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Here it is - early February. For those of us in the northern latitudes spring is a long ways a way, it's dark and bleak, and the urge to be "anywhere but here" (to quote Buffy) can get really strong.
SO...if you had the time and unlimited budget where would you like to go? And why do you dream of going there?
If it were me, we'd start in Ravenna, Italy. It's a city that's been virtually frozen in time since the 6th century, and has the largest and finest intact collection of late antique architecture and art in the world. I've always wanted to go there.
Then we'd spend a few days in Venice (want to see it before it sinks). There we'd get on a cruise ship that would take us down the Adriatic and around the Peloponnese, dropping us off at all the best spots to do some exploring. The cruise would continue on to Athens, where we'd have a week or so to see all the sights, with day trips to Delphi and Mt. Olympos. Then we'd finish up with a couple of weeks cruising the islands of the Aegean before ending up at Istanbul.
Oh, and did I mention that Jenna would be my traveling companion? Yeah, I figure she's got a lot of free time right now and may be getting a little bored, so...
Of course, if I were on a cruise ship with Jenna I'd probably never leave my stateroom, but...
Funny you brought this up now, MTT. I have spent a good chunk of the day looking at Facebook groups devoted to different countries of the world. I was looking at Africa, Hawaii and New Zealand.
I think I would like to go to New Zealand first. It's just got such a diversity of landscapes. All the pictures I've seen of it just blow me away.
Hawaii looks great too, and I credit Lost with making me want to see this place. It just looks so lush and picturesque.
I have relatives in Kenya and I've seen lots of pictures of that area too and it is absolutely breath-taking. I think it would be an amazing trip.
I should also put a plug in for Canadian tourism. They say that Newfoundland is our prettiest province and the landscape there is amazing too. I've never been, so I should definitely try to get there once before I die.
Denny's.
That's it, Brian. Shoot for the stars.
Daoust: You may want to wait for things to quiet down in Kenya, first.
I've never been to the Maritimes, but would love to visit them one day. I believe there's a big Celtic music festival ever year in Nova Scotia, and I'd also like to see Newfoundland.
Maybe in the summer, though. I've had enough of winter to last me ten years!
Newfoundland...I've never been
I thought you lived in Newfoundland, Daoust. I mean, you're in Eastern Canada. That's Newfoundland.
That's it, Brian. Shoot for the stars.
I'll settle for a Grand Slam Breakfast. Or Moons Over My Hammy.
No, 2C, I live urther northeast. But yes, technically, we are both in 'eastern Canada'
I love mussels. When I think of PEI, I always think of mussels. Even before I think of cold weather. Plus, it's beautiful. My in-laws went there a couple of years ago, and their pictures are gorgeous.
Daoust, my mother doesn't know it yet but she wants to come visit you. She's a huge Anne of Green Gables fan. Has been her whole life.
Daoust, I bet it's great living on that island. Too bad that it's surrounded by Canada.
And that it's part of Canada.
On the plus side, you'll be one of the first new Americans when we start inching north.
USA! USA! USA! USA!
Zing!
Will the mussels be American citizens then, too? Because I would hate to steam an American citizen in white wine and garlic. But I will if I must.
Because I would hate to steam an American citizen in white wine and garlic. But I will if I must.
Every good decision has unfortunate consequences.
ending up at Istanbul.
Not Constantinople?
Denny's
But if you went to IHOP you could get a Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity
I want to go to England, Ireland, and Scotland. The land of my white bread fore fathers (and mothers).
Every good decision has unfortunate consequences.
Wise words. I'm hungry now.
I want to go to England, Ireland
I've been to Ireland once and England several times. But, if given carte blanche, I'd like to see the eastern Mediterranean. Center of the classical world, and all that. Also, warmer and sunnier than here. But, right now, what isn't.
I've never made it out of the continental US in all of my 27 years :( One of these days...
No, no, no! You guys aren't doing this right at all!
You're not limited by financial or other realities. You can go anywhere in the world! Where would you like to go? What would you like to see? Everything is possible!
Now, dream, dammit!
Because I would hate to steam an American citizen in white wine and garlic. But I will if I must.
I don't blame you for feeling that way. They're much better fra diavolo. Mussels, that is, not Americans. I've never tried them either way.
I'm going to sail around the world one day. That's my ultimate trip and I'm saving up to do it.
All I need is:
Obviously, the third would be a bit tricky... but you asked ultimate trip!
Thailand, I think.
mtt suddenly has One Night in Bangkok stuck in his head.
I want to go on a tour of France, Italy, Germany, and Austria with my best friends from college. But none of us have any money.
I have always wanted to go to Sweden. I have friends there that I've never even met, only conversed with on the net. I'm Swedish, and grew up near a little town called Lindsborg, which is also called "Little Sweden", and ever since I was a little girl, that's where I've wanted to go. Oh. And because I always had a crush on Bjorn Borg.
eta: Great thread, mtt.
PV: Do you want to see all the "music" places? Or do those countries interest you and your friends in a general way?
Perhaps you guys should form a chamber ensemble. Then you could actually be paid for touring those places! :-)
eta: Great thread, mtt. - Thanks! I thought we could all have some fun with it as the February Drearies start to set in. Oh, and do Swedes eat lutefiske, too, or is that just Norwegians?
Because what could be yummier than slabs of codfish soaked in lye? :-)
I feel like Thailand is like Hawaii but with better food. Plus they don't have to bring all their goods in from the mainlaind so it's gotta be cheaper. Hawaiian food is terrible (in general--the local Hawaiian cuisine is yummy but they cook everything badly) but you don't really go for the food. Thailand, however. I'd buy one of those pointy goddess hats!
I never thought of Thailand as like Hawaii, exactly, but it would be interesting. In fact, South Asia in general is a place I'd like to visit. Not Pakistan or Bangladesh, so much. I'm not really interested in any hardcore Muslim countries - no bars! But I'd like to tour India and Sri Lanka some day. And Thailand, also, seems like a fascinating country.
With plenty of bars!
Assuming I'd be able to hire people who were fluent in English and the local languages, in rough order of itinerary:
Also Norway. One trip in summer and one in winter, for the lingering daylight and northern lights.