https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 18:50:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2434331 Sat, 23 Jan 2016 13:51:27 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2434331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: If you are open to a cruise, look at Alaskan cruises! DH and I did that for our honeymoon 5.5 years ago and they only run during the summer. It was awesome and I'd LOVE to go back one day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2434135 Sat, 23 Jan 2016 09:33:57 +0000 LCTBQE 2434135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>this is a different kind of vacation, but since you say you don't mind driving, the most memorable thing I ever did with my family was visiting the different parks in the US southwest: Mount Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. some of these places feel like being on Mars. they're spectacular. and they're full of German and Japanese tourists! that's how far people come to see them. and so inexpensive. maybe not for this trip, but just a thought :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2434056 Sat, 23 Jan 2016 07:13:50 +0000 ElbieKay 2434056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: @Littlebit7: </p> <p>I actually have not been to Colombia, but I have heard great things about Cartagena.</p> <p>Go to Peru if you want to see Machu Picchu, learn about Incan culture and hike around the Andes. During my trip I also went to see the floating reed islands at Puno on Lake Titicaca, and then we flew back to Lima, drove down the coast and saw the Nasca Lines and this adorable little desert town (Huacachina) next to a huge sand dune. Places that I didn't manage to see due to time constraints: Colca Canyon, the Amazon in NE Peru.</p> <p>Ecuador: I went to Quito and then to Sacha Lodge in the rainforest. Quito was ok but Sacha was fantastic and I definitely recommend it. I went to Ecuador with a friend who grew up there, plus I have a college friend who lives in Quito, so I didn't do as much research to plan the itinerary for that trip. I did not manage to get to the Galapagos -- again, time constraints -- but you might want to look into that too if you choose Ecuador.</p> <p>I forgot to include Guatemala. My husband and I went there and had a fantastic time. We stayed in Antigua Guatemala first, then went to the Lake Peten Itza to see the Mayan ruins at Tikal. We also wound up visiting Yaxha, which was practically empty so we basically got a private tour of a ruined city! From there we went to Placencia in Belize which was a bit disappointing partly because it was raining so we couldn't snorkel. Also the place we stayed at was a bit of a disappointing dump. If you are interested in Guatemala, I can look up the name of the place we stayed in Antigua which was gorgeous. And at Tikal we stayed at La Lancha which is a resort owned by Francis Ford Coppola. I am not sure what the current political climate is in Guatemala though; I think it has declined a bit since we were there 5 years ago so you might want to research safety first. But it is a beautiful country and we loved our trip there. Oh, and if I'd had more time I would also have visited the Lake Atitlan region. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2433318 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 14:18:35 +0000 Charm54 2433318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sslm: another vote for the maritimes :wink: I especially love PEI in the summer!</p> <p>Check out Iceland, you might be surprised....DH and I are looking to go this summer and the flights are really reasonable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2433308 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 14:13:26 +0000 Littlebit7 2433308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: have you been to colombia? I posted on another thread about traveling there with LO who is 10 months. would you recc it? safe (bogota) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2433232 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 13:44:06 +0000 peachykeen 2433232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: @erinbaderin: Prague is great! We did Prague and Budapest together. There are a lot of ways to get to Budapest, but we took the overnight train and didn't have to pay for a hotel room. Maybe fly into Prague and out of Budapest, or vice versa? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2433201 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 13:24:32 +0000 erinbaderin 2433201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: I didn't find it at all intimidating! We learned some basic guidebook Czech (pretty much hello, goodbye, thank you) and had an outstanding time. Driving was easy, the biggest problem was that I have a terrible sense of direction and since my husband is the only one who can drive standard and that's what our rental car, I was the de facto navigator and so some of our drives took longer than they should have. The food was great, the beer was SO GREAT (and I don't even like beer) and drinking mulled wine in the twilight as we wandered through an old castle is one of my best memories. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2433101 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 12:41:18 +0000 Foodnerd81 2433101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: I walled you the info! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432985 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:26:41 +0000 mamabolt 2432985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bay Area CA (from Big Sur to Napa) has so many fantastic spots and very drivable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432949 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:13:08 +0000 ms.line 2432949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: I went to Costa Rica during the green season and yeah, we got rained on a lot, but there was also time without rain every day, and it was still a lot of fun. I loved New Orleans, but a warning that it can get SO, SO hot/humid in the late summer/early fall. We went in September and were totally miserable walking around during the day. (And my family used to make an annual trip to Orlando in August, so I'm not a total wuss when it comes to heat!) And I found Prague to be very accessible - I went on a trip with a girlfriend and we had no problems travelling around by ourselves without knowing a lick of Czech. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432943 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:09:09 +0000 NorthStar 2432943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: this is where we stayed (this is the tripadvisor site so you can see reviews). if you want more of a luxury / relaxing place, i would probably look elsewhere (since this is more bed/breakfast). this place is definitely awesome, though. we loved it..</p> <p><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g309226-d634912-Reviews-Leaves_and_Lizards_Arenal_Volcano_Cabin_Retreat-La_Fortuna_de_San_Carlos_Arenal_Volcano.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g309226-d634912-Reviews-Leaves_and_Lizards_Arenal_Volcano_Cabin_Retreat-La_Fortuna_de_San_Carlos_Arenal_Volcano.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432939 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:07:43 +0000 regberadaisy 2432939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: have you been to Bruce Peninsula? That's in Canada and it's on my bucket list. Friends of ours have been and it's just breathtaking.</p> <p>Prince Edward Island? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432935 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:02:18 +0000 Synchronicity 2432935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You guys are awesome! </p> <p>@JoJoGirl: Definitely looking more into Costa Rica. November would be a great time for us to travel. </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: I would love it if you could pass that info along! Thank you! </p> <p>@MrsLonghorn: New Orleans and Napa both sound very doable. Going to look into them! Thanks! </p> <p>@erinbaderin: My husband looooved Vegas, and my parents just went and loved it too! It's definitely on the list, but I know DH wanted to go someplace new, so it might take some convincing. I would never have thought of the Czech Republic. Did you find adventuring around there intimidating at all? </p> <p>@ElbieKay: Awesome! What would be your top pick?</p> <p>@NorthStar: Yay! Loving all the CR recommendations! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432904 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 10:47:30 +0000 NorthStar 2432904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went to Costa Rica on our honeymoon during October. I only remember rain during the evening and honestly, it was the most relaxing thing ever. The sound of the rain in the rain forest definitely cannot be beat. I also loved where we stayed - Leaves and Lizards - it's kind of a bed and breakfast deal and they cook meals there. All completely fresh - can you say fresh squeezed watermelon juice! yum! Good luck deciding </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432890 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 10:37:00 +0000 ElbieKay 2432890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Peru, Ecuador or Colombia. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432889 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 10:36:57 +0000 erinbaderin 2432889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like I just non-stop tell people to go to Vegas, and you said your husband has already been, but...Vegas! I feel like you could get a good mix of big city nightlife-y stuff (nice dinners, shows) and more relaxing stuff (nice spas, I SUPER recommend hiking in Red Rock Canyon. You can get a pretty reasonable direct flight from Toronto, you're there in 5 hours, you're pretty much guaranteed nice weather (I would skip it in the summer but in the fall you'll be poolside no problem).</p> <p>My alternate suggestion for a week would be the Czech Republic. Obviously a bigger flight, but Prague is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Stay a few days in Prague and then rent a car and go exploring - we drove a few hours away to a town called Cesky Krumlov and it was like being in a fairy tale. If you go in the fall you'll have nice cool weather and they sell mulled wine in the streets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432867 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 10:22:56 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2432867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You said that New Orleans is on your list -- I highly recommend it! Great food, easy to explore, lots to do but not overwhelming like New York. </p> <p>What about Sonoma/Napa Valley? Also has great food, and can be relaxing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432843 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 10:11:24 +0000 Foodnerd81 2432843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: if you go, we booked through a travel agent that my aunt had recommended and I assume is still there. We stayed in a few different spots so it was good to have someone do that coordinating and wasn't more expensive. Happy to pass along the info. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432807 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:53:42 +0000 JoJoGirl 2432807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: Agree - I've been to Costa Rica twice. It's very easy to travel there, and if you don't want to drive, there are 'tourist buses' that will pick you up at your hotel in one city and drive you to your hotel in another city for like $30. For someone who hasn't traveled much outside the US and may not want to go to Europe, it's a great spot cause very easy, very clean, but also great adventure and stuff to do. I was there in Feb and Nov so can't speak to the rain, but in November it was 100% dry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432798 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:51:08 +0000 Synchronicity 2432798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: driving and adventure are good! Ok, I'm going to look into it more, if the green season isn't a huge deal. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432745 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:32:35 +0000 Foodnerd81 2432745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to Costa Rica a long time ago (6 or 7 years?) and my aunt used to live there so have is some good advice. Regarding the green season, I believe it's more like it rains hard for an hour or two every day, not a total wash out- but double check I'm not misremembering. My aunt preferred that time because everything felt so clean and fresh after the rain (but living there year round is different than a week of course). We drove all around, only recommended if you do like driving and are adventurous (DH is, I'm not, in terms of driving). It would be a pretty long flight but definitely a fun trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432742 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:31:28 +0000 Synchronicity 2432742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sslm: No way, we have always wanted to go! I just updated my post, but we would likely only be able to take a week off work this year, and we've always planned on taking two weeks and driving through Atlantic Canada, so I'm just not sure it's in the cards for this trip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432735 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:28:39 +0000 sslm 2432735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Synchronicity: this is probably really boring sounding, but Atlantic Canada is pretty awesome in the summer :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/looking-for-travel-suggestions#post-2432733 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:25:54 +0000 Synchronicity 2432733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I want to book a trip this year, likely in the late summer or fall. I generally am not crazy about travelling... I'm a total homebody, and my idea of a vacation is a week at the cottage ;) but we haven't taken a trip together in years (!!!) and DH is pretty insistent. </p> <p>I was browsing online yesterday, trying to come up with somewhere different that I'd like to go, but I'm coming up short... We don't want to break the bank on this trip, and many of the places that are on my bucket list seem pretty expensive to visit (Iceland, New Zealand, Scotland/Ireland). We have a long list of home renos that we are trying to work though, so I'm trying to keep things as budget-friendly as possible. </p> <p>I'm hoping that if I give you guys some info, you can help suggest locations for us to visit! </p> <p>- We live in Ontario. If we go somewhere in the summer, I'd likely avoid AI beach-type resorts (going from heat to more heat), but I'd be open to that type of vacation in the fall<br /> - I haven't done much traveling (a couple of AIs and a few different states in the US), but DH has been to a few countries in Europe, Vegas, and a handful of AI's<br /> - We are open to a cruise, but have never done one before and so have no idea what we'd be getting ourselves into<br /> - We both enjoy driving, so a location where you need to drive around is completely fine<br /> - I like the idea of Costa Rica, but the time of year that we will be going is during their "green season", and I kind of dread the idea of being rained out the entire time. Any experience?<br /> - Completely open to destinations in the US. New Orleans has always been on our list.<br /> - We will likely book through a travel agent, unless it's really simple to do online ourselves.<br /> - We would likely only be able to take a week off work</p> <p>I know this is pretty open-ended, but any suggestions are appreciated! DH wants to get something planned and booked so I can't change my mind :silly: Poor guy. </p>