OT - Vacation

Istanbul is on my list. 

We did go to the riviera maya area of Mexico a couple years ago. Took the parents and in laws for 50 th anniversaries, so didn't get out much. Did dive the second largest living reef in the world and toured Talum. Lots of other stuff to do. Especially diving and snorkeling. 

You set a high bar.  We've been a lot of places.  To get on your short list it must be really remarkable.  With that said - add Kenya to the list.  I'm not sure about the safety right now so it may not be the answer for this year, but put it on the list.  The wildlife is incredible.  The people and culture are remarkable.  And little known to most, the coast has some incredible beaches and culture as it is where the Swahili culture was born.  We had 8 incredible days there and didn't make it to the coast so we'd like to go back some day.  We visited a Masai village one day and that evening my kids came to the dinner table and said something to the effect of "you've always told us how fortunate we are to have wealthy American parents - we get it now".  (Of course, I could have taken them to the south side of San Antonio and hopefully achieved most of that effect).

South Africa is similarly good and has a great wine country. 

The Galapagos could be a great choice.

And someone else mentioned Costa Rica.  It is also excellent.

Go to Switzerland- Lucerne, Lugano, Interlaken, etc- beautiful and lots to do outdoors.  

Colorado in the summer is very difficult to beat in my opinion. Westher and scenery are perfect and there are plenty of activities for all ages. 

Driving the Pacific Coast highway from north to south is gorgeous, and you can adjust what you do as you please, or just make time along the highway.  My in-laws did a take on the Route 66 drive and really enjoyed some off the beaten path spots.  Montreal and Quebec City are a great set for 7-10 days.  Uluru (Ayers Rock) is on my bucket list; I'm sure I could find ways to spend the rest of a week in Australia.  One of my college buddies did a rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

Maui. I love the weather and the laid back vibe throughout the island. Breathtaking beauty. It is truly paradise for me anyway. 

DoubleEgger said:

Sea2Ski said:

@DoubleEgger  I think you have seen some of my posts and travels.  I have been around the world.  I need some parameters. I could suggest 15 countries for all different reasons.  Other than not sitting, anything else?  And not sure if I missed it, but how many days including travel?  

Probably a week and a half or so. I'm a wanderer and like checking things out. We spent a week in Germany with no hotels booked and just free wheeled it and had a blast. We tend to gravitate to smaller cities and rural areas over the big cities. I hated Rome (too crowded) but loved Lake Como/Bellagio. We enjoy historical sightseeing as well as outdoor stuff like hiking, kayaking, etc. We loved Norway because of the outdoor adventures and the historical stuff like 900 yr old wooden stave churches. We like wildlife viewing as well. Yellowstone and Banff/Jasper are awesome during the elk rut. Before I posted this, Alaska, Glacier/Waterton NP, Iceland and Croatia were on the short list. 

This made me think of the trip we made once from San Fran to Mendocino. Along the way we stopped at the Muir Woods national monument.  Then the drive up the coast is a ton of fun, although I think my wife almost tossed her cookies around a few of those turns. 

In and around Mendocino we did some kayaking in the Pacific and hiking - pretty easy to do that there.  Then we got to a number of vineyards in the area too.  

We stayed here:

http://www.brewerygulchinn.com/

Probably one of my all-time favorite places, and I've been all over.  

Couple other entries. Houseboat trip in Kentucky and Boston area trip.   Loved them both for different reasons. Lots of great places with different things to offer. 

Fly in to Calgary..rent a comfortable full size truck/SUV and drive from Banff to Jasper or wherever life takes you. There may be more spectacular scenery jammed in to that small of an area with luxury amenities included (if you desire) in North America..yet I'm still looking (please advise).

Phatchris said:

Hi54putty said:

Colorado in the summer is very difficult to beat in my opinion. Westher and scenery are perfect and there are plenty of activities for all ages. 

Colorado in the winter is tough to beat as well 

I will take your word for it. I hate cold weather. 

I guess you could open the discussion with single or SWMBO'd.  Definitely changes the options.  Single, I would land in Thailand (Pattaya Beach) and crawl from there.  You will never be better treated in your life.
Married-I would stay home.  YMMV-  

Eggzellent said:

Fly in to Calgary..rent a comfortable full size truck/SUV and drive from Banff to Jasper or wherever life takes you. There may be more spectacular scenery jammed in to that small of an area with luxury amenities included (if you desire) in North America..yet I'm still looking (please advise).

Close to my back yard.  Come on up...I'll even provide accommodations.  All I ask in return is a RTIC 65...!!

The great thing about travel is that it is what you make it to be whatever it is you want it to be. You can go to any part of the world, travel 500 miles in a car and end where you began. Someone else can do the same exact trip: land in the same airport rent the same car, and be required to travel the same roads, and they will have a different experience as you due to different interests. 

The US is great, but I find that things are still similar where ever you go. On vacation, I want to get away. Far away. Escape from the norm and reality of life. I have only found that when I travel internationally. 

Taking things that you said, what about a road trip starting in Tuscany Italy? Visit a few small towns as you head NE. Hop the border to Solvania, and then to Croatia so it was already on your list.  You can then conquer that part of Europe or switch back and head to Austria or Switzerland.  Travel the borders where the cultures are melded together to get really unique combinations of traditions and food.  

Do not want to drive? A European river cruise intrigues me, and might fit for you too - but nature and flexibility might be compromised. A ship keeps a schedule. 

Another similar style of trip as above but different would be Patagonia/Argentina. Oh that Mendoza valley! Malbec wines at their finest served with goat cooked to perfection by a campfire in the shadow of mountains that reminds you how significant you are in the world.  Humbling and magical. Once you get there-it is dirt cheap. I would not go there during our summer months though.....

The Galopagos would be incredible, and are on my list. But this is not about me... Just wanted to throw that in there.

If you are a boating person, can read a map and navigate a boat, the San Juan islands between WA state and BC are a boaters dream.  If you can't, you can hire a guide (or me!!! Ha ha. Hell, pay for the boat rental and I will captain it). Colors at night at Roche harbor with a 200+ boat horn sunset salute is a unforgettable experience. Travel north to desolation sound, see orcas which breach, tail-lob and spyhop  more there then anywhere else observed on earth. Catch crabs and salmon, and gather oysters at low tide. If you go, I can tell you where to anchor for any direction wind. 

AU and NZ was our last real trip. We did the Great Barrier Reef, cruised NZ to Tasmania and ended in Sydney. NZ was incredible, safe in every way, clean, views to die for, and people who would give you the shirt off their back. Travel the countryside where bungee jumping was born and camp on the beach where penguins come back to roost after feeding all day at sea. They walk by you wondering why you are on their beach. See other wildlife in the wild you will not and can not find anywhere else. 

I have not done Africa or Asia, so I can not comment on them. The islands in the South Pacific are all unique and individual, getting from one to another takes planning and time unless you cruise.  

If you go to Iceland before November, let me know I am going to want to talk to you.  After November, we can compare trips.  

The world is a vast place. Sounds like you have a short list. Whatever you choose, please share it with us either real time or when you get back. Even if no one else does, I want to know where you went, what you did, and what you ate.

Godspeed my friend.  

Just finalized my summer vacation today.  Going on a coast to coast road trip across America - just my daughter and myself.  

Good luck planning yours @DoubleEgger .