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JDB thanks. I must be missing something obvious but when trying to book coming back as a one way it’s only showing BA flights via LHR not Iberia options. I need to have a further play.

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Man of Kent – yes I’ve used JLA a few times in the past for both group and private tours. Very well organised but they now seem pricey compared to others.

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DIY. It’s easy. I will try and get the rest of my trip report up this week to maybe give you some ideas.[/quote]
davefl I did wonder if it was easier and cheaper to sort DIY. I had hoped to be retired by now to give me time to sort but sadly it’s been delayed now till end March (long story but suffice to say it’s worthwhile!) I’ve accumulated around 450,000 Avios which I’m hoping will be enough for 2 trips biz with Iberia (no 241 though). Looking forward to trip report. Jill I really enjoyed atacama and went over border to Bolivia to Uyuni which was stunning. Never got to Easter Island so intrigued to learn of your experiences and views on it

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Ahh brings back memories of a trip with the kids in 2016 with a similar itinerary. Really liked Arequipa. The museum with Juanita was fascinating- even the kids were mesmerised by the story. Looking forward to next part. BTW did you sort the trip yourself or use a UK travel agent? We are in the initial planning stages of a trip to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay in either 1 or 2 trips and not sure to make it easy with a UK travel agent or stitch it together ourselves

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Takes me back to the days in the mid 90s when I regularly flew man to Düsseldorf with BA and on several occasions on the 0740 flight the BA staff were practically forcing several bottles of miniatures on you to ‘enjoy’ later! It was at a time when they were having industrial disputes so one way of causing management issues. Happy days of lots of BA flights from Man and being able to turn up 30 minutes before a flight how very civilised. Mind you a return was about £400 so some things have changed for the better.

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Currently having a fly and flop in Sharm after flying with Easy from LPL so much better than Man. Off to Namibia in October flying with Ethiopian from Man – a new airline and destination for us. That’s the 1st of our travels post retirement with more to follow. Can’t wait! Travelling when we want where we want and with no ties to airlines or hotels just what suits. Good to be promiscuous!!!

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Oh dear that sounds ominous!

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Bolivia via a 241 Avios F return to Santiago. Breathtaking literally!

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Thanks as appears usual with BA IT how to make a simple job complicated! Can’t wait to deal with the joys of sorting it.

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Thanks I’ll have a play with that as I never realised it was possible and it opens up some interesting possibilities. Every day is a learning day!

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Just wondering if you can book 1 leg in economy and then another connecting flight in business all on the same booking? Never tried that. I’m OK with 7 hours in economy on Qatar.

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I found Varanasi very moving and spiritual. Yes it’s chaos dirty busy and noisy but it’s a very special place especially 1st thing in the morning down at the ghats. We took our kids when they were 8 and 10 and it was a real eye opener for them in a good way. The latest series of race round the world has made me want to go back again.

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India is like marmite – you either love it or hate it. I can understand why people would not like it. I’ve been a few times and am planning on a few more trips next year now that retirement beckons! As has been said choose decent hotels not necessarily Taj or Oberori. Some of the heritage hotels are great to stay in albeit with it faded charm in some instances if you like that sort of thing. Maidens Hotel in Delhi springs to mind. I’d echo about sticking to veggie meals. I’ve been on group tours but also private with a driver. Worth looking at the likes of Trailfinders, Cox&Kings, Audley etc for ideas and costs. We recently priced up a trip using Indian Panorama which ironically was coming in similar to a UK based operator. I’d leave Varanasi to the end as it is a real assault on the senses and it gives you time to get used to the somewhat unique way of doing things in India.

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Just be careful when you go to San Pedro. We went in Feb 2019 and it flooded – don’t believe about it being the driest desert in the world! Leaving the flooding aside it’s a great place and we returned again later that year in June to get to places we couldn’t due to the floods. Altitude takes some getting used to. Recommend the trip to El Tatio geysers.

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NorthernLass wrote:

@Jill, I hear the locals chew some indigenous leaves to combat altitude sickness 😜

Don’t work for me – clearly didn’t take enough or perhaps it needed to go somewhere else and not be chewed! Seriously with altitude take it easy drink lots of water and try and move up gradually if possible. I was OK for instance at Puno but suffered a few days later in Cusco which is lower – go figure! One benefit I found with altitude is it killed the appetite so I lost a few pounds.

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Didn’t get bit at Machu Pichu but made the mistake of wearing shorts at Petrohue falls Chile and was badly bitten several times by what looked like big black horse flies which drilled into my legs so much so I struggled to walk for several days. I always wear long trousers now!

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Man of Kent wrote:

Our GP practice recommended this site to us prior to a trip we did last year.

https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/

That’s an interesting site not used that before. I normally check the NHS Fit to travel website. I’m off to Namibia in October and checked the malaria risk. Both have different areas at risk which makes the decision whether to tablets or not more confusing. The area in question in Etosha National Park.

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Thanks everyone for their comments. All food for thought. Masaccio couldn’t agree more about a cold beer after a days sightseeing. We stayed in a couple of dry hotels on our recent trip to Kerela (rookie error!) and had our driver take us to a local alcohol store so we could stock up and drink in our room which was OK by the hotel. It felt a little bit naughty and sleezy as they were always tucked away in a side street and pokey!

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Metty thanks for the info re Bhutan. We were due to visit in October 2020 but that sadly was cancelled. Agree how much India has changed. We first visited some 30 odd years ago and then had a gap of around 15 years when we returned in early 2020 and the whole process and experience seemed somewhat calmer than before.

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Interesting re hotels. We’ve generally avoided ‘luxury’ hotels and in some areas they’ve been thin on the ground. I suppose it is what is luxury as the definition an be stretched as standards in India are a little different. I’m assuming you’re meaning Oberoi and Taj in particular? One for us to think about.

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Thanks – we have just returned from a couple of weeks in Kerala and have been several times to other parts including Varanasi which I found fascinating. Our aim is to visit some other areas such as Leh / Ladakah and around Kolatta, Assam and Darjeeling. As yob say it’s trying to get a recommended driver for an area hence the thought about using a local travel agent rather than UK

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To gold – which apparently provides exclusive access to all deals and error fares. The free service appears to only give a snippet of offers available some of which have gone

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Not so much as lost interest more that I’ve come to value choice cost and convenience. I hit BA silver in March 20 and had flights all booked so I would retain it. The world changed and I have not been on a BA flight since and am now lowly blue. I never got to benefit at all from being silver but do I regret it – no. I’ve discovered other airlines and routes which are much more convenient than having to schlep down to LHR from Man. With the changes to the BA Amex and higher spend level to get a 241 I’ve canned the card as well. I didn’t hit the spend thresholds and also struggled with finding availability for using the Avios. I wouldn’t say it’s bye bye BA but rather they are no longer the default option when there are better options out there. I’ve had some great redemptions over the years 1st return to Santiago being the highlight. I’m enjoying the choice now of airlines and routes to get to destinations I want to go to.

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I need to persuade my wife re Mongolia – looks stunning. Curious re the advantages of ITA matrix v google flights. Does it throw up more options? Happy with ex EU if the savings are substantial although I’m to be convinced as we will have the time and gives us the opportunity to tag on an extra night. Would prefer the comfort of a bit of leeway re timings. That is where the lo cost airlines from LPL or Man come into their own.

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Now Mongolia sounds like fun – must have a look at that! I found Uzbekistan fascinating- once of the joys of trying out different airlines in my instance Turkish as you mentioned. My intention is to spend a lot early whilst I have the energy and health to travel. We’re off to Southern India next month for a couple of weeks touring. I love India. Taking advantage of a cheap Gulf Air fare. Never flown with them before so that could be fun! I don’t mind economy flights with certain airlines for up to 6/7 hours. Getting to India via ME breaks things up nicely and from Manchester doesn’t really add much if you have to connect via LHR for a direct BA flight.