Booked: The Trip of a Lifetime

I know, I know… I’ve been guilty of describing travel experiences as “once-in-a-lifetime” in the past – only to sheepishly undertake them again after some time has passed. 

On this occasion, though, I’m thrilled to share with you all the details of what will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime trip: a round-the-world honeymoon to Kenya, Tanzania, and the Seychelles.

The Trip

As you may know, Jessy and I got married in July on the sandy beaches of Tofino on Vancouver Island. We were surrounded by our loving family, close friends, and stunning natural beauty in what was a most perfect experience.

But having gotten engaged in the Maldives three years ago and indulged in a “pre-honeymoon” in Bora Bora earlier this year, I had my work cut out for me in planning a honeymoon that could top it all off. 

What would be a special travel experience that neither of us had done before? As I pondered this question, my mind began gravitating towards the idea of embarking on an African safari. Jessy and I have always dreamed of wandering amongst the animals out on the savannah, and this trip seemed to be the perfect occasion to make it happen.

And then, since we’d be all the way out in Africa anyway, I couldn’t help but hop on over to the Seychelles to tack on a few tropical island experiences that we’ve come to love over the years. 

The overall trip takes us across some of the most exciting aspirational flights, properties, and destinations in the world accessible on both points and cash, which all came together through a mix of good fortune, an almighty splurge, and a cheeky 24-hour layover city break for good measure.

The Safaris

We’ll be embarking on our honeymoon after attending another wedding in the Bay Area. We’ll be kicking things off on a rather modest note with a Spirit Airlines flight from San Jose to Dallas, from where we’ll catch Turkish Airlines 787 business class to Istanbul.

Prior to our flight, we’ll enjoy some time in the Capital One Lounge, which is the partner lounge that Turkish Airlines uses in Dallas. I’ve been meaning to check out this lounge ever since it opened, since it seems to have set a new standard among card-branded lounges in North America. 

After a pitstop in the flagship Turkish Airlines Business Lounge Istanbul, we’ll head onwards to Nairobi in Turkish Airlines 737 MAX business class. Turkish…