Another “Where Should We Go?”

[onthemove]

Travel has always been important to me and something I did quite a bit of. Having kids and a pandemic have limited that!

Next year will be my 15 year wedding anniversary and DH’s 40th. Since DD (5) was born we have only had 4 one-night exertions together (lots solo for work though). My parents will watch the kids for us which is great.

I would like a somewhat adventurous trip. No camping, but active and preferably not in the continental US.

Parameters: up to 1 week, flying out of NOLA, May time frame (could be April, but not so late as June).

Already done a lot of the “easy button” answers: Belize, Honduras, Puru, Costa Rica, Croatia

Thinking about Iceland, Banff, and St Lucia, but the timing is not perfect for any of these, but is it good enough?

[gardengal]

What do you mean by "adventurous"? Like adventure activities? Or just, like, active?

My H & I did a really great kids free vacation in Devon & Cornwall in England. I see NOLA has a direct flight to London. We did some great hikes (in moors with wild ponies & general creepy atmosphere, as well as hills/forests) & coastal walks, had some amazing seafood & beers, toured a ton of historic homes & kind of treated it like a road trip. If you all are rock climbers, Dartmoor had a lot of that going on.

For Europe, I would consider Portugal or Spain.

For Central/South American, I'd see about Colombia. My SIL had a very active vacation there & some neighbors are heading to Cartagena soon.

[onthemove]

Sept 11, 2023 15:40:56 GMT -5 gardengal said:

What do you mean by "adventurous"? Like adventure activities? Or just, like, active?

My H & I did a really great kids free vacation in Devon & Cornwall in England. I see NOLA has a direct flight to London. We did some great hikes (in moors with wild ponies & general creepy atmosphere, as well as hills/forests) & coastal walks, had some amazing seafood & beers, toured a ton of historic homes & kind of treated it like a road trip. If you all are rock climbers, Dartmoor had a lot of that going on.

For Europe, I would consider Portugal or Spain.

For Central/South American, I'd see about Colombia. My SIL had a very active vacation there & some neighbors are heading to Cartagena soon.

thanks! We are fortunate to be planning on an England visit for my cousin’s wedding next July. I’m not sure because of work if we can do Columbia, but I should check. I hadn’t thought of Portugal, I will look at that!

[erbear]

Portugal is always my suggestion. It's my favorite place to visit.

[sunnysally]

What about Ecuador or Argentina? Tons to do in both countries, minimal time change.

[mrsukyankee]

I'm currently in Portugal and can say that I'm really enjoying it. We're in the Algarve and it's lovely, while next week we'll be in Lisbon and Porto. I've already gotten 20,000 steps a day on average between going to the beach, walking around Lagos and booking a resort that was not in old town Lagos.

I posted about the Alps region of France/Switzerland and I'd DEFINITELY suggest there. You can fly into Geneva, rent a car and then go on so many hikes. It's stunning. I'd check on whether it's in summer season or not as lots of places close during the in-between season (winter to summer).

[jinkies]

I've never been to Portugal, but that was going to be my suggestion even before I saw the other answers! It's top on my list right now.

Also maybe Puerto Rico?

[neeps]

I recommend Guatemala. I say that as someone who lives in Portugal and loves it, but with only a week, the jet lag and flight connections will suck from NOLA and you'll lose 3 days to travel. Guatemala is fantastic, with no jet lag. Tikal is really great - I can recommend the Jungle Lodge Tikal, but bring ear plugs because the howler monkeys are crazy loud. Antigua is a vibrant city to walk around. Lake Atitlan is beautiful and most of the towns around it have great energy to them.

An alterntive is to go to Ecuador and do the mainland or the Galapagos Islands. Both are great. For the mainland: Quito, Mitad del Mundo, the cloud forest, Cotopaxi. We did a small boat (16 passenger) Galapagos tour and really enjoyed it.