May we assume you have never travelled outside the United States?

I realized my dream when we went to Ireland 2 years ago. It was even better than I thought it would be.

My new dream is now flying to Greece & cruising the Greek Isles, spending some extra time in Santorini.

I havent done it, but my "do it before I die" trip would be to Africa. I would like to see the Pyramids and go on a Safari. And while Im dreaming, make it a luxury safari! The kind where they cook you gourmet meals at the end of the day and take you out on private guided sight-seeing.

We sort of considered Africa once in a lifetime, because it was such a doggone long trip. (19 hr flight) That I don't enjoy. However, I think we'll go back, but fly from Europe instead. Africa is just amazing.

Wondering Nymph, what is it with you and the Sea Mountain Inn? You've offered it up in no fewer than 3 posts in as many days, do you own it?

I did finally look at the site, and it looks like an ad for soft porn, hardly my idea of the MOST ULTIMATE travel place that shouldn't be missed in one's lifetime. If you are affiliated with the Sea Mountain Inn, could you suggest the use of spell check for whomever created the website. It's spelled "discreet" not "discrete".

Back to your regularly scheduled programming...

I've done a lot of the above once in a lifetime trips, my favorites are Amalfi coast and Hawaii (Big Island, renting a bungalow at Mauna Lani).

For my ultimate trip, I'm not sure, but I'm interested in other people's responses. I'm trying to come up with something very special for our 25th wedding anniversary and son's graduation...I'm trying to think of an awesome family trip, so keep the ideas coming!

Linda, I have been thinking of a luxury safari...I did a 22 hour flight to Phuket Thailand, it was awful, but it might be worth it for such a cool experience.

Come to think of it, the Phi Phi islands were pretty amazing, definitely the most exotic locale I've ever visited, just gorgeous.

Nina---good call on the Wandering Nymph post. I saw that and just thought she had a very impoverished imagination to consider a Palm Springs spa weekend the "trip of a lifetime." Now I see from the other posts that it's clearly an ad.

As for your upcoming "awesome family trip"---what do you and your family like to do together? Someplace overseas or in the U.S.? A 25th anniversay + son's graduation is definitely worthy of major celebration.

Notice all the replies that include Africa (It's a big continent). I've been fortunate enough to visit and enjoy many of the places in the world your respondants mention and I won't try to impress you by listing them. The # 1 most ultimate for me was a 3+ week safari trip to Kenya and Tanzania - largely animal watching. Each day brought once in a lifetime experiences that I'd love to repeat. How about finding yourself at sunset in the very center of a herd of elephants stretching as far as you can see in every direction - like many other things you'll see, awsome, beautiful and leaving you with a lump in your throat you'll never forget.

Enzian, Did you look at that site? It's actually very funny, there isn't a single photo of the accomodations, only photos of barely clothed women, too funny! I'll be sure and put that inn at the top of my lists of places to see before I die. Oh wait a second, I've been to Palm Springs, I guess I just forgot. ;)

Anyway, as far as things our family likes to do, I love the ocean, we love wine, skiing, cycling, architecture, charm, good food and natural beauty. I don't know how you could get all of that in one destination but a few of them would be nice!

Oh Nina, go to Africa!!!! Just South Africa alone has incredible food, accomodation, wineries, hiking and more and the cost is SO cheap compared to other places!

oh, shoot I just saw the Sea Mountain Inn and realized I've just been so sheltered all my life! What an elegant spot that must be. All those lovely misspellings on the website made it seem so top notch as well! ;-)

I know Linda, we should go to Africa. Ever since my youngest was small, he's been begging to go to the Serengeti. Why couldn't he just want to go to Disneyworld like the other kids?

ROFLMAO....and those tin lockers, so much more practical than the nice wooden ones you find at most spas....