The thought of long-haul air travel tends to conjure up images of sitting cooped up in cramped conditions, with only the in-flight "entertainment" to stave off boredom, for up to a full day.
Not nice at the best of times.
But you and your traveling companions needn't subject yourself to that.
Planning a stopover means that you can stop off halfway, have a break from the hustle and bustle of the airport and add another country to your itinerary.
If you plan it effectively, your ultimate stopover can almost be like paying for one holiday and getting a second for virtually no extra cost.
It sure beats killing time in the airport! How to choose your stop over.
Choosing where you wish to stop over is a matter of traveling with an airline that stops where you want to visit.
There are common stopover destinations in many countries of the world, including China, Japan, North America and Singapore.
When making a choice, one thing you may wish to consider is the time of the proposed stopover, and how this may aid in adjusting to time differences and the like.
Another issue to be mindful of is any restrictions your airline may have placed on stopovers.
Some airlines allow extended stopovers at an additional cost (including airport taxes), while others may place a limit of one or two days.
Popular stopover destinations While there are a variety of stopovers available (depending on your airline), the following destinations are particularly popular: Singapore - With its museums, gardens and abundant shopping opportunities, many people consider Singapore to be THE ultimate stopover destination.
Many airlines offer free travel on tourist buses and free entry to many tourist attractions in conjunction with stopovers.
Sydney - Whether you want to stop by the Opera House, visit Bondi Beach or catch a ferry across Sydney Harbour, Sydney offers many experiences suitable for short stopovers.
Dubai - Dubai is perhaps most famous as a shopping mecca.
There are other options for the more adventurous, however.
You can hit the slopes at the first Middle Eastern indoor ski resort, or even go on a desert safari.
Hong Kong - Hong Kong is another destination eternally popular amongst bargain-hunters.
Other tourist attractions include The Peak, Victoria Harbour and the Avenue of Stars.
While these are among the most popular stopover destinations, you can choose other options according to your preferences.
Aside from giving you a break from plane travel, a stopover really can add another element to your vacation.
Not nice at the best of times.
But you and your traveling companions needn't subject yourself to that.
Planning a stopover means that you can stop off halfway, have a break from the hustle and bustle of the airport and add another country to your itinerary.
If you plan it effectively, your ultimate stopover can almost be like paying for one holiday and getting a second for virtually no extra cost.
It sure beats killing time in the airport! How to choose your stop over.
Choosing where you wish to stop over is a matter of traveling with an airline that stops where you want to visit.
There are common stopover destinations in many countries of the world, including China, Japan, North America and Singapore.
When making a choice, one thing you may wish to consider is the time of the proposed stopover, and how this may aid in adjusting to time differences and the like.
Another issue to be mindful of is any restrictions your airline may have placed on stopovers.
Some airlines allow extended stopovers at an additional cost (including airport taxes), while others may place a limit of one or two days.
Popular stopover destinations While there are a variety of stopovers available (depending on your airline), the following destinations are particularly popular: Singapore - With its museums, gardens and abundant shopping opportunities, many people consider Singapore to be THE ultimate stopover destination.
Many airlines offer free travel on tourist buses and free entry to many tourist attractions in conjunction with stopovers.
Sydney - Whether you want to stop by the Opera House, visit Bondi Beach or catch a ferry across Sydney Harbour, Sydney offers many experiences suitable for short stopovers.
Dubai - Dubai is perhaps most famous as a shopping mecca.
There are other options for the more adventurous, however.
You can hit the slopes at the first Middle Eastern indoor ski resort, or even go on a desert safari.
Hong Kong - Hong Kong is another destination eternally popular amongst bargain-hunters.
Other tourist attractions include The Peak, Victoria Harbour and the Avenue of Stars.
While these are among the most popular stopover destinations, you can choose other options according to your preferences.
Aside from giving you a break from plane travel, a stopover really can add another element to your vacation.