One huge change I have noticed is the removal of Uluru from the Australia itinerary. They have instead added 3 days in Melbourne. If I was looking for a first time trip to Australia this would be a no go for me as Uluru would be a high on my list of things to see. I would be interested to know why they have chosen to remove it. I did the Australia ABD in 2015 when the tour included Uluru and Tasmania. I did find the new itinerary appealing enough to consider if I was to take a second trip Down Under.
The ABD trip did not climb Uluru. We went by camelback to watch the sunrise over it. We hiked around it. We explored its sister, and listened to tales of its geological and cultural history. Watching the colors appear, swirl, and change at sunrise by camelback was an awe inspiring experience. Climb it? Never! That's as disrespectful as having a picnic lunch in St. Peter's basilica in Rome.Climbing Uluru is now officially banned as of 2019. The climbing was always discouraged but now officially banned.
https://theconversation.com/why-we-are-banning-tourists-from-climbing-uluru-86755
-Paul
I'm sorry - this was a duplicate...I don't know why it diid that and I can't seem to remove this. Please ignore this one.Climbing Uluru is now officially banned as of 2019. The climbing was always discouraged but now officially banned.
https://theconversation.com/why-we-are-banning-tourists-from-climbing-uluru-86755
-Paul
Could I get a hamburger made from holy cow?That's as disrespectful as having a picnic lunch in St. Peter's basilica in Rome.
It was overcast on my trip as well. Big disappointment as I had been really looking forward the stargazing. It was kind of neat watching the lightning strikes from a distant storm though.Uluru was a highlight. I'd love to try to see it again underneath the stars. It was painfully overcast when we went.
I was thinking they are cutting days/activities out to save costs and keep the prices similar without increasing the trip total cost?I personally don't understand ABD's itinerary decisions sometimes. Why bother going all the way to Australia for cities? It's the natural stuff that's the draw there!
And cutting out Ronda and Marbella in Spain, while adding almost nothing in return? Ugh...they cut out a whole day!!
Yep, this. That has always been my take. The most egregious ones that I remember were the Alaska cruise add-on years ago when they literally got rid of the most expensive part and replaced it with nothing and Scotland where they pretty much massacred the entire itinerary.I was thinking they are cutting days/activities out to save costs and keep the prices similar without increasing the trip total cost?
Yep, this. That has always been my take. The most egregious ones that I remember were the Alaska cruise add-on years ago when they literally got rid of the most expensive part and replaced it with nothing and Scotland where they pretty much massacred the entire itinerary.
Nope. It's standard operating procedures for ABD. They cut stuff and give you more OYO time. Or less days.I’ve noticed that a lot of you guys that have done Abd several times in the past have mentioned Scotland was one of the best but only when it was in its early stages. My thinking with the new cuts was that it was for economic reasons? But I guess it was more based on comments of other travelers.