As I reflect on this year coming to an end, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone here on this amazing forum, for everything I've learned, and continue learning, about traveling!
I don't have any specific plans to travel in 2017 (yet), but I thought it would be fun to read about your travel plans.
So where will you be traveling to in 2017?
Wishing you all safe & happy travels!
Priscilla
And same to you, Priscilla!
I will do my Research and Recreation trip again, starting in Sicilia (about 40 nights), then moving up the boot to old and new places, two weeks in Roma, and ending in London. Our faculty took a 5% paycut this year so a skinnier trip than usual, but we have two weeks off (with no pay), so I now have additional days (some in non-Schengen countries). Hard to complain about a 38-week work year.
My "will work to travel" motto is still strong.
Taking my 2nd AmaWaterways river boat cruise down the Rhone (work related). Then husband is meeting me in Barcelona and we are doing the 8 day Barcelona and Madrid trip. Woot Woot (can't wait) plus we are going to the 2016 reunion in Edmonds in January.
Count down begins.
Happy New Year to all
Happy travels
Kim
Priscilla , many thanks for your help in Spain , have a happy new year !
No Europe plans next year, so far. We'll be on a Caribbean cruise in late January and I'm about to sign up for a Cuba tour in April. Then a possible road trip to the east coast for reunions in late May and early June. More than enough for the next six months! We like to spend summers right here in the beautiful NW.
Zoe,
Your trip sound fantastic! I like your motto... "Will work to travel"... I may have to borrow it from you! ;-)
I may have to pick your brains if & when I go to Sicilia!
Kim,
A work related boat cruise down the Rhone?!? Where do I sign up for this?
Enjoy your amazing adventure!
Steven,
You're welcome! I see you're contributing in the Spain forum too!
Dick,
Sure sounds like you will be traveling quite a bit in the New Year! Enjoy!
pricillia - Work related, but I have to paid for it myself!! (so sad) It is a cross stitch cruise 3 days in Paris. Then cruising from Lyon to arles. then 3 days at the end in Barcelona. I work at my local cross stitch store in Tulsa. It pays for my travel expensives!!
I also like the "will work to travel" motto, I may have to borrow that. In 2017 I'll travel to Ireland for the first time. After that we have some time open and may check out Croatia, but haven't made up our minds yet. Happy 2017!
I will be spending The time around Easter on the RS Sicily tour, book-ended with several days in Rome on each end of the tour. My late husband and I had booked this trip for 2016 but I had to cancel when he died unexpectedly a few weeks beforehand, so I'm taking the trip solo in his memory. I haven't been to Sicily, but have visited Rome briefly on two prior occasions. Planning to take my time there to see many things not yet seen, take a cooking class and take a day trip to Orvieto to visit an acquaintance there.
Also hoping to visit Portugal later in the year.
Kim,
I think many of us here still work to travel, right? Have a fun time!
Meg,
Hmm... Ireland & Croatia... Sounds nice!
Patricia,
So sorry to hear about your DH passing away... I do wish you a wonderful trip!
2017 will be an off year for me, after extensive European trips in 2015 and 2016. For 2017 I plan to stay stateside and visit family and friends in the eastern half of the US.
I am however already thinking about 2018, centering mainly on Greece (Athens and Santorini) going via Amsterdam as the gateway to inter-Euro travel. I've not been to any of these destinations before, and since I can't get a direct flight to Athens, I may as well treat myself to a few days in another new destination that offers an easy air connection to Athens.
I love reading about everyone's travel plans.
I am spending a week in the villages of the Cinque Terre in May, followed by some time on Lake Como. And I will finish in Rome because I can't go to Italy without going to Rome. I have done a lot of traveling in Italy but this will be my first time exploring the Cinque Terre. Very excited.
Happy New Year and safe travels to all!
If the doctors allow it there will be a driving trip. Following the Grand Tour as re-enacted by the late great Brian Sewell, art critic and all-around lovable grump.
Through the Channel Tunnel with our now over 200,000 miles fav car, down the Autoroute de Soleil as far as Lyon or Grenoble, then over or under the Cenis/Fréjus Pass to Torino, then Milano, Pavia, Cremona, Parma, Modena, Bologna, Toscana including a dab for the umpty-umpth time into Firenze, Roma, Venezia and home, probably via Munich and the Odenwald.
fingers crossed
Debbie,
Wow! You're way ahead of the game, planning for 2018 already! Both Santorini & Athens are truly amazing! Enjoy visiting family and friends in 2017!
Kristen,
The CT and Lake Como should be lovely in May! What village have you chosen for both of these beautiful destinations? Rome, of course! But wait--- What about Florence? Enjoy!
Nigel,
I do hope the doctors clear you to go on such a fabulous driving trek!
Your fav car sounds as old as mine ;-)
How long will this trip take you?
I also love, love, love reading about everyone's trips and travel plans/wishes. We will be going to Rome for February break with 2 other wonderful, fun couples then on an Alaskan cruise in July with our children and their families and about 10 friends (60th birthday celebrations). We too are already thinking of 2018 since my husband will have 6 weeks vacation that summer. Am thinking 2-3 weeks Poland and somewhere else and the rest visiting family in Croatia. I read your posts with anticipation of an inspiration to fill in the gaps. May everyone have a happy and more important, healthy New Year.
Priscilla - lovely theme for a topic, and Happy New Year to you (and everyone) too!
Nigel, I do hope the doctors will give you clearance. If you need any Turin tips, let me know (but I probably don't know anything you don't already know!).
Kim, I do think that's rotten that work makes you pay to go on one of those expensive cruises!! Are you an instructor for cross-stitch as an activity on the boat?
No travel plans yet ourselves, hopefully to Turin as usual for my husband's birthday in late January to see friends and family as we're unable to travel during Christmas/New Year's due to the constraints of his job schedule. Last night i had a wild hair and started looking at tickets to Amsterdam for my birthday in a couple of weeks, but Thalys prices don't leave much room for that kind of last-minute inspiration in my budget range! Hopefully a trip to London or two, but no definite plans. My brother and his wife are going from California to Tuscany for a week to celebrate their friend's birthday, and I might go see if I can have dinner with them in Rome on their way out, but those cheap tickets are going fast too as it's tied to a French holiday. Oh well!
Mainly hope to make it home to the States to see my family in 2017 since they came this way this year.
Guadeloupe coming up next month. It is a full-fledged French department but in the Caribbean.
Fun topic and perfect for the holiday let-down. I have fed, gifted and cleaned up (still doing laundry) after a great family holiday, but now there is quiet space to dream. Thanks for starting this one.
Next week we're off to Mexico for our son's wedding -second wedding in 6 months. It's the first time visiting Mexico for something more than a boarder town. After two weddings this close we had second thoughts about another big trip, but we've decided we need to step up the pace if we're going to get to see the things we've talked about. Financially, it would probably be better to wait a year, but too many stories about losing love ones and health issues. So, I may spend my old age in a dank room with canned soup, but I should have some great memories and off we go.
This year we thought our wine group was doing a river cruise but the planning seemed more fun than the actual commitment, so off we go on our own. We're excited to do the RS Eastern France trip in mid-August. I know you're not supposed to go to France in August, but we've done it before and had a great time. Since it's vacation time, things seemed very relaxed. Anyway, we're excited.
Nigel-hope to hear you're feeling better and that a trip report will be in your future.
It's so fun to read about everyone's travel plans!
Barbara,
Sounds like you'll have a wonderful time in Rome, and on your
Alaskan cruise with your family & friends!
And... 2018 will be here before we know it, right?
Time sure seems to fly by so much faster the older I get :-))
Kim,
Happy (upcoming) birthday to you & your DH!
I do hope you get to go to some (or all) of your destinations in 2017 ;-)
Bets,
Judging from the photos (found on google), Guadaloupe is a beautiful place!
Have a wonderful trip!
Patty,
Wow! Two weddings in six months! Where in México will your son's wedding be?
RS' Eastern France tour sounds delightful!
I see you'll be visiting Chamonix & Annecy (our favorite), enjoy!
When you visit Annecy, make sure you eat the delicious gelato at, 'Glacier des Alpes'!
... and a Happy New Year to everyone, from here in Carmel!
Priscilla, thanks for getting this thread started, I remember from way back when you were Macy ! (could it be you were too shy, or too wary, to use your real name?)
Patricia, so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband, but wonderful that you can take this trip and RS Sicily Tour in his memory. I took that tour in May 2014, also solo, and loved it! I'm sure all the RS guides there are wonderful, but if you get Tommaso Pante as your guide, you will be so lucky! One enthusiastic Sicilian passionate about his homeland.
As for me, no definite travel plans yet, but I have the RS Greece and/or Portugal tours in my mind, maybe with some days in Italy (esp. Umbria) or new, to me, areas in Spain, along the way. I got revved up about 3 or 4 weeks ago when that flash airfare sale was shared on the forum, but cogitated so long the sale disappeared, and I am still in the vague stage of planning. Those spring RS tours sure do fill up quickly, don't they?
Dearest sweet Priscilla, what wonderful sentiments. Thank you so much.
No travel plans for me either, just to live through you lot on here.
...and my friend, thank you for caring. I really appreciate it.
All the best.
After skipping Europe for a year, we are going back in April. Netherlands (Ams for 5 nights, somewhere for 3) and Belgium (3 nights) for the first time, 4th visit to Paris for a few days and 6th visit to London for a few days (we fly in and out of London, so always spend a few days). I'm hoping for tulips, windmills, chocolate and trees in blossom!
And this being the 150th 'anniversary' of Canada, I'm toying with travelling (on July 1) to the birthplace of Confederation - Charlottetown, PEI. We can get there in 3-4 hours depending on whether we ferry or bridge it. I'm sure things are already booking up for the big bash, so I have to decide soon whether to go or not for a few nights.
Happy travels to one and all!
Dear Priscilla,
Thank YOU for all your advice and support! Still trying to decide on my next European adventure! I'll keep you posted!
Your forum friend,
Christine
Priscilla - Retirement beckons in February. Solo trip to London for a week in early March, Boston for 1 week in mid June, San Diego for 2 weeks in early July and San Francisco for 1 week in late October. I'm sure there will also be a baseball trip in there somewhere.
Oh, I almost forgot. Wishing you a Happy New Year.
Pricilla, thank you for the lovely thread and best wishes for the New Year and your upcoming trip! We have an Ireland trip planned and several domestic trips. For later in 2017 (our actual anniversary year) or summer of 2018 we are starting to plan a 50th wedding anniversary trip for our family of 8. Domestic or foreign that is the question. Hawaii (we've never been) or Italy (some of them have never been) that is the big question!
Since we are retired, we travel a lot!
First a February road trip with our dog down the California coast to Southern California for our nephew's wedding.
In March we fly to Patagonia for a hiking trip. The flight to Chile originates in Florida, so we will spend a few days exploring the Florida Keys beforehand. On the way back, we will come through New York and spend a few days there.
July---possibly a camping trip in British Columbia. Haven't planned that yet but we went last summer and loved it. So did our dog.
August---hiking in the Wasatch mountains of Utah.
September---a hiking trip in Slovenia, followed by a week in Vienna on a home exchange. We will fly British Airways as usual, but will not spend any time in London this trip. : (
Sending best wishes for the New Year to all. And Nigel, I hope you will be cleared for your road trip to Venice. I once had a car (a Volvo of course) that was still going strong at 280,000 miles but was totaled in a black-ice multi-car pileup. Fortunately no one was hurt.
So much fun reading everyone's plans!
In March we're going to Wengen with my Son and his family for their Spring Break skiing trip!!! My hubby and I don't ski, but will sure enjoy being with family in a country none of us have every visited!!
In planning stages of a trip in September, 2016 with friends. Starting in United Kingdom - still trying to decide where to go from there.
Happy New Year and Happy Travels to all!
I think it's so great that so many of you are planning such wonderful trips! Thanks for sharing!
I wish I could tag along! ;-)
Larry,
You have such a great memory! Yes... When I first signed up, I didn't want to use my real name, but then I realized that it was no big deal (after asking another forum member if she used her real name) And now... I'm hooked on this forum!
Happy travels wherever you end up traveling to!
David,
Thank you! I always enjoy reading your posts, and I missed reading them when you took a short break, a couple of months ago. Be well, my forum friend!
Nicole
Wow! I do hope you get to see, "tulips, windmills, chocolate and trees in blossom" on your wonderful trip!
Christine,
Thank YOU! I'm quite sure you will think of somewhere wonderful to travel to! ;-)
It's been fun sharing about our travel plans for almost a year now.
Take care my forum friend!
Joel,
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Enjoy all of your upcoming trips!
Mona,
Congratulations on your upcoming 50th anniversary! That's quite a milestone!
I think it's so great to include your family on your anniversary trip! Enjoy!
Lola,
Lucky you!!!
Enjoy your nephew's upcoming wedding & all the amazing trips you have planned!
It sure looks like you love to go hiking!
Sue
I've not traveled to Switzerland either but it sure is a beautiful country.
Have a wonderful time with your family in lovely Wengen!
I haven't skied since my college years (eons ago), but I'd love to go to Wenden for the breathtaking scenery! ;-) Do you need a baby sitter for any of your grandchildren? ( Ha! JK)
Priscilla
What a fun post! I love hearing about other's adventures and even more love the inspiration and ideas I get from it! This year I am headed for sunny San Diego in a few weeks to escape the Wyoming winter for a few days. In March, I am traveling with my Dad back to Spain, specifically Madrid and Sevilla. In April, I am taking my parents to Belgium and The Netherlands to experience spring and the beautiful tulips. Next fall I am going to Toronto for the first time to see the Blue Jays play at the Rogers Centre on my quest to visit all 30 Major League Baseball Stadiums. Will also get to finally see Niagara Falls! I will probably throw in another baseball trip or two and of course several visits to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks!
ang84335- Woot Woot another baseball person. That is on my bucket list to go to all the baseball stadiums. I have been to about 15is old and new. Our plans or at least I say that!! lol. One European trip and year and one United States trip a year.
in 2015 My husband and youngest son (lives in Edmond, OK) and I fly to Arizona to see two baseball games against St Louis cardinals (we are card fans), then up to the grand canyon and back to Phoenix. This past September , Hubs and I drove from Oklahoma to Cincinnati to see 2 games with the reds and cards, then drove to Dayton, then to Pitt to see Pirates and Cards, then up to Niagara Falls, headed back to OK via St louis to pick up one game there. We ran out of time to go to Cleveland, Detroit and Toronto on this trip. Our trip for 2017, I was thinking about Atlanta vs our cards (never been to that stadium) but we will be on our European trip when they are in Atlanta. So I am not sure where our baseball trip will be next year.
Kim ( in Paris) - No I am not going to be a teacher, but our guests teacher on the cruise will be Jeannette Douglas (from Canada). Jeannette will design a special piece for us to stitch for this cruise . She is an awesome lady. I will help a fellow co-worker in doing finishing classes for our group of ladies. The ladies have homework that they have to bring with them. They will learn how to finish items ie: make into ornaments, pin cushions etc with their cross stitch. Our store and Jeannette sponsored our last cruise down the Danube for the Christmas markets Nov/Dec of 2015. That was a blast!!!
Oh - yes this part-time job is fun - so I work to pay for my travel addictions!!
For 2017, we are going to keep things domestic. We had originally talked about Norway, but due to life events, we're going to put that off for a year. While nothing is set in stone, we're planning on Florida and New Mexico. Florida is will just be a relaxing getaway for our anniversary, and it will allow us to see some of our good friends who are currently stationed there. And New Mexico may or may not include White Sands, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and perhaps trying to time it for the famous hot air balloon festival. Depending on our route, we may also include a stop or two in west Texas.
Kim-it's always good to "meet" a fellow baseball fan, we are few and far between in western Wyoming! I've been a Braves fan since I was 6! In October I was lucky enough to be at their last 2 games at Turner Field before they move into their new stadium next year. My vote is always to see the Braves play! If you get to go to Atlanta, I'd be interested to hear what you think of SunTrust Park. I've been to 22 parks plus a few repeats of new stadiums. I haven't been to St. Louis yet, but am excited to go. This year for opening day we went to Florida to see Tampa and then drove to Miami to watch their opening day! We've also looked at doing a trip that includes Pittsburgh, Cleveland and possibly Detroit. We're also looking at starting in DC and taking the train up the East Coast hitting Baltimore, Philly, NYC and maybe Boston too. I've actually been to all of those stadiums except Philly, but it sounds like so much fun that I don't mind repeating some! A couple of years ago we flew to California and saw Anaheim play at noon, then drove across the city to see the Dodgers (vs the Cards). The next morning we drove to San Diego to watch the Padres and flew home the next day...so much fun and the best "business trip" I've ever taken! I usually try to get to Denver to see the Braves when they're in town every season. If you haven't been to Coors Field it's a great ballpark! Let me know if you ever have any questions about any of the ballparks! Happy travels and go Braves :-)
Ang84335,
Have fun in sunny San Diego! Your parents are very fortunate to still be able to travel with you, enjoy your trips and continue making great memories!
My mom will be turning 90 in a few months, and although she thinks she can still travel, it's very challenging for her now... We did, however, enjoy some fun trips together ;-)
Kim (OK),
My DH would love to tag along with your family on your baseball trips!
Enjoy your river cruise!
Mike W,
Enjoy your trip(s) to Florida, New Mexico and Texas!
Norway will be waiting for you!
You may enjoy these 2 amazing documentaries I recently watched (about Norway) on Netflix:
Thanks everyone for continuing to add joy to my day as I read about your upcoming trips!
In August I will travel with an Australian friend to London for 12 nights, then Paris, Krakow and Prague for 5 nights each. Then she will return home. I will fly to Seattle to stay with friends for 3 weeks, before flying to Naples for a week ( I will be solo at this stage), then will join my Seattle friend in Rome for an Azamara cruise to Athens. Then to Crete for a wine and food tour. Whew! Okay, then got to fly to Perth, Australia for a family wedding at Margaret River. Lastly a few days with my sister in Perth before coming back to Sydney to meet "lonesome" husband after 3 months away. Hoping husband will miss me so much he joins me at some stage!!
Priscilla,
With help from you and others, headed to Andalucia in March with my daughter. Summer will bring something but I don't know what yet. :) Patty, I am like you - I told my kids they may have to be ready to buy my medicine in old age because I may spend our retirement money on travel now, while DH & I can still walk! Ha! I love reading about everyone's plans here!
First, I want to thank the forum for all the information through the years. I don't post a lot of inquiries but with all the replies and information given, help me planning my trips in the last two years. This year my niece and I will travel to Switzerland for 10 days and then Amsterdam for 4 days. It is my gift to her from graduating University. I hope our trip will be memorable as my last twos.
Happy New Year and Happy safe travels to where you are headed.
Trang
Happy new year to you as well! We are heading down under for 18 days in April. We will start in Australia and finish in New Zealand. I also scored dirt cheap airfare to Milan in October so we are heading back to Italy and/or Switzerland for 10 days. Cheers!
Great topic Priscilla. Thank you and
thanks to the many travelers sharing their Qs and As on this forum. Your experiences have helped me be a more confident traveler.
Thanks to a November post, I was alerted to low fares from the West Coast to Europe. I scored a $472 RT ticket to Barcelona. I will spend 33 nights in Spain starting in. early May. This will be my 3rd European trip within 2 years and my first that does not include a RS tour (or any other organized tour). Visiting Barcelona, Sevilla, Cordoba, Ronda, Toledo, Madrid, Granada, and Valencia in a 'slow tour' kinda way.
I retire in 30 DAYS!!!! Woot! Woot! Plan to make a habit of travel as long as my health and money hold out!
We're also visiting Spain this year - Madrid, Sevilla and Barcelona with multiple day trips. We're not going until October so I will be looking forward to posts on the Spain forum.
Happy New Year! My husband and I are returning to Italy in April to celebrate our 5-year anniversary (honeymooned there) and we're very excited to get back since we loved it. Going to spend 5 nights in southern Tuscany and 4 nights in Rome.
That was originally our only "big" trip for the year. But, when there were such cheap flights in November, we snagged RT tickets to Paris this early October. We are still working out what area we want to go (besides Paris). Just got in a road trips of France book that I'm going to start studying since our NYE house guests are now gone.
Priscilla, hope you and everyone here has a great year! It's such a wonderful forum here with awesome people and it's great to be a part of it!
Happy New Year to Priscilla and everyone else. I like reading about other people's trips and experiences. I check this forum at least once a day and often more, and always find something fascinating and/or educational.
I'm counting the days to our Best of Venice, Florence and Rome tour in May. It'll be our second trip abroad and second Rick Steves tour after doing Best of Paris in 2015. The Sistine Chapel has been on my bucket list since seeing "The Agony and Ecstasy" when I was about 12 years old. So I've been lobbying for an Italy trip for years. To quote Red from "The Shawshank Redemption": ' I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head.'
Yeah, I'm looking forward to the trip. Cheers!
What a great topic! I love seeing the variety of places people are going and learning about the reasons for those trips.
In 2017 my husband will spend his typical +/- 5 months based near Puyallup, WA to race his Formula Ford in WA and OR.
Similar to those with a passion for baseball stadiums, upon retirement he wanted to drive on as many road circuits as he could before hanging up his helmet. There will be one non-PNW racing trip this year to drive on the Indy road course with open-wheel cars only the weekend of 8 June, at the SVRA Open Wheel World Challenge. He raced with the same group at NOLA and COTA this past fall and had a blast.
I drive up and back home with him each year. We go through UT, ID and eastern WA, seeing family and friends each way. I fly up and back a few times while he's there. Over the years this has become such a routine that it doesn't much seem like traveling anymore, but it is a big trip (1625 miles) each way. This year I also plan to go to Indy.
I'm not sure about the exact logistics yet, but doctor(s) willing and space available, I hope to do the RS Village Italy tour leaving for Rome from Indianapolis after he's done there, returning to Tucson, frontloading the tour with time in Rome, Ravenna, Venice and Padua, and doing a few nights in Milan at the end. I will be traveling solo. It's not as cheap as 1/2 of a couple, but I pay for the European trips, so it will be much cheaper than paying for 2.
Yes, I know the tour goes to Ravenna and starts in Padua, but I'm taking the advice of some of the reviewers and adding time to those two places.
Yes, I know it will be hot and humid mid-June to mid-July, but I've never traveled at that time of year before, so I want to see exactly what that's like. And I do realize that there will be crowds. I think I can work around that.
I plan to have a Happy 2017. I hope you do, too.
May we all be safe, healthy, and happy traveling in 2017!
Victoria,
My oh my! You sure will be traveling quite a bit!
Safe & happy travels to you!
Travelmom,
I hope you make great memories with your daughter while visiting Andalucía!
Hntt 64,
What an amazing graduation gift for your niece! Have a wonderful time!
Stephen, Lucky you for finding those cheap flights! Enjoy!
Becky,
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Enjoy your trip to Spain!
Traylaparks,
October is a great time to travel to Spain, enjoy!
Julie,
Congrats on your upcoming 5th anniversary! Enjoy Italy & France!
Stoutfella,
Have a wonderful time in Italy!
Lo,
Enjoy watching your DH race! The RS Village Italy tour sounds fabulous! You won't be sorry spending extra time in beautiful Italy, Enjoy!
Fred,
Ditto!
I'm having so much fun reading about your travel plans, thank you!
I must tell you that I've been adding some places to my bucket list too ;-)
