Anonymous123

My H and I would like to take a trip the last 2 weeks in Dec thru the first week in Jan.
We want pleasant, if not warm, weather.
We are empty nesters, fairly active, appreciate fine accommodations, different cultures and would like to see the world, a few weeks at a time. We are open to tours, cruises or an independent itinerary.
1. Australia (Melbourne, Sydney and Great Barrier Reef) and New Zealand and French Polynesia? Sounds great but I'm overwhelmed as how to start planning. Should we be see in other places in Australia?
2. South America is also on the bucket list but I'm concerned about safety. Maybe a coastal cruise? Where to avoid if safety is a concern?

Suggestions/recommendations?

janisj

I'd suggest you re-post on the Australia/Pacific and South America forums.

Many more folks will see your threads there and respond . . .

thursdaysd

What janisj said. However, I would suggest that the reason you are overwhelmed with option 1 is that you are trying to do too much. Three weeks would be a reasonable amount of time for NZ OR Australia, not both plus some islands.

On the safety issue with SA, some areas are safer than others, but I (solo, older female) traveled there with no problems, click on my name for my TR.

nikolasdisuja

Really Australia is a good place for visit. enjoy

suze

It depends where you go in South America as far as safety concerns. That's a huge area and impossible to generalize about that part.

I want to go to Argentina myself.

Southam

Two weeks in New Zealand would give you a nice feel for a scenic and hospitable country. English-speaking, too. The weather is more temperate than Australia, which at year-end will be nearing the peak temperatures of summer. Be aware that the Christmas break from school is a major vacation period in both countries.

mlgb

I think New Zealand 's South Island is a good choice. The NI tends to get muggy around Auckand & the far north in (their) summer but there are still lots of other options.

Much of South America is either hot and or rainy in those months. Weather rather safety would be a bigger issue.