highflyer

I'd also love to do this; well who wouldn't...
I think going for the further destinations first is a good idea and you should definitely write a blog to inspire the rest of us!

Parrothead

My husband I (both early 50's) have done alot of travelling the past 10 years. We did an around the world when he retired 2 years ago, I'll never forget the experience. I like your idea of a couple of 3 month trips per year. My suggestions for 3 month itineraries are:

**Scandanavia-do Norway and Denmark by car, then take a train into Sweden and Finland. Perhaps add the Balkans and St. Petersburg & Moscow.

**Argentina and Chile-add Patagonia and perhaps a 3 day cruise into Anarctica

**New Zealand/Australia-Do 2 weeks North Island, 1 month South Island and 1 month in Australia. Add Fiji on the way home if possible.

**Orient-Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia for 1 month, Hong Kong/China for 3 weeks, Japan for 3 weeks, add on Viet Nam and Cambodia if possible

**Italy/Greece-2 months in Italy, 1 month in Greece. Add Sicily, Malta, Crete if time allows. Start in Rome, hit Tuscany and Venice. In Greece, do Athens, then drive all around Greece for a few weeks, fly out to the Greek Isles. Add Turkey if time allows.

Obviously do Western Europe and as many of the European capitals as possible. Did you get a copy of the book "1,000 places to see before you die" (or something like that)

Enjoy.

5alive

I think you are right to start with places that are further away, what my grandparents did, although perhaps not entirely consciously. I would also consider if you are in good health now to consider places at higher altitude or otherwise rigorous.

If you are going to focus on Europe, I would begin working on one European language to work on, and just keep coming back to that language work as a hobby every time you get back on a trip. I'll tell you, learning Italian allowed me to figure out the Italian bus system and ask people in new parts of the city which bus to take and where to get off to transfer. Way cheaper than taxis.

I would go over to the Europe and Africa boards to decide which languages might help you the most. Consider that some parts of Africa French is spoken, as an example.

A nice problem to have.

5alive

too many "considers" in that first graph. Sorry!

irecommend

I'll give a little update on this thread I posted earlier.

So far we have traveled to Greece in May 2007, Australia and NZ in January 2008, and London and then Kenya and Tanzania in October 2008. We are going to Buenos Aires for the month of Feb 2009.

The recession has given us a stutter step as my DH had researched the economy heavily in the past three years and although this has been well predicted it is shocking to all.

But we plan to continue the travels and if necessary we will start another business when times improve rebuild our nest egg.

So far it has been so fun and we are so happy we are doing this while we have tons of energy and health to let us enjoy it to the fullest!

ncounty

Buenos Aires is a GREAT destination. Your money will go very far there. The restaurants are fantastic and there are so many great neighborhoods. I would recommend a side trip to Colonia and stay overnight if you can. Have a fabulous time!

GoTravel

irecommend, this is awsome! I remember this thread from when you originally posted.

Are you and hubby still working or are you taking five years off?

irecommend

We are not working. But as I say if necessary we will get back to start a business again when the climate is right if necessary. Very glad not to have a business right now!

travelgirl2

I'm so glad you were able to make your dream a reality.

What kind of accommodations have you been staying in? Apartment rentals, hotels, hostels? RV in Australia and NZ?

suze

Fantastic! Thanks for checking in. All the best to your both on your wonderful adventures!!!!

volcanogirl

Sounds wonderful - what was your favorite spot so far?

Aduchamp1

We realized in our forties to go to places that hard to walk, reach, and uncomfortable before we got old.

You can always go to Europe or the cities in the US and Canada.

This year my wife and her sister walked the 500 mile Camino de Santiago. We were going to go to Madagascar in 2009 until the economic world crumbled.

travelgirl2

Adu - they did the whole 500 miles?? WOW.

Aduchamp1

Yes my wife is 62 and her sister 73. There are accounts on the Spain Board under the titles:

Camino de Santiago
Camino Entriies Part II
The Bathroom of San Roman

irecommend

volcanogirl- Our favorite destination so far was the Kenya/Tanz. safari. It was so wonderful.
Second would be the Greece trip which was very relaxing and romantic.

travelgirl2 The accomodations were varied . Australia and New Zealand was a cruise for 16 days and although beautiful I dont feel we gave the area a fair shake.

Safari accomodations varied from tented camps to lodges.

volcanogirl

ir, I think I would really enjoy Africa as well. We go to Costa Rica, and our favorite thing is seeing all the wildlife.