raffertie

Well, having already pretty much been there and done that, with the exceptions of Serbia, Australia, and Japan, I could possibly offer the following advise. Germany, France, Italy, and England...basically anywhere in the EU, bring MOUNTAINS of money, because everything cost tons more than in the U.S. One thing I think is really good for Americans when they travel abroad is the profound understanding they acquire about just how really good we have it here in the U.S.! So many simple things we take for granted that are considered luxuries in European countries! I remember when I took my first trip to Italy in 1990 and paid $6.50 for canned Coke, that wasn't even cold!! The cars don't have A/C and neither did the hotels!! The only things I found reasonably priced were beer, wine, chocolate, and fruit!

Mexico, just too damn DANGEROUS to even think about going to for Americans. The last time I was in Mexico City a couple of years ago, we had to hire private security and now we don't go at all...PERIOD!! Do yourself a favor and scratch Mexico off your list. You're really not missing anything. It's a country of "haves" and "have nots," there is no middle class. Corruption is rampant among the police and military and you have bribe everyone to go or do just about anything!! Even the resorts are becoming too dangerous for Americans!! I love Playa Del Carmen, it's one of my favorite places in the world, but there's no way I'd even consider going there these days!!

Jamaica I've been to once back in the 80s and it was GREAT!! Can't really tell you how it is today, but we had a BLAST there back in the day!!

So, that's my two cents worth!

Take Care,
Woody

I'm happy to say that I've been to England and loved it very much. I would also love to see Japan, Italy, & Germany. I'm hoping I can do some serious traveling just like you.