Suppose money were no object. If you could go anywhere in the world on your next trip, where would it be? If you could savor any experience, what would it be?
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Jonathan, we have been away so I didn’t have a chance to answer this until now. If money were no object, I would love to take one of the “space tourist” trips and see the Earth from space. Chris
Judy and I took a trip out West in 2008. We flew from CLT to Denver, rented a car and drove to Rocky Mountain National Park, Jackson Hole and Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Littlehorn battlefield, and Mount Rushmore.
It took two weeks and was a fantastic trip. Judy said on the flight home that this was the best trip we had ever taken. That is saying something because we have taken many memorable trips to places like the Grand Canyon, British Columbia, Alberta, Bermuda, Virgin Islands and others.
I think a repeat of that trip to those Western sites would be great. However, I believe it would take us longer to do it now at ages 82 and 80. That is ok because we have the time.
Jerry, thanks for this. The mountain west is one area I’ve seen precious little of. My first boss at GE used to do similar trips and would always come back so enthusiastic.
I have the trip booked. It’s a Panama Canal Cruise that departs Miami and ends in Panama City, Panama, 10 Days Later. Along the way, it stops in Bonaire, Curacao, and Cartagena. The trip is on Seabourn with 600 other cruisers.
African Safari during a wildebeest migration. In one of those modified ex military high up trucks moving slowly throw a pack of 10,000 migrating animals.
Then soaking in the differences and similarities of cultures that are counter to American cultures. Lots of pictures and talks with locals.
New Zealand would likely be somewhere on my list. A country where the sheep outnumber humans by almost 5:1 sounds pretty ideal to me. Lots of herding dogs too. The fact they don’t have any native land snakes is a bonus.
A trip to Wales might be cool since it’s the original home of my beloved Corgis.
I’ve always loved Montana, especially the area around Helena. I almost moved there when I was in my twenties. My dream would be to own fifty acres and a (well-insulated) log cabin there.
Hmm. I’ve done quite a lot from backpacking to self driving tours.
I think having a “money no object” approach isn’t particularly helpful as it is likely to point you toward the luxury end of the market which in turn disconnects you more from the reality of the places you visit. I once astounded the (rather snobby) British expat owner of a guest house I stayed in in Cape Town by saying that I’d come from the airport on public buses – I think she was more used to being a guru who’d sign guests up for private taxi tours etc
Clearly though in some places a high budget definitely helps access the experience – Antarctica or the Galapagos for instance.
I’m planning retirement travels rather around freedom to wander. I’d like a small van based RV to tour the Nordics in summer and the Balkans in spring and perhaps Iberia in Oct/Nov. I’d like to bus travel (with strategic local flights) around South America again and hit countries injury ruled me out of previously like Peru, Equador, Columbia. And hike the Torres del Paine and Annapurna circuit again plus new to me things like a Camino variant or some of the GR5.
All of which points to getting out and doing such things earlier in the go-go years.
A cruise of the Nile with a visit to the soon (7/3/25) to be full fully opened Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. I have always been intrigued by older civilizations and have already spent two weeks each on trips to Italy and Greece. Now it may be time to stretch a little further. I am adverse to cruising due to the number of passengers, and we usually create our own travel itinerary, but considering the political situation in Egypt it seems safer to travel on a tour. However we became somewhat friendly with our recent car salesman who is Egyptian, recently retired, has an home in Cairo, and offered for us to stay with him. Just got to convince my wife.
I would go on a trip to Mount Everest. Now that we have moved to India for retirement, it would be easier to travel to Mt. Everest. I am a little worried at age 85 plus whether I could make the trip!
Could I suggest settling for the sightseeing flight out of Kathmandu? Taking that flight and seeing the terrain removed any interest I might have had for visiting on the ground.
Best trips have been seeing natural wonders so maybe this trip to Antarctica and Patagonia. Japan with first class non stop air, guided private tour of the entire country, staying and eating at their finest. Either one
Experience? I’d really like to see the Northern Lights in full glory, perhaps as part of a trip to Churchill, Canada, Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, Northern Lights, that would be really cool. If I can control nature, I’d love to be at sea and see a blue whale fully breach, you can’t purchase that.
I just got back from two weeks in Chilean Patagonia – biking, hiking and horse riding. Torres del Paine is magnificent but so is so much of Patagonia. So remote and so local.
Northern Lights are high on my bucket list. We had cloudy conditions when we were in Alaska in 2023, so no sightings. We are considering strip thought Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland in early fall of 2025.
We spent 3 months in the Maritimes in 2023 traveling in our RV. One month just touring Newfoundland. It was definitely our favorite province. For a fall trip, I would think do Newfoundland first. We were there for the month of June and it was still very cold and saw plenty of icebergs in Twillingate. Winter probably comes early as well.
Scott, great call. We’ve been planning a trip to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland for years, but it has been put on hold several times for a variety of unexpected reasons. I really want to make it happen this year.
We promised our youngest son years ago a trip to the Galápagos Islands and Machu Picchu if he finished his Masters degree. We still haven’t been able to make the stars align to fulfill that promise. So that is # 1 on the bucket list.
Money’s not an object? OK, we’re taking one of those “world cruises” that goes to a cajillion places over three months or so–and we’re staying in one of the larger cabins, too. I love the idea of checking off a lot of boxes in one major trip.
I’m not sure I could ever get myself to spend that kind of money, but if we did, it would probably be after my mom and my husband’s stepfather, both in their 80s, pass. Both have health issues, and it’s scary to think of being on a cruise ship in South Africa or something and have to race back.
Charter a private sailing or powered catamaran in the Whitsunday Islands near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Did this with my son in 2019 and need to go back. Best trip ever.
Interesting musings from you Jonathan. A man on the clock! I’ve got a long travel bucket list. My priorities have changed, mostly inspired by you and your current health situation. What I’ve noticed is that the physicality of my passions are becoming more and more limited. I’ve scheduled a Viking cruise for later this month. They cater to the Huesos Viejos Club (Old Bones), and I’m going to gauge my enjoyment of this trip on future cruises. Seeing my window of opportunity closing for more physical adventures, I’ve scheduled to have longer trips for more exploration. So, my wife and I are off to the Tour du Mont Blanc (100 mile hike) in July, and the El Camino de Santiago (500 mile hike) in 2026. I’m still evaluating if I can survive a climb up to the top of Kilimanjaro. All to say, our time here on earth is limited, but as you age you grasp the reality of your mortality. Savor each day, and bring a little joy and love along the way. Some how while I’m out on a mountain trail sweating, and huffing and puffing I savor life in the birdsong, wind song, and heartbeat of my life. I’m lucky that I have a partner to share all those experiences. That’s the other part of travel. Experience life with those you love. That’s the best part! All the best!
In 2027, my wife and I will celebrate our 50th Anniversary – if you know us, that’s quite an accomplishment! To celebrate we are doing a bucket list trip; a 35+ day trip to New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and Bali. After sharing a smallish stateroom for 30+ days we’ll have to see if we’re still married when we get home! Seriously, if there is one thing we’ve learned in retirement, it’s focus on experiences, not things. Of course some experiences are more expensive than things, but we can reflect on the enjoyment of the experiences for a lifetime.
PS to JC – thanks for your great contributions to helping us all be smarter and wiser financially. Glad to hear you’ve been able to plan some nice trips and experiences.
A cruise to New Zealand, which we’ve already booked for next March, and a parachute jump on my 70th birthday are the two items at the top of my life list right now. (Don’t anyone tell my wife about the second one.)
To the South Carolina beach we’ve been going to for over 40 years with all of our sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren. It started as 1 week in the beginning, then 2, now 3 weeks. Fortunately, my wife and I are on the same page about traveling. We’d much rather do the above than travel to some exotic location.
Iran has been at the top of my list for years. I’ve always been deterred by the political situation. Ditto for Tunisia, although a couple of friends visited recently with no issues. I finally made it to Uzbekistan in 2016, but would still love to visit Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for the mountains.
Closer to home, I once crossed the US and Canada by train (Lake Shore Limited and California Zephyr), and would like to try some of the other long distance Amtrak routes.
Don’t wait for the political situation. I had a great trip to Iran in 2001. Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and points in between. Great trip. I hope you get to go.
I was booked on a trip to five of the “stans” in September but had to change because something higher on my bucket list was only available at the same time. A second trip to a different part of Morocco is the replacement for the trip to Central Asia. But it’s not yet confirmed to have minimum number to run. See what happens. 🤞
Good luck! I finally decided in 2016 that if I kept trying to do all five ‘stans at once as part of a longer trip I’d never make it. I picked Uzbekistan and don’t regret it. Obviously, you need to see Samarkand and Bukhara, but don’t miss Khiva.
I once had a pit pass for Indy — wound up sitting on the pit wall next to Paul Newman — and can’t recommend that earsplitting, adrenaline-pumping experience highly enough. (And I’m not even a racing fan.) So go for it!)
We enjoy traveling a great deal and have had some wonderful experiences.
We have taken multiple cruises including Viking on the Danube River and Royal Caribbean on their largest ship last year, the Icon. I loved our Viking cruise for the relaxing, intimate style and excellent dining experiences and port adventures. And I was surprised to really enjoy the RC cruise as well in spite of my concern about the number of passengers. It was their newest ship and it showed in the larger cabins, top notch food (lobster at several meals) and amazing shows with techno advancements. And we never felt like it was crowded. If money were no object, I take more cruises like this but upgrade to the best rooms.
We also have taken a motorcycle trip from FL for 10 weeks across the US with hitting all four corners. We had some really incredible experiences like being surrounded by a herd of bison in the FDR National Park. We, along with other motorists, had to come to a standstill as they walked by us not 8 feet away. I remember saying to my husband through our headsets that I was going to unplug and ready myself to jump off to the right as I saw some what appeared to be frisky youngsters in the herd. Luckily they passed by peacefully. And not a quarter mile down the road in that same park, a herd of wild horses with young foals crossed the road in front of us! Oh, what a day that was!
Lately, we have been drawn to seeking beautiful surroundings in interesting locations and living there for a month or more to get the “local” experience. Last year that was in Taos, NM and this year it will be Santa Fe in a few weeks. We trailer our motorcycle and explore the mountains, the desert and beauty of the area where Georgia O’Keefe lived.
If money were no object, we’d continue to do this but rent larger homes (and maybe hire a chef). We also have begun talking about doing the same kind of trip in Ireland somewhere but we don’t know which area to focus on. That would be without our motorcycle, of course.
As a side note for anyone who might consider a month long stay in the US, if you use Airbnb as we do, reserve the home for 31 days. That changes your stay from short term to long-term lodging and you will save hundreds of dollars in taxes.
Thank you for the question, Jonathan. It was fun to think about past and future travel! I didn’t expect my response to be so lengthy but the words kept coming…
Extensive, multi-week visits to Australia and New Zealand to see sights and explore. Including flights in business (or first) class, knowledgeable tour guides, and schedule flexibility.
I would consider small ship/boat luxury cruising with luxury excursions on the itinerary- somewhat like Viking does. I’ve done several of their cruises and would say they are all favorites in different ways. Completed a Danube river cruise last year- the extensions in Prague and Budapest were wonderful. I have 3 more teed up including the Alaska, Great Lakes and the Mediterranean.
I have two places. G has spoken of going to Hawaii. We’ve never been there and I’m not all that excited. However, I do love sailing and so I told her “Sure. Why stop in Hawaii? Let’s go and then continue via windjammer to the South Pacific!!” This might happen as my medical leash is longer today, but not quite long enough!
If money was truly no object I would be preparing for the next private SpaceX flight. I’m not interested in riding Blue Origin’s pogo stick.
My wife was always saying she wasn’t interested in Hawaii, but I was. We went to both Maui the year before the Lahania fire. I highly recommend taking 2-3 days to drive the road to Hana and back. I also recommend while there hiking in the bamboo forest. The go to Kauai.
Amen. Hanalei and Anahola on Kauai and Hilo on the Big Island are three of our favorite places in the world. And we are still grieving the Lahaina tragedy. That place was magic.
We drove the road to Hana three times. Quite beautiful but nerve racking. I was on a quest to find Lindbergh’s grave. Finally found it with a little help from a local. No signs.
Daytime drive not a problem for me as we live off a dirt road. In evening frightening, especially since we couldn’t figure out how to stop the auto high beams.
Budapest Hungary and Fulda Germany, the birthplaces of each of my parents. Being a first generation American, I often think about the very different (and difficult) childhoods of my parents and grandparents and their struggles and determination to leave their home countries during times of war and political persecution. I’ve heard some of the stories of the difficult lives they had but I would love to go back and see the places they lived. I am truly grateful for their sacrifices and the opportunities they saw in coming to America to make a better life for them and their families. We are currently planning a River Cruise next year that would start in Budapest.
I’ve had wondrous, life-altering experiences in China — been there a dozen times and even lived briefly — but we will never go again. It’s heartbreaking what has happened to that society under the current regime. You are under unobtrusive but exacting electronic surveillance at every moment. And for us that awareness has ruined it forever.
I know exactly what you mean, Mike, having visited China multiple times in the 20+ years my son has lived there. It’s still beautiful, amazing and historic, and very safe in an ominous kind of way. I will probably still go back because of family and so many sights yet to be seen. My desire, if money were no object, would be to make that trans-Pacific flight, JFK-Hong Kong, in First Class on Cathay Pacific 😊
Japan is very easy traveling – super safe, super clean and super trains. I haven’t been to China since 2004 and things have changed a lot since then. I found the historical sites on Taiwan more authentic – many of the mainland sites fared badly during the Cultural Revolution, and some have been recreated.
However, those are long flights. Definitely business class, and maybe break the trip in Vancouver.
Kathy, you are so right about the (fake) cultural recreations in the PRC. Fortunately, my family has always enjoyed that Disneyesque kind of sightseeing so it doesn’t bother us much. But I agree that seeing the original is better. Xi’an, with the terracotta soldiers as well as other nearby sites, was wonderful.
Yes, I have good memories of Xi’an. I am so glad I made it through Xinjiang province back in 2001 before the repression really got started. Even then, you could see the Han influence taking over.
Grandson and I really enjoyed our one-week trip to Iceland in November 2022. Travelled small group (13 including the guide/driver) with Atlas Obscura. Land only, no cruise.
Jonathan, we have been away so I didn’t have a chance to answer this until now. If money were no object, I would love to take one of the “space tourist” trips and see the Earth from space. Chris
Judy and I took a trip out West in 2008. We flew from CLT to Denver, rented a car and drove to Rocky Mountain National Park, Jackson Hole and Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Littlehorn battlefield, and Mount Rushmore.
It took two weeks and was a fantastic trip. Judy said on the flight home that this was the best trip we had ever taken. That is saying something because we have taken many memorable trips to places like the Grand Canyon, British Columbia, Alberta, Bermuda, Virgin Islands and others.
I think a repeat of that trip to those Western sites would be great. However, I believe it would take us longer to do it now at ages 82 and 80. That is ok because we have the time.
Our vacation to Rocky Mtn, Yellowstone and Grand Teton was definitely a top trip.
Jerry, thanks for this. The mountain west is one area I’ve seen precious little of. My first boss at GE used to do similar trips and would always come back so enthusiastic.
I have the trip booked. It’s a Panama Canal Cruise that departs Miami and ends in Panama City, Panama, 10 Days Later. Along the way, it stops in Bonaire, Curacao, and Cartagena. The trip is on Seabourn with 600 other cruisers.
African Safari during a wildebeest migration. In one of those modified ex military high up trucks moving slowly throw a pack of 10,000 migrating animals.
Then soaking in the differences and similarities of cultures that are counter to American cultures. Lots of pictures and talks with locals.
I’m not
much ofa traveler but if I were…New Zealand would likely be somewhere on my list. A country where the sheep outnumber humans by almost 5:1 sounds pretty ideal to me. Lots of herding dogs too. The fact they don’t have any native land snakes is a bonus.
A trip to Wales might be cool since it’s the original home of my beloved Corgis.
I’ve always loved Montana, especially the area around Helena. I almost moved there when I was in my twenties. My dream would be to own fifty acres and a (well-insulated) log cabin there.
Hmm. I’ve done quite a lot from backpacking to self driving tours.
I think having a “money no object” approach isn’t particularly helpful as it is likely to point you toward the luxury end of the market which in turn disconnects you more from the reality of the places you visit. I once astounded the (rather snobby) British expat owner of a guest house I stayed in in Cape Town by saying that I’d come from the airport on public buses – I think she was more used to being a guru who’d sign guests up for private taxi tours etc
Clearly though in some places a high budget definitely helps access the experience – Antarctica or the Galapagos for instance.
I’m planning retirement travels rather around freedom to wander. I’d like a small van based RV to tour the Nordics in summer and the Balkans in spring and perhaps Iberia in Oct/Nov. I’d like to bus travel (with strategic local flights) around South America again and hit countries injury ruled me out of previously like Peru, Equador, Columbia. And hike the Torres del Paine and Annapurna circuit again plus new to me things like a Camino variant or some of the GR5.
All of which points to getting out and doing such things earlier in the go-go years.
A cruise of the Nile with a visit to the soon (7/3/25) to be full fully opened Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. I have always been intrigued by older civilizations and have already spent two weeks each on trips to Italy and Greece. Now it may be time to stretch a little further. I am adverse to cruising due to the number of passengers, and we usually create our own travel itinerary, but considering the political situation in Egypt it seems safer to travel on a tour. However we became somewhat friendly with our recent car salesman who is Egyptian, recently retired, has an home in Cairo, and offered for us to stay with him. Just got to convince my wife.
I would go on a trip to Mount Everest. Now that we have moved to India for retirement, it would be easier to travel to Mt. Everest. I am a little worried at age 85 plus whether I could make the trip!
Could I suggest settling for the sightseeing flight out of Kathmandu? Taking that flight and seeing the terrain removed any interest I might have had for visiting on the ground.
Norway, the entire country including Lofoten Islands. Take our sweet old time visiting all the Fjords, cities.
My son and daughter in law went to the Lofoten Islands last fall and LOVED it.
Good question
Best trips have been seeing natural wonders so maybe this trip to Antarctica and Patagonia. Japan with first class non stop air, guided private tour of the entire country, staying and eating at their finest. Either one
Experience? I’d really like to see the Northern Lights in full glory, perhaps as part of a trip to Churchill, Canada, Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, Northern Lights, that would be really cool. If I can control nature, I’d love to be at sea and see a blue whale fully breach, you can’t purchase that.
I just got back from two weeks in Chilean Patagonia – biking, hiking and horse riding. Torres del Paine is magnificent but so is so much of Patagonia. So remote and so local.
Northern Lights are high on my bucket list. We had cloudy conditions when we were in Alaska in 2023, so no sightings. We are considering strip thought Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland in early fall of 2025.
We spent 3 months in the Maritimes in 2023 traveling in our RV. One month just touring Newfoundland. It was definitely our favorite province. For a fall trip, I would think do Newfoundland first. We were there for the month of June and it was still very cold and saw plenty of icebergs in Twillingate. Winter probably comes early as well.
I’ve been looking at a similar itinerary, I’m also interested in the Viking settlement there (in Gros Morne NP)
Scott, great call. We’ve been planning a trip to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland for years, but it has been put on hold several times for a variety of unexpected reasons. I really want to make it happen this year.
We promised our youngest son years ago a trip to the Galápagos Islands and Machu Picchu if he finished his Masters degree. We still haven’t been able to make the stars align to fulfill that promise. So that is # 1 on the bucket list.
Before I got sick, Elaine and I looked at this Galapagos trip, which can be combined with Machu Picchu, and all it takes is a second mortgage:
https://www.celebritycruises.com/destinations/galapagos-cruises
Whew that is pricey! It can be done for less https://www.galapagosluxurycruise.com/tours/extended-tour-packages
Money’s not an object? OK, we’re taking one of those “world cruises” that goes to a cajillion places over three months or so–and we’re staying in one of the larger cabins, too. I love the idea of checking off a lot of boxes in one major trip.
I’m not sure I could ever get myself to spend that kind of money, but if we did, it would probably be after my mom and my husband’s stepfather, both in their 80s, pass. Both have health issues, and it’s scary to think of being on a cruise ship in South Africa or something and have to race back.
Charter a private sailing or powered catamaran in the Whitsunday Islands near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Did this with my son in 2019 and need to go back. Best trip ever.
I thought of this for the Galapagos but I’ve never spent that much time on a yacht.
Interesting musings from you Jonathan. A man on the clock! I’ve got a long travel bucket list. My priorities have changed, mostly inspired by you and your current health situation. What I’ve noticed is that the physicality of my passions are becoming more and more limited. I’ve scheduled a Viking cruise for later this month. They cater to the Huesos Viejos Club (Old Bones), and I’m going to gauge my enjoyment of this trip on future cruises. Seeing my window of opportunity closing for more physical adventures, I’ve scheduled to have longer trips for more exploration. So, my wife and I are off to the Tour du Mont Blanc (100 mile hike) in July, and the El Camino de Santiago (500 mile hike) in 2026. I’m still evaluating if I can survive a climb up to the top of Kilimanjaro. All to say, our time here on earth is limited, but as you age you grasp the reality of your mortality. Savor each day, and bring a little joy and love along the way. Some how while I’m out on a mountain trail sweating, and huffing and puffing I savor life in the birdsong, wind song, and heartbeat of my life. I’m lucky that I have a partner to share all those experiences. That’s the other part of travel. Experience life with those you love. That’s the best part! All the best!
Those long walks sound fantastic
In 2027, my wife and I will celebrate our 50th Anniversary – if you know us, that’s quite an accomplishment! To celebrate we are doing a bucket list trip; a 35+ day trip to New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and Bali. After sharing a smallish stateroom for 30+ days we’ll have to see if we’re still married when we get home! Seriously, if there is one thing we’ve learned in retirement, it’s focus on experiences, not things. Of course some experiences are more expensive than things, but we can reflect on the enjoyment of the experiences for a lifetime.
PS to JC – thanks for your great contributions to helping us all be smarter and wiser financially. Glad to hear you’ve been able to plan some nice trips and experiences.
A cruise to New Zealand, which we’ve already booked for next March, and a parachute jump on my 70th birthday are the two items at the top of my life list right now. (Don’t anyone tell my wife about the second one.)
To the South Carolina beach we’ve been going to for over 40 years with all of our sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren. It started as 1 week in the beginning, then 2, now 3 weeks. Fortunately, my wife and I are on the same page about traveling. We’d much rather do the above than travel to some exotic location.
Iran has been at the top of my list for years. I’ve always been deterred by the political situation. Ditto for Tunisia, although a couple of friends visited recently with no issues. I finally made it to Uzbekistan in 2016, but would still love to visit Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for the mountains.
Closer to home, I once crossed the US and Canada by train (Lake Shore Limited and California Zephyr), and would like to try some of the other long distance Amtrak routes.
Don’t wait for the political situation. I had a great trip to Iran in 2001. Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and points in between. Great trip. I hope you get to go.
Cool! That was my China to Chennai year….
I was booked on a trip to five of the “stans” in September but had to change because something higher on my bucket list was only available at the same time. A second trip to a different part of Morocco is the replacement for the trip to Central Asia. But it’s not yet confirmed to have minimum number to run. See what happens. 🤞
Good luck! I finally decided in 2016 that if I kept trying to do all five ‘stans at once as part of a longer trip I’d never make it. I picked Uzbekistan and don’t regret it. Obviously, you need to see Samarkand and Bukhara, but don’t miss Khiva.
Because I could go anywhere, I probably would choose not to go anywhere.
As for an experience – a hot pit pass at an F1 race at an Italian track.
I once had a pit pass for Indy — wound up sitting on the pit wall next to Paul Newman — and can’t recommend that earsplitting, adrenaline-pumping experience highly enough. (And I’m not even a racing fan.) So go for it!)
We enjoy traveling a great deal and have had some wonderful experiences.
We have taken multiple cruises including Viking on the Danube River and Royal Caribbean on their largest ship last year, the Icon. I loved our Viking cruise for the relaxing, intimate style and excellent dining experiences and port adventures. And I was surprised to really enjoy the RC cruise as well in spite of my concern about the number of passengers. It was their newest ship and it showed in the larger cabins, top notch food (lobster at several meals) and amazing shows with techno advancements. And we never felt like it was crowded. If money were no object, I take more cruises like this but upgrade to the best rooms.
We also have taken a motorcycle trip from FL for 10 weeks across the US with hitting all four corners. We had some really incredible experiences like being surrounded by a herd of bison in the FDR National Park. We, along with other motorists, had to come to a standstill as they walked by us not 8 feet away. I remember saying to my husband through our headsets that I was going to unplug and ready myself to jump off to the right as I saw some what appeared to be frisky youngsters in the herd. Luckily they passed by peacefully. And not a quarter mile down the road in that same park, a herd of wild horses with young foals crossed the road in front of us! Oh, what a day that was!
Lately, we have been drawn to seeking beautiful surroundings in interesting locations and living there for a month or more to get the “local” experience. Last year that was in Taos, NM and this year it will be Santa Fe in a few weeks. We trailer our motorcycle and explore the mountains, the desert and beauty of the area where Georgia O’Keefe lived.
If money were no object, we’d continue to do this but rent larger homes (and maybe hire a chef). We also have begun talking about doing the same kind of trip in Ireland somewhere but we don’t know which area to focus on. That would be without our motorcycle, of course.
As a side note for anyone who might consider a month long stay in the US, if you use Airbnb as we do, reserve the home for 31 days. That changes your stay from short term to long-term lodging and you will save hundreds of dollars in taxes.
Thank you for the question, Jonathan. It was fun to think about past and future travel! I didn’t expect my response to be so lengthy but the words kept coming…
Extensive, multi-week visits to Australia and New Zealand to see sights and explore. Including flights in business (or first) class, knowledgeable tour guides, and schedule flexibility.
I would consider small ship/boat luxury cruising with luxury excursions on the itinerary- somewhat like Viking does. I’ve done several of their cruises and would say they are all favorites in different ways. Completed a Danube river cruise last year- the extensions in Prague and Budapest were wonderful. I have 3 more teed up including the Alaska, Great Lakes and the Mediterranean.
I’ve been looking at the luxury cruises as well, preferably one of the sailing ones
I have two places. G has spoken of going to Hawaii. We’ve never been there and I’m not all that excited. However, I do love sailing and so I told her “Sure. Why stop in Hawaii? Let’s go and then continue via windjammer to the South Pacific!!” This might happen as my medical leash is longer today, but not quite long enough!
If money was truly no object I would be preparing for the next private SpaceX flight. I’m not interested in riding Blue Origin’s pogo stick.
My wife was always saying she wasn’t interested in Hawaii, but I was. We went to both Maui the year before the Lahania fire. I highly recommend taking 2-3 days to drive the road to Hana and back. I also recommend while there hiking in the bamboo forest. The go to Kauai.
Amen. Hanalei and Anahola on Kauai and Hilo on the Big Island are three of our favorite places in the world. And we are still grieving the Lahaina tragedy. That place was magic.
Kapalua beach on Maui, like wow!
We drove the road to Hana three times. Quite beautiful but nerve racking. I was on a quest to find Lindbergh’s grave. Finally found it with a little help from a local. No signs.
Daytime drive not a problem for me as we live off a dirt road. In evening frightening, especially since we couldn’t figure out how to stop the auto high beams.
Budapest Hungary and Fulda Germany, the birthplaces of each of my parents. Being a first generation American, I often think about the very different (and difficult) childhoods of my parents and grandparents and their struggles and determination to leave their home countries during times of war and political persecution. I’ve heard some of the stories of the difficult lives they had but I would love to go back and see the places they lived. I am truly grateful for their sacrifices and the opportunities they saw in coming to America to make a better life for them and their families.
We are currently planning a River Cruise next year that would start in Budapest.
At our ages it’s not the money that is stopping us, but I still hope to get to Iceland. I would also like to see China and Japan too.
We have been to all 50 states at least once and 45 countries, but I still miss traveling, especially being able to absorb history where it happened
I’ve had wondrous, life-altering experiences in China — been there a dozen times and even lived briefly — but we will never go again. It’s heartbreaking what has happened to that society under the current regime. You are under unobtrusive but exacting electronic surveillance at every moment. And for us that awareness has ruined it forever.
I know exactly what you mean, Mike, having visited China multiple times in the 20+ years my son has lived there. It’s still beautiful, amazing and historic, and very safe in an ominous kind of way. I will probably still go back because of family and so many sights yet to be seen. My desire, if money were no object, would be to make that trans-Pacific flight, JFK-Hong Kong, in First Class on Cathay Pacific 😊
That’d be lovely, Linda. Definitely better than the China Eastern flight into Shanghai!
Japan is very easy traveling – super safe, super clean and super trains. I haven’t been to China since 2004 and things have changed a lot since then. I found the historical sites on Taiwan more authentic – many of the mainland sites fared badly during the Cultural Revolution, and some have been recreated.
However, those are long flights. Definitely business class, and maybe break the trip in Vancouver.
Kathy, you are so right about the (fake) cultural recreations in the PRC. Fortunately, my family has always enjoyed that Disneyesque kind of sightseeing so it doesn’t bother us much. But I agree that seeing the original is better. Xi’an, with the terracotta soldiers as well as other nearby sites, was wonderful.
Yes, I have good memories of Xi’an. I am so glad I made it through Xinjiang province back in 2001 before the repression really got started. Even then, you could see the Han influence taking over.
Grandson and I really enjoyed our one-week trip to Iceland in November 2022. Travelled small group (13 including the guide/driver) with Atlas Obscura. Land only, no cruise.