What was/would be your favorite vacation destination?

[RolandThompsonGunner]

I think I am always stopped by things like the annoyance of getting through the airport, language barriers, and a bit of my traveling partner’s personality. It seems more pleasant to just stay home.

Nah, money is no object. You’re going on a private jet with your own personal translator. You still don’t want to go lay on the beach in Tahiti?

 

[Irishmom2]

Okay, maybe I would go to Wales. Not much of a beach person. I was recently watching Hinterlands on Netflix and was struck by what a beautiful country it appears to be.

My idea of a nice vacation would be staying in a picturesque little home or cottage and spending my days out walking, driving, taking photos as reference Pics for my paintings, and sitting in front of a fireplace after a few drinks at the local pub.

 

[Tommy999]

Sounds wonderful. I watch ‘Father Brown’ sometimes and very much like the scenery. Is that filmed near the area you describe?

 

[Irishmom2]

No, I think that is filmed in England, which I agree is also beautiful.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Having spent time in both England and Wales (until last year I went on spiritual retreats in the UK annually), I can attest to the beauty of both.

Japan has not been on my radar (to me from pictures it seems very crowded and hectic, like New York City)

In the cities, sure. To a certain extent, a city is a city is a city. And Tokyo has the largest metropolitan population of any city in the entire world, so it’s not a fair example of what the rest of the country is like (Paris is the same for France, not a fair indicator of what the rest of the country is like). I would spend the bulk of my vacation in less populated areas.

Sounds like the Japan tourism commission should hire you because you sound “all in” for Japan!

In exchange for my promotional efforts, I’d be happy with “just” a 3-to-6-month all-expenses-paid vacation to the country

I envision Japan being an expensive travel destination, but maybe I’m wrong on that.

It is. There’s no denying that. There are ways to reduce costs, but one has to be flexible and open-minded. Still, it’s been said that the money required for a one-week stay in Japan on a moderate budget would allow one to explore Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, etc.) for months.

I hope you get to go there some day and it is all you envision. Sounds exotic.

Thank you. May all your vacation dreams come true as well :hugs:

 

[christofirst]

Growing up, my family never took long vacations, just short weekend trips up the California coast. Two seaside cities, Carpinteria and Moro Bay, are forever etched in memory as relaxing places with beautiful scenery. They might have changed some since we were last there, but my memories are still good.

I also spent a few days at New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, and would like to go back there again. In fact, there are several monasteries here in the US I’d like to visit someday.

 

[Tommy999]

Looks beautiful. No wonder you like it so much!

 

[tad]

I’m glad no one has mentioned the Oregon Coast.

Don’t go there. It’s a horrible place.

 

[Irishmom2]

Is it really? Or do you just want to keep it for yourself?

 

[Tommy999]

When on a vacation once in the Seattle area, we took a side trip to the Oregon coast on the way to Mt St Helens, and it was delightful. Sometimes it can get a bit foggy, I think, but otherwise the Oregon coast is quite lovely.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

Real answer: northern Thailand is absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Tommy999]

Hi Roland, thanks for the contribution. For those of us who are unfamiliar with northern Thailand, can you describe what it is like?

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

Hi Roland, thanks for the contribution. For those of us who are unfamiliar with northern Thailand, can you describe what it is like?

I can describe Chiang Mai, anyway…may not be representative of all of northern Thailand.

Anyway, after you leave Bangkok (cool city in its own right) Chiang Mai is like arriving at an oasis. Bangkok is hectic and sweltering. Chiang Mai is in the mountains and pleasantly cool. Theres still a ton to do (the night market is a highlight) but it doesn’t seem to go at Bangkok’s frantic pace. And there are just so many quirks, like this German restaurant I stumbled upon, clearly designed by a Thai person who had never been to Germany.

Not to mention it’s dirt cheap. I stayed at a five star hotel for like $70 a night.

 

[Sarcelle]

Thailand is my dream destination.

I would like to take a luxury train ride from Bangkok to Singapore if I had the money.

 

[Tommy999]

Sounds very nice, indeed. Thanks for sharing more info on it. I was wondering about the heat aspect, as I struggle with sweltering temps.Sounds like a delightful place.

 

[Tommy999]

We’re taking these trips in our minds and imagination, so you are traveling at no charge today, Sarcelle.

 

[Sarcelle]

In that case, I might as well travel to the Norwegian fjords.

I hear it’s beautiful up there.

 

[Tommy999]

I’ve only seen them on travel shows, but the fjords look like a beautiful destination, as well. Plus, I like seafood so I imagine they have some good food up there (before winter for me, preferably).

I also heard some people like Iceland as a country of natural wonders, although I’ve never been there. Hot springs, volcanoes, that sort of thing.

 

[Beryllos]

St. Petersburg (Russia, not Florida ) and Moscow were good. It helps if you know a few key phrases, can sound out simple words in Cyrillic, and are handy with a phrasebook.

My wife and I went a few times in the March-April-May timeframe, when it is neither too cold nor too expensive.

 

[Tommy999]

My aunt and uncle visited USSR once in the 1970s or early 1980s and liked it, although they thought their room was bugged.

Example: They complained to each other about certain items in their hotel room not working on different nights but didn’t tell anyone else.The day after complaining to each other, the respective item was fixed after they got back to their hotel room after the day’s activities.

Hopefully that kind of thing doesn’t happen anymore.