Holidays

[cpa]

We both love train journeys so we are going to travel to Venice by train through the Swiss alps as a Covid delayed birthday treat
We are using the Glacier express and the Bernina Express to get there which seem interesting journeys
2 Night Zermatt near the Matterhorn ,2 Nights St Moritz then 3 nights Venice then overnight on the Orient express back to London
Never used the Europeans trains so don't know how easy it will be

 

[PragueBlue]

We both love train journeys so we are going to travel to Venice by train through the Swiss alps as a Covid delayed birthday treat
We are using the Glacier express and the Bernina Express to get there which seem interesting journeys
2 Night Zermatt near the Matterhorn ,2 Nights St Moritz then 3 nights Venice then overnight on the Orient express back to London
Never used the Europeans trains so don't know how easy it will be

We regularly go to Venice and other northern Italian cities by train, though not on the route you have planned. Also frequently visit Prague via Switzerland on the train.

I find it a much nicer experience than flying, though it does generally cost more and takes a lot longer.

 

[Gundoggin]

Last 12 years in Lanzarote never experienced such beautiful warm weather early March . 80 temp at 10 am reaching 87 / 88 temp 3 pm afternoon every day the last week , sensational:)

 

[feedthegoat27]

Wonderful photos mate. We didn't go up as far as Amman. Based ourselves in Aqaba as flights were in and out of there and then spent a night in the desert and a night in Petra (Wadi Musa). It wasn't too bad for tourists, I think most of the websites advise to go from March due to the weather, as it was pretty cold before the sun had risen - but still a beautiful temperature during the day and 23 down in Aqaba. You can't really put it into words, my wife is so good at just taking the plunge on these things regardless of kids and I'm so glad we did.

Did you walk up to the monastery? My 4 year old walked the whole way from the site entrance up to there and back which was incredible on his little legs, and really useful considering we had to carry our 1 year old for most of it and my 5 year old also gave in on the way back down!

I echo your thoughts, particularly with Easyjet flying direct to Aqaba and a hire car costing about £100. 1hr drive to the Wadi Rum and another hour up to Petra from there so it's really accessible and not too expensive considering it's a wonder of the world.

Aqaba definitely a good position to base yourselves in, particularly with the cheaper flights via Easyjet (though Wizz Air now serve Amman from Luton at a fraction of the cost of BA/Royal Jordanian from LHR.....if you can stomach Wizz for 5 hours!)
Aqaba is a bit more accessible for Petra and Wadi Rum too, though you're never too far from anything in Jordan.

I didn't quite have time to do the Monastery....I could have possibly squeezed it in had I rushed it but the weather was boiling by this point and doing all them steps in the early afternoon sun wasn't super appealing.
Very impressive your 4 year old managed it, fair play to him as it's a fair old trek from the entrance.
It's a fascinating place for us adults so I can only imagine what it must be like to witness Petra at 4/5 years old, incredible, very lucky children indeed.
I guess that's an excuse to return as I would like to see the Monastery, and also do the hiking trail to get the elevated view of the Treasury.
Also quite fancy doing the 'Petra by night' they offer on certain days, so it'll be on the agenda to return at some point in the future and to stay at least one night in the immediate area.
Assuming they still offer the route, I'll likely use that Easyjet service in/out of Aqaba to also tick that box.

I'd go back tomorrow if I could :(

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Last 12 years in Lanzarote never experienced such beautiful warm weather early March . 80 temp at 10 am reaching 87 / 88 temp 3 pm afternoon every day the last week , sensational:)

I was checking the forecast for there the other day as my favourite Canary Island. Couldn’t believe it when it said 29 degrees for March. Bit warmer than here!

 

[feedthegoat27]

Fantastic photos! We stopped off at Aqaba for the day as part of a Red Sea cruise a few years ago. Loved it!

We had a wander round the town and public beach, then spent a few hours at the Movenpick Hotel, which was reserved for our cruise ship guests for half a day.

We said we'd definitely go back to see Petra one day!

The tour I went on included 2 Movenpick hotels; one just outside Petra and the other on the Dead Sea.
Seems to be a popular chain over there, decent quality accommodation.

Deffo go back if you can, not just for Petra but Wadi Rum and if time/inclination permits, the Dead Sea.
By all accounts the Dead Sea won't be here in 40 or 50 years....

 

[Mr Blue Moon]

Last 12 years in Lanzarote never experienced such beautiful warm weather early March . 80 temp at 10 am reaching 87 / 88 temp 3 pm afternoon every day the last week , sensational:)

Glad the weather has improved. We were out there for 3 weeks and the weather was pretty mixed, with daytime temperatures around 22 Deg C.
That said it didn’t stop us Brits walking around in shorts and T-shirts!

 

[denislawsbackheel]

Easyjet releasing flights for Jan - March 2014 on Thursday.
Get in early.
Get in often.

 

[supercity88]

Aqaba definitely a good position to base yourselves in, particularly with the cheaper flights via Easyjet (though Wizz Air now serve Amman from Luton at a fraction of the cost of BA/Royal Jordanian from LHR.....if you can stomach Wizz for 5 hours!)
Aqaba is a bit more accessible for Petra and Wadi Rum too, though you're never too far from anything in Jordan.

I didn't quite have time to do the Monastery....I could have possibly squeezed it in had I rushed it but the weather was boiling by this point and doing all them steps in the early afternoon sun wasn't super appealing.
Very impressive your 4 year old managed it, fair play to him as it's a fair old trek from the entrance.
It's a fascinating place for us adults so I can only imagine what it must be like to witness Petra at 4/5 years old, incredible, very lucky children indeed.
I guess that's an excuse to return as I would like to see the Monastery, and also do the hiking trail to get the elevated view of the Treasury.
Also quite fancy doing the 'Petra by night' they offer on certain days, so it'll be on the agenda to return at some point in the future and to stay at least one night in the immediate area.
Assuming they still offer the route, I'll likely use that Easyjet service in/out of Aqaba to also tick that box.

I'd go back tomorrow if I could :(

We got there early to avoid the heat and it wasn't too bad for that luckily. I don't think the kids had a clue to be honest, they were loving the sand and climbing but it's probably all wasted on them - it's unlikely they'll remember it in a couple of weeks! It was lovely for us to take them there, but when I asked my son what the highlight of his trip was it was seeing a ginger cat sat outside a restaurant we went to in Aqaba. We've got a bloody cat at home!

 

[bennyboy]

T

We regularly go to Venice and other northern Italian cities by train, though not on the route you have planned. Also frequently visit Prague via Switzerland on the train.

I find it a much nicer experience than flying, though it does generally cost more and takes a lot longer.

That sounds great.
A must do if you like travelling by train is the Oslo to Bergen train.
Breathtaking scenery and Bergen is also a lovely city.
I loved Oslo as well but both cities are expensive especially for alcohol.
Pretty sure I have mentioned the Oslo to Bergen train journey before.