Looking for destination inspiration January February 2019

[karen blancfield]

After a big year of travel, without the limitations of work, we are tossing up our options for Jan and Feb. We don’t love winter climates although Southern Europe in winter is ok. I’ve read dozens of trip reports looking for that AhHa destination.... so I remember earlier there was a thread Where are you all travelling next? ..... but can’t find it. Two adults, well travelled, we like cities, galleries, eating, drinking, cycling, cultural experiences and always travel independently, rather than on tours. Whet our appetite.... it’s the time of year that makes the choice harder.

FYI ...This year’s travels have included .... USA, Mexico, NZ, UK, Italy (5 weeks) ......

Thanks in great anticipation.

 

[Pushka]

After a big year of travel, without the limitations of work, we are tossing up our options for Jan and Feb. We don’t love winter climates although Southern Europe in winter is ok. I’ve read dozens of trip reports looking for that AhHa destination.... so I remember earlier there was a thread Where are you all travelling next? ..... but can’t find it. Two adults, well travelled, we like cities, galleries, eating, drinking, cycling, cultural experiences and always travel independently, rather than on tours. Whet our appetite.... it’s the time of year that makes the choice harder.

FYI ...This year’s travels have included .... USA, Mexico, NZ, UK, Italy (5 weeks) ......

Thanks in great anticipation.

Well, it’s a fantastic time to visit Dubai if you are so inclined. Weather in the mid twenties so you can explore, do the Desert Safari, still warm enough to swim, and enjoy all the sights without the awful heat. It’s actually quite humid at that time of the year.

 

[karen blancfield]

Thanks Pushka .... have only spent 2 days there in Dec last year. Would stopover again but can’t imagine spending a long break there. Appreciate the suggestion.

 

[Mattg]

What about South Africa?

 

[tgh]

Without telling us where you have been , it's not easy to make suggestions.
I like South America , have been a few times and would happily revisit .
Suggest Buenos Aires and radiate out.
There are so many different places, cultures and climates , it's a big place.
A bit of Spanish makes it easier on your own.

 

[Matt_01]

...After a big year of travel, without the limitations of work, we are tossing up our options for Jan and Feb. We don’t love winter climates...

Sorry can not be of much help, we were going to Canada in Dec/Jan however MrsM said that was too cold. Now going to northern China and Japan in Jan/Feb .

 

[jase05]

Thanks Pushka .... have only spent 2 days there in Dec last year. Would stopover again but can’t imagine spending a long break there. Appreciate the suggestion.

Have spent a few days in Egypt during February and it was awesome. One day I hope to get back there for a month or so and I feel that still won’t be enough

 

[Pushka]

Have spent a few days in Egypt during February and it was awesome. One day I hope to get back there for a month or so and I feel that still won’t be enough

Oh yeah. We are doing a Nile Cruise in December in 2019. Best weather.

 

[jase05]

Oh yeah. We are doing a Nile Cruise in December in 2019. Best weather.

Very high on my bucket list.
We only did 2 days in Cairo and 3 in Hurghada.

 

[karen blancfield]

Without telling us where you have been , it's not easy to make suggestions.
I like South America , have been a few times and would happily revisit .
Suggest Buenos Aires and radiate out.
There are so many different places, cultures and climates , it's a big place.
A bit of Spanish makes it easier on your own.

Thanks for this suggestion. It’s more the time of year that narrows the choice a bit.....have travelled to far too many places to list, which is why I didn’t.

It’s been great to get people’s ideas so far and hopefully out of these, one will grab us! Our only visit to Buenos Aires, after walking the Inca Trail and a snapped Achilles on Lake Titicaca, one was in a wheelchair .... not the easiest city to push around so maybe we should revisit!

Have you done any trip reports I can look at for thinking through an itinerary? Thank you.

 

[karen blancfield]

Sorry can not be of much help, we were going to Canada in Dec/Jan however MrsM said that was too cold. Now going to northern China and Japan in Jan/Feb .

That still sounds very cold! As cold as Canada?

 

[karen blancfield]

Thanks everyone ..... I found a post that is called ‘2019 travel plans’ and there are brilliant ideas that will more than give me enough to think about.

 

[RB]

After a big year of travel, without the limitations of work, we are tossing up our options for Jan and Feb. We don’t love winter climates although Southern Europe in winter is ok. I’ve read dozens of trip reports looking for that AhHa destination.... so I remember earlier there was a thread Where are you all travelling next? ..... but can’t find it. Two adults, well travelled, we like cities, galleries, eating, drinking, cycling, cultural experiences and always travel independently, rather than on tours. Whet our appetite.... it’s the time of year that makes the choice harder.

FYI ...This year’s travels have included .... USA, Mexico, NZ, UK, Italy (5 weeks) ......

Thanks in great anticipation.

We enjoyed our time in Sri Lanka when we visited in Feb-details in my trip report that is in my signature. Some other areas are not so good at that time of year

 

[Denali]

Cambodia but book a private villa with staff instead busy hotel full of bus groups.

 

[Quickstatus]

What about South Africa?

Yes Yes Yes. Go on Safari
Here is a challenge:

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks Pushka .... have only spent 2 days there in Dec last year. Would stopover again but can’t imagine spending a long break there. Appreciate the suggestion.

It doesn't have to be just Dubai. we spent a week during January '15 in the UAE on a driving holiday. Did six of the seven Emirates. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah as well as nipping up to Khasab in Oman (spectacular drive).

I can take or leave the hideous monstrosities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but the rest of the Emirates are actually well worth a look and a driving holiday was fabulous (upgraded to a gold 7 Series Beamer and fuel was really cheap). Not everyone can say they've bogged a 7 series in sand in Dubai ... I can!

The week we spent was not really enough. Two weeks would have been better.

 

[karen blancfield]

Thanks everyone. Through this community, a helpful AFF member has booked our holiday that starts from here to Melbourne, side trip to Tasmania for a special event, then on to Helsinki for 5 nights... yes cold but maybe northern lights? .... to Lisbon where we will do a two week driving holiday up as far as Bilbao and then across to LA for some warming up time somewhere yet to be decided, before we return home via Melbourne, and back to 40 degree temps at home.

Good deal on Finnair. AFF members give them positive reviews so we will find out.

Very happy with our decision inspired by the helpful AFF site once again.

 

[Pug1]

Thanks everyone. Through this community, a helpful AFF member has booked our holiday that starts from here to Melbourne, side trip to Tasmania for a special event, then on to Helsinki for 5 nights... yes cold but maybe northern lights? .... to Lisbon where we will do a two week driving holiday up as far as Bilbao and then across to LA for some warming up time somewhere yet to be decided, before we return home via Melbourne, and back to 40 degree temps at home.

Good deal on Finnair. AFF members give them positive reviews so we will find out.

Very happy with our decision inspired by the helpful AFF site once again.

well done, sounds like a great trip. We love the winter in the Northern hemisphere and you will have a great time in Helsinki. Fingers crossed for the light show for you.

 

[karen blancfield]

well done, sounds like a great trip. We love the winter in the Northern hemisphere and you will have a great time in Helsinki. Fingers crossed for the light show for you.

Thanks very much. Our first time in Helsinki so feel free to send any tips for some winter activities please! I’m relying on Pinterest at this stage and it looks lovely.

 

[Justinf]

I'm going to Iceland and then Helsinki in January.
I guess I'm not much help.