they say that travel broadens the mind

[keryx]

I need to leave the country.

Not as in, to avoid the law. But. I have actually never left the US, and the only thing my coach has ever told me to do is add "leave country" to my list of personal goals for the next year.

So. Where should I go?

[NOTE: You may choose to accept or ignore the constraints that I can't afford an expensive or time-consuming trip next year since I'll also be doing my last urban family Hilo visit before my peeps come back to the continent for awhile.]

Comments

[turbogrrl.livejournal.com]

montreal has some fantastic food, and they even speak a different language up there, but will speak english too. It's also occasionally possible to get a decent weekend efare.

Continuing with the french theme, paris is lovely. But they are not so good with the speaking english all the time.

But if the goal is to merely get out of the country, not off the continent, I highly recommend canada. Of course, step one is to get a passport.

[arovd.livejournal.com]

so, japan is a short trip from hilo... combine the two. :)

[diechotomy.livejournal.com]

Toronto is an awesome city. It's my favorite city I've visited.

Cancun has all-inclusive resort trips. I've been there twice - not by choice - they were company trips. I'm not a fan of Mexico and resorts (or heat and sun, as you know), but the side trips to Chitzen Itza and Tulum made it all worthwhile.

[cyprinella]

I loved Vienna when I was there a while back. Nova Scotia is also beautiful.

[orkid.livejournal.com]

yeah, as others have suggested, you could leave the country without leaving the continent. you could even do something as simple as visit the other side of niagara falls.

i haven't been to mexico, so that's probably next for me (maybe Guanajuato or some resort town or other). then peru (Machu Picchu!). no more europe until i visit some other continents.

but you could visit a european city for a few days - there are a lot of good things about london if you're going alone. and i know someone who took a spontaneous trip to rome for a few days and loved it.

[tupelo.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I was gonna say Toronto! It's my favorite North American city. Hong Kong is my favorite overall city. But you can drive to Toronto and make a side trip to Niagara Falls which is kitschy fun.

[luguvalium.livejournal.com]

seconded

[libskrat]

I can't say enough good about Edinburgh. I just fell in love with it, best trip to Europe I've ever done (not that I've done that many -- five?). You in particular would love the Fringe, though you probably won't be able to make it there in time.

[gattabtribal.livejournal.com]

Ireland...especially the Ring of Kerry, Balingskelligs. Most beautiful place on earth that I have ever visited. My DH & I went for our honeymoon, and we are desparately saving to go back. No clocks or electronics for the most part. Just beautiful houses with tons of rolling hills and unlimited sky with no light pollution, so you get to see gazillions and gazillions of stars.

[peregrin8.livejournal.com]

Venice.