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Inspired by another thread, I wondered if others have things they'd like to share with people who may be planning a holiday / move, etc.
For instance:
I like the US Deep South. I've been to a few of the states, and there are things I liked, and others I will avoid next time.
In North Carolina -- BBQ. OMG, it's delicious! Beautiful Countryside, love the Smoky Mountains. (And I crossed an item off my bucket list there: Being in two places at once. One foot on either side of the state line counts, right?)
Any of the Southern states -- If you see a reenactment advertised...go. It's a fun day out. Go to the camp, too.
Alabama -- I got there in November and thought what I'm seeing in the distance was snow. It was cotton... I'd never seen cotton before. On the day I left, I made my friend do an illegal turn...to go steal some cotton. (I still have it.)
Rhode Island -- I loved the slowness of it. Yes, slow. People seem to have all the time in the world. Beautiful, even in Winter.
New York -- I lost my heart to New York. Absolutely adore visiting, but haven't been back since 9/11. People say to take the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. Ignore them. Go out there. It's worth it. Also visit the museums.
Chicago -- Architecture. I wouldn't be surprised if it were called Gotham. Love the old skyscrapers, they just look awesome. (If you're into that sort of thing - visit Graceland Cemetery. It's beautiful.)
Houston -- Didn't see much of it, unfortunately. I remember going all goggle-eyed when a pickup passed us, sporting a massive gun rack in back....! Best McD I ever had, lol. I guess you don't stiff the Texans on the hamburgers...
New Orleans -- need to go back. Totally adore the place. Not just Bourbon Street. I admit to being a tombstone tourist. I generally go to the very old cemeteries and look at the tombstones and monuments. (Taphophile, I believe, is the term) New Orleans (Metaire) has one of the most amazing cemeteries (architecture wise) and is well worth a visit. Just don't do what I did, and go in mid July, at noon, during a heat wave.... I nearly got heatstroke, there's very little shade.
Maledives -- go, before it sinks. Absolutely stunning place. Very Zen, great place to just chill. (Which I have trouble doing lol. I ended up doing a diving course, because I'm not a "soak up the rays on the beach" kind of person.)
Egypt -- I've only been to Dahab, but I bet I've seen more of it than most people who go there. I've been in the mountains, in an Oasis only reachable on horseback, or by foot. (It's a LONG way -- 3hrs on horseback. Each way.) So worth it. People were very friendly, not pushy, like they are in some places.
Australia -- (Melbourne / Adelaide / Banrock Station) -- I managed to visit Australia and not see a single kangaroo. Adelaide Art Museum and Gallery is worth visiting. H.J. Johnstone's “Evening Shadows – Backwater of the Murray” hangs there, and left such an impression on me (it's HUGE) -- I ended up having a print of it sent to the UK, framed it, and it hung above the fireplace for 20 years after that. Stunning landscape painting. I must have stood in that room for an hour, just looking at it. (And I'm not an artsy person who goes to galleries.)
Naturally I've been all over Europe, too.
UK -- Cornwall. If you are going to the UK, take a trip to Cornwall. It's a 5 hour drive, but you won't regret it. Stunning slate cliffs, wild water, Cornish Pasty (That's Pah-ss-tee, not Pais-tee). Scotland, too. Beautiful.
In London, Highgate West Cemetery. Take a tour. It's a stunning place, even if you're not into cemeteries.
Science Museum is a must. Push the kids off the experiments and play. Natural History Museum for the Dinosaurs and creatures. British Museum and Library -- omg, I want to move in there. (Note: You need a reading pass if you want to check out the books in the Library. Apply in advance if you want to look at anything specific.) The British Museum sometimes do tours of the "Backstage Area". Well worth it. (Mummies!)
Germany -- Neuschwanstein Castle. Go. You won't believe your eyes. (This is the castle Disney modeled his fairy castle on -- only the real thing is more stunning than the Disney one!) Go to the Grotto. If you have problems walking, take a carriage up to there. No cars allowed. Also go to the Black Forest. Not just for a cuckoo clock. Get into the woods, inhale. There is a reason the area is called an "Aerial Spa".
I'll add... eventually.
So where have you been? Any recommendations?
For instance:
I like the US Deep South. I've been to a few of the states, and there are things I liked, and others I will avoid next time.
In North Carolina -- BBQ. OMG, it's delicious! Beautiful Countryside, love the Smoky Mountains. (And I crossed an item off my bucket list there: Being in two places at once. One foot on either side of the state line counts, right?)
Any of the Southern states -- If you see a reenactment advertised...go. It's a fun day out. Go to the camp, too.
Alabama -- I got there in November and thought what I'm seeing in the distance was snow. It was cotton... I'd never seen cotton before. On the day I left, I made my friend do an illegal turn...to go steal some cotton. (I still have it.)
Rhode Island -- I loved the slowness of it. Yes, slow. People seem to have all the time in the world. Beautiful, even in Winter.
New York -- I lost my heart to New York. Absolutely adore visiting, but haven't been back since 9/11. People say to take the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. Ignore them. Go out there. It's worth it. Also visit the museums.
Chicago -- Architecture. I wouldn't be surprised if it were called Gotham. Love the old skyscrapers, they just look awesome. (If you're into that sort of thing - visit Graceland Cemetery. It's beautiful.)
Houston -- Didn't see much of it, unfortunately. I remember going all goggle-eyed when a pickup passed us, sporting a massive gun rack in back....! Best McD I ever had, lol. I guess you don't stiff the Texans on the hamburgers...
New Orleans -- need to go back. Totally adore the place. Not just Bourbon Street. I admit to being a tombstone tourist. I generally go to the very old cemeteries and look at the tombstones and monuments. (Taphophile, I believe, is the term) New Orleans (Metaire) has one of the most amazing cemeteries (architecture wise) and is well worth a visit. Just don't do what I did, and go in mid July, at noon, during a heat wave.... I nearly got heatstroke, there's very little shade.
Maledives -- go, before it sinks. Absolutely stunning place. Very Zen, great place to just chill. (Which I have trouble doing lol. I ended up doing a diving course, because I'm not a "soak up the rays on the beach" kind of person.)
Egypt -- I've only been to Dahab, but I bet I've seen more of it than most people who go there. I've been in the mountains, in an Oasis only reachable on horseback, or by foot. (It's a LONG way -- 3hrs on horseback. Each way.) So worth it. People were very friendly, not pushy, like they are in some places.
Australia -- (Melbourne / Adelaide / Banrock Station) -- I managed to visit Australia and not see a single kangaroo. Adelaide Art Museum and Gallery is worth visiting. H.J. Johnstone's “Evening Shadows – Backwater of the Murray” hangs there, and left such an impression on me (it's HUGE) -- I ended up having a print of it sent to the UK, framed it, and it hung above the fireplace for 20 years after that. Stunning landscape painting. I must have stood in that room for an hour, just looking at it. (And I'm not an artsy person who goes to galleries.)
Naturally I've been all over Europe, too.
UK -- Cornwall. If you are going to the UK, take a trip to Cornwall. It's a 5 hour drive, but you won't regret it. Stunning slate cliffs, wild water, Cornish Pasty (That's Pah-ss-tee, not Pais-tee). Scotland, too. Beautiful.
In London, Highgate West Cemetery. Take a tour. It's a stunning place, even if you're not into cemeteries.
Science Museum is a must. Push the kids off the experiments and play. Natural History Museum for the Dinosaurs and creatures. British Museum and Library -- omg, I want to move in there. (Note: You need a reading pass if you want to check out the books in the Library. Apply in advance if you want to look at anything specific.) The British Museum sometimes do tours of the "Backstage Area". Well worth it. (Mummies!)
Germany -- Neuschwanstein Castle. Go. You won't believe your eyes. (This is the castle Disney modeled his fairy castle on -- only the real thing is more stunning than the Disney one!) Go to the Grotto. If you have problems walking, take a carriage up to there. No cars allowed. Also go to the Black Forest. Not just for a cuckoo clock. Get into the woods, inhale. There is a reason the area is called an "Aerial Spa".
I'll add... eventually.
So where have you been? Any recommendations?