Where would you like to travel to?

[Michael]

So where would you like to travel to?

I think we should split the question into two parts:

A) Where would you like to travel to that you could realistically afford?

B) Where would you like to travel to if you had lots of time and money to spare?

[partofme]

I have never gotten a chance to go to Europe. I have always wanted to go but never had a good opportunity. Now I'm afraid I probably won't got at least until my children are much older.

[The Sister]

A) Where would you like to travel to that you could realistically afford?

B) Where would you like to travel to if you had lots of time and money to spare?

A) alas realistically I could get to Buffalo (maybe)

B) a first class ticket on the Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul
B) the pyramids of Egypt and then up the Nile to Victoria Falls
B) a month in a country house in Southern Devon England
B) Venice
B) Goya because a friend once had an amazing time there
B) I'd like to drive from town to town across America from Maine to San Diego

[neorealist]

A) Pretty much no where outside the US...but I'll be going Colorado for Thanksgiving and Chicago for Christmas.

B) This list could go on forever....I like going anywhere :shrug: I would make a point to visit every country in the world if I money and time were not an issue.

[Michael]

A) alas realistically I could get to Buffalo (maybe)
:rotf:


B) a first class ticket on the Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul
This is one of my all-time favorite fantasy vacation plans too.

[Americano]

Too many years of airplanes, sailboats, restaurants and hotels has left me with little to no desire for long-range travel. I've been to a lot of places on all the continents (never made it to Mainland China or Russia), all the US states except Alaska and Iraq and my idea of travel at this point in time is our annual sojourn to Santa Barbara for pampering purposes. Fortunately my wife has also been to most of Europe, spent time there and we generally agree there aren't too many places we'd care to repeat. The newness and adventure of a first-time visit to other countries/cities is difficult to regenerate on a repeat visit.

If a long trip did happen to necessitate itself, I'd hock the family silver to ensure it was first class, a difficult habit to break. Considering USD PPP, many regular US travelers we know have sharply reduced their regular pleasure travel.

[Donkey]

A) Medellin, Colombia, and other parts of Latin America. I've hit a lot of them, but I might try to do a quick trip when I graduate too. I would like to end up living and working in Latin America too.

B) Everywhere ever, but mostly the Middle East and North Africa and Eastern Europe.

[Michael]

I'd like to do that Orient Express train trip from Paris to Istanbul. Probably cost a bundle to do it first class, but I'd love to do it. :)

I'd also like to go to Greece just to see the geography and soak up some of the history.

[SMadsen]

Cross Australia and cross South America (the latter diagonally) is on my extended list.

On the more casual list is Italy, which for some strange reason always escapes my plans as I usually end up in Spain, France or Greece instead (when it comes to the Mediterranian, that is).

[SonofaHun]

A). I'd like to travel through the northern and northwest US to visit places like the Badlands in South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, and various parks and reserves in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. I've never been to any of those places.

B). If money and time were no option, I'd take a year or two off and tour as much of the world as possible. I've been to Europe many times, so I'd probably focus on Asia, Oceania, Africa, and South America. Except for brief jaunt into Sault St. Marie when I was a kid, I've never really travelled in Canada either, so that would also be on the list.

[Michael]

Except for brief jaunt into Sault St. Marie when I was a kid, I've never really travelled in Canada either, so that would also be on the list.
OMG :eek:

I'm surprised you don't hate us. SSM (aka "The Sue") has a bit of a reputation up here as one of the ugliest and depressing places in all of Canada.

[SonofaHun]

OMG :eek:

I'm surprised you don't hate us. SSM (aka "The Sue") has a bit of a reputation up here as one of the ugliest and depressing places in all of Canada.

I don't remember much about the visit or the area. So is it something like Gary, IN or Flint, MI with a day-after-Armageddon atmosphere?

[Michael]

I don't remember much about the visit or the area. So is it something like Gary, IN or Flint, MI with a day-after-Armageddon atmosphere?
Not quite. Just a bunch of poor natives.

Saturday night entertainment usually consists of watching drunken Indians fight when the bars close. Its not pretty.

[drgoodtrips]

Personally, I've traveled extensively in the US, but not much abroad at all.

In the realistic department (and not for work) over the next few years I would like to visit Ireland (perhaps with a visit to England and/or Scotland, depending on how much time I allow), a Canadian city or two, and I was thinking perhaps about a trip to Japan or China.

In the non-realistic (or, more accurately, later in life), I would love to visit locations in Sub-Saharan Africa and perhaps do a Mediterranean "sampler", such as a 14-21 day cruise around the region.

[Americano]

Personally, I've traveled extensively in the US, but not much abroad at all.

In the realistic department (and not for work) over the next few years I would like to visit Ireland (perhaps with a visit to England and/or Scotland, depending on how much time I allow), a Canadian city or two, and I was thinking perhaps about a trip to Japan or China.

In the non-realistic (or, more accurately, later in life), I would love to visit locations in Sub-Saharan Africa and perhaps do a Mediterranean "sampler", such as a 14-21 day cruise around the region.

Japan (Tokyo) was the one country where I truly felt like a foreigner.

[drgoodtrips]

Japan (Tokyo) was the one country where I truly felt like a foreigner.

That's interesting. I wonder if I'd mind that for a 7 or 8 day trip. Do you mean that the culture was that much different than what you're used to or that people were xenophobic or unwelcoming?

[Americano]

That's interesting. I wonder if I'd mind that for a 7 or 8 day trip. Do you mean that the culture was that much different than what you're used to or that people were xenophobic or unwelcoming?

The people were gracious and welcoming to a point of gushy, part of the 'face' culture. I was made to feel like a dignitary in every respect. I'm not tall for an American, 6', but in Japan that puts one at giraffe status. Combined with not speaking the language and being made aware of basic cultural differences prior to the trip I knew I was a foreigner going in. I enjoyed myself but knew I was a foreigner and that would never change. Much different than my experiences in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

[Michael]

I'm thinking this would be a real good time to grab a week at an all-inclusive resort down in the Carribean!

I've always loved the 'all-inclusive' type resorts. Unlimited food, booze, books and beach for a week really appeals to me. :D

[Michael]

The people were gracious and welcoming to a point of gushy, part of the 'face' culture. I was made to feel like a dignitary in every respect. I'm not tall for an American, 6', but in Japan that puts one at giraffe status. Combined with not speaking the language and being made aware of basic cultural differences prior to the trip I knew I was a foreigner going in. I enjoyed myself but knew I was a foreigner and that would never change. Much different than my experiences in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Do you mean to say that you felt 'less like a foreigner' in Taiwan or Hong Kong than in Japan?

[Donkey]

Oof. I dropped my roommate off at the airport, en route Spain, and I have the travel bug again!

[Americano]

Do you mean to say that you felt 'less like a foreigner' in Taiwan or Hong Kong than in Japan?

Yes. Both due to my height and English speakers being more prevalent in Taipei and Hong Kong, especially Hong Kong.

[Michael]

One trip I've been thinking about and vaguely planning for quite some time is to visit Wales and Northern England. The goal would be a walking/hiking/train journey to see the Edwardian castles of northern Wales as well as Hadrian's Wall in northern England.

I've been doing lots of research to find really old places to stay at - lots of converted mills, tower-houses and small castles have been converted to bed & breakfast type places all over the countryside.

[The Drunk Guy]

A) Red River Gorge, about an hour from here.

B) Yosemite
B) Hawaii
B) Japan
B) China
B) India
B) South Africa
B) Australia
B) Egypt
B) Israel
B) Romania
B) Germany
B) Prague
B) Paris
B) Madrid
B) Ireland
B) Rio
B) Bogota
B) Back to Florida
B) Back to New York

[The Sister]

Next week the winter coat and jacket are making their annual trip to the cleaners and I am flying off to sun sand and a beach after a long cold Canadian winter!

Sometimes where you want to go isn't a destination but a state of mind!

[Lily]

So, my vacation time this year has been approved, Oct. 5-15. I'm thinking road trip. Starting point is about an hour north of the Tampa area. I've been to the mountains of N. Carolina and Tennessee many, many times, although I'm not against visiting that general area again if I can find some new areas to see. I definitely want to head out of the state of Florida and I'm not all that interested in beach communities. I have great ones here.

I don't make reservations. In the true spirit of a road trip, I just get in the car and go where the asphalt takes me. Interesting road to the west? Okay, let's see what's there. I've recently purchased a new Nikon SLR, so I plan to take lots and lots of photos. Just an idea of what kind of photos I like, one week I spent making photos of structures in Georgia that had been engulfed and nearly taken down by kudzu. I called the series "Reclamation."

Anyone have any suggestions for a good road trip? :)

[Americano]

So, my vacation time this year has been approved, Oct. 5-15. I'm thinking road trip. Starting point is about an hour north of the Tampa area. I've been to the mountains of N. Carolina and Tennessee many, many times, although I'm not against visiting that general area again if I can find some new areas to see. I definitely want to head out of the state of Florida and I'm not all that interested in beach communities. I have great ones here.

I don't make reservations. In the true spirit of a road trip, I just get in the car and go where the asphalt takes me. Interesting road to the west? Okay, let's see what's there. I've recently purchased a new Nikon SLR, so I plan to take lots and lots of photos. Just an idea of what kind of photos I like, one week I spent making photos of structures in Georgia that had been engulfed and nearly taken down by kudzu. I called the series "Reclamation."

Anyone have any suggestions for a good road trip? :)

Ten days is definitely going to limit your range. Have you considered flying to say Seattle and driving a one-way rental back through Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming?

[drgoodtrips]

So, my vacation time this year has been approved, Oct. 5-15. I'm thinking road trip. Starting point is about an hour north of the Tampa area. I've been to the mountains of N. Carolina and Tennessee many, many times, although I'm not against visiting that general area again if I can find some new areas to see. I definitely want to head out of the state of Florida and I'm not all that interested in beach communities. I have great ones here.

I don't make reservations. In the true spirit of a road trip, I just get in the car and go where the asphalt takes me. Interesting road to the west? Okay, let's see what's there. I've recently purchased a new Nikon SLR, so I plan to take lots and lots of photos. Just an idea of what kind of photos I like, one week I spent making photos of structures in Georgia that had been engulfed and nearly taken down by kudzu. I called the series "Reclamation."

Anyone have any suggestions for a good road trip? :)

Why not drive as far south as those key-hopping roads will allow?

I dunno. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably go up the Gulf Coast and visit Alabama and Mississippi, and maybe on up to the Ozarks. Eat a lot of soul food on the way, camp for a night or two, and then head back.

[Lily]

Ten days is definitely going to limit your range. Have you considered flying to say Seattle and driving a one-way rental back through Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming?

That's an interesting alternative. I've never been to the Pacific Northwest, nor have I driven across that area of the country. The landscape, from what I've seen in photos and film, is spectacular. Thanks!

Why not drive as far south as those key-hopping roads will allow?

I dunno. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably go up the Gulf Coast and visit Alabama and Mississippi, and maybe on up to the Ozarks. Eat a lot of soul food on the way, camp for a night or two, and then head back.

I was thinking of following along the old Natchez Trace route through those states. Plenty of soul food and Blues, I would imagine. Perhaps I might find some ghosts of the Antebellum South. Thank you. :)

[Lily]

Seems my vacation plans have been waylaid this year, but for a good reason. If all goes well, I'll be moving into my new home and using my vacation time to pack and set up my new house. :D

I love my land here, but I just can no longer tolerate the pitbulls running free in the streets, the indiscriminate gunfire at all hours of the day and night, the lack of even one decent bookstore (not to mention a good restaurant), just one place that has decent live music, people who actually read books and above all, a real hospital. I'm returning to civilization and I'm having a good Lamb Vindaloo just as soon as I get there.

[Michael]

Seems my vacation plans have been waylaid this year, but for a good reason. If all goes well, I'll be moving into my new home and using my vacation time to pack and set up my new house. :D

I love my land here, but I just can no longer tolerate the pitbulls running free in the streets, the indiscriminate gunfire at all hours of the day and night, the lack of even one decent bookstore (not to mention a good restaurant), just one place that has decent live music, people who actually read books and above all, a real hospital. I'm returning to civilization and I'm having a good Lamb Vindaloo just as soon as I get there.

Smallish college towns are apparently the best places to live in the USA - if one goes by any of the 'quality of life' type indexes. They usually have some decent bookstores, coffeeshops, restaurants and some nightlife in a way that most smallish towns do not have these things.

[Michael]

As for myself, I'm off to Algonquin Park next week for a five-day canoe trip. :)

I just love the peace and serenity of travelling by canoe through primal wilderness and old-growth forest.

[Americano]

I'm headed into town today, always an adventure. Takes about an hour before I mentally reaffirm why I don't live in town. I'm going today so I can avoid the upcoming 3-day holiday mess.

[Zarquon]

Round-trip of Europe, especially Scandinavia.
But that's not gonna happen for a few years.

[Americano]

Round-trip of Europe, especially Scandinavia.
But that's not gonna happen for a few years.

With USD PPP going down the drain it could be a very expensive trip in a few years.

After college my wife and a friend did the freighter thing NY to Europe and spent six months there, wandering from country to country until their fathers shut-off the money by sending one-way, non-refundable tickets home instead of cash.

[Lasher]

So where would you like to travel to?

I think we should split the question into two parts:

A) Where would you like to travel to that you could realistically afford?

B) Where would you like to travel to if you had lots of time and money to spare?
A) Lasher can afford to go to virtually any place on earth that is reasonable (not the Poles or other out-of-the-way places).

B) Lash has recently returned from a trip to France, England, Ireland, Newfoundland and Boston.

[Lasher]

So where would you like to travel to?

I think we should split the question into two parts:

A) Where would you like to travel to that you could realistically afford?

B) Where would you like to travel to if you had lots of time and money to spare?
To a place where everyone knows not to end a sentence with a preposition.

[wphelan]

To a place where everyone knows not to end a sentence with a preposition.

I want to go to where everyone writes and speaks in fragmented sentences. Where would you recommend?

[Donkey]

I want to go to Hungary now.

[KSigMason]

I am currently saving up for a trip to Italy, I love that area. Egypt would be another place I want to go.

[Donkey]

I might be going to Puerto Rico sometime later this winter. We'll see.

[Americano]

I might be going to Puerto Rico sometime later this winter. We'll see.

Going to Puerto Rico with 70° low temperatures from the Midwest in the dead of winter is a big win.

[Michael]

Right now I'm sourcing out a trip to the Carribean. I like fucking off to the Carribean during the winter months... :D

I especially like those "all-inclusive" type resorts for a week of doing nothing (but stuffing one's face with food and booze).

[Agent Zero]

I'd like to go to other states in the U.S. for starters, like California (again), NY, TX, and maybe some others. As for foreign countries: Ireland, England, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and maybe somewhere in Latin America.

[Michael]

I'd like to go to other states in the U.S. for starters, like California (again), NY, TX, and maybe some others. As for foreign countries: Ireland, England, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and maybe somewhere in Latin America.

I think it is as important to consider how you want to travel as much as it is to think about where you want to travel to.

For example, backpacking/hiking/cycling is one way to see a place, car/hotel is another. Or airplanes/hotel/car-rental, or perhaps by train - or camping. Different ways of travel (and budgets) suit travelling to various different places.

Europe for example can be extremely expensive with hotels and restaurant food - while the USA can be a whole lot cheaper for hotels and restaurants.

Thus, if one doesn't have much money (or is young), doing Europe with hotels and restaurants can be very difficult - youthful backpacking, trains and hostels might be the way to go there (or the same in Central/South America).

If you are over 30, the cheap backpack/hostel travel system becomes more difficult (youth travel hostels are almost always restricted to under 30 or under 25). Alternatively, driving around the US is a good place to travel when one is young because it is fairly cheap with motels and gas (I drove across most of the USA back in my very early 20's when I couldn't afford to go to Europe).

[Americano]

I'd like to go to other states in the U.S. for starters, like California (again), NY, TX, and maybe some others. As for foreign countries: Ireland, England, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and maybe somewhere in Latin America.

I wouldn't waste the time on TX. New Mexico has more diversity. For CA, Santa Barbara north.

[justonemorevoice]

I wouldn't waste the time on TX. New Mexico has more diversity. For CA, Santa Barbara north.

heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, now watch it there. lol.

[Americano]

heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, now watch it there. lol.

The truth can hurt.

[The Drunk Girl]

heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, now watch it there. lol.

At least it is Texas and not Kentucky ;)

How many people say, "Oooohhh...I want to go to Kentucky for summer vacation!"? We just get used for the Derby and that is only once a year.

[Michael]

One of our members Andrewl lives in northern Alberta. I'm sure they don't even know the meaning of the word "tourist" in that part of the country! :lol:

[Michael]

At least it is Texas and not Kentucky ;)

How many people say, "Oooohhh...I want to go to Kentucky for summer vacation!"? We just get used for the Derby and that is only once a year.
Look on the bright side. Kentucky is way more 'attractive' than Kansas or Nebraska! :lol:

[Americano]

At least it is Texas and not Kentucky ;)

How many people say, "Oooohhh...I want to go to Kentucky for summer vacation!"? We just get used for the Derby and that is only once a year.

I attended a Derby and what a party that was. I have no desire to live anywhere in the bible belt, Midwest or on the US East Coast. Someone else can populate those areas with horrific summer humidity. There are better places.

[The Drunk Girl]

Look on the bright side. Kentucky is way more 'attractive' than Kansas or Nebraska! :lol:

True true, considering I have only drove through Kansas once in my life. I don't think I have even been in Nebraska.

Kentucky is a beautiful state, but there is nothing to really attract anyone to come here other than that. People need instant gratification to be entertained and well, one isn't going to find that right off the bat when visiting here.

The county where TDG grew up, is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

[The Drunk Girl]

I attended a Derby and what a party that was. I have no desire to live anywhere in the bible belt, Midwest or on the US East Coast. Someone else can populate those areas with horrific summer humidity. There are better places.

When I lived in Louisville, Churchill Downs was four blocks or so from my dorm. I was somewhat disappointed when I saw it for the first time. It appeared rather small to me considering what it is. :shrug: It always cracked me up that this wonderful and exquisite place was only a couple blocks away from the ghetto.

I am sure it was quite the party indeed. The Galt House, located on the river front would temporarily hire students in mass quantities for Derby and Thunder over Louisville (http://www.thunderoverlouisville.org/index.html) (the largest firework show in North America). Students would always come back bragging about who they saw and how much money they made on tips.

People that didn't attend Derby, obviously still had Derby Parties and the traffic is horrific. I got a "little" high and got caught in a traffic jam on an empty tank of gas once. I just parked my car and walked back to campus :lol:
(http://www.thunderoverlouisville.org/index.html)

[Agent Zero]

I wouldn't waste the time on TX. New Mexico has more diversity. For CA, Santa Barbara north.

Part of it is for the BBQ.:cool:

[Donkey]

I'd like to go to other states in the U.S. for starters, like California (again), NY, TX, and maybe some others. As for foreign countries: Ireland, England, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and maybe somewhere in Latin America.
Where in Latin America?

Thus, if one doesn't have much money (or is young), doing Europe with hotels and restaurants can be very difficult - youthful backpacking, trains and hostels might be the way to go there (or the same in Central/South America).

If you are over 30, the cheap backpack/hostel travel system becomes more difficult (youth travel hostels are almost always restricted to under 30 or under 25). Alternatively, driving around the US is a good place to travel when one is young because it is fairly cheap with motels and gas (I drove across most of the USA back in my very early 20's when I couldn't afford to go to Europe).
I don't know, there are a lot of hostels that don't have age restrictions. At least in Latin America, it may be different in Europe. I don't know of any that do have restrictions but I do know of some that don't because when I was staying in them, there were also old guys staying there.

[Americano]

Part of it is for the BBQ.:cool:

That would be the Deep South. Having been born and raised in Texas, residing in Atlanta as an adult with extensive travel from North Carolina down through Alabama, imo getting superior BBQ in TX would be similar to discovering Kosher food in Bumfuck, ID. It could happen, but the odds would make Vegas joyful.

Nothing against Texas BBQ, I'll eat it, but we didn't start doing it until long, long after Deep South states originated it. Experience does count

[Agent Zero]

Where in Latin America?

Brazil of course.:D And maybe Argentina.

[cassandrabandra]

Where in Latin America?

I don't know, there are a lot of hostels that don't have age restrictions. At least in Latin America, it may be different in Europe. I don't know of any that do have restrictions but I do know of some that don't because when I was staying in them, there were also old guys staying there.

in Europe most places don't have age restrictions in my experience - although some are more youth oriented, some more family oriented.

[cassandrabandra]

I want to go further east than I've been before (well its actually west from here, but you know what I mean). I've been thinking about doingthe trans siberian - or maybe th etrans mongolian ... but I'd like to stop off in a few places along the way.

[Michael]

in Europe most places don't have age restrictions in my experience - although some are more youth oriented, some more family oriented.
Family oriented hostels? I've never even heard of that!

Free places to stay for families? Are you sure about this?

And I most certainly have seen Youth Hostels in Europe with age restrictions.
I encountered quite a few of them when planning a trip to Europe about a dozen years ago.

[cassandrabandra]

Family oriented hostels? I've never even heard of that!

Free places to stay for families? Are you sure about this?

And I most certainly have seen Youth Hostels in Europe with age restrictions.
I encountered quite a few of them when planning a trip to Europe about a dozen years ago.


they're not free! if you are a member of hostelling international you can get a discount in lots of places, but many hostels cater for people travelling with kids as well. some places I have stayed have had groups with kids (eg school groups) , but its not uncommon to meet families travelling.

first time I took my daughter she was 11 and we stayed mostly in hostels in Europe -and I wasn't young either. Some were really good value, many also have private rooms, but often if you want to go that way you can get just as good a deal with cheap hotels.

if you want to go free - try couch surfing!