Where are you going next?
#2761
After a ton of mind changing (and changes/cancellations to bookings as a result), we're set for the next ~6 months with the following plan:
JULY
- Saxon Johannesburg (S. Africa)
- Tswalu Kalahari (S. Africa)
- Latitude 15 (Lusaka, Zambia)
- Mchenja Bush Camp by Norman Carr Safaris (S. Luangwa N.P., Zambia)
- Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp (Lower Zambezi N.P., Zambia)
NOVEMBER (Thanksgiving week)
- Amangiri
DECEMBER (Xmas/New Year)
- RC Tokyo
- Gora Kadan
- RC Kyoto
JANUARY 2018
- Mara Plains Camp (Mara Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya)
- Ngare Serian (Mara North Conservancy, Kenya)
- Giraffe Manor (Nairobi, Kenya)
- Protea Marriott Entebbe (Entebbe, Uganda)
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Bwindi N.P., Uganda) - 2 gorilla treks, including one full-day "habituation trek" for a not-yet-fully-habituated clan (and a 4-hr. viewing time vs. the usual 1 hr. limit.)
JULY
- Saxon Johannesburg (S. Africa)
- Tswalu Kalahari (S. Africa)
- Latitude 15 (Lusaka, Zambia)
- Mchenja Bush Camp by Norman Carr Safaris (S. Luangwa N.P., Zambia)
- Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp (Lower Zambezi N.P., Zambia)
NOVEMBER (Thanksgiving week)
- Amangiri
DECEMBER (Xmas/New Year)
- RC Tokyo
- Gora Kadan
- RC Kyoto
JANUARY 2018
- Mara Plains Camp (Mara Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya)
- Ngare Serian (Mara North Conservancy, Kenya)
- Giraffe Manor (Nairobi, Kenya)
- Protea Marriott Entebbe (Entebbe, Uganda)
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Bwindi N.P., Uganda) - 2 gorilla treks, including one full-day "habituation trek" for a not-yet-fully-habituated clan (and a 4-hr. viewing time vs. the usual 1 hr. limit.)
#2762
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
After a ton of mind changing (and changes/cancellations to bookings as a result), we're set for the next ~6 months with the following plan:
JULY
- Saxon Johannesburg (S. Africa)
- Tswalu Kalahari (S. Africa)
- Latitude 15 (Lusaka, Zambia)
- Mchenja Bush Camp by Norman Carr Safaris (S. Luangwa N.P., Zambia)
- Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp (Lower Zambezi N.P., Zambia)
NOVEMBER (Thanksgiving week)
- Amangiri
DECEMBER (Xmas/New Year)
- RC Tokyo
- Gora Kadan
- RC Kyoto
JANUARY 2018
- Mara Plains Camp (Mara Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya)
- Ngare Serian (Mara North Conservancy, Kenya)
- Giraffe Manor (Nairobi, Kenya)
- Protea Marriott Entebbe (Entebbe, Uganda)
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Bwindi N.P., Uganda) - 2 gorilla treks, including one full-day "habituation trek" for a not-yet-fully-habituated clan (and a 4-hr. viewing time vs. the usual 1 hr. limit.)
JULY
- Saxon Johannesburg (S. Africa)
- Tswalu Kalahari (S. Africa)
- Latitude 15 (Lusaka, Zambia)
- Mchenja Bush Camp by Norman Carr Safaris (S. Luangwa N.P., Zambia)
- Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp (Lower Zambezi N.P., Zambia)
NOVEMBER (Thanksgiving week)
- Amangiri
DECEMBER (Xmas/New Year)
- RC Tokyo
- Gora Kadan
- RC Kyoto
JANUARY 2018
- Mara Plains Camp (Mara Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya)
- Ngare Serian (Mara North Conservancy, Kenya)
- Giraffe Manor (Nairobi, Kenya)
- Protea Marriott Entebbe (Entebbe, Uganda)
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Bwindi N.P., Uganda) - 2 gorilla treks, including one full-day "habituation trek" for a not-yet-fully-habituated clan (and a 4-hr. viewing time vs. the usual 1 hr. limit.)
#2763
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Location Not Found
Posts: 12
In the midst of some very early pre-planning for our honeymoon at the end of Sept next year, which so far we're close to closing on a stay at the Amanoi, but the rest is up in the air, plenty of time, this is the fun part. But in the meantime:
July 4 weekend in San Francisco:
- 3 nights at the RC SF
- 1 night at the Fairmont SF, MBS or MBBS, still working on that detail
September, a week in Scotland:
- 1 night in Glasgow at Hotel du Vin & Bistro
- 3 nights staying at Knock Old Castle by ourselves (renting a Jag F-type V6 for some touring around fun)
- 1 night undecided currently, taking suggestions for Scottish Highlands
- 2 night Airbnb in Edinburgh (the Garden Room Airbnb featured in GQ, only stating this because it makes it easy to find)
NYE, friends wedding in Austin
- Fairmont Austin (newly opened, looking to utilize our room upgrade certs, but the room categories aren't finalized in the system yet)
July 4 weekend in San Francisco:
- 3 nights at the RC SF
- 1 night at the Fairmont SF, MBS or MBBS, still working on that detail
September, a week in Scotland:
- 1 night in Glasgow at Hotel du Vin & Bistro
- 3 nights staying at Knock Old Castle by ourselves (renting a Jag F-type V6 for some touring around fun)
- 1 night undecided currently, taking suggestions for Scottish Highlands
- 2 night Airbnb in Edinburgh (the Garden Room Airbnb featured in GQ, only stating this because it makes it easy to find)
NYE, friends wedding in Austin
- Fairmont Austin (newly opened, looking to utilize our room upgrade certs, but the room categories aren't finalized in the system yet)
#2764
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
As you must have already heard from others, Osaka seems not so exciting once you have been to Tokyo unless you plan to use that time to make a longish day trip to Hiroshima peace park and Miyajima.
In that case, a JR pass will be a good deal if it can cover the Tokyo -- Kyoto trip as well as the trip to/from Hiroshima.
In that case, a JR pass will be a good deal if it can cover the Tokyo -- Kyoto trip as well as the trip to/from Hiroshima.
#2765
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
As you must have already heard from others, Osaka seems not so exciting once you have been to Tokyo unless you plan to use that time to make a longish day trip to Hiroshima peace park and Miyajima.
In that case, a JR pass will be a good deal if it can cover the Tokyo -- Kyoto trip as well as the trip to/from Hiroshima.
In that case, a JR pass will be a good deal if it can cover the Tokyo -- Kyoto trip as well as the trip to/from Hiroshima.
#2766
As it turns out, during our 3 nights in Osaka I'm planning a long day trip to Mt. Koya and a shorter day trip to see Himeji Castle from Osaka. I also think I might include a steak dinner at Aragawa Kobe while in Osaka. I'm not sure whether I'll even bother to go to Hiroshima, actually.
#2767
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I'm just not convinced that I'll enjoy the long trip to/from Hiroshima for just a small remnant of what actually transpired. Cost/benefit will be the final deciding factor...along with what my hubby thinks.
I can tell you I'd much prefer seeing Mt. Koya and Himeji Castle far more than Hiroshima.
Last edited by bhrubin; Jun 20, 2017 at 11:14 pm
#2768
I don't like to force a visit if I can help it. I also tend to resist whenever there is something that most say "I must" or should visit.
I'm just not convinced that I'll enjoy the long trip to/from Hiroshima for just a small remnant of what actually transpired. Cost/benefit will be the final deciding factor...along with what my hubby thinks.
I can tell you I'd far prefer seeing Mt. Koya and Himeji Castle far more than Hiroshima.
I'm just not convinced that I'll enjoy the long trip to/from Hiroshima for just a small remnant of what actually transpired. Cost/benefit will be the final deciding factor...along with what my hubby thinks.
I can tell you I'd far prefer seeing Mt. Koya and Himeji Castle far more than Hiroshima.
#2769
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 676
I don't like to force a visit if I can help it. I also tend to resist whenever there is something that most say "I must" or should visit.
I'm just not convinced that I'll enjoy the long trip to/from Hiroshima for just a small remnant of what actually transpired. Cost/benefit will be the final deciding factor...along with what my hubby thinks.
I can tell you I'd much prefer seeing Mt. Koya and Himeji Castle far more than Hiroshima.
I'm just not convinced that I'll enjoy the long trip to/from Hiroshima for just a small remnant of what actually transpired. Cost/benefit will be the final deciding factor...along with what my hubby thinks.
I can tell you I'd much prefer seeing Mt. Koya and Himeji Castle far more than Hiroshima.
Using Osaka as a base, Kurashiki can be done as a day trip and is very much worth seeing. If you can spare one night, go and stay at Benesse House on Naoshima
#2770
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Mt Koya is only worth it if you spend the night in a temple and also do the cemetery tour at night. Otherwise, it pales in comparison with Kyoto or Nara.
Using Osaka as a base, Kurashiki can be done as a day trip and is very much worth seeing. If you can spare one night, go and stay at Benesse House on Naoshima
Using Osaka as a base, Kurashiki can be done as a day trip and is very much worth seeing. If you can spare one night, go and stay at Benesse House on Naoshima
#2771
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 1,782
Not to hijack the thread, but we did two nights in Hiroshima. That way, we arrived the evening before our day of touring. We did Miyajima first, then the peace park/museum after lunch. Then we just stayed in Hiroshima that evening. The next morning we went to Osaka and I took our kids to Universal We had pooped out on temples and what not and enjoyed a day with Harry Potter and Jaws
#2774
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MEL
Programs: QFF, AA, LM, EY
Posts: 762
Would be too hot I think at least for Muscat.
But it could be cool enough on the mountains. If you do go make sure you stay at Anantara Jabal Akhdar - could not recommend it enough.
I was there for three nights in May and was impressed.
But it could be cool enough on the mountains. If you do go make sure you stay at Anantara Jabal Akhdar - could not recommend it enough.
I was there for three nights in May and was impressed.
#2775
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,900