Traveling Inspiration Part 2-North America

If you haven't already, please check out Traveling Inspiration Part 1 first. This was getting very detailed, so I have broken the chart into continents. And if you know you want to read, but lack time, bookmark or pin the link, and come back to visit! Read the posts you want. If you know you never want to visit Africa, skip that post.

Snorkeling in Puerto Rico

I have a few caveats about offering up my list that I need to share first. Traveling is an incredibly personal thing, perhaps akin to what type of undergarments one prefers-everyone has their own opinion! The countries I desire to see may mean little to you. For example, one of the main reasons I long to see Spain is because I have ancestors from there. My travel tastes may be more (or less) adventurous than your tastes. You may hate beaches (I know, I know...but surely this is possible), and since Barrett and I LOVE warm sand, ocean water, and snorkeling, there are many places on my master list geared toward this All travel is departing from PDX (Portland, Oregon), obviously your airfare would differ unless                                                      you too would be leaving from there.

Finally, I am well aware that many of these trips can be done differently and perhaps much cheaper. You can stay at cheaper places, go for less time, etc. In all likelihood, a few of the US trips I would do as 3 or 4 day weekends instead, so that's an option. The costs I give are per couple not per person, since this is how we would travel (or a few are listed as per couple and per family of 4), so divide it in half (or quarter) if you are

Yellowstone National Park

a single traveler. No discounts are applied, and I almost always buy trips on sale, but that involves watching travel sites like a hawk (for example, our Cozumel trip was 50% off and Oahu is 30% off this year). Food expenses are not included unless listed as "all-inclusive", and for a couple we budget $150/ per day. Unless noted, the cost of extra excursions or car rentals is not included. Furthermore, my final disclosure is that we like to travel in comfort. 4-5 star resorts and hotels are used for each trip cost (unless unavailable), the cruises are balcony rooms, and often (though not in all cases) the shortest flight options are chosen (I think this is worth more $-as I hate being stuck on a plane...though better than in a car IMO). I figure if we are spending the money in the first place, let's do it right so that we fully enjoy it. You may have different priorities. That all being said, these charts are offered as a jumping off point for you to make your own Bucket List Travel Dreams.

Oh, and I would LOVE to hear your input. Is there anywhere I haven't listed that is a MUST see?

Places I want to visit in this lifetime

Place	Continent	Why go?	When to go	Cost from PDX for 2 travelers J
Arizona	North America	Scenery, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon	October-May for lower rates	1 night Phoenix, 3 nights near Grand Canyon, 1 night near Antelope Canyon, and rental car: $1,200 or $1,600 with 2 kids
Montana/ Wyoming	North America	Scenery, wildlife, Flathead Lake, Yellowstone National Park	July-October for best weather	2 nights Kalispell, rental car, 3 nights near Yellowstone in Wyoming actually: $2,700 or $3,300 with 2 kids
Alaska	North America	Scenery, wildlife, Alaskan cruise	May & September are off season-less people and $.	7 night cruise, balcony room $2,400-PLUS flights total: $3,100
Florida	North America	Disney World, Everglades, beaches	April-May & October-November for less crowds, good weather	1 week, 4 star Disney Resort, 3 day park-hopper ticket, SeaWorld, and Everglades tour: $3,070 *obviously kids would go too, so that total is more like $5,000
Maine	North America	Want to see the East coast, snow on the beach?	I’m thinking winter J	5 nights in 4 star hotel on waterfront, flight and rental car: $2,200
Colorado	North America	Rocky Mountain National Park, cross country skiing, ice-skating	Winter for snow	Cabin for 5 nights near park approx. $1500 plus flight and rental car: $2,250
New York	North America	Niagra, Falls, Central Park, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty	Anytime, think I’d prefer winter	6 nights in 4 star hotel and flight: $3,600 or $4,200 with 2 kids
Utah (again)	North America	National Parks-Arches, Zion	October for fall foliage	5 nights 4 star hotel, flight, rental car $1,800 or with kids $2,400
Idaho (again)	North America	Boise, scenery, high desert, Craters of the Moon National Park	September-October for fall foliage	5 nights 3 star hotel, flight, rental car $1,000 or $1,400 with 2 kids
Canada	North America	Wildlife, scenery	Depends what you want to see…	Would likely combine with Alaskan cruise-see above.
Puerto Rico	North America	San Juan, Bioluminescent Bay, beaches, snorkeling	Mid April-June is an off season for cheaper stays	1 week 4 star resort, flight, with excursion to Bioluminescent Bay: $2,500
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands	North America	Beaches, snorkeling	April & May is off season (up to 50% off) before hurricane season	1 week, flight, 4 star all inclusive resort $6,200 !!
Tulum, Mexico	North America	Ruins, beaches	November-April	1 week, flight, 4 star all inclusive resort $3,700
Jamaica	North America	Beaches, snorkeling	December-April	1 week, flight, 5 star all-inclusive resort $3,600
Belize	North America	Beaches, snorkeling, Blue Hole	March-May	1 week, flight and 4 star resort $4,200
Dominican Republic	North America	Beaches, snorkeling	December-April	1 week, flight, all-inclusive 4 star resort $3,900
Costa Rica	North America	Rain Forest, Tamarindo-snorkeling/beaches	December-April	1 week, flight, all-inclusive 4 star resort, and day trek into rain forest $3,400