2026 travel plans

[MR61]

Checking off some bucket list items in 2026.

MEL-NAN-YVR in J mid-October to spend time in Vancouver/Vancouver Island. Fly to Banff to stay at the Fairmont Springs. Fly to Winnipeg, then charter flight with NatHab to Churchill for a week to see polar bears congregating at the edge of Hudson Bay, awaiting ice. Then to Toronto for a few days to see friends. Toronto to San José, Costa Rica, for a two week land tour, followed by a seven day cruise from Puntarenas through San Blas Islands, Panama Canal and Colon, Panama. Fly Colon to Quito. Two week Ecuador tour of volcanoes, Amazon, Galapagos Islands. Quito to Rio for a few days, then fly to Iguazu Falls for a few days. On to Buenos Aires for a few days, then cruise with charter flight to Ushuaia for Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctica, return Buenos Aires. Haven't fixed the return flight from BA but looking at options from Santiago early January 2027.

 

[MARTINE]

Helsinki is a lovely city. I will be writing up my much delayed trip report (aiming for before Christmas) from our trip to Helsinki, Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn (amongst other places) in August/September. They are highly recommended.

We enjoyed seeing the sights of Helsinki itself over a couple of days and a day on the fortress Island of suomenlinna. We also enjoyed a magnificent free youth concert at the Tempeliaukio (church in the rock) that allowed us after hours access to the church, with no crowds and some magnificent classical music (mainly piano) from the concert artists. Absolutely spectacular. The harbour is magnificent. Also you must to the classic salmon soup at the Old Market from any of several vendors. With a longer stay, you might also consider renting g a car nd venturing into the countryside. It’s a beautiful country, with amazing lakes and forests. We would do that on our next visit, but we did not have time this trip. Recommended to pack a mosquito net and strong repellent if you venture into nature in June/July.

I would also look into the “buy points and redeem for rooms” scheme highlighted in this thread by @masco131

Thread 'Choice Privileges hotels and Why you should look into this'

Jul 15, 2025

Choice Privileges hotels and Why you should look into this
While Choice privileges may not be well-known in Australia or the Asia-Pacific region like Accor, IHG or Marriott, there’s still plenty of hidden in their program. This program might not be your go-to for every trip, but for the right destination, Choice privileges can offer some good value.

1.Transfer partners of Qantas and Virgin
Choice privileges like many hotel chains are transfer partners to various airline loyalty programs and yes, while these do not present the best value most of the time. There are some...

• masco131
• Replies: 31
• Forum: Other Hotel & Accommodation Discussion

• 

I happened upon it too late as my bookings were done, but we stayed at a couple of Comfort/Clarion hotels and they were uniformly good. Any way to save a few $ or get extra benefits would be worth the effort as things are pretty expensive in Finland.

If you have any specific questions eg to/from airport, how to get tram tickets etc, drop me a DM.

Thankyou excellent advice and I am taking notes. Its a place that has been on my wish list for a long time. We had booked in 2020 …..well we know what happened. Even though I have been regularly travelling to Denmark for 30 years for family - its the usual what’s close to home that does not get visited first.