Uncle Herb doesn't care where you travel, as long as you spend his money entirely and take the trip in 2006.

He is giving you the chance to take an unplanned trip wherever you would like to go, with your spouse, SO, and to have a wonderful time. Those are the only restrictions...so go for it...

Joan, God bless you, your family and your own special Herb. Thank you for sharing. Nothing is more special than wonderful memories of family. You are luckier than most.

Joan, that is so sweet. I'm glad this thread brings such great memories for you.

I hope that you have a good day remembering the wonderful time you spent with your mother.

Your dad sounds like a very special person.

joan, we must have posted at the same time. AHHH, to have a Herb in my life would be special. You have been very blessed to have those moments to share with family. What great memories you must have. We have had two family reunions, different families, and both have been incredibly special memories, especially for our children.

Joan, I'm getting weepy reading about your Dad Herb and the wonderful vacations he funded.

Ok, $5,000 in the US (but no husband) I'd visit the National Parks in the western US. I'd stay in the grand lodges and at each location I'd send a postcard to dear Uncle Herb.

From Arches down to Big Bend, over to Joshua Tree, up to Crater Lake over to Yellowstone with as many in between as I could fit.

Thanks Uncle Herb

Because I've got Christmas on my mind, my dream trip at this moment would be somewhere where there is snow, horsedrawn sleighs, ice skating, warm fires. Nestlenook Farm in Jackson NH sounds right or maybe somewhere in the Rockies or really in my own backyard.

My dream trip would be to Bora Bora,but since Ole Uncle Herb is a cheapskate, I guess I'd settle for a nice cruise to the caribbean

mrsd2fan: I'm offended for Uncle Herb! Anyone who offers you $5,000 is not a cheapsake in my book! I think Uncle Herb should give you ashes and coals!

:(
Belle

Well, I think I would take the gift and use it to take my kids to HI. And stay in the hotels that we could not afford if it weren't for my uncle's generosity.

And do some extra tours (take the helicopter trip) and go to some better restarants and order the lobster or the caviar if we want to. Toasting to Uncle Herb all the while...

I know people think 5k won¡¦t take them far but, Hawaii for 16 days is absolutely doable. 3 days in Honolulu, 5 days in Maui another 5 in Kauai and 3 days in the big island back to Oahu to head home to Florida. Like Mah1980 I would do it all through priceline (did it before have been 2x) able to stay in nice hotels with a full size car in each island. Thanks Uncle Herb, I brought you back a bag of Kona coffee and a jar of macadamia nuts, will email pictures later

I think I'll stretch UNcle Herb's $$ as far as possible & spend a month (hopefully) wandering out the Keys. I can stay at some seedy roadside joints a couple of nights & catch my own dinner if I have to...who I am I kidding...?...two weeks, w/half of my time in Key West at the Heron House.

Another true story:

My dad's name is Herb as well. He is
87 and has, throughout my life, been
pretty darn generous. We don't ask for the gifts and they always come with a note that says something like "Thought maybe you guys could use this....."

We have discovered that he gets the biggest bang from hearing the details
of how we used it. His eyesight is failing and he needs a walker,yet he is always pleased to hear his gift was
well received.

Now, if a check arrived for $5,000, I might call and ask if he intended those two extra zeros :)
and then I would get all misty eyed
at his generosity.

Then, when I pulled myself together,
I would grab Mr R5 and hop a plane for a surprise visit to him,my Herb.

Yup, that's what I would do.

R5

Scarlett, me too (thought i posted to this yesterday but don't see my reply today)!

Heavens, My question is about "single supplements". Will Oncle Herbie still give me the entire amount if I don't have a spouse or significant other to travel with?

I could do 2 weeks for 2 in Paris, using miles for an upgrade staying in a charming 2 star and eating nicely -- I dream about this trip nightly ;)

$5,000.00? Pocket change! Add a few more zeroes and then I can start to dream.

TravelTess: Then maybe uncle Herb will should just consider giving yours to someone alittle more 'needy' and deserving, someone who could REALLY show some appreciation....uhummm, I'm OVER HERE! LOL!

What's the old saying about the size of the gift not mattering?? ....Oh yes, it's the Spirit that counts!! And I would be completely humbled and appreciative if anyone were to be generous enough to give their hard earned money to me, especially with such a sweet sentiment attached!

I'm sure we could ALL think of more extravagant gifts...don't our kids do this every year??...but hopefully we can be content with such as we have!

Belle

Well to me $5000 IS a vacation, maybe two.

It would certainly pay for the 9 days in Calabria and Sicily next May- for two- with the 5 day cooking school lessons as well.

I am amazed how some would scoff at $5k. That would provide for a very nice vacation if you planned well.

Let's remember the Christmas season, and think about the children that used to live down here in New Orleans who are now in a strange state with no presents for the holidays.

RazzleDazzle, what a coincidence! Heavens sure chose the right name, eh?

The *trip of my dreams* is very similar to any other trip I've taken. I would go to Europe, Mexico, or Hawaii for a month. I've never yet spent $5000 on a single vacation, so basically this would cover anything I'd be interested in doing.