2027 travel plans

[stu961]

sounds superb - good luck to you

Try to give yourself some time to look around St Johns and Newfoundland in general. The "Newfies" are the most friendly people in the world and the island is stunning and the landscape unique.

 

[aurora_b]

Plans for 2027 so far: Partner and I will be visiting family next year in NZ (March and August). A trip to Bali for a birthday - it will be our first time so any recommendations are welcome, and potentially Europe in October, but that will be contingent on a few things.

 

[Seat0B]

Plans for 2027 so far: Partner and I will be visiting family next year in NZ (March and August). A trip to Bali for a birthday - it will be our first time so any recommendations are welcome, and potentially Europe in October, but that will be contingent on a few things.

Glad to see you jumping in with a great post @aurora_b.

 

[Flyfrequently]

A trip to Bali for a birthday - it will be our first time so any recommendations are welcome

Like most destinations, the area you choose to stay can make or break a great holiday @aurora_b

Having been to Bali many times since the '80's, much has changed.

Depending on what you like to do/not do and budget, options are endless.

My brief thoughts are
Canguu : influencers, party central and crazy traffic - avoid!
Ubud : cooler, green, relaxing, yoga retreats etc
Kuta : busy, commercial, cheaper accommodation, younger folk, schoolies
Seminyak/Legian : families, better resorts, good restaurants and shopping
Sanur : similar to the above
Nusa Dua : Resort central, away from the maddening crowds but not your real Bali, you could be anywhere in the world
Uluwatu : Surf
Many AFF's have posted about Bali @RooFlyer @Pushka @jase05
Good luck with your planning and welcome to AFF!

 

[aurora_b]

Glad to see you jumping in with a great post @aurora_b.

Thanks so much @Seat0B! I'm really hoping to engage and contribute where I can, rather than lurking in the shadows like a creeper

 

[aurora_b]

Like most destinations, the area you choose to stay can make or break a great holiday @aurora_b

Having been to Bali many times since the '80's, much has changed.

Depending on what you like to do/not do and budget, options are endless.

My brief thoughts are
Canguu : influencers, party central and crazy traffic - avoid!
Ubud : cooler, green, relaxing, yoga retreats etc
Kuta : busy, commercial, cheaper accommodation, younger folk, schoolies
Seminyak/Legian : families, better resorts, good restaurants and shopping
Sanur : similar to the above
Nusa Dua : Resort central, away from the maddening crowds but not your real Bali, you could be anywhere in the world
Uluwatu : Surf
Many AFF's have posted about Bali @RooFlyer @Pushka @jase05
Good luck with your planning and welcome to AFF!

This is fantastic @Flyfrequently - thanks so much! I'll check out the other threads too. The birthday star wants to stay in Uluwatu, but I'm keen to try some of the other areas you've mentioned that are less commercial/party central.

 

[Flyfrequently]

This is fantastic @Flyfrequently - thanks so much! I'll check out the other threads too. The birthday star wants to stay in Uluwatu, but I'm keen to try some of the other areas you've mentioned that are less commercial/party central.

GRAB is your best friend (car not bike!) @aurora_b
Depending on how long you have to enjoy Bali, splitting time to suit both your interests can be a good idea, note traffic is pretty shocking compared to days gone by

 

[OATEK]

The first half of 2027 has now firmed up with bookings as follows:

1. Mid-March 27: SYD-SIN in Y (a day flight and 2 nights in CP Singapore).

2. SIN-DXB-LGW (same day arrival) a few days before Easter.

3. Mid-April - LNER to York, 3 nights, and return to Kings Cross.

4. 18 April - not yet booked, but having risen to Silver member quite likely, a ticket to see coughnal V Aston Villa.

5. Day trip on Steam hauled vintage train from East London (Stratford International) to Bath and return.

6. Late April - LGW-DXB-SIN in J, returning overnight to Singapore (2 nights at CP).

7. 1 May 27: day flight in Y home to SYD.

Sitting up in certain Y seats, reading a book or watching a few movies has proven to be manageable, whereas sleeping in Y or PE is largely impossible owing to arthritic joints and the difficulty of getting in to a comfortable position. Having slipped back from QFF Plat to LT Silver, we have found it very hard to get CR PE or Y flights to SIN and have switched to SQ paid. We were already using SQ for flights home from SIN as they have day flights, unlike QF (and BA) who only fly over night.

 

[AIRwin]

We were already using SQ for flights home from SIN as they have day flights, unlike QF (and BA) who only fly over night.

And TK soon... QF does operate a daytime flight on its way back from CDG on some days currently.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Having slipped back from QFF Plat to LT Silver, we have found it very hard to get CR PE or Y flights to SIN and have switched to SQ paid. We were already using SQ for flights home from SIN as they have day flights, unlike QF (and BA) who only fly over night.

It used to be that there was good availability on JQ business from Melbourne… but that option wasn’t even a
pearling on the QF search results when i looked for february/march ( not even in economy).

Scoot offers a pretty cheap PE as well, often around $600 one way if you get it at the right time.

 

[OATEK]

It used to be that there was good availability on JQ business from Melbourne… but that option wasn’t even a
pearling on the QF search results when i looked for february/march ( not even in economy).

Scoot offers a pretty cheap PE as well, often around $600 one way if you get it at the right time.

MrsO is not keen on travelling early hours to MEL to get JQ to SIN.

And via MEL was the only outbound CR option for QF on our dates, and back was only via BNE which was at night.

We enjoy getting the 2 seaters at the back of the Y cabins on SQ B777s for day flights. No issues with reclining, and easy for regular WC visitors to extract themselves without bothering others.

 

[LionKing]

And TK soon... QF does operate a daytime flight on its way back from CDG on some days currently.

I think this will end on 25 Oct?

 

[MooTime]

After having a memorable 2026 holiday in Maldives, in 2027 we're slumming it in Da Nang, Vietnam. Both mid year School Hol trips.

From magnificent clear water, abundance of sea life, perfect 24hr weather & on the expensive side to ordinary beaches, hot n humid & cheap as chips in "Good Morning Vietnam".

Anything beats Melbourne in July.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

After having a memorable 2026 holiday in Maldives, in 2027 we're slumming it in Da Nang, Vietnam. Both mid year School Hol trips.

From magnificent clear water, abundance of sea life, perfect 24hr weather & on the expensive side to ordinary beaches, hot n humid & cheap as chips in "Good Morning Vietnam".

Anything beats Melbourne in July.

That’s disappointing I remember watching China Beach and the beaches looked amazing!

 

[MooTime]

That’s disappointing I remember watching China Beach and the beaches looked amazing!

Dare I say most things look better on TV.

Also I'd be comparing it to Maldives beaches n water.

 

[Warks]

After having a memorable 2026 holiday in Maldives, in 2027 we're slumming it in Da Nang, Vietnam. Both mid year School Hol trips.

From magnificent clear water, abundance of sea life, perfect 24hr weather & on the expensive side to ordinary beaches, hot n humid & cheap as chips in "Good Morning Vietnam".

Anything beats Melbourne in July.

Da Nang - muddy looking water on a huge long beach where there are only relatively small roped off Vs occasionally where you are allowed to swim. The "beach police" walk along the shore whistling fruitlessly at people "outside the safe zone" but get ignored.
But I did enjoy it a lot. Eating out in Da Nang was the best.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Da Nang - muddy looking water on a huge long beach where there are only relatively small roped off Vs occasionally where you are allowed to swim. The "beach police" walk along the shore whistling fruitlessly at people "outside the safe zone" but get ignored.

Depends where you are located @Warks
We stayed at Pullman Danang July '25, one of the few beachside hotels

No complaints from us!
Though it will be humid @MooTime

But I did enjoy it a lot. Eating out in Da Nang was the best.

Yep - agree!

 

[kookaburra75]

Anything beats Melbourne in July.

Try living in Canberra. Anywhere, including Melbourne is better/warmer. That's why we get out of town each winter for at least a week, now stretching to 2-3 weeks,