Almost, as soon as we return from one trip people ask where to next? I usually have a couple of ideas for future trips and will tell them either here or there. Not really having any idea where we may end up at that time.

This is how I plan our trips. Now that we are retired, we do not have any time constraints. Money constraints yes, but not time constraints. The only time constraint would be, do we need visas and how long can we stay in any given country?

The first part of the planning is where to go. We prefer to go to new places. If we have been there before, why would we go back? South Korea is one country we would go back to for cycling and have plans to go back. New Zealand we would go back to, but more for the scenery and the people.

I usually look for new places to visit. Both Ralf and I lovely history and architecture, that is always part of the reason to choose where to go. Occasionally a country is big and we only touch on a small section of that country, we may choose to go back to a different area. The United States for example, we have cycled the southern tier and the Pacific Coast Highway. We may cycle the Atlantic Coast of the United States, but not yet. Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) we didn’t get there on the Round the World Trip (RTW)

Places on the bucket list include China, Russia, Japan and the old East Block of Europe. China and Russia are out for the foreseeable future. The history in Europe and cycling infrastructure is always a draw. When we were living in Germany, Ralf was not allowed to go to Berlin.

Once we have decided Where to Next? I start researching the logistics of getting there, visas, vaccinations, approximate cost for flights, accommodation, food, best time to go (weather) and finally routes. I also research possible risks and threats. This part is easy for me because I have a British Passport and I have registered on their websites for warnings. I add the countries I plan to visit and if there are any issues in those countries I get an email. For example: I received an email from the UK indicating that Marshall Law had been imposed in South Korea (December 2024) within hours of it being imposed and when it was lifted.

If we plan to go to multiple countries, what visas do we need and can we get them in advance. How long are we allowed to stay in each country? Visa information is easy to find out. I just go on to the countries website and look for tourist visas.  As a Canadian, Europe has a 90 day visa exemption. This means you can go anywhere in Europe that is part of the Schengen Agreement for 90 days, then you have to leave for 90 days. The Schengen Agreement is made up of 30 countries. However as of 2025 we now need to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) prior to going. This is a pre-screening for border security.

Then I check if we need our vaccinations updated. Tetanus is always one that should be up to date. “Dr. Google” is a great place to check. However, when we went on our RTW, we had an appointment with a Doctor who specialized in travel related vaccinations. He advised us about things like Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies.

Once I have the visa and vaccination information, I start looking at flights. When we went to Taiwan I choose a connecting flight as it was $2,500 cheaper than the direct flight. I am not going to do that again, unless I have no other option. The jetlag was awful on our return, and I was concerned about the bikes not making the connector.

Things I take into consideration when looking at places to go on a cycle trip, time of year (are schools on break) prices will be more expensive. We can go in shoulder seasons, which generally means accommodation is less expensive. Of course, shoulder seasons may mean that the weather is not as good. Although sometimes better as the summer season can be too hot to cycle. Weather is always a factor for a cyclist. Too hot, too cold, too humid, too wet, too windy, Goldilocks, will we ever find just right? Then again, due to climate change I could pick the perfect time to go according to historical weather data and the weather is different.

I look at festivals and celebrations that may be worth going to that country to see or avoid because the prices may be much more expensive.

I always get insurance; specifically flight cancellation or flight delay insurance. Ralf has out of country medical expenses covered in his military coverage. On our RTW we did get Insurance which covered us for medical, dental and theft. We didn’t have to use it, but that is what insurance is all about.

Finally, I look at a route. I map a very rough route on google maps, calculate the distance and then divide that by 70 (average of how many kilometers I want to cycle in a day). Once I have that number, I divide that by 7 (how many weeks it will take us) and add one rest day per week. I also look at places we may want to stay an extra night for being a tourist for the day and add that.

For example: our latest trip in Taiwan the route was approximately 1,200kms divide that by 60 = 20 days of cycling. Three weeks add 3 days on to 20 = 23. Then add the extra tourist days – Taitung, Tainan, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan Railway, Kenting National Park, six more days = 29 days. Then add an extra day on arrival and four days in Taipei at the end to be tourists in Taipei – 34 days. Two days for flying to and from was a total of 36 days. We had the flexibility when the typhoon stopped us for a few extra days. Instead of cycling to Sun Moon Lake we booked a day trip. We couldn’t take the Alyshan Railway because of the Typhoon, so we did a day walking in the mountains around Sushon. We could always cycle further to make up the time or take less time in Taipei at the end of the trip.

I try to build in a few “just in case” days. If something happens like a typhoon or a mechanical breakdown – what do we do? Is there alternative transport – trains, taxis, rental cars etc.

When all that is done, I check flight costs again and book a flight.

Then I find someone to look after the house and cat. Not that Callie is low on the priority, but we have used Housesitters Canada to have someone house and pet sit and it works out very well.

Where Next?  A clue – it is our 40^th wedding Anniversary in 2025, will it be somewhere new or somewhere we have been and want to revisit.  Beer Run (Europe) or Special Trip?

Wait and see.