July 2024 – Miles for places

Review: Delayed Flight, Lost Bags, and Poor Communication- Our Forgettable Experience with Ryanair

July 20, 2024April 10, 2025by milesforplaces1 Comment

Background

On a recent trip to Morocco, my family and I were scheduled to fly via Ryanair from Fes, Morocco, to Marrakesh, Morocco. For those of you not familiar with Ryanair, they are the Spirit Airlines of Europe and the pioneer of the low-cost carrier model. When you book Ryanair, you should be informed that you’re getting a bare-bones flying experience at a very low cost to get you from point A to point B. They operate a very successful business due to their cheap airfare and vast network that has them operating several routes with little to no non-stop competition. I knew of the horror stories regarding Ryanair since the internet has Reddit pages and YouTube videos of travelers giving details about their experiences. Ryanair is the only airline that serves non-stop flights between Fes and Marrakesh, and it has prioritized expanding its service within Morocco. Had there been a competitor (I’m shocked Royal Air Maroc, the national airline of Morocco, does not serve this route), I would have paid more or redeemed more miles to avoid flying Ryanair. These two cities don’t link via high-speed rail yet, so that was not an option. Unfortunately, this left us with two options: take the seven-hour car ride with three kids or book with Ryanair and incur the risks of using their service. The tickets for the one-way flight were only 17 Euros, so even after paying for two checked bags and priority boarding, it was still a great deal. I thought it was a risk worth taking.

Continue reading →

Africa Itineraries, Destinations & Itineraries, Hotels, Reviews

Travel Itinerary: African Safari With Toddlers- Three Days at Mopani Safari Lodge near South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Featuredby milesforplacesLeave a Comment

During the summer of 2023, my family and I took a trip to Zambia and South Africa to reconnect with relatives, have new experiences, and see the sights for which Africa is renowned. We wanted to experience a safari and stay in a lodge that would bring us close to the wildlife, both during game drives and on the lodge premises. We also needed a lodge that was amenable to having a 10-month-old, a three-year-old, and a four-year-old on the game drives. We researched several of Africa’s larger and more renowned game parks, such as Serengeti, Masai Mara, and Kruger. Almost all had an age requirement that would have excluded us from experiencing game drives in an open jeep as a family. My cousins informed me about Mopani, a safari lodge that didn’t have age restrictions and had game drives that toddlers and infants could also enjoy in an open jeep. Upon the strong recommendation of my cousins, who have visited multiple times, we booked our stay at the Mopani Lodge, located outside South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. This was the experience of a lifetime, and our stay was exceptional in every aspect, from the accommodations and service to the knowledgeable tour guides to the delicious food served daily. Here is a detailed recap of both our drive to the location and our stay.

Continue reading →

Hotels

Review: Protea Hotel, Chipata, Zambia

July 6, 2024April 12, 2025by milesforplaces1 Comment

On our way to South Luangwa National Park from Lusaka, we stayed a night at the Protea Hotel in Chipata. Protea is part of the Marriott hotel portfolio and is ubiquitous in Africa. I had never heard of this brand until I was searching on Marriott’s app for hotels in Chipata. About two and a half hours from South Luangwa National Park, Protea Hotel proved an excellent accommodation to break our journey.

Continue reading →