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Travel & Experiences

Where Times readers are traveling in 2011

More info: www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm Read about the Grand Canyon: Drama along the Grand Canyon North Rim Hey, Sin City top this: Grand Canyon West's new Skywalk Lightning's a wonder to behold in the Grand Canyon, but it can be deadly

My fantasy travel trip is the Amazonian rain forest. I have been fascinated by wild jungles, the Amazon River and Mother Nature’s vast wonders since childhood, so this remains a mesmerizing and mysterious part of the world that I fantasize about. Spending a few enthralling weeks exploring and photographing to my soul’s content while my health and energy levels are still vitally intact, to experience, sleep and then awaken in an Amazonian tree house is a constant dreamy thought.

The reality vacation will include driving to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim to hike and stay in a cabin this May, a four-day affair. I’m hoping my still-single young adult son will join me. It will be the first time for either of us to see and experience this nearby wonder of the world, but we’re hoping to make this a new annual cost-conscious destination. We also plan on Catalina Island. Two Harbors Campground is an annual spring/summer traditional destination and has been for 35 years. Hiking or lazing about on this roomy part of the isle during hot days, cool evenings, hazy dawns and soft dusks; imbibing a buffalo milk in the village outdoor bar; or just gazing happily at bobbing boats in the harbor and Los Angeles’ lights afar and sparkling stars above is simply a gift that is personally spiritual.

Daniel J. Marquez, Redlands  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

We asked readers where they would go if money and time were no object, and where they were likely to go in 2011. Thailand for dental work, one said. A trip with a friend to France, another said. Here are some of the other responses. Bon voyage!

View these responses in To share your 2011 travel plans, visit our discussion forum. Click here to upload photos of your travels in 2010.

I booked a trip for March that has been on my bucket list for several years: Baja California to San Ignacio Lagoon to see female whales just after giving birth. It is said that they proudly bring their offspring to passengers in small boats. I booked the trip through Road Scholar, formerly known as Elder Hostel. I am 79, and it will be my first trip with this organization. June Smith, Capitola, Calif. Pictured: Hotel California in Todos Santos

I booked a trip for March that has been on my bucket list for several years: Baja California to San Ignacio Lagoon to see female whales just after giving birth. It is said that they proudly bring their offspring to passengers in small boats.

I booked the trip through Road Scholar, formerly known as Elder Hostel. I am 79, and it will be my first trip with this organization.

June Smith, Capitola, Calif.

Pictured: Hotel California in Todos Santos   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Three couples are flying to Istanbul in September. This will be my fourth visit to Istanbul and much of Turkey, one of my favorite countries. There is so much to see and do that you could easily spend a week without seeing it all: whirling dervishes, spectacular mosques and palaces including Topkapi, a naval museum with 200-foot-long oar-powered boats, the cisterns, great food, one of the busiest bodies of water coupled with great views, etc. From there we cruise to Venice, with stops on the west coast of Turkey, the Greek Isles and the Dalmatian coast. Curtis Reis, Rolling Hills Pictured: The majestic Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul's major landmarks.

Three couples are flying to Istanbul in September. This will be my fourth visit to Istanbul and much of Turkey, one of my favorite countries. There is so much to see and do that you could easily spend a week without seeing it all: whirling dervishes, spectacular mosques and palaces including Topkapi, a naval museum with 200-foot-long oar-powered boats, the cisterns, great food, one of the busiest bodies of water coupled with great views, etc. From there we cruise to Venice, with stops on the west coast of Turkey, the Greek Isles and the Dalmatian coast.

Curtis Reis, Rolling Hills

Pictured: The majestic Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s major landmarks.   (Leslie Brenner / For The Times)

Since we will be 76 and 70, respectively, we plan to complete our objective of visiting the seven wonders of the modern world: The Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. Our itinerary is Beijing, Delhi, India; and Capetown, South Africa, with a side trip to Nairobi/Masai Mara. Dolores and John Juarez, Huntington Beach Pictured: Taj Mahal

Since we will be 76 and 70, respectively, we plan to complete our objective of visiting the seven wonders of the modern world: The Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. Our itinerary is Beijing, Delhi, India; and Capetown, South Africa, with a side trip to Nairobi/Masai Mara.

Dolores and John Juarez, Huntington Beach

Pictured: Taj Mahal   (Gurinder Osan / Associated Press)

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My dream vacation for 2011 would be a cruise around the world. In 2011, though, I'm actually vacationing at six home exchanges. At the beginning of the year, I will share a lake view cabin in Big Bear with my family playing in the snow. In February, we are exchanging at a condo near the beach in Coronado. March brings a large house in Phoenix to enjoy spring training. This summer we will be in three exchanges in Europe: a villa overlooking the Mediterranean in Javea, Spain; an ocean view condo in Nice, France; and a renovated 100-year-old chalet in Kandersteg, Switzerland. These homes will be exchanges Nos. 45-50; since 2003 I've found this an enlightening way to travel that brings the world together. Julie Martini, Huntington Beach Pictured: Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, Calif.

My dream vacation for 2011 would be a cruise around the world. In 2011, though, I’m actually vacationing at six home exchanges. At the beginning of the year, I will share a lake view cabin in Big Bear with my family playing in the snow. In February, we are exchanging at a condo near the beach in Coronado. March brings a large house in Phoenix to enjoy spring training. This summer we will be in three exchanges in Europe: a villa overlooking the Mediterranean in Javea, Spain; an ocean view condo in Nice, France; and a renovated 100-year-old chalet in Kandersteg, Switzerland. These homes will be exchanges Nos. 45-50; since 2003 I’ve found this an enlightening way to travel that brings the world together.

Julie Martini, Huntington Beach

Pictured: Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, Calif.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

I am planning to take a Royal Caribbean cruise to the United Arab Emirates and India in April/May. I toured India and Nepal 20 years ago but have wanted to see the Emirates. We toured the Kashmir section of India on the earlier trip, spending several days on a houseboat on Dall Lake. We had to get on the floor of the bus when we left passing through the city of Srinagar so we would not get shot. Also planning to use my frequent flier miles to tour four Hawaiian islands in October. Don McPoland, Glendale Pictured: Dubai

I am planning to take a Royal Caribbean cruise to the United Arab Emirates and India in April/May. I toured India and Nepal 20 years ago but have wanted to see the Emirates. We toured the Kashmir section of India on the earlier trip, spending several days on a houseboat on Dall Lake. We had to get on the floor of the bus when we left passing through the city of Srinagar so we would not get shot. Also planning to use my frequent flier miles to tour four Hawaiian islands in October.

Don McPoland, Glendale

Pictured: Dubai   (Kamran Jebreili / Associated Press)

I plan to take two of my grandchildren, both of whom will be 15, to Europe next summer for three weeks. We will start in Rome, then head to Florence, with a side trip to Venice. Then a night in lovely Stresa, Italy, and then on to Offenburg, Germany, with side trips from there. We will head to Wurzburg and then to Dresden to see the beautiful rebuilt city. From there, we will spend a day in Berlin and also a day in Prague, Czech Republic. Then it is back to Frankfurt and home. All our traveling will be done by Europe's great Eurail Trains. Dorothy Smotrys, Torrance Pictured: Rome

I plan to take two of my grandchildren, both of whom will be 15, to Europe next summer for three weeks. We will start in Rome, then head to Florence, with a side trip to Venice. Then a night in lovely Stresa, Italy, and then on to Offenburg, Germany, with side trips from there. We will head to Wurzburg and then to Dresden to see the beautiful rebuilt city. From there, we will spend a day in Berlin and also a day in Prague, Czech Republic. Then it is back to Frankfurt and home. All our traveling will be done by Europe’s great Eurail Trains.

Dorothy Smotrys, Torrance

Pictured: Rome   (Richard Derk / Los Angeles Times)

I've been trying to figure out how to return to the gorgeous waters of the Caribbean off Belize. I was there in January 2009, on the atoll of Turneffe. From that lovely spot we visited several reefs and snorkeled different ones morning and afternoon for a week, learning the species we were to count and record for a baseline of life on the reefs. I've snorkeled the Red Sea at Eilat; Bora Bora and Moorea in French Polynesia; Hawaii several times; islands in the Gulf of California and Isla Mujeres in Mexico. Bora Bora used to be my favorite, but I now prefer Belize. Pat McCully, Huntington Beach Pictured: Great Blue Hole, Belize

I’ve been trying to figure out how to return to the gorgeous waters of the Caribbean off Belize. I was there in January 2009, on the atoll of Turneffe. From that lovely spot we visited several reefs and snorkeled different ones morning and afternoon for a week, learning the species we were to count and record for a baseline of life on the reefs.

I’ve snorkeled the Red Sea at Eilat; Bora Bora and Moorea in French Polynesia; Hawaii several times; islands in the Gulf of California and Isla Mujeres in Mexico. Bora Bora used to be my favorite, but I now prefer Belize.

Pat McCully, Huntington Beach

Pictured: Great Blue Hole, Belize   (Tony Rath / Tony Rath Photography)

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If time and money were unlimited, we'd take Amtrak to Miami and board a cruise ship headed back to Los Angeles by way of the Panama Canal. We'd also like to take the train to Chicago from L.A. and back. Greg Kreinbring, Ontario Pictured: Miami

If time and money were unlimited, we’d take Amtrak to Miami and board a cruise ship headed back to Los Angeles by way of the Panama Canal. We’d also like to take the train to Chicago from L.A. and back.

Greg Kreinbring, Ontario

Pictured: Miami   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

If time and money were unlimited, we'd take Amtrak to Miami and board a cruise ship headed back to Los Angeles by way of the Panama Canal. We'd also like to take the train to Chicago from L.A. and back. Greg Kreinbring, Ontario Pictured: The Potomac River

If time and money were unlimited, we’d take Amtrak to Miami and board a cruise ship headed back to Los Angeles by way of the Panama Canal. We’d also like to take the train to Chicago from L.A. and back.

Greg Kreinbring, Ontario

Pictured: The Potomac River   (Chris Wright / For The Times)

My husband, a Vietnam War veteran, has recently expressed a longing to revisit the countries and Air Force bases where he was stationed from 1967 to 1971. He often talks about his time in the service and loves to tell stories (some sad, some happy) about his F-4 crew mates who served with him at Yokota Air Base in Japan and Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Several former Vietnam-era vets we know have made trips to Vietnam and Southeast Asia and have told us the trip was cathartic and life-changing. I feel that visiting these countries and sites would be a wonderful experience for us. While in the service, he also flew with a flight crew to Australia and New Zealand; those destinations have been on our "wish list" for a long time. Marcia Israel, Agoura Hills Pictured: Hanoi, Vietnam

My husband, a Vietnam War veteran, has recently expressed a longing to revisit the countries and Air Force bases where he was stationed from 1967 to 1971. He often talks about his time in the service and loves to tell stories (some sad, some happy) about his F-4 crew mates who served with him at Yokota Air Base in Japan and Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Several former Vietnam-era vets we know have made trips to Vietnam and Southeast Asia and have told us the trip was cathartic and life-changing. I feel that visiting these countries and sites would be a wonderful experience for us. While in the service, he also flew with a flight crew to Australia and New Zealand; those destinations have been on our “wish list” for a long time.

Marcia Israel, Agoura Hills

Pictured: Hanoi, Vietnam   (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)

Where: Venice, Italy; Paris and Lucerne, Switzerland Why: Grandchildren (8-year-old twin girls and a 10-year-old boy) have been told stories about these cities since early ages. Grandpop wants to make the dream come true. We will be a group of seven: Grandpop, Grandmom, our son and his wife, and their three children — two weeks in late June. Vincent Bruno, Santa Monica Pictured: Venice, Italy

Where: Venice, Italy; Paris and Lucerne, Switzerland

Why: Grandchildren (8-year-old twin girls and a 10-year-old boy) have been told stories about these cities since early ages. Grandpop wants to make the dream come true. We will be a group of seven: Grandpop, Grandmom, our son and his wife, and their three children — two weeks in late June.

Vincent Bruno, Santa Monica

Pictured: Venice, Italy   (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)

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We're living our vacation dream in 2011. We are planning on a two-week walking expedition through the Swiss Alps with Sherpa Expeditions (http://www.sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk). This trip appears to offer everything we look for in a vacation: activity, scenery and independence, with a little support thrown in by the tour company to keep things simple. We'll be flying into Zurich and taking a train to Engelberg, where our walking tour begins. We'll cover about 100 miles and thousands of feet in elevation change over 13 days, with our luggage, a hot dinner and a soft bed awaiting us each night. Tamara Reddy, Brea Pictured: Vals Switzerland

We’re living our vacation dream in 2011. We are planning on a two-week walking expedition through the Swiss Alps with Sherpa Expeditions (http://www.sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk). This trip appears to offer everything we look for in a vacation: activity, scenery and independence, with a little support thrown in by the tour company to keep things simple.

We’ll be flying into Zurich and taking a train to Engelberg, where our walking tour begins. We’ll cover about 100 miles and thousands of feet in elevation change over 13 days, with our luggage, a hot dinner and a soft bed awaiting us each night.

Tamara Reddy, Brea

Pictured: Vals Switzerland   (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)

If money were no object, I would travel with my husband on the Royal Canadian Rockies Experience, a totally decadent train trip (http://www.royalcanadianpacific.com/rockiesexperience.html) in restored vintage cars. National Geographic Traveler flagged it as a "Tour of a Lifetime." Sounds perfectly grand. For now, though, we'll be using frequent-flier miles to London, where we will visit our granddaughter who is studying there for a semester. We then plan to take the train to Edinburgh, Scotland, and then drive to Peebles, where my grandfather was born. Not a bad trip, but not one in which we can indulge ourselves in unbridled luxury like the Royal Canadian Rockies train ride. Cathie Brown, Los Osos, Calif. Pictured: Tower of London

If money were no object, I would travel with my husband on the Royal Canadian Rockies Experience, a totally decadent train trip (http://www.royalcanadianpacific.com/rockiesexperience.html) in restored vintage cars. National Geographic Traveler flagged it as a “Tour of a Lifetime.” Sounds perfectly grand.

For now, though, we’ll be using frequent-flier miles to London, where we will visit our granddaughter who is studying there for a semester. We then plan to take the train to Edinburgh, Scotland, and then drive to Peebles, where my grandfather was born. Not a bad trip, but not one in which we can indulge ourselves in unbridled luxury like the Royal Canadian Rockies train ride.

Cathie Brown, Los Osos, Calif.

Pictured: Tower of London   (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times)

If time and money weren't an issue, we would travel to Jerusalem to take my wife's 82-year-old mother; Machu Picchu, Peru, to have the spirits move us; Rio to dance in the streets during Carnival; and Paris to embrace the sights and romance of the city. But we'll be closer to home: My wife and I will ring in the New Year at L.A. Live by spending two nights at the JW Marriott. The weekend before Valentine's Day, we will fly to the Bay Area to visit my 102-year-old uncle and travel to Vacaville to visit my wife's sister. In March, I will attend the Black Ski Summit in Steamboat, Colo. In October, my wife and I plan to go to Vegas to celebrate our anniversary. We celebrated our 30th this year at the Aria; next year we plan to stay at the Cosmopolitan. The Friday after Thanksgiving, my sisters and I do a day and night staycation to remember and celebrate our mother's life. November of next year will be our fourth annual, and it's my turn to select the accommodations. The Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills is being considered. Chris Watkins, Los Angeles Pictured: The Cosmopolitan

If time and money weren’t an issue, we would travel to Jerusalem to take my wife’s 82-year-old mother; Machu Picchu, Peru, to have the spirits move us; Rio to dance in the streets during Carnival; and Paris to embrace the sights and romance of the city.

But we’ll be closer to home: My wife and I will ring in the New Year at L.A. Live by spending two nights at the JW Marriott. The weekend before Valentine’s Day, we will fly to the Bay Area to visit my 102-year-old uncle and travel to Vacaville to visit my wife’s sister. In March, I will attend the Black Ski Summit in Steamboat, Colo.

In October, my wife and I plan to go to Vegas to celebrate our anniversary. We celebrated our 30th this year at the Aria; next year we plan to stay at the Cosmopolitan.

The Friday after Thanksgiving, my sisters and I do a day and night staycation to remember and celebrate our mother’s life. November of next year will be our fourth annual, and it’s my turn to select the accommodations. The Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills is being considered.

Chris Watkins, Los Angeles

Pictured: The Cosmopolitan   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Next summer we plan to continue our ongoing exploration of Europe by finally heading east of Munich. We are heading to Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia. We are expecting the people to be as friendly and nice as they have been in all the countries we have visited so far. There is a great value in spending enough time in each country to get to know it. Kenneth J. Hoffer, Santa Monica Pictured: Musikverein concert hall in Vienna

Next summer we plan to continue our ongoing exploration of Europe by finally heading east of Munich. We are heading to Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia. We are expecting the people to be as friendly and nice as they have been in all the countries we have visited so far. There is a great value in spending enough time in each country to get to know it.

Kenneth J. Hoffer, Santa Monica

Pictured: Musikverein concert hall in Vienna  (Samuel Kubani / For The Times)

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Our first trip of the year will be to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary as well as a significant birthday. In addition to touring these cities, we will travel on the Eastern and Oriental Express from Bangkok to Singapore. We are looking forward to staying at the Raffles Hotel when in Singapore. This will be our first trip to Asia. Our second trip will be with my husband's family to Fort Myers, Fla., in March to see the Boston Red Sox in spring training. We're planning to rent a house there. Our last trip of the year will be renting a motor home and driving to Oregon. We're testing our retirement dream, which is to travel the country in a motor home. We're doing it now in small bites to see if this lifestyle suits us. We will visit the wine areas of Oregon. L. and P. Japp, Los Angeles Pictured: Hong Kong

Our first trip of the year will be to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary as well as a significant birthday. In addition to touring these cities, we will travel on the Eastern and Oriental Express from Bangkok to Singapore. We are looking forward to staying at the Raffles Hotel when in Singapore. This will be our first trip to Asia.

Our second trip will be with my husband’s family to Fort Myers, Fla., in March to see the Boston Red Sox in spring training. We’re planning to rent a house there.

Our last trip of the year will be renting a motor home and driving to Oregon. We’re testing our retirement dream, which is to travel the country in a motor home. We’re doing it now in small bites to see if this lifestyle suits us. We will visit the wine areas of Oregon.

L. and P. Japp, Los Angeles

Pictured: Hong Kong   (Alex Hofford / EPA)

With unlimited funds, I would go to Greece on the Goddesses Go to Greece luxury tour. I think I would melt right into the azure Aegean Sea. Delicious. Anne Youngblood, Brentwood Pictured: The Parthenon on Acroplis Hill in Athens

With unlimited funds, I would go to Greece on the Goddesses Go to Greece luxury tour. I think I would melt right into the azure Aegean Sea. Delicious.

Anne Youngblood, Brentwood

Pictured: The Parthenon on Acroplis Hill in Athens   (Orestis Panagiotou / EPA)

Chicago and St. Louis, New Orleans

In the early fall of 2011, we are planning a car trip, with friends, traveling from Southern California to Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans and back. We haven’t been on a car trip since we took our four grandchildren on a trip to Las Vegas, Salt Lake, Reno, Nev., San Francisco, Monterey Bay Aquarium and back home. It has taken us 10 years to recuperate!



Don & Yvonne Phillips, Big Bear



Pictured: St. Louis Arch   (James A. Finley / Associated Press)

I will be 80 years old in 2011, am married and in reasonable health. Our travel plans: Maui in December for rest and relaxation. Tucson for gem and jewelry shows in February. Montreal in May. Pacific Grove in June for a family reunion and my 80th birthday party. Murray Rosenbluth, Port Hueneme Pictured: Maui

I will be 80 years old in 2011, am married and in reasonable health.

Our travel plans: Maui in December for rest and relaxation. Tucson for gem and jewelry shows in February.

Montreal in May. Pacific Grove in June for a family reunion and my 80th birthday party.

Murray Rosenbluth, Port Hueneme

Pictured: Maui   (Photo: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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We are rafting the Colorado River in 2011, spending eight days running the rapids. I've always wanted to raft the Colorado, partly because my parents made sure I was infected with the love of the canyon through backpacking trips during my adolescence. Although I have traveled around the world, no destination has replaced the Grand Canyon in my heart. I have been to the bottom of the canyon many times but never spent more than three days at a time inside the walls. That I will be inside those ancient red walls for over a week is almost too good to be true. I can't wait. Nancy Steele, Altadena Pictured: Horseshoe Bend near Page, Arizona

We are rafting the Colorado River in 2011, spending eight days running the rapids. I’ve always wanted to raft the Colorado, partly because my parents made sure I was infected with the love of the canyon through backpacking trips during my adolescence. Although I have traveled around the world, no destination has replaced the Grand Canyon in my heart. I have been to the bottom of the canyon many times but never spent more than three days at a time inside the walls. That I will be inside those ancient red walls for over a week is almost too good to be true. I can’t wait.

Nancy Steele, Altadena

Pictured: Horseshoe Bend near Page, Arizona   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times )

In a weak moment I promised all eight of my grandchildren I would take them on a trip of their choice when they graduated from high school. We have done Indonesia, Japan, Egypt, a Caribbean cruise and Africa. It wasn't until a few years ago I realized I will have two graduating in 2011, and they're holding their Grammy to her promise. Granddaughter Kristina has dreamed of visiting Paris, so we're taking a river cruise on the Seine and ending in the city of her dreams. Grandson Kurt chose Australia and New Zealand. Thank goodness, the next and last grandchild doesn't graduate until 2017. Norma Boehne, Temple City Pictured: A view from the Eiffel Tower

In a weak moment I promised all eight of my grandchildren I would take them on a trip of their choice when they graduated from high school. We have done Indonesia, Japan, Egypt, a Caribbean cruise and Africa. It wasn’t until a few years ago I realized I will have two graduating in 2011, and they’re holding their Grammy to her promise. Granddaughter Kristina has dreamed of visiting Paris, so we’re taking a river cruise on the Seine and ending in the city of her dreams. Grandson Kurt chose Australia and New Zealand. Thank goodness, the next and last grandchild doesn’t graduate until 2017.

Norma Boehne, Temple City

Pictured: A view from the Eiffel Tower   (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times)

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