Travel Trends for 2018: Where to go

Tired of Where to Go lists yet? There are almost as many of these as there are places to put in them, so I made it simple. After surveying more lists than I wanted, here are the duplicates.

Dubai

Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates – cover both in one trip.

Finnish Archipelago National Park

An Archipelago - try the Finnish one or the Faroes, between Iceland and Norway.

Iguazu Falls

Argentina and Brazil – hit both with a trip to Iguazu Falls

Bali

Bali, Indonesia -Hard to argue with culture, beaches and beauty.

Big Sur, California - It's not just for hippies, you know, but worth the trip to get there.

Patagonian fjords. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Chile -Long, lean and oh, what scenery,desert to wine valleys to Patagonia.

Egypt - Timeless and always worth a top spot on the bucket list.

Taveuni waterfall. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Fiji - Lots of islands; I liked Taveuni.

Heading out for a closeup of icebergs in Greenland. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Greenland - You'll need a cruise to see the parade of icebergs.

Marrakesh. Photo courtesy Lonely Planet.

Marrakesh, Morocco - right at the top of my go-to list.

Los  Cabos, Mexico.

Mexico City, Los Cabos, Mexico - Another logical twosome with most flights going to Mexico City anyway

Photo by Carol Timblin.

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas. Photo by Judy Wells.

San Antonio, Texas - Easily doable, from the Alamo and missions to the Riverwalk.

Mauritius - It's a long way to go for an island, but according to Mark Twain, Mauritius was made first, then heaven.

Portugal

Portugal, including Porto - Wine lovers will be happy here.

Santorini, Greece.

Santorini and Athens, Greece – hard to get to one without going through the other.

Seattle

Seattle and Walla Walla Valley – Start in Seattle then go to Walla Walla for the wines. Easier, stay in Seattle and do tastings of Washington wines.

Loved to death? 

Too many tourists can be a bad thing, antagonizing residents, straining resources and jeopardizing the future of environments that draw visitors in the first place. Among those on the please avoid list: Amsterdam, The Great Wall of China, Venice, Isle of Skye, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Santorini, Bhutan, Taj Mahal, Mount Everest, Machu Pichu, Galapagos Islands, Antarctica,

Credit to Ski

Book a minimum three-night stay at Lodges at Deer Valley, Silver Baron Lodge, Goldener Hirsch Inn, Signature Collection or Trail's End Lodge between now and April 8, 2018, and receive a $300 Delta Air Lines electronic gift card.

Packages range from Ski, Stay and Dine to  Family Value and Spring Ski.
Deer Valley Resort.

Fine Print: Offer is subject to availability. Not valid February 14-24. New qualifying reservations only.

Kensington Palace

Elegant Engagement

Take a tip from Prince Harry and do it up royally from five-star hotel to photographs taken in front of London's Kensington Palace, home to royals from Queen Victoria to the current princes.

The boutique Milestone Hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and The Red Carnation Collection, overlooks Kensington and offers a two-night package that includes

• Royal afternoon tea for two
• A romantic turndown with pink Champagne one night
• A chauffeured Bentley to a Hatton Gardens jewelry store
• Horse-drawn carriage around London to celebrate the new engagement
• Private tour of Kensington
• Photo session with hotel photographer in front of Kensington Palace

The two-night package is approximately $3,682 based on a Junior suite, but can be upgraded to a Master or Grand Master suite. It is valid through Dec. 31, 2018, excluding Christmas.

Want to beat Harry and Meghan down the aisle? The hotel's Oratory Chapel is one of London's smallest but most elegant wedding venues.

For details, www.milestonehotel.com.

Can't Wait Rate

Although Key West is tourist ready, some areas north of there are still rebuilding. The popular Hawks Key Resort in Marathon was hit hard but has come back to the point that some fans want to return. Now.

Renovations should be completed this summer when a grand re-opening will be held, but if you can't wait and are content with select villas, Coral Cay kids activity center, pool, boat ramp and Anglers & Ale for all meals, Managing Director Sheldon Suga will make you happier with a 30 percent discount. Starting March 16 through the grand reopening, two-bedroom villas start at $339 per night at the Can't Wait Rate. Learn more or book at https://www.hawkscay.com/special-offers.

Whoop it up!

Whiskey Wine & Wildlife brings unforgettable flavors to  Jekyll Island from the Feb. 9 four-course wine dinner at the Westin Jekyll Island's The Reserve to the  Whiskey-inspired taste-in Feb. 11, also at and around The Westin and the Beach Village. Oh, and if you are still up for more, the grand finale Brunch Sunday, Feb. 12.

Details and discount tickets are available through Jan. 31, 2018 at www.whiskeywineandwildlife.com.