PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
Does anyone have a holiday/epic voyage/gap year/something else planned?
I always like to hear good ideas about this.
I always like to hear good ideas about this.
Travel/holiday thread
- Thread starter PurplePenguin
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First Aspect
Guru
Does it have to be epic? If so I'll bow out of the thread until retirement.
If not, I'm going skiing next week (which at least for me is epic, for reasons of previous injury).
If anyone has any epic scuba diving ideas or experiences I could be inspired. I had a fanciful idea of trying to visit Saudi Arabia as a means of experiencing the Red Sea again but with a lower risk being of being shot, drowned or attacked by a shark than going to Egypt again.
If not, I'm going skiing next week (which at least for me is epic, for reasons of previous injury).
If anyone has any epic scuba diving ideas or experiences I could be inspired. I had a fanciful idea of trying to visit Saudi Arabia as a means of experiencing the Red Sea again but with a lower risk being of being shot, drowned or attacked by a shark than going to Egypt again.
laurentian
Regular
The good lady and I have done various cycling trips in South East Asia and Europe.
As soon as I retire (probably months as opposed to years away depending on stuff), we're planning on doing the Veloroute 6 from Atlantic coast in Western France to the Black sea. Schengen rules mean that we can't do it quite as we'd like to but we're going to do it.
As soon as I retire (probably months as opposed to years away depending on stuff), we're planning on doing the Veloroute 6 from Atlantic coast in Western France to the Black sea. Schengen rules mean that we can't do it quite as we'd like to but we're going to do it.
OP
OP
PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
That fits comfortably in the "holiday" or "something else" category.
If you can already dive, then no amazing ideas beyond Galapagos, Palau etc.. If you want to learn to dive then Ko Tao in Thailand is a great place to go.
Avoiding being shot or drowned sound like sensible ideas.
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PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
Do you carry all your gear? Always looked liked hard work to me, but also no doubt provides some great chances to stop in interesting places.
The 90 day Schengen rule is a proper Brexit downside.
Pblakeney
Guru
A 3 week road trip around northern Italy. Starting at Venice then working through the Dolomites to Austria (riding Grossglocker being the specific reason), round to the Alps (Mortirolo), down past Lake Como, across to Lake Garda, and return.
That reminds me. There was a travel specific thread on BR. Anyone care to remind me of the tips for hiring cars in Italy?
That reminds me. There was a travel specific thread on BR. Anyone care to remind me of the tips for hiring cars in Italy?
First Aspect
Guru
I have a friend from New Zealand who wants to pretend he isn't old when he comes over next, so I may have more to report later in the year.
Failing that, I may take the car and a bike on the ferry to Santander to avoid my wife's friends annual visit, and do some solo rides in the Pyrenese.
Is there a good base for a few days?
Failing that, I may take the car and a bike on the ferry to Santander to avoid my wife's friends annual visit, and do some solo rides in the Pyrenese.
Is there a good base for a few days?
OP
OP
PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
My only car hire tip is to make sure you buy an excess insurance policy for peanuts from another company.
First Aspect
Guru
Also, use a credit card for the car hire and make sure you have the same one at point of collection. They now put a temporary hold of about half the value of the car on a card (which isn't ideal for debit) and some companies insist on credit not debit card details in order to allow you to rely on your own insurance.
Some less scrupulous places also seem to see people using those policies as the ideal opportunity to find damage to repair, so take lots of photos.
Pblakeney
Guru
Based on my one trip I'd suggest somewhere in the area between Argeles-Gazost and Bagneres-de-luchon.
Pick the mountains you want to visit and decide on a central location.
laurentian
Regular
Sometimes yes, sometimes no - and yes, it can be hard work! Doing an easily achievable 40 miles a day fully loaded, I reckon we could do the Veloroute in 70 days but we had hoped, should we find somewhere nice, we could stay there for a week or so before travelling on but the 90 day thing puts a spanner in the works somewhat although there's still scope for a few days here and there.
Pblakeney
Guru
That much I can remember. A quick Google came up with loads of options and the trouble with insurance is that you don't know it's worth until you make a claim. Any suggestions based on experience?
OP
OP
PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
I always assumed that it would be hard for an excess insurer to dispute based on the fact that I would have been charged an amount by a car hire firm; however, a quick chat with co-pilot suggests it is not always straightforward. I have never claimed, so no recommendations. I do always take photos and inspect the car carefully i.e. work on the basis that it will be me paying in the first instance which is something I want to avoid along with the general hassle.
On another note, travel insurance now seems to be vastly more expensive and complicated than it was before.
First Aspect
Guru
I have been caught out with a car park scrape. One of us of sorted car rental the other the insurance, for the same two drivers. Claim denied because the primary person was not the same on both. I think that is borderline illegal, but I didn't have the energy to challenge it very far.
