Have passport, will travel ...

[jhava]

So, let's talk travel. Before I moved to England, this map shows where I'd been. It looks rather sad on the face of it, but, considering the size of Canada and the US and the fact that I'd visited Vancouver, Victoria, Halifax, and Banff and various other assorted locations in Canada along with New Orleans, San Francisco, Chicago, Yosemite National

Comments

[kathyh]

Banff looks absolutely gorgeous. It's going straight on my bucket list.

The places I'd recommend others visit are Venice and New Zealand. We had a fabulous holiday in New Zealand a few years back and I'd love to go back, but it is a horribly long way.

A couple of places I'd love to go are Iceland and Sicily and I'd really like to see a bit more of Spain than I have done and then there's the west coast of Ireland...and more of the U.S. and Canada. The list goes on :)

[jhava]

I cannot recommend Banff more highly. It's such a short drive from Calgary, Alberta to the Banff National Park and once you're inside there's geographic eyecandy everywhere!

I fully support your Venice rec. It was my favourite city in Italy when I did my grand tour a few years ago. You see the pictures of the canals and the boats but until you actually get there, you don't realize it really is a city built on water!

As for New Zealand, that's definitely moving up the list! As you said though, the list goes on!!!

[wihluta]

Oh, Come visit me in China while I'm still here!! I'll show you round. It's a truly insane and amazing country.

[jhava]

How long will you still be in China? The idea is tempting ... and what would be the best time of year to visit? I'm not a fan of heat ...

[wihluta]

Definitely until next year July. After that, I don't know. I#m on the Yangtze near Shanghai, so it does get very hot in the summer, but spring and autumn are perfection! Winter is wet and coldish.

[beeej]

I have so many places I want to see! I want to explore Italy and more of France. I figure I should go back to Paris and actually see Paris. *g* Chuck wants to do that next year, along with a side trip to Pierrefonds. :) We'll probably spend a few days in Belgium, too.
I'd love to see New Zealand. I would be a complete geek and see all the LOTR sites. ;)
I've been to some beautiful places, but if I had to pick favorites...it would probably be Skye. I think we'll have to go back some day. :)

[archaeologist_d]

If you go to Belgium, be sure to go to Bruges. It is a gorgeous walkable city.

[jhava]

And I just wonder why you didn't see Paris on the first go around ;). You and Chuck have done brilliantly in terms of travelling every year. I always look forward to your September posts when you've returned from your holidays.

As for Skye, I'll need to look into that! That's something easily doable for me ...

[beeej]

Skye is magical. Everywhere you turn it's breathtaking. If you go, do stay at the White Heather Hotel. It's adorable, and the owners - Craig and Jillian - are the sweetest, friendliest people you'll ever meet. And the view from the breakfast room can't be beat. :)

In the meantime, I must get onto posting some photos of California!

[lama_not_llama]

So many places, so little time/money! :-)

Even after 11 years in London, I haven't travelled a tenth of the destinations I'd have loved to.

And now I'm back in Australia, it's further away! Asia does beckon tho, as there are many countries I want to visit - Mongolia, China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia... Everywhere really!

[jhava]

I fully agree with you -- so little time and money to travel properly! And what's this pesky thing called *work* ;).

Having said that, you've travelled a lot! And as you said, now that you're back in Australia, Asian destinations are a lot more manageable for you -- although even they are long haul flights! By the by, I did visit Nepal during my trip to India (although we only stayed in Kathmandu), and what an amazing city! The growth in the past twenty years is incredible. I really need to go back and sort through my photos ...

[vertigo66]

My kids love Canada so we keep going back. Fortunately we can drive to some of it. :D We just went to Montreal and Quebec City this past summer.

Banff is definitely on my must-see list. Unfortunately that requires a plane ticket and since we have to buy 4 of them, it gets kind of expensive!

Of all the places I've visited (not that many though) France is my favorite.

[jhava]

Unfortunately, I've never been to Montreal or Quebec City. ::hangs head in shame:: I've always gone west for some reason. It's the lure of the mountains and Vancouver Island and warmer, more English weather -- that's my story.

As for Banff, I can appreciate that with four of you, that's a pricey trip to make. But some day :D.

And as for France, it's a gorgeous country. Whereabouts in France did you travel? I've been to Paris but I have to say I far preferred my trip to Pierrefonds and the adjoining Picardie region of France. Gorgeous scenery and villages and just so relaxing when you work in the hubbub that is London.

[vertigo66]

Montreal is fun for shopping, but we really loved Quebec City! So much fun in the summer--they've got all kinds of festivals going on. Winter too, but I'm not that brave.

In France, we visited Paris (which I loved--it's my favorite city so far) and the Loire Valley, specifically Saumur, which is lovely (the castle is in my avatar). Here are a couple of posts about our trip:

http://vertigo66.livejournal.com/tag/france

I can't decide whether I loved Paris or the French countryside more!

I wanted to go to Pierrefonds but there was no way to fit it into our schedule. :(

[jhava]

Winter too, but I'm not that brave. Montreal winters aren't that bad!

And it looks like you had a lovely time in France. Both Paris and the French countryside have their appeal and it sounds like you managed to find a mix of both. So no need to love one more than the other!

As for Pierrefonds, a shame that you couldn't make it, but there's always next time!