Good travel destinations - please do tell

[SummerChild]

Hi all,

Trying to figure out a good place to go for my birthday near the end of July. Have any of you been to any good places that you would recommend? I would like to leave the U.S.

I've been to many Caribbean islands (Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) but if you know of another really good one that would be fine. Also, I'm open to just about anywhere. Was thinking of Italy and Spain. Was thinking of Belize. Was thinking of a few countries in Africa (Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali)

Have any of you been to any good places or heard of any good places that you would recommend?

On the flip side, have you been to any places that you would not recommend or would not recommend at certain times of year?

[RitaMae1908]

I would recommend South Africa. Cape Town and Port Elizabeth are especially beautiful. I was there for two weeks around the end of June, early July. The weather is mild during the day and cool at night that time of year. Good luck with your search... Let us all know what you decide!

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Hi all,

Trying to figure out a good place to go for my birthday near the end of July. Have any of you been to any good places that you would recommend? I would like to leave the U.S.

I've been to many Caribbean islands (Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) but if you know of another really good one that would be fine. Also, I'm open to just about anywhere. Was thinking of Italy and Spain. Was thinking of Belize. Was thinking of a few countries in Africa (Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali)

Have any of you been to any good places or heard of any good places that you would recommend?

On the flip side, have you been to any places that you would not recommend or would not recommend at certain times of year?

[Blessed2bDST]

Originally Posted by RitaMae1908

I would recommend South Africa. Cape Town and Port Elizabeth are especially beautiful. I was there for two weeks around the end of June, early July. The weather is mild during the day and cool at night that time of year. Good luck with your search... Let us all know what you decide!

I second the recommendation for South Africa. It is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth and Cape Town should not be missed. Also, try to get to Durban. Great beaches. Keep in mind that it is an outrageously long flight, and also that their seasons are opposite ours, so our summer is their winter and it can be a bit chilly and rainy.

Also, I recommend Ghana. Two of the best trips I've ever taken in my life have been to Ghana. Start in Accra then work your way around to Kumasi (Ashanti Kingdom) and then to the slave castles in Cape Coast and Elmina. It's a meaningful AND very affordable trip.

[AKA_Monet]

Not far from the US. Our friendly neighbors to the North. I liked Victoria, BC. Empress Hotel. Very quaint place. Can get around easily. Lots of shopping and take the doubledecker bus around the neighborhoods.

How to get there: Flight into Seattle, stay a day, say hello to me. Then take the Victorian Clipper for a beautiful 3 hours "tour" to the Victorian dock. There stay at either the fancy-smancy Empress, or the one close by with no food, but a great view.

Then, when you are ready to partay, go to Vancouver B.C.

And if you roll over to Abbortford B.C., make sure you go to the Orange Spa...

[SummerChild]

I love my sorors!
Soror AKA_Monet, of course, I would say hello to you if I come to your part of the country! Actually, I've been thinking of going to Washington or Oregon for a weekend trip for a long time so although I probably wouldn't go for my bday b/c I want to "be gone" much longer than a weekend, this sounds interesting. I have heard that BC is extremely beautiful and want to see for myself!
SC

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Not far from the US. Our friendly neighbors to the North. I liked Victoria, BC. Empress Hotel. Very quaint place. Can get around easily. Lots of shopping and take the doubledecker bus around the neighborhoods.

How to get there: Flight into Seattle, stay a day, say hello to me. Then take the Victorian Clipper for a beautiful 3 hours "tour" to the Victorian dock. There stay at either the fancy-smancy Empress, or the one close by with no food, but a great view.

Then, when you are ready to partay, go to Vancouver B.C.

And if you roll over to Abbortford B.C., make sure you go to the Orange Spa...

[Obsession8]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Actually, I've been thinking of going to Washington or Oregon for a weekend trip for a long time...[but] I want to "be gone" much longer than a weekend. I have heard that BC is extremely beautiful and want to see for myself!
SC

Well, since you'd be in the neighborhood, you should swing by my neck-of-the-woods. It's beautiful this time of year (wish *I* could be there now...so homesick ). But, save up your cheese. It's tourist season; you know what that means. I'm already "booking" myself as a guide for when sorors come to visit me when I go back.

[SummerChild]

You guys are great!!! South Africa? I intentionally avoided it thinking it was probably very much like the U.S. of all cities in countries in Africa...but this sounds very interesting.

Thanks so much Blessed and Soror RitaMae,
SC

Originally Posted by Blessed2bDST

I second the recommendation for South Africa. It is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth and Cape Town should not be missed. Also, try to get to Durban. Great beaches. Keep in mind that it is an outrageously long flight, and also that their seasons are opposite ours, so our summer is their winter and it can be a bit chilly and rainy.

Also, I recommend Ghana. Two of the best trips I've ever taken in my life have been to Ghana. Start in Accra then work your way around to Kumasi (Ashanti Kingdom) and then to the slave castles in Cape Coast and Elmina. It's a meaningful AND very affordable trip.

[RitaMae1908]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

You guys are great!!! South Africa? I intentionally avoided it thinking it was probably very much like the U.S. of all cities in countries in Africa...but this sounds very interesting.

Thanks so much Blessed and Soror RitaMae,
SC

Capetown is pretty modern but if you get out of the touristy areas the countrysides and beaches are BEAUTIFUL! I visited several of the townships while I was there.

[skylark]

Originally Posted by RitaMae1908

I would recommend South Africa. Cape Town and Port Elizabeth are especially beautiful. I was there for two weeks around the end of June, early July. The weather is mild during the day and cool at night that time of year. Good luck with your search... Let us all know what you decide!

(Sorry to crash, but...) My aunt just got back from south africa a couple days ago and I went to her house last night for dinner... the pictures of the scenery (and food) was amazing! My husband looked at me and asked "when can we go?" I honestly had preconceptions of what it would look like (kind of bland and desert-like) but that is not true at all. The pictures, in fact, looked more like new-england but with more interesting animals. Take a look before you cross it off the list of suggestions!

[KYquietstorm]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Hi all,

Trying to figure out a good place to go for my birthday near the end of July. Have any of you been to any good places that you would recommend? I would like to leave the U.S.

I've been to many Caribbean islands (Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) but if you know of another really good one that would be fine. Also, I'm open to just about anywhere. Was thinking of Italy and Spain. Was thinking of Belize. Was thinking of a few countries in Africa (Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali)

Have any of you been to any good places or heard of any good places that you would recommend?

On the flip side, have you been to any places that you would not recommend or would not recommend at certain times of year?

I went to Singapore and Japan in June of last year and LOVED it!! Beautiful countries and lots of shopping in Singapore (with great prices!!). I also went to London and Paris in 2004 and LOVED both of those places too!! I highly recommend those countries.

[delph998]

Runaway Bay, Jamaica. Absolutely beautiful island. Everything is all inclusive so it's fairly economical.

[SummerChild]

Thanks Delph,
So Runaway Bay is a separate island from the island on which cities like Montego Bay are located? Is this like a quaint little place with BBs or otherwise?

SC

Originally Posted by delph998

Runaway Bay, Jamaica. Absolutely beautiful island. Everything is all inclusive so it's fairly economical.

[delph998]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Thanks Delph,
So Runaway Bay is a separate island from the island on which cities like Montego Bay are located? Is this like a quaint little place with BBs or otherwise?

SC

No problem! Yes, Runaway Bay is about an hour outside of Montego Bay, in a parish called St. Ann.

[Beachbrat]

If you don't have the time/or money international travel, try Jackson (Hole) Wyoming. Big ski, snowboarding, snowmobile, destination in winter, but awesome in summer, too. It was a family vacation spot, and one I've been back a few times, too, myself.
There are pricey hotels, you can spend a lot of money if you want to, or there are the discount motels, and camping.
Sightseeing, looking at the animals in Yellowstone--go early in the morning or toward the evening as they take to shade in the heat, white water rafting, other sports.
The town itself is cute, also, and has concerts, plays in summer.

[f8nacn]

My Suggestions:

Victoria Falls (visit from either Zambia or Zimbabwe).

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Peter Island, BVI - all inclusive resort...