Travel/Holiday Destination/Info Thread

[schoona]

Hey fellas,

I suppose being on the younger end of the scale, I don't have the necessary experience when looking/researching in this type of field etc...

Basically the plan is to spend 2 weeks in Ibiza (Off the west coast of Spain) with another 2 mates and live it up as young pups. Am starting the research now, so as to budget paying for the trip. (I'd be happy with the flights and accomodation paid for before I go, and then wing it with however much else I can put away between now and then)

All 3 of us are apprentices, and quite easy going. We don't need 5 star hotels, 16 course meals and a foot massage at every corner, but a happy medium between that and slumming it in a backpackers (could be good for some cultural experience/out of the "comfort zone, but not every night!) would be good.

So if you guys have any tips to throw out, by all means it's welcome!!!


Cheers in advance,
Mal

[Wolfgang]

Have a look at the Lonley Planet website for info on what's around the area. There is also the Thorn Tree forum on there with shedloads of info.

Tripadvisor is good for accomodation reveiws.

Make your life easier and use a travel agent. They will sort out things like hotel transfers, accomodation, flights etc.

Backpackers are not always slumming it. They are a good place to meet people.


Most importantly, HAVE FUN!



(and don't get anyone pregnant)

[team_v]

I can vouch for trip advisor, virtual tourist, lonely planet and frommer's.

Agoda also has hotel accomodation available.

[maca]

CONTIKI!!!!!!!!

Had the time of my life in America. Would recommend highly.

[team_v]

CONTIKI!!!!!!!!

Had the time of my life in America. Would recommend highly.

Topdeck do group holiday sessions like contiki but aimed at an older target group.
Have only heard good things from them.

[Blitzen]

Biggest tips I can add...

- Get travel insurance... I go for ones with no excess... It's worth it for the little bit extra you pay.
- Register on the DFAT website.
- Don't trust anyone!!

[Buller_Scott]

Biggest tips I can add...

- Get travel insurance... I go for ones with no excess... It's worth it for the little bit extra you pay.
- Register on the DFAT website.
- Don't trust anyone!!

whilst schoona's going over there to have fun and thus this should be a ''positive & exciting" thread, i find myself agreeing very strongly with blitzen's post. travel insurance is crucial, and it could save your family A LOT of money if something goes awry. register on DFAT, as well as inform the local consulate once you are over there- give them your details and your base location.

and meeting new people (imo) is like, 50% of the reason for travelling in the first place- but it doesnt mean that you can let your guard down just because they've got a tasty rack.

if you're going to be using a travel agent, schoona, make sure that you have printed tickets for EVERYTHING that the agent is ''selling'' to you. much of what is bookable by travel agents, is booked by a system called GDS (global distribution system), and i've seen instances where the agent has sold the client something that wasnt available (eg fully booked) in GDS, telling the client "just tell them your name at the front desk when you get there", hoping that availability will open up, but it hasnt, and it's NEVER nice on the client.

ACCOMODATION- check out Expedia - lots of hotels / apartments / hostels, and a quick search found hotels down around the high $40 mark per night.

good luck! it's gonna be fun for sure.

[Water Boy]

Wear protection...

[Wolfgang]

Wear protection...

Yeah, it would be a bugger to get wet if it rains.

[Blitzen]

whilst schoona's going over there to have fun and thus this should be a ''positive & exciting" thread, i find myself agreeing very strongly with blitzen's post. travel insurance is crucial, and it could save your family A LOT of money if something goes awry. register on DFAT, as well as inform the local consulate once you are over there- give them your details and your base location.

and meeting new people (imo) is like, 50% of the reason for travelling in the first place- but it doesnt mean that you can let your guard down just because they've got a tasty rack.

if you're going to be using a travel agent, schoona, make sure that you have printed tickets for EVERYTHING that the agent is ''selling'' to you. much of what is bookable by travel agents, is booked by a system called GDS (global distribution system), and i've seen instances where the agent has sold the client something that wasnt available (eg fully booked) in GDS, telling the client "just tell them your name at the front desk when you get there", hoping that availability will open up, but it hasnt, and it's NEVER nice on the client.

ACCOMODATION- check out Expedia - lots of hotels / apartments / hostels, and a quick search found hotels down around the high $40 mark per night.

good luck! it's gonna be fun for sure.

Expedia is very good, as is lastminute.com.

I got screwed by a travel partner I met whilst backpacking in Canada. I lost $2400 in one hit. Like I said, don't trust anyone... Sometimes you have to learn the hard way... I have since found the guy thanks to Facebook!!

Another tip. Have at least 2 or 3 cards that you can use to get cash, and spread cash amongst them just in case you loose one. Also have a small stash of emergency cash just in case.

And tarp up...