One of the many blessings I count in my life is the opportunity I've had to do some overseas traveling. Today I thought I'd share some brief thoughts on the foreign countries (and one self-governing commonwealth) that I've visited:
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| Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy |
Belgium-My senior English teacher docked me a point on a paper for typing the Grand Place instead of the Grand Palace. It really is Grand Place and I still want my point back. Make sure to see the night-time laser light show!
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| France |
Luxembourg-Teeny tiny, but beautiful. You know the capital city and country are the same, right? Making it officially Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
France-After two trips to Paris I can officially say I could care less about ever going back there. The Normandy Coast and the French Riviera, however, are definitely worth repeat visits.
Netherlands-My paternal ancestry and I LOVE this country!!!
Canada-The thoroughfare for my multiple drives to and from Alaska. I'm still grateful for kind strangers 50km north of Edmonton who helped me change my flat tire.
Mexico-Anyone who tells me they're taking a Mexican Riviera cruise will probably never have to worry about me asking them for travel advice.
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| London, England |
England-I haven't made it out of London, yet, but definitely on my list to go again.
Bermuda-A GREAT cruise destination because all the ports are on the same island. Get off at the first one and rent a scooter for the rest of your stay. You don't have to be on the ship when it moves-but know that the island is a little step back in time and all-night gas pumps may not be readily available...
Bahamas-Okay, this is a little cheating because I've only been on the beach Princess Cruises leases.
Guatemala-Does anyone have insight on how safe it is to travel independently here? Not knowing, we were overly cautious.
Costa Rica-Definitely do the zip-lining. I went 5 months pregnant. My husband and I were the only English speakers and after listening to a 20-minute safety speech in Spanish we were told, "Hold here, don't touch here. Go!"
Panama-Traveling through the canal is amazing! Tip for my LDS readers-the Panama LDS temple is viewable as you're entering/exiting the east end of the canal.
Puerto Rico-I mostly remember it being dirty.
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| Barcelona, Spain |
Taiwan-This also should be considered a cheat, but a 10-hour over-night layover anywhere counts in my book.
Thailand-Go here!! Get out of Bangkok right away. I went north to Chiang Mai and did a jungle trek. Next time I'll go south to Phuket and the beaches!
Malaysia-Aqua blue beaches, snake temples, and English architecture-a surprisingly interesting destination.
Singapore-As clean as the news reports lead you to believe.
Spain-Gaudi was such a freak! A big-dreaming freak!
Australia-Really incredible-Perth was my absolute favorite. Great opposite-side-of-the-road driving in Tasmania.
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| Cinque Terre, Italy |
New Zealand-The mist in the fjords is worth getting up early for, but I'd spend the rest of my vacationing days on the north end of the north island if I could.
Tahiti-French-speaking and you'll REALLY benefit from being french-speaking, too.
Italy-Where to start? Go here...that's all I can say.
Portugal-All the blue & white tiles in Lisbon-enchanting!
Albania-Such a sad looking country. The fall of communism, the rise of capitalism, and now? Deserted developments as far as the eye can see.
Croatia-Everything wonderful that, for me, Albania was not.
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| The Matterhorn, Switzerland |
Switzerland-Idyllic and the greatest place to have family!
Gibraltar-Okay, the Rock of Gibraltar is a real place! And at the top is a mess of wild monkeys. Totally awesome!
Do you have a story from any of these countries?