We asked readers where they would go if money and time were no object, and where they were likely to go in 2011. Thailand for dental work, one said. A trip with a friend to France, another said. Here are some of the other responses; you can see the rest online at latimes.com/whatreaderssaid. Bon voyage!
Incredible India
The pull of India is irresistible. Every positive aspect of travel exists — the sights within the cities, the streets, the myriad faces. It's steeped in colorful traditions, and it seduces and transforms the traveler.
Brian Haimer
Malibu
Regal Rockies
If money were no object, I would travel with my husband on the Royal Canadian Rockies Experience, a totally decadent train trip (http://www.royalcanadianpacific.com/rockiesexperience.html) in restored vintage cars. National Geographic Traveler flagged it as a "Tour of a Lifetime." Sounds perfectly grand.
For now, though, we'll be using frequent-flier miles to London, where we will visit our granddaughter who is studying there for a semester. We then plan to take the train to Edinburgh, Scotland, and then drive to Peebles, where my grandfather was born. Not a bad trip, but not one in which we can indulge ourselves in unbridled luxury like the Royal Canadian Rockies train ride.
Cathie Brown
Los Osos, Calif.
Chew on this
How about a dental vacation to Thailand? I am 60 and want to have at least one more good time before I take a dirt nap, plus doctors here want $50,000 to fix my teeth. I can pay $14,000 in Thailand.
Noelle Drew
Culver City
Local luxury
If time and money weren't an issue, we would travel to Jerusalem to take my wife's 82-year-old mother; Machu Picchu, Peru, to have the spirits move us; Rio to dance in the streets during Carnival; and Paris to embrace the sights and romance of the city.
But we'll be closer to home: My wife and I will ring in the New Year at L.A. Live by spending two nights at the JW Marriott. The weekend before Valentine's Day, we will fly to the Bay Area to visit my 102-year-old uncle and travel to Vacaville to visit my wife's sister. In March, I will attend the Black Ski Summit in Steamboat, Colo.
In October, my wife and I plan to go to Vegas to celebrate our anniversary. We celebrated our 30th this year at the Aria; next year we plan to stay at the Cosmopolitan.
The Friday after Thanksgiving, my sisters and I do a day and night staycation to remember and celebrate our mother's life. November of next year will be our fourth annual, and it's my turn to select the accommodations. The Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills is being considered.
Chris Watkins
Los Angeles
Greece is the word
If time and money were unlimited, my husband and I would go on a cruise of some Greek islands to celebrate his 60th birthday. We would choose Greece, and specifically the islands, because it would be warm, sunny, beautiful, and it would make us feel young and carefree. Also, my husband is a fan of Greek history.
Anna Dixon
Long Beach
Vineyard time
If time and money were unlimited, I would travel throughout France for an entire vineyard year.
For me, that would be pure heaven. In April, I am taking my best friend from college ( UCLA '76) on a whirlwind two-week trip to share with her some of my favorite spots in France and Italy.
After a few days absorbing the ever-changing Paris scene, we will pick up a rental car and journey to Burgundy. We will make the quintessential Abbaye de la Bussière our home base, while meandering through the vineyards and villages. Then it's onward to Italy, along the coast to Rapallo, Santa Margherita and the Cinque Terre. Then, we'll head inland to Montecatini and the rolling hillsides of Tuscany. Two full days in Florence, overnight in Verona, and two more days in Venice should satisfy our penchant for museums and cathedrals and history — until I return home, and plan my next journey.
Julie Blumberg
Newport Beach
Stay awhile
Next summer we plan to continue our ongoing exploration of Europe by finally heading east of Munich. We are heading to Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia. We are expecting the people to be as friendly and nice as they have been in all the countries we have visited so far. There is a great value in spending enough time in each country to get to know it.
Kenneth J. Hoffer
Santa Monica
Using a refund
Our cruise on Carnival's Splendor, scheduled for next month, was canceled because of the ship fire. We decided use our refund to travel on a cruise in June to the Mediterranean, somewhere we have been aiming to visit for a long time.
Tony Miranda
Lancaster
Hello, Asia
Our first trip of the year will be to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary as well as a significant birthday. In addition to touring these cities, we will travel on the Eastern and Oriental Express from Bangkok to Singapore. We are looking forward to staying at the Raffles Hotel when in Singapore. This will be our first trip to Asia.
