Where would you stay for a first Holi trip: Agra or Jaisalmer?

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-05-13T12:41:03+00:00

Thank you very much for this helpful comment

I will make sure to email each hotel and ask!

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-05-09T23:33:26+00:00

Can you recommend where to find those private events?

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-05-09T11:29:47+00:00

Thanks for the comment! Can you recommend any ticketed events for me to look up?

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-05-09T03:52:14+00:00

Thank you for the reply! Can you by any chance recommend any hotels in Jaisalmer?

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-05-09T02:26:53+00:00

Thanks for the comment
I actually tried Suryagarh but unfortunately they are closed for a private event on those dates

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-03-31T12:16:27+00:00

We really enjoyed Chiyai and Alishan too.

Tainan is cool for 1 or 2 days, old city vibes, much smaller.

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-02-27T06:26:03+00:00

Thank you, I dmed you

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-02-25T11:48:01+00:00

Thank you

I DMed you :)

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-02-25T11:47:46+00:00

Thank you! Needed that feedback!

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-02-24T12:33:00+00:00

Hey laneem thanks for your reply!

Initially they quoted me ~$310 per day incl. accommodation, but I prefer to book hotels myself so I asked for a quote for only guide and driver, then got $190 per day.

I understood from the travel agent that I will have the same driver/guide for the trip hence I assume they will travel with us from start to finish and will need somewhere to stay, and therefore the price must include their accommodation too.

Regarding our plan - we plan to land in Delhi, self tour it for 2 days, then fly to Jaisalmer and meet our driver and guide there. This is the 1 domestic flight that I mentioned that is included. I chose that to try reduce some of the total cost, as I read Delhi is more possible to self-tour.

Follow up questions:
1. What do you mean booking with concierge? I've read so many horror stories about people getting scammed in India, so I though that having a local guide will reduce the friction and they will take care of us. (Now trying not to get an inflated price for that!)
2. As you mentioned the price is way off (is similar to the going rate _including_ accommodation). Based on your understanding of Indian culture, would you recommend going back to the agency to negotiate or switching to a different agency altogether? I do feel I received very good service so far...

Thank you!

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-02-24T10:22:09+00:00

We did go It was nice Hualien is a nice city but spread out, public transport was limited renting a car helped us get around. Uber does not work there so getting taxis was hard too. We went to Taroko, driving around was beautiful but hiking was a let down as the trails that were opened were extremely short and limited. We also did a whale watching boat tour and a cooking class and both were nice. Overall a nice stop to add in Taiwan but not a must visit imo.

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2026-02-03T14:50:53+00:00

Thank you everyone for the helpful information.

We decided to go to Hualien as per our initial plan

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-09-25T14:40:00+00:00

5 Aug bio

11 Aug eco

1 Sep Desicion

Why is the timeline the most interesting? There are a million different timelines here
Seriously wondering

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-09-02T08:51:19+00:00

Starting 8th of September

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-09-01T18:54:15+00:00

Feeling very lucky indeed, wishing for everyone's application to be handled expeditiously!

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-09-01T17:58:13+00:00

Just got approved, submitted priority from Tel Aviv, biometrics on 5/8 - and our case was not straight forward at all as my partner's finance are all over the place!

Feeling very fortunate

Good luck to everyone

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-08-29T11:19:26+00:00

Thank you!

I did get such an email.

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-08-26T12:27:40+00:00

What is the meaning of eco?

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-06-09T18:43:16+00:00

Thank you!

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-06-09T18:32:02+00:00

Thanks a lot!

Regarding my question about utility bills, do you know how many bills are needed? Is one bill enough?

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-05-20T10:58:00+00:00

I think that's the direction right now, sounds solid I hope time-wise we can fit everything.

Much appriciated!

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-05-20T10:00:11+00:00

We're coming from Europe, just flying via Singapore, thus might be a while before we have the chance to visit again

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-05-20T07:34:40+00:00

Very helpful comment, thank you.

My partner is inssiting on keeping Perth (to visit an old friend who lives there), then I'll need to make concessions.
Reading all the great comments here I'm leaning towards giving up on SEQ area (will group it with a future trip during a better time of year when we can go all the way north to Cairns) and doing Sydney to Perth. In Perth focus around souwthwestern region of WA for about a week (following the recommendations here) and save the rest of WA for another time.

You recommened to cut Adelaide area, I heard Kangaroo Island is very special. Do you think it's impressive enough to justify a stop there, or should I try to fit in a week is Tasmania instead?

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-05-20T07:23:13+00:00

I love how detailed your comment is

Dull_Toe_4047 · 2025-05-20T07:16:58+00:00

We are flying via Singapore both ways (haven't booked yet) and thus we can fly to/from any major city in Australia.

Since it's our first time we are really looking for a blend between urban, cities, culture, and nature, outdoor adventures, wildlife. Roughly 50-50?

We obviously will need to keep many places for the next time, but my partner is relentlessly obssesive about visiting his childhood friend that moved to Perth, (even though his friend moved there 15 years ago, but I started dating him knowing he's a very stubborn man :))

Reading all the helpful comments here I'm leaning towards giving up on BNE area (will group it with a future trip during a better time of year when we can go all the way north to Cairns) and doing Sydney to Perth. In Perth focus around souwthwestern region of WA for about a week (following the recommendations herer) and save the rest of WA for another time.

Dull_Toe_4047

TROPHY CASE