Great Destinations?

The Newfoundland pictures are so beautiful! Thanks, Chickadee

The most breathtaking place I've ever seen was hiking in the Canadian Rockies. Absolutely awesome. I hiked a glacier in the summertime.

I spent a month in Australia, way back when. Up the West Coast and inland a bit. Really nice place and friendly people.

New Zealand is the #1 place on my wanna-go list!

and if you (or anyone) ever want to visit Southern California, come in the winter, when we have the best weather anywhere in the world.

chicck and orchid

aye i have to start in citie weer po folks are from their we be able to travel and see whats good. I liked the sound of the weat coast seems like my kinda place. I not sure what it is about the place as i said i never been but it been a deep yearning is about the only word for it.....and i know i be comming "home" to something but i don't know what. been that way for last 10 yrs i think. I almoust made it out about 7 yrs ago...thats weer i was heading and was begining with the planes when i meet po.....If we weer to go their and (live seriously) then some areas have higher populasions of gold and silversmiths than most anyweer else...so po thinks its the mecca for jewlares and she want's to go near that, well she always said so....Once in a place i quite like traveling a bit to cheek out what its like before deciding weer and what choice i would trulie have, but as yet no particuler town has been ear marked. But thanks for the rough describtion at lest it help it i make up mind what part of the coast as the countrie vast compaired to the uk. You can cover it at a fair rate in a few days, and ireland. i have driven in a day from bottom left, berrer pinicula house by the sea next house was usa lol to top right of ireland, past belfast and beyond....

its all ment to be part of the big picture po going back finish and specilise in silversmithing, then she more readie to go to canada....thats the way she sees it. The rest is just deatail..

celtic

Ohhhhhhh.....NZ...that's on my list as is Oz. Dave and I travel a lot; we're at a point in our lives where we've either got to travel now or it will be too late in a, few, short years. So we spend almost every dime we've got on getting our passports stamped.

As a child, my parent's and two siblings and I traveled all over the USA. Every year Daddy and Mother would pile us in the camper and we'd visit different states. I've been to all fifty states and each has something wonderful to recommend it.

Last year Dave and I traveled to Romania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia which was very exciting, especially the border crossings and getting my treasures across. I suppose the part about losing our luggage for two weeks and traveling in the same clothes lent a certain "air" to the trip as well. I can now pack for a week in a carry on backpack and large purse -ha ha.

NCL has an affordable cruise out of Charleston, SC and if you can go on a week's notice, it's cheaper than a week at the beach. We took that cruise and went to Grand Cayman, Mexico and Key West. Every year a girlfriend and I celebrate our b'day by taking a trip to the Carib; last year it was Aruba and next month we're going to St. Martin. She has a time share and that makes it very affordable. Dave and I also went to northern CA and OR and had a great time salmon fishing and just enjoying each other's company.

Dave and I went to Morocco and London earlier this month; we visited Marrakesh and camped in the Sahara. It was a great trip but "soft adventure" and, frankly, I've decided I like western plumbing a LOT! <g>

We're headed to Armenia and Georgia in June. The Armenia/Georgia trip is with the same person who hired me to teach in Russia in '04 so this should be a fabulous trip. He knows a lot of people, has a lot of contacts and we'll see the country like folks who live there and not tourists.

I'm helping with a trip to the Ukraine and Romania this August which centers on crafts and the textile industry. It's still possible to buy geniune antiques for just about nothing. Young people want cell phones more than they want Grandfather's shepherd's vest or Grandmother's linen robe. Those countries aren't yet part of the EU so they are Very Affordable; if anyone is interested, let me know.

As to my favorite destination? The next trip, of course <g>.

How is it that you manage to travel so far and so many places, Thistle? I would be bankrupt or...I would have to cycle and camp on a shoestring..which I've met some people who have achieved such farflung travel dreams.

I haven't even travelled to Asia yet and am nearing the 1/2 century mark in my years. And that's where my parents are originally from.

Orchid, we don't have children and that's a HUGE savings - haha.

Travel is important to us, not eating out or clothes or shoes, etc. When we travel, we do it on a tight budget and, usually, Eastern Europe, Russia or other countries that are very inexpensive. We ate really well in Romania for about $4 a meal. When we get home, I try and write various articles about travel, fiber/textiles, etc. and that helps bring in money for the next trip. We also have a lot of connections through the Center for International Understanding -CIU- and can always find somewhere to stay with someone who knows someone we know. The CIU hired me to go to Russia and work in 2004 and we're traveling with them to Armenia and Georgia this year. That trip is very inexpensive but, due to the connections, we'll be treated like royalty.

We're very blessed and thank God every day.

Sandra, your trips sound really neat. I'm glad you've been able to take advantage of those wonderful opportunities.

Well, we were thinking of going North this summer to Mass to see Louisa in Lynn Mass . We have been to Cape Cod and love it , but not been in Boston for awhile . So, we might be up your way this summer Louisa .....

Blessings,

I think the idea of having exchange students is a great one. I have a friend who housed one and they are now traveling to meet her family.

Thistle, how was St. Martin? I'd love to know. That's a consideration for a future island trip.

Check out http://www.journeywoman.com, the largest online travel resource for women. It's also the oldest. It began in 1994. They have travel facts by women for women about destinations around the world. They also send out a free fabulous monthly travel tip enewsletter that is overflowing with ideas for trips and destinations. I know you'll all love it.

We've had Japanese foreign exchange students three times so far, but only for two weeks at a time. Loved it! And it's been great for my kids to see the different cultures, and learn that we can still communicated despite the language barrier.

Kathy

I have met Evelyn, the author of the website Journeywoman when I was living in Toronto. I met her via a good friend who ran a local bike and walking tour company in the same city.

Wow! This year I am going to see family in Colorado Springs and Chicago. Being on a retiremnent budget limits where I can dream to visit. I plan to meet Mary Persall while in Colorado Springs, Look forward to it. Want to also go to a spa while there. Is anyone from Chicago? I have a few days near the Loop and would love to meet some of you. Any ideas?

When will you be in Chicago? Some of the ladies will be at the Booming Women Conference in May.

Kathy have your children lived in Japan as exchange students? I've had exchange students from France, and would not do it again. We made the mistake of taking on two together, and they just spoke with one another, did not integrate with the family, and were just looking for free food and rides. Glad you had better experiences.

No, our kids haven't gone over there. They'd probably starve to death if they did since they are such picky eaters!

The ones we had were always quite short term, and they were two at a time in all cases. My youngest (15) wants to see Europe and learn German, and I told him he could go over and meet you but he looked at me a little odd, like how could he just fly over to Germany and meet someone none of us really knew!

But I bet you'd welcome him for dinner and show him around a little, wouldn't you? That's the feeling I get from so many of these ladies on here - I really feel like I know you. My son looks at me like I'm nuts, but then I remind him of his online friends and he starts to understand.

K

Kathy, I'm smiling. I think that is one of the biggest compliments from a mother, to entrust her child to another.
Of course we would be delighted to have your son come visit. They have fantastic youth summer programs here too. Many teenagers travel Germany be "rail", stay in youth hostiles and hike or bike ride in organized groups. My nephew may do that this summer, just using our place as a stop over. Just a thought…I wouldn't want your son to get bored with us oldies.

Aw, I'm a little bit biased, but Venice is one of my all-time favourites, especially during Carnevale (February).

We went there for my 50th, with son in tow!

Other lovely places in Italy?
Well, Florence and Rome, obviously, but also places like Capri, Amalfi, Positano, Pompeii (amazing place), San Gimignano, Alberobello, Monte Argentario (this last one if you like boats)...

I have two other places I so want to go to:

1. Cairo, Luxor and the Nile (I am into egyptology)
2. Graceland (I am an Elvis fan )

Shirley,
I have very fond memories of Venice, even though I was only 15 yrs old when I last visited. Seems like a lifetime ago. I'm sure going to get back there one day!

It's just 3 weeks to go before we fly out to New Zealand for 2 weeks and I can't wait!
Some of you will already know that I was born in NZ, but I haven't been back for about 28yrs so I'm really not sure what to expect. I know it will be a little strange going back to see the places where I grew up. I hope the old house is still there.
In some ways it will be quite nostalgic, but I'm also looking forward to exploring the countryside and the attractions that NZ is famous for (But, definitely NOT the bungy jumping!!!) If you're not familiar with Bungy.... it basically requires you to strap a stretchy rope to your ankles and jump off a bridge.
Here's a short film clip http://www.ajhackett.co.nz/

Gosh you must be so excited after 28 years!!