"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.