I need some inspiration for a trip next year, any suggestions?

[Denali]

I need some inspiration, any suggestions?

Yangon
Bali (scuba trip)
Zurich
Johannesburg
Hawaii

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Morocco?

Israel is now on my list following the Travel Guides program. Although they also made Canberra look amazing!

Egypt is also amazing, with diving at Sharm if you want to add that.

Rajasthan equally amazing if you stay at the palaces.

 

[stm1sydney]

Uzbekistan.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

Iran was lovely in April, but will cause issues if you fancy US trips down the track. Oman, Azerbaijan, Egypt and the UAE were great at this time too. I would always recommend Georgia.

For places I haven't been, La Reunion has always been high on my list. You could combine it one of Seychelles or Mauritius.

 

[henleybeach]

Oman, Azerbaijan

Couldn’t agree more

 

[Austman]

Montana.

It's wow.

(a bit like Iceland is wow)

 

[JohnM]

Iran was lovely in April, but will cause issues if you fancy US trips down the track.

No serious issues. All it means is that you need to get a visa (valid for 5 years), rather than an ESTA. I had no problem getting a visa after going to Iran (and I’ve subsequently been to Sudan).

 

[Milboo]

Jordan?

From your list then I’d say Zurich. I really enjoyed my time there, and then around Lake Geneva. Swiss rail passes are a great way of getting around to places like Zermatt, Lausanne, Bern. Downside is it is a very expensive country. Duck over the border into France to Annercy too.

 

[JohnM]

Madagascar, Ethiopia for something a little different.

 

[Mattg]

Of the places listed, I would definitely pick South Africa. Wonderful destination.

Uzbekistan is also a good suggestion. I'm hoping to visit there soon.

 

[love_the_life]

But how can you go past these? (not even the best photos)

 

[Milboo]

Galápagos Islands - time in the water, landscapes, animals

 

[love_the_life]

Galápagos Islands - time in the water, landscapes, animals

Oh yes I forgot them. Amazing animals as well. The marine iguanas are soooo cute.

 

[p--and--t]

Sita Tours 4 day adventure to Namibia "Sossusvlei Adventure" - capital of Namibia (Windhoek) for couple nights plus 2 nights in the Namib desert. Stunningly beautiful - sample the Kudu dishes in the desert lodge - delicious.

 

[Denali]

Many thanks for all the suggestions, looks like Africa is in the lead at this stage. We can do a couple of parks and hubby can cage dive (another bucket list tick)

cheers,

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

If Africa gets to the top of your list look at Sanctuary Lodges - we did 4 of their lodges all in one trip. Absolutely fantastic, very small groups - sometimes just us 2 and a guide in the jeep. Good food and comfy accomodation.


Luxury African Safaris & Luxury River Cruises - Sanctuary Retreats

 

[JohnM]

Many thanks for all the suggestions, looks like Africa is in the lead at this stage. We can do a couple of parks and hubby can cage dive (another bucket list tick)

cheers,

If you choose S Africa, it’s well worth a side trip to Victoria Falls for a couple of days. In the dry season, stay on the Zim side in Vic Falls as the flow on the Zambian side dries up. (In the wet season it’s better to stay on the Zambian side because the Zim side is such a mass of spray it’s hard to see the falls.)

Make sure to do a sunset boat cruise. There’s many to choose from with different styles. And do a helo ride over the falls.

If you are worried about entering Zimbabwe, don’t be. Vic Falls is like a separate, modern country. The cafe just inside the entry to the falls is surprisingly good. Don’t miss a stroll around the colonial Vic Falls Hotel (or maybe stay there.)

 

[henleybeach]

100 percent Agree with @JohnM we did sunset dinner cruise and it was fanstastic as well as dinner onboard the steam train, incl a 5 hour drink package. The train goes across vic falls bridge and stops for photos as well.
And a lovely high tea in the gardens of the Victoria falls hotel makes a relaxing afternoon.

 

[drron]

Loved Burma.Although the weather is nicer in December,january if you want to do an irrawaddy cruise water levels are low and you may have to miss some highlights.wet season is best for this plus you can go up the Chindwin which I would love to do.
africa though is something special.As Ann said we love Sanctuary lodges.There is one in South africa right on the Botswanan border.We were driven there from JNB but flew back.They would be able to arrange travel from there to their Botswanan annd Zambian lodges.
Naturally there are TRs.First Makanyane in South Africa.It begins here.

Africa.Jungle and veldt by Caravan and Sedan chair.

You've shown a multitude of reasons why I love Africa...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Our Botswanan trip was earlier.Highly recommend Botswana.They had a very enlightened first Prime minister at Independence.They have focussed on high end tourism.The Okavango delta is not to be missed.That TR.

A Botswanan Adventure.

After our cruise up the West Coast of Africa we flew back to JNB and overnighted at the Sheraton Pretoria.On Saturday morning we set off on our Botswanan safari.There was one slight problem.I had had the buffet dinner the night before and on the morning of departure the intestinal hurry began.It...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Johannesburg

Well change that to South Africa...and you have a winner. Minimise the JB time though.

Others have already mentioned the wildlife, but a great part of the SA experience is the food and the wine.

Prices are way, way cheaper than Oz and Europe but the wine and food is equally as good.

So my advice is to make both a key part of your SA exerience and to book into some of their finest restaurants where you can sample amazing fine dining at stunningly low cost.


Two of my favourites, where we both enjoyed degustation menus at, were the:

The Test Kitchen in Capetown - Keeps making the best restaurant in the worlds Top 50 list and for good reason. Home – The Test Kitchen Book as soon as you know your dates for Capetown as it books out months in advance.

The Overture in Stellenbosch - amazing food, but possibly even more amazing views. Bertus Basson - South African Chef, Entrepreneur, TV Personality

The Capetown Region, including the vineyards, should be a part of any SA trip. Add in game park, or two, elsewhere in SA and you have one amazing holiday.

 

[Flying mermaid]

If you choose S Africa, it’s well worth a side trip to Victoria Falls for a couple of days. In the dry season, stay on the Zim side in Vic Falls as the flow on the Zambian side dries up. (In the wet season it’s better to stay on the Zambian side because the Zim side is such a mass of spray it’s hard to see the falls.)

Make sure to do a sunset boat cruise. There’s many to choose from with different styles. And do a helo ride over the falls.

If you are worried about entering Zimbabwe, don’t be. Vic Falls is like a separate, modern country. The cafe just inside the entry to the falls is surprisingly good. Don’t miss a stroll around the colonial Vic Falls Hotel (or maybe stay there.)

doesn’t really matter which side you stay on, as it is a very quick walk across the bridge from one side to the other. We walked across on two different days and got absolutely soaked on the Zim side both times. . Also do the Devil/Angel pool - the trip out to Livingstone Island is just fabulous. I guess I am voting for Africa, but that’s no surprise.