Hi everyone, I think my travel patterns are fairly typical. When I was young there was no money for family airfare so we drove to Florida several times. As a newlywed we did a few Caribbean all-inclusives. Then in 2000, we went to England and everything changed. Since then our whole focus of life has been to go to Europe and we have since travelled to Poland, Austria (2 times), Czech Republic, Italy (2 times) France (2 times), Spain, Scotland and Wales. Hubby even got to Russia for work (still bitter I didn't get to accompany him on that one!) Now I'm getting the yen to try something different, and am considering China. There is much left in Europe that I want to see but a change is beckoning. So here's my question to my fellow Euro-philes with a similar pattern to us: have you regretted branching out? Was it everything you hoped or did you think that these were dollars spent (USD or CAD!) that you could have used to see more of your beloved Europe? If you branched out, where did you go? If you are considering it, what area of the world beckons you? Thanks!
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
Hi Andrea!
My husband and I love Europe but in the last few years, we decided to branch out while we're still agile. We've been to Argentina twice (Mendoza and Buenos Aires) and last January we traveled to Thailand. Both Argentina and Thailand are a little less expensive than travel to Europe. We have never regretted branching out but still return to our favorite places in Europe as well. For a future trip, we want to travel to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
The way most peope screw up China is by making the Hong Kong-Shanghai-Peking-Great Wall tour and thinking they've done it. That would be like going to the Cotswolds, Colmar, CT, Fussen, and Salamanca and thinking you've seen Europe. All of China has a lot to offer. So does all of the rest of Asia. So does all the rest of the world.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
I've been to China and loved it. I've also been to Costa Rica and loved it too, for different reasons. I don't think that going elsewhere in the world takes anything away from European experiences. I don't regret that money I spent elsewhere wasn't being spent to see more of Europe. On the contrary, there is a "sameness" to the European continent that doesn't exist in other parts of the world. While every country is different, of course, other areas of the world offer VERY different experiences than you find in Europe, and I'm always up for something new.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
1525 posts
After four consecutive trips to Europe, we decided to take a break before our long-awaited sojourn to Italy this year. We went to Australia and New Zealand for six weeks. It was a fantastic experience that I could not possibly regret. And it has, as intended, heightened our anticipation for Italy. Europe will now seem inexpensive by comparison, too. I have often pondered going somewhere a bit more adventurous and unusual. With children in tow, however, comfort, safety and ease of tourism is a big factor for us.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
I would like to be able to visit so many other places,, we too have done the usual closer to home things, Hawaii, Mexico, some Caribbean cruises, some States( Utah, California, Washington, Nevada, Oregon),, but I was lucky enough to go to Europe as a child(family visits) so always have had a taste for it. I would be interested in Australia,, but just don't think i could stomache a 23 hour flight,, yech,, and no, we do not have the option of going business or first class ! Costa Rica fascinates me,, as would Egypt and Israel, Peru, Argentina,, but there are a few places that have not enticed me at all.
China for political and human rights abuses, ( see documentry called China Blues), Japan ,, because it was insanely expensive, and now, as far as I am concerned , not safe, and Africa,, mostly cause its too far, and I don't really care if I never see a wild lion or elephant.. this is just my perosonal tastes and opinions, and I certainly can understand others feeling differently. The main problem I have is there are MANY places I would be interested in,, but only so much money and time, so its hard to do it all, and I figure I only have 20 years left of good travelling time,, drats.