Another travel post..suggestions etc

[cajunmom]

We are planning a big trip for sometime in 2017 as a combo 15th anniversary/H's 40th birthday celebration. I know it's a ways away but planning vacations is my stress reliever. We don't have a destination picked out so I would love some suggestions. 

Some pertinent and some arbitrary info. Sorry for the word vomit.
*We are taking the kids. They will be 11 and 14/15 depending on time of year. H mentioned DSS coming but IDK about that and at the risk of sounding awful, I kind of don't want him to. He'll be 19/20, in college and working, and he's less than enthusiastic about pretty much everything. If he shows interest I'll be happy for him to come along, though. 
*Dates are somewhat flexible although DD1 won't be able to miss any school. That means summer or Christmas break would be the most likely. If we went around Christmas I could probably take an extra 2 days off which would give us ~12 days including travel time. Any other time it would be no more than 9 days.
*I would strongly prefer to keep flights/all lodging under about $6500 but could stretch that another $1k-ish. Other activities and/or a rental car wouldn't come out of that budget. There is a good chance that at least one ticket will be covered by miles, possibly 2. If we can cover 2 tickets with miles, that opens our options way up.
*We are open to both domestic (US) and international destinations but I don't want to go somewhere that the kids have already gone (this applies to more domestic locations). DSS has traveled more internationally than the girls have but all in Central and South America.
*I don't like large crowds at all but would be ok as long as it wasn't every day. H is down for anything though he prefers cities over scenic countryside sightseeing. I suppose a mix of both would be ideal.


The places I keep thinking of are Scotland and New Zealand. I don't think NZ is feasible b/c of the travel time. Something else that I'm very interested in is Northeastern Europe...Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. Does anyone know anything about those countries? We're really open to pretty much anywhere, honestly, which makes it difficult to choose.

Like I said, I know it's a long ways off but we've had the plan for a big trip in place for so long now that I don't want to wait any longer to get a destination picked out.

On a cute note, my girls are putting together proposals for locations that they would like to visit. This involves lots of giggling together and running back and forth, looking at maps. So far I've overheard mentions of Bora Bora and Bloomington, MN. 
 

[UnderProtest]

Scotland isn't the place to go in December/January. While its lovely, you will have so little daylight to see anything. It would be great in the summer though. I also love Ireland in the summer. While it isn't warm, it is so green and there are so many places to see.

[knx9211]

Second for Ireland. We went this past October and had a perfect mix of city/country time. I'd be happy to share our itinerary. It was the best trip we've ever been on and one we've already decided we'll repeat when we have kids.

[mrsd2006]

No good suggestions but LOL at your girls trying to decide between Bora Bora and MN.

[starryfish]

I vote Ireland as well, but I would do it over the summer. 9 days is good enough time to do it. Rent a car and drive around and stay at B&Bs. We loved our trip there so much.

[steamboat185]

Peru? You could easily hit some of the bigger attractions in that time frame.

[steamboat185]

We also had a great time in Croatia. I'd be worried that a lot of places might be closed. We went at the beginning of May and there were very few tourist, but it is a great place to visit. There are natural wonders, castles, and walled cities. It's really nice.

[steamboat185]

Feb 22, 2016 17:02:11 GMT -5 Stan said:

H and I are planning on Croatia this summer. I think it's not a hugely popular place just yet so it's not insanely expensive.

When we went- a few years ago and off season- we had a waterfront apartment with wine made by the guys family included for under 60 a night. It was awesome.

[cajunmom]

Feb 22, 2016 13:35:39 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Scotland isn't the place to go in December/January. While its lovely, you will have so little daylight to see anything. It would be great in the summer though. I also love Ireland in the summer. While it isn't warm, it is so green and there are so many places to see.

We definitely wouldn't go to Scotland in the winter. Those winter dates are really just in case we decide to go somewhere tropical or south of the Equator. 

I have been to Ireland once but it was long ago, I was only 19. I wonder if 9 days would be enough to do both Ireland and Scotland. 

[sfy]

I'd nix NZ straight away because of time and budget. It will be difficult to do flights for 4-5 plus lodging for that amount. I do want to go to Croatia and I think that would be a great pick for the summer. Flights have been so inexpensive lately, I doubt you can book now for next summer, but I'd try to book them as soon as they open up because you can probably get a good rate.

[gardengal]

I'm planning to do Scotland w my kids when they are that age. A few days in Edinburgh & then do the (IIRC) west highland RR journey which is what was filmed for the Harry Potter movies. Rent a cottage in the Highlands & spend the days driving to castles, hiking & visiting (if we go in August) smaller Highland games.

I seriously cannot wait for my kids to be old enough to go! (Bc of the hikes I'd want us to do)

[frlcb]

We did Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia for 2 weeks and it was seriously one of the best trips we have ever taken. We have taken our kids to Scotland several times (we go to the UK often) and it is beautiful. I can't wait to take my kids to NZ, I have been but dh hasn't - they would LOVE the glow worm caves, it is one of the coolest things I have ever done. We took the kids to Ireland in 2014 and it was a great family vacation.

[alleinesein]

Feb 22, 2016 17:02:11 GMT -5 Stan said:

H and I are planning on Croatia this summer. I think it's not a hugely popular place just yet so it's not insanely expensive.

It is popular just not with Americans yet.  Lots of brits and aussies vacation there. 

For most things prices were on par with the US so while it is just a smidge less than western Europe it isn't a bargain destination anymore  Hotels are still reasonably priced but rental cars can be expensive and the major highways tend to be toll roads.  If you plan on staying on the coast be sure that the hotel bills you in Kuna and not in Euros; some hotels will bill foreigners in Euros and you will get a better exchange rate by paying in HRK.

Where are you two headed?  If you make it to Zagreb you should hit up the Kras Choco Bar.  And if you like dessert head over to the town of Samobor for a Kremsnita.  And there is a cool little Neanderthal museum up in Krapina (45 min north of Zagreb) that makes for a nice day trip.

I love Croatia so I am always eager to pimp it out to others!

[pbandj]

I love travel planning...

Portugal is another inexpensive option in Europe. Plenty of apartments to rent and good wine! You can also take a trip to Algarve for the beach in the summer.

Iceland might be doable on that budget, depending on where you are flying out from.

Some more outdoorsy vacations would be Banff in Canada (there were several threads on here earlier) or Sedona/Grand Canyon for the summer.

[cajunmom]

Feb 23, 2016 12:06:36 GMT -5 pbandj said:

I love travel planning...

Portugal is another inexpensive option in Europe. Plenty of apartments to rent and good wine! You can also take a trip to Algarve for the beach in the summer.

Iceland might be doable on that budget, depending on where you are flying out from.

Some more outdoorsy vacations would be Banff in Canada (there were several threads on here earlier) or Sedona/Grand Canyon for the summer.

Portugal would be nice, and I've looked at Iceland a bit. We'd be flying from Louisiana (either Baton Rouge or New Orleans) so we'd have to connect somewhere no matter where we go.

I love Banff but we just went there over Thanksgiving. We do want to go back in the summer but not just yet.

[mrsd2006]

Feb 22, 2016 13:51:53 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Second for Ireland. We went this past October and had a perfect mix of city/country time. I'd be happy to share our itinerary. It was the best trip we've ever been on and one we've already decided we'll repeat when we have kids.

Would you share your itinerary? You can PM me if you prefer. 

Thanks! 

[mbcdefg]

Ireland is so nice!

[keweenawlove]

One of DHs coworkers did a cruise around the Baltic region and loved it. Something like that could work well for your family if that region really interests you.

[drloretta]

Edinburgh was one of my favorite trips. But I agree, Christmas wouldn't be a time to go. What about spring break? Would that be an option?

I saw someone mentioned Ireland. Also a great idea. We just went in September. Stayed in a reasonably sized city and did daytrips when the weather cooperated (which was all but one day).

The other things that come to mind are Yellowstone or the Caribbean. I know, complete opposites

[cajunmom]

Feb 23, 2016 15:32:02 GMT -5 drloretta said:

Edinburgh was one of my favorite trips. But I agree, Christmas wouldn't be a time to go. What about spring break? Would that be an option?

I saw someone mentioned Ireland. Also a great idea. We just went in September. Stayed in a reasonably sized city and did daytrips when the weather cooperated (which was all but one day).

The other things that come to mind are Yellowstone or the Caribbean. I know, complete opposites

Yeah, I mentioned earlier that if we chose Scotland we wouldn't be going there in December. That would be a summer trip.

Spring break isn't really an option b/c that's during the middle of DD's acro competition season and she couldn't miss.

Ireland is a great suggestion and will probably be on my short list. I've been there once but it was ages ago.

[Lilac]

Feb 23, 2016 16:00:17 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

This doesn't really fit your H's city preference, but I think your kids are the perfect age for a trip to the Galapagos. You could do a 4-night cruise and spend a few days in Quito if you wanted to keep it to a week or less, or a seven night cruise if you have 1.5 weeks.

ETA: you also wouldn't have to deal much with jet lag, it should be a relatively easy flight (connect through Dallas or Houston or Atlanta to Quito), and airfare to Ecuador doesn't tend to be too expensive. Also, it tends to require fewer miles for those tickets than other destinations, so you could maybe pick up three FF tickets if the airline had availability.

I'm headed to the Galapagos in April. Airfare is about $1100 pp for us from New England. It's ~$400 pp just to get from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos islands -- that seems to be the standard price across all of the airlines. Some of the cruises don't allow small children, but 11 and 14 should be fine. We're doing a mixed itinerary with 1 week on land and 1 week on a cruise. Hotels/B&Bs are $60-$120 per night for good, but not fancy accommodations. Cruises are ... a lot more (at least $1000 pp for a 4 night cruise). I don't think it would fit within their planned budget.

I went to Ireland in June a few years ago and loved it! Of course, a large part of the appeal was hanging out in the pubs at night -- listening to traditional musicians and drinking, lol.

[knx9211]

Feb 23, 2016 12:56:41 GMT -5 mrsd2006 said:

Feb 22, 2016 13:51:53 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Second for Ireland. We went this past October and had a perfect mix of city/country time. I'd be happy to share our itinerary. It was the best trip we've ever been on and one we've already decided we'll repeat when we have kids.

Would you share your itinerary? You can PM me if you prefer. 

Thanks! 

Hey, sorry for the delay.

We flew out on a Friday. Landed in Dublin Saturday morning.  Stayed at the Westin (really nice) for two nights.

We drove west to Galway on day 3, stopping at Tullamore DEW on the way.

We stayed in Galway at the Park House Hotel (which was fantastic) for 2 nights. The second day, we drove around aimlessly north on the Wild Atlantic Way. To say it was breathtakingly beautiful does it no justice at all.

After Galway, we drove to the Cliffs of Moher. Wish we had gotten up earlier to do that, because the roads are pretty tight going south and it was dark as hell by the time we got to our hotel. We drove to Sheen Falls Lodge, which is the greatest place ever and I wish I could move in there and never leave. The setting is gorgeous, it would be great with kids because there's all sorts of fun activities like horseback riding and stuff. DH and I did clay pigeon shooting and falconry. They also have great food. One day, we went hiking in Gleninchaquin Park, which was absolutely gorgeous.

We dragged our feet leaving there and drove to Kilkenny. I wish we had more time there, it was a cool little town with a ton of live music.  We stayed at some chain was find considering we were only there a few hours. We left there early in the morning to drive back to the airport.

I wish our trip could have been longer.  When we go back, we'll skip Dublin and just head straight West or fly into Shannon (more expensive for us).

[mrsd2006]

Feb 26, 2016 14:29:21 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Feb 23, 2016 12:56:41 GMT -5 mrsd2006 said:

Would you share your itinerary? You can PM me if you prefer. 

Thanks! 

Hey, sorry for the delay.

We flew out on a Friday. Landed in Dublin Saturday morning.  Stayed at the Westin (really nice) for two nights.

We drove west to Galway on day 3, stopping at Tullamore DEW on the way.

We stayed in Galway at the Park House Hotel (which was fantastic) for 2 nights. The second day, we drove around aimlessly north on the Wild Atlantic Way. To say it was breathtakingly beautiful does it no justice at all.

After Galway, we drove to the Cliffs of Moher. Wish we had gotten up earlier to do that, because the roads are pretty tight going south and it was dark as hell by the time we got to our hotel. We drove to Sheen Falls Lodge, which is the greatest place ever and I wish I could move in there and never leave. The setting is gorgeous, it would be great with kids because there's all sorts of fun activities like horseback riding and stuff. DH and I did clay pigeon shooting and falconry. They also have great food. One day, we went hiking in Gleninchaquin Park, which was absolutely gorgeous.

We dragged our feet leaving there and drove to Kilkenny. I wish we had more time there, it was a cool little town with a ton of live music.  We stayed at some chain was find considering we were only there a few hours. We left there early in the morning to drive back to the airport.

I wish our trip could have been longer.  When we go back, we'll skip Dublin and just head straight West or fly into Shannon (more expensive for us).

No problem, thanks for sharing. 

Sorry you've been having a rough time lately. 

[knx9211]

Feb 26, 2016 14:57:08 GMT -5 mrsd2006 said:

Feb 26, 2016 14:29:21 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

No problem, thanks for sharing. 

Sorry you've been having a rough time lately. 

Thank you. I really appreciate it.