When we first started planning our upcoming long-term trip we started making a list of all of the amazing places around the world we wanted to visit. After years of researching, looking into our savings abilities, and planning route logistics we came up with what we think is the best 14 to 18 month RTW itinerary in the world (excluding S.E. Asia) and have been saving furiously for over 3 years to make our dream happen.We knew from the beginning of planning this trip that we did not want to put in enough detail that we would be set on our itinerary throughout the whole journey (as is the case if we bought a RTW plane ticket). At the same time, we didn't want to just go with zero plans and risk missing out on some seasonal opportunities like Everest Base Camp, Oktoberfest, and the slim possibility of stepping foot on Antarctica. So we split the difference and put together an ideal route that was also open for change at a moments notice. But as our itinerary post calls out, there is one period where we are throwing it all to the wind in what we are calling our 2-week Mystery Destination. The unique thing about this destination is not so much that it is not planned, but rather we need your help in planning it!
Help Us Plan the Mystery Destination
There is a simple reason that we are requesting help in planning our Mystery Destination. We need advice from real travelers who have done something amazing. One of the things we hate about travel planning is that we always mix guidebooks with blogger posts; and in this one instance we're telling planning websites to take a hike. We need you to help fill this gaping hole in our route. In order to do that, we need to explain a bit more in how we have this opportunity in the first place.
When looking at our ideal itinerary, we have a few must visit destinations that we'd like to check out. In the first week of January 2014 we anticipate finishing up our time in India, thus ending the planned Asia segment of our adventure. After that we want to head over to South America in hopes of making an early February Antarctic cruise if our savings holds up. But between that time we have around two to three full weeks where we don't have any need to be anywhere and have absolutely zero commitments of any kind.
How do we fill this void? You need to help us!
This is a unique scenario for us as we have the opportunity to, quite literally, travel anywhere in the world for a two or three week period. While we have a limited budget on what we can spend when we get there, this scenario has been made possible due to the fact that we have 200,000 airline miles just sitting in our account; and so far no need to spend them. So for our mystery destination we wanted to open it up for input from our readers on where you think we should go! With 200,000 airline miles we have enough to cover us to fly to nearly any destination in the world and later fly to South America, possibly even in business class for both routes at the same time.
When the perfect scenario presents itself, we can't take it lightly.
Requirements for a Destination
Of course, we do need to establish a few ground rules on what we are looking for in terms of a Mystery Destination in order to make it fit into the other aspects of our trip. These rules are meant to give a fun guidance and we are open to breaking any of them if the perfect destination calls for it.
The following are the guidelines that we would like to request for all recommendations for our Mystery Destination:
- This will be January, and we would preferably like to go somewhere warm. Cold destinations may be considered but may not be ranked as favorably as we will not have winter gear with us.
- We are open to traveling during this period, but only on short distances between cities or neighboring countries. No long treks or crazy flight itineraries once we get there!
- We are looking at around two weeks of total duration (maximum three) and typically spend 3 to 5 days in places we visit.
- No repeats of places we've already been on this trip or places we will be going in the future.
- A spending cap at $200/day is what we have to work with; however, we are opening to shortening our time at the Mystery Destination if need be.
- While we would love to go to Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific, this is one part of the world where we cannot easily use our miles to fly to South America easily thereafter.
- If you are a blogger and have any published articles to help your case, include it with your comment to help sway us!
So, will we spend two weeks on an island in the Indian Ocean or exploring the ancient cities of Morocco? Perhaps a safari in Africa, trekking to the Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights, or just finding a cheap beach and relaxing for two weeks? Or maybe we'll just skip it all and spend the two weeks in South America to get a head start on our second leg of the adventure? We don't know, and we'd really like your help!
Comment below with your recommendation (up to 3 per person) and help us plan for our two-week Mystery Destination! Teasers will be given on our Facebook fan page once we make our decision!
