Travel destinations question

[fbhjr]

For the last few years my wife and I have taken a trip to places we haven't been before.
Last year, England and Wales. The year before the Grand Canyon.

So, we were talking about this year.

I had said that I've always wanted to cross the equator and see the stars on the other side of the world.
But, that applies to half the world.

I know lots of you have been lots of places.
Any particular suggestions?

Keep in mind this is totally non-binding, we're just looking for ideas.

[Poll #2039710]

Comments

[brickhousewench.livejournal.com]

My mother had wonderful things to say about her trip to New Zealand. Also, who wouldn't want to go on a LOTR tour and see Hobbitton and where they built Edoras?

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Did my wife tell you to say that? ;)

[brickhousewench.livejournal.com]

No, I didn't realize we had similar tastes in travel destinations.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I think she hopes to capture a hobbit and bring it home.
Too many leprechaun stories when she was young...

[ravena-kade.livejournal.com]

but the hobbit-eze iz trixy.

[brickhousewench.livejournal.com]

Hobbits are tricksy creatures. And they come with pointy weapons. I wouldn't want one for a pet, they eat like twelve times a day! Imagine the food bills!

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

But they'll do the cooking!
And, they are great cooks!

I wouldn't mind some extra breakfasts now and again.
And 11ses....

[ravena-kade.livejournal.com]

I think I need a Hobbit for the house.

[malterre.livejournal.com]

:)

[belleweather.livejournal.com]

My dream trip if we're ever in East Asia Pacific is a small boat cruise around NZ and the pacific islands. Lots of long sea days and nights for star gazing plus awesome exploring and scuba diving.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a wonderful dream!

[one-raido.livejournal.com]

If I could handle the plane ride, I'd go to Australia.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

It is a long one. No doubt of that.

Go

[pink-halen.livejournal.com]

There are many interesting places in the world. Any where you go you will find things to do. We have sailed from Europe to South Africa, Buenos Aires, Argentina to Valparaiso, Chile and Sydney to Auckland. There are some amazing places in all of these. We have had very little trouble communicating because most people around the world also speak English.

In October we visited Egypt and Jordan. In December we sailed through the Panama Canal. In July we are going to sail from Nuremberg to Amsterdam.

My point is, just go and enjoy.

Cruises give a good overview but since you are only half a day in port you don't see much of a city but you can return to the ones you do like.

For travel south of the equator, I would recommend Buenos Aires, Sydney and Capetown. If you really want a good look at the stars then go to Australia and spend a couple of nights at Ayers Rock where the stars can really be seen because there is little extraneous light.

Australia is very red while New Zealand is very, Very green. We have visited Hobbiton. Auckland doesn't have much to recommend it. The best of New Zealand is in the countryside and the South Island is better than the north but you have to be prepared to drive on the "Correct" side of the road.

If you fancy Europe, I would recommend, Barcelona, Vienna, Amsterdam and Dubrovnik. The Christmas markets are fantastic in just about every European City. They happen from the start of December.

When we travel, I write three to five paragraphs a day in my LJ Blog. Many of our trips have been recorded here. We are already planning our Christmas Trip.

Re: Go

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

We were in Wales and west England late November last year, so saw some of the markets you describe.
And there are some museums in the Netherlands I'd love for my wife to have a chance to see.

At this point, we're just looking at options...

[morgan-lafaye.livejournal.com]

New Zealand would be my first choice off your list. However parts of South America are interesting as well. But, like I said New Zealand would be my first choice for Southern trips.

[chaquir.livejournal.com]

and how about Europe????

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

It doesn't take a week or more off to go to Europe.
So, less involved plans.

But, there are plenty of things in Europe we'd like to see too. I spent a few days in the Netherlands a few years ago and there are lots of museums there I'd like to show my wife.

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

Of course I'm biased for Australia but honestly if you're interested in LOTR etc then go to New Zealand - New Zealand is stunningly beautiful ... you can't go wrong with either country .. but of course I'm biased.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

You've certainly shown lots of photos from there that look cool.

[becofoz]

I'm biased, so of course I picked Australia. I also picked New Zealand. I figure if you have the time, and you've made it all the way down here, why not try to see a bit of both (because it is one hell of a trip to get here!).

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Time will be the problem. There is no way we will have much of it.

[daturabelle.livejournal.com]

i'm with becofoz i picked both australia and new zealand.
and since they're so close you can do both.
they're worth it.
new zealand is stunning and both islands for different reasons. i think the south is definitely more picturesque but the north has rotorua and that place is like a different planet. not to mention hobbiton...
and australia because australia. we live here. we love it. it's also a beautiful place but it's also BIG so you'd have to know where you wanted to go and see if going to all those places was doable.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

There is no way we'll be able to see much of it.
Unless we win the lottery and become millionaires, we're only going to have a short time off from work.

[daturabelle.livejournal.com]

if you don't have much time, i'd suggest new zealand. easy to do both islands in 2 weeks. if you go to one island, you can do it in a week.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

We just need to catch a Hobbit and stuff it in our suitcase.
How long could that take?

[daturabelle.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... Good question. I didn't see any when I was there, perhaps they were hiding? Although I'm pretty much hobbit-sized so I shouldn't have scared them off. A couple of days at least to gain their trust and set a trap?

[yesididit2.livejournal.com]

just the airfare alone to australia or new zealand is killer expensive. my parents enjoyed their visit to both, but that was around 18 years ago. i cant imagine how much more expensive its gotten since then.

i'd like to go see machu picchu in south america some day, but i hear its a challenging place to get to, being quite a ways off the beaten path.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I'm told that Machu Picchu is quite a climb. It would still be cool.

Right now the faire fare seems to be running between $1000 and $1500 round trip, each.
While not cheap, that isn't so bad for the other side of the world.

Not pocket cash, but something we can work on for November or December...

[yesididit2.livejournal.com]

prices must have gone down. some gal we swim with looked into it last year or the year before and said prices were around $2000. 1000-1500 sounds more reasonable.

my dad went to machu picchu, but mom didnt go with him on that trip. i've got a picture of him standing with his arms raised and the gorgeous terraces in the background.

[meathiel]

I've never crossed the equator but I voted for NZ because -> Lord of the Rings, obviously!