Every time I try to plan a vacation, I end up worried I won't like it as much or will compare it to my favorite area of Oregon. Ive done my fair share of traveling and so far, the Oregon coastline is my absolute favorite.

Im looking for other ideas. Please post your favorite vacation area Feel free to post pictures, give recommendations to the areas. Whether thats restaurants, venues, sites to view, hotels or whatever it is that you love about it.

Here's a thread I started not long ago over in the Entertainment, forum. Ive been there 5 times now.
https://texags.com/forums/13/topics/3566700
Thanks!

new zealand south island

https://www.earthtrekkers.com/two-week-south-island-new-zealand-itinerary/

If I had to pick only one vacation spot for the rest of my life, it would be Banff, Canada.

We've visited in summer and winter, and it's two totally different experiences, both of which are amazing.

As far as getting there, it's only a 4 hour direct flight from IAH to YYC, and about a 2 hour easy drive to Banff. I love the Fairmont Banff Springs, but we've also found an amazing (and relatively affordable) Airbnb right in town. Canmore has even more affordable lodging. Canada overall has been really affordable lately, too (1 Canadian dollar is about 0.7 US).

There are multiple restaurants in Banff that I really enjoy, and in particular, I can get great cheese fondue (one of my faves).

I don't ski, and in winter time, that doesn't matter. There are so many fantastic outdoor winter activities, that you don't need to ski.

In summer, it's easy to take a trip up the Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier or even on to Jasper. The glacial lakes are unbelievably beautiful, and the hiking is fantastic.

I'm headed back for my third Christmas visit, and there are still so many activities we haven't done.

There are plenty of other places I've visited and would love to go back, but to have such a beautiful destination that is so close and easy to get to makes it my #1.

Other places that would get a vote:
Sicily - all the best parts of Italy on one (drivable) island
The Azores - all the beauty of Hawaii without the crowds and at a fraction of the cost
Yosemite - just iconic
Normandy Region of France - go for the history, stay for the hospitality

Would love to hear about non-ski activities. Our knees are starting to give out ha

What we've done so far:
Johnston Canyon frozen waterfall "hike" (not strenuous at all)
Tubing at Mt Norquay (as a kid who grew up with sand, not snow, I LOVE this!)
Snowshoeing
Ice Skating on Lake Louise (this was a disaster - we don't ice skate, either, but the lake is beautiful to just walk on)
Snowmobiling (you do have to drive about 2 hours to BC to do this, as it's not allowed in the park)
Cross country skiing (we took a lesson)
Spa at Fairmont Banff Springs
Banff public hot springs

What we have planned next trip:
Fat tire E-biking
Trip to Abraham Lake to see the ice bubbles and frozen waterfalls
Kananaskis Nordic spa (there is also a brand new Nordic spa in Canmore that opens this month)
Hike/walk around Emerald Lake

If I left anything off, or we do something not on this list next trip, I'll come back and add to it.

Sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing. We have a February break coming up and trying to think of different options.

Summer, winter, but not fall?!?! You must go!

The Larches are my single favorite natural wonder on Earth. We're in OR, so mainly head to North Cascade/Enchantments, but Mount Assiniboine is the Larch GOAT of North America if you can with the lottery permit. One day we'll get the Dolomite Larches. It's just hard to time them + weather windows from so far away.

Haven't been in fall, yet, but it's def on my list. Just still a little hard to travel at that time of year.

Add dog sledding to the list of non-skiing winter activities. We just booked it for our trip in December.