A few people have said since we will likely only do a few days in Japan that Kyoto is a better choice than Tokyo
We will have a couple of weeks in NZ and will probably choose either North or South Island. You clearly recommend the South Island? What are the main differences and things to see in each?
I've been to Austria, not Innsbruck. Won't be anywhere in Europe during this trip though as I've seen a lot of it plus it's easy enough to jump on an easyjet flight for a short trip in Europe any time. That approach looks pretty epic though!
Some of the cruise ships stop in Bali but don't know whether you could use them to just hop from one country to the next. The rest of the boats that go there will be domestic ferries and I wouldn't advise getting those - they tend to get overcrowded and regularly sink! Its only an hour and half flight from Singapore. If you are into sailing there are some amazing small ship cruises starting in Bali and visiting the islands to the east. This website goes through them all: https://www.adventure-life.com/indonesia Peru is a fantastic country - if you are coming from the south then I would go by bus from La Paz to Lake Titicaca - get the ferry across the lake and then on by train to Cusco. Both operated by Perurail so can get an onward ticket. Machu Picchu is an amazing train ride from Cusco but book your tickets for Machu Picchu as soon as you have an itinerary sorted - they limit the number of visitors and you can't just turn up. It's one of the modern wonders of the world so don't miss that if you go to Peru. Spend a day touring the Sacred Valley with a driver as well. Other places worth visiting in Peru are Arequipa, Iquitos (in the jungle) and Huaraz (in the highest part of the Andes). I would suggest flying to any of those from either Lima or direct from Cusco. I have driven from Lima to Huaraz but it's not for the faint-hearted. Last time I was in Peru in 2015 we went on a trip from Arequipa to the Colca Canyon which was also well worth doing - road goes up to over 4900m so be prepared to get a bit dizzy. Great views and a chance to see Condors flying in the canyon. If you need any advice PM me - happy to help.
Some brilliant advice there and plenty for me start looking into. Thanks! Once I've done some more research you may well get that PM!
Top places I've visited in recent years are Fiji and Chicago. I went island hopping with a few friends and stayed on Mantaray Island and Beachcomber Island. Both stunning - absolute paradise! Snorkeling over coral right on the resorts doorstep. The happy culture, the alcohol, the food, water sports, excursions, fishing and just relaxing. Just lovely. Can walk around Beachcomber island in about 10 mins. Its like a mirage. Last year I went to Chicago which I would say is the best city I've visited. Great vibe to it. Really good place to go walking and exploring - all the building are an assault on the eye - bewildering! Apart from walking I did an architectural river cruise which was excellent, went up the tallest building in Chicago and 2nd in US (Willis Tower), the Science Museum, bus tour, drank, ate. Only there 3 days but it was brilliant!
Favourite places so far have been Hong Kong and New Zealand (especially Queens Town in the south island - got to do the luge thing they have there) Sydney was great too... had a couple of days in the Blue Mountains, did some white water rafting on the man-made course in Penrith that they used for the Olympics, and much preferred Manly beach to Bondi. Niagara Falls (the Canadian side) is pretty spectacular Off to Indonesia next week - spending a few days in Jakarta before going over to Bali for a few days before back to Jakarta Japan is very much on the list to go, as is a lot of Asia - Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea
North Island is great for deep sea fishing, volcanoes and anything to do with Maori culture. The South Island is the most scenic island in the world. Southern Alps, Fjords, amazing West Coast and then there is the adventure capital of the world Queenstown as someone else has mentioned. Also a golfers paradise. Could even put you up for a couple of nights, message me if interested.
I'll definitely be in Fiji for about 5 days. Is it easy to do Island hopping? It'll be about halfway through the trip so should serve as good relaxation on a paradise beach... at least that's how I imagine it in my head!
You'll have to report back what you think of Indonesia as it's a maybe destination for me at the moment!
The South Island sounds great. Thanks for the offer, very kind of you, once I've got details sorted of where I'll be in NZ I may well be in contact!
Its definitively relaxing. We landed on the main island called Nadi which isn't that nice and stayed one night to rest. Then there is a port and a large diesel catamaran type thing picks up and drops people off around the islands. Hopping islands is very easy and the done thing. I went fishing and went round the Castaway Island (Wilson!) Which you can visit. We hired jet skis whilst at Beachcomber island and were led to a man made floating bar and parked up there. Had a few beers in the sun, jumped off it, swam, ate a pizza then ragged it back! Brilliant fun! Called 'Cloud 9' check it out!
I've visited Tokyo a few times and would say it is the most fascinating place I've ever visited. I suppose it's all down to expectations and personal preferences (obviously), but I have been lucky enough to have traveled quite a bit and Tokyo stands out by a long way. I'm sure I'll be revisiting a few more times before my time is up. Tokyo Disney world was a major let down. I expected it to be far more innovative, but it felt rather shabby.
Sounds amazing! Will definitely check out Cloud 9. How long would you say you need there? At the moment we have it planned for 5 days but it's flexible.
I imagined Tokyo Disney would be incredible! That's a shame to hear. What did you like so much about Tokyo?
I also expected their version of Disney World to be the most advanced of the lot and by quite some margin. I guess the franchise is tightly controlled and the Japanese imagination and tech know how is reined in. Pity really. The overriding thing about Japan is how alien their culture is to anywhere else in the world. As for Tokyo, it is made up of very distinct zones all uniquely different to each other while still sharing the same intrinsic values of cleanliness, politeness, safety and efficiency. Unlike other cities or holiday destinations, you don't need to plan an itinerary of things to do or see because everything is interesting. Some days I would just hop on a train, get off at a random station and walk for the whole day. The place is quite simply amazing and everyone should visit it at least once in their lives.
