Favorite destinations

[sunsplash]

Where are some your most favorite vacation destinations? Where do you hope to travel but have yet to see? Any areas you feel are too hyped or flat out don't recommend?

I'm starting to plan our 4 year/1 year wedding anniversary and need some ideas. We were married Leap Year Day and made a pledge to do something amazing every four years. We were married in Jamaica so perhaps want to skip the Caribbean this time around, and we're not wanting to do anything wintery for this vacation, so I'm guessing Europe is probably out (travel end of Feb/early March 2012).

Suggestions? My husband is more into 5 star/all inclusive resorts whereas I'm fine roughing it for some good culture and adventure. What would you recommend for him, me, and as compromise for both tastes?

 

[sunsplash]

Has anyone ever done an overseas travel package? I'm looking at Egypt right now and have never done any prearranged itinerary so of course it makes me a bit nervous. They have ones that include 3-5 cities, guided tours by Egyptologists (I hope that's legit), some have a Nile cruise also, boarding, majority meals, transfers...airfare obviously excluded.

Is this a smart and easy way to see all the sites when you are in an unfamiliar part of the world or are they ripoffs that you can arrange yourself separately for less cost? They have these all over it seems...elsewhere in Africa, Peru, New Zealand.

Wdyt?? If you've done it, would you do it again? I'm looking at 8-12 days so this might be too "busy" for my husband anyway but it definitely struck my fancy when I came across them!

 

[Dena]

We haven't traveled out of the country. Personally I like Miami and Utah but I doubt either are up your alley.

 

[sunsplash]

We haven't traveled out of the country. Personally I like Miami and Utah but I doubt either are up your alley.

I live just south of Miami so that's not much of a vacation, LOL. And Utah...maybe someday but for now I'd like to keep our major trips international. Thanks though!

 

[sunsplash]

*shameless bump*

 

[.lava]

i would like to go to Japan. aw i really enjoy being me when i know the answer for sure no confusion, just Japan

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[sunsplash]

i would like to go to Japan. aw i really enjoy being me when i know the answer for sure no confusion, just Japan

.

Have you been to Japan and want to go back or it's just on your to-do list?

 

[Tarheeler]

i would like to go to Japan. aw i really enjoy being me when i know the answer for sure no confusion, just Japan

.

Have you been to Japan and want to go back or it's just on your to-do list?

I spent a lot of my youth in Japan (dad was military); it's an amazing country with a rich history and culture.

I'd like to visit Rome, Athens, Israel, and many of the European countries.
Australia, Africa, or somewhere in South America would be a solid choice for a winter vacation.

 

[sandandfoam]

and we're not wanting to do anything wintery for this vacation, so I'm guessing Europe is probably out (travel end of Feb/early March 2012).

I'd go to France anytime of year. There's a lot to do. You won't be toasted but if you go south or to the Atlantic coast you mightn't be frozen either.

 

[.lava]

Have you been to Japan and want to go back or it's just on your to-do list?

no, ever been there. but i would like to go someday

.

 

[Caladan]

I've traveled China and found it as interesting as I believed it would be, not only the sites as the Great Wall, but the people, and the growing modernity verses the old traditional China.
New Zealand is gorgeous, green and with amazing landscapes.
I love European cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Rome. I love the Scottish highlands, and the countryside of Ireland, the archaeology of Greece and Turkey. the village sites at the black forest in Germany are very calm and pretty.
Jordan is fascinating, it has great wadis and landscapes to trek, and outstanding historical sites of the classical and Nabataean periods.
one of my last trips was to Egypt, where I visited Giza and Cairo and the temples of the south, exploring the agricultural life across the Nile, and livelihood in the cities and markets.
I would really recommend all of these places.

 

[sunsplash]

I've traveled China and found it as interesting as I believed it would be, not only the sites as the Great Wall, but the people, and the growing modernity verses the old traditional China.
New Zealand is gorgeous, green and with amazing landscapes.
I love European cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Rome. I love the Scottish highlands, and the countryside of Ireland, the archaeology of Greece and Turkey. the village sites at the black forest in Germany are very calm and pretty.
Jordan is fascinating, it has great wadis and landscaped to track, and outstanding historical sites of the classical and Nabataean periods.
one of my last trips was to Egypt, where I visited Giza and Cairo and the temples of the south, exploring the agricultural life across the Nile, and livelihood in the cities and markets.
I would really recommend all of these places.

I've been looking at the pictures that you've posted - absolutely amazing. Did you plan the trek yourself or do an organized tour through a company (iExplore, GAP, etc)? Any tips for navigating the area?

How about your home country of Israel?

Do you know what the weather is like in Amsterdam and Rome at the end of February/early March?

 

[Caladan]

I've been looking at the pictures that you've posted - absolutely amazing. Did you plan the trek yourself or do an organized tour through a company (iExplore, GAP, etc)? Any tips for navigating the area?

It was through a local company that set us up with Egyptian guides. we gave them an indication of what sites we wanted to visit.

How about your home country of Israel?

Not a large territory, but a lot to see.

Do you know what the weather is like in Amsterdam and Rome at the end of February/early March?

well Im sure a quick google search will bring results.

 

[sunsplash]

It was through a local company that set us up with Egyptian guides. we gave them an indication of what sites we wanted to visit.


Not a large territory, but a lot to see.


well Im sure a quick google search will bring results.

Of course, I was just asking in case you had personal experience during that time of year.

 

[sunsplash]

I'd go to France anytime of year. There's a lot to do. You won't be toasted but if you go south or to the Atlantic coast you mightn't be frozen either.

What are some highlights in France that are fun to do/see?

 

[sandandfoam]

What are some highlights in France that are fun to do/see?

The Chateaux of the Loire Valley and the Brittany coast are the highlights to my mind.
My wife LOVES the markets. We both loved the standing stones and ancient remains around Carnac.

 

[sunsplash]

I've never heard of the Carnac Stones...very interesting! Thanks

 

[ninerbuff]

Tahiti! Course I'm an Island boy, so most of the Pacific Islands are cool to me.

 

[tomato1236]

I intend to take my wife to Cancun and the nearby ruins, to Italy (Rome), Scotland and lastly to France because she's studied French for several years. Once we're more used to travel and all, we might venture to asian countries like China, Japan, or India.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

My wife and I are trying to use our vacations to work our way through the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Last year was Gros Morne and L'Anse-aux-Meadows, both in Newfoundland. I highly recommend both, but in summer, not winter. Brr.