Get Inspired – Ideas for your next vacation

Several years ago I started a list called “Vacation Ideas”. It’s a draft email I keep in my Outlook account at work because I always seem to come up with ideas for vacations while I’m sitting at work – go figure :).  This list is basically my travel wish-list and it contains far away destinations like the Amalfi Coast in Italy and Machu Picchu in Peru along with more local places like Charleston, South Carolina and Glacier National Park in Montana.  If you’re looking for ideas for your next trip, I can recommend several great places – for couples or for a family.  You will notice that hardly any of these destinations are beach vacations.  For at least 10 years I’ve been telling Brian we should take a beach vacation.  But, when it comes down to planning our next trip, we always gravitate toward other destinations.  And our pale skin probably thanks us for this decision.  Someday we’ll hit up the beach and an all-inclusive, but if those are the kind of suggestions you’re looking for, I can’t help you.  Want more information on a certain spot?  Let me know in the comments.

United States

• West Coast
  • California – San Francisco.  Wine country, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s wharf, seafood.
  • California – Newport Beach.  Biking on the boardwalk, paddle boarding, beach bars, boats.
  • Oregon – Portland.  Hiking, breweries, scenic drives, funky restaurants, and waterfalls.
  • Washington – Seattle.  Markets, underground tours, trivia treks.
  • Nevada – Las Vegas + Grand Canyon National Park.  Shows, food, hiking, photography.
  • Utah – Moab + Arches National Park + Canyonlands National Park.  Mountain biking, hiking, jeep tours, kayaking.

    

    

    

• Rocky Mountains
  • Colorado – Colorado Springs, Denver, Boulder + Rocky Mountain National Park.  Mountains, wildlife, hiking, whitewater rafting.
• Midwest
  • Wisconsin – This is where we live, we’ve explored a lot of the state
  • Minnesota – Minneapolis.  Biking, shopping, breweries, food.
  • Illinois – Chicago.  Shopping, architecture, museums, food.
• East Coast
  • New York – New York City.  Food, museums, bridges, shows.
  • Washington, D.C.  Museums, food, relaxation.
  • Maine – Portland, Bar Harbor + Acadia National Park.  Lobster boats, scenery, biking, kayaking, quaint towns, food.
  • Massachusetts – Boston.  History, seafood, Harvard, breweries.

    

    

• South
  • North Carolina – Asheville.  Mountains, breweries, food, hiking, kayaking.
  • Tennessee – Memphis, Nashville.  Music, food, tours, more music.
  • Texas – Austin.  Parks, canoeing, biking, food, music, shopping.
  • Florida – Fort Myers, Delray Beach.  Beaches, mini golf, food.
  • Louisiana – New Orleans.  Music, gardens, people, food.

Europe

• Germany – Munich.  Beer halls, bike tours, sausage.
• Germany – Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Fussen, Baden-Baden.  Wine, villages, castles, bath house.
• Czech Republic – Prague.  Bridges, castles.
• Italy – Venice, Florence, Rome.  History, gondolas, museums, wine, Tuscany, biking, views.
• Greece – Athens, Mykonos, Santorini.  Wine, sunsets, ruins, ocean.
• Switzerland – Lucerne, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Murren.  The most beautiful views.  Ever.
• Spain – Barcelona, Madrid.  Cathedrals, biking, street performers, tapas.
• France – Paris.  Eiffel tower, museums, wine, cafes.

Central America/Mexico

• Costa Rica.  Volcanoes, beaches, zip lines, monkeys, waterfalls, horses, butterflies.
• Mexico – Isla Mujeres.  Beaches, golf carts, food, markets, beach bars.