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.

We're headed back to Oregon in March. This time we're headed south from our typical spot in Oregon. Going to do some whale watching, and check out other sea side locations and their views. Depoe Bay Oregon and surrounding areas

Favorite area - Southeast Asia. I love to dive and nothing really compares. Overall a very cheap area to vacation or slow travel like we do. Specifically I love Thailand and Vietnam for the food, Indonesia and Philippines for the diving and the region as a whole for a wonderful experience every day.

Runner up is Chile and Argentina. Amazing food, people and culture.

Spring break 26' taken with my phone
Oregon hwy 101

In the US, it's probably Sedona or the Oregon coast. International, it's Hvar, Croatia.

Great info. I've never been and this has been on our list for some time. For whatever reason, my impression of Banff was that it was stunningly beautiful but not a lot to do so you've dispelled that. I have no idea why I had that impression.

For us, we love northern New Mexico so that's our #1 spot. Internationally, it's Iceland. TBF though, it's really the only international trip we've ever taken together. We've tried to go to Italy twice and both occasions we had to cancel literally the day before. One time - my back went out. The other time - her back went out. We are jinxed on that so haven't tried again.

Iceland is still badass though even if it's our only international trip together.

For outdoors I second Banff, especially in the summertime. Great golf, great hiking, clean town for shopping/bars/food, and the views are unreal. It is a must visit for everyone imo considering the ease to get there and the relative affordability.

For city/urban I'd have to say Savannah or Boston. Savannah has the old south charm with tons of history, great food, and just that slow pace that is very relaxing where you can just walk and stroll the day away. People always compare it Charleston, but I preferred Savannah. I think the smaller vibe and all the old trees everywhere made it more peaceful imo.

Boston is a little more fast paced but the history, seafood, Fenway park, etc is fantastic if you enjoy the bigger city feel.

Agree on Boston for a city vacation. The history alone is worth visiting with that walking tour path thing they have. Cool city. And the Red Sox game was a blast as well.

That Little Italy area with the food is pretty fantastic.

A good friend of mine recently recommended Chicago for a city vacation. We looked into it and saw that Chicago has a nice zoo, and a nice aquarium. Any thoughts on Chicago?

Blonde Coffee Beans said:

---

A good friend of mine recently recommended Chicago for a city vacation. We looked into it and saw that Chicago has a nice zoo, and a nice aquarium. Any thoughts on Chicago?

---

Chicago is a great time, you just have to pick the right zone for your home base. It's like any big city. There's crime and what not, but I've always felt plenty safe around the Gold Coast region and the Magnificent Mile.

Some highlights, depending on your interests:

• Walk down Michigan Ave and the Magnificent Mile all the way to Millennium Park and the Bean
• The Field Museum to see Sue the T-Rex and the Tsavo lions from The Ghost and the Darkness
• The Shedd Aquarium is great, especially the Wild Reef exhibit
• Willis Tower (aka the Sears Tower) and the Skydeck.
• You can tour some of the sites from the Dark Knight if that's your thing
• The architecture boat tour is good. The nighttime skyline tour on the fireboat that leaves Navy Pier is great as well.
• Food is awesome. Lou Malnati's for pizza. We went to Mr. Beef last time (inspiration for The Bear).
• Everyone should see a game at Wrigley Field once, even if you don't like baseball. Then go drink and Old Style at Sluggers, win or lose.

AustinCountyAg said:

---

For outdoors I second Banff, especially in the summertime. Great golf, great hiking, clean town for shopping/bars/food, and the views are unreal. It is a must visit for everyone imo considering the ease to get there and the relative affordability.

---

Banff in the summer can't be beat. I'm convinced it's the most beautiful place in the world, especially the trek up 93 to the glacier fields. It's truly astounding. Plus, you get a version of daylight until like 10:30 at night. Just an incredible place.