I'm considering doing a "trip of a lifetime" in 2014, combined with seeing a little something of Hong Kong, a place I have wanted to visit for several years now. As this mostly seems to be available as an "optional extra", I was wondering if anyone would care to share their experiences to help me make up my mind. As far as I'm aware, there are three basic choices:

1) New Zealand (which includes a brief stopover en route). CON: Is the itinerary set to change in the future, as the Hong Kong aspect temporarily vanished from the JY website earlier this year?

2) Australia - according to the JY brochure, I can stay in HK on my journey home. CON: Unescorted, could spend up to four nights on my own!?

3) China (with Travelsphere). CON: Single traveller on a "couples" holiday. (I am aware there is a seperate thread for this).

Any recommendations? Thanks in anticipation!

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Steve, I've also been thinking about wanting to see HK and have looked at the various options too! This is what I've tentatively decided: I hope to do China next year with JY, including the Yangzte add-on. They've really improved the itinerary with the new Inspirational China tour which now includes Shanghai and Chengdu. I've looked into the Travelsphere options, which are truly excellent regarding choice but like you I'd prefer to go with JY whenever possible. So I'd be gambling on going to New Zealand with JY in about three years time and hoping that HK (and just as importantly for me - the Cook Islands) are still being offered as part of the NZ tour. I've only been travelling with JY for three years, but HK has always been part of the NZ tour as long as I've been scouring the brochures, so hopefully will continue to do so. The new brochure for existing tours will be out in late May/June and the Sept brochure will include the full schedule for 2014 including new tours (according to Will, who seems to co-ordinate many of the tour intineraries). So we should know more then. Hope that helps!

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Bob, thanks for taking the time to reply. I agree that overall, the JY itinerary for China has much improved for the single traveller (apart from not being able to visit HK!), but it also departs from Gatwick, whereas the TS tours depart from Heathrow. I'm up in Manchester, and learnt recently that BA have stopped their direct flights to Gatwick, which makes getting there just a little more complicated. Still, by hook or by crook, I'll do both China and its Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong one day,

There is one China trip direct from Manchester if fancy the Sept departure, as I was looking at that one, but have booked Canada this year instead now.

Cindy

To be honest I did the HKG on route to NZ and for what we saw I would of rather gone straight to NZ...this was mainly due to the appalling weather and smog I am sure there were smome fantastic sights to see but they past me by.....lol

Cindy

Hi Cindy, may I ask at what time of year you went? Just wondering if it would have been a climate kind of thing. Many thanks.

It was in January 2012 tour, it really did spoil some amazing sights I am sure and I just felt for me it was a waste of time, we can not control the weather anywhere in the world so maybe I was just VERY unlucky. Hope you have better luck

Cindy

If you are already going to that part of world a visit not to be missed.

( I 'clanged' somewhat - booked NZ this year to find that HK is included! However, still looking forward to re-visiting).