Wow! What terrific responses from you all! Yes, we use TripAdvisor and Rick Steves, also. Plus we're big fans of Anthony Bourdain -- he's so SNARKY! Love him! Particularly "Parts Unknown".
Tanya M -- Thanks for elaborating on your hot air balloon ride! Never really thought about it much before. But now I think I will! Sounds panoramically-spectacular! And, see, now you've got us all wanting to houseboat on Lake Powell! (which I've never done before, either). And I looked at that crystal cave in Mexico more. Will look forward to that!
RE -- Just when I thought the headhunter story couldn't get any better! Blow dart contest and jungle chase? Epic! But, uh.....don't do that again! Scarin' me a little for ya, there! As for Alaska Cruise, that's on our agenda (haven't been to AK yet, which is downright silly because I have several friends there -- Anchorage, Juneau and Ketchikan. We don't even have to go anywhere to catch the ship! husband and I scouted it out (soliciting advice from our AK friends) and it's VERY affordable from Seattle. They say go in May/June, for best weather and glacier/viewing combo. We opted to wait on it as it's such an easy trip for us. But it will happen! And thank you, RE, for your Italy tips! Not sure if we'll hit Florence, but, you never know!
Lil -- Thank you for your elaboration on your Rome/Amalfi Coast tips! Already shared 'em with husband and we'll see which things we haggle about seeing.
And I'll tell you this.... much hankering for that Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese now! Also, thanks for your elaboration, specifically, on the crypts. Will Google that in more detail. We did something similar in Guanajuato, MX (Museo de Las Momias).......which has quite a story behind it. Basically, the native minerals in the cemetery produced semi-mumification naturally. Relatives must pay taxes to keep their loved ones buried. When the relatives don't pay the taxes, the bodies are exhumed (no lie) and placed on display in this "museum". My Spanish wasn't good enough to decipher that BEFORE we went in. Took us about 15-20 min to figure out that something was verrrrrry different. LOL! Thinking your crypts might be interesting?
Lil & Jabber -- Read your bit about acreage. I like your description of your plans and wants. Absolutely get your drift and relate! Wanted to share with you that husband and I had a similar plan (once upon a time). We city/suburban people by nature. But we wanted a getaway/retirement spot for outdoor activities. In 2004 we bought 5 acres out in the woods near a very large body of water (with several lakes nearby, too). We spent 2 years bulldozing, burning slash piles, having work parties (invite friends -- of us adults and young teen friends of difficult child -- clear land, lay pipe, etc, then eat a bunch, then ride quads and motorcycles (we had our own) in the woods, swim in lakes and target shoot for a while until we were absolutely beat!
Our original plan was to build a yurt to live in (husband is endlessly adventurous). I thought I was ok with that, but when a bear turned up on our property, I promptly changed my mind! LOL! We eventually had a house built (snazzy manufactured cabin), but only lived there less than 1 year before we sold (gravely underestimated our commutes to work!).
But the reason I bring it up is that this property made a HUGE difference in our family. Though we only had it for 3 years, it always refreshed husband and me. And, for whatever reason, it usually resonated very well with difficult child. It's the one place we could really teach him a solid work ethic. He laughed a lot out there (which is unusual). Taught difficult child and 2 of his friends how to drive (they were 14-15) out in those back woodsy roads. Those boys just loved playing in the woods! And all of our adult friends we bought thoroughly laughed and loved it, too. With the exception of 1 bad difficult child incident (highway incident), difficult child and ALL of us always had a great time. That property was one of my favorite places for our family.
Things change, we sold it, and now we're back in the city. But that property in the woods was invaluable to us on so many levels! And I'm so very grateful for our time there!
Lil & Jabber -- When I read of your plans there, I envision such a fabulous time for you in such a dream setting, also! You know what you want and how to get it. I can't wait to hear where and what you guys decide upon when you find the place that's just right for you!
I have a new bucket wish.
