Best Destinations around the world

[Jobu]

I did a few quick searches and couldn't find a similar topic in the forums.

I am curious as to what you consider are the best destinations around the world for a holiday.

I am planning a round the world trip next year and starting with a blank sheet of paper. My main consideration is that my wife and I are travelling with our son (who will be 1.5 years old at the time) which means I am less inclined to visit places like the Inca Trails or Nepal...

Certainly planning to revisit places like Paris, New York, Athens and Tokyo, but was wondering what you folks consider fantastic destinations?

Cheers,

JOBU

 

[Keith009]

Los Angeles works for me - nice restaurants, fantastic shopping, fashion and theme parks in Anaheim for the little one. Everything's so trendy and glamourous. Good for people watching too.

 

[v8Statesman]

I am planning a round the world trip next year and starting with a blank sheet of paper.

Time of year will play a factor in advice. Can you tell us what month you are going?

 

[winetraveller]

Los Angeles works for me - nice restaurants, fantastic shopping, fashion and theme parks in Anaheim for the little one. Everything's so trendy and glamourous. Good for people watching too.

For me first impressions are important, LAX, not a good one, and not a fan of LA at all. No substance.

For children, and if the theme park element is of interest (although at 1.5 years it may be too soon?) I would prefer Florida, Orlando has all that Anaheim has, but Miami is fantastic fun. South Beach has a cool glamour about it, stay at the Delano or the Raleigh, and have a drink the Setai, America's first 6 star hotel, you can stay there for $1000 a night if you want, and the Keys are great too.

That said my favourite holiday spots are (in no order or preference).

Thailand, Bangkok, Khao Lak, and Chiang Mai, Thais are the most hospitable ane friendly people, and the value for money is outstanding.

Prague, and the Slovak Republic. Prague and parts of the Czech Republic are great in winter or summer, beautiful parks and gardens, stupendous hotels and luxury spa's, amazing history, and in the Slovak Republic the Tatras mountains, the little alps, with wonderful (although intermediate) skiing, and a great value family holiday.

Malta, great for a short stay, wonderful history, easy to get around, think smaller than Phillip Island, and great people. Don't miss a Festa.

The south of France, for any wine Buff, it's like a visist to Mecca, without the praying and throwing stones. Specifically St. Emillion, Medoc, and Bordeaux itself, a great city with the best pastries in the world, bar none.

The Basque country, San Sebastian (Donostia), my favourite is s little surfing town called Zarouts. The Basques are renowned for the best food is Spain, and it's deserved.

Portugal, not so much the coastal areas that everybody goes to, but inland, Places like Evora, and Elvas, where you can stay in a Pousada, an old stately home that's now a state run hotel, great value.

The Baltics are great too, Estonia a favourite, if you can privately rent a Dacha on the islands in summer it's a great experience.

Too many to mention really, too many favourites to go back to.

Also love McLaren Vale, but not so exotic.

 

[Alanslegal]

I don't have any children yet but assuming I had one I'd definitely be holidaying where there is nice sand, crystal clear water and warm weather so the whole family could have a relaxing time, likely on the beach.

Waikiki Beach HNL springs into mind, Patong Beach, coughet is another place.
Bondi Beach Sydney.....

 

[Keith009]

I actually have very good experiences at LAX for some reason, then again I've always avoided TBIT in favour of T4 on the advice of friends. I just love the style in LA. Had lots of fun club hopping with friends in a rented Bentley on Beverly Blvd. And gate crashing some party in K-town. Going back again in Sept.

I liked Malta. Can't comment on history/culture as I'm not into that stuff but people were crazy about the Hyppogerm (sp??) - some ancient underground tomb. Nice scenery too. Paceville was good fun, a bit like Lan Kwai Fong in HK, but don't think it's something you want to do with the family. Was there for the FT BA do. Would've loved to stay longer.

Patong Beach, coughet is another place.

That's a good one. Nice atmosphere. Remember watching the World Cup with lots of drunk people at some Aussie-themed bar. :mrgreen:

 

[Optics]

Not a big fan of LA myself, but it is definitley somewhere you need to visit once (Disneyland, Rodeo Drive etc). Other places in the US that are well worthwhile seeing are: NYC, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, San Francisco. Also Canada is worth a visit, though I have only been to the East (Montreal, Quebec City, which are both great). I would love to get to the Rockys. Europe would be my first choice though, Paris, London, Berlin, Vienna, Venice, Amsterdam and lots more.

Actually, virtually everywhere is a good destination, at least once.

 

[vitaminp]

For me, Vancouver. I loved the fantastic outdoors activties like Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge. Some of the most wonderful scenery I have seen. Then the fact you can retreat from it all to places like Vancouver Aquarium, the excellent Museums (especially Natural History museum) and of course - GM Place for the Ice Hockey! Also, during the summer, I'm told the beaches are quite fantastic. I have only visited in winter so can't comment...but apparently it's beach weather at 25 degrees!

Excellent nightlife (not sure about with a 1.5 y.o in tow ), food and everyday someone would go completely out of their way to help me!

Whistler was also amazing for the snow, but with all the Aussies there it was a little like home.

Alex.

 

[simongr]

Hmm - holidays... I don't get many of those

I love NYC but my advice with a small child would be to do the things a slightly larger child would balk at - so no beaches, amusement parks or anything relaxing as such - you will spend the next 16 years doing those sorts of holidays

I would certainly advocate Italy - I spent a number of summers in Venice (Lido de Jesolo but travelling to the city occasionally) visiting the Islands of Murano, Burano and the other one. Driving through the San Bernadino (yes where the dog's are from) is amazing.

If you have the time and plan to do a RTW it is going to be a challenge to commit to enough time in individual locations though - I would do less more thoroughly.

I personally would avoid Thailand like the plague - but that is just me

 

[NM]

The highlights form my family ATW holiday a few years back include:

• The USA National Parks, including Yosemite, Sequoia, Zion, Grand Canyon
• Niagara Falls
• UK Lakes District
• Venice

Venice involves lots of steps for bridges over the canals, which may be a pain with a pram/stroller. I suggest getting a really light-weight stroller for the toddler. A back-pack type device for carrying an 18-month old may not be overly practical as some toddlers of that age can be very heavy!

18 months is a little young for the child to be overly concerned with the scenery or even places like theme parks. But do note the sleep requirements of a child of that age.

 

[tscharke]

.... 18 months is a little young for the child to be overly concerned with the scenery or even places like theme parks....

oh so tru NM! They wouldn't know the difference between a theme park in the US and the local park down the road....they would both be equal fun in their little minds!

You gotta love it when you make the special effort to take the little one to something you think will blow them away....eg the Sydney Aquarium!!!! jnr Tscharke spent the whole time playing with the exit doors!

Getting back to the topic - considering the age of your son I would consider what Australia has to offer and perhaps save the big OS trip to when he is a more indepedant and when he can remember and enjoy a little more!

or even better, wait until he is old enough to stay with the grandies for a couple of weeks and then you and the wife set sail to all those amazing places!

 

[Jobu]

Wow thanks folks that is some awesome feedback

In terms of timing we are thinking end of Northern Hemisphere summer / beginning of Autumn (perhaps around September) so that the weather is still ok and so are the queues...

Reason doing the big RTW next year is because I have heard that on award flights the bub (under 2) can travel for free - but have yet to confirm this directly with Qantas.

Was thinking of doing a DONE4 with the following destinations so far (in no particular order):

Europe: Paris, London (family), Athens (family), Prague. (I like the sound of Portugal too)

Asia: Hong Kong (never been), Tokyo

South West Pacific: Somewhere in NZ (never been to NZ)

North America: NYC, Orlando (Disneyworld - more for us than for our son(!), and maybe drive to Miami), Washington (never been), Minnesota (family), San Franciso (family), Toronto (or would Vancouver be better?).

Anyway we are pretty flexible and whilst I've listed alot of destinations, I also agree with simongr and would am considering whether to trim them down and spend more quality time in fewer locations...

Cheers

JOBU

 

[NM]

Reason doing the big RTW next year is because I have heard that on award flights the bub (under 2) can travel for free - but have yet to confirm this directly with Qantas.

Was thinking of doing a DONE4 with the following destinations so far (in no particular order):

Is this an award trip or a DONE4? There are very different routing rules between a QF OneWorld Award and a OneWorld Explorer.

Also note that getting two business class awards on the same itinerary for the places and times you want to travel in will not be easy.

 

[JohnK]

There are many but my favourite is Greece. When I do go to Greece I mainly spend time in rural Northen Greece. Next visit I will try to visit some of the islands as well.

Thailand, Bangkok, Khao Lak, and Chiang Mai, Thais are the most hospitable ane friendly people, and the value for money is outstanding.

Value for money is fantastic but be wary of that false smile.

 

[Jobu]

Is this an award trip or a DONE4? There are very different routing rules between a QF OneWorld Award and a OneWorld Explorer.

Also note that getting two business class awards on the same itinerary for the places and times you want to travel in will not be easy.

Ah I see - it is a QF OneWorld Award (which I incorrectly thought was equivalent to a DONE4). I need to do a bit more research.

And yes I have heard about the dreaded task of getting two business class awards RTW, which I'm not looking forward to, hence looking to organise a year in advance, but would always appreciate any tips.

Cheers,

JOBU

 

[NM]

Ah I see - it is a QF OneWorld Award (which I incorrectly thought was equivalent to a DONE4). I need to do a bit more research.

One of the limiting factors of teh QF OneWorld Award is the maximum of five stopovers. This can limit the number of places you can see unless you can be creative with those stopovers and include some surface segments. In Europe, look to use trains to travel between cities rather than flying as part of teh award itinerary. The trains have the advantage of taking you right into the city centres and can be very god value with pre-purchased passes such as Eurail. They can also be handy for travelling with an infant since you can quite easily take him for a walk and eat when it suites.

And yes I have heard about the dreaded task of getting two business class awards RTW, which I'm not looking forward to, hence looking to organise a year in advance, but would always appreciate any tips.

Be flexible and creative. And as you have already noted, plan early.

 

[Jobu]

Cheers NM - I appreciate the heads up.

We've used the Eurail Pass before back in 2003 - I was quite disappointed with it back then - the surcharges we had to pay on each leg when added to the cost of the Eurail Pass seemed to eliminate any benefit of buying the pass in the first place (i.e. didn't seem to get any discount when I added it all up). Combined with the fact that the nice, new trains charged a so much with or without the pass, I felt that it wasn't the best value. Only time it worked out well was when we used the old, dilapidated trains, which were basically free with the pass.

I'd like to consider driving - always wanted to drive through Europe. Last time I was there, I tried to hire a car from Cannes to drive to Florence, but the rates were astranomical for a basic car, cheapest quote I had was about 150 Euro per day (and they added a fee for sending the car back to it's origination which was about 500 Euros). This time I'll try and organise this in advance from Australia.

Cheers,

JOBU

 

[NM]

We've used the Eurail Pass before back in 2003 - I was quite disappointed with it back then - the surcharges we had to pay on each leg when added to the cost of the Eurail Pass seemed to eliminate any benefit of buying the pass in the first place (i.e. didn't seem to get any discount when I added it all up). Combined with the fact that the nice, new trains charged a so much with or without the pass, I felt that it wasn't the best value. Only time it worked out well was when we used the old, dilapidated trains, which were basically free with the pass.

As always, YMMV. I guess it depends on how many trains you take in the time the ticket is valid. But also consider the cost of airport transfers of planning to fly.

I'd like to consider driving - always wanted to drive through Europe. Last time I was there, I tried to hire a car from Cannes to drive to Florence, but the rates were astranomical for a basic car, cheapest quote I had was about 150 Euro per day (and they added a fee for sending the car back to it's origination which was about 500 Euros). This time I'll try and organise this in advance from Australia.

Also consider the costs of fuel, tolls and parking if driving.

Driving is a good option across the USA. We rented a car from LAX and drove for almost three weeks around the west coast and across to Grand Canyon, dropping the car at LAS before flying out. And we rented a car in MCO and drove up the east coast, eventually dropping the car at BWI. Note that it was a lot cheaper to rent airport-to-airport through an external group like Expedia than it was directly with the rental car companies.

 

[Maca44]

I know there are many posts about car hire, but I have used Drive Away Holidays International & Local Car Rentals Book Today! one three occasions out of Seattle airport, and one in Europe and they have been great (booked online), and includes all insurances. They get the best price from the major hirers, with my next hire with them being in August out of Seattle, and is an Avis car. Doen't hurt to look at the site even if to give you another option. They also do Peugeot leasing in Europe.