TOM WARD

IN 2001 I AM PLANNING A 2 1/2 WEEK VACATION DURING THE YEAR OF MY 50th BIRTHDAY. I AM LOOKING FOR TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS. I LIVE IN THE U.S. (DETROIT) AND AM PLANNING AN INTERNATIONAL TRIP. WHILE I AM NOT WEALTHY, I HAVE SAVED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT FOR THIS TRIP. I AM LOOKING FOR SPECTACULAR SCENERY AND/OR HISTORY. WHILE I REALIZE THERE IS NOPLACE THAT IS UNTOUCHED BY TOURISTS I AM LOOKING FOR SOMETHING BEYOND THE USUAL ALASKA, HAWAII, MEXICO OR CRUISE TRIP. SOME OF THE LOCATIONS I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT ARE: NORWAY, EGYPT, NEW ZEALAND, PERU/EQUADOR OR ARGENTINA. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Dennis

<BR>I lived for 2 years in Thailand and would recommend this country for its diversity.

howard

Hi Tom.Great minds think alike. My sweetie suggested a big party for my 50th, and I told her a better plan was to leave the country! <BR>With that in mind, I checked the calendar, and by amazing coincidence, there was a full moon scheduled for my birthday. Well, that made it obvios. I would see in the occasion by being smack dab in the middle of the ruins at Macchu Picchu. <BR>Not enough space to put all the superlatives. What an amazing place!! Stunning--whether you're into scenery, excitement, spiritual, awesome, you name it. <BR>Two major things:you absolutely, positively must stay at the hotel at the top of the mountain. You can then access the ruins before and after the swarms of tourists on their day trips. And, to top it all off, when you get there, you can request a night pass!! They let you in at about 10 at night, and then lock the entrance behind you. Walking around their at night will definitely make sure that you will never ever forget exactly where you where when you began the next stage of life, that is, late youth. <BR>An add on to totally make it complete is to hop a plane down to Patagonia. We did Torres del Paine National Park in Southern Chile, and I'm not sure iuf we've recovefred yet from the magnificence of it all. <BR>Happy Birthday!

mexicodan

Mexico's Villa Montana Adventure Outpost! www.choice1.com/villamontana.htm <BR> <BR>adios! <BR> <BR>[email protected]

lisa

I highly recommend Costa Rica for spectacular scenery. The most amazing place I've ever been that is still relatively untouched by tourists is the Osa Peninsula. Go to the website www.laparios.com. It is like paradise with tropical plants, waterfalls, unspoiled beaches, and exotic wildlife such as scarlet macaws, toucans, 4 kinds of monkeys, etc. etc. It is pricey but worth every penny -- the food is fantastic, and the accommodations and staff are absolutely wonderful.

brian

To Every World Traveler. <BR> <BR>If you are ever in Buenos Aires, Argentina and looking for the perfect place <BR>to stay, I have the place for you. I spent a week in Argentina and stayed <BR>at the Malbia House. My stay there was wonderful. Maria Bautista and her <BR>staff are the best. They are very helpful and very service oriented. <BR> <BR>Malbia House is very clean without the BIG Hotel feel. The rooms give you a <BR>place to relax with all the personal attention you may need. So if you are <BR>looking and want to see before you go visit their webb site at <BR> . When you go just tell Maria and Pablo that Brian Cuff sent you <BR>from Eugene Oregon. <BR> <BR> <BR> Brian Cuff - Eugene Oregon <BR>

Mónica

Argentina is perfect for a 2 1/2 week vacation. The best time to come is March (early Autumn) or October(mid Spring). The weather at this time is mild to warm. It is ideal to visit the impressive Iguazu falls in the NE region in the middle of the rainforest, the northern region like Salta or Jujuy which are Spanish colonial provinces with excellent wine and Spanish creole food. In the South the Patagonia is my favourite, with Bariloche and San Martin de los Andes (more exclusive) ski resorts (no snow in Spring or Fall), the Perito Moreno Glacier one of the biggest living glaciers in the world is amazing, nothing compares to its glorious beauty (you can do trekking on it if you are brave enough) and finally Ushuaia, the southernmost city of the world, further than this only Antartica... Ushuaia is a small charming town where you may see snow in spring, and lovely foliage colours in autumn, do sail rides, fishing and eat delicious Patagonian trout. <BR>Buenos Aires also deserves 4 to 5 days at least. It's a cosmopolitan city, a mixture of European capitals like Madrid, Paris, London... and also with a touch of New York madness. Lots of sightseeing, excellent restaurants, wonderful museums, theatres, Opera, ballet, tango shows, sport events and much more. The only thing is that not everybody speaks English (taxi-drivers, waiters, bus-drivers usually don't.) <BR>Anyway, come to Argentina, it will be an exciting experience for your 50th anniversary. You won't regret. <BR>If you need futher advice , just let me know. I am a local. Have fun! <BR>Mónica <BR>PS:Websites to look at www.todo-patagonia.com, www.sietelagos.com.

Nan

Tom, <BR> <BR>Great idea. I am always looking for places that are not your typical tourist traps. Two of my favorites have been in Latin America. <BR> <BR>The Galapagos is a must. Spend a day or two in Quito, Equador with a personal guide, followed by several days on a yacht traveling from island to island. Choose a small vessel (10 - 16 passengers is ideal) and get to know several other travelers from all over the world. See blue footed boobies, pelicans, frigate birds, and iguanas by the thousands! Swim with sea-lions and hammerhead sharks (but don't be afraid! There are no human predators in the Galapagos so the animals/mammals/fish are not afraid or aggressive) Travel on the yacht at night and wake up with a new vista every morning (the best part as far as I was concerned!) It was a fantastic trip... one that I would not do again for fear that I would disappointed the second time around - because it was just that perfect! <BR> <BR>Another great trip was to Belize in Central America. Try an 'aventure trip' (not too rigorous for a 50 year old!) and stay in jungle camps througout Belize. Raft, bike, and hike to areas where you will see undisturbed, ancient pottery in caves, kayak through beautiful underwater caves, etc. There is no obligation to participate in events in which you have no interest. I opted not to go on the rafting trip and instead was taken on a personal tour by our van driver to the butterfly jungle, the rainforest medicine trail and to a wonderful local restaurant on the border of Guatamala. (As it turns out, our spontaneous day was a much better adventure than the rafters had!) After your mildly strenuous adventure on the mainland, spend 3-4 glorious days on a private island where you will stay in stilt huts on the water and enjoys days of kayaking, fishing, sailboarding, snorkeling, whatever! It was another wonderful trip. This particular one was sponsored by Slickrock Adventures. Check them out on the internet if you want to learn more. <BR> <BR>We hope you'll report back after your trip! I will be at Macchu Pichu on my birthday in May, followed by a few days at a jungle camp down the Amazon. After traveling the world, I seem to gravitate to Latin America because I've had so many great times down there. I've also been to Mexico, Guyaquil and Costa Rica, but the two mentioned above take the cake! <BR> <BR>Nan

dnorrie

I have travelled throughout most of Mexico and Central America and also parts of south america, Australia, and New Zealand. Definately loved New Zealand. I guess it depends on what you want. New Zealand or Australia would not offer a great difference from North America in terms of culture but they are so beautiful and clean and language is no problem. Also, the exchange rate is very good for both Aus. and NZ right now so you would probably be able to travel farther and stay in better accomodation for much less than other areas that are closer to the US. New Zealanders are the nicest people - they go the extra mile and the scenery is exceptional. They have many web pages - look them up.