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$5000 trip: where would you go? UPDATE: HAWAII! #2749354
03/05/20 06:46 PM
03/05/20 06:46 PM
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Minnesota
Hemi_Joel Offline OP
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Hemi_Joel  Offline OP
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It looks like I will be awarded a $5000 custom travel package for my achievement in a sales contest. boogie

From what I know so far, I will be contacted by a travel agent to put together a trip. If the trip cost more than $5000, I'd have to pay the difference. I'm looking for ideas where to go.

Here is some background: It will be me and my wife, we are both 60, and even though I'm game, she can't/won't do real strenuous stuff like long hikes up mountains, or scary stuff like jump out of a plane or zip line, etc. Also, we are not really into night life, but we enjoy fine dining when on trips. We live in Minnesota, and I'm super busy in the summer, so a warm, interesting winter get-away seems like the best idea. We don't like to just lay on the beach in one spot all day. But walking around on beaches and seeing cool stuff is very interesting to us. I like to see new stuff that I've never seen before, natural wonders, cool man-made stuff like tours of gigantic dams or historic ruins for example.

We discussed going to the holy land at one time, but personal safety is kind of a concern on a trip like that. Is that really something we need to be concerned about?

Since I don't have a cash option, only the trip, I feel like we should do something that I wouldn't do if I was spending my own money.

What ideas do you guys have for me? confused

Last edited by Hemi_Joel; 03/15/20 01:54 AM.

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Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2749359
03/05/20 06:52 PM
03/05/20 06:52 PM
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Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda Offline
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Well.....since someone else is paying.....Hawaii is an obvious choice. Spend some time on Oahu —Honolulu for some city activity, Waikiki beach, and Pearl Harbor for the tours.

Then puddle jump to Maui for super relaxing times, LaHaina, snorkeling and drive up to Haleakala. 5000 would pay for a lot of activity and some damn nice hotels.

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Pacnorthcuda] #2749361
03/05/20 06:54 PM
03/05/20 06:54 PM
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Minnesota
Hemi_Joel Offline OP
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The wife has mentioned that she would like to learn how to snorkel.


[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]
31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum
RS23J71
RS27J77
RP23J71
RO23J71
WM21J8A
I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do.
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2749367
03/05/20 07:00 PM
03/05/20 07:00 PM
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Posts: 21,808
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda Offline
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Maui is world famous for snorkeling......just ask Snorkle Bob. Milepost 14 by Lahaina is a favorite spot. You can also spend a full day driving to Hana and back....it’s a long twisty drive that’s kind of a must do.....

The brunch at Waileia (sp?) is world class, Not cheap, so go hungry.

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Pacnorthcuda] #2749368
03/05/20 07:02 PM
03/05/20 07:02 PM
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It's a dry heat
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Originally Posted by Pacnorthcuda
Well.....since someone else is paying.....Hawaii is an obvious choice. Spend some time on Oahu —Honolulu for some city activity, Waikiki beach, and Pearl Harbor for the tours.

Then puddle jump to Maui for super relaxing times, LaHaina, snorkeling and drive up to Haleakala. 5000 would pay for a lot of activity and some damn nice hotels.


My 1st thought was Hawaii,

My wife's uncle did 2 weeks in Italy maybe 2 or 3 years ago and said they WILL go back, but I doubt thats in the $5k or less budget

I personally would love to see Greece,or Italy, Switzerland , Ireland etc etc etc.
But wife doesn't like to fly so getting her on that long of a flight is near impossible

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: gtx6970] #2749372
03/05/20 07:04 PM
03/05/20 07:04 PM
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For around that price I would go to Bermuda. Some of the nicest people I have met.

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2749379
03/05/20 07:19 PM
03/05/20 07:19 PM
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Florida STAYcation
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H J ... would you LIKE a cash option ?

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Pacnorthcuda] #2749381
03/05/20 07:23 PM
03/05/20 07:23 PM
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So Near, Yet So Far
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I agree that Hawaii would be my choice, but the Big Island is the one to visit and soak in.
I lived in HI for a couple years and then returned pretty much every year for a visit for quite some time.
Hilo has an old-town charm, Kona area has some interesting old sites, and the terrain & climate change in different areas.
There's also the volcanos, various farms & stores selling the farmed goods, waterfalls, etc.
If you like fresh fish, it comes into Hilo every morning before dawn.
It and Kauai are the most Hawaiian of the islands that are easy to visit.
What I didn't like about Maui is it's full of condos for haoles; Lahaina & Haleakala are very cool, but a lot of the Hawaiian character got lost IMO in the condo boom.
Oahu's become pretty built up, enough that friends have moved from there to Big Island.
If you stay in Hilo, get a room on the bay side of the Hilo Hawaiian: incredibly peaceful, plus the adjacent park & waterfront are almost heavenly.

Only other area I'd visit outside the US would be England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany & Italy, but they won't be as warm right now.
Everyone I know that's visited those places has loved them.

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2749388
03/05/20 07:36 PM
03/05/20 07:36 PM
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Jefferson State
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srt Offline
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New Zealand. Rent a motor home and travel during our winter (their spring/summer).

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: srt] #2749393
03/05/20 08:00 PM
03/05/20 08:00 PM
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Minnesota
Hemi_Joel Offline OP
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Great ideas, thanks! Hawaii sounds like a great idea. New Zealand in a motor home would be really fun too. We would like to see Europe, but that would probably have to wait until after I retire so that we can go in the summer instead of the winter.

Doc, I'm glad there is not a cash option so don't have to make that choice. I love to travel, but it's hard to get my wife to go with. She loves her life at home and being around our grandkids and kids. It's hard for her to leave, even if it's only for a couple of weeks. But when I do get her to go somewhere she always has fun and we make great memories. But if there was a cash option should say to take the money and split it with her. catfight

Last edited by Hemi_Joel; 03/05/20 08:03 PM.

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31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum
RS23J71
RS27J77
RP23J71
RO23J71
WM21J8A
I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do.
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2749395
03/05/20 08:08 PM
03/05/20 08:08 PM
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WI
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We did a couple trips in the last few years including Hawaii and Alaska. If I could do either again it would be Alaska...hands down. We did a cruise up the inside passage and it was stunning. Did a couple cool excursions including a Hovercraft ride out to a glacier and a 750hp boat cruise...both were a blast!! we went in June and the weather was perfect...not hot,not cold. Absolutely beautiful! This is cell phone pic from a glass top train ride we took...you can imagine what it looked like in person!

Alaska.jpg
Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Dcuda69] #2749398
03/05/20 08:23 PM
03/05/20 08:23 PM
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PA.
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Are you going to wait till the corona scare is over. I wouldn’t take a plane or ship now if you paid me.


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Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: pittsburghracer] #2749401
03/05/20 08:29 PM
03/05/20 08:29 PM
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I have multiple friends who just got back from Israel. Security is not a big problem, at least in their eyes. It is a LOT of walking and some of it up and down hills. We want to take a motor home trip around the US, but that may not be something that this would cover.

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2749406
03/05/20 08:38 PM
03/05/20 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Hemi_Joel
Great ideas, thanks! Hawaii sounds like a great idea. New Zealand in a motor home would be really fun too. We would like to see Europe, but that would probably have to wait until after I retire so that we can go in the summer instead of the winter.

Doc, I'm glad there is not a cash option so don't have to make that choice. I love to travel, but it's hard to get my wife to go with. She loves her life at home and being around our grandkids and kids. It's hard for her to leave, even if it's only for a couple of weeks. But when I do get her to go somewhere she always has fun and we make great memories. But if there was a cash option should say to take the money and split it with her. catfight


But HJ ... can you transfer that (sell it) ?

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: dIc dOc Deity !] #2749414
03/05/20 09:04 PM
03/05/20 09:04 PM
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It's a dry heat
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Alaska, is another great idea. Depending on WHERE you go it might even be nice in winter.
I know a few people whom have made the trip there. ALL loved it

Some very good friends of mine made a trip there maybe 10 years ago. rented a 4 whl drive of some sort and drove around the Yukon for about 10 days . Said was one of the best trips he has ever made

My wifes aunt moved to Anchorage back in the mid 70s and never came back

I would love to visit the area someday,,,,,maybe someday I will

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: gtx6970] #2749419
03/05/20 09:18 PM
03/05/20 09:18 PM
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Michigan
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Hawaii, big island. Spent a week there on the honeymoon and never felt so at ease in my life. Absolutely beautiful and a great place to soak up WWII history if you're into that. I went a decade ago and and all inclusive trip cost us $6500 with airfare. Included a two day stay in a hotel overlooking Waikiki Beach. Take a tour of Punch Bowl and when asked what car you want to rent, get the convertible!


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Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: MarkZ] #2749425
03/05/20 09:28 PM
03/05/20 09:28 PM
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Minnesota
Hemi_Joel Offline OP
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We are planning to an Alaska trip in our camper, but we don't want to do it in the winter. And while I'm still working in roofing, all the time I can afford to take off in the spring/summer/fall goes into racing and car stuff. So Alaska will have to wait until I retire. Hawaii is starting to sound pretty good. If we go there, I do want to see Pearl Harbor. So we would need to spend some time on that island.

This would be for next winter, I assume the coronavirus will be gone by then.


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31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum
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RS27J77
RP23J71
RO23J71
WM21J8A
I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do.
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2749433
03/05/20 09:57 PM
03/05/20 09:57 PM
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Charleston SC
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Fishstix Offline
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In my mind I would need a little more information to give a suggestion.

Where have you been in the past?

Are you scared of the CoronaVirus right now?

A few interests.. history etc. I say that even if you like laying around you are still surrounded by things.

Off the cuff I say visit Europe(Croatia, Spain, Italy) before it gets further in its spiral downward. I have spent plenty of time living and vacationing there.

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2749434
03/05/20 10:00 PM
03/05/20 10:00 PM
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Paducah, KY USA Earth
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Big Island. Start looking to book now, and go in December-February. This is high season though, and lots of hotels and rentals will be more expensive. But, you'll be in Hawaii in winter! It's a HUGE island; you'll need a rental vehicle. Jeep or convertible is best. If you're lucky, Mauna Kea will have a big snow while you're there, and you can go to the beach, then go up the mountain and ski and hike in snow, then bring snow back down to the beach. Lots of Humpback and other whales in the area at this time, and definitely recommend going out on a boat ride. Lots of different kinds of beaches to visit. Cliff jump at South Point. Fish. Pig hunt. Do a day trip to Oahu and visit Pearl. We can't wait to visit again. And there ARE some Mopars on the islands.

Re: $5000 trip: where would you go? [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2749437
03/05/20 10:14 PM
03/05/20 10:14 PM
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Make a tour of the Republic of Georgia.

Great sites to see, very friendly people, best food in the world, first place to make wine.

Start in Batumi and take a train to T'blisi.

You will however have difficulty making it come anywhere near $5,000.

flights will be about $2,500 and if you can get airbnb it won't be more than $50 a night for a good apartment.

Food will be very cheap and truly amazing. I was shocked at how good everything was. Adjaruli Khachupuri!!!!

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