Best vacation/trip you've ever taken?

kwynn

Hi, ladies,

I am trying to use up some airline vouchers DH and I got from being bumped so many times on our honeymoon. I have $1400 in vouchers for anywhere American Airlines flies.

I have to book by April, but I don't have to travel by then.

We cannot (well, I am assigned the task to do this, haha) decide where to go. I would like to keep the accommodations somewhat affordable.

We like cruises, my DH likes hot weather, we like doing stuff on vacation and not just relaxing the whole time.

Any suggestions? Any opinions on an Alaskan cruise or going to Paris, France (with a trip for DH to see Normandy)?

CLW102409

Kwynn, DH and I love San Juan.  There is so much to see and do, the beaches are beautiful!  it is the perfect spot for us!    We are actually planning to go back in either April or May!

GL

king26

My favorite vacation was either to Vegas or on a cruise to 5 islands in the Carribean.  I like the multiple cruise stop so you get a taste of everything.  It left out of Florida and went to 5 islands.  You COULD fly to Puerto RIco-then cruise out of there-they stop at 7 islands then return to Puerto Rico.  But, we also love vegas and hotels are cheap out there!

KRMac

I've been to Paris and it was amazing.  Granted, it was back in 1997...but I hope to return someday!  My only considerations would be going for at least 10 days and not in August...we were there when it was SOOOO HOT (record heat wave then) and a lot of shops close in August because Parisians themselves like to vacation then. 

My SIL and BIL went on an AK cruise for the HM and they liked it, but didn't love it.  They said that most of the little towns that they stopped in were basically the same over and over again.  BUT my cousin and his wife went on one a few years ago and they loved it!  I still want to go on one someday though!

I can't wait to hear what you pick! 

kwynn

I am making a list.

San Juan, PR
Vegas (DH has been there, I have not)
Paris
Alaskan cruise

Keep the recommendations coming! Heather, we love cruises, but I think we are doing one next month or in early March as an anniversary thing, so I don't know if he'd want to do Caribbean again so soon.

KR, how long do you think would be good for Paris? Two weeks?

We're also considering a Meditteranean cruise too. Hmm...

colleenmclaughlin1

I never go anywhere, but out of the few placed I have been, II loved Vancouver. You've got a lot of outdoor things to do there. 

A friend went on an Alaskancruise honeymoon and had a really good time. And I've never heard anyone say they had a bad time in Paris.

skybluejen

My favorite vacations are always Carribean cruises. I think they are so relaxing and fun, and easy to plan. We're in the beginning phases of planning one for this summer. My parents just did a cruise that went through the Panama Canal and their pictures are awesome, so that would be neat, too!

I liked Paris, but didn't love it. It is probably my least favorite European city that I've visited. I just expected a lot more I guess. We went to London during the same trip and I liked it so much more. 3 years ago I traveled around northern Europe (Poland, Russia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland) and those countries were so awesome. Stockholm, Sweden is my favorite city in the whole world and I can't wait to go back some day, so I recommend that for something different

I've heard Alaskan cruises are awesome. Everyone seems to enjoy them!

colleenmclaughlin1

Ah!!!  SBJ--I spoke too soon. 

skybluejen

oh and my brother and SIL went on a Mediterranean cruise this past summer and had an amazing time! I'd be jealous if you did that

kbielak17

You could do a combo trip with the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Vegas. Depending on how much time you are looking to spend, you could even add on another city like Phoenix or L.A.

I do mainly domestic travel so no advice on Europe!

KRMac

Yeah, I think 10 days - 2 weeks would be good.  We were there for 9 days and after jet lag and travel days, it felt too short.  We did do some traveling beyond Paris, maybe that's why too!

And I would be super jealousE of a Mediterranean cruise too!

dreamalotmp

My parents went on an Alaskan cruise and LOVED it. The pictures and stories were amazing. I would love to do that.

jrsygrl10

i liked paris, loved switzerland and hated germany.

DH would like to travel to italy in the future, and i would like to see london. i would also love to do vermont during leaf season someday-i hear it is breathtaking!

i've heard nothing but rave reviews when it comes to meditteranean cruises. the same for southern caribbean cruises that leave out of san juan.

my parents did norway years ago and loved it there.

KimWard

Not really a vacation, but I studied abroad in Barcelona, so I am partial to that city. It's beautiful- beaches, cool architecture and artwork...just lots to see and do. It is one of Spain's more expensive cities though (at least from a college student's perspective).

I also visited the island of Mallorca- gorgeous! There are things to do, as well as beautiful beaches. I hope to return to both there and Barcelona within the next 2 years (you can do a ferry from Barcelona to Mallorca, just FYI).

Outside of Spain, Dublin was my favorite city I visited. We stayed outside of the city, in a quaint bed and breakfast. It was nice to go into the city, yet still be close to the countryside (Malahide is a cute little town with a castle, shops, etc.) I also walked along the water and looked for seashells while there. :-)

Have fun deciding!

LaFemmeRousse

I personally really dislike cruises, especially for the Mediterranean, because I feel like you miss SO much local culture by being on the boat all the time/just stopping at ports.  I also have issues with tourism money not actually going to local economies because of the way they are set up and organized.  Just my opinion, and I know most people disagree on this!  If you want to go to the Mediterranean, it is very very easy to get around by ferry/train/etc.

Some of my favorite destinations ever include Peru, India, and Turkey.  It sounds like you guys might like Belize or Costa Rica too.  Domestically, I love coastal Maine and the coast of northern California.  I've always wanted to visit Alaska!

I have been to Paris a few times and I enjoy it very much.  I agree with KR- August is a bad time to go.  I'm happy to recommend some other places in France or Belgium if you wanted to do a combo trip

dreamalotmp

LaFemme - I want your travel experience, too.

jrsygrl10

fact of the day: cruise lines have to pay a fee (which is per passenger) just to be able to dock at any given port, and that fee goes straight to the town it is docking in. so the town makes money, even if nobody gets off the ship and shops there.

slm13

I absolutely love Paris.  It was my all time favorite trip ever.  Never a dull moment and everyone is so polite and orderly.  We were there over the summer solstice in June, so it was light out all the way through until midnight.  Plus, because of their history, there were tons of festivals all over the city.  It was warm (80s), not too hot.  I was also at Normandy the same trip (we took the train up), and although it is the same country and not too far away, it was a completely different climate.  I had to wear a jacket and pants the whole time (60s).  2 weeks would be perfect, you'd have time to do all of Paris, head out to Versailles, and still go to Normandy (and if you go up to Normandy you have to stop at Mont. St. Michel.  Absolutely gorgeous!).  I want to go back to Paris so badly.  DH promises we'll get there in the next few years (he's never been there - I was there with friends for a conference and extended our trip).

I've also been to the Amalfi coast of Italy, which is much more laid back.  Amalfi, Positano, Capri, and Sorrento are amazing.  Much more relaxing with the beaches and slow pace.  We were there for 1.5 weeks, then headed to Rome for 4 days.  The history there was really, really cool.  There's so much to do.  I was even able to put up with my ILs for two weeks, so that alone should tell you how great it was.

But, accomodations might be high in both places, but you can definitely shop around and find good deals.

LaFemmeRousse

LOL, Molly

I know that cruise ships have to pay a fee to the port to be able to dock, but that doesn't do much to assuage my feelings about local economies not benefitting.  Usually the people/government who control the ports, especially in impoverished nations, are riddled with corruption, so this fee doesn't do much to support the vast majority of local citizens.  This, of course, doesn't even address the fact that the majority of tourism dollars for trips usually come from food and lodging, and if you're filling both those needs on the ship, the port cities/countries really miss out.  If you book all your outings through the cruise ship, this adds yet another layer of potential cuts.

KRMac

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_vacationtrip-youve-ever-taken?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:e06068da-3c0d-4c1d-9c7c-77febcfee212Post:bc78d635-7942-4c41-90cd-f0c00a6849e9">Re: Best vacation/trip you've ever taken?</a>:
[QUOTE] I've also been to the Amalfi coast of Italy, which is much more laid back.  Amalfi, Positano, Capri, and Sorrento are amazing.  Much more relaxing with the beaches and slow pace.  We were there for 1.5 weeks, then headed to Rome for 4 days.  The history there was really, really cool.  There's so much to do. 
Posted by slm13[/QUOTE]

I went to Rome in 2000 and we did some traveling on the Amalfi coast - Positano and Sorrento were my favorites!  We spent more time in Rome and a few days on the coast - so lovely.

LaFemmeRousse

Ooohh, the Amalfi coast is really pretty   So are Cinque Terre and Liguria, farther north!

All you ladies are making me ache to go somewhere fun!