I'm done traveling for 2012. This year I went to Disney World twice, Aulani (DVC), Kauai, Seattle, and Park City. Aulani and Kauai were weekend staycations.
I'm planning my 2013 now. In the past, we've been doing ABD every other year and have gone on several tours. Next year was to be an ABD year, but it isn't in the cards. Instead, I've booked Disney World (DVC) and South Africa/Botswana. I had looked into the China ABD and the Nepal/Bhutan Travcoa, but ultimately, I couldn't resist the urge to return to Africa. We're doing a private safari using Ker and Downey camps. http://kerdowney.com/destinations/botswana/
2013 -
7 Dwarf Mine Roller Coaster.![]()
That would be why I travel solo, and with ABD. If I waited until I found someone to go with me, I'd never go anywhere!
Sayhello
ABD does charge a single supplement, but it's relatively reasonable: usually about an additional 40% over the double occupancy per person price. While I hate that it's a requirement to travel solo, pretty much everyone charges them, and 40% is on the low end of what I've seen.I had this cross my mind today. I think I could only travel solo with an organized group. Does ABD have an upcharge for single occupancy? I've obviously never traveled with them, but I am liking the looks of the Swiss 'Alpine Family Vacation' itinerary.
We're planning a Med cruise for August. I had really wanted to do it with Disney, but my kids' summer schedules didn't mesh with the right Disney cruises (we wanted the one that went to Venice and Greece as well as Barcelona) - so we're giving Princess Cruise Lines a try. I know the trip will be awesome but I'm sad about missing a Disney experience.
Until then no big trips planned - possibly a quick trip to Gettysberg and nearby areas in April.
sayhello said:ABD does charge a single supplement, but it's relatively reasonable: usually about an additional 40% over the double occupancy per person price. While I hate that it's a requirement to travel solo, pretty much everyone charges them, and 40% is on the low end of what I've seen.
The Swiss "Alpine Family Vacation" (or 'Alpine Magic' as it has been called) has been on my radar for a while, too. It's a really cool sounding trip, and we've had a couple of excellent Trip Reports from that itinerary.
Sayhello
Last year they released the 2013 dates in May.I'm keeping in mind for 2014. How soon do they release dates? I've been thinking about it all day!!
I wish I could pull it off this year, but we had a busy year if travel in 2011 & 2012, and will again in 2014. Need a slower year for a break.
I want to go to Africa so bad!! Nobody ever I know ever wants to go with me![]()
We likely won't take an ABD for a few years because our next 2 trips in the planning stages are a river cruise in Eastern Europe (before it changes too much more!) and a cruise to Antarctica ( before it changes too much more!)
Yes! They could set it up much like they do on the Galapagos cruise...you are on the vessel with others but have your " group" when touring and such. Actually, that trip will be just my DH and I. It is getting increasingly harder to travel with the girls because hey have limited vacations ( when of course prices are the highest) and soon with one in college and one still in HS, they won't even have the same breaks!We just did a Tauck Bridges riverboat cruise on the Danube this past June/July. It was really beautiful. It is the perfect trip for kids as well as adults where most other lines are basically an older crowd. We met some great families. The crew on our riverboat was the best we have ever encountered in all our sailings. We arrived in Budapest a day early and I recommend it highly for it is a gem of a city. After we flew on to Prague a few days and again a city rich with history. I would think that ABD might want to start looking at riverboat tours for the ease of travel and wonderful historic places you visit.
Have you ever traveled with or checked out Backroads? They do fabulous trips, many of which include (or are totally) bike trips. ABD actually based some of their practices on Backroads. I took a trip with them to Nova Scotia, and loved it.We looked into Grand Circle, but they are all long, well over 2 weeks, which is difficult to this age with work and kids and pets to leave behind! AMA and Uniworld are recommended by our wonderful TA, but I'm a little worried about the formality ( even more than the age thing) I really don't enjoy a trip where they expect you to get all gussied up every night! Honestly, I dont want to pack that much stuff! But both of those seem to offer bicycles in port which is a big priority for us, DH and I are avid bikers and would love to explore Europe this way!
Sounds like a full year! Are you going to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour outside of London? It opened after I went to London, and I'm dying to see it.2013 is going to be a big ABD year for us:
- Scotland ABD (on the June 30th trip). We'll spend a week in England before going on the trip (and we have relatives there and a free place to stay!). My kids are excited about doing a Harry Potter tour in London.
- Australia ABD (on the Dec 18th trip). This has been on my bucket list forever, so really excited to go. We're going to spend a few days in New Zealand first, doing some Lord of the Rings highlights (totally geeking out!), and also hoping to spend NYE in Sydney.
Those will be the big family trips. If we can get a screaming deal to Mexico (we live in Austin, TX so airfare is ususally pretty cheap), we may spend a few days in Cancun/Riviera Maya over Memorial day.
2013 will be a fun travel year!![]()