Holidays

[DenisLawBackHeel74]

A bit of advice needed. I’m taking my lad and his mate to Thailand in August. The cheapest flights have a stop in the Middle East. I’ve checked the Government website and it states travel through the ME is not advisable. Has anyone recently flown this route? The alternative via Hong Kong or even Mumbai is more expensive, and tend to have long layovers on the return.

Yes. Last week.

Flew with Qatar Airways to Bali via Doha….no problem.

 

[Stephen Ireland's pants]

A bit of advice needed. I’m taking my lad and his mate to Thailand in August. The cheapest flights have a stop in the Middle East. I’ve checked the Government website and it states travel through the ME is not advisable. Has anyone recently flown this route? The alternative via Hong Kong or even Mumbai is more expensive, and tend to have long layovers on the return.

I've heard a few horror stories about immigration on arrival. It sounds as if the outcome depends on which immigration officer you encounter. They have a rule which states you have to have about a grand and some are wanting to see it in cash , not in your bank account.

 

[Big Joe Corrigan]

Yes. Last week.

Flew with Qatar Airways to Bali via Doha….no problem.

Thanks Denis, much appreciated.

 

[Big Joe Corrigan]

I've heard a few horror stories about immigration on arrival. It sounds as if the outcome depends on which immigration officer you encounter. They have a rule which states you have to have about a grand and some are wanting to see it in cash , not in your bank account.

Cheers Stephen, is that upon arrival in Thailand?

 

[ob]

Sitting in Rhodes by harbour drinking large glasses of Mythos

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Sitting in Rhodes by harbour drinking large glasses of Mythos

Not been to Rhodes since a break in COVID restrictions when we got an upgrade as our usual small & friendly hotel wasn't open to a 5* AI.

I knew/know where to go for value in Rhodes Town and that side to the airport but it was still expensive going out as all Greek Islands are sadly now.

 

[southamptonblue]

Anyone been to Bosnia/Montenegro/northern Albania? But obscure but got cheap return flights to Sarajevo in school holidays and thinking about a road trip around those countries - possibly going to Ohrid too.

My brother goes to Montenegro regularly for work, and he's holidayed there twice, in his words......
"People go on about how great Croatia/Dubrovnik is.......that's like Syria compared to Montenegro"
Not been myself, but make of that what you want ;)

 

[supercity88]

My brother goes to Montenegro regularly for work, and he's holidayed there twice, in his words......
"People go on about how great Croatia/Dubrovnik is.......that's like Syria compared to Montenegro"
Not been myself, but make of that what you want ;)

Syria was second on my list so now I'm more confused ;)

 

[southamptonblue]

Finally managed to sort out my China trip that got postponed from last year. Hoping to fly out on the 26 th
Shanghai,X'ian, Guillin, Beijing. 15 days there. Then on the way back got a stop over in Istanbul .
Any tips on any of the locations especially Istanbul for hotels much appreciated .

All 'budget dependent' I guess....brother always stays at Hyatt Regency, on the coast Rd (10 to 15min drive to city centre)......guessing on the more expensive side, it's in a newer (posh!) area.

 

[yeseye]

Sitting in Rhodes by harbour drinking large glasses of Mythos

Love that place,
Need to get back there soon.
Stayed in Lalysos last time.

 

[DenisLawBackHeel74]

Thanks Denis, much appreciated.

No problem mate. I also fly to Shanghai via Doha on 15th June…don’t anticape any issue there either.

 

[Stephen Ireland's pants]

Cheers Stephen, is that upon arrival in Thailand?

Yeah on arrival in Thailand. There is info online. Not sure how long you are going for , I think they are going from 60 day visa free to 30 day at some point soon .

 

[Stephen Ireland's pants]

Syria was second on my list so now I'm more confused ;)

Albania it is then .

 

[city5189]

Heading down to Cornwall (Perranporth) Monday for 5 days. Hopefully the weather is better than forecast.

 

[Stephen Ireland's pants]

Heading down to Cornwall (Perranporth) Monday for 5 days. Hopefully the weather is better than forecast.

Love it down there . Could quite happily live there and never leave . Beach,chippy and spoons . Even a boozer on the beach

 

[ob]

Love that place,
Need to get back there soon.
Stayed in Lalysos last time.

We used to always go to south of France. Came here in September and loved it so back again for week

 

[Protein Junkie]

Anyone been to Bosnia/Montenegro/northern Albania? But obscure but got cheap return flights to Sarajevo in school holidays and thinking about a road trip around those countries - possibly going to Ohrid too.

Yes done Bosnia and Montenegro.
Cravice Waterfalls and Mostar (must do) in Bosnia and Kotor in Montenegro.
Recommend all three.
Lots of lovely places just outside Dubrovnik.

 

[law74]

Back to Sunny Beach on Friday for 16 nights €1.70 a pint and €3.60 for 20 cigarettes will probably pay for the holiday with the savings in the smokes I bring back

 

[hampshireblue]

I've heard a few horror stories about immigration on arrival. It sounds as if the outcome depends on which immigration officer you encounter. They have a rule which states you have to have about a grand and some are wanting to see it in cash , not in your bank account.

We are regulars to Thailand. Although there is a "requirement" for access depending on which visa you have, the amount could be up to about 40000THB for a family. Over 20+ years of going there, I have never heard of anyone being asked to prove they have access to funds, let alone actually carrying it in cash. Immigration is now mainly automated with biometric information being taken and a very cursory scan of the passport.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Back to Sunny Beach on Friday for 16 nights €1.70 a pint and €3.60 for 20 cigarettes will probably pay for the holiday with the savings in the smokes I bring back

How good is it there pal? Seems a cheaper option these days,or is it chav central..