I'm thinking of an international trip next year and I want to go somewhere with snowy mountains, rivers and lakes. Where is the best place to go for that outside the US?
The province of Alberta , Canada is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Try Banff and Lake Louise.
by Anonymous | reply 1 | December 3, 2019 3:27 AM |
Switzerland is great. Little towns like Murren, Laurernrunnen are beautiful, pedestrian friendly villages with all the first world benefits.
by Anonymous | reply 2 | December 3, 2019 3:29 AM |
I've never been, but New Zealand is mountainous and supposed to be very beautiful. The Italian Alps are gorgeous, and then you can add Venice at the end.
by Anonymous | reply 3 | December 3, 2019 3:33 AM |
What was the mountain Heidi lived in? The one that cures polio.
by Anonymous | reply 4 | December 3, 2019 3:40 AM |
Ditto to r1.
I mean, nothing beats the Matterhorn, but western Canada is at least contiguous to the US.
by Anonymous | reply 5 | December 3, 2019 3:44 AM |
A well-traveled friend of mine just went to Lake Como and the Dolomites, and said it was one of the most spectacular places she's ever seen. I've never been there, but thought Salzburg was lovely. Have you been to Nelson in western British Columbia? It's very pretty. The Waterton Lakes National Park along the B.C./Alberta/Montana border is gorgeous too. This is Lake Braies, northeast of Lake Como.
by Anonymous | reply 6 | December 3, 2019 3:51 AM |
The Andean region of Peru! The Ancash and Huayhuash regions have some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, IMO. And cheap, with so few tourists.
by Anonymous | reply 7 | December 3, 2019 3:55 AM |
Several people have already mentioned the Canadian Rockies. It is where I grew up, so I'm obviously biased, but it is spectacular. While Banff and Lake Louise are the most famous, there are endless other lesser known places throughout the vast region that are beyond compare. Consider Moraine Lake at the link, my personal favorite spot. There's also Emerald Lake, Johnson Canyon, the Columbia Icefields, Jasper, and much, much more to see.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | December 3, 2019 4:07 AM |
New Zealand.
by Anonymous | reply 9 | December 3, 2019 4:33 AM |
In Peru, you can also view the source of the mighty Amazon River. One of the mountains in this area was also the inspiration for the Paramount Pictures logo.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | December 3, 2019 4:55 AM |
Probably Nepal.
by Anonymous | reply 11 | December 3, 2019 5:05 AM |
Ala Archa National Park, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
South Island, New Zealand (take the Tranzalpine from Greymouth to Christchurch)
Dolomites, Italy
Pirin and Rila National Parks, Bulgaria
by Anonymous | reply 12 | December 3, 2019 5:28 AM |
If you want to go outside your comfort zone, I recommend the Peruvian Andes. When it's summer in North America, it's winter in South America, so June or July is ideal. But be prepared for the very high altitude.
I have a home in Cusco and love everything about Peru, especially the cuisine.
by Anonymous | reply 13 | December 3, 2019 5:43 AM |
July of last year I visited the south island of New Zealand You can get some great views of snow capped mountains then since summer here is winter there. The further south the more impressive. New Zealand has so few people, that you don't encounter the tourist crowds you see in Europe.
The towns of Queenstown and Lake Te Anau offer magnificent views from your hotel room. I also visited the Franz Josef glacier and Fjordlands National Park, which had some spectacular views of the mountains and waterfalls. I also did a boat tour of Doubtful Sound that is quite scenic, but I hear that the Milford Sound tour is more breathtaking.
by Anonymous | reply 14 | December 3, 2019 5:45 AM |
Wouldn't June or July be quite cold in the Peruvian mountains?
by Anonymous | reply 15 | December 3, 2019 5:46 AM |
[quote]especially the cuisine.
Cuy in Cuzco. Yum!
by Anonymous | reply 16 | December 3, 2019 5:47 AM |
R15 Yes! But the OP wants a snowy mountain scene.
–R13
by Anonymous | reply 17 | December 3, 2019 5:50 AM |
Sorry about the stinky linky at R14. Here's a picture of Doubtful Sound I was trying to link.
by Anonymous | reply 18 | December 3, 2019 5:54 AM |
Don't forget the fjord areas of western Norway. Western Austria, Switzerland, southern Germany, northern Italy, and Southeastern France all have major snippets of the Alps. Between Poland and Czechoslovakia is a beautiful mountain range, the Tatras. The Caucasus mountains can be accessed from the country of Georgia. Japan has its own Alps and volcanoes, like famous Mount Fuji. And if you wanted to go crazy wild, you could go to the Kamchatka peninsula in far eastern Russia, where there are something like 100 volcanoes, many of them 13,000 feet or higher, and quite a few active ones.
by Anonymous | reply 20 | December 3, 2019 6:13 AM |
So much beauty in a single thread.
by Anonymous | reply 24 | December 3, 2019 6:23 AM |
I've been retired for six years and have been travelling a lot. Bang for the buck I'd go for the Canadian Rockies.
by Anonymous | reply 26 | December 3, 2019 6:43 AM |
Beautiful photos on here.
by Anonymous | reply 28 | December 3, 2019 8:20 AM |
Southern Chile is spectacular! The southern part of the Andes Mountains are insanely glaciated and stunning! You can see the mountains by hiking, camping or glamping, rock climbing, horseback (a friend did this and was stunned), or just sit on the deck of a cruise ship and admire the scenery. The mountains come down to the sea, and the coastal views are comparable to Norway or New Zealand.
Plus, you can go in December, and get out of Christmas and all the holiday bullshit.
by Anonymous | reply 29 | December 3, 2019 9:25 AM |
I can't recommend the Antarctic peninsula too highly!
No, really. I took a cruise there, and it was just amazing! Mountainous coast, living glaciers, penguins, birding, and yes, a whale did surface ten feet from our Zodiac. Scared the fuck out of the old Antarctica hand who was piloting, he fell down and we all laughed!
by Anonymous | reply 30 | December 3, 2019 9:29 AM |
Looks gorgeous R29
by Anonymous | reply 31 | December 3, 2019 4:08 PM |
Canada, duh.
by Anonymous | reply 33 | December 3, 2019 5:19 PM |
Slovenia-- slightly less explored, close to Vienna and Venice when you get bored with nature.
by Anonymous | reply 34 | December 3, 2019 5:53 PM |
Switzerland, Switzerland, Switzerland.
by Anonymous | reply 35 | December 3, 2019 5:54 PM |
Canada, Banff, Jasper. Can't beat the Canadian Rockies.
by Anonymous | reply 36 | December 3, 2019 5:56 PM |
R30 what if that rubber dinghy you tourists were sitting inches away from the water in had popped? If it was struck by something.
You can see the same stuff in Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego without the dangerous ocean. Penguins are there too
by Anonymous | reply 37 | December 3, 2019 5:58 PM |
That hand had a good mind to be scared. That whale could have fallen on youse all and youruns.
by Anonymous | reply 38 | December 3, 2019 6:00 PM |
South Island of New Zealand. Spectacular.
by Anonymous | reply 39 | December 3, 2019 6:02 PM |
The San Juan Mountains of Colorado are an amazing, if you like road trips. Dazzlingly green in summer, lurid with neon-colored aspens in fall, stunning when snow-covered in winter, if you go when the roads are clear. Dotted with pretty towns like Telluride, Ouray, and Durango. If you want a comparatively low-cost vacay in the US, the San Juan Mountains are a contender for the title of Most Beautiful Part of the Rockies.
So if you're in the mood for a road trip kind of vacation, check out the San Juans in southwestern Colorado! But it is a bit of a road trip, the mountains are probably six hours from any major airport, there will be driving involved.
by Anonymous | reply 40 | December 3, 2019 6:06 PM |
Close by - Lake Louise and Banff. Further afield - New Zealand (possibly the most beautiful place on earth).
by Anonymous | reply 44 | December 3, 2019 8:58 PM |
More Peruvian mountain scenery for your consideration.
by Anonymous | reply 45 | December 4, 2019 12:41 AM |
Great suggestions! I love all of them.
I have never been outside of North America, so the European and South American suggestions intrigue me.
by Anonymous | reply 47 | December 4, 2019 4:48 AM |
Now I need to go to Banff. Never really occurred to me. Seems nicer than Aspen and Telluride.
by Anonymous | reply 48 | December 4, 2019 4:50 AM |
Romania is very beautiful. Cold Mountain the movie was filmed there.
by Anonymous | reply 49 | December 4, 2019 4:53 AM |
Completely agreed with R1. Banff and Lake Louise are the most beautiful places in Canada
by Anonymous | reply 50 | December 4, 2019 4:56 AM |
...
by Anonymous | reply 51 | December 4, 2019 4:57 AM |
The Incan trail in Peru. See Macchu Picchu
by Anonymous | reply 52 | December 4, 2019 12:07 PM |
Tibet is also stunning but I don't know what the travel situation is with China.
by Anonymous | reply 55 | December 4, 2019 9:06 PM |
The Adirondacks.
by Anonymous | reply 57 | December 4, 2019 9:11 PM |
R56, Tibet looks lovely. I would like to go there some day.
by Anonymous | reply 58 | December 5, 2019 2:08 AM |
Switzerland, Southern Alps in NZ----Queenstown not so impressive, Antarctica---was just there, impressive
by Anonymous | reply 59 | December 5, 2019 2:27 AM |
OP, perhaps you should use your fitness level to narrow down your choices. I understand one has to be VERY fit to hike the Peruvian Andes or trek the Himalayas of Nepal, both the trails and the altitude require a high level of cardiovascular fitness.
So, are you planning to hike, trek, or sit in the hotel garden and admire the scenery? If hiking, trekking, or backpacking, how are you at vigorous exercise done at10,000 feet above sea level or more?
by Anonymous | reply 60 | December 5, 2019 2:44 AM |
R60 is right. At this age, Switzerland, Banff, Aspen are good ideas because of ear of access, accommodations, food and health support.
by Anonymous | reply 62 | December 5, 2019 3:03 AM |
Just reiterating some of what's been said above: 1. South Island of NZ. 2. Tasmania. 3. Adirondacks 4. Corsica 5 Norway
All are wonderful
by Anonymous | reply 63 | December 5, 2019 3:16 AM |
I wasn't that impressed with the scenic beauty of Tasmania. The Canadian Rockies, the south island of New Zealand, Switzerland and Austria were mind blowing though. Actually, the Pacific Northwest in the US is incredibly gorgeous as well.
by Anonymous | reply 64 | December 5, 2019 3:24 AM |
I would stick to a safe country if don't have much experience traveling abroad
by Anonymous | reply 65 | December 5, 2019 3:33 AM |
R60: I am 49, in decent shape but no experienced trekker. I would like to do some moderate hiking but probably won't be scaling any peaks. I will probably like to enjoy most of the scenery from the bottom up, at a balcony with a book and a warm drink.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far!
by Anonymous | reply 67 | December 5, 2019 4:13 AM |
OP, what a few other posters said. If you want lots of convenience, Banff and Alps. If you're up for a little more adventure -- but very rewarding -- Peru!
by Anonymous | reply 68 | December 6, 2019 4:12 AM |
Travel to the magical land of Thomas Kinkade, OP.......
by Anonymous | reply 69 | December 6, 2019 4:22 AM |
"I will probably like to enjoy most of the scenery from the bottom up, at a balcony with a book and a warm drink. "
I think the Alps offer the nicest hotels and tastiest drinks, and Switzerland has the most stunning mountains I've ever seen, and I've checked out mountain ranges on several continents. See Lauterbrunnen, below, which looks like they started with Yosemite and then piled the Himalayas on top of it.
Although, Switzerland was insanely expensive the last time I looked. British Columbia or Colorado are a hell of a lot more affordable, if you're starting in North America.
by Anonymous | reply 70 | December 6, 2019 3:42 PM |
I'll share one more photo of Peru, just because I like all of this pretty mountain scenery, and wish I was there instead of work right now!
by Anonymous | reply 71 | December 10, 2019 6:05 PM |
Shangri La. You can break into Burt Bacharach/Hal David songs, and nobody will come to take you away.
by Anonymous | reply 73 | December 10, 2019 6:30 PM |
Canada.
by Anonymous | reply 75 | December 10, 2019 7:39 PM |
Central Asia is beautiful, but scary people. Particularly if you are female.
by Anonymous | reply 76 | December 10, 2019 7:47 PM |
R76, scary how? I'm considering a trip out to that region.
by Anonymous | reply 78 | December 10, 2019 7:55 PM |
R25 yes, I vote for northern Japan - Hokkaido. Beautiful mountains, lots of snow, great skiing too if you like that. And it’s Japan, so lots of great food. Plus now with the bullet train route to Hokkaido finished, you can take the train or plane.
by Anonymous | reply 79 | December 10, 2019 7:59 PM |
More scary Central Asia
by Anonymous | reply 83 | December 10, 2019 8:04 PM |
Can’t go wrong with Norway, even in the winter.
by Anonymous | reply 85 | December 10, 2019 8:36 PM |
The mountain scenery of Norway can be viewed from the deck of a cruise ship, with drink in hand, as the OP prefers.
Kazakstan and it's neighbors... not so much. And I doubt those places would be a great place to go around being gay, even a fat old resigned gay like most of us.
by Anonymous | reply 86 | December 10, 2019 8:40 PM |
Boyfriends React to Broke Straight Boys Reality Show (EP08) *FINALE*
by Anonymous | reply 88 | December 11, 2019 1:33 PM |
Rodgers and Hart really knew how to write a tune
by Anonymous | reply 90 | December 11, 2019 3:42 PM |
Austria and Switzerland
by Anonymous | reply 91 | December 11, 2019 5:14 PM |
Sorry, wrong thread.
by Anonymous | reply 92 | December 11, 2019 5:41 PM |
That's OK, it was a nice break
by Anonymous | reply 93 | December 12, 2019 4:50 AM |
Come to Switzerland and see the glaciers before they disappear. Last chance!
Dolomites are nice, too. Also the French Alps.
There really is snow at the top of the alps and most days you can even ski a bit in the morning in Zermatt.
by Anonymous | reply 94 | December 12, 2019 5:01 AM |
Some more pretty mountains for such a winter's day.
by Anonymous | reply 95 | January 6, 2020 6:29 PM |
Matterhorn? Stick to the one in Anaheim, OP.
by Anonymous | reply 96 | January 6, 2020 8:05 PM |