We’ve been home for about 6 weeks but I am already anxious to plan our next adventure. I’m in love with the idea of renting out our apartment for a month and then taking a long trip to somewhere. Here are some trips that I’ve been dreaming about! I want somewhere adventurous but that would still be pretty fun with little kids.
1. Rio de Janeiro in January. I would love to rent an apartment near the beach when it is cold in the US. We’ve been to Rio once but I would love to take my kids there. I love drinking all the juices and eating roasted cheese on the beach!
2. Hawaii. At one point in my life I avoided Hawaii because it seemed like somewhere that old people vacationed. If I was going to use my vacation days I wanted to go somewhere hard to get to. Then I went there and realized that I couldn’t be more wrong. It is heaven on earth. It is easy to get to from the West Coast. The remote parts of the islands feel so isolated and beautiful and the best part: my cell phone works!
3. A Cabin in Montana. I’ve only been to Montana once but it is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been. I’ve been missing the Mountain West lately and would love to stay in a remote cabin (as long as it has wifi) and take roadtrips down to Jackson and Yellowstone.
4. Sailing the Mediterranean. It might be too soon for them to appreciate it but when my kids get a little bit older I really want to charter a boat and do a week long sailing trip. Last summer my friends and I chartered a sailboat (with a captain) and sailed the Greek Isles. It would be really great with kids, kind of like a cruise but without all the bad parts.
5. Swedish Archipelago in the Summer. There are lots of tiny islands outside Stockholm that make up a giant archipelago. In the summer when it stays light most of the night (they are so far north of the equator!) people go out to their summer homes and vacation. I’d love to rent a little cabin and spend a few weeks swimming and exploring.
What is your dream vacation? I usually waffle between somewhere remote and beautiful or smack dab in the middle of a big city.
Simone
June 12, 2012
If you go to Brazil, go to Pipa. It’s a small village in the North-East and absolutely beautiful. I was there in July: very quiet but it could be differen in January.
Claire
June 12, 2012
I highly, highly recommend the trip to the Swedish archipelago (skärgården) in the summer. I studied abroad in Stockholm junior year of college (three years ago) and then went back two summers ago with my parents to visit my host family at their cabin in the archipelago. There were about 25 of us in this tiny cabin — it was such a memorable experience, and the constant light was unlike anything I’d ever seen. I’m not as familiar with the specific islands as other people are, but I just wanted to provide support for that idea! And Stockholm in the summer is absolutely beautiful.
The New Diplomats Wife
June 12, 2012
dream vacations? i could live on dream vacation i think. more time in mexico for sure, especially to explore yucatan and campeche more, and tulum is about as family friendly as it gets. would love to do a victoria falls/namibia/south africa safari. the fjords. arches national park. hawaii. cartagena….i think i could go on and on. need to stop!
Mary-My Life in Scotland
June 12, 2012
One of my best friends is moving to Rome early next yr. My husband, son, and I are going to visit her in the spring. We want to rent a villa for a few weeks and travel around Italy enjoying the different parts. I’m grateful we live in the UK where they average a healthy chunk of holiday time!
My husband wants to do a med cruise. I used to work on cruise lines and I love ’em! Most fun of my life. I’d love to share that experience with my family.
Alice
June 12, 2012
Number 5 without the shadow of a doubt!
LaTrelle
June 12, 2012
I must say I’ve been obsessing over Copenhagen and Tuscany, equally. Although they won’t happen this year, I’m setting my sights on one or the other for next year.
Natalie
June 12, 2012
How fun! We are taking one of our many dream vacations this summer. Just traveling around Europe, trying to soak as much in as we can. But I think I’m like you, somewhere between big city and remote area. Our next dream vacation will hopefully involve traveling to a more exotic destination like Thailand/India.
Erica
June 12, 2012
Ummmm…. I don’t even have kids and these vacations look awesome 🙂
Michelle A
June 12, 2012
I’m the same, either somewhere bustling and alive or completely remote.
For bustling, I just got back with the kids from NYC. It was amazing and the kids did phenomenal. I’ve still never been to Washington, DC and someday I’d love to take my children there. I also want to desperately re-create your Spain trip.
For remote, I’d love to go back and rent a place on Culebra Island in Puerto Rico or Moorea in French Polynesia. I’ve still never been to Hawaii but recently saw the film The Descendents and it looks amazing.
taste area
June 12, 2012
I’ve already been dreaming about my upcoming vacations to the Greek Islands. Awesome beaches, amazing food and killer architecture..and they are so many to choose from! 😉 Such a beautiful place..
JoAnna
June 12, 2012
Colorado & Iceland are my top two places to visit at the moment. Growing up, my family and I took two roadtrips (from SC) to Colorado to visit my grandparents & uncle & we had so many great adventures that I still remember & cherish. Iceland just looks so otherworldly & dreamy.
Mary
June 12, 2012
I’m front Montana and delighted to see it’s on your list!
Unfortunately, wifi is a little bit hard to come by, particularly if you’re in a cabin!
I’d recommend Missoula if you ever make it out here. It’s western Montana and it offers the convenience of a small city, with absolutely breathtaking scenery and outdoor opportunities within minutes.
Rebecca
June 13, 2012
I live about 2 hours from the archipelago of Stockholm, and I feel a bit ashamed that I’ve only been out on the islands once. It’s absolutly breathtaking out there but I guess it’s to close to me to really appriciate the trip!
Cielle
June 13, 2012
I’m with Mary! I’m also from Missoula, and though I live in California now, it is my absolute *favorite* place to visit in the summer! Both Yellowstone and Glacier Nat’l Parks are must-sees, but you can do so much (and so much for FREE) without paying the park admission or dealing with tourist crowds. Like Mary says, there is opportunity right outside of town for day-hikes or backpacking, swimming holes, grabbing a tube and floating down the river, or heading to the Seely-Swan Valley and camping by a small glacial lake.
The slow pace
June 13, 2012
Oh, that idea about the Swedish archipielago sound like heaven to me! I live in the north of Germany, so I guess I could give it a try!
vintagemint
June 13, 2012
i’m so excited for my trip to the swedish / finnish archipelago, Åland (a group of islands near-ish Stockholm) this summer! we’ll be in a cabin right near the ocean. can’t wait!
Ana Carolina Senna
June 13, 2012
I’m so glad to read this post, because i live in Rio!
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time and i really like to visit your city. I have a son 2 years old and i’ve never been out of the country with him!
Nice to read that! Congratulations for the beautiful and pleasure reading! <3
Genevieve
June 13, 2012
These all sound so lovely! Nice list!
Gina
June 14, 2012
Hello FROM the beginning of the Swedish Archipeligo! I LIVE here!
If this sounds good, be in touch and I’ll hook you up!
Immediately leaving Stockholm, you are in the Stockholm archipelago which means 20,000 islands to choose from. Sail, boat or take a ferry to an island — one completely on your own or a larger one for shoulder brushing or supplies and restaurants. There is no hurrying in from a day of soaking up the rays because … remember: there’s the “almost” midnight sun. The only hurry is to meet someone on another island or to return to you little red house, grill out, heat up the sauna and take an after dinner sauna then dip in the sea. Sleep under a dusky sky and think about the flowers you’ll pick to place under your pillow, next week, for Midsummer dreams.
A perfect archipelago day is sublime.
Heather
June 14, 2012
I’d love to spend several months in the south of France near Monaco. I’ve been twice, and it’s just such an amazing place with fun day trips to go to. A little house, a little pool, a little convertible?
I think you have me sold on Rio though! I’ll have to add that to my list!
Elena
June 14, 2012
We just got back from a little stint in Greece. Sun. Sea. Sand. Lovely.
More importantly we’ve got a friend getting married in Australia over Christmas (lovely winter sun!) and are looking for accommodation, so thanks for the timely post.
http://www.randomlyhappytoday.blogspot.co.uk
Besse
June 15, 2012
Hi Jordan,
The boat in Greece seems amazing. Would you share the company you used for the charter? Thanks!
Leila
June 15, 2012
I live in the US but I’m from Rio. I go there every year with my son since he was 8 months old (he’s almost 9 years old now). He LOVES going there and of course Ipanema beach is our favorite spot. It doesn’t have to be in January. I actually like Rio better between April and November. As long as it’s sunny, it’s warm enough to go to the beach and swim.
Cathryn Ramsden
June 15, 2012
Any thoughts on where to go in Hawaii? We’re Brits in the Bay Area and are planning our first trip in the Autumn, with our son who will be nearly three. We want beautiful scenery, safe beaches for the little one, some hiking and some amazing running. I’d so appreciate any thoughts you had on which island etc? It’s a bit baffling. Thanks!
And if I was back in the UK?? It would be Sweden without a doubt. I’m itching to go there again.
MJ @ all things mums n bubs
June 16, 2012
#2. LOVE HAWAII.
That picture looks like it was taken in Waimea Bay. I remember jumping off that rock many moons ago =) Hawaii is a great holiday destination for all.
Janelle
June 20, 2012
Love all of your ideas!! vrbo.com is my go-to site for vacation rentals. We rented an awesome studio in Maui for really cheap and it was walking distance to everything!
Rio would be great, save sailing the seas when the kiddo’s are older. Some of my best memories are cruising around the British Virgin Island’s with my family!
Zila
June 23, 2012
I am from Rio, but I live in AZ. Can you imagine my pain? No beach for me. I don’t visit Rio as often as I would like. I do prefer April, May, September and October. Summer is humid and very hot in Rio and it’s vacation time for the brazilian kids.
There are some nice little beach towns outside Rio like Paraty and Búzios. We love it!
Elena Díaz
June 24, 2012
I would love to go to Montana and with luck I’ll do in 2 two years. At the moment I will be in Paris next Saturday for 6 days with my husban and two little girls (2 and 6). Please, I would love to hear some advice from you, something easy, quiet and fantastic to do. I know you are an expert in this.
Thank you so much.
P.S. I love your new look, this hair so “bronzage”.