It's that time again...the time when I start feeling nostalgic and dreamy. The time when I drive longingly past an airport and wonder about all the fun places people are flying to. My itch to travel is here in full force. And while we do have a fun family vacation coming up to our beloved lake house, Michigan isn't going to do the trick to satisfy my urge to travel. I'm craving a different culture or language, or at least very different scenery from what I see everyday. Such as this...
So since there won't be any immediate gratification for my itch to travel, I can at least start planning our next trip! Henrik sleeps great through the night and I think we'll be done breast feeding in a month or so, which should set us up for easily leaving him.
Enter - our travel list:
I've been to France and California, but it's been several years and would like to go back. Devin is the brains behind Vancouver (Canada is a bit of a mecca for a hockey lover). These aren't the only places we want to travel to, but some of our top choices. Well, they're mostly my top choices but I think Devin will come along. Even if he doesn't love flying, a week together without the boy...he'll go. ;)
So...any great destinations we're missing? I'd love to hear any personal travel experiences that you totally would (or wouldn't) recommend! Beware, if we go with your suggestion, you might get lots of emails from me during our trip planning. :)
11 comments:
Well...the only places on the list I've been to are Italy and Mackinac Island so I feel like I can't offer up much comment except for those. If you do travel Italy, Luke's aunt (the travel agent) suggested going off season (summer months are packed). I would agree. Also, as pretty as inland was...we adored the coast. We want to hit up the southern side coast next time. :) Get a data plan set up so you can use your phone without spending a million dollars.
Nackinac was awhile ago...I remember we did a long bike ride around the island as a family and had some fudge. ;)
Other than that...I really want to plan a train trip (like with sleeping and dinning cars) to New York for a few days with my man. I don't know when it will happen, but slowly mulling over the plans has been enough to appease me of late. ;) Everyone (seriously everyone) overseas was floored that we hadn't gone to NY since it was only hours drive away.
I also want to travel to a south america tropical island type get away at some point...but that trip will probably not be for awhile.
ahhh! this is so fun -- really excited for you guys and see what destination you pick!
the only one that i would add (even though i've never been) is ireland -- but, you already have some GREAT options!
Depending on your budget and vacation days available . .Mackinaw would be a really fun place for the time of year you are talking. I know there are some really neat wineries in northern michigan too on the way there. Wouldn't involve air fare but sometimes depending on where you stay, you'd be in prime season for hotel prices. I don't see you guys loving a whole week at mackinaw (which is why I suggested the wineries along the way), but it is such a neat place in the summer and it is definitely a set your own pace kind of trip. Or you could splurge and stay at the Grand Hotel there . . the food . . .SO good. : )
Other than that - I'd say you can't go wrong with the others. : )
Oh - and I could really see you guys enjoying San Diego - between the weather and fun eateries in the Gas Lamp District and even coronado island. I could see you having fun. : ) I would love to go back (Ryan and I were there last summer which is why I am thinking of it).
Oh my word, I have had the travel bug SO BAD lately too. usually it takes two years to kick in, but I went to Japan last summer and I'm already going crazy. Sad thing is that I have a nursing baby and a husband with not enough vacation time (Not to mention the lack of extra money laying around).
As far as recommendations go, Italy is my favorite country in the world...and that's a tough call to make. I've been to Venice, Rome, Florence, Siena, Tuscany countryside, Naples, Lucca, and an island off the coast and am crazy about it all. But even more than that, it's the people and their way of looking at the world that I'm so in love with. There's just something about it that really connects with me. So maybe other people wouldn't feel the same way.
Places that I was surprised to love as much as I did...Barcelona is amazing. So rich and vibrant and probably my favorite city that I've been to. I also was very impacted by Japan. It's such a delicate, unique culture and the landscapes there are beautiful. I absolutely love England and Ireland, but I knew that I would. I'd totally go back to either of those in a heartbeat.
Greece is high on my list right now. Along with Turkey, Thailand, Israel, France, and Sicily (yes, I want to go back to Italy). But I'll probably be going to Prague next because that's where my master's program is going next summer. I don't know much about Prague but have heard good things.
Sorry for the essay, but I kind of get out of control when I'm talking about traveling.:) Have fun planning your trip!
i had always hoped/planned to go to hawaii on our 10th, but having several kids left at home at that point, it felt nerve-wracking to me to be that far away. so we went to st. john. it was SO wonderful. we stayed at a place called estate lindholm, which we would recommend. it's up the hill from town, so you can walk to town for suppers and shopping, but it is also on the edge of a national forest, so you walk through a tropcial forest to get to beaches. the island has so many unique beaches, great restaurants, beautiful water, fun snorkly, historical haunts, etc. it was an awesome trip, and probably only 4-5 hours of flying. :)
North Cali is awesome, depending on what time you go. If you can make it to Yosemite before the snowmelt stops, it's totally worth it. Go backcountry though :) Too many tourists.
If you are in the mood for an urban vacation, check out Japan. We loved it. Sightsee in Tokyo, eat the most amazing sushi of your life, etc. Go stay in the countryside at a japanese inn (what are they called again, yurokan?) anyways pick an inn with a great Onsen (hot steam bath) & good private supper meal & enjoy the whole experience.
You should ask K&L about Vancouver...I think they totally loved it. I wish I had some insight to offer on these amazing places, but alas, I've never been...
Ooooh you should go to Italy! I've always wanted too--it seems so romantic and fun. :)
Ah! Something I realized after getting back from Africa is that traveling just makes me want to travel more! Madrid (where our layover was) was gorgeous.. so many little shops and incredible plazas. The architecture was amazing. I'd recommend Africa too.. but thats, of course, if you're looking for a third world destination :)
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