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 14:19:08 GMT -6
This sounds awesome. How did you find this tour? My BFF lives there and booked it. I can ask her the name. I can also ask her for any/all local recommendations. She is a great resource. That would be great, thank you! I just remembered H's coworker is from SA as well, but I don't know which part. I think Johannesburg (I think I spelled that wrong).
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Cher
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Post by Cher on Jun 13, 2018 14:21:04 GMT -6
I loved Bora Bora and Moorea. Loved. I’m meh on Tahiti. I wouldn’t go back. But Bora Bora and Moorea were the most amazing places I have been. In my dream plan, we will take yearly trips there once our kids are in college.
I have a travel agent that only does French Polynesian bookings. I gave her my budget, time frame, requirements (I needed OTW huts), she care back with a couple of scenarios with different hotels and different flights. She also has relationships with everyone out there so, while it wasn’t all-inclusive, she was able to tack on extra things (daily breakfast, airport transfers, couples massage, boats to dinner, etc.). I would recommend her to you if you do move forward.
The flight isn’t bad for you either. Do it.
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Post by SweetPotato on Jun 13, 2018 14:26:10 GMT -6
We are planning to take our DS to South Africa as soon as he is able to handle the trip there.
So...many years from now lol.
I vote for that so I can live vicariously through you.
Thanks in advance
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Jun 13, 2018 14:31:13 GMT -6
I loved Bora Bora and Moorea. Loved. I’m meh on Tahiti. I wouldn’t go back. But Bora Bora and Moorea were the most amazing places I have been. In my dream plan, we will take yearly trips there once our kids are in college. I have a travel agent that only does French Polynesian bookings. I gave her my budget, time frame, requirements (I needed OTW huts), she care back with a couple of scenarios with different hotels and different flights. She also has relationships with everyone out there so, while it wasn’t all-inclusive, she was able to tack on extra things (daily breakfast, airport transfers, couples massage, boats to dinner, etc.). I would recommend her to you if you do move forward. The flight isn’t bad for you either. Do it. Gahhhh this sounds amazing as well!
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soup
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Post by soup on Jun 13, 2018 14:32:03 GMT -6
For a trip of a lifetime, I highly recommend the Maldives.
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Post by bunnyfungo on Jun 13, 2018 14:32:11 GMT -6
If your thinking of cruising, I would look into a Mediterranean cruise. Leave from Italy, cruise around Greece, etc. My parents did that (a couple weeks before that ship sank, actually 😬) and absolutely loved it. This is a good thought. Although now I'm 98% sold on South Africa. 😊 How is transportation in SA? I know that some tours would offer transfers depending on what we are doing, but what about if we stay at a hotel in Cape Town and want to go a winery like you guys mentioned? Did you rent a car? Do they have taxis or Uber? I would rent a car. We really enjoyed Chapman’s Peak Drive. Google it. The pictures are amazing. Pack a picnic and just stop at as many viewpoints as you want and enjoy! We used our car every day though and I wouldn’t have wanted to deal with public transportation. I did make DH drive though because they drive on the other side of the road and it terrifies me that I’ll forget and kill everyone 😬
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Post by bunnyfungo on Jun 13, 2018 14:34:01 GMT -6
Oh and we went in late March/early April. The weather was perfect but you wouldn’t want to swim in the ocean or anything. And we didn’t even think about the fact that the top of Table Mountain would be ridiculously cold even if it wasn’t cold at regular sea level. So we were freeeeeezing lol
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Post by bunnyfungo on Jun 13, 2018 14:38:29 GMT -6
100% use Uber to get around Cape Town. I would not rent a car. They drive on the other side of the road and it's not easy to adjust to it. Plus the Uber is like.. $3. Literally we took a 25 minute Uber to a casino and it was $6.00 American dollars. Or this. I think when we went in 2013 Uber wasn’t there yet. So renting a car made more sense. Plus we needed a car seat. But the exchange rate is so good everything is so cheap.
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Post by frantastic on Jun 13, 2018 14:39:37 GMT -6
Sounds like you’re already sold on it, but +1 to South Africa.
It is on our list (waaaay in the future). My future SIL moved to the US from SA in her teens. She and my brother went in December, and he said it was amazing.
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Post by bunnyfungo on Jun 13, 2018 14:56:33 GMT -6
GDI, thatgolfb. Now you have me looking at flights to SA 😂
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