Where to Go?
 

For those unfamiliar, DH and I lived in Austria for seven years, and now he and I are planning our first true holiday since we returned stateside in 2019.

All variables removed (resources; time away from the office, dog sitter costs; weather; and so forth) we've narrowed our decision to two itineraries that would be brand new to both of us. We love both options and are having trouble deciding.

The options:

A SIX DAY (including flying time) domestic driving tour around a couple of specific places in the American West at an estimated cost of X.

OR

A NINE DAY (including flying time) overseas self-guided tour of 2 capital cities in closely connected foreign countries at an estimated cost of X plus ~$1200.

How would you lean, and why?

Not nearly enough info to make any sort of useful recommendation. Even for a hypothetical. But just quick -- a six day road trip when most of two days is spent commuting from the east coast to the west and back so really only 4+ days on the ground doesn't make much sense to me. But of course - which two "couple of specific places " would make a HUGE difference. Tuscon and Phoenix -- sure. LA and San Diego, maybe. Vegas and Zion - great. San Francisco and Yellowstone -- not a prayer. Give us something to work with here.

Fair enough, though I still won't disclose the destinations. We've been to some "best" places (some weren't) and some "don't bother" (to where we've returned). Travel beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Both options are open jaw. The drive time between arrival/departure cities (not the main focus) for the domestic option is ~5 hours, so even with 4 days we could see and do and eat all that interests us.

For the international option, the flight time between the two capitals is ~1.5 hours, giving us a good 3 days in each city to also see and do and eat all that interests us.

The question is really more the domestic "short and simple" versus the international "longer and more in-depth."

though I still won't disclose the destinations.

Then really we can't help. How can you expect input without saying where you are thinking of going?

What and where do you mean by the "American West"? I grew up in California and now live in Washington state with family in Oregon. But I have no idea what the "American West" is. Can you even narrow it down a little bit? Like naming states, if you won't say more specifically.

Regardless I vote for option B because I hate road trips and driving. But again what "2 capital cities" and where "overseas"?

Depending where you are located (which I don't know where you are starting from) "overseas" could mean going to South or Central America. Europe or Asia or South Pacific. Without know which two country capitals you are talking about, impossible to say.

Again without disclosing even a hint at your wish list, we can't really help.

There is nothing "short and simple" about trying to see the "American West" in only four days. And there is nothing "in depth" about spending only three days in "capital cities" on some continent yet named.

Will be interested to see if anyone else can guess these mystery clues!! :-)

If I were in your shoes, I’d lean toward the overseas option, because sometimes the extra time and cost really do translate into a more transformative experience. When I first traveled to Morocco, I faced the same dilemma, do I keep it simple and close to home, or do I stretch myself with something further away? Choosing Morocco was worth every bit of extra planning and money.

Exploring places like Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, and Marrakech gave me not just new sights, but a reset in pace and perspective. The mix of history, colorful markets, and warm hospitality made me feel like I was living in a completely different rhythm of life. Even simple things, like drinking mint tea on a rooftop or wandering through the medinas, felt unforgettable in a way a shorter domestic trip never quite matched.

In your case, I’d say that if you’ve already lived abroad and enjoy immersing yourself in new cultures, the nine-day overseas trip could yield a richer payoff. The American West is beautiful and always there, but leaping into something further away, like I did with Morocco, might just become the trip you remember for the rest of your life.

How long is a piece of string?

I would still really like to know where is the "American West".

OK curiosity got the better of me. Seems the "American West" includes 13 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

You get it! :blush: The specific destinations are not necessarily germane; the two options both just happen to be enticing.

I'd choose "overseas" but that's because I HATE road trips and long drives in the car. But of course what I'd prefer doesn't matter for you.

Exactly, sometimes it’s less about the exact destinations and more about the kind of memories you want to create. That’s why I mentioned Morocco, it’s a place where highlights like Chefchaouen, the Sahara, or Marrakech really shape the whole journey. Both your options sound amazing, so you honestly can’t go wrong.

And that is why naming destinations is not relevant. I absolutely love, love, love my vehicle, but not so much the road trip, especially with a rental car. The domestic option's longest drive time is 5 hours, so even if we go with that option I will be looking for places to stop.

Well 5 hours is not a long drive. I'm surprised you can see the "American West" in only four days without more road time.

The 2 European cities I can get my head around -- easy peasy to pick just about any city pair and make that a doable trip. Trains and/or planes will connect any major cities.

But I'm sorry, the 'out west' option is just far FAR too nebulous to even make a recommendation. If you aren't able to provide more info no one can give you any useful advice re your 'out west' idea. Not only the where but the when. Time of year can make a huge difference where it is easy / practical to drive 'out west'

BTW domestic isn't necessarily shorter/simpler than international. Again -- everything depends on the actual 'where'.

If this is more a mind exercise, that's fine. Anyone can play along. But if you want actual/real life advice you need to ask legitimate questions.

For goodness sakes, please take time to read my initial post. I referenced a couple of specific places, not the "American West" in total.

DH and I have decided on the international trip. Stay tuned.

You get it! :love: This is entirely a mind exercise, and not a StuDudley coordinated-to-the-minute holiday recommendation ask!

The destinations for both options do not matter. All of our travel variables have been struck from consideration, but for the extra $1200, a cost that is in the noise in this plan. I'm not seeking advice. I am simply asking, "Which option would you choose?"

DH and I have chosen the international option. Stay tuned.

Oh OK only a "mind exercise"... and you aren't "seeking advice". Then why post on a forum if you aren't seeking input? I'm confused.

Yes, it was a mind exercise (short and simple versus longer but more in depth).

I sought advice, and meryjane's thoughtful consideration absent wanting to know our destinations tilted us in favor of the international option. In addition, so did our children when given the same misty-lens options; they know our love of travel adventures and nudged us toward the international option.

Note your calendar to check the Asia forum in about a year for our TR. ;)

I apologize for not following along with the stream of thought or why it would matter to you what strangers say when we don't even know what you are talking about.

And "oversees" means Asia? Who knew? Silly me would have thought you were asking about capital cities in Europe.

"Silly me would have thought you were asking about capital cities in Europe."

The Atlantic is no more a "sea" than is the Pacific. "Overseas" is a colloquial term.

Of course. But since you refused to clarify anything about your post except to say it is only a "mind exercise" (i.e., guessing game, not a real question)... And of course anywhere on earth is "overseas" from somewhere.

After three months of research...we've decided on Peru. Specifically, Machu Picchu with a side of Lima. Not a destination in our original consideration, yet here we are!

Finally, a destination! Still thinking 9 days? That's too much for just Lima & MP.

Finally, a destination!

I know, right? This was so much easier when we lived overseas and just followed our children on their academic and extracurricular outings to here, there, and everywhere.:lol:

Haven't yet set the days; I'm barely into the Moon Guide to Machu Picchu. We're also trying to schedule milestone birthday celebrations with each of our children. DH and DD are going to drive/wander the Olympics in Washington State (where she is a grad student); and DS and I are going to eat all the good food in Mexico City while admiring the architecture.

Traveling is back for us, and that is the important part.

I think 9 days is pretty good for Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco. Especially if that includes your travel from/to the US.

You could fly in to Lima, spend 2 or 3 days/nights, fly to Cusco and head directly to Sacred Valley for 2 or 3 nights, then Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes one night, a couple of nights in Cusco, fly home with a connection in Lima. My first trip to Peru was similar to that.

DH and DD plan to wander trails in Olympic National Park, and not scale the entire range. At least not that I'm aware of. ;)

Welp. An unexpected happened.

Peru is out. Uzbekistan is in.

Flights are booked and the itinerary is being sorted out.

Wow. Still nine days?

We've stretched to 11 days to account for the longer travel; the IAD-IST-TAS flight time is about 24 hours.

If possible, can you post a trip report when you return? I visited Uzbekistan long ago when it still part of the USSR, and would love to see something current.

There will be a trip report, indeed. We also have friends who were part of the early U.S. consulate of the 1990's, and they, too, are quite interested in how things have changed.

Looking forward to seeing your report. I may have missed when you’re going, but maybe the report will come out before September which is when I’m scheduled to go. Will be keeping an eye out!

Post #29 says: Peru is out. Uzbekistan is in.

Our paths may overlap. We're traveling in late September.