The Prize for the most Indecisive Traveller

[Andona]

Great scenery change, Andona.


Shame about Cody, Wanderlust. We had a fantastic time there when we visited.

PIO, any recommendations of "Must Sees" in Cody? We'll be driving through there on our trip next year

Wanderlust, sorry to hijack the thread!

Andona

 

[Andona]

Yellowstone and surrounds are very high on my bucket list when we can get over there in a less snow-prone time of year. (Silly DH says we won't need to visit the US for quite some time after our upcoming trip ...so he thinks! We've barely scraped the surface!!)

Isn't it funny the number of times you hear people say "This will be my only trip to the USA" ... and you just know they'll go back again.... and again...

Come to think of it, those photos also remind me of one of my road trips. DH and I didn't realise that the Black Forest Road in Germany climbed so much in altitude and within a few hours the beautiful late spring landscape gave way to a wintery wonderland. Driving that day was very precarious. I'm sure we were annoying all the drivers behind us with our crawling speeds.

We did that drive too! And I hadn't thought about it before but the scenery was similar - all those pine trees But too early in the season to see any snow - it was pretty cool up on the passes though I remember

Andona

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Wanderlust, sorry to hijack the thread!

No apology needed. It's great to be sharing a conversation with someone planning a similar holiday to my own.

It's also cool to hear that you have also done a Germany road trip. Isn't Southern Germany a beautiful slice of the world? All the little chocolate box medieval villages are so very charming. If the flights weren't so darn expensive I'd go back in a heartbeat.

 

[PrincessInOz]

PIO, any recommendations of "Must Sees" in Cody? We'll be driving through there on our trip next year

Wanderlust, sorry to hijack the thread!

Andona

Andona, The Buffalo Bill Museum was unreal! We didn't spend enough time there. If you're there when the Rodeo is on, I understand it's one of the best. We were a little too early for it and missed out. We did take a look at Old Town as well.

We had the best time at Cody because of the locals. We were there for one night and found a saloon straight out of the Wild West with wooden floors and the stand-up bar. It served a decent enough meal. But there was a fiddlin' band playing and the locals had come out to enjoy the music and have a dance (old time, swing, line dance, boot scoot style). We had a great time dancing with the locals. I don't remember where it was or what the name of the establishment is/was!


If you have the time and you're heading that way, Devil's Tower was one of those places you have to stop at. It's the mountain from Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind.

 

[Andona]

It's also cool to hear that you have also done a Germany road trip. Isn't Southern Germany a beautiful slice of the world? All the little chocolate box medieval villages are so very charming. If the flights weren't so darn expensive I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Me too! We really loved Germany, and were so pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive food etc was. Definitely hope to get back there someday So many travel plans, I really need to win Powerball,

Andona, The Buffalo Bill Museum was unreal! We didn't spend enough time there. If you're there when the Rodeo is on, I understand it's one of the best. We were a little too early for it and missed out. We did take a look at Old Town as well.

We had the best time at Cody because of the locals. We were there for one night and found a saloon straight out of the Wild West with wooden floors and the stand-up bar. It served a decent enough meal. But there was a fiddlin' band playing and the locals had come out to enjoy the music and have a dance (old time, swing, line dance, boot scoot style). We had a great time dancing with the locals. I don't remember where it was or what the name of the establishment is/was!

That dinners sounds like such fun! We will definitely visit the Buffalo Bill Museum, I've read great things about it and it sounds like it will live up to it's reputation On our last visit to the region we stopped to see his ( and Calamity Jane's) graves at Spearfish in South Dakota, very happy to further our aquaintance with him

If you have the time and you're heading that way, Devil's Tower was one of those places you have to stop at. It's the mountain from Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind.

I so agree! We did just that on our 2009 trip - had the theme music playing as we drove up to the road towards it - gave me chills! The thing that surprised me there was the prairie dog town at the base - so many of the little critters running around.

Andona

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Me too! We really loved Germany, and were so pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive food etc was. Definitely hope to get back there someday So many travel plans, I really need to win Powerball,

That dinners sounds like such fun! We will definitely visit the Buffalo Bill Museum, I've read great things about it and it sounds like it will live up to it's reputation On our last visit to the region we stopped to see his ( and Calamity Jane's) graves at Spearfish in South Dakota, very happy to further our aquaintance with him

I so agree! We did just that on our 2009 trip - had the theme music playing as we drove up to the road towards it - gave me chills! The thing that surprised me there was the prairie dog town at the base - so many of the little critters running around.

Andona

Germany was really cheap, the people were amazing, and it was lovely and quiet when we visited. We'd stop in tiny little villages for lunch and it almost felt like we were family the way they'd keep offering us a free second serving, or in one case, free schnapps. Because of the people and scenery, it was my favourite country of about the dozen I visited in Europe.
To be honest, I always find it strange that it's not higher on more traveller's wishlists. The media have sensationlised the big cities like Paris and Venice, so people on their one time Europe trip try to tick off places like that. Whereas (and it's just my opinion), I think the real romance and charm is in the small alpine villages in countries like Germany and Austria. Fairy Tale castles like Neuchwanstein and Burg Eltz, and perfectly preserved medieval villages like Rothenburg ob der Tauber - what's not to love?

Forgive me while I reminisce for a while.

I just googled the Prairie dog town you mentioned. How cute. Kind of like the USA equivalent of meercats. I really hope my wildlife guides manage to find me some cute little critters in YNP and GTNP. I'm almost as excited about Beavers, Badgers, Otters, and the elusive Pika, as I am about Bears and Wolves.

 

[PrincessInOz]

The prairie dogs were amazing, weren't they?


DH and I bummed around Europe for about 8 months when we were younger. We were both surprised by Germany as well.

 

[zanzibar138]

Germany was really cheap, the people were amazing, and it was lovely and quiet when we visited. We'd stop in tiny little villages for lunch and it almost felt like we were family the way they'd keep offering us a free second serving, or in one case, free schnapps. Because of the people and scenery, it was my favourite country of about the dozen I visited in Europe.
To be honest, I always find it strange that it's not higher on more traveller's wishlists. The media have sensationlised the big cities like Paris and Venice, so people on their one time Europe trip try to tick off places like that. Whereas (and it's just my opinion), I think the real romance and charm is in the small alpine villages in countries like Germany and Austria. Fairy Tale castles like Neuchwanstein and Burg Eltz, and perfectly preserved medieval villages like Rothenburg ob der Tauber - what's not to love?

Forgive me while I reminisce for a while.

Wanderlust, I really think we are long lost twins I am also not really interested in any big European cities (only went to Paris because that's where Disneyland is ) apart from Vienna. However, I am very interested in the smaller Alpine cities/villages in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. In fact, most of my travel wishlist is away from the big cities.

It's the same in the US too. I'd rather visit national parks and smaller cities/outer city areas. Places like New York, Chicago and LA don't interest me at all (but I'm sure if I got the chance to explore them I'd enjoy it).

 

[Andona]

To be honest, I always find it strange that it's not higher on more traveller's wishlists. The media have sensationlised the big cities like Paris and Venice, so people on their one time Europe trip try to tick off places like that. Whereas (and it's just my opinion), I think the real romance and charm is in the small alpine villages in countries like Germany and Austria. Fairy Tale castles like Neuchwanstein and Burg Eltz, and perfectly preserved medieval villages like Rothenburg ob der Tauber - what's not to love?

No arguments from me! I definitely prefer Germany and Austria to France, and just loved the little places like Rothenburg. But we also enjoyed visiting the bigger cities like Berlin and Munich and Dresden etc Actually, I can't really think of anything I disliked in Germany We loved Switzerland to but it's sooooo expensive!! It was such a shock after we'd been lulled into the nice prices in germany, Italy was wonderful too, after the UK and Germany it's probably my next favourite country in Europe. There's so much more that I want to see there though, we haven't been to the Czech republic or The Netherlands or Scandinavia or Croatia etc etc - sometimes I wish the world wasn't so big....or that I could just win Powerball!

Wanderlust, I really think we are long lost twins I am also not really interested in any big European cities (only went to Paris because that's where Disneyland is ) apart from Vienna. However, I am very interested in the smaller Alpine cities/villages in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. In fact, most of my travel wishlist is away from the big cities.

It's the same in the US too. I'd rather visit national parks and smaller cities/outer city areas. Places like New York, Chicago and LA don't interest me at all (but I'm sure if I got the chance to explore them I'd enjoy it).

Zanzibar, I know what you mean! Although I've enjoyed our visits to cities like Boston and Washington and New Orleans etc our favourite thing to do in the USA is to visit the National Parks and get out into the country. There is just so much to see beyond the big cities New York really leaves me a bit cold - yes it's nice to see the icons like the Statue of Liberty and Central Park and some of the galleries/museums etc but it's really just a lot of skyscrapers - I like my cities pretty or historic or architecturally interesting

I always feel a bit sad when I hear people say " Oh we've been to Los Angeles and San Francisco and New York, so we've DONE the USA" , it's like saying you've seen all there is to see in Europe if you've been to London and Paris, or all there is to see in Australia if you;ve been to Sydney and Melbourne and Brisbane, I don't think I'll ever claim to have seen all there is to see anywhere!

Andona

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Wanderlust, I really think we are long lost twins I am also not really interested in any big European cities (only went to Paris because that's where Disneyland is ) apart from Vienna. However, I am very interested in the smaller Alpine cities/villages in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. In fact, most of my travel wishlist is away from the big cities.

It's the same in the US too. I'd rather visit national parks and smaller cities/outer city areas. Places like New York, Chicago and LA don't interest me at all (but I'm sure if I got the chance to explore them I'd enjoy it).

We certainly seem to have similar interests. It's a shame we don't live closer to each other. I'd love to have a friend nearby to catch up with and chat about travel.

I also don't have much interest in the likes of NY and Chicago. I would love to see some shows on Broadway, but that on it's own is not enough to put NY high on my wishlist.

I'm curious what interests you about Vienna? Before visiting Europe, funnily enough it was one of the European cities I too really wanted to visit, so I can understand the appeal. Yet once there I felt disappointed. Innsbruck ended up being the Austrian city I like most, and ironically it was the one I thought I'd like least. Perhaps it had something to do with the level of my expectations.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

No arguments from me! I definitely prefer Germany and Austria to France, and just loved the little places like Rothenburg. But we also enjoyed visiting the bigger cities like Berlin and Munich and Dresden etc Actually, I can't really think of anything I disliked in Germany We loved Switzerland to but it's sooooo expensive!! It was such a shock after we'd been lulled into the nice prices in germany, Italy was wonderful too, after the UK and Germany it's probably my next favourite country in Europe. There's so much more that I want to see there though, we haven't been to the Czech republic or The Netherlands or Scandinavia or Croatia etc etc - sometimes I wish the world wasn't so big....or that I could just win Powerball!

Zanzibar, I know what you mean! Although I've enjoyed our visits to cities like Boston and Washington and New Orleans etc our favourite thing to do in the USA is to visit the National Parks and get out into the country. There is just so much to see beyond the big cities New York really leaves me a bit cold - yes it's nice to see the icons like the Statue of Liberty and Central Park and some of the galleries/museums etc but it's really just a lot of skyscrapers - I like my cities pretty or historic or architecturally interesting

I always feel a bit sad when I hear people say " Oh we've been to Los Angeles and San Francisco and New York, so we've DONE the USA" , it's like saying you've seen all there is to see in Europe if you've been to London and Paris, or all there is to see in Australia if you;ve been to Sydney and Melbourne and Brisbane, I don't think I'll ever claim to have seen all there is to see anywhere!

Andona

Switzerland is one of the countries in Western Europe that I never got to and really wish I'd had the chance. It looks so stunningly beautiful.

I know people like the ones you mention who think LA and Vegas constitute seeing the USA, or the Gold Coast means ticking off Australia. When I say I'm going to Yellowstone, the same people envision a forest and Yogi Bear, and then try to convince me I'd have a better time in San Diego. At the end of the day, to each there own. Whatever makes people happy. I'm just not convinced that a place is necessarily 'better' purely because millions of travellers make the pilgrimage there every year.

 

[mindy32]

Switzerland was one of my favourite places in Europe too! And DH's was Germany. But both our runner ups would have to be Santorini, such a fantastic place.

 

[zanzibar138]

Well, I'm always happy to chat about travel online

I don't really know what it is about Vienna. I definitely want to go to the Spanish Riding School, and I think that it was where the baroness was from in the Sound of Music makes it intriguing too. The name sounds so pretty too I actually did a little bit of research before last year's trip to Europe, thinking I might be able to fit it in. And didn't find all that much I was interested in.

We LOVED Innsbruck! We only ended up there because I was desperate to go to Austria and it was the closest part to Switzerland I loved that it was small enough to walk everywhere, and surrounded by those beautiful mountains. I also liked that it's not over-touristed. The old town still had a very ancient feel, rather than the competing for tourists vibe in Lucerne, and going up the mountain there were far more skiers and snowboarders than tourists!

My expectations for Paris were ridiculously low. I assumed that it would be too busy and I'd spend all my time worrying about being pick-pocketed or scammed. I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed Paris in the end. There were lots of scammers around, but we managed to avoid them, and the crowds were pretty manageable being low season. I don't feel an overwhelming desire to go back though.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Switzerland was one of my favourite places in Europe too! And DH's was Germany. But both our runner ups would have to be Santorini, such a fantastic place.

I agree. Germany, as a whole, was my favourite country, but if I had to pick a favourite European town it would be Oia Village in Santorini. DH and I were absolutely blown away how picturesque it was.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Well, I'm always happy to chat about travel online I don't really know what it is about Vienna. I definitely want to go to the Spanish Riding School, and I think that it was where the baroness was from in the Sound of Music makes it intriguing too. The name sounds so pretty too I actually did a little bit of research before last year's trip to Europe, thinking I might be able to fit it in. And didn't find all that much I was interested in. We LOVED Innsbruck! We only ended up there because I was desperate to go to Austria and it was the closest part to Switzerland I loved that it was small enough to walk everywhere, and surrounded by those beautiful mountains. I also liked that it's not over-touristed. The old town still had a very ancient feel, rather than the competing for tourists vibe in Lucerne, and going up the mountain there were far more skiers and snowboarders than tourists! My expectations for Paris were ridiculously low. I assumed that it would be too busy and I'd spend all my time worrying about being pick-pocketed or scammed. I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed Paris in the end. There were lots of scammers around, but we managed to avoid them, and the crowds were pretty manageable being low season. I don't feel an overwhelming desire to go back though.

The reasons you liked Innsbruck were the exact reasons we liked it. Small, picturesque, not over-touristed, and easy to walk around. Plus the accommodation we stayed in was so charming. A small loft bedroom in an old Inn, where despite the overnight temps dropping to less than negative 10, we were all snug and warm and could sit at our window and admire the snow covered old town. Sometimes it's the little things you remember.

If you are keen on the Sound of Music, Salzburg is pretty cool and is another city I liked more than Vienna. I visited Austria on a Christmas coach tour called 'The Sound of Music tour', so not surprisingly we stopped to see a lot of scenes from the movie. Most (such as the church and Von Trapp family home) were in Salzburg. There is also a beautiful little village just outside Salzburg called Mondsee where you can see the church where Maria and Captain Von Trapp got married. That was pretty cool.

All this reminiscing about Europe so much makes me want to go back.
DH and I have agreed on no international travel during 2015 while we sort out some other expenses. However, we are both going to have a savings account where we can put any money left over towards our interests. DH wants to buy an old do-up car, and I obviously will save for a trip sometime in 2016.
However, I've also been thinking lately that if I could save for 2.5 years instead of 1 1/2, we could do something pretty amazing in 2017 to 'celebrate' me turning 40 (Eeekk!).
I was thinking we could perhaps even go back to Europe for up to 2 months and see the places we never got to and really wanted to (Scandanvia, Slovenia, Switzerland -all the 'S' places) and revisit the ones we loved such as Germany.

What do you think? The thought of no international travel for 2 1/2 years makes me almost break out in cold sweats, but, on the flipside, the thought of an amazing trip that we could otherwise not afford to do, makes me really excited. Perhaps I need to go check that lotto ticket I bought yesterday...

 

[zanzibar138]

Salzuburg is definitely on my list for Austria I enjoy watching the Sound of Music, but I'm not like a big fan or anything. I just remember as a little kid seeing the opening scenes for the movie and thinking 'Wow, I want to go there!'. That and Disneyland were probably the very first items on my wishlist

We're definitely toning it down next year with our travel. I still plan to go to SDL when it opens, but we'll just make it a short budget trip, and we might still go to Vietnam for a week for our anniversary if we can get there on rewards fares. We looked into going to NZ or even doing an extended weekend somewhere in Victoria, but if we don't have to pay for airfares, Vietnam works out to be so much cheaper! My parents are planning to take long service leave in 2016 and base themselves in France for 3 months, so of course we must visit them That will be our next big trip.

I think I'd be happy for no big trips for 2 1/2 years to save up for an extra special one You'll still be able to do some road trips in the meantime right?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I think I'd be happy for no big trips for 2 1/2 years to save up for an extra special one You'll still be able to do some road trips in the meantime right?

I'd definitely still have to do some NZ road trips as I think I'd go crazy if I didn't have something to look forward to. 2 1/2 years just seems so long. However I must admit the thought of a really cool trip at the end, to basically any destination of my choosing, does really appeal. I can already imagine the fun I would have choosing and planning where to go.
Perhaps if lack of willpower got the better of me, I could always plan a solo weekend trip to Melbourne for one of your Melbourne Dismeets. That doesn't really count as an overseas trip, right?

It's great that you will have family based in France. Definitely an excuse for a trip. Also, you so should come over to NZ if you get the chance. You might be surprised by just how cheap a NZ holiday can be - particularly if you come mainly to check out the scenery.

 

[zanzibar138]

I'd definitely still have to do some NZ road trips as I think I'd go crazy if I didn't have something to look forward to. 2 1/2 years just seems so long. However I must admit the thought of a really cool trip at the end, to basically any destination of my choosing, does really appeal. I can already imagine the fun I would have choosing and planning where to go.
Perhaps if lack of willpower got the better of me, I could always plan a solo weekend trip to Melbourne for one of your Melbourne Dismeets. That doesn't really count as an overseas trip, right?

It's great that you will have family based in France. Definitely an excuse for a trip. Also, you so should come over to NZ if you get the chance. You might be surprised by just how cheap a NZ holiday can be - particularly if you come mainly to check out the scenery.

Nope, a weekend in Melbourne definitely doesn't count as an international trip

I could definitely have an amazing trip to NZ just driving around looking at scenery. But flights, accommodation and car hire for 3 nights would definitely add up to more than a week's accommodation in Vietnam! If we can't get rewards flights, NZ will be a real possibility. And in this case, it counts as an international trip, because we made a pact that we'd be overseas for our anniversary every year

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Nope, a weekend in Melbourne definitely doesn't count as an international trip

I could definitely have an amazing trip to NZ just driving around looking at scenery. But flights, accommodation and car hire for 3 nights would definitely add up to more than a week's accommodation in Vietnam! If we can't get rewards flights, NZ will be a real possibility. And in this case, it counts as an international trip, because we made a pact that we'd be overseas for our anniversary every year

That's so romantic that you made that anniversary pact. What a great reason for a trip away.
You'd be horrified to hear that DH and I both completely forgot our 11th anniversary this year. It was the day after our anniversary and I suddenly got a fright and asked DH what the date was. He told me and then realised instantly why I'd asked. We both felt so silly. But on the positive side, at least we BOTH forgot. It's worse when only one of you do.

Admittedly car hire is one of the more costly parts of visiting NZ. However, with a bit of research accommodation need not be too expensive. Unlike in other countries where motels come with a seedy reputation, they are popular here in NZ and some are quite cheap - particularly the small units at holiday parks. Plus most come with the benefit of having a kitchen for self-catering. We save quite a bit of money by taking a chilly bin/cooler box down to the Sth Island as a suitcase substitute, staying in cheap motels (or sometimes even backpackers) and then self-catering most breakfasts and dinners. Supermarkets aren't cheap unfortunately - particularly I'm guessing when it compares to a cheap restaurant in Vietnam - but it's still saves quite a bit over eating out each meal.

Have I convinced you yet? In case you couldn't tell, I'm just a tad proud of parts of my country. Because your interest in scenery is similar to mine, I'm pretty confident that you would love the Sth Island.

 

[zanzibar138]

That's so romantic that you made that anniversary pact. What a great reason for a trip away.
You'd be horrified to hear that DH and I both completely forgot our 11th anniversary this year. It was the day after our anniversary and I suddenly got a fright and asked DH what the date was. He told me and then realised instantly why I'd asked. We both felt so silly. But on the positive side, at least we BOTH forgot. It's worse when only one of you do.

Admittedly car hire is one of the more costly parts of visiting NZ. However, with a bit of research accommodation need not be too expensive. Unlike in other countries where motels come with a seedy reputation, they are popular here in NZ and some are quite cheap - particularly the small units at holiday parks. Plus most come with the benefit of having a kitchen for self-catering. We save quite a bit of money by taking a chilly bin/cooler box down to the Sth Island as a suitcase substitute, staying in cheap motels (or sometimes even backpackers) and then self-catering most breakfasts and dinners. Supermarkets aren't cheap unfortunately - particularly I'm guessing when it compares to a cheap restaurant in Vietnam - but it's still saves quite a bit over eating out each meal.

Have I convinced you yet? In case you couldn't tell, I'm just a tad proud of parts of my country. Because your interest in scenery is similar to mine, I'm pretty confident that you would love the Sth Island.

I don't need convincing South Island has been on my list for a long time. I'd even be happy to hire a small campervan and use it for transport and accommodation. But I think we'll wait until we can afford to spend a couple of weeks driving around and include at least a day horse riding in Lord of the Rings country

FWIW in Vietnam we can stay at a beautiful resort for around $60 a night with free breakfast, and eat for around $10 a day

I'm not sure if DH and I will start forgetting our anniversary after a few years too! But it's a nice easy date to remember (3/3) so that helps. We might just forget the year