gaynor

I've posted our RTW itinerary separately following requests on a previous thread. It was put together so that we could visit places that we have not yet been to (with the exception of Perth and the overnight in Auckland which were built in more for convenience of flights - we've spent more time in AU and NZ previously; and Rarotonga which we loved 2 years ago and wanted to return to). Many thanks to all who have contributed to the initial research.

Day : Fly LHR to ORD

US
Days 2 and 3 : Embassy Suites, Chicago
Days 5,6,7 : Starved Rock Lodge, Starved Rock, Illinois

South Pacific :
Day 8 : Overnight flight to Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Days 9 to 15 : Palm Grove, Rarotonga

Day 10 is 'missing' due to crossing the international date line (I think!)

Days 11 and 12 : Tanoa Waterfront Hotel, Fiji
Days 13 to 18 : Blue Lagoon Cruise, Fiji

Day 19 : Overnight at Jet Park Airport Hotel, Auckland

Days 20 to 24 : Quest Harbour Village (apartment) Perth, Australia

Day 25 : Overnight on plane to Namibia

Namibia
Day 26 : Okonjima Main Camp
Days 27 to 29 : Okaukuejo Rest Camp, Etosha
Days 30 and 31 : Dora Nawas
Day 32 : The Stiltz
Days 33 and 34 : Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp
Days 35 and 36 : Wolwedans Dune Camp
Day 37 : The Olive Grove Gusthouse
Day 38 : Overnight on plane back to UK.

George, if you read this, we will take note of your advice re driving and look for Solitaire as you suggest.

Patty, is your itinerary posted somewhere ?

Gaynor

Gardyloo

As a RTW geek I started counting days and got misled by your RAR stopover - I assume that's a typo. You only lose one day between the Cooks and Fiji, not five!

Sounds like a great trip.

moremiles

Sounds wonderful! Are you going to do some diving in the Cook Islands and Fiji? Are you using miles for this trip and, if so, which alliance? What is Starved Rock Lodge? Love that name. Thanks for posting.

gaynor

Opps! I've completly messed up the timings when posting the itinerary - the places are right and the order is right - but the days are not! I'll correct it when I'm not so tired (the ticket is right, thank goodness!).

Gaynor

PS Not using miles (but earning them!). It is a Star Alliance RTW ticket. Starved Rock Lodge is a lodge that looked nice in Starved Rock State Park. I liked the name too! We will be snorkelling but not diving in Fiji and the Cooks.

thit_cho

When will you return from Raratonga? I am visiting over Christmas, and am looking for a place to stay, on the beach with great off-beach snorkeling. Right now I'm thinking about a place called Reflections, but I stil need to do some research on Raratonga. I'll also be staying at the Jet Park Airport in Auckland, and that seems pretty good for an airport hotel.

Patty

Thanks for posting this. Sounds fantastic. Our itinerary is:

Fly LAX to CPT
4 nts Akademie Street Guesthouses, Franschhoek
Fly to WDH
1 nt Etango Ranch
2 nts Erongo Wilderness
2 nts Stiltz
2 nts Kuangukuangu
2 nts Desert Homestead & Horse Trails (going on their campout ride the second night)
2 nts Wolwedans Dune Camp
2 nts Kiripotib Guest Farm
Fly home

Hope you have a wonderful trip! If you get a chance, a quick comment about The Stiltz and Wolwedans on your return would be appreciated!

matnikstym

you're going to love Rarotonga, my favorite place in the world until I went to Africa. The snorkeling is great. Are you going over to Aitutaki? If so, they have clams the size of VW beetles on an excursion from there. Have a great time!

joeyi

what a great trip!! are you flying from ORD to Rarotonga or do you have to leave from LAX? The Cooks are great, we were there 5 years ago and there was a man, Jake, at the airport playing his ukelee when you arrived and departed. He plays some really good local music even if it's the middle of the night.

gaynor

Patty

Thanks for posting your itinerary. I guess from it that you are a keen horse rider - I don't recognise many of the places that you are staying at. I will certainly post on the ones we have in common as soon as we return but it will only be a day or two before you go.

thit_cho
I will post a message on the Cook Islands forum for you about Rarotonga.

matnikshym

We were on Rarotonga 2 years ago and had a fabulous time. Nothing beats Africa for me, but the two together make a wonderful combination!

Joeyi

We fly ORD to RAR with a couple of hours transit through LAX. I remember the man with the ukelele from last time !

Gaynor