A country you would love to visit/ would have loved to visit

I would love to go to Chile and Peru. The scenery and culture looks amazing.
Some parts of the US I wouldn’t go to but you have the most beautiful National Parks - Bryce Canyon being one of my favourites.

I never did get to see Vietnam - but now the thought of catching Covid so away from home puts me off.

When I was in my 20s a d had completed my nursing training I wanted to go to New Zealand .I could have gone under the immigration scheme in the 60s but required my father's permission as I was under 25. My parents would no agree to sign my paperwork so I wasn't allowed to go. I am now 82and regret that I didn't go .

I've never really had any desire to travel to the US and even less so now. The whole tipping culture alone would really p* me off. And nothing on this earth would ever persuade me to go on a cruise.

Thank you, ladies - fannycornforth, Rosie51, Riverwalk and others pondering my post. I knew when I sent it, it was a downer. Your answers lifted me up.

Actually, I ❤️ my country and would welcome all of you with open arms anytime. But the reality is right now we’re in a bad spot. Until we have our next election in ‘24 and see where the U.S. will be headed, we don’t know how this will play out.

The U.S. is full of MAJESTY, all kinds of climates and cultures. We’re expansive in its offerings. Our major cities are beautiful and have much to enjoy and learn from.

I hope people around the world will see the discourse currently going on rest and fade away so there would never be fear or loathing of ever coming here again.
I’m working on it with my VOTE!
USA Gundy

Bermuda and Hawaii

Sri Lanka trumps India as it’s got 3 major religions and it’s not as universally poverty stricken, or was, until recently.
Thailand is very user friendly especially for lone females.
Companies such as Explore, Ramblers’ Holidays or Exodus offer multi- level group walking holidays, singletons welcomed! Many people have partners who aren’t interested in such trips- so it’s really fine. Most people are over 50 or 60!
Have a couple of far flung places that I’d like to get to before I stop long haul flying - because of climate change… Western Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand is wonderful. Have made three trips there and hoping to make another in 2025. So much to see and do, friendly and helpful people.

I wish we had 'discovered' Portugal 10 years ago. The parts we have seen are so interesting but we no longer want to drive ourselves and public transport inland is not that good.

For those on their own I recommend looking at Passion for Cruises website and Facebook group. It’s a wonderful safe way to travel.

enabenn

My husband is obsessed with the Ukraine war. He listened to it about three or four times a day on his phone or laptop. He has no connection with the country he is British. Never spoke about the country until the war. I can't say anything to him as he silks. Any ideas.

Any ideas
Suggest he finds a hub which is supporting Ukrainian refugees in this country. He could volunteer his services and feel as if he is doing something positive and helping.

Thanks Callistemon- starting to think of the trip and packing now, not long to go. I wish we had travelled more when we were younger, Fanny - much easier and much cheaper re insurance. Actually we never even took out insurance in those days- blithely optimistic.

Oh Gundy don't do your country down!

I've been to the US many times and love it there and will certainly go again - been to various parts e.g. California, East Coast, Georgia, New Mexico and the Grand Canyon. There's so much to see and do and the chances of any of us being shot must be vary small statistically.

We have a lot of unsavoury characters here, including some politicians, but they're not representative of the UK as a whole.

My husband is obsessed with the Ukraine war. He listened to it about three or four times a day on his phone or laptop. He has no connection with the country he is British. Never spoke about the country until the war. I can't say anything to him as he silks. Any ideas.

Blooming heck, Callistemon you wouldn’t want me with you either. We’d be a right pair!

Oh Gundy how sad you feel like that. I loved visiting USA, San Diego area and New York being particular favourites. I must say I never felt frightened, but agree the ever more reported shootings do make me more nervous now. We were last in New York only three years ago so my perception has changed relatively quickly.

Israel

Yes, Canada and Alaska.

Perhaps we should have entered Race Across the World, nanna8, although I can't run very fast now (well, I never could).

Enjoy your trip to The Kimberleys. I love rural/Outback Australia and would like to explore more of it, but it is so vast.

Gundy I’m so sorry that your country has let you down.
Many (most?) of us here feel the same way.

Both nanna8 and I said that we would love to go to Alaska (perhaps we could even meet up!)

It goes without mentioning, no one here has any desire to come to the U.S. Don’t even entertain the thought about coming here. It’s not that we don’t want you, but our country is broken right now.

I don’t even recognize my country anymore. Mass shootings every day…sickening! Republican leaders are “mental” and cannot deal with legislating change, being beholden to the NRA which keeps cranking out more guns, while certain leaders just keep claiming it’s ONLY “about mental health” - the same disease that grips their own minds over this issue.

When people stop coming here as willing tourists - and it will take lots and over a period of time for any impact - that will be the saddest day… because America is broken right now. No one should ever be afraid to come here. I’m working to fix this.
USA Gundy

Cruising is definitely the easy way to travel, but it’s not cheap. There’s a medical team on board and if you can pay, there’s transport available from your doorstep. 😎

I’d love to go back to Kashmir. I was there in 1981, staying in a houseboat on Lake Dal and later in Palgham in the mountains. It was utterly beautiful but even back then there were tensions bubbling. Not safe at all now sadly.

Reading folks' posts has made me realise how lucky I have been having visited an awful lot of the places mentioned. DH having dies last year travel is not on agenda for me now though I am going to Turkey with family this year. Different kind of holiday for me but very kind to be included. Travel whilst you can, there's nothing like it.

Lapland in January, spectacular!

Have done a lot of the countries mentioned, incl Russia - but wouldn't go there now for sure!! However would love to do Japan but as I now travel solo, being a widow and no close family and friends who have died, I don't think it would be the same. Love Canada and have so many happy memories of travels in that big and beautiful country - from feeding Mars bars to elk in the middle of the road, to having to move in a hurry when a baby bear intruded our picnic - Mama bear not far behind!! Went riding with some Indian braves in a wilderness area where it was essential to sign a book that you went knowing the dangers of the wildlife! I was advised to keep singing or talking so the bears knew we were there - seeing the height of their scratch marks in the trees I didn't need to be told twice!! Happy days!