ABD wishlist

[SingingMom]

How did I miss this fun thread?

1- Italy (we are going to do it with ABD, just hasn't reached the top of our list yet first a Balkan river cruise and then Antarctica, maybe SE Asia first.)
2- Germany
3- they don't offer this, but wondering why not? How about a river cruise? Tauck does them, they are usually for a " more mature" crowd, but what a great way for a family to see many places in a laid back way (some itineraries are exhausting all the packing and unpacking!) They'd have to charter the whole vessel ( they are usually only carry 100 folks anyway) and offer more activities on board than typical, but not unlike what they do now with crafts and cooking demos etc now at one of the resorts. The advantage would be you'd be floating in your resort the whole time! They'd need " generalist" local guides or have 3 on board, one from each " area" covered to be the " resident expert" but the others would still know the basics, and extra Disney guides, one for each group of 30 or so, but wouldn't that be fun...a summer time ABD river cruise down the Danube!

Which Italy ABD? I want to do Amalfi Coast or the VIP one. We are doing Germany in July. Will let you know what we think of it!

Antarctica?! Whoa! Can't say it is on my wish list but what an experience that will be for you!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[carpenta]

How did I miss this fun thread?

1- Italy (we are going to do it with ABD, just hasn't reached the top of our list yet first a Balkan river cruise and then Antarctica, maybe SE Asia first.)
2- Germany
3- they don't offer this, but wondering why not? How about a river cruise? Tauck does them, they are usually for a " more mature" crowd, but what a great way for a family to see many places in a laid back way (some itineraries are exhausting all the packing and unpacking!) They'd have to charter the whole vessel ( they are usually only carry 100 folks anyway) and offer more activities on board than typical, but not unlike what they do now with crafts and cooking demos etc now at one of the resorts. The advantage would be you'd be floating in your resort the whole time! They'd need " generalist" local guides or have 3 on board, one from each " area" covered to be the " resident expert" but the others would still know the basics, and extra Disney guides, one for each group of 30 or so, but wouldn't that be fun...a summer time ABD river cruise down the Danube!

We did the tauck Danube Bridges river cruise last year and it was great. It could be improved if ABD did something similar. Our daughter did not like the councilors too much and she said the guides on ABD are "the best". We did have very good local guides that were employed at each docking and they were tops. I would jump on the chance to take another river cruise especially in the Danube areas. Beautiful.

 

[familygoboston]

See it's not a totally crazy idea!
We booked a Danube cruise from Budapest to Bucharest, fall of 2014 just for DH and I, so we didn't consider the kids needs. But my neighbor took 4 kids (10-17) on Tauck, and I know others who like the cultural idea behind a river cruise, so unlike a sea cruise, it's not just all about the water slides and sandy beaches! I guess I think there is a market for that for ABD.

Yes, Antarctica! My DH is on a quest to all 7 continents (5 down 2 to go!) but more importantly, it just seems like an amazing expedition! After safari in Africa and our Galapagos trip ( as well as wildlife adventures in CR and Alaska) it feels like it's time for that adventure! Our plan is late 2015, early 2016 (just the two of us, so we are waiting till both girls are off at college, and we only have to leave the dog behind!) I'm a little nervous about the famous "drake passage", but I think a couple of days of crazy waves and wind will be worth it to see amazing ice and baby penguins!

So our major trips are pretty set for a while (we haven't booked Antarctica- wont open up till next year for 2015/16) We wanted to get to the Balkan Peninsula before the whole thing goes Euro; have a chance to see things before a McDonalds ends up on every corner! We will get to Asia on that trip as it ends with 4 days in Istanbul Turkey- 1/2 of which is in Asia! That just leaves Antarctica, which we moved up on our travel calendar due to the melting We simply want to see it sooner rather than later.

After that we don't know yet- some travel may revolve around whever our kids spend their "year abroads" , but if those don't work for us, I'd love to do the SE Asia trip ( ABD or otherwise) and Italy-we would do Rome, Venice and Florence with ABD. Two friends have taken that trip with ABD and loved it! Another thought is taking our nephews (who are too young now, but in 3-4 years) on the ABD to Germany. My DH has German heritage and it might be fun to take the boys ( they are so into castles and knights!) since our own girls will be busy with college and building their careers!

Ill look for your review Singing Mom!

 

[SingingMom]

Our DD starts her semester in London a month after we return from Germany. DH and I hope to visit around Thanksgiving I think. Would love to stay at Chancery Court again!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[sayhello]

3- they don't offer this, but wondering why not? How about a river cruise? Tauck does them, they are usually for a " more mature" crowd, but what a great way for a family to see many places in a laid back way (some itineraries are exhausting all the packing and unpacking!) They'd have to charter the whole vessel ( they are usually only carry 100 folks anyway) and offer more activities on board than typical, but not unlike what they do now with crafts and cooking demos etc now at one of the resorts. The advantage would be you'd be floating in your resort the whole time! They'd need " generalist" local guides or have 3 on board, one from each " area" covered to be the " resident expert" but the others would still know the basics, and extra Disney guides, one for each group of 30 or so, but wouldn't that be fun...a summer time ABD river cruise down the Danube!

I would *love* to do a river cruise! And doing it with ABD sounds fantastic. It's funny, I was *just* thinking about looking into this for next year. The commercials make it look very attractive!

Sayhello

 

[dizneekrazee]

Yes, Antarctica! My DH is on a quest to all 7 continents (5 down 2 to go!) but more importantly, it just seems like an amazing expedition! After safari in Africa and our Galapagos trip ( as well as wildlife adventures in CR and Alaska) it feels like it's time for that adventure! Our plan is late 2015, early 2016 (just the two of us, so we are waiting till both girls are off at college, and we only have to leave the dog behind!) I'm a little nervous about the famous "drake passage", but I think a couple of days of crazy waves and wind will be worth it to see amazing ice and baby penguins!

I, too, would like to visit all 7 continents. Is Antarctica and Asia the 2 he has left? I've only been to 2 myself, I've got a long way to go.

 

[carpenta]

I would *love* to do a river cruise! And doing it with ABD sounds fantastic. It's funny, I was *just* thinking about looking into this for next year. The commercials make it look very attractive!

Sayhello

It is a wonderful way to see alot of the smaller towns along the Danube. A few areas are on the U.N. historical site so they are somewhat protected. We even had free time in Vienna and got to see alot of the city like the winter palace and even ate in the oldest Vienasnitzle (sp?) resturaunt and it was great. The small towns are still well preserved and outside Budapest, Prague and Vienna NO MCDONALDS or fast food joints. It is a very "respectable" way to travel and the smaller groups lends itself to meeting people from all over. Do it!!!!

 

[dizneekrazee]

Ok, I am now HIGHLY interested in the Germany trip. Going to call ABD tomorrow to ask a few questions. I am going to throw the ABD Germany trip idea out to DBF when he gets home tonight for one of next years options.

 

[familygoboston]

I would *love* to do a river cruise! And doing it with ABD sounds fantastic. It's funny, I was *just* thinking about looking into this for next year. The commercials make it look very attractive!

Sayhello

Yes, I think Carpenta is right, it's that ability to be right in the cities and villages that makes it appealing! I suppose Tauck would be closest to an ABD, if you can bring yourself to be " DISloyal" there are many good companies, but sigh, we ABDers are spoiled aren't we!

I, too, would like to visit all 7 continents. Is Antarctica and Asia the 2 he has left? I've only been to 2 myself, I've got a long way to go.

Yes, DH and I have been to :

NA (obviously we live here!)

Europe many times for business and pleasure since (first time- me 1976, DH 1990)

Australia in 2002, ( as well as French Polynesia in 2012- which also of falls under that "Oceania" with Australia)

Africa in 2010.

South America in 1989 and again on our Ecuador ABD last August 2012

In 2014, we hope to be in Istanbul in Asia

In 2015/16 Antarctica! ( plus Argentina and Chile on that trip!)

We've been lots of places because we wanted to go there, not just as a bucket list, but then we looked at it and realized after our Ecuador trip, we'd only have 2 more, it seemed so doable! We prioritized Eastern Europe ahead of a real heart of "Asia" trip due to wanting to see it before it changes to the Euro, but realized we could technically get "Asia" because that trip includes Turkey, which straddles the continents! We still hope to really experience SE Asia and even maybe China or India, but that's still down the road! We also want to go back to see New Zealand, and of course more places in Europe, I'd love to see Namibia... Honestly, there are just not enough vacation days

Btw- India makes me wonder...how great would an India ABD be? Anyone else interested if ABD did that? Taj Mahal, tiger safari, I would certainly like that too! Any one else want to try that?

 

[sayhello]

It is a wonderful way to see alot of the smaller towns along the Danube. A few areas are on the U.N. historical site so they are somewhat protected. We even had free time in Vienna and got to see alot of the city like the winter palace and even ate in the oldest Vienasnitzle (sp?) resturaunt and it was great. The small towns are still well preserved and outside Budapest, Prague and Vienna NO MCDONALDS or fast food joints. It is a very "respectable" way to travel and the smaller groups lends itself to meeting people from all over. Do it!!!!

That does sound wonderful, carpenta! I'll definitely have to look into it. Guess it depends on what ABD comes up with for next year!

Yes, I think Carpenta is right, it's that ability to be right in the cities and villages that makes it appealing! I suppose Tauck would be closest to an ABD, if you can bring yourself to be " DISloyal" there are many good companies, but sigh, we ABDers are spoiled aren't we!

Yes, yes we are!

Btw- India makes me wonder...how great would an India ABD be? Anyone else interested if ABD did that? Taj Mahal, tiger safari, I would certainly like that too! Any one else want to try that?

I'd love to helicopter in to see the Taj Mahal, then helicopter back out. The heat & the crowds just doesn't appeal to me!

Sayhello

 

[dizneekrazee]

Btw- India makes me wonder...how great would an India ABD be? Anyone else interested if ABD did that? Taj Mahal, tiger safari, I would certainly like that too! Any one else want to try that?

THIS!!!! I started a thread, 'New Tours', the same day I started this thread, maybe a day later. India was the reason I started that one. I looked into India last year, for this year. We ended up doing Peru later last year (Oct 2012). So India is back on the drawing board for next year.

Right now, we are primarily trying to travel based on bucket lists, although, we did visit Costa Rica in January last year, just because we were interested. We are not taking any international trips this year, but we are still getting some checks off our list domestically. (Aulani is on mine, going in 15 days).

It is on my bucket list to visit all New 7 Wonders of the World, and the pyramids. We've only done 2 so far. We are new international travelers (2011), other than when DBF goes home to visit family in El Salvador.

PS. Polynesia is a DREAM of mine!!!

 

[familygoboston]

THIS!!!! I started a thread, 'New Tours', the same day I started this thread, maybe a day later. India was the reason I started that one. I looked into India last year, for this year. We ended up doing Peru later last year (Oct 2012). So India is back on the drawing board for next year.

Right now, we are primarily trying to travel based on bucket lists, although, we did visit Costa Rica in January last year, just because we were interested. We are not taking any international trips this year, but we are still getting some checks off our list domestically. (Aulani is on mine, going in 15 days).

It is on my bucket list to visit all New 7 Wonders of the World, and the pyramids. We've only done 2 so far. We are new international travelers (2011), other than when DBF goes home to visit family in El Salvador.

PS. Polynesia is a DREAM of mine!!!

Well, you are hooked now I found once I started traveling, I loved making connections about how similar the world is vs the differences! For instance how is that the creation stories of the Inuits ( in Alaska/BC) can be so similar to the creation stories of the aboriginals in Australia - we know they never mingled! Fascinating!
Enjoy your Wonders! Also, did you know there is now a list of " modern wonders" and also, Unesco heritage sites make a nice travel list too...oh it just never ends!
BTW- predictably- FP was AMAZING and I want to go back there too!

 

[dizneekrazee]

Well, you are hooked now I found once I started traveling, I loved making connections about how similar the world is vs the differences! For instance how is that the creation stories of the Inuits ( in Alaska/BC) can be so similar to the creation stories of the aboriginals in Australia - we know they never mingled! Fascinating!
Enjoy your Wonders! Also, did you know there is now a list of " modern wonders" and also, Unesco heritage sites make a nice travel list too...oh it just never ends!
BTW- predictably- FP was AMAZING and I want to go back there too!

Yes, I am hooked!! One of our favorite things to see similarities on is kids. Kids are the same, no matter where you are. They are no different. It reminds me of when I was a kid, a very distant cousin of mine came to visit from Guatemala. She spoke no English, and I no Spanish. That didn't stop us from playing, creating games, etc.

And yes, I was aware of the moderns, naturals, industrials, etc. Not so interested in those. UNESCO sites, there are SO many!! There are a few I would like to see for sure, such as Leaning Tower of Pisa, Terra Cotta Warriors, etc. A few of the warriors are on display here in SF until May, we will go visit, but I would still like to see them in China.