You and David have the same Mom? How confusing. You did say "our Mom".

At least you admit the non-completion of your trip report. beth just inquired yesterday. We don't want to move into Ekscrunchyland.

Well, I'm an Indiaphile and would recommend India, but India is an order of magnitude above any place you've ever traveled in terms of difficulty. About a week into our trip to India last fall, MP turned to me and said, "I feel like I am in a place completely different than anywhere I've ever been." If that's what you're seeking, India will give it to you in spades. If not, make other plans.

How about Hong Kong?

We are headed to India for 34 days next March and April. You can have a customized private experience with various budgets, not necessarily deluxe ones. Find a good Indian travel agency like Indian Moments or Indian Panorama and tell them what your time frame, interests and budget is. They will work with you. Bye the way, I just read a posting from a person, who saw tigers after the ban was announced. If you are interested in tigers, I would go to Kanha, Bandhavgarh or Pench (maybe a leopard). The drier the time of year, the more animals congregate at waterholes (easier to see).

Another place in the world, that's really fascinating, relatively safe and with good drinking water, great game and incredible landscapes is Namibia. We were just there in January and loved it.

Whatever you do, enjoy life!!!!

I only wish that I could compare all the places on your list, but sadly, haven't been to all of them.

I just wanted to put in a good word for Morocco. It's got spots that think are overly done and offputting (depending on how you see things, of course). I found Marrakesh interesting, but ultimately not what we were looking for. Too focused on extracting the dirham at every corner, I thought.

And Essaouira is beautiful and relaxing, but also chock a block with Europeans mixed with the local culture. I've read it described as "Morocco lite" and I think I agree. But we'd placed it as our first real stop, and so it served as a toe in the water.

It turned out to be one of our favorite trips overall, maybe 2nd after Cambodia, and we'd like to go back someday. But we feel we've been there, done that with Marrakesh. Have little interest in Tangier and avoided it. I can't wait to go back to Fez and immerse in that mysterious medina again. And to get back to the out of the way places, like the Atlas mountain areas of Azrou for the markets and the eastern side canyons like the Dades Gorge for scenery and kasbahs. Oh, btw - we drove ourselves, which isn't such a crazy proposition as it would be for a westerner in some of Asia.

Morocco gets my vote. Was and still is my favorite trip to date. I echo all Clifton & Jgg have said.

Just got back (last night) from Morocco, we had a fantastic time and can't wait to go back. We finished our stay at Kasbah Tamadot which is about 1 hour outside Marrakech. This hotel is simply heaven on earth..... We will look to incorporate Fez and Casablanca next time. Driving is ok (although driving into Marrakech was busy but do-able)

Planning the next trip before you write your trip report. There are special penalties for that, you know!

A few reactions... I was in Morocco in oh, about 1995 and had a really wonderful time. We had a car and driver for two weeks and covered a lot of ground. We stayed at some wonderful places, one a tiny auberge at a small oasis in the desert.

Also consider Jordan - not only Petra which is incredible, but also Jerash and the areas around Amman.

We researched Bhutan extensively before deciding not to go a few years back. For me, one of the issues was the constant guide, another was the rebuilding of all things old so that all the old buildings, are, in fact, new. I felt like the reason to go there - the culture unchanged for so long - was perhaps a misnomer.

As you know, we're headed on our first India trip this year, to Sikkim and Darjeeling. Here we'll get a goodly sample of Tibetan Buddhism, the Himalayas, and stays in heritage properties. I can imagine it will be the kind of trip you and David would enjoy.

We're getting a 10 year visa for India. I've decided our trick will be to bite off small chunks of India each time so as to fully enjoy it and not get over extended.

BTW, did you see this recent trip report? It sounds great, though very expensive.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rip-report.cfm

Well I think we have a winner folks.

We're going to Japan in April 2011!

To clarify, "our Mom" is, indeed, our Mom. Perhaps David's by birth, but after so many years of being together it's all his is mine/mine is his...and I've certainly been yelled at enough like I'm related by blood, so doesn't that count? Sorry for any confusion. To make things even more interesting, we pitched the ideas at Mother's Day dinner last night and it was a clear-cut choice. Not only was she over-excited about Japan (I'm sure she's already shopping in her head!) but so was my father-in-law (who swore he didn't want to take any trips next year)...so much so that both of them are joining us now. The more, the merrier, I say.

I think I definitely need to get a guide and start reading up. This is definitely one I'm going to be able to dig my hands into and really spend some time figuring out.

We will most likely go for (great guess, BTW) the dates HT mentioned (Apr 8 to 24th.) Thinking ahead about our tix: either ANA or UA business--any suggestions? I like the look of the UA lie-flats, but I hate UA service for the most part. ANA probably has MUCH better service, but may not be as comfy. More importantly, I need to start thinking about the places that interest us. God, I'm sure the list will be much longer than we could ever do in 16 days. Things I think I want to see: Tokyo, Kyoto (or somewhere in that area), ryokans, onsens, forests, temples, gardens, anything "old world" Japan (even though geishas don't really exist anymore, I have that image of red bridges and cobblestone streets--does this exist anywhere in Japan anymore?)...I AM SO EXCITE JUST TYPING THIS!

Looking forward to getting started, and YES, that trip report is coming!

Great! I'm sure it will b a wonderful trip! Just follow HT's suggestions. That's what we plan to do when we finally make it to Japan!

I got ahead of myself: I should've included a big thank you to you all for all the great suggestions...as well as your fevered passion and pleas for the places that most

It just give me more places to add to the 'to-see list.'

HT, you and me need to talk! :)

Congrats on choosing Japan!! I just wanted to point out a website that really helped with my upcoming itinerary - it's a personal blog with wonderful pictures and very detailed descriptions and reviews. He and his wife did 8 days in Tokyo and 15 days in Central Honshu so this may help give you some (or too many, in my case) ideas... http://paulstravelpics.blogspot.com/

Color me green with envy. I was hoping we could go this summer but it is not to be. Hopefully next year. Who knows? Maybe we'll go for D's Spring Break which happens to be the week prior to April 24th. :-)

A night in a good Ryokan is a must!!!!!

Just a minor point. Is it true that that sonehow your father-in-law is married to your mom? You are aware that geneological charts use lines rather than circles to delineate relationships.

Japan sounds great. I'm hoping I can convince the LSB to go there.

Great choice - we look forward to going to Japan some day. ANA versus UAL is a tough decision - service on our last flight to Narita (from O'Hare) in biz on UAL wasn't bad. Service on ANA is fantastic (flew them 2 years ago). But...I prefer the totally lie-flat seats on UAL versus the angled seats on ANA - really does make a difference. Bottom line though will probably be availability - do you need 4 tix?

Trip report????We leave in 5 days...We need your insight. Any finds in Ubud?

Fantastic choice! I think you are going to love this journey from the planning stage to the finish.

Good idea to get a few good guide books like the Fodor's Japan 2010 along with some good websites like the indispensable http://www.japan-guide.com/ and come up with a itinerary that will match your persona's.

A myriad of ideas and places are popping through my head right now but am more interested on what "you all" want to, or more importantly, expect to see and do.

BTW the dates I picked were based on the "cusp" qualities you had hinted at and also with the all important weather predictions which will involve a later than this years blooming of the cherry blossoms which is what all my signs are pointing to right now. I'll know more after the next set of readings 6/2. Right now I have Tokyo on a 4/28 opening bloom which would put you there right at the end of peak, which is only my prediction and a early one at that. As you may know all weather agencies won't even make a prediction till Jan but who can wait till then when advance travel planning is involved,lol.

Japan is now your oyster, lets see if we can get you to experience the pearl while your there.

Aloha!

You'll see geishas in training(maiko?) in Kyoto-they were walking around various areas of the city when I was there in Feb. Takayama and Nara felt like "old" Japan and you must experience the bullet train.

Also, service on ANA was great, seats, not so great.