30th Anniersary Tour

[Jacques Vert]

G'day Team,

30 years ago this June, Mrs JV & I got hitched. We planned to go to Paris for our honeymoon but never got there. After makng her wait 30 years I reackon it's time we did it!!!

The Plan: We have enough points with QFF for a RTW in J for two; and we have 100k+ Citibank rewards points on top.




We are aware that we need to book soon but are hopefull of not having too much trouble as we are very flexible on itinerary; in fact, about the only things that we want to "lock in" are:

1. our anniversary in Paris (30/6);
2. prefer to travel west (I hate the red-eye overnights);
3. would like to hire a barge on the French canals or do a cruise while in Europe.

I understand that on a RTW on points we are able to have 5 stopovers of >24 hours, unlimited stopovers of <24 hours, and unlike a paid DONE we can backtrack.




Other options we would like to include, but not mandatory, are:

• Port Moresby (<24 hours and why?? only because we have a son who is working there);
• start with >24 hour stopover in HK, Singapore, Vietnam or Japan (but open to suggestions);
• then maybe via middle east or India to Europe;
• then Canada or Central America;
• then South America (Beunos Aires?) but again open to suggestions;
• then home with maybe a stopover on Easter Island, Tahiti or similar.

I would love to hear any comments, suggestions or thoughts from you guys.

Regards,

JV

 

[straitman]

JV,

Congratulations on your anniversary. I thought only old crocks like me made it to 30 yrs and beyond.

Whilst not answering any of your questions you may find this of interest.

Island Do IV - Even longer days on Shetland 25-27th June 2010

 

[Jacques Vert]

JV,

Congratulations on your anniversary. I thought only old crocks like me made it to 30 yrs and beyond.

Whilst not answering any of your questions you may find this of interest.

Island Do IV - Even longer days on Shetland 25-27th June 2010

Thanks Bill, as Mrs JV has some Scottsh blood this could be interesting. The price of the airfare looks a bit steep though:!:

I will have to look into the ferry option and who knows; we might make it.

Keep the ideas coming.

JV

 

[Jacques Vert]

I have discovered that Port Moresby is not that easy to get to; it would appear that Air Niugini is about the only one that flies in and out with the possible exception of CX to/from Hong Kong.

Does anyone know if this is only a codeshare on Air Niugini metal or whether CX actually foy there?

Also, can anyone suggest other options?

JV

 

[NM]

Does anyone know if this is only a codeshare on Air Niugini metal or whether CX actually foy there?

I am not aware of CX operating a codeshare on the PX flight that operates once weekly. CX do not operate their own flights to POM. QF does codeshare on some of the PX flights from POM to various Australian destinations (BNE, SYD, not sure if they codeshare on the CNS flight).

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks NM,

According to the QF Website the Cairns flight is a codeshare:

QF 384Operated by:AIR NIUGINIDepartort Moresby 20. Jun 09:30Arrive:Cairns 20. Jun 10:55Stopover:-Total Time:1:25 hoursAircraft:FOKKER 100

Does anyone know of any OW airline (other than QF codeshare) that does fly to/from Port Moresby?

 

[NM]

Does anyone know of any OW airline (other than QF codeshare) that does fly to/from Port Moresby?

Only QF via the codeshare, so its not really a OneWorld flight. However, the QF codeshares are valid for some OneWorld products, such as Global Explorer.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Only QF via the codeshare, so its not really a OneWorld flight. However, the QF codeshares are valid for some OneWorld products, such as Global Explorer.

It looks like we will have to leave Port Moresby via Cairns and then to Europe via asia (HK, KL, or similar).

 

[Jacques Vert]

It looks like we will have to leave Port Moresby via Cairns and then to Europe via asia (HK, KL, or similar).

We have found it too problematic to get in & out of Port Moresby in less than 24 hours (and we could not include it on the same RTW ticket) so we are leaving that out of this trip and will catch up with our son on another occasion.

So we have booked our itinerary (in J) as follows: CFS-SYD-MEL-HKG-LON then via land to PAR-BUD-LED-HEL-BCN then via land to MAD-HAV-MEX-SCL-SYD-CFS.

Main stopovers are in HKG, LON-PAR, LED, BCN-MAD & HAV, plus 15 hours in SCL.

We want to travel from London to Inverness/Dingwall on 14 June and have looked at Flybe & Easyjet, also checked on hiring a car. However, I can't find a timetable/fare for the train for comparison (the site I looked at seems to only go as far as March). Can anyone suggest a site or any other suggestions.

JV

 

[ChrisBNE]

We have found it too problematic to get in & out of Port Moresby in less than 24 hours (and we could not include it on the same RTW ticket) so we are leaving that out of this trip and will catch up with our son on another occasion.

So we have booked our itinerary (in J) as follows: CFS-SYD-MEL-HKG-LON then via land to PAR-BUD-LED-HEL-BCN then via land to MAD-HAV-MEX-SCL-SYD-CFS.

Main stopovers are in HKG, LON-PAR, LED, BCN-MAD & HAV, plus 15 hours in SCL.

We want to travel from London to Inverness/Dingwall on 14 June and have looked at Flybe & Easyjet, also checked on hiring a car. However, I can't find a timetable/fare for the train for comparison (the site I looked at seems to only go as far as March). Can anyone suggest a site or any other suggestions.

JV

Britrail timetables will only be out for a months in advance, but you can get an idea by looking at similar days of the week.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks ChrisBNE, I'll give that a try.

JV

 

[Jacques Vert]

We think we have the London-Scotland bit under control (probably Flybe or Easyjet); any suggestions on an interesting/best way from Inverness/Glasgow to Ireland:?:

 

[Jacques Vert]

We have flights booked to St Petersburg; so we need a visa.

I understand the process for gettng a Visa for Russia is that:

1. you have to have an invitation;
2. you pay for a visa;
3. you have to register once you arrive.

Can you experts out there advise whether this is correct; and if so, what is the easiest/chepest way to get an invitation?

JV

 

[serfty]

Although you "need an invitation" I believe having a hotel booking is sufficient.

Other than that, there is nothing cheap about obtaining a Russian visa.

Look here for more information:

Russian Visa - FlyerTalk Forums

Russia visa (and St. Petersburg) question - FlyerTalk Forums

Getting a Russian Visa: Step by Step Guide | waytorussia.net page

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks Serfty; I'll let you know how I go.

JV