Vacation ideas

[Killishandra]

It's time for me to get a little more worldly. I am not attending school next semester (well, probably not) and I'm starting to gather information and ideas on international travel. I have heard that Thailand, despite the recent damage to its tourism infrastructure following the tsunami, is an inexpensive and fantastic place to visit. You can get head-to-toe pampering for a ridiculously small price per day, the food is fresh and delicious, and it is very rich in culture. Bonus, ticket prices from Hawaii to Thailand for, say, March of next year don't look all that expensive (~$800.) Course, I'm not ready to buy yet, and that price will certainly go up the closer it gets to that date.

On the other hand, I would absolutely love to see Europe. It would be more expensive, but I am more fascinated by Western culture than Eastern. To see Greece, London, or Paris would be absolutely fantastic. Since I would likely be going solo, I'm considering a cheesy group-tour package... I'd be surrounded by Americans most of the time, but with any luck I'd meet some cool locals on my down-time. Badda bing, badda bang, and next time I go there I have friends to stay with and can do away with the whole guided tour thing. Or, who knows, perhaps I can pursuade a friend without work or school commitments to go with me and we can do it on our own.

So, where has everyone been and what were your favorite places to visit? I have a feeling if I go to Thailand I'd end up staying only a couple days in Bangkok and the rest of a week or so at a small island resort... Swimming in the waters, getting a massage, and trying to de-stress my soul a bit. It would probably be very, very rejuvenating.

If I go to Europe, there's no way I could just chill by the Med sea and get a massage. I'm not going unless I'm going to see Da Vincis, ancient Greek architecture, Stonehenge, etc... Not all on the same trip, perhaps, but I know I'd keep myself busy because I'm going to want to expose myself to so much, SEE so much, be in the PRESENCE of so many wonders that I have only heard or read about... Stonehenge in particular, if I could go there, holds a mystic appeal to me... I want to press my hands and cheek against those sun-warmed rocks and connect with that ancient energy. (I have heard conflicting stories on whether or not the general public is allowed up there anymore. Does anyone have the scoop on that?)

Input, people, I need input. This trip is months away, at best, but I seriously want to narrow it down. I'm thinking 1-2 weeks. If I do Europe, probably 2.. Because if I'm giong to spend the money for the airfare (which involves Hawaii to the East Coast of the U.S., then a trans-atlantic flight, and that's big bucks) then I might as well save up and spend that extra dough to country-hop and take in as much as I can. One 2-week trip is less expensive than two 1-week trips separated by months or years.

So... where've you been, why, how long were you there for, and what did you love?

 

[Vixandra]

I've lived in Japan, been to the USVI, and the Bahamas.

Highly recommend the Bahamas. We had a wonderful time (I turned 17 during the trip) and learned a lot. And the people were really quite friendly.
Especially a woman who ran a good sized liquer store in Nasau. She went into detail on the history and making processes of rum and the differences in brands/types. Was great to listen to, even if I wasn't legel to drink it then.
Swimming with dolphins was great too. Surreal almost.


I've also heard wonderful things about Thailand and it has its share of tourist attractions too. Temples, beaches, shopping, all that.

Good luck.

 

[Killishandra]

I've lived in Japan, been to the USVI, and the Bahamas.

Highly recommend the Bahamas. We had a wonderful time (I turned 17 during the trip) and learned a lot. And the people were really quite friendly.
Especially a woman who ran a good sized liquer store in Nasau. She went into detail on the history and making processes of rum and the differences in brands/types. Was great to listen to, even if I wasn't legel to drink it then.
Swimming with dolphins was great too. Surreal almost.


I've also heard wonderful things about Thailand and it has its share of tourist attractions too. Temples, beaches, shopping, all that.

Good luck.

Shopping... I totally forgot about shopping. Shit. I'd better add another $500 or so to my savings plan for wherever I go. I have a friend who flew in tonight from Asia. I'm going to catch up with him over lunch or dinner this weekend. He said he brought me some souveniers, including some silver jewelry from Malaysia. Won't tell me what it is, though!

 

[Killishandra]

Oh, and if I do go to Thailand, some of the layovers seemed so long that I could probably stay overnight in Japan... Not a whole lot of time there, but who knows... Perhaps a travel agent could arrange for me to stay there a couple days on the way to Thailand. Now that would be neat trip!

 

[m wisdom]

Haven't been to Thailand but Malaysia is wonderful and I have heard great things about Thailand. And a big plus with Thailand is actually that you don't have too many tourists these days because off the tsunami. I hate a crowded beach.

Plenty off things to see in Europe but be prepared that many things are more expensive then in the US.
I was very young when I visited Stonehenge so don't remember very much about it. But you can find some information about how to visit here http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.877
If you want to travel around Europe I would suggest that you plan to stay for at least two weeks, otherwise you won't have time to see much. A good trip might be Athens, Rome, Venice, Paris, Amsterdam and London (Stonehenge). And Sweden of course

 

[chris9]

Two weeks, for seeing that much of Europe? There will be no relaxing time! No sleeping time either.

I'd recommend a smaller trip to get to know more of one countrey. In any European countrey there is enough culture and history to occupy you more than two weeks.
But that of course depends on the way you want to travel. Personally, I prefer to get a lot of knowledge about a countrey's (or part thereof) history before/while visiting. That way I can appreciate the buildings/ruins/art museums (and where the art came from) better and remember more of it.

The problem is that while in those capitals m wisdom mentioned (and may I mention that he forgot Germany -Berlin and Munic are very interesting cities, so are some smaller ones) there is much culture and art, many famous paintings/buildings/whatever are in the middle of nowhere, or in smaller towns. Like one painting by DaVinci (I attached a pictures, if it worked) is in the National Gallery at Parma, otherwise famous for it's cheese and bacon (though I was not able to find those when there). It's beautiful, and I was very surprised to see it there.

 

[shy slave]

If your heading for Europe then UK and Denmark have great perverts that would happily meet up with you and show the the sights

 

[graceanne]

Oregon's great!

Other than that, when my dad was in Germany he said he loved Spain and hated France. *shrugs* I'd love to go to Europe and be able to give my own advice.

 

[chris9]

Oregon's great!

Other than that, when my dad was in Germany he said he loved Spain and hated France. *shrugs* I'd love to go to Europe and be able to give my own advice.

I love France. Don't know that much about Spain, but I'm not so very interested in the countrey *shrugs* Don't know why...

 

[graceanne]

I love France. Don't know that much about Spain, but I'm not so very interested in the countrey *shrugs* Don't know why...

Well, my dad . . . it doesn't suprise me he liked spain and not france. Daddy's a wanna-be cowboy. And he really likes spicey food and warm climates. (Yick and double yick.) I can see him clomping around in France in his cowboy boots and his big hat and other clothes that just don't look good on him, and not making a good impression. That's why I wanna go myself and make my own decision.

 

[chris9]

Well, my dad . . . it doesn't suprise me he liked spain and not france. Daddy's a wanna-be cowboy. And he really likes spicey food and warm climates. (Yick and double yick.) I can see him clomping around in France in his cowboy boots and his big hat and other clothes that just don't look good on him, and not making a good impression. That's why I wanna go myself and make my own decision.

We used to go quite often to different parts of France for our family vacation. There are so many beautiful parts there. The food is good, too. The people are sometimes a bit difficult, but nothing you wouldn't expect from them...

 

[babiesmiles]

Europe is so full of wonderful things that wouldn't be enough months to see everything !

So If you plan to fly here I think you should focuse just on a couple of countries/ towns so to have at least a general idea about them .

Obviously if you should decide to come in Italy I'd be very happy to show you some interesting bit of our artistic masterpieces

 

[misspatiant]

England is a must not only because of all the wonderful old history but the people are great too
But Germany is a beautiful place in winter as long as youv got your woolly jumpers with you! Have fun wherever you decide to go

 

[chris9]

England is a must not only because of all the wonderful old history but the people are great too
But Germany is a beautiful place in winter as long as youv got your woolly jumpers with you! Have fun wherever you decide to go

No, it's ugly in winter. And wet and icky. Not cold enough to be good cold. And no snow. And ugly.

 

[Marquis]

I had an amazing vacation in Hawaii recently, try there.

 

[shy slave]

I had an amazing vacation in Hawaii recently, try there.

lol

 

[DVS]

You know, culture is over rated. Foreign countries are just that...foreign. And, nobody speaks your language. Money would go quickly, probably on silly trinkets and boggles.

Why not make a trip to Kansas, the land of Ahs. The flight would be cheaper, the country is not foreign, and I know a really great place to stay...for free.

Well, free means no money would be exchanged. But, there would most likely be an interaction with the innkeeper. And speaking of language barriers, I'm sure you would find someone who speaks your language and speaks it rather well. A devious sexual language is spoken and also taught, if you are looking for the complete tour.

Think of the money you would save, and the experiences you would remember for a lifetime. Asia? Europe? Japan? Hawaii? They're all just tourist money pits. Now, Kansas...that's a true Eden of lust and decadence for the mind and body to explore...over and over again.

 

[graceanne]

You know, culture is over rated. Foreign countries are just that...foreign. And, nobody speaks your language. Money would go quickly, probably on silly trinkets and boggles.

Why not make a trip to Kansas, the land of Ahs. The flight would be cheaper, the country is not foreign, and I know a really great place to stay...for free.

Well, free means no money would be exchanged. But, there would most likely be an interaction with the innkeeper. And speaking of language barriers, I'm sure you would find someone who speaks your language and speaks it rather well. A devious sexual language is spoken and also taught, if you are looking for the complete tour.

Think of the money you would save, and the experiences you would remember for a lifetime. Asia? Europe? Japan? Hawaii? They're all just tourist money pits. Now, Kansas...that's a true Eden of lust and decadence for the mind and body to explore...over and over again.

ROFLMAO

 

[Xelebes]

Or you know, you could come up to Canada and see us lumberjacks and curlers to see for yourself how we are and stuff. Just make sure you go in the summer and not get trapped in Winnipeg. (Other locales around the city are ok, just not the city itself.)

 

[chris9]

You know, culture is over rated. Foreign countries are just that...foreign. And, nobody speaks your language. Money would go quickly, probably on silly trinkets and boggles.

Why not make a trip to Kansas, the land of Ahs. The flight would be cheaper, the country is not foreign, and I know a really great place to stay...for free.

Well, free means no money would be exchanged. But, there would most likely be an interaction with the innkeeper. And speaking of language barriers, I'm sure you would find someone who speaks your language and speaks it rather well. A devious sexual language is spoken and also taught, if you are looking for the complete tour.

Think of the money you would save, and the experiences you would remember for a lifetime. Asia? Europe? Japan? Hawaii? They're all just tourist money pits. Now, Kansas...that's a true Eden of lust and decadence for the mind and body to explore...over and over again.

Nice try I have to say. I would never have known I live in a tourist money pit. Amazing. I didn't know either that no single European being speaks English. Thanks for telling

 

[Killishandra]

Haven't been to Thailand but Malaysia is wonderful and I have heard great things about Thailand. And a big plus with Thailand is actually that you don't have too many tourists these days because off the tsunami. I hate a crowded beach.

Plenty off things to see in Europe but be prepared that many things are more expensive then in the US.
I was very young when I visited Stonehenge so don't remember very much about it. But you can find some information about how to visit here http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.877
If you want to travel around Europe I would suggest that you plan to stay for at least two weeks, otherwise you won't have time to see much. A good trip might be Athens, Rome, Venice, Paris, Amsterdam and London (Stonehenge). And Sweden of course

I had ANOTHER conversation with someone about Thailand tonight... I'm positive I'd like to go there, and just chiiiiiill, but I have to get the cha-ching together.

Hmmm, things in Europe are more expensive than the U.S.? I did not know that. It doesn't deter me from wanting to go, but thank you for the info... it's certainly something I need to know ahead of time for whenever I do manage to go.

Thanks for the link, btw.

 

[Killishandra]

Two weeks, for seeing that much of Europe? There will be no relaxing time! No sleeping time either.

I'd recommend a smaller trip to get to know more of one countrey. In any European countrey there is enough culture and history to occupy you more than two weeks.
But that of course depends on the way you want to travel. Personally, I prefer to get a lot of knowledge about a countrey's (or part thereof) history before/while visiting. That way I can appreciate the buildings/ruins/art museums (and where the art came from) better and remember more of it.

Good advice. I will DEFINITELY be doing my research on whatever country(s) I visit, before I visit them.

The problem is that while in those capitals m wisdom mentioned (and may I mention that he forgot Germany -Berlin and Munic are very interesting cities, so are some smaller ones) there is much culture and art, many famous paintings/buildings/whatever are in the middle of nowhere, or in smaller towns. Like one painting by DaVinci (I attached a pictures, if it worked) is in the National Gallery at Parma, otherwise famous for it's cheese and bacon (though I was not able to find those when there). It's beautiful, and I was very surprised to see it there.

siiighh... I love Da Vincis. They seem to have a mystical quality about them. I wanna see them in person, oh, I wanna please please!!!

 

[Killishandra]

If your heading for Europe then UK and Denmark have great perverts that would happily meet up with you and show the the sights

Darling, if I go to either of those places you can bet I'll be calling those perverts up for some tourguiding!!!!!!

 

[Killishandra]

Oregon's great!

Other than that, when my dad was in Germany he said he loved Spain and hated France. *shrugs* I'd love to go to Europe and be able to give my own advice.

Oh?

"The Gracie and Killi Lit Tour-de-Europe"

Cuming to a country near you! (?)

 

[Killishandra]

Europe is so full of wonderful things that wouldn't be enough months to see everything !

So If you plan to fly here I think you should focuse just on a couple of countries/ towns so to have at least a general idea about them .

Obviously if you should decide to come in Italy I'd be very happy to show you some interesting bit of our artistic masterpieces

Babiesmiles, I didn't know you were in Italy!!

mmmm... Authentic Italian... Well, I know where my *stomach* wants me to go! LOL

Thank you! Wow... I would love to have someone to show me around Italy too... Dang, I'm going to have to keep track of who's where so I can PM them if I make it to their country. Perhaps when the time comes I'll have to start another thread to let everyone know.