I've been to four of the six mentioned destinations but, having already been to Athens three times, I'd rather return to Corfu. I am currently in one of my favorite places, the greater Ajijic, Mexico area next to the wonderful Lake Chapala. I was here in January and now once again in December. Three other 2025 favorites is the Gila Hot Springs in SW New Mexico. Camping overnight is a mere $12.00, allowing 24 hour access to the springs. Another place to go in New Mexico is the other worldly Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness located up in the NW corner of the state. A can't miss in your lifetime destination. Another special place where I stayed for two weeks in October is Pagosa Springs, Colorado and its area hot springs. While the commercial springs are good, the wild Piedra River Hot Springs is the one to reach for, located west of town and requiring a hike down a steep trail to the riverside. You will be happy you made the effort, soaking your troubles away in a pristine environment. Who needs hordes of people when instead silence is your friendly companion.
We traveled to two places that were completely different in 25 but we love them both. One was Foz do Iguassu to be able to spend two days at Iguassu Falls that was just overwhelming, especially jet boating around the Falls. The other place was completely different and it was Palermo Sicily surprisingly. We always were afraid to go there cause we heard it was unsafe due to crime, but it was a wonderful city. The city center was clean. You can walk at night without fear of being robbed food was excellent. All of Sicily was great but we have very fond memories of Palermo. 2026 is Iceland and Morocco.
After a month in Italy and a month in China and Thailand last year, this year was domestic. We took a train from Portland, Oregon to Minneapolis in the spring. Spectacular scenery in the Columbia River Gorge, Glacier and across Montana. I thought "Big Sky Country" was just a slogan. It isn't. We had a bedroom, which was grossly overpriced. Of you look at the difference in price between a seat and the bedroom as the cost of the bedroom, it was by far the most expensive hotel we ever stayed in. A summer road trip to San Francisco with a stop to see two plays at the Oregon Shakespeare festival to see a couple of plays, was nice.
This year, we're planning a trip to the East Coast in late summer. We just renewed our passports online. It took less than a week between when we submitted the applications and when we received the new ones in the mail. We got the extra pages and hope to use all of them.
Taipei (and Taiwan) was a revelation in 2025. Its vastly underrated and overshadowed by its regional neighbours. Looking forward to going back and discovering more.
Last summer I went back to visit a friend in Japan, and we went to the Izu Islands, which are part of the Tokyo Metropolis. I was in Japan for a month, and this was our last choice to get away from the burgeoning, bustling scene that Tokyo and Japan is in the summertime. There was a basic overnight ferry, which was a good price so accessible for travelers. We went to the last stop, Hachijojima. It was a fantastic break away from Tokyo--even though it's technically a part of Tokyo. The laid-back culture, the volcanoes, the swimming beach with crystal clear water were all memorable.
While we were in Italy in October we visited Verona for the first time. It is a beautiful city to walk in and discover new things. Fantastic restaurants. So friendly.
I only managed one trip out of the US this year, but it was amazing. Costa Rica was all that I had imagined and more, thanks to Andrés Quiros, our fabulous tour leader with Overseas Adventure Travel. Seeing the unbelievable quetzal just outside our room was a one in a lifetime experience.
The beauty of the isolated island of Huahine, French Polynesia, the ski town of Zakopane Poland and the instagram beauty of Hallstatt Austria. In 2026 St. Martin and Puglia, Calabria and a return to Sicily.
I've been to four of the six mentioned destinations but, having already been to Athens three times, I'd rather return to Corfu. I am currently in one of my favorite places, the greater Ajijic, Mexico area next to the wonderful Lake Chapala. I was here in January and now once again in December. Three other 2025 favorites is the Gila Hot Springs in SW New Mexico. Camping overnight is a mere $12.00, allowing 24 hour access to the springs. Another place to go in New Mexico is the other worldly Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness located up in the NW corner of the state. A can't miss in your lifetime destination. Another special place where I stayed for two weeks in October is Pagosa Springs, Colorado and its area hot springs. While the commercial springs are good, the wild Piedra River Hot Springs is the one to reach for, located west of town and requiring a hike down a steep trail to the riverside. You will be happy you made the effort, soaking your troubles away in a pristine environment. Who needs hordes of people when instead silence is your friendly companion.
We traveled to two places that were completely different in 25 but we love them both. One was Foz do Iguassu to be able to spend two days at Iguassu Falls that was just overwhelming, especially jet boating around the Falls. The other place was completely different and it was Palermo Sicily surprisingly. We always were afraid to go there cause we heard it was unsafe due to crime, but it was a wonderful city. The city center was clean. You can walk at night without fear of being robbed food was excellent. All of Sicily was great but we have very fond memories of Palermo. 2026 is Iceland and Morocco.
After a month in Italy and a month in China and Thailand last year, this year was domestic. We took a train from Portland, Oregon to Minneapolis in the spring. Spectacular scenery in the Columbia River Gorge, Glacier and across Montana. I thought "Big Sky Country" was just a slogan. It isn't. We had a bedroom, which was grossly overpriced. Of you look at the difference in price between a seat and the bedroom as the cost of the bedroom, it was by far the most expensive hotel we ever stayed in. A summer road trip to San Francisco with a stop to see two plays at the Oregon Shakespeare festival to see a couple of plays, was nice.
This year, we're planning a trip to the East Coast in late summer. We just renewed our passports online. It took less than a week between when we submitted the applications and when we received the new ones in the mail. We got the extra pages and hope to use all of them.
Taipei (and Taiwan) was a revelation in 2025. Its vastly underrated and overshadowed by its regional neighbours. Looking forward to going back and discovering more.
I like the more undiscovered corners of the world - but Hong Kong is high on my list!
Last summer I went back to visit a friend in Japan, and we went to the Izu Islands, which are part of the Tokyo Metropolis. I was in Japan for a month, and this was our last choice to get away from the burgeoning, bustling scene that Tokyo and Japan is in the summertime. There was a basic overnight ferry, which was a good price so accessible for travelers. We went to the last stop, Hachijojima. It was a fantastic break away from Tokyo--even though it's technically a part of Tokyo. The laid-back culture, the volcanoes, the swimming beach with crystal clear water were all memorable.
While we were in Italy in October we visited Verona for the first time. It is a beautiful city to walk in and discover new things. Fantastic restaurants. So friendly.
I only managed one trip out of the US this year, but it was amazing. Costa Rica was all that I had imagined and more, thanks to Andrés Quiros, our fabulous tour leader with Overseas Adventure Travel. Seeing the unbelievable quetzal just outside our room was a one in a lifetime experience.
The beauty of the isolated island of Huahine, French Polynesia, the ski town of Zakopane Poland and the instagram beauty of Hallstatt Austria. In 2026 St. Martin and Puglia, Calabria and a return to Sicily.