2020
We are starting off 2020 with a week to the island of Cyprus. I have been to Cyprus before but only to a hotel/beach holiday with family in 1998.
This time I plan to see more of the island.
Next we are away to visit my sister in Rojales in Spain near Alicante.
Then a return trip to Lisbon with friends Richard and Pauline…
And in August our first ever cruise. Out of Hull to the Faeroe Islands, Shetlands and Iceland…
I am hoping to get a return visit to Skipsea in Yorkshire with my grandchildren…
Have Bag, Will Travel 
Thank you
for sharing your memories of your trips with those of us would never have seen any of these places.I really enjoy reading your blogs.I stay up late and fin them quite interesting.Enjoy your travels
Sincerly
JOHN (www.johnsworld08.blogspot.com )
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Hi Andrew (Andy) and Kim,
nice to see the photo in the blog.
We haven’t read it all fully yet but will try to keep in touch with it.
We’ve already booked from the 28th of August till the 16th of September through Easyjet for Ios next year.
Bit more expensive than last year but to be expected.
It worked out at £171 each including baggage etc.
Anyway we hope you are both well.
Don’t know your address so we’ll send an email Christmas card.
Ps Vangelis and Antonia celebrate their 40th wedding annivesary next September.
Speak soon,
All the best,
Martin/Lisa x
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Dear Andrew,
it’s Per from Sixt UK and I just wondered how you are getting on and what travel plans you might have in the pipeline.
all the best, Per
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Hi Per, thanks for the message. I am going to Croatia & Montenegro and have car hire through Economy Car Rental, I have used them before and I like them. In August I am going to France and taking my own car (Golf Blue Motion, very eco friendly) and in September I am going to Greece and will not drive at all. An interesting article in the Saturday Times today about Car Hire additional charges, did you see it? What did you think about it? Was it fair? I have to say that in my experience probably not, I have never had any difficulties with anyone. Regards, Andrew.
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Friend, I though your traveling posting give me refrence for planning of my family’s next vacation. TY.
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Hope you enjoy the islands around the sacred island of Delos,as always.Autumn is the best choice through and through,as you know.
“The White Sugar Cube Houses” (so sweet…) in the Cyclades will be waiting,ready to do their best for you and yours…
Best wishes
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Very jealous..looks amazing!
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You’re gonna fall in love with Moscow and St. Petersburg !
from Russian, with love ; )
Schastlivogo puti! ( Safe travels )
EL
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Thanks, I am really looking forward to it!
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I loved Amsterdam. Was there only two days. Horrible weather so headed back to Paris. But it is one of the few places I would return to until now.
By the way, how can I plant a visitor flag? Though I live in the US I am from Paraguay and I don’t think you have had visitors from there. 🙂
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Thanks for the comment. To plant a flag I think you have to physically visit from the country and then it updates automatically.
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Im envious! I wish I have that travel plans as well! Happy traveling!
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Hello, Andrew. I have been reading your blog, it looks like my weekend is taken care of …very interesting.
My Husband and I live in Moscow, so if you need any assistance whilst visiting, we will be quiet happy to help. I’m Russian and my husband is Australian, hence no language barriers, there 🙂
Being seasoned travellers, we are also living our dream. Recently, we returned for our 3 months Australian Outback adventure. Unfortunately, my blog is in Russian, nonetheless, I have uploaded a lot of photos showing the beautiful outback. We have plans to open an English blog in the near future). http://anaustralianodyssey.wordpress.com/
Look forward to updates!
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Thanks for reading and the comment. I really like the pictures on your blog and it’s worth reading even though I can’t! Really looking forward to visiting Russia and thanks for the help offer.
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Andrew, thank you for your reply. I just remembered that you can read the blog in Google translate. The translation is not perfect, but you will get a good enough understanding of the story. Below I forward the link for your convinience. In the not to distant future hopefully we’ll have the blog translated to English.
Cheers, Natasha
http://translate.google.ru/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=ru&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fanaustralianodyssey.wordpress.com%2F
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You have some great trips planned for this year…will look forward to reading about them!
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Sounds like my kind of year. Sigh!
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I am a bit late this year and have only just returned from the first trip of the year, a mini-cruise (actually a ferry crossing) and a night in Amsterdam. I need to start looking now for some flight bargains for the autumn. Have you any special plans for 2012?
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Hi Andrew, chanced upon this and realised its almost May i.e. you will be heading to Russia soon? I’ve recently put up a bit of text on my site regarding my trip to Russia – Moscow in particular, the Peterhof in St Petersburg – I wish I stayed there but I don’t.. Do drop by if time permits, and most importantly have a great time in Russia! 🙂
PS. got a bit confused with your other bag site but I think I’m following both now! 🙂
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You should visit Serbia 🙂 especially Novi Sad, the cultural cradle of Serbia.
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Thanks, I’ll put it on my ‘to visit’ list
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I just went to a lecture about walking in Puglia, the heel of Italy. It stirred my interest too – very different and less tourist-infested than many other parts of Italy, though I’ve really enjoyed all the time I’ve spent there. Well, maybe not the smoking compartment of an overnight train.
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I am looking forward to it. I tried to get ferry tickets to the Netherlands for December but too expensive so will have to do my Christmas shopping at home!
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Living in the UK gives you a huge advantage viz cheap travel. If I want to go to Europe I’d be delighted if I ever got a ticket that is less than $1000.
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I generally don’t reckon to spend more than £75 on a return ticket!
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I can’t even fly to New York for £75!
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Would you believe I ACCIDENTLY wound up in Spain during Easter week. Wasn’t even thinking of it until I had a devil of a time booking a hotel in Seville. It was worth staying a bit away from the center in a businessman’s hotel, because I got to see La Macarena–the creme de la creme of the processions! We also saw small town processions in other places before going to Seville.
And I SO envy Brits who can travel to the continent so cheaply.
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Hi Andrew! It’s been a pleasure reading through your blog. I was actually wondering if you wouldn’t mind making a contribution to my community blog of travel lessons from travelers to travelers. A lesson about traveling to Spain during Holy Week would be great, though I would be happy to post anything you’d like to write about!
Happy Travels!
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I lived in Barcelona for 8 months while in college. I saw quite a bit of Catalonia and southern Spain but never made it to the north. That has always been a dream to see Galicia, Santander, Basque Country, etc. Love your photos. They are making me desperate to get back there right away! Coincidentally, Puglia is also huge on my list. So now I have even more envy 🙂 What a great summer you have planned. Cheers.
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Puglia is beautiful and different than other parts of Italy. I recommend finding the grottoes and caves that have been converted into restaurants, spas, dance venues, etc. Ostuni, with its cascading white buildings is gorgeous; off-season is best. We had a fantastic dinner in the difficult to find Osteria del Tempo Perso. A memorable drive is to go from Alberobello, with their many trulli houses, to ancient Matera, with abodes carved out of the calcareous rock.
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Thanks – Our itinerary is Poligrano a Mar then Lecce, Ostuni and then a week in Alberbello with a car – what do you think? Any advice appreciated!
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I am assuming the week in the car is for the whole trip, not just Alberobello, which is small and pedestrian friendly. In Alberobello, look for the local watering hole, which was filled with local men, many weathered-looking, drinking, and playing serious dominoes. There are many interesting day trips and driving on the Autostrade was quite easy. There are surprisingly good restaurants by the gas stations along the Autostrade. If you are beach people, there are some of the lovliest beaches in Europe. I splurged staying at Masseria Torre Coccaro near Fasano where we had an enchanting stay with old, gnarled olive trees, vegetable gardens and cooking classes. Masserias are old fortified/walled farm houses established to prevent marauding foreigners from invasion. Puglia’s unique food offerings include cicoielle (chicory), fava, burrata (mozzarella with creamy center), abundant seafood, and fruity red Primotivo wine. Once there, ask around to find the best grottoes for dining or entertainment. Best with your trip. I look forward to your posts and photos.
Oh and thanks for your comment on my blog re: the nightmare train ride, You may enjoy my recent post on the problems I had while trying to buy tickets to the Paris Opera House website which had a seating choice of the “bathtub.” http://www.StarrTreks.com.
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Thanks for the advice. My plan is to visit the region, Lecce and Ostunia of course and the towns and countryside around.
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Good to find you Andrew and look forward to reading more. The adventure planning is sometimes almost as good as the travel!
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Happy Birthday a little early, Andrew!! Yes 60 is a big one. Congrats! I am hoping to visit Santorini and Corfu next year for the first time. Always enjoy your blog!
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Thanks Margie!
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Thanks for visiting my blog today. Rosemarie
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It is interesting, how much will be cost your banquet this time, 10 years later.
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Pingback: Looking Forward to 2015 | Have Bag, Will Travel
What a fabulous itinerary! I look forward to hearing of the adventures through 2015! 🙂
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Thanks Sue, I hope to fill in a few gaps as I go along. What plans do you have, will you come back to Europe?
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No trips to Europe planned Andrew. Off to Mexico in a couple weeks, southern US in March, NYC with my daughter in April. Our big trip will be to Peru and the Galapagos. I am like a little kid giddy with excitement for that one. 🙂
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Our friends went to the Galapagos a couple of years ago, it looked good. Where will you go in Mexico? I have a fancy for visiting the cities of the interior.
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We are visiting friends in Manzanillo for a week so will be on the coast. We have visited several locations in Mexico but always coastal. The interior looks intriguing.
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Good plans – enjoy! I think the only place on your 2015 list I’ve been to is Belfast. The best thing about the Tiranic Museum is the look of it reflecting in the water outside. Walk to it if it’s dry – it only takes 15 mins across the river and you’ll see the Bigfish statue. And you’ll love The Crown pub – v touristy but an essential!
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Valuable advice – thanks!
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I think the Greek Cycladic Islands might be my all time favourite summer destination in the world. Do you have a favourite island? Mine is Naxos…but of course, I haven’t visited all of them yet!! 🙂
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I like Naxos, I like them all but my favourites are Amorgos and Milos. The quieter islands are the best – those without airports!
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When you visit N. Ireland, make sure to spend some time in Belfast during the evening – a really great city for entertainment. After Antrim take the road from Belfast up to the border town of Newry and then the coastal road to Newcastle via Warrenpoint and Rostrevor and stop off in the National Park in the latter. I think you’d enjoy that.
I shall be in Pembrokeshire in Wales in July, believe it’s spectacular. My only other visits there have been to the Gower Peninsula which is truly lovely. And it didn’t rain while i was there!
Like you, a return to Greece is called for, so it’s Crete in June.
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Thanks for the tips. Our NI plan is to drive north from Belfast along the Antrim coast and then to Derry. Time restrictions apply as always.
I went to Pembrokeshire in 2011 and weather was mixed – very mixed. Went to the Gower many years ago when I was at Cardiff University, also worked a summer at Butlins Barry Island!
Crete sounds good, I liked it there – be sure to go to Knossos! I am off to Malta in April – I like it there!
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Andrew, I lived in Cardiff for many years and I miss the nearness of Europe now that I live in Australia. Reading your blog – I reminiss! 😚
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I also lived in Cardiff, 1972-56, I went to University there. Thank you for the comment.
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Pingback: Travel Review of the Year – 2015 | Have Bag, Will Travel
It’s so fantastic to have so many places in Europe to visit for us travel addicts and, besides falling in love with Portugal, this is one of the main reasons we decided to move here. The trick is choosing where to go from the multitude of options – looks like your choices are sure to please! Anita
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I haven’t been to Portugal for a while. My favourite was Porto.
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Can’t wait until we go to Porto. And if we venture further north on that trip I’ll let you know how we get on.
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I have been to Porto a couple of times but have never stayed there so will put that right this time. A wonderful city, both sides of the river. One essential piece of advice from me is to avoid the local lunch time speciality of Francesinha, a sort of Portuguese croque-monsieur with an entire weekends permitted calorie allowance!
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If you get to Central Portugal don’t forget to find your way around the Serra Da Estrela, this mountain range is the highest in Portugal, we visited there two years ago and it is so fantastic, The beauty of the landscape, plants and rock formations, topped up with actually being able to hold snow in my hand, while we had been baking in temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius in the valley below, was lovely. There is a glacial valley there too. Anyway just wanted to say that it is absolutely lovely! 🙂
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Good tip. Can it be done by car? We will be about 50 miles away in Tomar and then Coimbra.
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Yes by car we did it and the roads are very good!
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Thanks!
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It seems like you are going to have a great year! Keep up the great work!
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I think you will enjoy this clip, Andrew.
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A great plan, I hope, with this pandemic, at least you have had the opportunity of one of these destinations.
I went, to Iceland. And then, boom of the pandemic.
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I need to update that page – no current plans thanks to Covid!
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En de bollenvelden van Lisse en Hellegom dan? Ja, die had ik op me blog. Maar nu is het oktober, in maart doet ik bollenvelden op me blog: * http://www.friedabblog.wordpress.com * Amsterdam, 9 – 10 – 2020, 14.20 uur … Hollandse tijd … “BAKKIE!!!!!!!!!!!!”
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Sorry, Lisse en Hillegom in Zuid-Holland achter de duinen. Elfriede * Amsterdam, 9-10-2020 *
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I’ve just glanced at this. That worked well, didn’t it?
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A Rip Roaring success. Looks like 2021 could be just as disappointing.
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Unfortunately.
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