*** Holidays & Travels 2023 Thread ***

[CapitalOne]

I cannot believe there isn't a thread.

As Covid restrictions become "normal business" and faffing about has reduced we've started to resume our travel addiction as I am sure many of you have or are about to this year. Where goest thou this year OCUK???

I wish you all happy and fulfilling travels!

We did Dubai again last year, nice but yawn.

This year we have:

Feb - Dallas (work)
May - Antigua
Sept - Istanbul
Nov.....TBC!

 

[CapitalOne]

Not sure.

I'm tempted by either of these for my adventure holiday:
Cuba kayaking - December
Rwanda kayaking - tbc

And for more normal holidays:
Somewhere in Europe for a cheap holiday. But this might be Iceland (not cheap!)

And a few UK camping/glamping trips.


Nothing is booked though as not passed probation in job.

….must……resist……Rwanda joke

 

[CapitalOne]

I went last year after delaying it for 2yrs due to covid. It started off originally at around £8k. By the time we went last july it was around 11k for 3 of us and that was flying into Miami. into Orlando would have been an additional 3k..

Absolute madness.

I have to say long haul flights have gone up a lot - 40% or 50% IIRC.

 

[CapitalOne]

The problem with business class is once you've done it you'll never want to go back, especially long haul.

 

[CapitalOne]

Lots to take in and research to do, thanks both!

Some of the hotels have absolute comedy websites, having to go to Google photos etc to get some idea.

Also have to work out booking the hotel via BA with the flights, versus booking flights & hotel separately.

If you book it all as a BA holiday you’ll get cheaper flights

 

[CapitalOne]

Yeah there's a discount for the flights and I think hotel. But their booking system is from 2003 it seems, the pictures when you look at a hotel are avatar sized.

Yeah it is

My tactic is always to find a resort that looks good and then head to youtube.

 

[CapitalOne]

Hmm, a little concerned about what the weather might be like in the Maldives around September time, I don't want us to get rained the whole time we are there.

Mauritius is an alternate, but it's working out more expensive, and it's not as straight forward to get to for us. Mauritius Airlines business class looks incredibly dated for the price, and BA oney fly direct there from Gatwick which is another hour past Heathrow and not that convenient. We ideally want to go from Heathrow or Birmingham.

Mauritius is great, it’s like the Caribbean but in the EU

You can fly BA via South Africa (from heathrow) but it’s more expensive. There is also emirates probably from Birmingham. Maybe treat yourselves to a night in a suite at the sofitel the night before?

 

[CapitalOne]

5 days and counting until we are off to ANU!

 

[CapitalOne]

Full day 1 in Antigua and it’s my birthday!

 

[CapitalOne]

Nice flight yesterday too, everything everywhere all at once needs a viewing at home though.

 

[CapitalOne]

Very nice - next step up is the Club Suite, it’s a world apart from those. First time in business?

Nope although I have to say it’s a step up from the really old config they used to run out of LGW but don’t really go anywhere the suites go although keeping an eye out!

 

[CapitalOne]

Loved Bali did 11 days Ubud, Canggu, Munduk at the Munduk moding plantation resort so beautiful.

I barely scratched the surface in that time would love to go back.



How much did this cost Antigua looks so amazing is this a package deal.

Id love to solo travel Antigua dont really want a couples resort though, they sure look amazing.

Off to Helsinki myself next Thursday for 5 nights anyone got any tips places to see, restaurants etc? pretty much have an itineary just going to go with the flow.

We are staying at St James’ Club and there are singles here, and it’s quite quiet as it’s end of season. I’d come here on my own but the Mrs would kill me! I can’t remember what day it is anymore.

Cost for 2 of us, Club World and best rooms 8.5k for 7 nights if that helps (BA holidays). You’ll love it here - I think this is our 8th visit to the island. Never stayed anywhere bad.