[Claire]

strickers wrote:

@Claire I’m sure they’ve done it already but don’t forget to apply for ESTAs for the US.

Yes, first thing I told them to do when they were deplaned yesterday! Thank you!

[Claire]

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all of the advice everyone gave me yesterday. My sister in law and niece are currently stranded in Sydney, they have been trying to contact Emirates with no success, phones ring off and chat is disabled, so we have bitten the bullet. They are flying United to LAX tomorrow and then I have managed to get Virgin reward flights from LAX to LHR. They will get some money back for the inbound on emirates but they main thing is definitely to get them home. I think when Dubai does open those already there will quite rightly be the priority. Thank you again!

[Claire]

Thank you everyone, I got the regulation the wrong way round! They are covered under my Amex platinum insurance so have £300 each for accommodation and £150 each for refreshments. They will get back to emirates asap to figure out how they will get them home. Looking at emirates website they will rebook and rebook on another airline if it is necessary, so I guess the key is for them to be proactive and take whatever they can that suits their needs. Thank you all for the advice, really appreciated!

[Claire]

Sandy M wrote:

Claire wrote:

… I have told them about their re routing rights and the duty of care that emirates has for them.

What are their rights? Asking as I am not familiar with Australian or Emirati law.

I am assuming/hoping they are covered under UK261 as their final destination was LHR. So duty of care for accommodation and refreshments and rerouting to get them home. I know they will not be due compensation.

[Claire]

Avant wrote:

Is the UAE under restrictions? I can’t find anything on the news.

Was the reason for the cancellation communicated at the Airport or online from Emirates? Was it specifically military airspace restriction given as the cancellation reason?

They weren’t given a reason but Emirates have on their website that they have temporarily suspended all operations to Dubai because of airspace closures.

[Claire]

Hello everyone, I have a family member with her 10 year old daughter currently stranded in Sydney. They have just been deplaned from the 21:10 emirates flight to Dubai with ongoing connection to LHR. Emirates have given them travel vouchers but they have been told to sort out their own accommodation at midnight. I have told them to go back to Sydney and book anywhere they can for the night, keep the receipts and pay on Amex (they are on my platinum insurance) I have told them about their re routing rights and the duty of care that emirates has for them. No option to rebook in the app but I have told them to fight for rerouting via US ( ESTAs are currently being applied for) is there anything I have missed? Anything else I should advise or that I’ve got wrong? I know lots of people are stuck and I am so thankful that they didn’t end up taking off. Much better to be stuck in Australia than Dubai at the moment! Thank you so much in advance, feel so helpless trying to help them from the UK!

[Claire]

I did tweet Virgin and they confirmed that we should arrive 3 hours before the updated departure. We’re also allowing 2 hours to get from Anaheim to LAX so hopefully should be ok 🤞

[Claire]

Thank you so much for your reply, and for checking that the inbound is delayed, that is reassuring!

[Claire]

I’m also interested in any Rome recommendations, I am going next month with my mum and my sister to celebrate my Mums 70th birthday.

We have booked the Indigo. Would love to hear some more off the beaten track ideas, I found an old thread and have taken note of the behind the scenes Colliseum and Vatican tours. We also have two Platinum dining benefits to burn on the trip.

[Claire]

Thank you very much @ladylondon and @jdb for the advice. I will put a claim in but I’m not hopeful as LGW did seem to be impacted by a lot of delays. We were delayed about five hours in total but it was worth it, Iceland was just fantastic and I can’t wait to get back. We saw a faint wisp of the northern lights as well as some of the eruption. The original reason for going was for some snow for my five year old and we were not disappointed. It was honestly a fantastic holiday and destination.

[Claire]

Thank you for all the great advice, I’ve been researching it all this morning. I think I’ve decided on Reykjavik, they seem to have lots going on in the run up to Christmas, should have snow if we travel out of the city and we might get to see the northern lights! Norway is definitely on the list for another time when I have more time to plan. Thank you again for all the suggestions.

[Claire]

Super Secret Stuff wrote:

I’d personally say Iceland or Finland (Lapland), as close as you’ll get to a guarantee on the weather

I will look into Finland and Iceland, thank you!

[Claire]

Gavin454 wrote:

yonasl wrote:

Why not focus on mountain areas that are not ski resorts (so may have less people around during that time). Plenty to do in the French/Italian alps in terms of trekking, food, culture.

I was going to suggest the opposite – why not go to one of the big and high ski resorts such as Tignes or Val d’Isere? 5 is old enough to have a go at skiing, and even if she doesn’t enjoy that, there’s opportunities to sled, walk/play in the snow, make snowmen etc. The large resorts have other activities as well as skiing, such as indoor swimming pools, walking trails up the mountains, ice skating etc.

Snow is likely to be present if you go to a high Alpine resort above about 1800m, although still cannot be totally guaranteed. But it’s much more likely than going for a city break.

This sounds like a good idea but I don’t think any of us would actually want to ski, my husband and daughter are both pretty clumsy, to the extent that she is recovering from a broken arm from a bouncy castle.

Does anyone go to ski resorts and not ski? Not sure where to even start on where is best to go etc?

[Claire]

NorthernLass wrote:

What about the usual suspects like Lapland/Finland? Anywhere with mountains is also a good bet, even the Scottish Highlands (where you may well see herds of deer with antlers for that Santa effect!), though of course it does depend a bit on what your 5 year old likes doing. Is she an outdoors type or more for indoor attractions?

*Edit – If you went north you might also see the northern lights, which would be awesome.

I had looked at Lapland briefly but it is so expensive and sells out so quickly that we wouldn’t be able to do it this year. My daughter is the inquisitive type who gets bored sitting about so I am leaning towards a city break where there are fun museums and some Christmas markets. It would be amazing to see the northern lights too!

[Claire]

We recently stayed in the Kimpton Angler and would definitely recommend. It’s a couple of minutes to the beach but right in the historic district, rooftop pool, diamonds get $25 per person for breakfast along with free coffee and juice. The secret password also got us $50 free food or beverage credit. We were travelling to with my 4 year old daughter and she loved Miami even after getting stung by something in the sea.

[Claire]

I love the Hilton Slussen, really lovely views across the water and of the old town. Great breakfast as well which included meatballs and Dime Bar cake! I thought it was a great location for exploring too

[Claire]

iamlost wrote:

Claire wrote:

Would love to hear more about your itinerary

The itinerary we’re doing could work if your 4 year old is good with long car journeys!
– 3 nights staying in Miami Beach to explore and enjoy the city
– A day in the Everglades and spending the night in downtown Miami
– Driving down to Key West to stay for 5 nights (a bit long, I know, but Hilton 5 for 4…)
– Driving back up to Miami airport to fly to Nassau
– 4 nights in the Bahamas before we fly back home

This sounds wonderful, hadn’t thought about the Bahamas! Thank you!

[Claire]

iamlost wrote:

I’m staying at the Surfcomber for three nights next month. I compared all the Miami IHG properties when the points ‘glitch’ last happened, and it seemed the nicest.

I also have an overnight stay at the Intercontinental (after a day trip to the Everglades, before travelling onwards to the Keys in the morning) – I’m a little concerned about the ongoing renovations there…

Would love to hear more about your itinerary, I have had a complete change of heart for our summer holidays. I originally thought about interrailing with our 4 year old but she has a dairy allergy and I am worried about whether this can be catered for when we don’t speak the language. We are now thinking of taking two weeks to explore Miami and the Keys. Have done as a couple a couple of times but not with a 4 year old in tow!

[Claire]

I joined ambassador on Monday and booked a stay using my free night voucher. Diamond is still showing until December 2024 for me. Fingers crossed!

[Claire]

Thank you so much for all the great tips, will start looking at ‘the man in seat 61’ now.

I was worried everyone would think it is a crazy idea to do with a 4 year old but all of your replies and suggestions have reassured me, thank you again!

[Claire]

Michael C wrote:

Not with a child, but my sis & OH have done a couple of these trips in the
last few years, one to eastern Europe, and last Sept. to Scandinavia & it was all
fantastic. Went the whole hog & bought first class tickets (still v reasonable, and
included some lounges and meals – and remember your child will
travel free, and the Interrail now includes the Eurostar!).

Could head direct to AMS, do a bit of canal-hopping with your little one, then
maybe to Hamburg to go to the Miniatur Wunderland, as random ideas to start?!
Then onto Tivoli in Copenhagen/The Bridge/Legoland?

As you can see, I think it’s a great idea!!

These are great ideas to get me started, thank you! Do you know if your sister locked down their itinerary before they went and booked hotels or did they book as they went? This is what I can’t get my head around, how organised do I need to be?!

[Claire]

You could go to the East Martello museum and see Robert the Doll, he is haunted and the inspiration for Chucky, be sure to read the rules and ask his permission before you take a picture! The museum is actually an interesting history of the Keys and Key West too. There is also the Mel Fisher museum where a gold bar was stolen a few years ago because no one thought to lock it away! I think one of the original Ripleys Believe or Not museums is also there but it is a great place to just wander around, has a great atmosphere!

[Claire]

gjb1984 wrote:

I really appreciate the advice – thank you so much.

I didn’t realise there was a Peppa Pig world there – my 3 year old will absolutely love that!

I think we’ll target Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, a water park and Peppa Pig world. And keep the rest of the itinerary free for ad hoc things/pool days. Does this sound like a good plan or should I arrange some more activities?

Based on the above choices, what is the best way to secure tickets for these particular parks? Is it possible to just buy on the day as my wife is notoriously anti-schedule and hates being tied down to activities in advance!

Many thanks once again, you guys are really helping me out here.

PS I should specify that budget isn’t a huge concern, I’ve not been abroad since early 2019 so the kitty is well and truly stacked up!

Buy tickets now so you can book your park days and I would go for a seller that sends you the physical tickets, if you buy from Disney you have to queue up to get them the first time you go. Lots of authorised sellers are on CB sites and some through in extras like Gatorland tickets.

[Claire]

We took my three old in April and she loved all the parks. One thing to consider though is you have to book the park you want to visit in advance and you need a ticket for this. As it is a busy period you may find there isn’t any availability for Disney parks on the days you want to visit if you leave it much longer:

https://www.disneyworld.eu/availability-calendar/?segments=tickets,resort,passholder&defaultSegment=tickets

Top tip for the flight is but lots of little things for them like sticker books, cars, cuddly toys etc and let them open a new one every 30/60 mins!

[Claire]

Thank you for all of the replies and suggestions, I am looking at them all, I also came across this and wondered if anyone has stayed there? Will be slightly over budget but will be a proper suite:
https://www.thebenjamin.com/

Thanks again