Want to Travel, But Not Sure Where? Check Out These 10 Offbeat Ideas
Category: Travel
April 7, 2018 — The majority of people say they would like to do some traveling once they retire. There are plenty of destinations that immediately come to mind. Paris, the Grand Canyon, London, New York City – these are on many people’s lists. Beyond that, evaluating and planning exciting places to visit can be a really fun part of the process. To help stimulate your thinking this article will give you some creative and offbeat ideas that will, hopefully, get your travel juices really going.
Out of the box travel ideas
Not that it is a competition, but who ever said you had to go to the same places that everybody else has. So consider these travel themes, which in many cases involve exploring all (or many) of the locations in certain categories.
1. UNESCO – World Heritage sites – Worldwide there are 1,073 World Heritage sites, so it is improbable anyone could visit more than a few hundred or so. According to Wikipedia, “To be selected, a World Heritage Site must be an
Comments on "Want to Travel, But Not Sure Where? Check Out These 10 Offbeat Ideas"
LS says:
While we do some "check off the box" travel to see the major sites, we also like to squeeze in a winery visit where ever we go. We expecially like the small and out of the way ones where you are likely to be able to tour the vinyards and production facilities and chat with the owners. If they aren't busy, you can spend an hour or so sampling their wines and leaning about the history of the winery and how the owners got into the business. It's a great way to connect with people and not just say you've been somewhere and seen something. We have visited wineries in many states and in in Europe. Next month we will be on a Rhine river cruise and plan to sample some German wineries along the way.
Another way we like to connect with people in the places we visit is to stay in B&Bs when we can. The owners of these are naturally outgoing people and enjoy learning about their guests as much as we enjoy meeting them and the other guests over breakfast. Some of these B&Bs are located in historic old mansions and have period furnishings. It's always fun to learn about the original owners of the property and some history of the surrounding area.
Jennifer says:
Hi LS:
I do so agree about B&Bs and Innkeepers too. They are outgoing, know the area around them well usually and can point out interesting businesses and day trips that one might not have considered. I love wineries too and you are so right--they are a great way to connect with people. I also enjoy staying in monasteries in Europe--Germany specifically. They often have indoor pools, bicycles, homemade ales, bakeries and ice cream and great food in their refectories--no austerity there for guests. They are extremely clean, comfortable, charming and very reasonably priced. They are usually not far from sights and sounds of a village. The monks and nuns are extremely well informed about activities nearby. One I stay at near Garmisch has furniture made by the monks themselves. Here in the US the Trappist monasteries have guest houses that I have found extremely comfortable, quiet with great food. The activities are self directed and no one asks your religion...one just can commune with nature and or God.
Donna says:
Jennifer,
How/where do you find these Trappist monasteries? This sounds very intriguing. Are there certain requirements you must meet to be able to stay there? Any elaboration would be helpful. Thanks so much.
Jennifer says:
Hi Donna:
No one ever has asked me about my affiliation with any church when staying at a monastery. I was Catholic but converted to the Episcopal Church in 2005 because I felt that it was similar to the Catholic tradition but much more inclusive. For those who believe in heaven, I think they would agree there will be no one organized religion there. As for the monasteries just google them near the area where you wish to stay. I stayed in a Benedictine monastery in Germany and I stayed in a retreat house in a Trappist monastery in Virginia twice last year. Both times were very positive. There are many such monasteries in the USA and Europe with guest houses as hospitality is a part of the monastic tradition. If you give me more specific information, I can perhaps assist you. You do have to be open to accepting the Grand Silence in some monasteries and respectful of their customs others have no such restrictions.