The single most expensive item of your long haul trip to the tropics will no doubt be your air fare. Getting a great deal here could easily be worth an extra week or two in your chosen destinations.
But it’s not just about the cost – How about reliability and service?… and most importantly of all – safety? Here then is a summary of our highs and lows with a variety of airlines, airports & transfers.
In-transit thru Rome Airports?
The Best Western Hotel Riviera Fiumicino is a good choice for a one-night stop-gap, with a shuttle service from Rome's Fiumicino airport.
Amsterdam Layover
Beyond smoking dope, stealing bikes & visiting the Red Light area, there's much to do - especially if you pick the right Amsterdam layover hotel.
Ubud Hotels & Transfers
We chose two very different styles of accommodation for our Ubud Bali hotels: A family-run guesthouse & an upmarket Spa and Gallery resort.
Bocas to Boca Chica 🇵🇦
The journey involves multiple transfers, including a boat to Almirante, a lengthy bus trip to David, and another bus to Boca Chica.
Onboard Turkish Airlines
Our expectations of the Turkish Airlines inflight experience were high, considering they were once the No.7 airline in the world.
Doha Airport Lounges
What should you expect from a 10-hour Doha Airport Layover? At $55 per person, are the pay-for-entry lounges worth the cost?
Plaza Premium Lounge, KL
There's not much premium about the Plaza Premium Airport Lounge in Kuala Lumpur ...but is it worth the money?
London Airport Transfers
National Express coaches provide the most efficient solution for your London airport transfers, running 24/7 with plenty of availability.
Flight Compensation ✈️
We've experienced our fair share of flight delays, cancellations, overbooking and lost luggage. It's all incredibly frustrating & stressful.
Karimunjawa Fast Boat
Apart from flying, the Karimunjawa fast boat is the quickest transport from the Indonesian mainland to the island... but they don't run every day.
Budget Asian Airlines
Although not scoring high in airline ratings, our Lion Air inflight experience was a positive one. Comfortable & on time, with ample legroom
Rome's Prima Vista Lounge 🥐
Prima Vista Lounge at Fiumicino airport: A place where comfort, tranquility & excellent service converge to create a very welcome travel sanctuary.
Malaysia Airlines Inflight
Though you will generally pay more to travel with Malaysia Airlines, there are several advantages that can make it worthwhile...
Istanbul Airport-City Transfers
To avoid the expense of taxis, when planning our visit to Istanbul we decided to arrange our own Istanbul airport-city transfer...
Jakarta train from Semarang 🚂
Purchasing tickets in advance for the Jakarta train from Semarang saves time when travelling & guarantees you'll get a seat when you need it.
Qatar Economy Class
With their elitist TV commercials & top rating in the World's Best Airlines, does the Qatar Airways economy experience live up to the hype?
Ugly Truth Behind iVisa Scams 🛂
So, here we go again... reporting on yet another company - iVisa - out to scam your money, and this time - before you even leave home.
SandSpice Mask
Premium face-fitting mask with quality construction and vibrant print. Adjustable rounded non-elastic ear straps with toggle beads. Glasses-friendly nose wire for a snug fit
Madrid Airport Transfers
With so much to see & do, booking a central location is key to getting the most from a short break in Madrid, and your airport transfers couldn't be simpler
AirAsia Inflight Experience
It was raining but the crew anticipated this, providing a covered gangway & colorful red umbrellas. A nice final touch to our AirAsia inflight experience.
Manila Airport Terminal Transits
Having read negative reports about Manila Nasay International, I was apprehensive about our 6-hour transit thru the Manila airport terminals
Marhaba Lounge Dubai
If you don't automatically qualify for the Dubai Connect program, what's the best way to deal with an extended layover in Dubai?
Karimunjawa Boat Transfer
There's a variety of Karimunjawa island boat transfer options, but if you're on a tight schedule & need to catch a plane - plan carefully!
Jet Airways Inflight
Air India is surprisingly the least popular of the domestic Indian airlines. How would the budget Jet Airways inflight experience stack up?
Lufthansa Longhaul ✈️
Does Lufthansa live up to its reputation as best in Europe & 9th best in the world? Checkout our Lufthansa longhaul inflight experience.
Australian Visa Discrimination 🌏
Read this *BEFORE* you plan a trip to Australia - It could save you $$$ thousands, as well as a lot of frustration and stress.
Hotel with free shuttle-service
Close to the airport, the Ibis Budget Hotel is clean, comfortable & affordable, with a free shuttlebus service. Ideal for a Jakarta stopover.
Girona Airport to Barcelona
With its proximity to Barcelona, Girona is a great place to start a trip to more exotic locations. Luckily, Girona transfers from airport and onwards to Barcelona are straightforward enough if you plan ahead.
Cathay Pacific Inflight
... don't expect much in economy class
Semarang City by Minibus
From Jepara we took a minibus back to Semarang city to try to rescue our vacation from disaster. We had just one more roll of the dice...
Post-COVID 😷 Flying Experience
With stress & discomfort, extra costs, longer queues, fewer luxuries, and the risk of infection, do the planet a favour and fly less.
Avianca: Bogota to Panama
Bogota Airport - definitely a 'habla español' wake-up call
Turkish Airlines Scam Alert
Istanbul airport - Home of Turkish Airlines - It's their turf. Why do they allow scammers to operate right next to their hotel desk?
Terravision
Though our 1st experiences were positive, the Rome airport service has seriously deteriorated *** Do not buy Terravision bus tickets in advance ***
London ...In Just 6 Hours!
Flying in & out of London on the same day? You can still pack in some sightseeing on a short London city stopover - Just stick to a realistic time schedule.
Gdansk Poland 4-Day Break
Apart from the culture of the old town the real attraction of a Gdansk Poland 4-day break is the epic history of this Baltic port formerly known as Danzig.
Airlines, Airports & Transfers
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