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To those with no spanish vocabulary, lake Atitlan.
Absolutely beautiful weather year round. It is a large (by my standards) lake in the mountains. About 5000 feet up. Therefore, they can have thunder showers but they can not have high humidity because the air is not dense enough to hold the water. It is in Guatemala.
Here are a few of mine that are primarily in the western United States.
1. Canyonlands National Park. Near Arches National Park in Moab which gets far more visitors. However, Canyonlands has much of the same scenery.
2. Great Basin National Park. This is a small national park inside Nevada just over the Utah Nevada border on U.S. Highway 50. Its an alpine forested mountain that stands out as a virtual island in the middle of the desert. There is also a cave called Lehman Cave that is part of this park and offers guided tours to the public.
3. Couer'd Alene, Idaho. This is a small city located on a beautiful lake in Northern Idaho. The scenery surrounding the lake is gorgeous. It has become more popular over the years, but is still not too crowded. I'd encourage visitors to get a hotel on the lakefront when they visit.
4. Grand Teton National Park just north of Jackson, Wyoming. Most people who go to this part of the country, go to visit Yellowstone National Park. A smaller number drive south of Yellowstone and visit Grand Teton National Park. Those who don't go to Grand Teton are really missing out. Unlike Yellowstone, there are no geyers, mudpots, or hot springs. However, there is incredible scenery, more opportunities to view wildlife, and the Tetons are shaped like no other mountains in North America.
5. Snow Canyon State Park near St. George, Utah. A small park full of many red rock features shaped over the millenia by wind and water. Since it is a state park, it gets far fewer visitors than Zion National Park which is about 45 miles away.
6. Green River Lake and the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. Full of trails to hike and lakes to fish. Best suited for those who backpack.
7. The High Uintas in Utah. An area full of forest and trails for either hikers or equestrians.
While on holiday in Florida we drove down the Gulf Coast and found a place called Tarpon Springs... Id never heard of this fishing town and how lovely it was. mostly Greek people , who talk the language, and was an unexpected treat for us..
We're not far from Tarpon Springs! I love that whole area of northern Pinellas County, including Dunedin as well.
My favourite destinations have been the Caribbean coast of Colombia, a couple of fishing villages west of Cartagena, which is the typical tourist destinations. The villages are Santa Marta and Taganga - both really pretty and unspoiled. But the real gem of the region is Parcque Nacionale de Tayrana. You have to take a rickety old bus and then hike to get there, but it is the most beautiful, unspoiled beach I have ever seen. It's been 20+ years since I was there, though.
In the US, I really enjoyed Asheville, NC. Being a beer nerd helped since we tried many of the local craft breweries in the area, but the culture and food was outstanding too. Plus lots of outdoor activities, gorgeous mountains and parks, and of course the Biltmore Estate.
In Europe, I loved the Catalan area of northern Spain. Rolling hills, outstanding vineyards, gorgeous coast, superb food, friendly people. I drove through the area with a friend years ago and would love to go back.
Vietnam and Cambodia. People are very polite, the sights are interesting, and the food was terrific. The best curries I ever had were in Cambodia (Thai-style) and Hoi An, Vietnam, has a lot of fusion food. French/Vietnamese cafes, Italian/Asian fusion, and there was a particularly spectacular restaurant I went to where appetizer, main course, dessert two drinks, and a Vietnamese coffee to finish it off with ran me about $22.
Vieques Island, about 8 miles off the SE coast of Puerto Rico. One of the last undeveloped (or underdeveloped, now that they got their first hotel) islands in the Caribbean. I lived there for a couple years, and still go back for vacation.
Adding to the southern Utah recommendations -- Monument Valley. Just an amazingly beautiful and spiritual place, featured in many of the old John Wayne/John Ford Westerns. I would never have visited it had a friend from overseas not had it on his bucket list. It's on a Navajo Indian Reservation.
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We're not far from Tarpon Springs! I love that whole area of northern Pinellas County, including Dunedin as well.
