What are everyone's travel plans for 2016?

CryssieJade on 17/01/2016 - 17:20
Last edited 17/01/2016 - 17:22

Whether you got a great deal on a flight, going to visit interstate/overseas relatives, or just traveling to see awesome sh1t and make yourself a more rounded person…where are you going this year and why?

I'm off to Japan in Feb (going for a month), got that great sale through Jetstar where you fly back to Oz for free. I've also had a RTW trip floating around my thoughts for the better part of 5 years, that will finally begin at the end of this year (hooray!!) - going to volunteer my way around some of Europe, Africa and Scandinavia.

Both trips are to better myself before I settle down in the next couple years :)

Travel

Comments

  • tomleonhart on 17/01/2016 - 17:51
    +10

    I have a particularly exciting plan for 2016. Typing this in my house in Vietnam. :) My Plan:

    • Heading to Taipei and Kiaosung tomorrow to visit a cousin.
    • Heading to Hongkong after that for a couple of days then back to Sydney.
    • Heading to SaiGon in Feb (again) for Tet's holiday
    • Heading to Auckland in March for a couple of days to see the wife's family
    • Heading to Singapore in April for a couple of days to see an old friend
    • Planning to go to Cuba in Sep before the American take over is completed
    • Planning to go to North Korean in November but this is now subjected to my wife's decision :(

    Enjoy your Japan trip. My last trip to Tokyo last year, for some reasons I didn't like it very much. But that's just me :)

    • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2016 - 20:10
      +1

      North Korea??

      • tomleonhart on 17/01/2016 - 20:14
        +2

        Yeah :) Fascinated with that country. I want to go to see if I can see my country in the past.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2016 - 20:14

          Are you sure that place is… safe?

        • tomleonhart on 17/01/2016 - 20:15
          +3

          @KaptnKaos: Yeah it's safe. Unless you do anything stupid. and you have to go with a tour anyway so it's not like you can freely roam :(

        • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2016 - 20:22

          @tomleonhart:

          Fair enough, I'm not that brave though :(

        • tomleonhart on 17/01/2016 - 20:25

          @KaptnKaos: I'm not either but i do want to try :P It's hard to convince my wife that it is safe though lol.

        • juki on 18/01/2016 - 20:24
          +1

          @tomleonhart: what could go wrong…?

        • tomleonhart on 18/01/2016 - 21:02

          @juki: you don't follow the guideline and somehow show act in a disrespectful way ?

          Don't think anything can go wrong when you're in a tour.

        • juki on 18/01/2016 - 21:28

          @tomleonhart: i'm surprised at everyone huhing at the idea, if i had the opportunity of course i'd go (i'd just be annoyed at paying a dictator because i'm curious)

        • centrelink on 20/01/2016 - 01:40
          -2

          @KaptnKaos: I think you are easily manipulated by the media. They make you fear things easy. I believe if a Muslim would walk up to you drop a bag and run away, you'd probably get scared shitness too. Thats the power of the media for you. They can make you talk the way they want.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2016 - 05:20
          +1

          @spn:

          Thanks for your opinion.

        • Grillman on 20/01/2016 - 18:46

          @KaptnKaos:

          Probably the safest place around as long as you don' do something stupid or try handing out bibles lol.

          Hope to visit one day.

        • 2real4u on 20/01/2016 - 19:06
          +6

          @spn:
          I'd be pretty worried if someone dropped a bag and ran away, muslim or not

      • bringbring on 20/01/2016 - 23:21
        +2

        The Vice doco a few years ago was quite informative about how authentic their 'tours' really are. From what it shows, it is one depressing country!

        The contrast to the South Korean shows shown on SBS are quite hillarious. That, and the bizzare propaganda sent both ways over the fence.

    • CryssieJade on 18/01/2016 - 01:43
      +2

      Amazing plans!! But I too 'huh-ed' at your North Korea plans :p South Korea is somewhere I need to go, for fashion alone

    • greg234n2 on 18/01/2016 - 10:56
      +1

      That's a lot of travelling… I think the only group of people more excited about your travels are the airlines you're flying with.

    • zrach on 18/01/2016 - 23:06
      +1

      Going to North Korea this Feb :)

      • tomleonhart on 18/01/2016 - 23:56

        Lol…. Update me when you're back!

        • zrach on 19/01/2016 - 23:31
          +2

          if I come back!

      • T-man on 01/02/2016 - 11:08

        And please share your experience and how to go there

  • altomic on 17/01/2016 - 17:58
    +6

    Hawaii in 3 weeks for 8 days and then Japan for 10 days in July. Super excited about both. And happy with the ozbargain deals that these trips came from.

    Couple of interstate trips later in the year.

  • dissin on 17/01/2016 - 18:14
    +99

    Driving to work tomorrow, Monday 18th Jan 2016 - for a day.

    Then back to home.

    Probably repeat till end of year.

    • gimli on 17/01/2016 - 19:49
      +1

      Are you planning to quit your job by the end of the year.

      • moogi27 on 17/01/2016 - 19:53
        +24

        The OP did ask specifically for 2016 travel plans.

        • gimli on 17/01/2016 - 19:53
          +3

          lol fair enough

      • dissin on 17/01/2016 - 21:38
        +5

        Haha on a serious note, couple years ago decided to go live overseas for 1-2 yrs

        We Sold almost everything, and went to live in Seoul - travelling around SE Asia while we were there.

        Would do it again if the wife let us!

        Would try Europe next for a whole year of exploring !

    • nismo on 17/01/2016 - 20:41
      +6

      Lucky bugger, I'll be on the train, hoping to make it back home again in the evening..

  • Clear on 17/01/2016 - 18:37
    +3

    Planning on Asia trip to China, Korea and maybe Japan at the end of the year, but I had the same plan 12 months ago and ended up putting it off.

  • BigTed on 17/01/2016 - 19:53
    +2

    Taking the family to Bali in May.
    Want to do Vietnam later in the year.
    Is this just a brag post thread?

    • ChillBro on 17/01/2016 - 19:58
      +7

      It's OzBargain so I guess so?

      Maybe everyone should include the price they paid as well so they can mock those who paid more.

    • CryssieJade on 18/01/2016 - 01:36

      I didn't intend it to be a brag post thread haha…I'm having such a great time just so much as planning my trips, and I'm naturally curious about others' plans too!!

      Natural curiosity is what drives all of us to travel anyway :)

  • saine on 17/01/2016 - 20:31
    +3

    Hiking the Inca Trail. Not sure what else, yet. I've got 5 weeks.

    • CheapskateQueen on 17/01/2016 - 21:21
      +1

      awesome. i wanna do this!

      • saine on 17/01/2016 - 21:57

        Yeah, I'm psyched! I need to seriously train for it, though. I did EBC last year and the altitude almost killed me.

        • CryssieJade on 18/01/2016 - 01:46
          +1

          Tell me everything about EBC please, I'm planning on doing it!!

        • saine on 18/01/2016 - 09:19
          +7

          @CryssieJade: So much to tell! Best experience of my life. The scenery is amazing. Just amazing. Here's a few snapshots: https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/saine/sets/72157649934610150/

          Here's a few tips for starters:
          Go to your doctor and get diamox, which treats altitude sickness. Improve your odds!
          Train for it, unless you're already super fit. With the reduction of oxygen, every hill is tougher. I wish I'd trained better.
          Relax after each day's hike. The guy who exercised afterwards (and started the hike with the comment, it's not like we are climbing it) was the one who came down with it and had to be evacuated. Take things slowly, enjoy it.
          One couple had AirAsia lose their luggage, which included their boots. Hiking in new boots is painful… So just in case, wear your boots on the plane, or have them in carry on. Kathmandu (the city) is a Mecca of very cheap hiking gear. Everything else could be bought there safely. In fact, if I do Annapurna one year, I'm going to bring empty bags and buy everything there.
          Use hiking poles. It's constant inclines, and the last day has hours of walking on loose rocks. You can get cheap ones in Kathmandu city which may break. Mine cost $2 AUD and I donated them to the porters at the end.
          The trails are apparently quiet this year. Could be a good time to go.

        • Smulder on 18/01/2016 - 14:25
          +1

          @saine: Amazing photos :)

        • CryssieJade on 18/01/2016 - 14:59
          +1

          @saine:

          Amazing info and photos!! Thanks so much :D
          Will definitely need to train for it :p (I have Asthma, so I'm already a step behind in that regard!!)

        • saine on 18/01/2016 - 16:29
          +1

          [@Smulder] Thanks! It's all in the subject matter. I don't think you can take a bad photo there!

          @CryssieJade: You're very welcome. PM me anytime if you have any specific questions about EBC or Kathmandu. I have asthma too, usually very mild, but with the altitude, exercise and cold had an attack at about 5000 metres. When I spoke to the doctor, they said that taking a preventor for a month beforehand would help - you should speak to yours well in advance.

        • CryssieJade on 19/01/2016 - 08:30

          @saine:

          I will def. be hitting you up with questions once I have more!! EBC was the top of my priority list 1.5 years ago, but I've had to crawl back from injury since then. Now it's pushed further to the back until I can build up my fitness again this year :)

      • kittyzero0 on 19/01/2016 - 22:49

        Aww sounds awesome! Have fun!!!!

  • chumlee on 17/01/2016 - 20:52
    +20

    Bonnie Doon for me.

    How's the serenity.

    • altomic on 17/01/2016 - 23:22

      So much serenity.

    • FittyFitty on 18/01/2016 - 10:03

      And can I just say how disenchanted I am with the legal system…

  • DrStinge on 17/01/2016 - 20:58
    +5

    Vietnam again; went last year and it's an amazing place for the price. $2000pp for 3 weeks (all expenses) is what it cost us last time.

    • toristo on 17/01/2016 - 21:51
      +3

      Agree. I can't wait to get back. I spend just under $2k for 2 weeks and lived like a king. Hoi An is easily one of my favourite spots in the world. It's not the prettiest, but there's just something about the place. Hanoi's probably one of my favourite larger cities, but HCM was a bit eh.

      • Marcsie on 17/01/2016 - 22:55
        +1

        Really ? I found that the people in Saigon is much more friendly than the people in Hanoi :)

        • toristo on 18/01/2016 - 15:39

          I just found it a little soulless compared to Hanoi. It was almost too big and lacked some of the quiet backstreet charm of Hanoi… Plus the heat sacked your energy

    • Sage on 17/01/2016 - 22:50
      +2

      2,000 Phillippine Pesos is $60 Australian just FYI to anyone else wondering.

    • Marcsie on 17/01/2016 - 23:04

      Oh yeah,I can survive easily with $50 a day in Saigon,that including accommodation and meal :)

    • cinogirl on 18/01/2016 - 09:26
      +2

      DrStinge I'd love to hear any tips or travel musts for Vietnam. That's where I'm planning to visit this year as well. There are so many tours offered I can't decide which to take (or do my own thing).

      • ilikeradiohead on 18/01/2016 - 17:48
        +2

        Went there in 2009. Didn't see much of HCMC (we were running low on time), but was in Hanoi for a few days. Really good heaps to see. Depending on the length of your trip I'd say Hanoi, HCMC, Hue (the old imperial capital, right in the centre, still covered in bullet pot marks) and Ha Long Bay are must see. Sapa, Dalat and Hoi An are really cool if you have the time. Try all the beers, get pho in every region (it varies slightly by city), get clothes made in Hoi An.

        Maybe I should go back haha.

        • Marcsie on 18/01/2016 - 17:55
          +1

          And Cu Chi tunnel,Mekong Delta,Nha Trang :)

      • DrStinge on 18/01/2016 - 20:34
        +4

        How long are you going for? We booked all of our trip and only did day tours; it's a lot cheaper.

        Locations:
        We went to Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Hoi An, and Nha Trang.

        • Ho Chi Minh - As toristo says, a bit eh, but it really depends on where you stay. The backpacker district is definitely the most fun but there's a lot of things to do in HCM; your experience here really depends on where you stay and what you do. There's a lot of dining out here and we probably had the most diverse food (it's a huge city afterall). Try and get out into some of the outer suburbs if you do; this one does require a lot of taxi's though.

        • Hanoi - The unfriendliest but most cultural of all the places we went; Hanoi was nice but the mood is definitely different from the South. The temperature here is a lot more tropical than HCM; it rained a lot and was muggy (think Gold Coast wet season). Hanoi had a lot of great cultural things to visit (temples, museums, etc). One thing I do recommend is visiting Uncle Ho (Ho Chi Minh embalmed, I found this really interesting).

        • Hoi An - Second to Nha Trang as my favourite. Stay a bit out of town and enjoy the more chill side of things. Although famous for suits they are actually pretty average (getting the good material makes the suits end up about $500-$600). We did a cooking class here and loved it. Great food diversity here.

        • Nha Trang - A lot of people will disagree but this was my favourite place; it was so chill and actually the cheapest of all the places we went. It has a good nightlife if that's your thing and there is a lot of day tours close by (waterfalls, bike riding, etc). The theme park is one of the best places to go and the beaches are the nicest. There was quite a few local markets and everyone here was quite friendly.

        General Tips:
        - Always take the government owned cabs; the Vietnamese government has strict rules for drivers here and they actually enforce them. On one occasion we accidentally overpaid by about three times as much; we rang up the cab company and the driver with 2 managers came and brought the money back. Was amazing really. He actually got reprimanded for taking way too much.
        - The notes can all look the same; before going out at night try to not take too much cash with you; it gets confusing after a few drinks.
        - Indian food is surprisingly amazing in Vietnam; there's a few restaurants around in each city.
        - Don't drink the cheap local alcohol; ie Hanoi Vodka. We had a mate out for 3 days of our trip.

        • cinogirl on 19/01/2016 - 09:09

          Thanks for all the tips, very helpful. We're thinking of going for about 2 weeks. Deciding whether to do an organised tour or book hotels and day tours ourselves.

        • DrStinge on 19/01/2016 - 09:25
          +1

          @cinogirl:

          No worries! If you're there for only two weeks I would limit it to three places (depends how often you like moving around).

          Also we flew jetstar all over Vietnam, we had no issues (they were perfect but your mileage may vary). I always recommend booking early flights if possible, reduces risk of cancellation / delays.

  • CheapskateQueen on 17/01/2016 - 21:21
    +2

    Bali this week for a cheap holiday summer break.

    Not sure about any legit travel yet for this year. Hoping for a month or two backpacking either South America.. or Europe.. or Africa.. or just a month hiking/being adventerous somewhere awesome. ugh. decisions. money. leave.

    • CryssieJade on 18/01/2016 - 01:39
      +1

      Hiking for a month = DO IT :D

    • saine on 18/01/2016 - 09:21
      +2

      What about the Camino? It's Europe backpacking and hiking rolled into one.

  • Mr BoMBAStiG on 17/01/2016 - 21:32
    +2

    Kiteboarding in Papua New Guinea.

    • CryssieJade on 18/01/2016 - 01:41

      This one makes my heart sing :D
      If I could ever progress so that I could ride right foot forward, I'd join you lol

  • bbqwer on 17/01/2016 - 21:39
    +2

    Cant wait for 25 July - 02 Aug, taking mum, wife and 3 years old to Tokyo - With SQ Business Class all the way from Sydney.

    • pandabun on 18/01/2016 - 10:28
      +1

      There was a really friendly head stewardess on the Tokyo - Singapore leg. She was really good with our 3 yo, even let him 'help' her around.

  • Mistymoo on 17/01/2016 - 21:44
    +1

    Gold Coast next week and again in June. Cruise from Brisbane to Sydney in April (flying up to Brisbane). NZ in September. Maybe Japan/USA in December.

  • MelBourne on 17/01/2016 - 23:42
    +5

    3 months in USA starting in two weeks

    • 28kb on 18/01/2016 - 13:56
      +1

      not hindered by the exchange rate?

      • MelBourne on 20/01/2016 - 00:47
        +1

        ehhh its all booked and ready to go. Im trying not to think about it! What can you do?

        Just going to place cash in my Citibank Plus account.. and play the bargain game through out my trip! Ive taught my partner how to spot good deals and avoid scams..

        Wish me luck!

  • Ithinkimtheking on 18/01/2016 - 05:13
    +2

    Currently in Ireland on a working visa ~~~ any ideas on what to go and see I'd appreciate any ideas. Currently just doing small things around my location as no transport other than public and my two feet.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2016 - 23:40
      +4

      Go to Hungary, it's great. Follow the music festivals throughout Europe in Summer.

    • saine on 19/01/2016 - 10:08
      +1

      Take advantage of the cheap airfares in Europe while you're there. I envy the Europeans ability to pick up cheap airfares and weekend In another country.

    • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 19/01/2016 - 10:49

      Spain is IMO the best country in Europe to visit. Especially the South - Seville, Granda, Cordoba, Tarifa (ferry across to Morocco). With Ryanair's network these days (when I lived there the furthest they'd get you was Madrid), you can easily get to any region of Spain for no more than 40 or 50 Euros each way (and sometimes return!).

      Also Rome is cheap to reach with Ryanair, and probably the most attraction packed city in Europe.

      As for Ireland - Donegal is a beautiful place, and not that heavily touristed. As is Fermanagh, which is over in the North. Derry is well worth a visit, as is a half day (no more really) in Belfast, to see the Falls Rd (and Shankill if you want to see the other side) with its murals.

    • pococse on 20/01/2016 - 15:03
      +1

      I'm heading to the Scotland in a few weeks on a working visa. How did you go finding work when you arrived? Does the working visa scare employers off?

      • Ithinkimtheking on 20/01/2016 - 20:44
        +1

        In a lot of occupations I think so, I've had a few job prospects but was unable to obtain due to a bit of confusion to do with a ppsn (our tax file number). Other than that I think it's most important to go round with resumes (majority of Ireland say cv's) instead of waiting for online adverts of jobs. Which I haven't done unfortunately being cooped up. Main problem is there aren't many jobs and if there are its first in best dressed..

  • akastyl13 on 18/01/2016 - 10:24
    +5

    Wanted to visit the Bronx in NY, looked at price ticket and accommodation fees, cannot afford it in 2016.
    Booked a return trip train ticket to Western Sydney and will spend 4 days in Blacktown and Mt Druitt.

    • nikey2k27 on 18/01/2016 - 16:47
      +1

      just need some Guns it feel like Bronx in NY.

    • ilikeradiohead on 18/01/2016 - 17:51
      +2

      I stayed in the Bronx when I was in NY. It's really not like people think. I never felt unsafe there. Midnight in the Bronx felt safer than downtown Houston on a Sunday arvo (because the only people in downtown were homeless, people stick to the suburbs there).

  • MaxTravels on 18/01/2016 - 11:00
    +1

    Planning a trip to South of Spain and Morocco in September, keeping close eye on this site, and every other travel web site for discounted fares! ;)

    • CryssieJade on 18/01/2016 - 15:03

      Hehe, me too, because that's where I'm headed next Jan :p

  • lainey13 on 18/01/2016 - 11:20
    +5

    Thanks to Ozbargain picked up flights to London for $1050 return with Emirates (the great Qantas fuel surcharge stuff up of 2015). Going for 3 weeks during Easter. Gonna try and see the Pope in Rome and also visit Versailles (Paris). Dreading the cold but looking forward to showing the other half around Blighty (my old stomping ground)!

    • ols108 on 21/01/2016 - 12:47
      +1

      I got the USA tickets on the same day, although the plunge in the AUD hasn't made it that much of a bargain after all.

      We leave 9th of March for a 3 week Californian Road trip

  • zond on 18/01/2016 - 11:43
    +2

    Camping on Australia Day long weekend - north/hunter
    Camping on Easter - South - Bendalong
    Camping on Anzac day - north in diamond head
    …
    …
    …
    Camping on christmas holiday - (TBA)
    …
    …

    • aussieprepper on 19/01/2016 - 18:15

      Got any fishing planned?
      i am heading to Narooma and port macquarie to fish

  • snapper on 18/01/2016 - 11:58
    +1

    Planning to visit girlfriend's sister who will be working in East Timor this year. Seems like an interesting country.

    • Donaldhump on 18/01/2016 - 23:24

      total dump, but each to there own… fly air north from darwin

      • snapper on 19/01/2016 - 09:45

        ok - maybe I'll just visit for a few days and spend the rest of my time somewhere else!

    • Kevophone on 19/01/2016 - 18:19

      Spent a night in Dili on the way home from work in 2014. Had to use USD to pay for everything. We went to a pub by the beach which was ok, apart from that it didn't really appeal to me. I remember it being quite poverty stricken.

      I'd recommend spending some time in Darwin if your up that way, but make sure you go at the right time of year when the weather is nice. I wen't on tours to litchfield and Kakadu, spent some time walking around the city and visited the beach markets at sunset! Pubs were ok there as well! just don't go swimming in the ocean and rivers after you've had a few ;)

  • ian895 on 18/01/2016 - 12:20
    +3

    Headed to Japan mid-March for a couple of weeks.
    Going to Okinawa for a few days, and South Korea for a few days also (hoping to duck up to NK also).

    No other plans for travel. This will be my second international trip ever after going to Japan the first time last year.

  • sal78 on 18/01/2016 - 12:21
    +1

    thinking of taking family and mil to spend xmas in London with relatives. hubby and i can take short trips to xmas markets in prague n budapest. will try for a short trip to zermatt too (ultimate dream ski destination). A stopover in adia on the way there and dubai on the way back.

    This will fulfill a family and a couples holiday instead of 2 separate trips.

    Just hope that AUD improves and it's a colder winter next dec!

    it has been such a warm n late start to winter though now it's fully snowing everywhere.

    we were in nagano in mid dec and all ski resorts delayed opening by 2 weeks. it was t shirt weather in tokyo! so bizarre

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