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  1. BluesTraveler

    Other Options...

    I forgot to say, all of our guides were really outstanding. Energetic, nice, capable. They made the trip really fun.
  2. BluesTraveler

    Other Options...

    We are home from our Backroads biking trip in Scotland. This was our 3rd Backroads trip. We absolutely loved it. It was 6 days/5 nights, and we tacked on an additional 2 nights at the beginning and one at the end. It started and ended in Edinburgh, and went through the Scottish Highlands. I...
  3. BluesTraveler

    New Zealand Dec. 25 2022 report

    Great trip report. Thanks so much for taking the time to write it.
  4. BluesTraveler

    Adriatic Cruise

    I got an email about this and was intrigued for half a minute...but in looking at the ABD website saw you still have to make a call (or have a travel agent make a call) in order to book. I'm so over that way of booking travel, and the hours on hold, etc. that there's no way we'd do this.
  5. BluesTraveler

    Post-Greece ABD Options

    Highly recommend reading the book "The Island" by Victoria Islop before your trip. I agree with the others that just one more day to relax in Crete would be nice, and then spend some extra time in Athens. We really liked the ABD hotel (Hotel Metropolis?) when we went, and I would rebook it in...
  6. BluesTraveler

    Transitioning to different types of ABDs as kids get older?

    We sort of travel over the holidays - we have a beach house and we always spend Thanksgiving break and Christmas break there and family comes and meets us. That said - we have a LOT of friends who travel over New Years' with their teenagers as a way of avoiding conflict with their kids over...
  7. BluesTraveler

    Transitioning to different types of ABDs as kids get older?

    We have a rising high school senior and a rising high school freshman, and I would say planning travel got a lot more challenging when our oldest hit high school. What we found is that it gets a lot harder with sports schedules - it gets nearly impossible to plan in advance - even times that...
  8. BluesTraveler

    Other Options...

    I should have added, they had great experiences.
  9. BluesTraveler

    Other Options...

    We know 2 families whose kids have done Moondance, maybe check that out.
  10. BluesTraveler

    Current Cancellation Timing

    And yet I've been getting daily emails from ABD this week about how "now is the time to book!" Uh, no thanks. Am reading every day on-line about your crazy cancelations, no way would I book a new trip with you.
  11. BluesTraveler

    Alaska 2021 trip report - in a COVID world, for the less adventurous

    Great report! Thanks for taking the time to write it up.
  12. BluesTraveler

    Other Options...

    I want to give an update on our Backroads experience with booking/canceling/rebooking. Last year we had 2 trips booked with Backroads. The first was in April, and that was canceled altogether. We had PIF before the big March 12 shutdown, and we were refunded all $$ for that trip. The second...
  13. BluesTraveler

    Greece or Iceland? How difficult is the glacier hike?

    Also, we went to Greece with ABD at the end of July/beginning of August, and while it was hot, it was fine. There's a lovely breeze and the hotels are well air conditioned for sleeping.
  14. BluesTraveler

    Greece or Iceland? How difficult is the glacier hike?

    I feel like I need to say - not because of the guides, our guides were amazing. It's just a large group trip in Iceland didn't work as well logistically (bathroom access, etc.). I wouldn't choose a large group trip to Iceland.
  15. BluesTraveler

    Greece or Iceland? How difficult is the glacier hike?

    We have done both trips. For the glacier hike they gave options for pace and distance. We did the fastest/longest and found it decently challenging, and we are a super active family. We loved, loved Iceland but didn't think it was the best ABD we had been on. I think Greece is a better run trip.
  16. BluesTraveler

    Other Options...

    @aggiedog, if you have the time/energy I would really love as many details as possible!
  17. BluesTraveler

    I'm reading too much...

    Here are my notes from when we did the trip in 2018. I'm happy to answer any questions. To your specific concerns - we loved the food, we loved the activities, only one day felt really long on the bus, and we hated the large group size: https://www.disboards.com/threads/iceland-wrap-up.3696183/
  18. BluesTraveler

    .

    This will be especially problematic traveling with kids - even if the adults are vaccinated and feel fairly confident about not contracting COVID, kids can't yet be vaccinated. ABD should really be pivoting to stepping up its domestic offerings.
  19. BluesTraveler

    Anyone willing to take a chance on new deposit with kids on trip?

    Note neither of the current vaccinations are approved for 15 year olds. Pfizer is approved for 16 and up, Moderna 18 and up. Pfizer has started a clinical trial for ages 12 - 15 but would not expect authorization for the use of the vaccine for those age groups by summer time. I don't...
  20. BluesTraveler

    ABD Announces Private Adventures for 5 Countries

    I love the idea of private tours, and would book these in a heartbeat for our family. Lack of meals do not bother me - we generally prefer to eat lighter and quicker than ABD's typical meal when traveling. I'm fine to coordinate that piece myself. That said, we aren't booking any travel at...
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