Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 23:46     Subject: Re:Places that blew you away!
Anonymous wrote:I have to say....I was blown away during my recent trip to Newport, RI -- the most amazing mansions all decorated for the holidays -- if you are a fan of The Gilded Age series scenes were filmed in these mansions! Amazing architecture!

We visited the ones open and decorated for the holidays:
The Elms
Marble House
Rosecliff
The Breakers (the most opulent one of all)

https://www.newportmansions.org/

Plan to someday go back in the summer to see some of the others and enjoy the coast/cliff walk.


I have seen all of these mansions in the summer, which were lovely! Definitely plan a visit then too. I will have to go back during the holidays, thanks for the tip!
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 22:04     Subject: Re:Places that blew you away!
Tulemar CR esp their cute private beach.

Mandarin Oriental HK - spa.

Jackson Hole - hiking at sunset and dusk by Jenny Lake

Ponza Italy - boating

Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 21:41     Subject: Re:Places that blew you away!
I have to say....I was blown away during my recent trip to Newport, RI -- the most amazing mansions all decorated for the holidays -- if you are a fan of The Gilded Age series scenes were filmed in these mansions! Amazing architecture!

We visited the ones open and decorated for the holidays:
The Elms
Marble House
Rosecliff
The Breakers (the most opulent one of all)

https://www.newportmansions.org/

Plan to someday go back in the summer to see some of the others and enjoy the coast/cliff walk.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 21:00     Subject: Places that blew you away!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Great Barrier Reef- as a teenager we took an overnight snorkel trip leaving from Cairns. It was my first time ever snorkeling. I truly think it ruined snorkeling for me. I’ve snorkeled many times in the Caribbean as an adult and every time I think, this is nothing compared to the Great Barrier Reef.


You should go to Micronesia sometime if you have the $ and time for it! I used to live out there and you want to talk spoiled for life - the warmest, clearest, most fish-full waters you'll ever see in your life.

And on that note - I will say Palau is one of the most incredible places I've ever been. The diving, the culture, all of it.



Oh wow, thank you! Provided I'm still healthy enough when the kids are grown, I will add Micronesia to my list of places I want to go!
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 20:54     Subject: Places that blew you away!
I didn't read all responses so this may be a repeat:

Iceland
Azores (when hydrangeas in bloom)

Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 10:17     Subject: Places that blew you away!
The Tetons and Bryce Canyon in the US. Carcross/Yukon, Iguazu Falls, Maldives, Leh/Ladakh, Hampi Ruins, Valley of Flowers, Krabi, Phuket, Glencoe Valley
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 07:23     Subject: Places that blew you away!
Anonymous wrote:Old stuff:
Tikal, Macchu Picchu, the Louvre

Nature:
Tetons, Swiss Alps, Iguazu Falls, Lake Louise

Vibes:
Lake Atitlan, Namsham Burma, Cayos Cochinos Honduras, Cappadocia, Koh Chang, Vancouver



Cayos Cochinos looks amazing!
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 06:23     Subject: Places that blew you away!
Arenal, Costa Rica
Florence
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 06:18     Subject: Places that blew you away!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:CONUS:
1. NorCal....Sonoma, Napa, Russian River Valley, Novato, Redwoods
2. Savannah
3. Charleston SC
4. Boston/Salem
5. Shenandoah Valley
6. DC
7. St Augustine FL
8. Hitchcock Woods in Aiken SC

OCONUS:
1. Iceland...esp Golden Circle and Reykjavik
2. Ottawa Canada
3. Jordan...Amman, Madaba, Jerash, Aqabah, Dead Sea, Petra
4. Amazon rainforest in Brazil
5. Tokyo
6. Helsinki


Reykjavik is the least interesting town I've ever been.


Maybe they were blown away by the Icelandic Phallological Museum.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 00:09     Subject: Places that blew you away!
Old stuff:
Tikal, Macchu Picchu, the Louvre

Nature:
Tetons, Swiss Alps, Iguazu Falls, Lake Louise

Vibes:
Lake Atitlan, Namsham Burma, Cayos Cochinos Honduras, Cappadocia, Koh Chang, Vancouver
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 23:19     Subject: Places that blew you away!
Anonymous wrote:I agree dc is great, on a sunny day (of which we have many). Also St michaels/Eastern Shore area, Harpers Ferry, Shenandoah valley/Skyline drive, Great Falls.

I have traveled the world but there is some awesome stuff on our doorstep.


Travelled the world too and I agree with St Michaels and Harpers Ferry
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 22:24     Subject: Places that blew you away!
I agree dc is great, on a sunny day (of which we have many). Also St michaels/Eastern Shore area, Harpers Ferry, Shenandoah valley/Skyline drive, Great Falls.

I have traveled the world but there is some awesome stuff on our doorstep.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 22:06     Subject: Places that blew you away!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:CONUS:
1. NorCal....Sonoma, Napa, Russian River Valley, Novato, Redwoods
2. Savannah
3. Charleston SC
4. Boston/Salem
5. Shenandoah Valley
6. DC
7. St Augustine FL
8. Hitchcock Woods in Aiken SC

OCONUS:
1. Iceland...esp Golden Circle and Reykjavik
2. Ottawa Canada
3. Jordan...Amman, Madaba, Jerash, Aqabah, Dead Sea, Petra
4. Amazon rainforest in Brazil
5. Tokyo
6. Helsinki

Helsinki blew you away? I mean it’s a cute, quaint little city on the water but I wouldn’t call it awe-inspiring (IMO).


Savanah, Charleston blew you away???!! good grief

Good point. Just realized that DC is on the list too!


DC is actually amazing. Every time I visit an European city and come back to DC, I realize what an amazing city I live in. Sure, we don't have the charming old building and good food on every street, but the landscape is breathtaking. When we were approaching the city from Arlington, my son pointed to the Washington monument, the river, and the greens and said: where do you get these except in DC? I agree with him. And our museums are amazing and free!
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 22:02     Subject: Places that blew you away!
Anonymous wrote:CONUS:
1. NorCal....Sonoma, Napa, Russian River Valley, Novato, Redwoods
2. Savannah
3. Charleston SC
4. Boston/Salem
5. Shenandoah Valley
6. DC
7. St Augustine FL
8. Hitchcock Woods in Aiken SC

OCONUS:
1. Iceland...esp Golden Circle and Reykjavik
2. Ottawa Canada
3. Jordan...Amman, Madaba, Jerash, Aqabah, Dead Sea, Petra
4. Amazon rainforest in Brazil
5. Tokyo
6. Helsinki


Reykjavik is the least interesting town I've ever been.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2025 21:02     Subject: Places that blew you away!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Ocean City
Gatlinburg
Myrtle Beach


Yes and OBX blows too.


OBX is OK. It would rank near OC if it had a Seacrets.