Trip of a lifetime suggestions

[Ziferblat]

We usually focus on European travel but a big birthday is coming next year and my mind is turning to how few holidays we may have left with DC who are tween and teenage.

Where have you been that has blown your mind?

We are not super active but will try to shape up for the right trip and love great scenery, different cultures etc but also some comfort.

I’ve never been obsessed with animals but everyone seems to rave about safaris.

A lot of friends have gone to Costa Rica the last few years too.

Long haul places we have been to include: Australia and New Zealand; Malaysia, Singapore and Borneo with DC.

Before kids, we did the Yucatan peninsula and the entire West Coast of the US plus New York and Miami.

We would allocate about two weeks for this. Has to be in school holidays though DC get quite a lot of time off.

Where have you been that is long haul and you’d consider a trip of a lifetime?

I love the idea of South America but it is just so huge I don’t know where to start.

Anywhere else that you’ve been bowled over by?

We’re off to Mongolia for 2 weeks this summer and planning Ecuador/ Galapagos for next year.

Costa Rica might fit the bill for you though, it’s great for families and so much to see and do. And can see so much in 2 weeks if you rent a car.

Japan

The Stans or Mongolia would be by recommendation

Cuba is now on the USA's no fly list so you would struggle to hop between Havana and Miami. You can't get an ESTA if you've been to Cuba since 2021. I don't know how difficult it would be to get a full visa.

Oh yes of course. I forgot about that. We always used to do Miami for a few days then Cuba.

Is there any particular experiences you’d like?

Ive driven through Alberta and BC to Vancouver then done an Alaskan cruise(went to Grand Canyon after but you’d want more than 2 weeks).

Travelled through Central America- Guatemala to climb a volcano, Nicaragua to board down a volcano, beaches in Costa Rica and plenty of incredible food and wildlife.

India’s Golden Triangle with a stop at Ranthambore to go on tiger safari. All were amazing experiences.

I normally ‘pick a thing’ then design a trip round it.

Wow, you guys are amazing. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful adventures. So many questions and comments - going through them now.

@lalafox Shame about Cuba and Estas. It’s a reminder of how quickly rules and events can change. I had an amazing trip to Israel about 8 years ago and saw and met the most incredible people but obviously couldn’t replicate it now. Ditto Russia. Yes Colombia does appeal… I’ve always thought of Belize as a bit swampy and have been to the Yucutan and wondered if it’s different enough?

Maldives and Brazil were amazing

@MrsHamlet I have always been fascinated by the Stans especially the architecture in Uzbekistan. Tell me more! Enough to amaze the tween and teen?

Did you do the Maldives with kids @tooloololoo and where in Brazil did you go?

You see @Zephyr123 my problem is I’ve never had hobbies. I like exploring cities and urban walking and looking at nice scenery but am a bit afraid of being too much in the wilderness and am not a roughing it type. I don’t mind living in among the locals and immersing myself a bit but am not too outdoorsy.

That sounds incredible @Rocketstarr . Are you riding horses over there? And what’s your budget roughly for Galapagos and Ecuador?

Absolutely! There wasn't a day when my mouth didn't drop open about something.

Uzbekistan was probably my least favourite because there were so many tourists, but watching the sun come up over the Registan of Samarkand will stay with me a long time.

If you're looking for a tour company, I highly recommend Kalpak travel.

Seen some amazing pictures of Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek and surrounding mountains) recently!

@Clearinguptheclutter This is such excellent advice and insight - thank you. Is Kenya still a dodgy or was it just that incident a few years ago that gave it a bit rep for a bit?

Yes Costa Rica seems to be £££. Has anyone found it cheaper to sort things themselves?

Likewise with safaris. How can it so expensive to visit some of the poorest countries on earth? Is there no way of getting flights and then organising the tours directly with travel agencies run and owned by say Kenyans or South Africans rather than going through Western middle men agencies?

The owner of Kalpak is Kyrgyz and took us for an amazing dinner in Bishkek.

It was a fabulous trip.

Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are amazing
Patagonian is stunning and Zanzibar and Tanzania are beautiful. I’d love to do the Great Wall of China
If you are looking at DIY why not watch Race Across the World or even old episodes of Top Gear/Grand Tour for inspiration

i agree on Galapagos. And from a different perspective, my now husband and I did it backpacking and independently rather than through an organised tour and boat. We stayed on land. Travelled by the small ferries and it was a trip of a lifetime. Entertainment once your there is literally free as everything is about the environment and nature around you. Don’t get me wrong I’d love to experience it on a gorgeous boat if budget allows but it’s definitely doable on all kind of budgets.

We pretty much did this south America trip but also added Galapagos in and boat trip. Highly recommend.

It’s going to be a 10 day tour with a bit of everything, with our 5 year old! Staying in a mix of tourist camps and with nomadic families.

We went to Uzbekistan last year so can second that for a great trip, it was easy to do ourselves with the train connections.

Haven’t worked out a proper budget yet but I would imagine around £10k for 3 of us for 2 weeks? We tend to stay in pretty budget accommodation and travel as much as possible.

We went to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for our 25th wedding anniversary- great trip- wonderful scenery, good value and easy to diy.

Am very envious!

It was very reasonably priced, even for a single traveller. I tend to use in-country specialists for my tours because I don't like paying over the odds and I like the money I spend to stay in the region

Thailand was nice but did not live up to my expectations - Japan was much better. As a family we love the carribean but out teens loved our california road trips as they were so iconic - though it's super expensive now though