RTW#7
Ready to go Round the World with Delta!
After months of planning, the day is finally here! This afternoon, I’ll depart for my 7th Annual Round-the-World trip! As I’ve said before, 30 days is more a guideline than a rule and this year’s trip will top the calendar scale at 45 days (thanks, primarily, to award seat availability in and out of the U.S. – but who am I to complain?). It will also be my most ambitious itinerary yet with 19 stops in 16 countries (increasing my current country count from 105 to 115). Like previous trips, most of the stops are new to me but there are a few favorites that I never miss when “in the neighborhood” (like Paris, Bangkok & Auckland). Two of this year’s stops are hard to reach destinations that have been on my wish list for years (Easter Island and Maldives) and thanks to creative flight routings, this is the year I will finally get there! I’m also happy to report that one of my very good friends, Susan, will be joining me for two weeks in the middle of the trip (meeting me in Paris and flying home from Hong Kong).
Without further adieu…here’s the complete itinerary (updated with links to the most recent posts as I go):
Round the World #7 – The 2012 Itinerary
Stop 1 The Mystery of Easter Island
Stop 2 In Malta, There’s a Reason for Every Season
Stop 3 Mauritius: Lions, Beaches & Peaks…oh my!
Stop 4 The Garden Island of Réunion
Stop 5 24 Hours in Abu Dhabi
Stop 6 Heaven on Sand…The Magnificent Maldives
Stop 7 Sri Lanka: As Peace Prevails, Tourism Thrives
Feb 5-7 Koh Samui, Thailand
Feb 7-9 Bangkok, Thailand
Feb 9-12 Hong Kong & Macau
Feb 13-14 Melbourne, Australia
Feb 14-15 Hobart, Tasmania
Feb 16-19 Queenstown, New Zealand
Feb 20-22 Vanuatu
Feb 22 Auckland, New Zealand
Feb 23 Seoul, South Korea
Feb 24 Back home in Atlanta, GA!
If you have travel tips or must-sees for any of the above destinations, I’d love to hear them. Tonight, I’ll be starting my trip with a flight to Lima and an overnight layover at the airport before flying on to Easter Island tomorrow. I hope you’ll all follow along as I attempt to see even more of the world – one month at a time!
I’m glad you are going to Queenstown! It is seriously my favorite place in the entire world.
It’s touristy, but check out Minus 5 Ice Bar, where everything is made completely of ice. Also, Winnies Gourmet Pizza bar is a great place to have dinner or a glass of beer. They open their roof, so you can take in the night air or some sunshine!
I went horseback riding with Glenorchy Horse Treks and really enjoyed it. Also, if you can get over to Milford Sound, you won’t be disappointed. I’m not sure if you are into adventure sports, but for skydiving, I recommend taking a day trip to Wanaka. I also enjoyed the movie tour I took with Paradise Safaris. Tour guide was really informative and the scenery is the most beautiful I have ever seen!
I look forward to reading your posts, and safe travels to you!
Thanks so much for the tips! I remember seeing your pictures when you were there and that’s the reason I wanted to go. It looked amazing, I’m really excited!
Bon Voyage Jenny! Hard to give you advice on travel, but in Macao be sure to forge through the Vegas in Asia district and poke around the ruins of St Pauls for what’s left of the Portuguese flavors. Climb up to old fort nearby for the views — including across to mainland China.
Back in Hong Kong, if you have time, hop on the 30min ferry at Central to Lamma Island for a fascinating change and some wonderful eating spots.
I’ll hover over the web site and follow along…
Jack
I can always use travel advice, Jack, thanks! I have added all your suggestions to my to-do list!
have fun Jenny, I will try and follow you. My travel advice, be safe!
Started following your 7th trip just as you landed in Paris. Great website! The PCH is a wonderful ride, glad you made the ride while you were on the west coast. Enjoy the trip, I will look forward to the tweets and pictures.
Hey, Bob! Thanks! Yes, PCH was a really great drive.
Great Site! Glad I found it! We are saving up for a RTW with our two little kids on Star Alliance in 4 years.
Your To Do’s and general processes (including twitter updates) are great tips!
Enjoy your trip!
Thanks so much! Wow, a RTW with two little ones…that WILL take 4 years of planning
What a great idea and Star Alliance has a ton of fantastic airlines for you to fly with. Happy planning!!