Clifton

I swear, I just found myself trying to figure out "if we do this trip in late '07, but we said we do this other one soon... that means the one I'm thinking about now could be in 2010??"

How's that for silliness?

Just wanted to say that we did just come back from Morocco. Didn't use a guide, drove ourselves part of the way. Wonderful, exotic country and we loved it. Snake charmers, ancient souks, camel rides in deserts, seeing live sheep tied to the top of a Fiat Uno taxi.

Stayed in a 300 year old mud kasbah in the mountains, surrounded by palm trees and dozen more kasbahs in view. Stayed in an imposing 600 year old Islamic styled mansion on the heart of the ancient medina of Fez (100euro for a massive suite with 10 foot ceilings, carved doors and a terrace overlooking the entire city where you could hear the call to prayer swirling around you from a half dozen minarets each night at dusk)

Anyway.... despite all that enthusiasm, if you're looking to unwind with a low pressure vacation because Japan seems like it's going to be intense -- I advise you schedule Morocco for a later trip. Morocco is intense itself and I doubt few would disagree. Fascinating, entertaining. But until you get out into the country, you probably won't relax. Even then, people appear out of NOWHERE to sell you a bracelet or a rock or something.

I swear, I pulled off on a little turnout along side a gorge (Dades) overlooking a village below. Sheer rock on the opposite side of this little 2 lane road. There's a drop off next to the car on the passenger side. I can see the curving road clearly in either direction for some distance. So I step out to take a few pics of this gorgeous place, just a few steps in front of the car while my wife waited and checked the map. So I turn around and there is a man standing next to the car, leaning in the passenger side less than a minute later. He's already halfway through a sales pitch for the silver bracelets they make. I still have no idea where that man came from!! That pretty much defines Morocco in a nutshell for me.

enzian

Tracy---the bakeries in Japan are amazing, and totally unexpected. Nobody warned us! The ones we found were self-serve; you pick up a tray and go around with tongs to pick up what you want. They had perfect Danish pastry, croissants, pizza by the slice, etc., plus some uniquely Japanese things. There was a kind of slightly sweet, white bread by the loaf that my son loved. And one that was formed in a half-round that had a light texture like lady fingers.

As for Switzerland---if you want to hike, May is a bit early. June will still be quite uncrowded. We are going in late June this time, instead of August, and I'm a bit worried about the high elevation hiking, but it was a low snow year, so we should be fine. Plus, June is supposed to be best for wildflowers.

The main season, in terms of crowds and high prices, is the last 3 weeks of July and all of August. But even then, there are some wonderful places to go that are very uncrowded, because they are not promoted like Grindelwald, etc.

hottieg747

I've always wanted to go to Brazil, but heard it was a dangerous city with lots of crime. What were your experiences?

tomassocroccante

tAking my sister to Italy in 09. HOping that 08 will take me to Buenos Aires, where friends bought and renovated an apartment last year. (They expect to rent/swap it with an agency in time.) I would love to see it, the city, the people. Definitely high on my list.
You've got me thinking of it again ...

phieaglefan

Tracy,

Our trip to Italy is in 2 weeks, and I recently realized that I have no future trips planned yet. YIKES! I am enjoying reading all of the responses you're getting. Possible ideas for the future.

By the way, I don't do the seafood thing either--I'd love to hear how it goes in Japan.
H

tripgirl

To answer the questions about Argentina:

Yes, Mendoza offers stays with the full wine experience. I also must add one of your days out from BA can include a day at an estancia; a true ranch complete with riding and authentic BBQ.

Yes, it is winter when it is summer here, so if you can visit BA in either Nov, Dec or Late March or April or even May, better. June, July and Aug it can get cold, but not of the freeze to the bone type of cold.

In so far as safety in Brazil, like any place, watch yourself. Alot of the crime in Rio for example occurs in the favelas, the neighborhoods high in the hills. But you stil have to be careful and have your wits. We did not have any problems.

Tracy; The reason I am high in Argentina for you is that, go when the exchange rate is still what it is! No one has a crystal ball to the future economics of the country, but you never know: it could become 1:1 again and then the fun of having your money go SO far is gone. Still a great country even without the bargains, but boy oh boy its just so much fun for the old greenback right now!!And why not try it now while the exhange rate on euro is a bit poor( not saying that will improve either).

If you want to begin your research on it, here are a few tips.

First, the Trip Advisor forum on Buenos Aires is very active; excellent tips.

For here when you go to the Latin American board the tips are great too. However, there are several posters I would look up:

Drdawwgy: A professor who takes sudents there each year

avrooster: a local with a wealth of knowledge

Scarlett; you might know her from the Europe board; she is from Portland, Ore and just moved to BA. In fact she arrived the day we arrived in the city. She is gaining fast knowledge of the city

saltshaker: an American who runs a very successful website on dining out in BA. He also hosts dinner at his home in BA. A wealth of knowledge.

Raquel and Graziella are also very knowledgeable.


For 2 weeks you could do something like:

6-7 nights in BA, with a side trip to either Colonia Uruguay or take in an estancia
2 nights in the Falls
3-4 nights in Mendoza

Argentinian wines are HOT right now. The Malbecs are just to die for! Just a nice change! The beef is the best you will have, period!!( kobe is fabulous in Japan, but oh the price you'll pay for it) The ice cream is better than in Italy ( and that's a tough one for me to say!)

Anyway, just some thoughts......

If you want even more info feel free to e mail me. Just let me know and I will give you my e mail.