Has Anyone Booked a Holiday Yet?

[Stevosevic]

On 30/05/2026 at 17:37, Unabomber said:

Has anyone done the p and o Norwegian cruise? I’ve never done a cruise or even thought it would be good but am now considering it

I haven’t heard good things about P and O. Not sure about your budget but Princess cruises through the fjords are apparently a real step up. 
 

Tuscany next week for me. Looking forward to getting out of the bleakness of the UK. 

[VLC86]

4 hours ago, Officer Doofy said:

A46 and A47 is longer but quicker than going cross country. 

 

Ultimately your call 

 

1 hour ago, Thommo said:

 

Yes ' Pick your own' fruit and veg...just check its all in season!

 

1 hour ago, bovril said:

Give us a wave in Hunstanton

It’s great banter, it really is.

[Unabomber]

1 hour ago, Stevosevic said:

I haven’t heard good things about P and O. Not sure about your budget but Princess cruises through the fjords are apparently a real step up. 
 

Tuscany next week for me. Looking forward to getting out of the bleakness of the UK. 

Cheers hadn’t looked at those. Where are you going in Tuscany?

[FoxesDeb]

19 hours ago, Jon the Hat said:

Hi Deb, while it doesn't have the world-famous landmarks, Perth / WA is a lovely place to visit, and the Qantas direct or various other options via the middle east or Singapore are pretty good.

 

We live close to Freo which I would say is more interesting than staying in the city and a good base to explore. You can get the train into Perth easily when you want to for Museums, Elizabeth Quay, Kings Park - free buses (CAT) once you get into the city and the train is super cheap if you get a Smartrider card for $20 (contactless credit cards also work but more expensive).

 

In Freo the Markets, lots of bars and restaurants, ferry to Rottnest to see some Quokkas and do some snorkelling.  Nice beaches around, we like Cottesloe, Leighton to the north (both on the Freo - Perth train line) and South Beach and our home beach Coogee to the south - Cogee and Cottesloe both have a Shark net if you are concerned about swimming.

 

For Margs you need a car - we usually use Bayswater Car Hire, usually the cheapest and a good choice of cars.  The drive down is about 3hours + traffic, with some nice stop offs along the way.  Once "Down South" as the locals call anywhere past Bunbury, lots to explore.  Wineries everywhere (and plenty of Breweries too), beautiful beaches, Dunsborough, Busselton Jetty, Lighthouses, Caves. Head down to Augusta / Cape Leeuwin where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, or even over to Albany (about 4 hours).  The Southern Ocean coast is incredibly beautiful.

 

If you head north from Perth there a few interesting towns once you get out of the suburbs, a loop to Lancelin Sand Dunes, into Cervantes Lobster shack for lunch then to the Pinnacles toward sunset the light is spooky.  If out of the suburbs you need to drive carefully from dusk onwards due to Kangaroos waking up and heading out.  You can also get a coach trip to do this.  

Thank you! That's really helpful, and confirms that we would all be really happy staying there 😊 

[Stevosevic]

13 hours ago, Unabomber said:

Cheers hadn’t looked at those. Where are you going in Tuscany?

Will be based on the outskirts of Sienna, and then have a car to drive around to different spots each day. Beautiful region.

 

Anywhere you would recommend? 

[Unabomber]

1 hour ago, Stevosevic said:

Will be based on the outskirts of Sienna, and then have a car to drive around to different spots each day. Beautiful region.

 

Anywhere you would recommend? 

Nice well we stayed in Florence which was great and then did a day trip to Sienna, didn’t go anywhere else. We had a sandwich from II Bocconcino in Sienna which was amazing. 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Couple of days into a stay in Kolympia on Rhodes. Lovely so far, warm without being unbearable and the usual Greek hospitality. Also bumped into a bar owner yesterday that spotted my Leicester t-shirt, named the 15/16 starting XI and then proceeded to tell me we're now crap because the owner "isn't his dad". The word is spreading!

[DJW1]

On 27/05/2026 at 08:20, Raj said:

Is it really as lovely as its made out to be?

Always fancied visiting.

I suppose a clever bloke like you is there for the book festival?

We were there a few years ago. The town is pleasant and you can walk along by the river.

Nearby attractions include Lord Hereford´s Knob (Twmpa in Welsh, but no so funny!), a peak in the hills from where the views are lovely (watch out for the sheep).

Also, Hay is not far from Brecon (lovely countryside) and within 30-40 miles are a number of nice towns like Leominster

[DJW1]

7 minutes ago, DJW1 said:

We were there a few years ago. The town is pleasant and you can walk along by the river.

Nearby attractions include Lord Hereford´s Knob (Twmpa in Welsh, but no so funny!), a peak in the hills from where the views are lovely (watch out for the sheep).

Also, Hay is not far from Brecon (lovely countryside) and within 30-40 miles are a number of nice towns like Leominster

I got mixed up. I´ve never been to Leominster! But Ledbury, Worcester, Tewkesbury,  Ludlow etc. are nice

[FoyleFox]

South America and Antarctica booked for 2028. I'm planning well ahead. 

[FoxesDeb]

19 hours ago, FoyleFox said:

South America and Antarctica booked for 2028. I'm planning well ahead. 

Are you going there on a cruise? You're very much a forward planner like me 

 

Our main holidays for 2027 are booked and I'm now planning 2028, so far looking at a Vietnam tour followed by the beach in Phu Quoc in March/April and then Perth in Australia in November.

 

After that our only continent to visit would be Antarctica so I'm interested in your plan

[FoxesDeb]

We're off to Puerto Pollensa in Mallorca next week for a week with my husband's parents, brother, sister and their partners. 

 

Very much looking forward to it especially as it might be the last holiday all together as a family for his parents. Not looking forward to the flight on a prop plane from Almería to Palma though 

[Raj]

34 minutes ago, FoxesDeb said:

We're off to Puerto Pollensa in Mallorca next week for a week with my husband's parents, brother, sister and their partners. 

 

Very much looking forward to it especially as it might be the last holiday all together as a family for his parents. Not looking forward to the flight on a prop plane from Almería to Palma though 

I feel abit shameful telling you about holidays, as it's like Daka telling Vardy how to score!!!😁 but we went there years ago and its gorgeously beautiful!!!

 

Have a great time 

[Jattdogg]

42 minutes ago, FoxesDeb said:

Are you going there on a cruise? You're very much a forward planner like me 

 

Our main holidays for 2027 are booked and I'm now planning 2028, so far looking at a Vietnam tour followed by the beach in Phu Quoc in March/April and then Perth in Australia in November.

 

After that our only continent to visit would be Antarctica so I'm interested in your plan

You've been to the arctic or does Canada count? Lol not that arctic is its own continent.

 

Making me feel poor with all these vacations you ballers!

 

Sounds lovely, hope to get to more continents in due time.

Edited 20 hours ago by Jattdogg

[FoyleFox]

4 hours ago, FoxesDeb said:

Are you going there on a cruise? You're very much a forward planner like me 

 

Our main holidays for 2027 are booked and I'm now planning 2028, so far looking at a Vietnam tour followed by the beach in Phu Quoc in March/April and then Perth in Australia in November.

 

After that our only continent to visit would be Antarctica so I'm interested in your plan

Land and cruise for this one. We're doing a week on land in Peru, board the ship in Valparaiso, Chile sail to the Chilean Fjords, Argentina, Antarctica, Falklands, Uruguay and disembark in Buenos Aries. Fly to Iguazu, then on to Rio.

We're not doing an expedition cruise so, no hiking up glaciers or kayaking around icebergs. Although, we are on a small ship, circa 550 passengers so, we get to get nice a close to the scenery.

[kenny]

On 02/06/2026 at 22:59, FoyleFox said:

South America and Antarctica booked for 2028. I'm planning well ahead. 

I think we are going to go to Canada June 2026.

 

Not started planning or booking anything yet. I don't like getting ahead of myself.

[FoxesDeb]

34 minutes ago, FoyleFox said:

Land and cruise for this one. We're doing a week on land in Peru, board the ship in Valparaiso, Chile sail to the Chilean Fjords, Argentina, Antarctica, Falklands, Uruguay and disembark in Buenos Aries. Fly to Iguazu, then on to Rio.

We're not doing an expedition cruise so, no hiking up glaciers or kayaking around icebergs. Although, we are on a small ship, circa 550 passengers so, we get to get nice a close to the scenery.

That sounds great, please report back. Even though it is ages away 

[HighPeakFox]

7 hours ago, kenny said:

I think we are going to go to Canada June 2026.

 

Not started planning or booking anything yet. I don't like getting ahead of myself.

That sounds remarkably soon... 

[grobyfox1990]

14 hours ago, FoxesDeb said:

Are you going there on a cruise? You're very much a forward planner like me 

 

Our main holidays for 2027 are booked and I'm now planning 2028, so far looking at a Vietnam tour followed by the beach in Phu Quoc in March/April and then Perth in Australia in November.

 

After that our only continent to visit would be Antarctica so I'm interested in your plan

Christ, how!? Do you work/need to book leave? I booked Thailand 1.5 months in advance and then was kicking myself for being convinced into booking it early after getting caught in the Iran war on the way back. Do you mean Perth in Nov 2028??

[kenny]

1 hour ago, HighPeakFox said:

That sounds remarkably soon... 

My wife said that, I don't want to rush into a decision.

[FoyleFox]

8 hours ago, kenny said:

I think we are going to go to Canada June 2026.

 

Not started planning or booking anything yet. I don't like getting ahead of myself.

You know it's June 2026 now, right? You'd best start packing!

 

One thing to bear in mind with any cruises to Antarctica @FoxesDebit's such a short season, you do need to book early. Especially, if you like to choose a specifc good cabin. The tour package we've booked only had space for 12 more people and the ship had 2 cabins left, at the grade we've booked. 

 

Although, if you're happy to arrange your own flights and just do an Antarctica sailing it's not as bad as HAL, Princess and Celebrity all have itineraries. But, not all go to the Antarctica fully. We're going with Azamara and have 3 Antarctica days. 

 

I wanted to do a more comprehensive tour to include Machu Picchu, Rio etc, and didn't fancy arranging all that myself for South America so, booked the land/cruise package with the same people that we used for China and India last year. 

 

If you are thinking a of the full expedition cruise, I'd recommend sitting down before looking at the prices 

Edited 6 hours ago by FoyleFox

[FoyleFox]

10 minutes ago, grobyfox1990 said:

Christ, how!? Do you work/need to book leave? I booked Thailand 1.5 months in advance and then was kicking myself for being convinced into booking it early after getting caught in the Iran war on the way back. Do you mean Perth in Nov 2028??

1.5 months ahead isn't in advance that's last minute for me 

 

We've booked Japan and Korea for June '27 and South America for January '28 already!

I work for myself and the OH is retired so, leave isn't an issue for us. If you've an employer with strict leave rules, I can see how it would be more challenging. 

[Officer Doofy]

15 hours ago, FoxesDeb said:

Are you going there on a cruise? You're very much a forward planner like me 

 

Our main holidays for 2027 are booked and I'm now planning 2028, so far looking at a Vietnam tour followed by the beach in Phu Quoc in March/April and then Perth in Australia in November.

 

After that our only continent to visit would be Antarctica so I'm interested in your plan

 

 

Phu Quoc is a bit of a strange place. Typical Vietnamese over development with huge resorts at either end of the island. Some really nice smaller places in between. Depends what you are after. 

 

We stayed at Ocean Bay Resort & Spa Phu Quoc which was exceptional in our opinion although we aren't travel snobs and this was a real treat. 

 

Ate at Restaurant Eat Pray Love Phu Quoc which was ran by a couple with a daughter and the food was excellent and cheap. 

 

And Rory's beach bar is an institution and great for watching sport if anything is on. Great food as well. 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Officer Doofy

[grobyfox1990]

2 hours ago, FoyleFox said:

1.5 months ahead isn't in advance that's last minute for me 

 

We've booked Japan and Korea for June '27 and South America for January '28 already!

I work for myself and the OH is retired so, leave isn't an issue for us. If you've an employer with strict leave rules, I can see how it would be more challenging. 

That's mad but fair play. Not strict leave requirements but nature of the job is peaks and troughs so mad surge times and down cycles when we're looking for work. I've ben caught out too many times having to work on a holiday so prefer to be last min now.

And this damn war as well as Iran and Israel bombing each other last summer when I was in Jordan has scarred me, so I'm not booking anything outside of Europe longer than a month in advance. 

Your trips sound epic btw.

[FoxesDeb]

4 hours ago, grobyfox1990 said:

Christ, how!? Do you work/need to book leave? I booked Thailand 1.5 months in advance and then was kicking myself for being convinced into booking it early after getting caught in the Iran war on the way back. Do you mean Perth in Nov 2028??

Yes I work full time so have to book my leave, and I need to get in fairly quick to be sure of getting the dates I want.

 

In January we're off on a cruise from Singapore to Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, and that was booked in April 2025. The thing with cruises is they are usually cheapest when they're released, and if you want to choose your cabin you need to be pretty quick too. We booked another cruise in the Caribbean for November 2027 just a couple of weeks ago. Weekend breaks we book pretty last minute, depends when and where we see cheap flights, but the 'big' holidays are planned well in advance.

 

Until 2024 I'd never been outside Europe so now I have a pretty hefty list of places I want to go and I think this is why I've fallen in love with cruising, it's a great way to see a little bit of a lot of the world in a short time frame. A lot of places I know I want to see slowly when we've retired so for now it's about going where we can within the constraints of annual leave.

 

And yes to Perth in November 2028, I know we want to go to Vietnam early 2028, so realistically for me it's the next big holiday window