A little travel help please

[Chrysalis]

I am in the middle of planning a trip abroad and I have reached a bit of a dilemma. I am hoping you nice people out there may be able to assist me.

In a nutshell:
*2 weeks off to play with, give or take a a couple of days,
*distance not too much of a problem and long haul prefered (from UK)
*not horrendiously expensive (eg-Inca trail in Peru)
*must include more that a nice beach to laze on
*can't be too physically demanding (6 day hikes and camping are out!)
*sunshine a BIG plus (much as I would love to visit antartica one day-not this trip)
top 3 so far are
1 - Costa Rica (know next to nothing so would love some feedback)
2 - South Africa (home from home in a sense)
3 - Egypt (so much to see, yet close and very touristy)

suggestions? comment? tips?

[Kil Tyme]

I recommend Egypt. Like the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canyon, the Great Pyramids should be on most anyone's Things-to-see-during-my-lifetime List.

[MsMary]

Out of the country choices you mention, Egypt is certainly worth considering. Fascinating place.

[matrixman]

Travel? What's that?

(Yes, that falls into the "lame comment" category as opposed to helpful suggestions or tips.)

[Chrysalis]

I recommend Egypt. Like the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canyon, the Great Pyramids should be on most anyone's Things-to-see-during-my-lifetime List.

Egypt is certainly a place to visit. I really would like to go there. Just not 100% sure we should go this trip.
I think we need a thread of places to see and things to do in a lifetime!

Out of the country choices you mention, Egypt is certainly worth considering. Fascinating place.

If not this trip then certainly one soon for Egypt! Especially now King Tut is at the Cairo museum. Have you been?

Travel? What's that?
(Yes, that falls into the "lame comment" category as opposed to helpful suggestions or tips.)

all comments are welcomed! So lets say you had 2 weeks to spare, you are offered a paid for ticket pretty much anywhere. Where would you go and why?

[MsMary]

Out of the country choices you mention, Egypt is certainly worth considering. Fascinating place.

If not this trip then certainly one soon for Egypt! Especially now King Tut is at the Cairo museum. Have you been?

I visited Cairo years ago. We saw King Tut at the Cairo Museum, the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, and more. It was a great trip.

My mom has done the Nile cruise to Luxor, and she really enjoyed it.

[Auleliel]

Wow, I wish I could go to any of those places! I probably would go to Costa Rica first, though. (Mainly because I speak the language.)

[Chrysalis]

I visited Cairo years ago. We saw King Tut at the Cairo Museum, the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, and more. It was a great trip.

My mom has done the Nile cruise to Luxor, and she really enjoyed it.

Nice! If we did go we would try for a few days in Cairo, then a trip down the Nile and if possible head over to Jordan for 5 days to see Petra.
I was in North Africa in 2006 and the only thing that puts me off a bit is the constant hassling to buy things/go places etc.

Wow, I wish I could go to any of those places! I probably would go to Costa Rica first, though. (Mainly because I speak the language.)

Costa Rica is winning so far in our minds. Its just different from anywhere we have been before. Neither of us speak spanish but I am told that won't be too much of a problem. Plus everything is within a few hours drive.
I wish I did speak spanish-is it your first language or one you learnt?
I could have done with that skill in Argentina for a few days but I have never encounted a place where people are so willing to help and engage, you even if they cannot communicate verbally.

[Auleliel]

I've been learning Spanish in school for the last ten years. Enough of it is similar enough to English that you can probably get by (although knowing the language does make it easier).

[Chrysalis]

I've been learning Spanish in school for the last ten years. Enough of it is similar enough to English that you can probably get by (although knowing the language does make it easier).

I work with quite a few spanish people so I have picked up a few things at least. I'm currently working on my dutch-now thats a chore and a half!

[Damelon]

Belize is in the area of the Mayan ruins and might be an interesting trip. Or one of the resorts along the Mayan Rivera, south of Cancun might be worth looking into too. Beach and some history. Cancun itself is very touristy.

[Chrysalis]

Belize is in the area of the Mayan ruins and might be an interesting trip. Or one of the resorts along the Mayan Rivera, south of Cancun might be worth looking into too. Beach and some history. Cancun itself is very touristy.

Mexico and Belize did come to mind but I was surprised at how expensive it seemed. This did include Cancun in the package though so maybe its better without.

[aliantha]

Yeah, Costa Rica is supposed to be a cheap place to visit. And to live in -- many Americans have looked there for retirement purposes, I believe.

Chrysalis, none of your suggested trips are on my short list. Of the three you're looking at, I would probably go with Egypt first.

(Ali's short list of travel destinations: Spain (going next month, whoo hoo!), Ireland, Czech Republic, Alaska & Hawaii.)

[Chrysalis]

Yeah, Costa Rica is supposed to be a cheap place to visit. And to live in -- many Americans have looked there for retirement purposes, I believe.

Chrysalis, none of your suggested trips are on my short list. Of the three you're looking at, I would probably go with Egypt first.

(Ali's short list of travel destinations: Spain (going next month, whoo hoo!), Ireland, Czech Republic, Alaska & Hawaii.)

I had heard Costa Rica gets a lot of American tourism. From research into the place I can see why people would like to retire out there!

Spain is really nice - where abouts will you be going and how long for if I may ask? Ireland is meant to be lovely but I never had the urge to hop over the water.
I'd love to go to Alaska and Hawaii! Apparently you can ser moonbows and green sunsets which intrigue me no end!

Basically for this trip we have been offered paid for flights to a destination of our choosing (within reason). I have travelled a fair bit so ideally wanted a place neither of us had been(SA being the exception as it will involve visiting family) My first choice, as usual, would have been NZ but thats a bit far for just 2 weeks!

my top places to go list includes:
New Caledonia
Antartica
Finland
Peru
Botsawna
Mexico
NZ again

[wayfriend]

Based on your list, my first thought was Hawaii. Beaches, diving, volcanoes, wildlife, vineyards, hiking, beauty, deserts, winding roads, surfing, nightlife, history, biking, watching whales from your room, plantation tours. I thought it was a perfect mix of lazy things to do and get off your behind things to do. With beaches.

[aliantha]

Yeah, Costa Rica is supposed to be a cheap place to visit. And to live in -- many Americans have looked there for retirement purposes, I believe.

Chrysalis, none of your suggested trips are on my short list. Of the three you're looking at, I would probably go with Egypt first.

(Ali's short list of travel destinations: Spain (going next month, whoo hoo!), Ireland, Czech Republic, Alaska & Hawaii.)

I had heard Costa Rica gets a lot of American tourism. From research into the place I can see why people would like to retire out there!

Spain is really nice - where abouts will you be going and how long for if I may ask? Ireland is meant to be lovely but I never had the urge to hop over the water.
I'd love to go to Alaska and Hawaii! Apparently you can ser moonbows and green sunsets which intrigue me no end!

Basically for this trip we have been offered paid for flights to a destination of our choosing (within reason). I have travelled a fair bit so ideally wanted a place neither of us had been(SA being the exception as it will involve visiting family) My first choice, as usual, would have been NZ but thats a bit far for just 2 weeks!

my top places to go list includes:
New Caledonia
Antartica
Finland
Peru
Botsawna
Mexico
NZ again

I gather that Spain is to British retirees as Costa Rica (or Florida!) is to American retirees.

Anyway, yes, Spain! I'll be there for about a week. Two days in Sevilla, two days in Grenada, two in Madrid. I've wanted to see the Alhambra for, oh, 30 years or so now, so that's definitely on the list (already bought my ticket!). Gonna do the big 3 museums and the royal palace in Madrid, and the cathedral and stuff in Sevilla (and the Museo de Bellas Artes, which I hear is up there with the Prado and the Guggenheim in Bilbao). Hoping to see at least one flamenco show, preferably *not* tourist crap.

I know that Barcelona is the big destination these days -- well, that and the Mediterranean coast -- but I'm oddly not interested in going to Barcelona, and I kinda got over the touristy beach scene when we lived near Virginia Beach. And I'm going early in the month, prior to Semana Santa, to avoid the crowds -- tho it would be kinda cool to see the parades and stuff.

[Cagliostro]

This thread makes me sad. I've never been anywhere.

[Auleliel]

I've only been to a few places. I want to go everywhere.

[Chrysalis]

Based on your list, my first thought was Hawaii. Beaches, diving, volcanoes, wildlife, vineyards, hiking, beauty, deserts, winding roads, surfing, nightlife, history, biking, watching whales from your room, plantation tours. I thought it was a perfect mix of lazy things to do and get off your behind things to do. With beaches.

Hawaii does look and sound fantastic. I think Costa Rica has quite a few of those things too. It certainly has the beaches, volcanos, nature and wildlife.
I always got the impression Hawaii was quite expensive-am I incorrect?

I gather that Spain is to British retirees as Costa Rica (or Florida!) is to American retirees.

Anyway, yes, Spain! I'll be there for about a week. Two days in Sevilla, two days in Grenada, two in Madrid. I've wanted to see the Alhambra for, oh, 30 years or so now, so that's definitely on the list (already bought my ticket!). Gonna do the big 3 museums and the royal palace in Madrid, and the cathedral and stuff in Sevilla (and the Museo de Bellas Artes, which I hear is up there with the Prado and the Guggenheim in Bilbao). Hoping to see at least one flamenco show, preferably *not* tourist crap.

I know that Barcelona is the big destination these days -- well, that and the Mediterranean coast -- but I'm oddly not interested in going to Barcelona, and I kinda got over the touristy beach scene when we lived near Virginia Beach. And I'm going early in the month, prior to Semana Santa, to avoid the crowds -- tho it would be kinda cool to see the parades and stuff.

yep Spain seems to attract the British! There did seem to be a few out there when I went. I only got to see Alicante. A bit of late summer sunshine, last minute trip.
Quite a few of my work colleagues are Spanish and I’ve heard lots of great things. Barcelona is meant to be a great city. I’d also love to go and visit Dali’s house/museum. www.dosomethingdifferent.com/experience ... QgodiA9vdw

Sounds like you have at all nicely planned and I’m sure you will have a fantastic time! I can always ask my colleagues if they know of any good places to see a flamenco show if you would like?
MMm you have me thinking of the lovely Spanish tapas now!

This thread makes me sad. I've never been anywhere.

i'm sorry! So where would you like to go if you had the chance?

I've only been to a few places. I want to go everywhere.

Which has been your favourite place to visit so far?
There are so many wonderful places to see and not enough time I have discovered. I love travelling-I recommend lots of it to everyone

[Auleliel]

I've only been to a few places. I want to go everywhere.

Which has been your favourite place to visit so far?
There are so many wonderful places to see and not enough time I have discovered. I love travelling-I recommend lots of it to everyone

I really liked Switzerland, but it was a bit expensive. I also really liked Canada.