What are everyone's travel plans for 2016?

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 :)

Comments

    • What a perfect plan to combine your trips!! Yes, it was unseasonably warm in Dec in Japan, conditions are hopefully okay when I get there crosses fingers

  • +2

    Japan for 2 weeks in July because my partner got on that Jetstar deal. Terrified tbh, I've never been overseas before.

    • +2

      I think you'll have a great time :)

      This is my first time to Japan, but I studied the language/culture in high school 20 years ago. Japanese people are very friendly, and the country is safe and beautiful. I can tell you this before ever having set foot in the country.

      I can also tell you that I'm already in love with the country even though I'm not there yet!!

    • Nothing to be scared of! What are you main worries?

  • +1

    Same pain in the ass schedule as last year.

    Japan, Korea, China, London, Manchester, Johannesberg, Moscow, LA, New York, Prague, back to New York, Dubai, Indonesia, Berlin, Brussels and then a quiet beach in Fiji for a vacation. Work is stressful. Why did I choose this career?

    I use ozbargain for the wicked ebay deals :p.

    • Life is hard :D

    • +1

      Swap? If only my work had more travel! Went to Orlando last year for a conference but that was it.

  • +7

    Japan would have to be one of the best places to pick for a first time traveler and I'm sure you will love it. The people are very friendly and trustworthy, and it's such a safe place! After spending a few weeks there last year, and returning to Australia, I could Not get over how much safer I felt there than in my own hometown(and I'm a small place in regional auld where nothing happens 😀).

    Enjoy it and don't be afraid, it's a wonderful experience.

    • +1

      Spent 4 weeks there, definitely the safest place with the friendliest people.

  • +1

    Big year for me. This year in May-June I plan to go to Japan for 3 weeks this will involve Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fuji and Hiroshima. I got the Jetstar deal posted on here and convinced 3 other friends to come along.

    In December holidays I might be going to New Orleans, Texas, Tijuana and a few southern states. Never been to the states before but sure looking forward to it.

    • +1

      goto alabama and mississippi good people

      • I will see if I can. Itinerary isn't up to me but I think I have some input!

    • +1

      I love Texas! Great state. Try and drive as much as you can theres so much to see!

      • +1

        no road rage either… everyone thinks you have a gun

      • yep will be hiring a car. I'd probably end up on the wrong side of the road though.

        • if u have a partner/mate with u they can navigate.. doing left hand turns will screw u up…

        • +1

          It's actually not that difficult being on the 'other' side of the road. The thing that we struggled with was pulling into a shopping centre driveway - thats the only time we would drive on the wrong side

        • +1

          @KB2:
          We drive in France and after the first 15 mins or so, found it pretty comfortable. Glad we had an auto though, don't know how I'd go changing gears with my right hand.

          We found roundabouts the hardest, just couldn't get my head about doing around them the wrong way. Try practicing in the car park until u get the hang of it, make sure you get a gps especially in countries where English is not the first language) and try not to get too stressed with your passenger/back-seat-driver :)

        • +2

          @KB2: Totally the same, always shopping centre driveways.
          I keep asking "Honey am I on the right side"

          Then I came back to Brisbane and first driveway I pull into.. wrong side Doh!

  • +18

    Haha, glad you asked.

    I won an Air Asia photography comp which was roughly a 10K prize, spending money, new camera gear and a two 60 day ASEAN passes with return flights to/from KL which will see me traveling mostly Malaysia, Vietnam, Lao, Myanmar for about 65 days.

    Also won this Hello World photo comp: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/211585 - which I will use to pay for all other expenses while traveling South East Asia for two months.

    Then won another photo comp which is a trip to Fraser Island which i will take before South East Asia.

    So far about 75 days of travel at $0 expense. pretty good deal so far ;)

    • +2

      Dayum!! I really need to start entering photo comps (that's my profession, and I've literally entered one comp in my life)!!

    • +1

      What's your secret haha

      • +2

        I would say photographing like a BOSS :p

        • +2

          haha, well only one out of the four that I've won I have used photoshop, and I must say as a digital designer I am quite the BOSS at using it.

          www.instagram.com/skaremedia :)

        • haha, whoops, only just realised that said photographing, not photoshopping! :P

      • +1

        Well I travelled for 18 months straight working on my photography and doing a project 365. So having a camera in my hand for a year straight I ended up with a pretty extensive travel photography portfolio.

        Also the place i've been working at for the past year is a 1+hour commute by tram every day, so gives me plenty of time to find comps, choose photos to fit the theme and enter them :)

        There are a couple of others I should have won but wasn't chosen simply because my trade is a digital designer, but it didn't bother me too much.

        I also came 2nd place recently in a comp and won a $300 restaurant voucher

      • +2

        Also if you are seriously interested…

        I follow a lot of tour companies, airlines, travel insurance companies, high profile travellers, tech companies etc. on Instagram and every few days I load up the past several days of posts on a my desktop, then do a "find" and search all instagram posts for the word "win" or "competition"

        Also search instagram and twitter occasionally for things like #win #photocomp #photocontest #sweepstake (although this is usually US only comps, but sometimes worldwide) etc.

        I also follow a few "compers" and check their profiles every now and then for anything i think might be worth entering, but mostly they re-post, tag 3 friends shit which i don't do. but sometimes they will enter something that im interested in so i can follow the hash tags back to the comp source.

        When i do find a comp I read the terms and conditions, see if multiuple entries are allowed, look for the judges and see what sort of work they like/produce and enter photos accordingly.

        Also this website is great, although I have not won anything from it, but has a lot of good comps: http://www.photocontestinsider.com/

        • +1

          Phenomenal, thanks for the heads up!! Very much looking forward to the places I will go and photos I will produce in the next 18 months :)

        • @CryssieJade: It really helped me doing a project 365 so I would recommend doing one too if you are on the road. Mine was a post each day, with a single photo and a location pinned on a map. Really helped my photography skills, writing skills, discipline and just remembering everything a lot more clearly. Its like a public journal really.

          www.365.skaremedia.com

        • @SkMed:

          I struggle with self discipline, but I did manage to complete the 100 happy days project, so maybe I can try committing to Project 365 :p

    • +2

      You know you can mark those competitions on OzB to say that you won?

      • +1

        Yeah I saw that, but it wont let me mark that one above as its been closed for more than 60 days.

  • +3

    Tokyo, mid March for 10 days. Thanks to OZB for the cheap tickets from Jetstar. Will do AirBnb for the accommodation. Excited to do the rides at FujiQ. I am sure I will enjoy it, but this trip is more for my wife as she has been requesting Japan for our next trip from last year. Sanrio, DisneySea, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara rinse and repeat.

  • +2

    No Longer fit and just had a baby couple of days back, Guess my only trips for 2016 will be only yo hospitals :P
    May be time to hit Gym and get into shape so i can get away Early next year:)

    • That sounds like a brilliant plan…. Congratulations!!

  • +2

    Traveling overseas not looking so great with the current exchange rates :(. Heading to Gold Coast soon.

    • Just got to get craftier with savings :p
      Gold Coast will be fabulous!!

  • +3

    Based on the comments posted here I read so far,most of you guys have no committment (family,loans etc) or still young, so you guys can cheap deals (not during school holidays for example) and able to spend holiday for a long period. Am I right?

    Sadly, i always pay premium for holiday (tickets during school holiday,extra hotel rooms etc) and also do not able to spend a long period for a holiday in a year.. 2-3 weeks maximum.

    Having say that I am happy to have a comittment though….

    Just saying…

    • Yes, for me this is the case :)

      I am very much looking forward to settling down with commitments one day, but I'm young, single and free, and wish to remain so for a few years yet.

      My job allows me to travel wherever I'm contracted though (photographer)

    • +1

      commitment is better than holidays in the long run…

      • Costs much more for commitments than holidays :)

        • +1

          yeh not everything is about costs though… otherwise no one would have kids

    • in the same boat..

    • If you want to be naughty you can vacation outside school holidays (and sacrifice your children's learning schedule and subsequent careers :)). You often see families do this 2 weeks before the end of 4th term to save bucketloads of cash. But yeah, otherwise you're screwed but at least you get the joy of children's laughter (well until puberty…).

  • +3

    I'm going on my first ever cruise in March, pretty excited about that! Carnival Spirit to the Pacific islands!

    • +2

      I love cruise food relax lay back well they take you places only need to pack and unpack once. what pacific islands cheap booze in vanuatu

      • +2

        We're going to;
        Noumea, New Caledonia
        Mystery Island, Vanuatu
        Suva, Fiji
        Port Denarau, Fiji
        Isle Of Pines, New Caledonia

        Sounds like you've been before. Any tips?

        • +3

          New Caledonia in french side goes bus trip to the top of an island it $10. It French food is nice.

          Vanuatu total madness went you get off the boat. look for Bus if you need TAXI try to get it cheap. 8 of us we got around $20Aus each. A whole day in Taxi pays guy at The end. waterfall are worth it. They around $25 to get in. Cheap duty-free alcohol mr wong local will know it. Overproof Bundaberg rum $25 a bottle retail for around $80 at Dan.

          MYSTERY ISLAND Don't eat The food. if walk around another side of the island there lovely reef bit of way out.

          Ship tour is a total rip off make you own. you do deal on the main land.

          Take Softdrink on board ship with you some junk food if you have kids. you buy some at New Caledonia there is casino supermarket like Woolworth.

          Want to how to get alcohol on board I will PM.

        • Tassietigermaniac, I've been on Carnival Spirit and loved it. Make sure you go on the Green Thunder waterslide and don't miss Fat Jimmy's C-Side BBQ for delicious BBQ food. When you just want to relax, grab a book from the library and lay out on a sunlounge in the Serenity adults only retreat.
          In Noumea, buy your shore tours from the Information Centre, much cheaper than the ship. But make sure you get off the ship early so you can book for the time you want to, the tours are very popular. The Tchou Tchou tourist train is good, as is the Hop on Hop Off bus. You can even rent little scooters and drive yourself around.
          Mystery Island is a nice little island which is so small you can walk all around it in under an hour. The airfield runs the length of the island. It's uninhabited but the locals from the nearby islands come over to sell seafood and crafts at market stalls when a ship's in (they take Australian dollars). There are also trips offered by the locals such as boat rides and snorkeling expeditions.
          In Isle of Pines, there's a stall just before the few markets stalls (after the toilets) offering free coconuts to try, it's fascinating to see the woman slashing the top off with a big knife without cutting herself! A bit further on around the bend there's a stall selling mini bus tours. $15 per person for groups of 4 or more or $20 for less than 4 people. It takes you around the island to the Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, a small beach, the St Maurice Bay Monument with carved totems, the old convict penitentiary. For the rest of the day you can wim and snorkel around the sacred rock (there are coral snakes living in and around it so you need to be aware of this when snorkeling) and you are not allowed to climb onto the rock.
          The islands and islanders are beautiful - enjoy!

        • @nikey2k27:

          I should be alright without the alcohol smuggling, but thanks for the advise and the offer! I think I will have to try the Waterfall, sounds pretty cool

        • @cinogirl:

          Mmm, those snakes will be cool to see if I'm lucky! Sounds like it might be worth getting a guide when going snorkeling. So there was plenty to do on the cruise?

  • +3

    P&O boat next month 7day for $579 looking foward to food and to relax.

  • +3

    The usual business trips to France and Denmark.

    May or may not attend my mother's wedding in Miami. Would love to meet my step-brother/ sister who is going to be born in Hong Kong. So might take the kids over for a quick visit in May.

    Going to Mauritius for 3 weeks in October. Then back to Australia. Then moving to Cape town in Jan 2017.Might make a stopover in Mauritius for christmas and new year. At some point, planning to go to Botswana to visit the Missus' best friend.

    • +1

      Braided hair and other things, when you think of 'Botswana'. All I can think of, which is unfortunate.

      You have a busy year ahead, Jar Jar Binks! A new step-bro/sis to-be (clarification required) and the opportunity to maybe wave at Princess Mary in Denmark, before or after, hopefully, avoiding terrorists in France…

      And then - various Mauritiusness.
      That should be a word.

      I reckon that Scotty will probably have rolled-out SABargain by this time next year… (Do we really have to put up with you HERE for a Whole Other Year?!)

      Hmm, I reckon that if Wiki would like the equivalent of Neil's 'Moderator/Community Manager' position on the new site, she could probably get an inside-run, with a little initiative. Also given that she'll be in that, general, part of the world…
      It'll be TWAM in Mauritius, though, for you, I presume, at least initially.

      A new adventure for you, in any case. In what will I'm sure be good circumstance - away from SA 'issues' (not just Oscar Pistorious), I have heard people refer to Cape Town as being more than a little like a cross between Melbourne and Perth, in all best ways.

      Whether staying with you or Wiki-Know-Who, the J-Twins more likely to end-up as SABargainers, instead of OzBargainers…

      Oh well..

      P.S. I believe that Pitbull tracks are sometimes played in lieu of The Wedding March at Miami nuptials.
      For the best, relative to this:

      P.P.S. ChryssieJade, don't forget to eat weird Kit Kats and to visit R & C Islands, when you're in Japan! :)

      • @*cryssiejade, without an aitch. Apologies.

  • +5

    Just like last year, I don't plan traveling further than the fridge.

    • LOL

    • Woolworth to restock it.

  • +2

    Just went to America in November for my birthday.
    Green bay Wisconsin, Chicago and San Antonio for 2 weeks.
    It was Sporting trip my wife planned for me.
    See the Packers and Chicago Bulls! plus site seeing. i love America
    But last year was my 2 trips New zealand and America.
    So this year it's my wife's choice.
    Thailand/hong Kong and end of the Year Peru and Brazil!
    Then next year back to America yay

  • Technically not going in 2016, however I WILL be spending 2016 planning my future 19 days tour in Egypt early 2017 (China to follow!). Cant wait, very excited. Just received for my ANZ card for my 75000 frequent flyer points. Expect I will have a business trip to India as well.

    • +2

      Egypt was amazing!

    • +1

      You are nuts planning a trip to Egypt. There is a significant ISIS presence on the Sinai Peninsula and there has been numerous terrorist attacks in recent years throughout Egypt. It is probably one of the most unsafe destinations in the world right now. Within the last week there have been multiple attacks on tourists and earlier this year they blew up a plane. Extremism is rife throughout the area and has been for many years. Look at the past attacks at Abu Simbel and the destruction of hotels in Sharm El Sheik. And that's not even taking into account the political instability.

      • I would also reconsider Egypt :/

      • +1

        a) I have heard nothing but "trials of Osiris" in my household of recent, so feel as though its my 'Destiny' to go to Egypt.
        b) I been doing my research, im not stupid. Infact probably watched more youtube clips internet blogs, posts and reports on travellers to Egypt than you could imagine, all who have all vouched its safety, or didnt even mention it and showed how much of an amazing time they had (bar maybe 1 or 2 who felt uncomfortable yet nothing happened).
        c) Subscribed to government travel sites for warnings. im not planning on going for 14 months, nothing booked and will change my plans should I feel the need.
        d) Nuts? What would you rather? Go to Paris? Many many people travel to Egypt, and yes it has its issues but no…people are still going, and still coming back safe. Tour groups still operating. Certainly NOT one of the most unsafe destinations, just one to keep an eye on.
        e) Its my dream! I can still dream and aint no media bull S*%t gonna take that away from me. Only facts and common sense will, and so far it hasnt given me any reason not to go.

  • +1

    Bali for a long weekend in March. Not long enough but better than nothing.

    Eastern states for a wedding in April, and will also use the opportunity to visit family and do some country roadtripping.

    Possibly Europe in July, also for a wedding. It's peak season though so will depend on what I decide re finances and if there are any good flight deals….

  • +1

    Just came back from Miami for a week, leaving in 3 weeks to LA for two weeks. Heading to Vietnam in November for a 2 week tour from the north to the south.

    • 1) Visit VN in November is the best time of the year.
      2) travelling from North to South is perfectly right direction
      3) Enjoy your VN trip :)

  • +2

    Compared to everyone else my holiday destinations for 2016 are quite daggy….Canberra, Port Macquarie, Dubbo, Port Stephens, Manly, Cabarita, Forster, Blue Mountains and the biggie….Hobart!

    • +2

      Traveling my own country is still my favorite destination…I love Australia so much, I'm patriotic AF!!

      You will have a wonderful year!!
      (Also, go to the Jenolan caves if you haven't already - near Blue Mountains)

      • +1

        I haven't been to The Jenolan Caves since I was a kid. A really nice memory /must go again.

        Don't forget…
        Stalactites hold-on tight..

      • edit

  • +2

    Tassy with family this long weekend for 4 Days ( took the Monday off)
    Hong Kong for a week and right after Bali for a wedding in March, girls trip =)
    Doing a mornington peninsula weekend trip for a hens in April
    Vietnam for 3 weeks with my partner

  • +1

    pripyat before the concrete steel coffin collapses at the chenobyl power plant and all that radiation goes full atmo.

  • +2

    been to 91 countries, plan for 2016 is to not travel… and save some leave so one day can crack the 100

    a country is visited even if transiting, 3 are just transits, a couple just a day … then varying from 3 days to a month or more

    • +1

      Did you work on a cruise ship?

      • +3

        no just an old person

        • I tip my hat to you sir tip

        • +1

          @CryssieJade: thanks, im 38, thats probly old on here….i feel old… i think when you hit 30 u feel like a creep going into a shared dorm in a youth hostel

        • @unclesnake:

          Haha, I'm almost 32, and still stay in hostels. It's starting to become a bit old, but it's how I can afford to travel, so I keep doing it.

          I'm an old soul though, so it feels like I've been trapped in a young body for a long time :p

        • +1

          @CryssieJade: nothing wrong with getting old…. hostels ok but not shared dorm…they just stink of BO and stuff now…and people farting and snoring, and even rooting… oh well im sure i did 2 of those 3 myself

        • @unclesnake:

          I do stay in shared dorms haha…I got over the 'instant friends with your roommates' thing years ago, very selective about who I socialise with, if at all (I travel solo)

          I'm now the crabby woman in the corner telling people to shut up when they barge in at 2am drink and loud. Come to think of it, I did that when I was in my early 20's too lol

        • +1

          @CryssieJade: yeh, u get sick of it….i just make up ridiculous occupations and locations..i was a cattle herder once, and bred bulls…told a dutch girl i measured there balls and sperm count to determine price…i guess being female every bloke hit on you too..

        • @unclesnake:

          Actually, most guys were just friendly towards me, probably because I used to snore!! Not the sexiest thing to do lol

  • +4

    Three separate trips from BNE to:

    ADL for $20
    DPS for $130
    SYD for $35

    All thanks to OzBargain.

    I have not really enjoyed travel that much when I have been in the past. I prefer to stay home. Plus I can let the world come to me and I help out backpackers thanks to couchsurfing.

  • +1

    Ozbargain has turned me from someone who never travels into someone who takes 4 holidays a year. This year so far I'm off to New Zealand, Adelaide, and 3 trips to Melbourne.

  • +3

    Taiwan for 3 months, I hope. My absolute favourite country to spend my day to day life in. :)

    • +1

      I want to visit that country too.

  • +2

    "just traveling to see awesome sh1t and make yourself a more rounded person". I was under the impression that people nowdays fly overseas just to take selfies of themselves in front of famous monuments. Wallowing in narcissism isn't going to make people more broad minded, just more conceited than they already are. In general psychology tests given to young people, the major change over the past 50 years have been a massive increase in selfishness and narcissism.

    • +2

      That might be the case, but that's not why I travel :)

    • yes this thread is just a pissing comp…. i love it when people with selfie sticks (aka as (profanity) sticks), take endless photos of themselves….

  • +3

    I'm going to Nepal in March for a few weeks :D.

    I am originally from Nepal but have not been there in over 10 years.

    Excited to see all my family back home as well as all the beautiful landscapes and sceneries.

    I'm also planning on travelling across South America, but I'm not sure if I'll have enough money/time saved up to do that this year. Might have to shift it to 2017 instead!

  • +1

    Gonna use some of my diligently accumulated Qantas FF points to fly business class to South America, then first class home. :)

  • +1

    Just did 6 weeks in the US last OCT/NOV. Non stop for those six weeks. This year only doing one relaxing holiday to Fiji (probably in OCT) to save my leave then i'll do the big Europe trip next year

  • +4

    Travelling to the hospital in Feb/March for my first born. Awwwwww.

    Going to restrict our travel ability for the next 12 months.

    • restrict your wifes… you can leave anytime:)

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