twiggers,

Istanbul with a side trip to Bulgaria or Hungry the 1st week of June. Big trip this year will be Antarctica in November. I would also like to finish out Central America this year.. San Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala if that volcano settles down!

I have been to Vancouver, Toronto,Calagry, BC and Montreal but heard Halifax is a must for C.A.N.A.D.A

Think Haiti would be interesting. Did you go there on a cruise?

Neuman605, I hope to add Bulgaria or Hungry next week. I have been to Turkey before on a cruise but this will be my first time in Istanbul.

DMBTraveler,
I have been very interested in Pacaya. We climbed it in '07. Was an awesome experience, one we will never forget. We climbed over hot steam vents and even melted the soles of our shoes. We were too close then, can't imagine being there now.
We just returned form Ecuador 3 weeks ago and now Tungurahua is acting up too.
Not sure where we our headed this fall, thinking of India, VietNam or New Zealand, depends on airfare.

OMG... I just saw that Arenal is acting up too!! Think I'd better stay away from the volcanoes!

DMB: I'm a bad Canadian....I haven't done the Maritimes yet. I plan to combine that with a trip to Maine/Vermont (2 eastern states I haven't hit yet). My Mom lived in PEI for a year and LOVED it!

Haiti was visited as a cruise stop. Northern Haiti near Cap Haitien. Of course it was a private resort area, so it's not like I really got to experience Haiti. But the little bit I saw was very beautiful. I prefer the mountainous (well, really more like hills) Caribbean islands.

Istanbul is definitely on my list (a friend of mine is here on a visa from Turkey and raves about it).

Ahhh C. America....I want to get Costa Rica & Nicaragua (being a day trip to Costa Rica) before I leave Miami...but I decided to splurge on an Alaskan cruise for next June (combined with land trip beforehand). Panama would be great, but will likely save for a full transit cruise.

I have so many trips planned in my head...and a really flexible work schedule (I'm in academia), it's the money that is the object!

THE BAHAMAS – 700 ISLANDS IN THE SUN

Most visitors first introduction to The Bahamas is at Nassau International Airport where if you are lucky enough you will be welcomed with the sounds of steel drums from a local band. Be careful your hips may start “whining”. Read more at: www.dmbtraveler195.blogspot.com

COUNTRY NO.1

Neuman605, Went to New Zealand last fall, awesome! It was like living in a postcard. Qantas & Air New Zealand offers good fares out of LA. Since you mentioned New Zealand I will start posting my trip there on my blog shortly or you can read my trip report here.

ISRAEL

I am convinced my first impression of Israel would have been better had I flown into Tel Aviv instead a border crossing from Jordan. Read more at: www.dmbtraveler195.blogspot.com

COUNTRY NO.2

twiggers, Maybe you will discover a rich uncle or hit the lotto! I also live in South Florida and it gives easy access to Central America. Like you mentioned, I think most places are better experienced on the ground than by cruise ships although I have done my fair share of cruising. Too bad you don't get to check of that many countries just territories!

I will be visiting Istanbul with a Turkish American that's excited to show me his homeland an experience I am looking forward to.

FRANCE

With an opportunity to visit friends in Europe, I am en route to Paris. I am surprised that it will take almost 10 hours from Atlanta until we are informed by the flight crew that this is because of Eyjafjallajokull, The Volcano still active in Iceland. Read more at: www.dmbtraveler195.blogspot.com

COUNTRY NO.3

NEW ZEALAND

Sunday afternoon, my journey “Down Under” begins in Miami on a full American Airlines flight to Los Angeles. Read more at: www.dmbtraveler195.blogspot.com

COUNTRY NO.4

DMB: Yes, cruising is a great introduction to a place and we use it to determine whether we'd want to return for a full all-inclusive (i.e., we loved Jamaica and hope to return one day). We're also not HUGE beach people and really couldn't imagine doing a 7 day vacation on one island.

Do you do most of your traveling on American?

Tel Aviv: *sigh* I would love to visit the Holy Land area, but my husband is being resistant (worried about violence). Same with places like India, etc. I'm hoping some Europe travel will open up his mind to seeing new places.

twiggers, I think we are on the same line of thinking with respect to cruising and travel.

If I am going to visit 195 Countries, I cannot afford to spend too much time in anyone of them unless I plan to live to 120! 3-4 days on an island is usually enough for me.

I work in the travel industry hence the golden opportunity to see the world at a reasonable price. I have flown a lot on American but I think all airlines are the same for the common traveler. The difference comes when you have the $bucks$ to pay for First or Business class service.

A visit to Israel is a must! The only fear I had there was being on an over crowded local bus. I think independent travel and blending in reduces some risk in countries where safety is a concern. I am often approached like a local or at least not like an American when I travel. I think it is partly because of the way I dress and act which I think adds to my level of safety.

Unfortunately, even parts of Europe are not iimmune to violence but I think travelling anywhere different is mind opening. The more you do it the more comfortable it becomes to stretch your boundaries. Let's hope you will get to Israel!

THanks DMB, I hope I will make it there one day.

I agree with you on cruising. Right now since we live in Miami, it makes sense to cruise to see the Caribbean. Quite a good chunk of the 193/195 are in that region (including C. America). It's also a really economical way to see the world.

twiggers,

Yes Miami is good for cruising. Waiting for a bargain to do "The Exotic Western Carribean". Friends of mine are doing it in September on Princess a more expensive deal than say on NCL or Carnival.

Have you visit japan.
Japan also a beautiful place of world.
If you are not visited japan yet. Make next trip to visit japan.

Mariyamartha,

I have visited Japan but for work only therefore I have only seen Tokyo and Osaka. I did make an attempt to visit Mt. Fuji but missed the last bus. I will blog about my work trips there but I would appreciate some suggestions for a return visit as a tourist which is very possible in the near future.

OK you guys you are making me jealous. I don't get to travel for work and I don't live near either the east or west coast. I live on the NORTH coast, in Ohio, so I have to travel from there first before I get to go over seas. No plans for fall yet but I am doing some serious looking.

Neumman605,

I feel your pain but Ohio ain't all that bad, I once lived in Cleveland. I put my vote in for New Zealand if you want to go from West Coast and Turkey if you want to go from East Coast. If all else fails, we'll just all come visit you in Jan/Feb, peak season in North Ohio

DMBTraveler, Ha Ha, no one wants to come to Ohio in Jan/Feb, including Ohioans! Been to Turkey, tossing around Bali, VietNam or NZ for fall. (PS Noticed you said you lived in CLE ONCE!)