Where Shall I GO?

As many of you know I am a semi retired??????soon to be 65 year old widow. Bad knees which percludes a great deal of walking. Otherwise in good help. I have accumulated enough frequent flyer miles to go around the world several times. Money is a consideration as I am on Ss only. I would like suggestions for my once in a lifetime vacation. Seen most of the US and the Islands-other places now in mind. Never been outside US Canada and NA. So come on folks especially you International folks and give me something to think about and plan for a spring vacation. My miles are mainly on USAir-American Northwest and United so needs to be somewhere one of their partners fly. Have enuf free Holiday Inn nights points to stay awhile. Thanks for telling me where I should go.... (now not really-I am a retired minister you know)

So Marclay, do you want to see jungles, mountains, cities, animals, gardens, people, or what? That might give us some ideas as to where to tell you where to go. LOL I would LOVE to tell a minister where to go as I am a minister's daughter! Anyway you have fun on your trip and as you imagine yourself somewhere in the world. Good luck, Lani

Oh and do you want to go one place and stay or do you want to go several places in the same neck of the woods or do you want to travel within a larger area?

If you want to go outside the US, I'd suggest Europe. It doesn't have to cost a gob and the sights are unbelievable. I went to 3 countries in 10 days and didn't even get tired. You could do so much more, though, with an organized tour. We started in Germany, then went to Austria and finally, France. It was an extraordinary trip. I'd suggest you go with someone else, though, too, so that your experiences are shared. It means so much more, I think. You can do a great deal by train (Eurail), also.

Of course, you can always do an Alaskan cruise. My parents have done that twice and loved it both times.

Then, there is the Orient... :)

Why not try some of these: London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Prague, Vienna, Hamburg (visit me), Copenhagen, Stockholm, Edinburgh.

These cities are in various stages of wakening after the winter, you will have seen all there is to see of the European Continent, and soaked up thousands of years of history.

If you are not into sightseeing, but seaside and beaches, then I would suggest Cannes, Monte Carlo, San Remo. There you would have the French Côte d'Azur, and the Italian Riviera, and it is truly a wonderful coastline which bakes in the sun almost all year round.

If I knew more details of your wishes, and also destinations of your airline (and partner airlines) then I could give you more suggestions.

All the best

Wintermoor

Thanks guys Good suggestions. I prefer to go alone-have always traveled alone/ I woud like to see nature such as mountains and lakes and islands perhaps. Am not a beach person nor am I a big city person. I do appreciate history but cant really walk thru museums etc. British Airways is one of the largest partners to USAIR. Thanks for the invitation Wintermoor. Gardens Arboretums conservatories etc of course. I am tlking about spring 2003. A tour may have to be it so I can see as much as possible . It will be a once in a lifetime trip for me.I love cathedrals and ancient religious historical places. I am not a great sightseer where large crowds tend to congregate--wouldnt go to Disneyland if someone gave me a trip for instance. I like authentic places not tourist places. Shirley

Why not try Turkey....there are lovely areas on the Aegean and Mediterranean. If you were to fly into Izmir for example, you could go to Ephesus, see Mary's house, gobs and gobs of old ruins, then stay at a quaint village on the sea, it is warm up until november.....
If you end up going in that direction, I can give you some people to contact.....
In the meantime, try browsing a bit...

http://www.turkuaz-guide.net/index.html?datca-hotels.html

http://www.sailturkey.com/panoramas/ephesus/ *be sure to click start so you can have a panoramic view of ephesus*

http://www.turizm.net/cities/ephesus/

http://www.bugbog.com/colourful_countries/turkey_travel.html


a friend of mine (turkish) just took an american friend of hers to Turkey, they will stay for 2 weeks.....what fun they will have.

I would stay out of Istanbul though, you might have to fly in, and then take a domestic flight down to Izmir.

then you could hit the islands, just an hour away bu boat, and you could meet up with Dimitri in Crete.


another thing Marclay, your money will go a lot farther in Turkey than it will in Europe.......


This message was edited Monday, Sep 9th 6:59 PM

Shirley,
One of my favorite places is Monchau Germany, here's a link
http://www.theonlinedispatch.com/WorldReports/Belgium/monchau.htm

Another city I really loved was Brussels Belgium, when I visited Brussels I was staying with Aunt in Maastricht Holland which is another very nice place visit, the entire area is beautiful and steeped with history, and Windmills!!!!
Becky

Becky My maiden name is Rosier which is uncommon in the US but iscommon in Brussels expecially where our ancestors left to go to France and england and Canada and were among the people from Arcadia who ended up in LA where there are still a lot of Rosiers living. Thanks for that sugestion SPebble thanks checking on your link Shirley

Maybe you could do some geneaology in Brussels and find some long lost relatives!!! That would be great fun!!

How about Holland when the blubs are in bloom?

and don't forget Ireland!!!!

MaryE you probably mean the Keukenhof Park in Lisse, Holland

http://www.geocities.com/keukenhof_lisse_holland/

Stunningly beautiful

Wintermoor

Oh, wow, Wintermoor. Breathtaking!

Ok, Shirley, I have a great idea. Pack me in your suitcase and I'll carry you when your knees get tired. I love to travel.

Something to consider in your plans is the weather for whatever destination you choose.

If it were me, I would like to visit Monets gardens or any of the gardens in Great Britian. But then I would also enjoy any of the old cathedrals too. Anything in Europe would be so cool as it is so old. South America would be fun for mountains too.

Monets Gardens, as well as, the windmills & tulips of Holland are great suggestions!

I would add to your list:

Cruising the Greek Islands (on MY wish list),

Visiting the "land down-under" (check on the weather first, they would be the opposite of what we are having),

African "camera" safari,

South American waterfalls, Amazon jungle (lots of interesting & diverse vegetation-before it disappears forever),

The Galapagas Islands (another place on my "must" see list).

Making your plans are half the fun. Let us know what you decide.

I have a friend that takes a nice trip or 2 every year. She has really been all over - last year she went to Egypt and took a boat trip down the Nile. She said it was the best trip she ever had.

How about a trip to the Cloud Forest in Costa Rica?

M, there are lots of good suggestions here. My vote is for Italy. It would be nice if you could see a lot of different places on this trip.

You're not going alone are you?

I would love to see Germany and Ireland!! Of course, I wouldn't say no to either Austrailia or New Zealand!!

"eyes"

Historic/religious - that brings to mind Spain, Outside Barcelona in the mountains a place called Montserrat - beautiful monastary in the serrated mountains in Spain.Check out this Site.
http://www.sitesatlas.com/Places/spaBarcelona.htm



This message was edited Tuesday, Sep 10th 1:41 PM

http://www.virtourist.com/europe/montserrat/11.htm

This is another link right to the monastery with a lot of info on its history - the Black Virgin Mary, culture of the region, etc. It is quite an experience, we went there in 1999.

Shirley, my parents travel a whole lot, and after my dad started to have knee problems a couple of years ago, (he had total knee replacement last year), they found cruises to be the best. There are always tours (usually extra tho) that will take you around the various ports or inland cities; if you don't feel like getting off the ship you don't have to, and in the words of a gifted writer 'it is like being pregnant: you have a wonderful sense of accomplishment even if you are just sitting there'.

A lot of cruise lines they use also allow frequent flier points for some/all of the cruise fares.

That's also an excellent idea, just cruising around the world, or Caribbean Ocean.

That reminds me of a wee couple from Glasgow who had been sent on a world cruise by their family. When they returned, the family got together to hear their tales, and asked them what it was like, sailing around the world...
"Och", the wee man said, "it was very nice, but we'll no be goin back".

Wintermoor

Shirley...As we should hate to see you take off alone...I will offer myself as the sacrifice and help you use your "miles" and accompany you on your Great Advenutre!! What? Yes, I believe I did read that you rather travel alone...but....but...I CAN be very quiet!!! LOL Have a great trip where ever you decide to go! Sounds like a dream trip. Jo

my frined just came back from a 15 day cruise of the British isles. Said it was thee trip to take! You should search on line and find where Rick Steves goes. Get on one of his tours. he is the P.b.s. travel guy. he is always going wonderful places on a strict budget . staying in the great places.

Want to thank everyone for the good suggestions. I am ordering the tourist info from country agencies. Leaning now towards Austria or Switzerland--love the mountains. Anyone any suggestions for those areas???

My dream is to someday see the Lipazzaner Stallions performing AT the Spanish Riding School in Austria. I want to see the stables where they are kept and actually see a performance. Hope you enjoy your trip!

Hi I have seen the stallions perform in the USA-I had to do three days of ambulance standby for their performances/ Beautiful. Working on an ambulance you get to see people first hand one would never see normally.

Shirley, write to Evert: he made that grand tour this summer. I know he went to Vienna, and I think he also was in Switzerland. He can give you a whole lot of info about central and alpine Europe. Of course, Gerta lives there so she would have even more.

I agree with haighr - Spain is a beautiful country. So much history. I could be biased though since I have family there. Wherever you go, have a wonderful trip.

I've been thinking about this one. Austria and Switzerland sound wonderful choices. France also have some beautiful monuments and gardens, I hear Monet's garden is a sight to behold. Italy is beautiful too and I hear their lake district is stunning.

If you are traveling alone the safest country in Europe is the Republic of Ireland, they also have some great places to vist and great gardens. Take a rain hat though *G*. There are some beautiful places in Great Britian too.

This message was edited Saturday, Sep 14th 5:33 AM

I believe the Swiss have A+ icescream!