Where in the world should we go next?
June 30, 2015 1:49 PM Subscribe
My family just got back from Iceland. We want more awesome places outside of the US. I haven't done much traveling since we've had kids and are ready to get back on the road. We want really safe, not big crowds, really pretty or interesting in some way.
Our next trip is a beach trip in Tulum. One place I considered, but know little about, was Spain (castles and interesting beaches looked cool). We love history & I love awesome food and would like it to be a simple trip from northeast US. Also, travelling around by car easily would be great. I'd love New Zealand but hate to miss out on those vacation days to a long trip there and back. Beautiful hikes are wonderful. We don't do nightlife, want to sit on a beach for a week, or shop so those aren't requirements.
Travelers: 2 adults, 1 nine year old
Our next trip is a beach trip in Tulum. One place I considered, but know little about, was Spain (castles and interesting beaches looked cool). We love history & I love awesome food and would like it to be a simple trip from northeast US. Also, travelling around by car easily would be great. I'd love New Zealand but hate to miss out on those vacation days to a long trip there and back. Beautiful hikes are wonderful. We don't do nightlife, want to sit on a beach for a week, or shop so those aren't requirements.
Travelers: 2 adults, 1 nine year old
Your taste in vacations sounds just like mine, and my favorite trips have been to the Andalucia region of Spain, the Scottish Highlands, and Newfoundland. We did all as road trips.
Newfoundland is the most offbeat, based upon the reactions of people I told we were going to Newfoundland for vacation, but man, it was absolutely gorgeous. And mostly deserted, as we went in May, before the official tourist season began (but look at the freaking icebergs. In May). And really interesting culturally, too. Highly recommend.
posted by something something at 2:00 PM on June 30, 2015 [9 favorites]
Newfoundland is the most offbeat, based upon the reactions of people I told we were going to Newfoundland for vacation, but man, it was absolutely gorgeous. And mostly deserted, as we went in May, before the official tourist season began (but look at the freaking icebergs. In May). And really interesting culturally, too. Highly recommend.
posted by something something at 2:00 PM on June 30, 2015 [9 favorites]
really enjoyed a driving trip through southern France. you start with a couple crazy days in Paris, for the culture and all, but then take the TGV to someplace south (Bordeux,say) and get a car. there are outragious castles, cave paintings, wineries to visit, Papal history bits, possible beach, and the laid-back luxury of semi-big-city Aix-on-Provence. none of that is very crowded, and I stayed mostly in hostels and campgrounds...
posted by acm at 2:23 PM on June 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by acm at 2:23 PM on June 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
really enjoyed a driving trip through southern France
Some friends and I did a driving trip through northern France, and mostly stayed in campgrounds, and I can recommend that too.
posted by aubilenon at 2:29 PM on June 30, 2015
Some friends and I did a driving trip through northern France, and mostly stayed in campgrounds, and I can recommend that too.
posted by aubilenon at 2:29 PM on June 30, 2015
Totally recommend driving around southern France. Fly to Paris, do the fun touristy musts (Eiffel tower, louvre, catacombs if your 9 year old can handle it) and take the train south and rent a car. Montpelier is an awesome beach town with shopping and restaurants and beaches. It was one of the high lights of our trip to France.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 2:45 PM on June 30, 2015
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 2:45 PM on June 30, 2015
The Netherlands outside Amsterdam meets your criteria. The countryside is very beautiful and very flat. Public transportation is good, but actually many sights are easier/more pleasant to reach by car. And you can easily combine it with a trip to western Germany or northern Belgium.
A few things you might be interested in: castles, history museums, lots of hiking, Michelin-starred restaurants, Kinderdijk, The Efteling, Baarle-Nassau, Keukenhof (somewhat crowded), The Hoge Veluwe National Park, De Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park.
posted by neushoorn at 2:45 PM on June 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
A few things you might be interested in: castles, history museums, lots of hiking, Michelin-starred restaurants, Kinderdijk, The Efteling, Baarle-Nassau, Keukenhof (somewhat crowded), The Hoge Veluwe National Park, De Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park.
posted by neushoorn at 2:45 PM on June 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
At 9 or so I LOVED rural and remote UK. I'd stay out of the major cities, and hit the unbeaten track. The north of Scotland, Wales, and even the North of England were fantastic, and very different than say, London. In the UK, the further I got away from 'touristy' the better the experience! France, and even the UK have areas I would consider outside the box of 'really safe', but with some common sense, would be fine.
Seconding Newfoundland as interesting and off the touristy track. L'Anse Aux Meadows (Viking site! Even for the reluctant kind.) may be a draw for a 9 year old! Don't discount crossing into Labrador and driving a circle route on the trans Labrador Highway for a unique experience.
Happy and safe travels!
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 3:27 PM on June 30, 2015 [2 favorites]
Seconding Newfoundland as interesting and off the touristy track. L'Anse Aux Meadows (Viking site! Even for the reluctant kind.) may be a draw for a 9 year old! Don't discount crossing into Labrador and driving a circle route on the trans Labrador Highway for a unique experience.
Happy and safe travels!
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 3:27 PM on June 30, 2015 [2 favorites]
You are right about NZ - we ended up staying an extra month our first time because distance/travel time and almost lost our jobs - but it was so so worth it :))
posted by jbenben at 3:43 PM on June 30, 2015
posted by jbenben at 3:43 PM on June 30, 2015
Sicily! Stromboli is the highlight but there is a ton of stuff to see.
I have had Malta on my list for a long time.
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:49 PM on June 30, 2015
I have had Malta on my list for a long time.
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:49 PM on June 30, 2015
Off the top of my head:
Western Ireland. My wife and I did a bike tour of the Burren and Connemara a few years ago. here are some photos. Driving and walking are also good ways to see the countryside.
Québec. Montréal is big and can be noisy, but once you get away from downtown and the busier areas of the Plateau, it's quite charming in places, and the botanical garden is out of this world. Québec city is lovely. Some time ago we did a trip there with my in-laws, starting in Québec (city), then on to the Parc des Grands Jardins (the southernmost taiga landscape in North America), up to Tadoussac for whale watching, on to Chicoutimi and Jonquière (now part of the city of Saguenay), and then down to Montréal to finish the trip. Plenty of places to hike.
The Cotswolds in England are also a good destination for scenery and walking. You can fly to LHR, take the bus to Oxford, and rent a car (I have used at the Avis near the train station). Burford is particularly lovely. You could continue on toward Wales. Or you could head up to the Peak District, west of Chesterfield and Sheffield, via railway from London (though you might also consider flying to Manchester if that works out better).
Norway is expensive but even the big cities are small. My wife and I rented a car at Gardermoen (the Oslo airport), visited friends north of Oslo, then drove across the Hardanger plateau, down to the southern tip near Arendal (my grandmother's home town is near there), and then over to Stavanger, where we returned the car, visited the city (the Oil Museum would be great for a 9-year-old, I think), then took the ferry to Bergen. The historic Hanseatic Quarter in Bergen is neat, and you can take a funicular up into the mountains overlooking the city and do plenty of hiking. The train ride back to Oslo is gorgeous when the weather cooperates. And while there are definitely crowds, the hike out to Preikestolen (bus and ferry from Stavanger) might be worth putting up with them; it is a stunning view (but don't get too close to the edge).
posted by brianogilvie at 3:51 PM on June 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Western Ireland. My wife and I did a bike tour of the Burren and Connemara a few years ago. here are some photos. Driving and walking are also good ways to see the countryside.
Québec. Montréal is big and can be noisy, but once you get away from downtown and the busier areas of the Plateau, it's quite charming in places, and the botanical garden is out of this world. Québec city is lovely. Some time ago we did a trip there with my in-laws, starting in Québec (city), then on to the Parc des Grands Jardins (the southernmost taiga landscape in North America), up to Tadoussac for whale watching, on to Chicoutimi and Jonquière (now part of the city of Saguenay), and then down to Montréal to finish the trip. Plenty of places to hike.
The Cotswolds in England are also a good destination for scenery and walking. You can fly to LHR, take the bus to Oxford, and rent a car (I have used at the Avis near the train station). Burford is particularly lovely. You could continue on toward Wales. Or you could head up to the Peak District, west of Chesterfield and Sheffield, via railway from London (though you might also consider flying to Manchester if that works out better).
Norway is expensive but even the big cities are small. My wife and I rented a car at Gardermoen (the Oslo airport), visited friends north of Oslo, then drove across the Hardanger plateau, down to the southern tip near Arendal (my grandmother's home town is near there), and then over to Stavanger, where we returned the car, visited the city (the Oil Museum would be great for a 9-year-old, I think), then took the ferry to Bergen. The historic Hanseatic Quarter in Bergen is neat, and you can take a funicular up into the mountains overlooking the city and do plenty of hiking. The train ride back to Oslo is gorgeous when the weather cooperates. And while there are definitely crowds, the hike out to Preikestolen (bus and ferry from Stavanger) might be worth putting up with them; it is a stunning view (but don't get too close to the edge).
posted by brianogilvie at 3:51 PM on June 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Oh! I know! You should go to Northern Ireland!
You can visit the Giant's causeway which is completely natural and amazing. There's all sorts of scenery like this (Torr's head), there's beautiful caves (Cushendun), beaches (Murlough), a crazy rope bridge (Carrick-a-rede), Mountains(Mourne), and the spooky and wonderful dark hedges (which if you are a Game of Thrones fan you may recognise as The King's Road).
They have castles too! There's dilapidated - castles and Intact - castles (The latter of which also happens to be the real-world set for Winterfell in Game of Thrones. If you are even a little bit interested in Game of Thrones, I would highly recommend the archery package which is a bargain at £25 and legitimately the most fun I've ever had prancing around in costumes and firing deadly weapons at targets ;). They also have bike tours and the grounds are beautiful even if you can't stand the show).
All of which is packed into a teeny tiny area (5000 mi²), which is really easy and relatively cheap to rent a car and drive around in a few days. So on top of that you can explore Ireland and/or parts of England / Scotland / Wales.
I just got back from a weekend driving around NI and I loved it. Does it show?
posted by rubyrudy at 5:18 PM on June 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
You can visit the Giant's causeway which is completely natural and amazing. There's all sorts of scenery like this (Torr's head), there's beautiful caves (Cushendun), beaches (Murlough), a crazy rope bridge (Carrick-a-rede), Mountains(Mourne), and the spooky and wonderful dark hedges (which if you are a Game of Thrones fan you may recognise as The King's Road).
They have castles too! There's dilapidated - castles and Intact - castles (The latter of which also happens to be the real-world set for Winterfell in Game of Thrones. If you are even a little bit interested in Game of Thrones, I would highly recommend the archery package which is a bargain at £25 and legitimately the most fun I've ever had prancing around in costumes and firing deadly weapons at targets ;). They also have bike tours and the grounds are beautiful even if you can't stand the show).
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All of which is packed into a teeny tiny area (5000 mi²), which is really easy and relatively cheap to rent a car and drive around in a few days. So on top of that you can explore Ireland and/or parts of England / Scotland / Wales.
I just got back from a weekend driving around NI and I loved it. Does it show?
posted by rubyrudy at 5:18 PM on June 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
I second rural UK. The villages are lovely, and the countryside is remarkably varied. Devon would be a good start (but is popular with European tourists in the late summer. Devon has THREE coasts, all spectacular and two (the Bristol channel to the north and the Atlantic to the west) unspoiled and not very busy. (Southern Devon coast is lovely, but heavily populated.) Between the coasts are two moorland (Exmoor and Dartmoor) which are striking and great for hiking. There are plenty of good roads, but many tiny country roads and almost unknown villages.
Suffolk (north of London on the North sea) surprised me as it's very pretty in a pastoral way. (Most of country-side Britain is pastoral.) There are something like 400 beautiful little stone churches, and that's a great way to see Suffolk, from one church to another.
London is not the safest place in the world, but the British countryside probably is (except for the driving-- wrong side of the road!). The hiking and biking are easy, and there are hundreds of marked trails, plus a quite progressive law that established "Public Footpaths" across private land.
posted by pippin at 7:31 PM on June 30, 2015
Suffolk (north of London on the North sea) surprised me as it's very pretty in a pastoral way. (Most of country-side Britain is pastoral.) There are something like 400 beautiful little stone churches, and that's a great way to see Suffolk, from one church to another.
London is not the safest place in the world, but the British countryside probably is (except for the driving-- wrong side of the road!). The hiking and biking are easy, and there are hundreds of marked trails, plus a quite progressive law that established "Public Footpaths" across private land.
posted by pippin at 7:31 PM on June 30, 2015
A good friend of mine did the Camino De Santiago when she was a kid, and never stops talking about how cool it was.
posted by TheCoug at 7:57 PM on June 30, 2015
posted by TheCoug at 7:57 PM on June 30, 2015
Just wanted to add the The Kröller-Müller Museum to neushoorn's Netherland's list. I think it'd be great (especially the sculpture garden) with kids.
posted by pennypiper at 8:05 PM on June 30, 2015
posted by pennypiper at 8:05 PM on June 30, 2015
Seconding Newfoundland and the Dempster Highway. More so Newfoundland if you have a young son. The Southwest coast is amazing and often overlooked. See Isle aux Morts, Rose Blanche, Port aux Basques, Codroy Valley and Burgeo. The other great parts include Gros Morne, St. Anthony (VIKINGS!), Twillingate and the Coast of Bays, Trinity, and the Avalon. Be prepared to drive many boring hours in between these amazing places. Find locals who can take you out in a boat.
posted by Brodiggitty at 11:07 PM on June 30, 2015
posted by Brodiggitty at 11:07 PM on June 30, 2015
Thirding rural UK. If you have any silly questions about the UK, you can memail me too.
Also suggesting Finland.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 2:21 AM on July 1, 2015
Also suggesting Finland.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 2:21 AM on July 1, 2015
Portugal is compact, comparatively close, inexpensive when compared to the rest of western Europe, and away from Lisbon/Porto/the Algarve very rural, so a self-drive holiday would let you really get out and see the place. Distances are short - Portugal is less than half the size of New England - so a lot could be fit into a few weeks.
posted by mdonley at 3:54 AM on July 1, 2015
posted by mdonley at 3:54 AM on July 1, 2015
I also came to suggest Portugal.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:33 AM on July 1, 2015
posted by DarlingBri at 6:33 AM on July 1, 2015
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posted by OHenryPacey at 1:59 PM on June 30, 2015 [1 favorite]