Anonymous
Post 08/29/2025 09:51     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:We did a road trip starting in the Chicago area. We drove in one day about 12 hours to the Badlands National Park. We stopped about every two hours to stretch legs and we got there by dinner. Kids loved Badlands National Park because they could climb all over the formations. We did some trails and they did climbing. We stayed two nights at a motel one minute outside the park.

From there we saw Wall Drug and went to Custer state park. We stayed at a cabin in the park at a lake so we could walk to it. Since we were inside the park we could drive the wildlife loop at different times of the day and saw lots of wildlife. Hiking, scenic drive.


Then we drove to North Dakota to see Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It looked different than the Badlands of the south. Gorgeous. Nice trails and less crowded. Went to the Medora musical.

It was a budget friendly trip. Before we left I made breakfasts and lunches to bring with us and we stopped at a grocery store twice to restock. 11 days. $4400. Includes all gas, pet sitter, food, tickets, etc…


My people would revolt with that mich driving!
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2025 09:50     Subject: Re:Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Can South Africa poster please come back and share more details! Your trip is exactly what I want to do.

Main questions for any of you-which private reserve in Krueger?

Thank you!
Anonymous
Post 08/28/2025 21:34     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
We did a road trip starting in the Chicago area. We drove in one day about 12 hours to the Badlands National Park. We stopped about every two hours to stretch legs and we got there by dinner. Kids loved Badlands National Park because they could climb all over the formations. We did some trails and they did climbing. We stayed two nights at a motel one minute outside the park.

From there we saw Wall Drug and went to Custer state park. We stayed at a cabin in the park at a lake so we could walk to it. Since we were inside the park we could drive the wildlife loop at different times of the day and saw lots of wildlife. Hiking, scenic drive.


Then we drove to North Dakota to see Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It looked different than the Badlands of the south. Gorgeous. Nice trails and less crowded. Went to the Medora musical.

It was a budget friendly trip. Before we left I made breakfasts and lunches to bring with us and we stopped at a grocery store twice to restock. 11 days. $4400. Includes all gas, pet sitter, food, tickets, etc…
Anonymous
Post 08/28/2025 21:11     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Hiked in the Dolomites, explored a bit of northern Italy (Venice, feltre Trieste) popped through Slovenia and ended with a few days in northern Croatia (mainly Rijeka and Krk). Was wonderful! We flew direct Dulles-Venice on miles and rented a car, it was all quite easy. I would love to return to tre Dolomites for more hiking.
Anonymous
Post 08/28/2025 16:32     Subject: Re:Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Banff/Jasper National Parks in Alberta Canada. Amazing!
Anonymous
Post 08/28/2025 11:54     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Spent 3 weeks exploring the Cook Islands and French Polynesia in the South Pacific with our 11 and 13 year old. Absolute heaven!!
Anonymous
Post 08/28/2025 06:26     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:Buenos Aires for 10 days in June, 5th time and my favorite city in theworld; Asuncion, Paraguay in July for a week—-not really worth a visit. BA is beautiful, great food and so walkable.


How was the weather in June in BA?
Anonymous
Post 08/28/2025 04:33     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Galapagos! Best trip we have ever taken. About $15k for three people for a week. We went on a mid range 16 person boat and it was great.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 17:37     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Buenos Aires for 10 days in June, 5th time and my favorite city in theworld; Asuncion, Paraguay in July for a week—-not really worth a visit. BA is beautiful, great food and so walkable.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 17:30     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Yellowstone and Grand Teton, multi-generational trip (13 to 72), end of June--it was amazing. My mom is able to walk a mile, and that worked out great. The popular areas in both parks are more flat walks than hiking.

Beautiful scenery, tons of baby animals, geysers and hot springs, and lots of wildflowers were highlights.

Stays in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge in Yellowstone and the Cowboy Village Resort in Jackson were very comfortable.

We also did an hour long guided horseback ride, the Jackson Rodeo, and Astoria Hot Springs--all fantastic.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 13:01     Subject: Re:Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Took my family (me, husband, 18 yo and 20 yo) to Italy. First time there for all of us. We stuck to northern-ish Italy and went in early June and succeeded in not being overwhelmed by crowds or heat. It was absolutely wonderful. I was worried that after 50+ years of hearing how amazing Italy is, it wouldn't live up to expectations, but it completely exceeded them.


So great to hear! Did you DIY the trip or use an agent?


We DIY'd it. We definitely spent more time planning this trip than I think we ever have on any vacation. But it was 100% worth it!


I would love to see your itinerary. We went to Rome and Pompeii a couple of years ago and I’d love to go back and see northern Italy. Thanks!
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 13:00     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:would love to see more costs here (or use of points, etc).


I posted details in my trip to Spain this summer in the thread asking about costs for Europe. About 75% of it was airfare as I lack the gene that enables me to find those super cheap flights to Europe.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 12:54     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
2 adults + 9 yo - Romania - we LOVED it. Did a road trip through Transylvania, 6 days total (we were coming from another european country where we visited family). Flew there on points so maybe $600 total for 3 tickets in fees, hotels were $100 a day, car $200 maybe for a week, meals - from 30-100 per day for all of us. Sometimes we cooked at home, sometimes we went out.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 12:29     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:Copenhagen. Totally loved it.


What did you do there? Any kids? Thx!
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 12:19     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
We did a Pacific Northwest 10 day trip as part of some college tours and then time on the coast of Oregon. It was all beautiful, the weather was fantastic and we were overall impressed. Kids had a great time- really hoping one kid chooses the Pacific Northwest because I would like to eventually move out there.