Good travel destinations - please do tell

[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...

[SummerChild]

Anybody been to Costa Rica?

I will be going around the 10th of Sept.
Any good things to see or do?

SC

[AOII_LB93]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Anybody been to Costa Rica?

I will be going around the 10th of Sept.
Any good things to see or do?

SC

Sorry to crash, but I've got a coworker who owns property in CR. She loves it and goes every year as her husband grew up there. I've also got another friend who went a surf trip there and raved about it.

I know they have surf schools if you want to learn to surf. I learned to surf...lots of fun.

[EyesOnThePrize]

All of these suggestions have me itching to travel. Next April I’m headed to Morocco and South Portugal but it’ll probably be too late to report back by then.

I’ve been to many places but I have to say, hands down, one of THE BEST vacations I’ve ever had was to Barbados this past July. Cost: I spent a total of about $2,000 (give or take) on this vacation (airfare, dining / entertainment, villa, transportation, shopping and spa treatments) for a week’s stay. We stayed in a fully staffed villa with a full time maid and two meals per day prepared by the cook and a night watchman.

I’d have to say that some of the most enjoyable meals, service and experience with locals were on this trip. Every night our meals were nearly orgasmic (seriously – it got better every night). And the service (every waiter / waitress was more than accommodating, chefs came out of the kitchen to ask how we were enjoying our meals, and managers came by to check on us frequently and engage in general – not overbearing- conversation) made me want to take notes and pass them out to others in the hospitality industry. The Sandy Lane Resort and Spa is at the top of my list of “worth every penny” spa and restaurant experiences. Overall the vacation was just lovely. One week was not nearly enough time. Can you tell I miss it?

Also we had a very interesting day long tour of the island but even without the tour the interactions with the locals provided a wealth of knowledge about the island, it’s history and even it’s geology!

Can you tell I want to go back?


Restaurants to visit: Josef’s, Olives, The Cliff, Bajan Blue (Sandy Lane Resort)

Entertainment: Harbor Lights, The Lounge (Sandy Lane) and McBride’s.

[faireststar]

Originally Posted by EyesOnThePrize

All of these suggestions have me itching to travel. Next April I’m headed to Morocco and South Portugal but it’ll probably be too late to report back by then.

I’ve been to many places but I have to say, hands down, one of THE BEST vacations I’ve ever had was to Barbados this past July. Cost: I spent a total of about $2,000 (give or take) on this vacation (airfare, dining / entertainment, villa, transportation, shopping and spa treatments) for a week’s stay. We stayed in a fully staffed villa with a full time maid and two meals per day prepared by the cook and a night watchman.

I’d have to say that some of the most enjoyable meals, service and experience with locals were on this trip. Every night our meals were nearly orgasmic (seriously – it got better every night). And the service (every waiter / waitress was more than accommodating, chefs came out of the kitchen to ask how we were enjoying our meals, and managers came by to check on us frequently and engage in general – not overbearing- conversation) made me want to take notes and pass them out to others in the hospitality industry. The Sandy Lane Resort and Spa is at the top of my list of “worth every penny” spa and restaurant experiences. Overall the vacation was just lovely. One week was not nearly enough time. Can you tell I miss it?

Also we had a very interesting day long tour of the island but even without the tour the interactions with the locals provided a wealth of knowledge about the island, it’s history and even it’s geology!

Can you tell I want to go back?


Restaurants to visit: Josef’s, Olives, The Cliff, Bajan Blue (Sandy Lane Resort)

Entertainment: Harbor Lights, The Lounge (Sandy Lane) and McBride’s.

*feverishly taking notes* I think I'm going to have to put this on the list of places to casually slip into conversations with the hubby.

[SummerChild]

Hi KYquietstorm,
Thanks. I intentionally avoided London and Paris b/c it seemed like the places that everyone goes to but Singapore and Japan would be very interesting. Do you speak the native languages? If not, was it difficult maneuvering? I've heard that Singapore has good shopping. One of my sorors that travels the world (Singapore, India, Seychelles, etc.) raved about Singapore.

SC

Originally Posted by KYquietstorm

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.

[SummerChild]

You guys, this is great!
Please keep the suggestions coming. Even if I've been there, this could be a good thread for anyone thinking of traveling in the future so come one, come all. Even places in the U.S. are good as many people may want to just have a weekend getaway or go to a place in driving distance.

SC

[lovehaiku84]

Yes, I love this thread! I can't afford to now, but I look forward to travelling and visiting other countries in the next few years and this thread has given me some great ideas for places to go.