The Great Holiday Topic 🏖️

Oddly enough my least favourite plane :rofl:

For 2024 by number of flights and by distance:


Most repeat aircraft (lifetime rather than just 2024). Both EI- are Aer Lingus planes that were based in Belfast, which explains why. HP- are Copa Airlines from Panama, but the 737-700 is a surprise and I first flew it in 2006! G-XLEF is literally the only BA A380 I’ve flown, somehow.

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I spy an outlier at the end.

I am terrified of pencil planes. No idea why.

Sorry I mashed that up!

The graph was all time.

I purposely went out of my way to fly the CRJ 1000 earlier in the year. Loved it! Only 63 built.

Many years ago I also flew on the 757-300. Another great catch. Been trying to fly it again since with no luck.

I never did a 757 but I did manage to get on one of BA’s final 767 flights which was a nice plane to fly.

All short haul for me this year. Also supplemented by quite a few long distance train journeys.

Far too many 737s for my liking. Loved the A350 and the E190 I’d take everyday of the week over a 737 or A320 family.

Next year I want to track down an A220 and A380. Plus do some more A350 flights.

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One or two more to go before the end of 2024!

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I’ve not flown anywhere this year, because I’ve taken all my holidays in the UK.

After splitting up with my other half in January, I didn’t have the heart to go abroad this year… however I have some plans for next year. I’m off to Nashville in August for the final race of the Indycar season, but I’m looking for some winter sun in January or February.

It’ll probably feel a bit strange doing an all inclusive somewhere on my own, any tips for going solo?

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Sorry to hear this, I hope you’re doing ok!

It’s brutal, and shit actually, but we move forward!

I did the opposite, travelled solo for the first time and had a great time (minus the “wish he was here” constant thoughts).

I only went to Prague solo but I literally just walked out the hotel one day, went one way, seen a lot, ate a lot, found the river, walked all the way around to where I was familiar with, then got a tram back to the hotel.

Also went bars/clubs by myself and had a ball, everyone was so friendly.

Big push on my own boundaries but I’d do it again for sure.

Just say yes to yourself and you’ll be fine (where it’s sensible and safe anyway).

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Really sorry to hear this Dan.

I’d suggest smaller, independent hotels, family run. Large ones can be impersonal, smaller ones you can end up chatting with the proprietor or the breakfast staff. They’ll also generally have good tips on stuff to see off the beaten track. Search out smaller cafes or bars where people tend to be more sociable (and food and drinks are cheaper and often better).

Download offline dictionaries for your preferred translation app in the local language and plenty of other languages. You never know who you’ll end up chatting with and even in the days before translate apps I always found that you could have a basic conversation using a few shared words, sign language, and a pen and paper.

Try something different: have an adventure on a night train; try a walking or food class (Airbnb experiences are a good way to find such things - I climbed the Arrabida Bridge in Porto at night); do something that takes you out of your comfort zone… Plan some things, but be open to embracing the unexpected.

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Oh I am the complete opposite. I prefer larger hotels. I always get personal service but not so much that I feel like I’m staying in someone else’s house.

I like my own space and being able to be completely left alone if I needed to.

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I did one on my own this year in Jan. actually the only all-inclusive I’ve ever been in. I was there for two weeks and I was working remotely for most of it. Worked out very well - nice meals, a swim in the sea before and after work, evenings by the pool listening to my book.

I will say I didn’t meet or chat to anyone - this is perfect for me tbh as I just wanted to read my books but it probably wouldn’t be the best way to have a social holiday.

Usually when travelling alone I do dorms / hostels - not just for the cost but because you always meet loads of people that way.

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Fair it’s not for everyone :smile: or even for me sometimes.

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I wish I was brave enough.

I’d be tempted by those with pods not open bunks in a dorm, would feel safer.

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Only twice I’ve been in a hostel, in New York and in Sarajevo. Both times had a good time, specially in Sarajevo.

But now I value my privacy a lot more so a room for myself it is.

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Hostels are usually either really good or terrible in my experience, not much in the middle.

But I’ve made lots of friends all over the world and we all still keep in touch so they’ve been an important part of my travel life.

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We go every year - what do you find expensive? I’ve definitely not found it anything like other major cities!

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I’ve been to BCN about 10 times and always found it to be good value for money. Obv you have to avoid just rocking up around Las Ramblas or Sagrada Familia as tourist hotspots but still pretty decent even if that’s the case.

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I just got back from NYC and it’s £25 for a bagel so it’s all cheap compared to that.

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