I've probably enjoyed Iceland more than most places I've been to. For safety, beauty, and interest...iceland is a good choice usually.

I can think of a few that I'd avoid...France, Turkey, the African continent (if my wife was going with me), most of Asia.

I'd consider Norway, Sweden, Germany (generally), Austria. A Rhine cruise could be good, if you stick with the other American tourists. Be careful traveling abroad. Most of the world doesn't like us, and much of the world hates us. Even traveling in canuckistan you'll find self righteous pricks that will tell you how much they dislike our president and country.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
Both times in ND we did a "farm stay" for a night with sheep ranches. The experience was really interesting. The people were amazing.

I think you meant to type "NZ" (New Zealand), not "ND" (North Dakota). I had a "farm stay" at a sheep ranch on one of my tours there, too--very nice (but I don't care for lamb or mutton...).

flashguy

After traveling a good bit the one place I want to see again is Africa, Tanzania specifically. It's beautiful and still safe. We did a pretty good 3 day safari last time we were there for work. I would love to do a luxury safari next time. The tent was ok but a soft AC'ed room with a good bath would make it perfect.

Even better if you can afford a tag for cape buffalo or any of the big 5. Next time we will see Kilimanjaro up in Arusha. Swiss Air flys there direct.

We got lucky as we were not tourists and got a guide and cook just for us in a camp (Hippo Camp ) in Selous that was deserted. The only day we actually had to be with other people was the day we did the walk about with the park Ranger.

The Red Sea and Israel are on my list, one of these days we will get there with my inlaws. Since they are coming out of Kiev it's quite close for them.

Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is nice. Americans are welcome and the dollar goes a long way. Beautiful scenery, slow pace of life.

If you're into natural beauty, then I would recommend the Galapagos Islands.

Italy, Australia, Singapore

quote:

Originally posted by Ozarkwoods:
Because of my Wife’s Italian heritage he was going to send us to Italy, but decided why should he pick where we would like to go.

I think that's a decent reason to chose Italy and surrounding areas. You ought to have a reason for selecting a location. From the Midwest, you could easily get to Europe.

If it's your first trip as a couple overseas, try something that's fool proof. I'd suggest Italy for 7-10 days, with a few days in either Switzerland or a ferry over to Croatia. Don't spend every day walking until you drop. Plan some down time. Keep travel to just a few hours. Don't go crazy trying to see everything in one trip. Have a reason to return.

You have endless options on where to go. I personally love Switzerland - it's just crazy expensive.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:

quote:

Originally posted by Ozarkwoods:
Because of my Wife’s Italian heritage he was going to send us to Italy, but decided why should he pick where we would like to go.

I think that's a decent reason to chose Italy and surrounding areas. You ought to have a reason for selecting a location. From the Midwest, you could easily get to Europe.

If it's your first trip as a couple overseas, try something that's fool proof. I'd suggest Italy for 7-10 days.

A lot of you have mentioned Italy as a destination.

Thanks to you all we have decided. Italy

My wife is 100% Italian, has relatives in Venice Tuscany, Rome, and Sicily.

I suggested to my wife that we should go to Italy and her face lit up with excitement. There is nothing better then a Happy Italian wife.

Congrats, you will love Italy!

Now... you get to decide where...

Frankly, don’t do a cruise, you’ll never get the true feeling for the country.

I would recommend for a first time trip to fly into Rome, take train to Florence... if you like the ocean, pop on over from Florence to Cinque Terre for 3 or so nights and then swing north for a return flight from Venice.

You can truncate the trip by exploring less of one specific area depending upon your tastes.

I love Italy, it can be a shit show, but always a damn good time!

Enjoy and safe travels.

Great choice! Italy is one of the countries that my wife and I have yet to visit together. I was there in '99 to join a ship and did get to visit some of the ports, but there is still a whole lot that I'd love to see, Venice in particular.

My wife's parents visited Italy last year and loved it. They remarked that it is a beautiful country, a nice compliment coming from two French folks,

Bon voyage.

Italy would be our choice. We’ve both lived in Germany and Russia; I’ve lived in Africa and traveled widely in Europe, but only briefly in Italy.
We both love Renaissance art and architecture, and Roman and Church history.
When we get a chance to travel, it likely will be to Italy, probably also Austria, one of my very favorite places to visit, and Switzerland.

There are many good choices listed here (including Iceland for those who appreciate wild birds and wild scenery), but Italy is amazing (and has far better food ).
I went there on a tour with some relatives and although I’m not normally a fan of tours, the guide we had for the Vatican was the daughter of one of the Vatican museum curators: she was incredible, and I can’t imagine we would have gotten as much from a visit without an expert like she was.
Enjoy!

If you like a nice walk, you might check out Bagnoregio, Italy.

DSC_0408.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

More pics at https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157632042604633/.

flashguy

Italy is a beautiful choice, you won't regret it.
I've been there 3 times this year and am always amazed at it's history and general beauty.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
If it's your first trip as a couple overseas, try something that's fool proof. I'd suggest Italy for 7-10 days, with a few days in either Switzerland or a ferry over to Croatia.

Back while a grand-aunt of mine had a holiday appartment in southern Switzerland, we used to do a three-country day trip each time we went there on vacation, circling the Mont Blanc massif through France and Italy. You get to see some of the most beautiful scenery in each of those countries without extra overnight stays - coming from Laggo Maggiore on the Italian side one could cross the Simplon Pass into Switzerland and be on National Route 9 which you can follow through the Swiss Alps all the way to Geneva, cut through France to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc at the foot of Europe's highest mountain (there's a cablecar line to considerable altitude) and return through the Aosta Valley in Italy.

While that means eight hours on the road total, it's totally doable in summer while still having leisurely stops to eat and look at scenery. A tighter circle would be crossing the Great St. Bernhard Pass from Aosta, which would also be a good base for multiple day trips to all three countries, including Turin, the Swiss-Italian lakes, and Swiss places like Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. Logistically, Switzerland is the only one of the three that doesn't have the Euro for currency, though AFAIK businesses in the touristy areas along the borders will happily accept it, if at unfavorable exchange rates; but of course plastic renders exchange largely moot anyway. Definitely no border controls, since all three are part of the Schengen area.

quote:

Originally posted by Elk Hunter:
Anyway, Neither of us have any desire to go back.

Of course I am 80, wife is 82 so there is that.

Of course the country has been overrun with "immigrants" thanx to Merkle and Company. Which is a further reason for not going there. The German police were ordered not to publish crimes against German women by the "immigrants". I guess in order not to incite the Germans against the "immigrants"

You stating on the recent KZ thread that your German interlocutors were generally of the "we didn't know what was going on in the camps" ilk has sorta explained to me why all the information from the country you seem to get is the "we poor Germans, our government is so evil, always lying to us while importing Untermenschen and destroying the country without asking us" kind of nonsense fantasies.

quote:

Originally posted by BansheeOne:

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
If it's your first trip as a couple overseas, try something that's fool proof. I'd suggest Italy for 7-10 days, with a few days in either Switzerland or a ferry over to Croatia.

Back while a grand-aunt of mine had a holiday appartment in southern Switzerland, we used to do a three-country day trip each time we went there on vacation, circling the Mont Blanc massif through France and Italy. You get to see some of the most beautiful scenery in each of those countries without extra overnight stays - coming from Laggo Maggiore on the Italian side one could cross the Simplon Pass into Switzerland and be on National Route 9 which you can follow through the Swiss Alps all the way to Geneva, cut through France to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc at the foot of Europe's highest mountain (there's a cablecar line to considerable altitude) and return through the Aosta Valley in Italy.

While that means eight hours on the road total, it's totally doable in summer while still having leisurely stops to eat and look at scenery. A tighter circle would be crossing the Great St. Bernhard Pass from Aosta, which would also be a good base for multiple day trips to all three countries, including Turin, the Swiss-Italian lakes, and Swiss places like Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. Logistically, Switzerland is the only one of the three that doesn't have the Euro for currency, though AFAIK businesses in the touristy areas along the borders will happily accept it, if at unfavorable exchange rates; but of course plastic renders exchange largely moot anyway. Definitely no border controls, since all three are part of the Schengen area.
.

Excellent ideas keep them coming now that we have the location Italy picked what to see when we get there. My wife’s first cousins live in Dallas and have been to Italy many times visiting relatives so we will have some guidance there.

I lived in Italy while in the Air Force, down in the heel, Brindisi. Wouldn't have traded it for anything, great time.

Draw a line straight across Italy, at about Rome. North and south are distinctly different, and very interesting. I loved all Italy, perhaps the north more than the south. The south provided a great jumping off point to Corfu, Greece and Sicily.

You won't go wrong no matter what travel plans you make. Enjoy!

Italy is wonderful you two will love it. Happy 25th Anniversary BTW.

Make sure, when the trip is complete, we get an after action report with photographs.

quote:

Originally posted by Ozarkwoods:
My wife is 100% Italian, has relatives in Venice Tuscany, Rome, and Sicily.

She's got relatives in ALL those locations, well, that choice is easy. Having relatives all over the world is a fantastic way to cut back on the costs and hunting around. Just having relations to show you around is a big plus, if you're able to stay with them, that's the bonus.

quote:

Originally posted by BillyBonesNY:
I would recommend for a first time trip to fly into Rome, take train to Florence... if you like the ocean, pop on over from Florence to Cinque Terre for 3 or so nights and then swing north for a return flight from Venice.

Flip that itinerary around and you're golden. Flying out of Venice, is a PIA, they're all early-morning flights and just getting to the airport can be an adventure.

Take three weeks and work-off this itinerary. You'll hit all the highlights.