Help Me Plan My Next Trip

[movingforward]

There are so many places I want to visit that I can't decide.  I need help! 

I have been to Italy, Ireland, Hawaii, Alaska, Belize, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.  I enjoy hiking and being outdoors, though at the end of the day I want a shower and a bed to sleep on.  I also love museums and just walking around the city.  I am fairly versatile and really just like learning about the local culture.  In general, I am not a fan of tours.  I am open to cruises depending on the location.  My family did a Hawaiian cruise a few years ago and I thought it was a great way to see most of the islands without spending a fortune. 

When traveling internationally I typically like to visit one country at a time (would consider two) so I can learn as much about that particular area as possible.  I am not one of those people that wants a whirlwind tour where you visit 5-6 countries in two weeks.  That is just not for me.  I have been toying with the idea of a Greek cruise though.  This, like Hawaii, seems like a good way to see the Greek Isles.   

Some other places I have been thinking about:  Switzerland, Norway, Germany, England & Wales, Scotland, Costa Rica, back to Alaska (still a lot to see there) and Peru.  I would love to go to Australia and New Zealand but I am only allowed to take 2 weeks of vacation at a time so I don't see that happening at this point in my life. 

I am open to all suggestions both international and domestic.  Throw all your ideas at me - okay, GO!

[yogiii]

You could go to England and take the Chunnel to Paris and do a few days there.

For the Greek Isles, I don't think the cruises are great. You only get a few hours on each island so you just get to see the touristy stuff on the outskirts. You could pick a few islands you want to see and do ferry trips over and stay for a couple days at each, IMO that's the better option.

Germany is awesome and you can travel all over easily by train and it's so beautiful.

I don't know, all of your places sound good!

[Tennesseer]

Walk/hike parts of the Camino de Santiago in Spain? You don't have to be religious to appreciate walking through the various old cities and towns along the way.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I'll put a plug in for Turkey.  Istanbul is incredible, and you could take a side trip to Cappadocia for about 4 days and learn about the Silk Trail.

We spent 3 weeks, and that included a trip to Kucadasi (and Epheses) and Kas for some beach time along with Istanbul and Cappadocia.

[ArchietheDragon]

For some reason I have always been intrigued by the Coast to Coast walk across England.

[simser]

I love traveling. Here's some ideas that I've done.

I did 3.5 weeks in australia. It was amazing. If you want to cut it down to 2, I would still say go. Maybe Tasmania would be a good stop.

If you like wildlife, go to the galapagos. Most people go on a boat, and so there's a bed and shower every day (and catered dinner) but you walk and swim all day long. I got a lot of culture from the crew on the boat (although I do speak enough spanish to understand them, and knew enough culture to have a starting basis).

It doesn't sound like africa is on your list. Maybe not enough hiking and walking around cities there. That's my trip this year.

You could do a southern caribbean cruise. Their islands are slightly more what you want I think.

What about Scandinavia? I also loved argentina. (I don't hike btw at all so these are pretty nature places and nice cultures not always hiking). Chile, Peru and Ecuador are also good for hiking. Peru has the inca trail but you can get luxury trips without camping but staying places I think.

[lexxy703]

I loved Lucerne Switzerland. But Spain sounds amazing too.

[movingforward]

Jun 1, 2016 10:52:28 GMT -5 simser said:

I love traveling. Here's some ideas that I've done.

I did 3.5 weeks in australia. It was amazing. If you want to cut it down to 2, I would still say go. Maybe Tasmania would be a good stop.

If you like wildlife, go to the galapagos. Most people go on a boat, and so there's a bed and shower every day (and catered dinner) but you walk and swim all day long. I got a lot of culture from the crew on the boat (although I do speak enough spanish to understand them, and knew enough culture to have a starting basis).

It doesn't sound like africa is on your list. Maybe not enough hiking and walking around cities there. That's my trip this year.

You could do a southern caribbean cruise. Their islands are slightly more what you want I think.

What about Scandinavia? I also loved argentina. (I don't hike btw at all so these are pretty nature places and nice cultures not always hiking). Chile, Peru and Ecuador are also good for hiking. Peru has the inca trail but you can get luxury trips without camping but staying places I think.

I have been all over the Caribbean (looks like I forgot to put that on the list of places I have been). 

I would like to go to the Galapagos but when I started researching it seemed very expensive so I marked it off the list, just for now. 

[simser]

Jun 1, 2016 10:59:20 GMT -5 movingforward said:

Jun 1, 2016 10:52:28 GMT -5 simser said:

I love traveling. Here's some ideas that I've done.

I did 3.5 weeks in australia. It was amazing. If you want to cut it down to 2, I would still say go. Maybe Tasmania would be a good stop.

If you like wildlife, go to the galapagos. Most people go on a boat, and so there's a bed and shower every day (and catered dinner) but you walk and swim all day long. I got a lot of culture from the crew on the boat (although I do speak enough spanish to understand them, and knew enough culture to have a starting basis).

It doesn't sound like africa is on your list. Maybe not enough hiking and walking around cities there. That's my trip this year.

You could do a southern caribbean cruise. Their islands are slightly more what you want I think.

What about Scandinavia? I also loved argentina. (I don't hike btw at all so these are pretty nature places and nice cultures not always hiking). Chile, Peru and Ecuador are also good for hiking. Peru has the inca trail but you can get luxury trips without camping but staying places I think.

I have been all over the Caribbean (looks like I forgot to put that on the list of places I have been). 

I would like to go to the Galapagos but when I started researching it seemed very expensive so I marked it off the list, just for now. 

I don't know your budget but my trip was 4k- $1300 for flights, and 2500 for a week on the boat. There was really nothing else. I spend approximately that in 1 week in Europe so I was ok with it. I didn't go on a really fancy boat, but I think I enjoyed that even more.

[movingforward]

Jun 1, 2016 11:02:52 GMT -5 simser said:

Jun 1, 2016 10:59:20 GMT -5 movingforward said:

I have been all over the Caribbean (looks like I forgot to put that on the list of places I have been). 

I would like to go to the Galapagos but when I started researching it seemed very expensive so I marked it off the list, just for now. 

I don't know your budget but my trip was 4k- $1300 for flights, and 2500 for a week on the boat. There was really nothing else. I spend approximately that in 1 week in Europe so I was ok with it. I didn't go on a really fancy boat, but I think I enjoyed that even more.

That is definitely within my budget.  Can you tell me the boat company you used?  The ones I looked at were about 5K for the week and that didn't include the flight. 

[MJ2.0]

I'm still pissed you came to NYC and didn't wave!

[movingforward]

Jun 1, 2016 11:48:15 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

I'm still pissed you came to NYC and didn't wave!

You mean you didn't see me waving on my way to Liberty Island?  I was as excited as Balki on Perfect Strangers. 

Wait...are you old enough to know that show?

[sesfw]

Walking around the Alps in Western Europe is wonderful.  Also visiting the various cities and towns in the region.  We visited the Gastin Valley in Austria, Innterlaken in Switzerland .... all of that area is gorgeous and a lot of WWII history if you are into that.

The Eurail system in Western Europe is great.  We started in London, through the Chunnel to Brussels, and spent a couple of weeks just going where we wanted on the trains.  Had some idea before we went so our 'shower and bed' reservations were already made.

Have fun in the planning and on the trip ............... take A LOT of pictures, you can always delete the bad ones later on your computer.

[HoneyBBQ]

Jun 1, 2016 10:00:43 GMT -5 movingforward said:

 I would love to go to Australia and New Zealand but I am only allowed to take 2 weeks of vacation at a time so I don't see that happening at this point in my life. 

Two weeks is enough - especially if you can throw it in over a holiday weekend or something. You could do either the N or S island of NZ in 2 weeks and not feel horrifically rushed.

So my first choice is NZ!

[MJ2.0]

Jun 1, 2016 12:01:16 GMT -5 movingforward said:

Jun 1, 2016 11:48:15 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

I'm still pissed you came to NYC and didn't wave!

You mean you didn't see me waving on my way to Liberty Island?  I was as excited as Balki on Perfect Strangers. 

Wait...are you old enough to know that show?

Staaaaanding tall, on the wings of my dreeeeeeeeams!!!

[tcu2003]

DH and I went to Scandinavia a few years ago and really enjoyed it. We flew into Helsinki, Finland, spent time there, then took an overnight ferry to Stockholm, Sweden and spent several days there. We then took another overnight ferry to Tallinn, Estonia and did a couple of days there before taking the ferry back to Helsinki (that one was only 2-3 hours) and flying back home from Helsinki.

[travelnut11]

There are so many great places you can go. An awesome two week trip would be southern Peru to include Machu Piccu, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, trip to the Amazon Basin, Lake Titicaca and maybe Arequipa if time allows. Peru prices are very reasonable and you can do MP in many ways: glamping on the Inka Trail or just visiting the site itself on a day trip. They are instituting capacity controls though so if you're going soon you'll need to check out how that works. Its been nearly 9 years since I was there (what?) and I know there was a limit to the number of people allowed on the trail per day...not sure about MP itself. You'll probably have to plan pretty far ahead to do an Inca trek. If you don't care to do the trek you should be able to take a train up to MP for a day trip.

Galapagos is amazing as well. You can do a big cruise ship style trip which has the advantage of covering lots of ground and more stable boating but which won't allow you to get into some of the smaller ports with interesting things to see. I did a small sized catamaran and it was great. Actually it was this boat and this agency. This was a pretty comfortable set-up...you could probably downgrade boats a bit if you wanted to save some cash. The added bonus to Ecuador is that the official currency is the US Dollar which is pretty convenient.

www.happygringo.com/ecuador-travel-tours/galapagos-travel-cruises/galapagos-yachts/comfortable-gringo/nemo-2.html

Argentina (Bariloche, Mendoza, Buenos Aires) would be great too. Their economy is frequently screwed up though so check on the current way to convert currency. Last I heard there's an "official" way through the banks where you get screwed and an "unofficial" way which gives better rates. Try a long-haul luxury bus if you have the chance. A very interesting experience.

Europe is of course also amazing though you'll spend more. I guess it depends on what you're looking for...more city or more hiking/outdoor activities?

[weltschmerz]

Jun 1, 2016 10:09:35 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Walk/hike parts of the Camino de Santiago in Spain? You don't have to be religious to appreciate walking through the various old cities and towns along the way.

....or the Camino del Ray in Spain. The world`s most dangerous hike.

[movingforward]

Jun 1, 2016 14:07:53 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Jun 1, 2016 10:09:35 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Walk/hike parts of the Camino de Santiago in Spain? You don't have to be religious to appreciate walking through the various old cities and towns along the way.

....or the Camino del Ray in Spain. The world`s most dangerous hike.

My BP is probably sky high now.  That was crazy!

[Tennesseer]

Jun 1, 2016 14:07:53 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Jun 1, 2016 10:09:35 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Walk/hike parts of the Camino de Santiago in Spain? You don't have to be religious to appreciate walking through the various old cities and towns along the way.

....or the Camino del Ray in Spain. The world`s most dangerous hike.

My worst nightmare.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I had to stop at 1:42 when there was a huge hole in the walkway. Heck, I had an anxiety attack just climbing to the tower at the Mohonk Mountain House in Poughkeepsie a few years ago, LOL!!!

[zibazinski]

Jun 1, 2016 14:07:53 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Jun 1, 2016 10:09:35 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Walk/hike parts of the Camino de Santiago in Spain? You don't have to be religious to appreciate walking through the various old cities and towns along the way.

....or the Camino del Ray in Spain. The world`s most dangerous hike.

Omg

[wvugurl26]

I want to go to Australia for my honeymoon. Several people in my group at work have done it in two weeks.

[Opti]

Jun 2, 2016 6:45:58 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

I want to go to Australia for my honeymoon. Several people in my group at work have done it in two weeks.

I'm doubly jealous. I'd love to get married to someone I love and I've always wanted to go to Australia.

[giramomma]

In your situation, I would consider heading out to CA..I'd visit Yosemite (they have hotels inside the park) and exploring San Fran, etc.

Not international, but I still think that would be fun.

(It's on our bucket list of trips to take with the kids.)

[movingforward]

Jun 2, 2016 9:44:25 GMT -5 giramomma said:

In your situation, I would consider heading out to CA..I'd visit Yosemite (they have hotels inside the park) and exploring San Fran, etc.

Not international, but I still think that would be fun.

(It's on our bucket list of trips to take with the kids.)

I have been to San Francisco quite a few times.  I have not made it to Yosemite yet though and it is on my bucket list. 

[tloonya]

Fodors.com will plan it for you and tell
you where to eat sleep and pardon shit!
They live to travel! It's a forum. Just like
here. Also lots of helpful crazies

[Tennesseer]

Jun 2, 2016 9:44:25 GMT -5 giramomma said:

In your situation, I would consider heading out to CA..I'd visit Yosemite (they have hotels inside the park) and exploring San Fran, etc.

Not international, but I still think that would be fun.

(It's on our bucket list of trips to take with the kids.)

When I was 15, my family and I (6 people total) did a 6 week cross-country trip during the summer of '66. We started in MA. where we lived and head to North Dakota where maternal grandmother lived. From there we hit national parks like Badlands, national forests like Black Hills,towns like Deadwood, while on our way to Wyoming where my mom's sister and her family lived. From there we went to Yellowstone and Grand Teton N.P., Salt Lake City (with a stop to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle choir practice at their temple), Reno, NV, San Francisco and the surrounding areas. Then headed south to the Hearst castle and onto L.A. and all the stuff there to see including Disneyland.

From there is was time to start heading back east and toward home. Onto Las Vegas from L.A. Visited Bryce and Zion national parks. And then back to Grand Teton N.P. because we really like it there. After that, back to N.D. to see grandmother. Finally, headed back to Massachusetts.

We saw more parks and other national and state park and historical site not listed. All that while living out of a pop-up camper most of the time. Hated the idea of such a long trip at the time, but looking back, glad we did. Saw so much of the other side of the U.S.

[giramomma]

Jun 2, 2016 10:36:38 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Jun 2, 2016 9:44:25 GMT -5 giramomma said:

In your situation, I would consider heading out to CA..I'd visit Yosemite (they have hotels inside the park) and exploring San Fran, etc.

Not international, but I still think that would be fun.

(It's on our bucket list of trips to take with the kids.)

When I was 15, my family and I (6 people total) did a 6 week cross-country trip during the summer of '66. We started in MA. where we lived and head to North Dakota where maternal grandmother lived. From there we hit national parks like Badlands, national forests like Black Hills,towns like Deadwood, while on our way to Wyoming where my mom's sister and her family lived. From there we went to Yellowstone and Grand Teton N.P., Salt Lake City (with a stop to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle choir practice at their temple), Reno, NV, San Francisco and the surrounding areas. Then headed south to the Hearst castle and onto L.A. and all the stuff there to see including Disneyland.

From there is was time to start heading back east and toward home. Onto Las Vegas from L.A. Visited Bryce and Zion national parks. And then back to Grand Teton N.P. because we really like it there. After that, back to N.D. to see grandmother. Finally, headed back to Massachusetts.

We saw more parks and other national and state park and historical site not listed. All that while living out of a pop-up camper most of the time. Hated the idea of such a long trip at the time, but looking back, glad we did. Saw so much of the other side of the U.S.

I think that is awesome.

Unfortunately, I don't know that we'll have a six week chunk of time during the summer now that my kids are getting older. That's the big reason why we took our 2.5 week driving vacation last summer, even though, financially we shouldn't have.

Next summer, DS will likely be gone for three weeks..I'm not even sure that we'll find time to take more than a few days off as a family.

ETA: When I retire, I want to take a month to drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Either that, or an Alaskan Cruise will be my retirement present to myself (and DH.)

[Tennesseer]

giramomma - I forgot to mention our German shepherd travelled with us too. She loved travelling with her 'pack'.

My dad was a dentist so he could take the time off. His hygienists were still working during his absence.

As for your travel plans once you retire, my older brother retired this past November. After the holidays, he took himself on a several months drive around the eastern half of the country visiting friends and family (including me). This included a week long cruise out of Florida which consisted of a week of blues bands and music and the passengers, all being blues fans.

By the middle of March, he was ready to head back home to New Hampshire. He had a good time but was glad it was over.