The last time I talked about our travel plans we had just decided to skip our big Europe trip in favour of going home in 2017. Because it's freaking expensive and we need time to save and plan.
KC also really wanted a more relaxed vacation in 2016, and I felt he deserved it after I'd planned the last 5 vacations to exactly what I wanted to do.. compromise, right?
So here are my current travel plans:
Cruise!
We decided on a cruise and it's booked! I am very excited and slightly terrified. It's to the Eastern Caribbean in June. Plenty of time to work off the christmas pounds that won't go away.
Vegas!
My girlfriends and I are going to Vegas for a weekend. I'm super pumped, I haven't been since our honeymoon, and what's better than a girls weekend trip?
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| honeymoon |
Mum is coming to the US (with a friend) and we are meeting in LA. Then we are renting a convertible and driving to Vegas, I shit you not. It will be awesome. I will be in Vegas twice in a couple of months, but they will be so different and Vegas is way more versatile than most people think, so I'm not worried. I can't wait to see her, haven't seen her since 2014.
aaaaaand then:
Australia & New Zealand!
I am SO excited. I've already planned this one like a crazy person, and now I can say 'next year' which makes me so happy. It will be here before we know it. I don't know if KC and I will do anything in between the cruise and Australia, we'll see. I want to save all the money, so nothing big.
Our plans are to go to NZ first, for a week, which of course is not enough time to see the whole country, but we will do what we can. I want to do something adrenaline-y like sky diving but KC was like haha no.
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Here's where I falter a bit. Sydney is a given because that's where my mum and friends are. Melbourne is also a necessity because that's where all my family is. I don't want to be rushing around the entire time and I don't want my mum to feel like I was like 'hey mum, haven't seen you in a year, bye Felicia!' but on the other hand, I want to see more of my country because I didn't take the chance to when I lived there.
So, options.
Uluru. It would be 2 days. It's beautiful. I want to see it, but that's all I have really. It's pretty. Of course, there is more to it, but I just want to see it and that's my only reason. I just feel like I have to see it. Who knows when I will get another chance?
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| Uluru |
Adelaide / Port Lincoln. I really want to go somewhere I haven't been before (which is pretty easy considering I haven't done a lot). Adelaide has never struck my fancy, to be honest, but when I mentioned sky diving above, KC counter offered shark diving to which I pretty much peed my pants, so we'll see about that. Port Lincoln is where the sharks are, about an hour's flight from Adelaide.
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| shark diving because that sounds like fun |
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| the twelve apostles |
I think KC really wants to do the shark thing, but then we most likely couldn't do anything else, and what if we didn't see any sharks? I'd probably be happy, but KC wouldn't, and it would be a waste of money. I also really did have my heart set on Uluru, though I don't know why, and I don't know if we could do Uluru as well as sharks. An alternative is that KC could swim with nurse sharks at an aquarium, but I don't really like aquariums and it's not as exciting / terrifying as swimming with great whites, is it?
It's so hard. It's a good problem to have, of course. But I want to make the most of our time there.
Linking up with the girls.
What extra city or activity would you add to our Australia trip? Lets ignore the fact that it's well over a year away don't burst my planning bubble.
So jealous of your adventures! I still haven't planned anything yet. Your Las Vegas trips are going to be a blast and don't even get me started on how fun your Australia trip is going to be! Still on my bucket list. <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
ReplyDeleteSo many fun trips planned, VEGAS & A CRUISE, wooooohoooooo! And YAY for Mum coming to visit and DOUBLE YAY for Australia! So happy and excited for you!
ReplyDeleteSo many exciting travel plans in your future! How exciting that you get to see you mom soon as well! I am a mamma's girl all the way and always look so forward to seeing her. And Australia, there is so much I would love to visit there! I think Tasmania is high on my list, I have heard such amazing things about it.
ReplyDeleteYou're gonna have a fabulous year of trips to look forward to, especially that Australia/NZ trip next year! My husband studied abroad in Australia and I've heard about all of the amazing places he went to while he was there--Id love to go one day!
ReplyDeleteI love everything you guys decided on, and I can't wait to hear your opinion on the cruise when you get back! Yay for your mom coming to visit-- and for an awesome trip with her! So many options in Australia, the good thing is that no matter what you decide it will be amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your travel plans! Especially that big NZ/Australia trip that you'll be going on next year!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like it is going to be a fabulous year of traveling. Hope you get to see a lot while you are in NZ and Australia!
ReplyDeleteyah! so excited for you and i'll be stalking your austrailia and new zealand recap posts next year for future trip planning! we want to visit both places for sure! xo jillian - cornflake dreams
ReplyDeleteSo many amazing trips coming up that I can't wait to hear all about! And your trip to Australia and New Zealand sounds incredible! I've always wanted to check out Tasmania as well, so I'll say add that on ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreen Fashionista
Once I read about the shark diving I completely forgot about everything else you said. I"m so intrigued!! Please go shark diving and buy the video and pictures that they will probably try to sell you. And post them all on the blog for us to see. Go shark diving!!! Oh and that picture from your honeymoon is precious.
ReplyDeleteomg who cares if it's a year away - it sounds AMAZING. it'll be great to explore more of where you grew up. i mean why not? and vegas and the cruise? so many good things ahead! i really need to get planning ha
ReplyDeletexoxo cheshire kat
so excited!!! i recommend uluru (or ayer's rock as i called it when i went in 1997 lol) one day. i'm so excited about your travel!! and you should do a post on how versatile vegas is, like you said!! it's such a fun place!
ReplyDeleteThis is all so exciting! It will be here before you know itZ I think the cruise is a great way to have a more relaxed vacation this year. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI went to Australia last year and there is so much more to see and do! If I were to do it over again, I would have gone to Cairns!
ReplyDeleteoh we went to Cairns in 2014 and loved it! I don't know if I'd go back there, with such a short time frame to work with.
Deleteoohh so difficult. I am super torn as well (and it's not my trip bhahaa)! Maybe if you could figure out the best way to combo two of those? Then it could be worth it.. ? For example, the great ocean road is already near a place you are visiting family... and then something else you could swing price/time wise? Or perhaps you could take your mom or someone with you on one of them giving you more time with them while also seeing another place? I know it's not that easy... just spit balling. Good luck, seems like a great travel year or two! ahead. :) Right now we have San Fran in April, and Las Vegas in August. :) Not sure what else will pop up. Wow air just announced $99 flights from LA/San Fran to ICELAND. Holy. Hell. XO -Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
All of the tennis tournaments are in Australia right now (and the Australian open starts soon!) so I have major wanderlust to go there. Can I hide in your suitcase?
ReplyDeleteCruises are the BEST, because there's plenty of opportunity to relax, but also plenty of activities to do! So whatever you're in the mood for, you can make happen!
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting year you've got planned! I have to admit, with no big trips planned for 2016, I'm pretty jealous!
ReplyDeleteYay, this is all so exciting! I am so happy for you that you get to go back to Australia and visit your family. Also, I have never been to Vegas, but it is definitely someplace I want to go sometime in the next few years!
ReplyDeleteLove this! You have so many fun trips coming up!! I'm currently trying to figure out the best way to tackle New Zealand in two weeks. I think if you're going for a week, it's prob best to stick to one of the islands. It sounds like most people love the South Island. Luckily it seems like it'll be easy to get around the country; we're going to do a mix of renting a car and taking the Intercity bus system.
ReplyDeleteVegas twice?! Hey-oh!! Also I had to go back and reread the part where you said you haven't seen your mom since 2014. 2014! Bless you.
ReplyDeleteFreddie is super weird about going on cruises. I'm like, "Dude! They are the ultimate vacations! SO relaxing, everyone waits on you hand and foot, what is not to like?!"
I have my travel plans for the year pretty much mapped out, with a couple of variables (like our summer vacation and where we're going to celebrate our 20th anniversary of being together), and they're all U.S. travel--Boston, Phoenix, San Diego. Trying to decide between Chicago and LA. I like to plan trips.
ReplyDeleteAustralia and NZ is my dream vacation. Which is why every time you and Erin talk about Australia (and write posts like this), I make notes. Not even kidding.
I sometimes think it's harder to decide how to spend your time than it is to decide on a destination. Godspeed!
ReplyDeleteExciting stuff coming up.
Vegas is my favourite - I could go every single month and not get bored of it! That's so awesome that your mom is coming for a visit too!
ReplyDeleteI want to do a cruise soooo bad - I just need to win the lottery first! haha My cousin leaves next week for a month long trip to Australia and I am SO jealous!
You have so many great trips planned! I think cage diving with sharks would be so cool but I'm too much of a scaredy cat to actually do it. I thought about it when I was in South Africa & chickened out! Happy planning!
ReplyDeleteKelsey
www.thepeacockroost.com
Love planning trips!
ReplyDeleteI always feel like if I plan ahead my heart is happier. I just can't stand not seeing a trip in the future. We live in San Diego and go up to LA a lot! We want to hit Vegas at some point while we are still here!!
Emily
Www.followingtheblissblog.blogspot.com
So exciting that you get to see your mom this year!! I am looking forward to reading about your cruise!! My aunt and uncle live in Auckland, so my goal is to make it to NZ and Australia sometime in this life but when we go, I feel like it needs to be for at least 3 weeks or a month to rationalize the travel time to get there!!!
ReplyDeleteBTW I love that pic from your honeymoon - so cute!
I just want to be a fly on the wall on your girls trip to Vegas :)
ReplyDeleteneed a photographer to go with you & document? Take me! haha
OMG! You are going to have the BEST year! You'll cover a lot of ground in Vegas on two trips with two different groups of people. So fun! I'm going to Disneyland, Hawaii, and Toronto this year!
ReplyDeleteI would love to go back to NZ and AUS one day. Something I didn't get to see in AUS when I was there 9 years ago was Uluru. I've always said that if I am ever able to go back, that I would make sure to see it. It's just so iconic. To me, it's right up there with the kangaroo, koala, and Sydney Opera House. Regardless of what you decide, I'm sure you will have a fantastic trip and visit.
ReplyDeletePS Of all the international places I've traveled, I think of NZ the most frequently. It was such a great unexpected surprise. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did.
This sounds sooo amazing! I can't wait to hear all about your trips when the time for each draws closer. I want to do a Vegas trip with girls, I've been but none of my girlfriends have.
ReplyDeleteSo many travel plans! I'll just live vicariously through you, though I do love a good trip to Vegas. I can't believe you're considering the shark dive. EEK!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your travel plans! I'm also super jealous. I want/need to make some type of travel plan for this year.
ReplyDeleteAs for your trip to Australia, I would vote either Uluru or Adelaide/Port Lincoln. Mostly the second because diving with sharks!
You have SO much to look forward to in the travel department this year and next! I bet you guys are going to have a blast with everything, especially when you rent a convertible with your mom to drive to Vegas. That just sounds epic. I can't be much help in the Australia department because diving with sharks just sounds terrifying to me (Sorry, KC!). :)
ReplyDeleteYay!! Looks like so much fun! Where all does your cruise stop? I've never been on a cruise before, but have heard such good things. And yay for a trip home next year! So excited for you!
ReplyDeleteSo much to be excited for! I wish I had some travel in my calendar. This post made me super jealous!
ReplyDeleteI went to Vegas three times in six months last year, and you're totally right that it's so versatile with so many different things to do, that I know you'll have a blast on both trips! Taking the convertible with your mom from LA sounds like such a blast too! Just make sure to research where gas stations are (long story about my sister when she drove from LA to Vegas one time). And y'all are going to have a blast on your cruise! You're totally right, you have plenty of time between now and then to work off some of the extra Christmas pounds.
ReplyDeleteLucky you get to go to Vegas twice in one year and nothing can beat going home to see your family. Surfer's Paradise and Melbourne look amazing!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to vicariously live through your Australian travels because that seriously looks like a trip of a lifetime!
ReplyDeleteAH, FUN!!!! And yes, Vegas can be so different. When I went with my parents we were hiking for a bit, ha. I'm going for a bachelorette in July and CANNOT WAIT. I want to go to Australia so badly, even more so after reading this! And I've never done a cruise. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts! How fun you get to see your mom soon!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha "don't burst my planning bubble". SO exciting to have so many fun things planned! How do you both get so much time off work? I feel like any job I have, I only get 5 or so days off a year. Maybe I should stay at a job longer than a year? Lol.
ReplyDeleteStaci
www.missbloodymary.com
I love your blog so much! Traveling to Australia has been #1 on my bucket list since I was like 7 so I love reading everything you write about the country! I'm currently planning my dream trip there (no idea when it will happen haha) and looking up flights like every other day haha.
ReplyDeleteSuper super jealous of all your upcoming trips!
ReplyDeleteSo excited for your to go on the cruise and then AUSTRALIA! :) I obviously have no Australia suggestions, but I can't wait to see what you decide!
ReplyDeleteSo many fun trips already scheduled! I've been to a few islands in the eastern Caribbean, and loved all of them! Why are you terrified?
ReplyDeleteAustralia in general has always been on my travel bucket list, but the more touristy stuff like visiting the Sydney Opera House and exploring the Great Barrier Reef,... but then I heard about raining spiders and was like, 'Hmm, maybe not." I'd definitely say Uluru though because like you said, who knows when you'll next be able to? And they have camel tours!
hi can I come with you?!?!
ReplyDeleteI would vote no for the sharks too...More Melbourne seems easy enough right?
I am sure that whatever you guys decide to do is going to be so amazing!!! Ummm hell no to the sharks. No no no no no. NOPE. Nadine couldn't and wouldn't. Haha. Uluru looks amazing!!! But so do all the beach-y areas.
ReplyDeleteAhhh! All the traveling! I'm so excited for you and to read about your trips as they happen!
ReplyDeleteCruising is so much fun! It's a great mix of relaxing and doing fun things! You'll love it!
ReplyDeleteThis post makes me so happy for you! I love planning trips and seeing new places. I've been so many places in the US and still haven't make it to Vegas . . . I need to hit that spot soon! And NZ and Australia . . . sigh! So exciting that you get to go home AND see new things! I can't wait to go one day . . . bucket list item! I vote Uluru and sharks! YOLO right? ;-)
ReplyDeleteAhhh you're planning on going to so many places! I've been to the Carribean once on a cruise as well, and it was definitely very relaxing. I've never been to Australia or New Zealand, but I think it's perfectly reasonable to be excited for it a year in advance given all the amazing places there!
ReplyDeleteAngelina Is | Bloglovin'
You know that there is a Shark Dive experience at the Manly aquarium, right? I've done it. But, it's just getting in the aquarium tank...not necessarily adrenaline rush-y, but there are sharks and stingrays and turtle in the aquarium with you. I thought it was fun. Then, you wouldn't have to pay airfare, hotel for that experience. But KC may think it's not adrenaline junkie enough. I know adrenaline rushes. I've bungy jumped several times. But...you mentioned compromise...
ReplyDeleteI've been to Vegas oodles of times. Girls trips are actually the most fun out of all those times.
You've got so many wonderful experiences lined up! I can't wait to read about them. When you're driving from LA to Vegas you should totally stop at the really neat 50s dinner on the way there! It's totally Instagramable :)
ReplyDeleteCan I come with you to these places?!! I've always wanted to go to Vegas!!!! AND to go shark diving -- if you do that, please tell me EVERYTHING! ;)
ReplyDeleteYour travel plans sound amazing! So many good things to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteYou are like the traveling queen! I know travel makes you so happy, especially going home, so this makes me so happy FOR you :) I'm really interested in how you like the cruise...Ben is semi-interested in one, mainly for the convenience, and I'm just like meh, but we've discussed it. We won't be able to make any travel plans until we know where we're moving and what my work is going to let me do, so for now I'll just settle for road trips and living vicariously through your fabulous trips :)
ReplyDeleteUm I vote Surfers but that's just because I would meet you there! Travis is dyingggg to do the shark cage diving and talks about it constantly but I refuse. Tasmania has probably been my favorite place so far but it did remind me a lot of New Zealand which you are already doing. Such a toughie! Hamilton Island? We still haven't been and I've heard great things.
ReplyDeleteAHHH! So many exciting trips!! I am absolutely no help in choosing where to go in Australia because they all sound amazing! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteSo many running plans, so many travel plans, so many reading plans! How do you do it all?
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to live vicariously through you on your cruise!! We were looking at going in March after having to sit the NYE one out, but apparently they don't let you cruise past 24 weeks pregnant so that one is also out (again) haha. And your Australia trip seriously sounds amazing!! It's going to be a good year!
ReplyDeleteUm... Can I come with you guys?? It all sounds so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThat's so exiting, sounds like 2016 will be filled with lots of fun trips! All of your posts about Las Vegas make me really want to go there. I will for sure have to plan a trip! And of course Australia and New Zealand sound amazing too, that will be so exciting :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the RC cruise we went on a few years ago so hope you enjoy yours! Australia is such a beautiful place. It's like me and Taiwan. I was born there and spent 2 years there after college but there's still so much I want to see.
ReplyDeleteYou have some great trips lined up! Super jealous! I love that your mom is coming and you're renting a convertible! That sounds like an amazing time!
ReplyDeleteGreen with envy over all your amazing plans coming up. Vegas for the second and third time this year! I've yet to go for even my first time. I'd love to though, so of course I'll be coming to you when I'm ready to plan that trip ;) So excited for you to get to see your mom again and the rest of your family. How wonderful! You have some delightful plans in the works, lady. Also, I'm kind of super surprised that KC isn't with you on some adrenaline-inducing plans!
ReplyDeleteWooo!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm biased, but of course I'm going to recommend going to the Sunshine Coast. At least to Australia Zoo. If you go to Surfer's Paradise, it's just a couple of hours north. I also recommend doing Outback Spectacular, it's right next to Movie World on the Gold Coast.
I'd love to see Uluru, but it's such a long way to go, and it's really the only thing out there. But it would also be cool to see the "Outback"
I was just looking at flights earlier this week, we can do NZ and Aus for around $1400 (flight) each in November which is fantastic. I just need to figure out what to do in New Zealand to get Zack on board. He wants to do Hawaii.
Ah, Australia is so high up on my travel list - that will be a blast! LA will also be fabulous, we just love it there and try to get out there at once a year or more!
ReplyDeleteOh girl! Good for you guys! I'm so glad you're getting to do all of these super fun things together. Such an amazing and fun time in your life! :)
ReplyDeleteYAYYYYYYYYYYY! You're going to Australia! I know you are so excited to go home - and you're right. It will be here before you know it.
ReplyDeleteThe other trips you have planned sound fun, too. I've never been to Vegas. I'm not much of a gambler... so I don't know how much I'd like it, but everyone I know who has gone loves it.
That drive sounds like such a fun way to make memories with your mom.
I know what you mean about not planning big vacations due to the need to go 'home' at least once in a while (since we live in Asia and 'home' is the USA, our tentative plan is probably fall 2017 or 2018 for that one). Also, me planning 5 vacation my way and 1 vacation my husband's way is precisely my kind of compromise! :P
ReplyDeleteGaaah! So much awesomeness! I am super jealous!!! I want to go with you! Pack me in your suitcase. And Remi. ;) So many options for Australia! I definitely would skip the sharks. I'm a chicken shit! yayayayay for seeing your Mum! THAT is so exciting!
ReplyDeleteOoooooh, seeing your mum is going to be so exciting!!
ReplyDeleteWe are hopefully going to New Zealand in March. Just waiting for my colleagues to let me know whether it's okay for me to be off on the dates I want (they get first choice of all holidays because they have children. Discrimination!!).
that is totally discrimination Beverley! hope you are able to go, I am so excited about NZ!
DeleteAw yay for Australia! Everything looks exciting - yay Vegas and the cruise and New Zealand! But I'm happy for you that you're going back! And I totally feel that dilemma - I'm going back to Canada in March and I'm only staying about 6 days because I thought I'd make it an adventure and go somewhere I haven't been before so that my holidays are spent doing two things I love, travelling and seeing people I love!
ReplyDeleteYay for travel plans! Australia/NZ is going to be AMAZING I can't wait to read all about it! I'd def steer clear of sharks and all the other crazy poisonous creatures out there! Hasn't KC seen Jaws?!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on a cruise since I was 7. It was a Disney cruise. I really want to go on a grown-up one one of these days. An Alaskan cruise has been number 1 on my list. I bet you'll have an amazing time in the Caribbean, and you can't lose with Vegas, so it looks like you're gonna have the best year ever. I can't believe how much there is to see/do in Oz and NZ! I'm looking forward to reading about your trip home :)
ReplyDeleteMan, these travel plans sound amazing! I'm both insanely excited for you and insanely jealous. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think the shark dive sounds awesome, but I'm not sure if I'd do it myself. I'd actually be less freaked out by the sharks and more freaked out about being underwater for a long time. I'm terrified of drowning, and I don't often go swimming ... So I'm not sure I'd be able to handle that part of it.
My family just went to Australia this past summer - we spent five days in the Red Centre and loved it! We did some GREAT hikes (kings canyon rim hike, Valley of the Winds hike at Kata Tjuta) and rented bikes to ride around the base of Uluru. We also did a camel ride out to the Sounds of Silence dinner which was amazing! I wouldn't recommend staying at the Kings Canyon resort, but the resort at Uluru is lovely! We also drove out to the Henry Meteorite Crater and stayed one night in Alice Springs. I hope you get to go, if not this trip then some other time!
ReplyDeleteDeanna, thank you so much for your comment! you've basically convinced me that i need to do it. i would love to do the sounds of silence dinner!
DeleteMy favorite topic. AHHHHH I'm excited for your Australia trip! :)
ReplyDeleteDo you know World of Wanderlust? http://www.worldofwanderlust.com
I feel like she has good Australia trips as she's an Aussie like you?? :)
YAY TRAVEL PLANNING! I'm totally jealous of your Caribbean cruise, and your Vegas-Two-Ways. I've never been to either so I can't wait to travel vicariously through you!
ReplyDeleteAs for Australia, can I weigh in strongly for Tassie? If you're going in winter then it may be a little on the cool side, but it was winter when we went and me the very cold person who gets grumpy when chilly had the absolute best time. It's such a magical place. If you want tips I got a couple, just let me know.
I've heard such mixed reports from people who have visited Uluru, yet I'm still drawn to it. I don't know, even if it turned out to be a not so great trip for one reason or another I think I'd still be glad to have seen it.