<p>Favorite vacations have been on the Tuscany coast. We always felt very much at home and we loved the food. Life still seem a bit slower, so I felt relaxed. </p>
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<p>My favorite place is Lauterbrunnen! Small town in the valley of the Swiss Alps, near Interlaken. Supposedly the inspiration for Rivendell (Elvish city in Lord of the RIngs)</p>
<p><a href=“Lauterbrunnen - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauterbrunnen</a> </p>
<p>@Garland - that’s basically half of the trip I was talking about!</p>
<p>We took a Western Med cruise in 2012. We liked all our stops, but we were smitten with Barcelona. We stayed there one night prior to cruise and one night after. We definitely want to go back, maybe even rent an apartment for a month in retirement. </p>
<p>There are many great places to visit in US and Canada. But we want to prioritize overseas in early retirement in case health issues force us to stay closer to home later. </p>
<p>@VaBluebird Which countries have I been to in South America? I went to Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. </p>
<p>It sounds really weird, but whenever I get a whiff of my backpack or the body wash that I used on the trip I get flooded with all these memories. It was one of the best adventures I’ve had in my life. </p>
<p>^ That is how I came to Barcelona as well. Liked Mediterranean France and Italy too, but oh, Barcelona!</p>
<p>In Europe: all-time favorite city is Paris.
European countries: France, Spain, Italy. Want to see Turkey, have a feeling I’ll love it.
In the US: The San Francisco Bay Area, NYC, New Mexico
Elsewhere: Mexico, India, Nepal</p>
<p>Sigh. Now you got me thinking vacation! </p>
<p>I love Canada, been to Prince Edwards Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Vancouver, British Columbia. I will do a train trip from East to West in the summer when I retire. There are just little tons of things to do, lots of beautiful gardens to see, great seafood, friendly people, great shopping. What more could you ask.
Maui/Hawaii is my next favorite place, my family been to Hawaii about 10-15 times, just a short flight from California, friendly people, great beaches, the place is so green it’s unbelievable gorgeous. The only problem we veg out more in Hawaii then any where else.
Europe, been there numerous times but I have not visit every countries yet. I will plan to do that more when I retire.</p>
<p>Hah. I got a sunny day in Acadia National Park last week… and video to prove it!</p>
<p>[Acadia</a> Hiking](<a href=“Gorham / Champlain Mountains - YouTube”>Gorham / Champlain Mountains - YouTube)</p>
<p>The place really is spectacular.</p>
<p>Lots of favourite places for different reasons: Hawaii (for beaches and relaxation), Florence and Tuscany (for food and art), New Orleans (for nightlife); New York City (for theatre); Switzerland (for scenery). </p>
<p>For me It’s a close race between camping in the Canadian Rockies and boat trip to the upper Amazon. Swimming with the pink dolphins while my husband fished and eating the pirañas for breakfast! </p>
<p>My top 10 on tripadvisor are Quebec City, NYC, San Antonio, Grand Teton National Park, Kauai, Barbados, St John (USVI), Laguardia (Spain), Cordoba (Spain), and Cairns (Australia). As you can see, they have nothing in common. My next trip is to Italy, so I have a feeling the list will change.</p>
<p>Like JHS, I think I’ve really enjoyed every place I’ve ever been. But some things I liked even more:</p>
<p>Hiking in Scotland (especially Isle of Skye) and next spring hope to the the Great Highland Way with a bunch of women including SIL.
Jordan - with a private driver. Amazing sites - better Roman ruins than most of Europe.
Southern Germany - hiking, baroque churches, kuchen
Africa - Serengeti for the migrations
Grand Canyon - because there’s nothing like it.
Bryce Canyon - not as big, but it’s like a giant pink drip castle, just amazing.
Japan - a wonderful combination of modernity and tradition
For more city things: NYC, Paris, London, are cliches for a reason</p>
<p>I love Paris and the Dordogne region of France. I also love Scotland for different reasons.</p>
<p>Just returned from visiting Florence, I’m hooked. The Scandanavian fjords in the summer - no people are happier to take advantage of sunshine.</p>
<p>You just cannot beat Paris, especially if you go during off season. I would not go anywhere in Europe in the summer. But that’s the beauty of empty nest and retirement travel.</p>
<p>Italy for good food.</p>
<p>Our family are sailors so our go-to destination is sailing through the British Virgin Islands. Pull into any cove we want, drop anchor, jump overboard and swim or snorkel in the clearest blue water. We’ve sailed many other places in the world, but this area is easy and fun.</p>
<p>“Forget Paris!”</p>
<p>Biking in the Burgundy region of France. In the US- Lake George NY. We like Mount Tremblant Canada too, especially in the summer.</p>
<p>May is a really nice time for Europe. I should have put Rome and Florence on my list of cities that I love. </p>
<p>Lately, I’m off cities and prefer to travel in the countryside. Dordogne/Perigord in France is amazing, Achensee in Austria spectarcul.a</p>