3 continents in 60 days, help needed
 

Hi everyone,

Me and my partner decided to have a 2-month round the world honeymoon instead of having a traditional wedding. We want to see pretty much the same places so the itinerary was chosen straight away - New York, LA, Fiji, NZ, Sydney and Tokyo.
I know that this is a pretty hectic schedule and I've read tons of topics both here and on other forums and the general advice is to concentrate on one area for a longer time, and we would if that was possible, but unfortunately, due to the nature of my partner's job, he will never be able to get such a long time off again. Hopefully, after this trip we will be able to come back to the places we liked the most.

I've started researching the rtw prices and star alliance website quoted me £3.5 k per person, when flying from Helsinki, Finland. I was wondering whether I can minimize this to at least £3000?

Also, with only two months available to us, how would you spread your trip between these destinations? I know its not enough for NZ and Australia alone, but unfortunately this is the case. Please be understanding

Thank you in advance!

Welcome to FT, chevievie!

I think the part of your question about how to spend your time in your various destinations is the hardest to answer, as it's all about personal tastes. I would only encourage you to do some research and thinking about what you'd like to see and accomplish in those places. There's certainly enough going on in your cities/countries that you could indeed spend months in any one of those areas. I'd pay attention to local weather and how it might impact your timing - rain/dry seasons in Fiji, hot summers/cold winters in the US, etc.

As for the airfare, I'd ask a good travel agent, or contact Finnair or American Airlines and ask about the Oneworld "Global Explorer" RTW ticket, which would allow you to visit Fiji (while the more popular "Oneworld Explorer" wouldn't.) A 26,000 mile Global Explorer bought and started in Finland would cost €2110 plus applicable taxes and fees, and would permit a route like this. A Global Explorer allowing 29,000 miles of flying, and more stopovers, would cost around €400 more, well under your previous quote.

We did a 5-month trip hitting some of those spots. We spent 3 weeks in the South Island of NZ but 2 weeks would be plenty, we spent 3 days in Sydney (plenty), 3 days in the Hunter Valley (more than enough), 3 days in the Blue Mtns (we love hiking) and 5 days in Melbourne (more than enough), 2 weeks in Fiji (plenty) and 3 days in NYC (plenty--I used to live there). I would say you want to plan at least 1 week in Tokyo and you should go to Kyoto/Nara. As for LA (where I live now) 3 or 4 days is enough if you just want to stay around the city--you will need a car to get around.

I can't comment on airfare because we bought single tickets.

I meant to say you should spent at least 1 week in Japan, not just in Tokyo.

Also remember that your travel days between places should not factor into the time you want to spend in a location; for the most part travel days are hectic/wasted days.

Check if you can get a series of OW flights for less money than the RTW. In economy this is - depending on the season and your flexibility - often the case.

I would start searching on seperate flights to NY, then LAX, look for a ticket to AKL with a stop in Sydney and then for two more tickets back home.

Consolidator fares?
 

If flying coach, aren't consolidator fares still the way to go? In our youth that was always the way we did rtw's, seemingly not much more than half the price, but that was a long time ago.

OTOH an LONE4 ex-JNB cost USD1960 (plus taxes and fees) when I looked a few days ago. Rand is weak and perhaps a bit volatile so ymmv. The South African public game parks (Kruger, for lots of resources and easy access from JNB, being first choice) are a screaming bargain, if you fancy spending a few days driving amongst the beasties in your rental car.

thanks everyone for replies and advice! I will look into single tickets
Also do you think its worth dropping US and just adding a stop in southeast asia?

There are so many places on this planet worth visiting. It all depends where you already have been, if you like cities, beach, mountains, food, culture.
In any case don't squeeze too much into not enough days. 3 or 4 days for a big city, another 5 to 8 if you want to see the countryside per stop.

It is like: "I am hungry. What should I eat."

My personal preference would be:
Spend less time in LA.
Fiji is somewhat overrated, but good for a few days if it is easy to get there. There are better islands, also many beaches in Asia are nicer
NZ is very beautiful, but a bit boring after a while
Sydney is a great place (consider hopping over to Uluru)
Tokyo is interesting (Side trip to Kyoto?)
I would add Hong Kong and/or Bangkok and/or Saigon.

Why not concentrate on places where it is difficult to get to (Fiji, Australia, NZ). It will be easy to jump over to NY or LA for a few days in the future.Same is true for many places in Asia.

RTW
 

Agree with other posters on tastes being personal - but here are a few suggestions

LA - Getty museum, Hire car and drive out to the observatory on a day its open - mountain drive is very beautiful
Pop Hawaii into the stops as you can go oneworld to Tokyo from there. Then go diving / snorkeling with Mantas there. Catch some waves too.
Tokyo - no advice here apart from avoid the lounge food
Sydney - not done the touristy thing here just short business trips
NZ - did a 5 week hol here - North island - north of auckland - Piha (Nice beach and waves), coromandel. South island - milford sound, fox glacier (helicopter drop off if you can stretch to it - I regret not doing that), albatross sanctuary in far south but only if time allows

gene

Definitely drop the US. Hong Kong and Bangkok (assuming the political situation is stable) are great. No need to include Singapore if going to Hong Kong, IMO. It would be a shame to go to Australia without experiencing the Outback. I think Broome and the Red Centre are brilliant. I've spent a ton of time in Oz camping and 4 wheel driving the bush. Not for everyone, for sure, but if you want to experience what makes Australia different, the Outback is the place to go. Not Sydney. Not Melbourne.