I absolutely love to travel & I figure that others here feel the same way. We can share traveling tips, cities and countries that we visited, places where we want to go and anything else related to traveling. I'll start by listing all the places I visited...

Greece (favourite place ever)
LA
Seattle
Montreal
Toronto
Italy
Germany
Austria
Slovenia
Croatia

& places where I want to travel next

NY (#1 on my list)
South & Central America
France
Russia
The Carribean(sp)
Hawaii

Basically anywhere tropical. Now, are they any native New Yorkers here who can share some tips? Naturally I want to go down fifth avenue but I'd rather go where all the locals are, & not the tourists. I'd love to visit during the winter, where there's snow everywhere . Thanks!

I've never really traveled anywhere. As I've mentioned before the farthest east I've ever been is Fort Collins, Colorado. Of the places I've been the most interesting have been...

Alaska (Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, Valdez, Denali)
Southern Utah (Red Rock areas like Capitol Reef NP, Grand Canyons NP, The Badlands)
Death Valley
Seattle
Pheonix
Boise
San Diego

Those places pretty much map out the edge of my travel area.

Places I'd like to go include...

The Mediteranean (Italy and Greece due to my heritage)
London
Hawaii

I have no desire to visit any big cities in the US. I've been to LA, what a horrible place to exist. Reno is about as big as it gets for me. Maybe Seattle...

I love travel!

I've been to:
San Diego
Memphis
New Orleans
Florida (this includes Disney World. Wooo!)
Indiana
New Mexico
Mexico
the Bahamas
England
Spain
France
Italy
the Netherlands
Germany ()


Places I want to go:
Japan
New Zealand
Australia
Ireland
Scotland
Iceland
Greece
Alaska
Seattle

I'll probably think of more.

I really like to travel- I wish I could go more often! Places I've been:
North Carolina
South Carolina
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Italy
Germany
Paris

Places I want to go:
New York City
Holland
Switzerland
Austria
California
I'd really love to go back to Italy, Germany and France too

I really would like to go to New Zealand- but I don't know if I could survive the l-o-n-g plane flight

I forgot to add NYC and Switzerland to my list. (Thanks to bubblewrap, I remembered!) Chicago, Boston, too.

That would be my exact problem. The flight....

It all really depends on what you want. If you want where all the locals are, you're talking about the boring outer bouroughs like Queens, where I live. Nothing to see there. If you stay in NYC, you may want to stay in the Village, down by 6th and 12th. Right by NYU, college students all over the place, small shops, Union Square Cafe and the like. Fifth Avenue is a pricey avenue with lots of nice windows, but it leads into Central Park, which is pretty nice. If you visit in the winter, go ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park--that's more "local" people then the tourists in Rockefeller Center. But honestly, a good 60-70% of people in the city, especially around the holidays are tourists. Be prepared to spend a fortune wherever you go and to wait on a three hour line to get to the top of the Empire State Building. In fact,I recommend you go to Top of the Rock, which is at Rockefeller Center. It's an observation deck that you pay for, but you actually can go a little higher and you get the same view. And the line is MUCH shorter.

Any halfway decent hotel is going to cost at least $150 a night. You can find cheaper ones at hotels.com, but seriously, read the reviews. Some are just too sleazy. I would not recommend staying in Midtown at all. The Grand Hyatt on 42nd Street is $335 a night for a VERY small room. You are better off getting away from the main tourist area and staying in a smaller hotel and walking a bit. A three block difference can save you a $100 a night.

Hopefully that helps some!!

More than anywhere else, I would love to travel to Ireland.


Visit my roots.

We're going to try to plan a trip to France for the end of March. Hubby's sister lives there in Paris, and they have a new baby we need to meet. I'd love to take a cruise along the Inside Passage of Alaska, and one day I'd love to visit Australia and New Zealand, (and walk the trail to Mordor . . .)

I've been to:
US: California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, South Dakota, Utah, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Hawaii, (might have missed one or two).

Outside the US: Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, Denmark.

I've been to -- Canada, Mexico, Germany, Austria, France, Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Luxemberg, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, England.

Most of the U.S.

My husband and I took an Alaskan Cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary. It was absolutely beautiful. I hope you get to do it, and take Supergirl! It would be the trip of a lifetime.

Uh, I don't even want to think of all the places I've been/lived.

Worst place was Seoul, South Korea. I just hated it. Plus, a taxi driver drove off with my kids while I was putting luggage in the trunk. Idiot.
Best place we've lived....I'd have to say Colorado Springs. Loved it there, always said we'd retire there but we probably never will because of the grandbaby being here.

Yes!!!

The view out my window now looks like a postcard. Pikes Peak and all the evergreens.

I know!!! It used to take me like 20 minutes to get the newspaper because I would get so distracted. Just standing there looking at Pikes Peak. And at certain times of the day when the sun hits it just right. Awesome. And Garden of the Gods. We could see some of that as well. It is just incredible. Hard to breathe, though.

The Garden of the Gods is incredible! I haven't been there for a month or so, I need to go back. I live just north of there (in Rockrimmon).

I have been to Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Amsterdam,Switzerland, Monaco. Most of the US....

Hubby is who I am jealous of all of his travels. He has been the world traveler: Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Italy, Germany, France, all of the UK, Iceland, Greenland, Boliva, Bogata, parts of Africa, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Central America,Dominican Republic, Cuba and 90% of the US states.

MIL and FIL used to live in Woodland Park and their house had a view of Pikes Peak, it was beautiful.
I have some pictures of us at Garden of the Gods.....I should find them.

I just associate anything from CO with MIL

That reminds me...this is so Off Topic, but here goes....I got an email about a job opening in the Pikes Peak Library District for the Adult Services manager in Rockrimmon. It's my dream job...in my dream city...apparently my dream life, too.

I don't get to travel much. Next summer i'm hoping to go to an out of state summer art program. Most of the time when I travel somewhere it's by myself with a camp or something.

I think I like it that way better.

What a small world BMaC!! That is literally 1/2 block from my house. My kids and I walk to that library once a week or so.

It borders Ute Valley Park, which is 2nd only to Garden of the Gods in beauty.

Like you most of the places I've been to have been because of the military. BTW, my brother was in the Army for a few years, and was stationed along the DMZ in South Korea. I calls that the worst year of his life.

How funny.



Crap. the phone rang. My husband is sick in VA and his coworker is taking him to the ER. I'll be back.

BIL in the Army spent 3 years there too w/his new wife, their daughter was born there, they moved back to the states and divorced w/in 18 months.

Oh no! Is the gallbladder thing again? Hope he's okay bmac.


This brother wasn't married yet, but I know he did a lot of drinking over there. He used to get drunk, go in the closet, and call us pretty regularly. I felt so bad. He also came back with 3 tats and 2 pierced nipples he doesn't remember anything about.

Oh my I dont know if can satisfy on the 2 piercings!

Awesome! I live/am from Montreal! Next time you can pop in and say hi, I'll give you a tour of the city !

I have been to:
-Newfoundland (East)
-Nova-Scotia
-New Brunswick
-Ontario (Ottawa)
-New York (State and city)
-Vermont
-New Hampshire
-Main

I want to go to:
-California (and many other States, actually I'd love to drive across the states on the 66 and Lincoln Highway)
-England
-Ireland
-Scotland
-France
-Spain, etc.

Where can you get a chocolate milkshake in Montreal? I tried to buy one the last time I was there and couldn't find them. McDonald's didn't sell them.

Honestly I don't ever buy milkshakes so I wouldn't know exactly were to find a good one. I know there are different shops and restaurants that would probably serve them, like Choc' Ola on Monkland--were FGC's gonna work.

I love to travel as well, but sadly I've been restricted to the United States. This should, however, be changing soon. There's a good possibility I'll be able to organize something in Amsterdam in the coming year, so...looking forward to that.

For the list though, I've travelled throughout New York and Pennsylvania primarily, but I've also been to:

Washington D.C.
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Delaware
Vermont
Maine
Maryland
Ohio
North Carolina
South Carloina
Georgia
Mississippi
Alabama
Florida
Louisiana
Texas
Nevada

Oh, and Ontario once, as a kid. I don't remember it at all.

I cannot wait to use my passport for the first time...entirely too antsy to see Europe.

I talked to him. He's ok. He started taking some blood pressure meds the day before he went on this trip and he was having some side effects, according to the dr. It wasn't an ER, but an urgent care clinic and they saw him quickly. He sounds fine now. whew.

I went to London over the summer, which was pretty amazing. I also went to a Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos (they're owned by Sandals, but they're family based...so that's where Jan and Michael will be taking their family on vacation some day. ). Those are probably the most interesting places I've ever been...tons of random states.

As for places I want to go...pretty much everywhere.

The place I want to go really really really bad.....

paradise on earth........


BONAIRE!!!!!!

Wow, what a fun topic! I like traveling a lot... if it's for pleasure, not work. Here are the places I've been:

Washington, Oregon (lived in), Idaho, Nevada, Utah, California (layover flight ), Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina... and in high school I rode a Greyhound across the country from Boise, Idaho to Moline, Illinois... we drove from there to Missouri and Iowa... then rode the Greyhound back . It was a very interesting trip, but I wouldn't do it again... at least not on a bus... blech.

Here are the places I want to go:
In the US: New England - (Mass., Pennsylvania, NY, Delaware), North Carolina, Texas, Montana, Alaska, Wisconsin...
Out of the country: Germany, Sweden, Italy, Greece, Thailand

I've traveled more than anyone else in my family... but I've never been out of the country. I had a chance to visit Canada in junior high or high school, but didn't go. Hubby's been to Europe, Brazil, and will be going to Mexico next week... maybe I should hide in one of his bags .

A really good friend of my dad's has been there a few times- he dives. He said is really, really nice there- and from the pictures I've seen it looks beautiful

It's my dream spot -

Sleepy little family owned hotels, pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear warm water, great food, a mountain bike trail around the whole island, plus lots of flamingos, donkeys and iguanas.

Like Mixed I want to do a type of Alaskan cruise

Oh yeah hubby went to St. Thomas for work a few years back and that is where he received dangerous sun poisoning.(he ended up not being able to walk for over a week)

Wow. You're frigging amazing. Thank you so much for your tips! I will keep your suggestions in mind once I travel to NY. I can't wait to go.

I will offer some tips to those who plan to travel to my hometown of Vancouver BC in the future. Downtown is the place to see and be seen. If you enjoy a good night club, make sure to travel down the Granville strip. I recommend Caprice. Other places that anyone should visit is Stanley Park, Commercial Drive, Main Street, 4th Ave etc. The best beach IMO is Kits Beach. For those who like designer style, stroll along Burrard Street. Pacific Centre is a great mall, as is Metrotown, but that's in Burnaby. For good Italian food, head down Commercial Drive for great pizza, pasta, gelato & cappuccino. The type of people who frequent Commercial Drive range from hippies to yuppys. I recommend Lombardo's Pizza & Cafe Calabria. For Greek food, travel along West Broadway. Maria's Taverna is a great restaurant. West Broadway is composed more of upscale, trendy individuals but don't let that intimidate you. For those who need their Starbucks fix, go along Robson Street as there are probably Starbucks on every single corner.

Also, Harrison Hot Springs is a hidden gem, perfect for a weekend getaway. Whistler is fab too, but expect to shell out big bucks as it's tourist central. Also, be sure to take in a Canucks, Lions or Whitecaps game if you're a sports fan. Speaking of which, make sure to bike along the Stanley Park Seawall. Not only will you experience breath-taking nature, but you'll tone your legs and bum too. Running, jogging and walking are great options too.

If anyone here plans to visit Vancouver, drop me a pm & I'll recommend what to do based on your budget and personal interests !

I went to Kansas a few weeks ago. Spent some time there with my boyfriend. We went to Worlds of Fun, an amusement park, and had as you may guess, a world of fun. We went to a Japanese Steakhouse, the kind where they cook your food in front of you, think A Benihana Christmas -- that was the first time I'd ever been to one, and it was so awesome! I loved it. We also went to the zoo, and The Cheesecake Factory in downtown Kansas City. And of course, we watched The Office premiere together. It was the best vacation I've had in a long time. It was the first time I had traveled anywhere alone, so that was pretty scary. But I made it there and back in one piece.

Just some of the reasons I don't like big cities. I feel claustrophobic in cities like that. I do like the skylines though.

I will always prefer getting away. Someplace where I can hear myself think and I have some space. I'd say my ideal vacation is a great campsite. There was a campsite that I went to with a few close friends near Spokane, Washington. It looked out on a little lake and we were surrounded by forest. Probably my most memorable vacation. Lots of hiking and just sitting around a campfire. That is a vacation. I didn't hear a car engine for 5 days and the only time that ever happened otherwise is on a river trip.

Whereabouts in Greece does your family hail from? As far as I know, my mom comes from Elefusina, which is on the mainland, my papou is from the village Steni on the island of Eyvia & finally, my yiyaia was born around the Tripoli/Sparta area, which is in the southern part. I've been to..

Steni
Elefusina
Halkida
Porto Heli
Athens
Loutraki
Spetses
Patta

Spetses is a great island, & a 10 minute boat ride from Porto Heli or Loutraki. You're gonna love Greece!

Thanks BTB! I'll offer travel tips for anyone who wants to visit LA. Ready?


Don't.

I haven't been many places, but I've loved all of them! I've been to Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite which is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Oh, and Tijuana, which is always fun for a day. I spent a week in New Orleans the year before Katrina, and had the time of my life.

And two years ago a friend and I went to Romania. We spent a week on a bus touring the country visiting Dracula-related places, and then spent Halloween night in Dracula's castle. It was a fun trip, and an amazing Halloween night, but you really have to have an adventurous spirit to visit Romania. And I wouldn't suggest going for the food.

I would love to visit Argentina, Patagonia, Peru, the Amazon, the Galapagos islands...pretty much anywhere in Latin America.

PIP...My great grandma on my mom's mom's side was from Mesolongion (had to look up the spelling on that one). My great grandpa wasn't born in Greece but lived there most of his life before he married my great grandma. He was originally from Austria. After my great grandparents got married they immagrated to the united states. My great grandma passed away just 2 years ago at 98. She really was one of the sweetest people you could ever meet.

The rest of my mom's side is from Italy. My grandma lived on the island of Crete for a long time in the 50's and 60's though.

My dad's side is a Michael Scott style "United Nations" of heritage. Mainly English though.

There is a great comedy quote by Lewis Black that goes something like this...

"...Now if you're thinking about traveling to LA why don't you grab a pencil, sharpen it, and shove it in your eye. Because you would be better off sitting in a hospital emergency room holding the pencil steady, wondering what you're going to look like in a jaunty eye patch, then spend a minute in that town!!!"

^^^ That's beautiful. I love Lewis Black. I can totally hear him saying that. Anyways, they should make that the official city motto. LA is a strange place. I really don't like it but I'm not sure I could ever leave. It's still home.

That's good news.



I never got to leave the country to visit my retired-Air Force brother, but I've visited him twice in CA (Solvang and Monterey) and once in San Antonio, TX (probably my favorite vacation trip so far).

I've been to

Paris
Madrid
Canada (Agawa Canyon Snow Train from the Soo; Toronto)
All over the US

I still haven't visited Maine, Oregon or Washington State - three places I'd love to go.

And I've never visited LA - except for a couple of brief layovers at the airport on my way to other places. Despite the warnings against it, I'd like to see it - once.

I've been to Victoria several times, but never made it into Vancouver. I'd love to though. Can't you pick up cruises there for the Inside Passage? That would be a bonus.

International: Hong Kong (layover flight), Philippines (getting to know my roots), Mexico

Where I want to go: New York, Australia, all over Europe...and Florida ( I've got to be the only kid I know who has never been to Florida)

To be honest, a travel agent would give you a better answer than me, who knows nothing of that sort. The cruise would be fairly short, 2 hours max. Let me know if you find anything out .

I was thinking of the longer trips where you're out for a week. I checked, and some lines do leave from Vancouver. That would be cool.

Nope your not- I've never been. I always wanted to go to Disney when I was little- but we never went. My parents aren't big into traveling (which is odd- because I am )

message board spring break road trip?

It definitely would be! I recommend doing it during the summer, as it's almost sunny & nothing is more beautiful than a warm day full of sunshine in Vancouver. In autumn it rains a lot, in summer it's cold & it snows & in spring, the weather is a mix of autumn & summer. Than again, maybe you prefer sun drops over sun rays, I dunno. Should be a fun experience.

Ooh, and what terminals did you check out? The one near Waterfront & the one in Horseshoe Bay are the nicest, IMO.