So this is how it usually works.. I decide(ok with "some" consultation) where we should go a few months in advance of the holidays, research research research... and make the bookings whether on Club Mahindra and driving down as we usually do, or else go to a place like SOTC and make bookings through them with a clear idea of what we want to see and do. That is what we opted for, when it was our first overseas trip with the kids and I didn't want to take chances with making too many arrangements online on my own.
This summer holiday planning started the same way.. a few months back I decided that we could try to make it to UK/London/Scotland.. unfortunately only started checking out stuff properly a couple of weeks back, to find that it's pretty much too late to make any bookings in London through RCI which is what we wanted to do. So that put London plans on hold(hopefully for 2014) and started looking around for other ideas. To my horror, a lot of the Club M locations also were filling up soon. But thanks to their new and clear interface I could see easily exactly what was available where.
We have been putting off a trip to the north wondering if the kids can take the longer distances involved, but within a few hours of checking out the resorts(we have visited most of their options in the south) - I made an impulsive decision that since S is going to be FIVE by this summer, it's high time we try it out! So with a short stopover at Delhi, we are going to be super adventurous and check out locations like Corbett and Binsar, and the great outdoors this April. Booked a hotel in Delhi solely based on tripadvisor reviews (not to mention their great responsiveness on their FB page - which is also a first for me. Not only that, we decided it's time the kids experienced a long train journey, so we are going by the Rajdhani!! Phew!
And this also always happens, that as I'm planning one vacation (where I may have missed the ball a bit with the planning in advance :( ), I start thinking about all the forthcoming vacations in the next couple of years and where all we might want to go. In that context, if someone has experience with planning through RCI, do leave me a message.
This summer holiday planning started the same way.. a few months back I decided that we could try to make it to UK/London/Scotland.. unfortunately only started checking out stuff properly a couple of weeks back, to find that it's pretty much too late to make any bookings in London through RCI which is what we wanted to do. So that put London plans on hold(hopefully for 2014) and started looking around for other ideas. To my horror, a lot of the Club M locations also were filling up soon. But thanks to their new and clear interface I could see easily exactly what was available where.
We have been putting off a trip to the north wondering if the kids can take the longer distances involved, but within a few hours of checking out the resorts(we have visited most of their options in the south) - I made an impulsive decision that since S is going to be FIVE by this summer, it's high time we try it out! So with a short stopover at Delhi, we are going to be super adventurous and check out locations like Corbett and Binsar, and the great outdoors this April. Booked a hotel in Delhi solely based on tripadvisor reviews (not to mention their great responsiveness on their FB page - which is also a first for me. Not only that, we decided it's time the kids experienced a long train journey, so we are going by the Rajdhani!! Phew!
And this also always happens, that as I'm planning one vacation (where I may have missed the ball a bit with the planning in advance :( ), I start thinking about all the forthcoming vacations in the next couple of years and where all we might want to go. In that context, if someone has experience with planning through RCI, do leave me a message.
Hey - u could not have planned this LAST summer??? :) Btw - why corbett? avoid! U won't see much! U want me to give u some tips? :)
ReplyDeleteHaha I know I was thinking the same thing when I was thinking who all were in Delhi :). When are you heading this side?
DeleteCorbett - mainly because there's a Club M resort there, so worst comes to worst we'll chill out and eat reasonably good food, fingers crossed ;). I realized it might not be the best season cos of the heat but I've been wanting to go there for a long time and the timing never works out in the shorter holidays :(.
Of course I'm coming to you for tips for Delhi, and for our "happening sometime" NZ/Aus one as well.
Oh ok. I'm there march end ..i guess u would be here only post that time. Happy to share tips re Delhi. Binsar shd be really nice tho.
DeleteHmm... the heat's the only hitch I can think of. April is HOT.
ReplyDeleteYeah Tulika, sort of mentally prepared for that, as I realized summer is the only holiday when we can manage to go up north at all :) Hoping that Binsar will compensate for Corbett and we will be all equalized by the end of the holiday.
DeleteBinsar is good..we stayed at club M too...but Corbett, I can't say much..mainly because we didn't give it the time..but then the travel guru says it is avoidable, so....;-)
ReplyDeleteI am feeling bad that you missed out on London because of planning hitches...:-(..
Ah, good to know about Binsar Uma, thanks for that :).
DeleteCorbett - well my only hope is since we're there 3 days we might end up exploring the place well at least ;)..
Yeah the London bit was a bummer.. only positive way of looking at it is that if we go in 2014, Shehan will definitely be eating on his own properly by then :D
If possible, do a day or two at Naukuchiatal - it shd be only around 40-45 kms from Corbett/Ramnagar. Well worth it..there's a nice resort there as well, right on the lake. In addition, Bhimtal and Ranikhet also have Mahindra homestays if that helps in any way. All the "tals" in UTK are lovely. Except Nainital which is a mess.
DeleteLots of Club M resorts in the area, they seem to have one at Naukuchiatal as well.. will ping you when planning details :). Probably should do all the good "tals" you have mentioned in another holiday.
DeleteI have been trying to plan Club Mahindra holidays myself and they are so quickly filling up. I am also thinking of making a trip in April somewhere. Need to figure out where, real quick!
ReplyDeleteEnd year, I am hoping to be able to make a overseas trip too... Not too far though. Sad that you missed out on London... planning planning.. its fun but so taxing.
Thanks for dropping in Aathira :).
DeleteYes, I remember trying to book their Goa resort(Varca beach) a couple of years back, and even 4 months in advance wasn't enough! So last year, I set a reminder for 6 months in advance and booked it off right then!! This year, I'm back to my bad ways as usual of course :(.. yeah you said it right - fun as well as frustrating!! Well, we'll plod along and figure it out somehow, as we always do I guess ;). All the best for all your planning too!
Yup! Nothing like the present time to give things a shot. What I have realized is that kids adapt really easily to any place you take them too. Its us moms who tend to worry about distances, heat, cold and all. And they will love Rajdhani...
ReplyDeleteYes absolutely agree Ruth, I do sometimes (mostly?!) over-think it where the kids are involved, but they have overall been quite good on holidays, especially proved on our first "long" flight to Singapore :).
DeleteWOW you've planned your summer vacation trip in Jan ...WOW
ReplyDeleteI usually plan a day before .. but I travel alone and when I go with family it usually 2-3 days before.
1 day? 2-3 days? I'm in awe! I can never do that, guess both me and hubby are not too much of the adventurous types, and have visions of roaming around a city without a place to stay if we don't make arrangements in advance.
Deleteaaah iam such a impromptu planner... lets go types... but this sounds so organized... keep us posted where u go.. and yes .. aprill hot it will b ...
ReplyDeletehaha Swati, at this rate I'm feeling like the odd one out for sure :). For longer trips, I absolutely have to have all the details in place, and hubby's even worse than me and expects me to even have sightseeing plans stitched up ;).
DeleteGood to know that advance planning works for you.. for me I see last minute show stoppers. so we have stopped planning in advance and ahve started going where we like on short notice.. I know it costs more than planned one's ... but still it gives good break when desired...
ReplyDeleteI think we just have to go with what works best for our situation right :). I'm sure unexpected problems might crop up, so I try to be mentally prepared for that. Especially for the longer type of trips, unplanned ones will be too tough for our psyches :).
DeleteWow! I need to start planning a trip too!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Sirisha :) !
Deletewow. I need something to deviate my mind... I'm going to start planning a vacation soon too!!!
ReplyDeleteLoved the post :)