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True Dough

(22,493 posts)
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 02:21 PM Jan 2025

Have you ever traveled beyond the continental United States?

I saw a couple of DUers mention that they'd never "left the mainland" in another thread and I assumed that would put them in the minority, but figured I'd ask here in the Lounge whether you've traveled abroad in your lifetime. My wife and I have on many occasions, but we're childless and had the wanderlust in our 30s and 40s.

How many times have you traveled outside the continental United States?


214 votes, 2 passes | Time left: Unlimited
Never
7 (3%)
Once
10 (5%)
Twice
9 (4%)
Three times
20 (9%)
Four times
9 (4%)
Five to ten times
70 (33%)
Ten to twenty times
40 (19%)
Twenty to fifty times
38 (18%)
More than fifty times
11 (5%)
Show usernames
Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll
69 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Have you ever traveled beyond the continental United States? (Original Post) True Dough Jan 2025 OP
More times than I can count. PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2025 #1
Air Force displacedvermoter Jan 2025 #31
Same here, Air Force sarge1943 Jan 2 #42
When Mubarak got assassinated? displacedvermoter Jan 2 #45
1969 to 1974 n/t sarge1943 Jan 4 #64
I meant Sadat in 1981! displacedvermoter Jan 4 #65
Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote Jan 2 #57
Are you sarge43 with a brand new account? Brother Buzz Jan 3 #63
Leaving Out Mexico, Caribbean, and Canada Bok_Tukalo Jan 2025 #2
Lived overseas bamagal62 Jan 2025 #3
For the sticklers, True Dough Jan 2025 #4
Not really "visiting" Unladen Swallow Jan 2025 #5
4 times LudwigPastorius Jan 2025 #6
I was stationed overseas five times LogDog75 Jan 2025 #7
True Dough........... Upthevibe Jan 2025 #8
Where did you go in Canada? True Dough Jan 2025 #9
I lived in BC for a few months back in 2018 ailsagirl Jan 2025 #23
Lucky you! True Dough Jan 2025 #26
It really was nice living there... ailsagirl Jan 2 #38
True Dough Upthevibe Jan 2025 #33
Indeed! True Dough Jan 2025 #34
Four times but all were still on the North American continent. intheflow Jan 2025 #10
None Niagara Jan 2025 #11
Time to win True Dough Jan 2025 #12
I bought $10 worth of Mega Millions on Dec. 27th Niagara Jan 2025 #14
There's nobody more worthy than you! True Dough Jan 2025 #15
Haha, thank you, True! Niagara Jan 2025 #19
Africa, Europe, South America, Kauai milestogo Jan 2025 #13
Maybe about 7 times to Canada. LuckyCharms Jan 2025 #16
yes. quite a few times . AllaN01Bear Jan 2025 #17
I've been to Maui 15 times, Italy once, Ireland once, Russia once, catbyte Jan 2025 #18
Lotsa poutine? Maple candy for dessert? 😉 electric_blue68 Jan 2025 #22
Actually, I've never eaten poutine, lol, and here in Michigan, maple everything is everywhere. catbyte Jan 2 #49
Oh. I hear you - returning to favorite restaurants! electric_blue68 Jan 2 #50
I had neighbors who had a gazillion maple trees and, trust me, it's a nasty, tedious, sticky, cold job catbyte Jan 2 #60
Got it. Should have earbuds, and music to help! ... electric_blue68 Jan 3 #61
More Than 50 ProfessorGAC Jan 2025 #20
I was in the Navy for four years and made Emile Jan 2025 #21
Shipmate (I didn't know)! - also 4 yrs, not "lots" of cruises, but 3 yrs' worth out of 4 UTUSN Jan 5 #67
Several flights to other countries in addition to circumnavigating the globe four times. Floyd R. Turbo Jan 2025 #24
Globe? True Dough Jan 2025 #28
Disc!😁 Floyd R. Turbo Jan 2 #46
Toronto, Montreal as a tween, teen w parents. Puerto Rico as a gifted vacation, and Switzerland, Paris by an aunt, and.. electric_blue68 Jan 2025 #25
Cuba, Scotland, England, Saudi Arabia, Bahamas BOSSHOG Jan 2025 #27
Baja Mexico twice as a kid exboyfil Jan 2025 #29
Eight times for me Lifeafter70 Jan 2025 #30
Not enough times claudette Jan 2025 #32
I got to go to Ireland mdmc Jan 2025 #36
Hawaii, England, Canada sakabatou Jan 2025 #35
I've been to 74 different countries on all 7 continents. Have plans to visit another 6 in 2025. sinkingfeeling Jan 2 #37
Wow! True Dough Jan 2 #44
I passed DFW Jan 2 #39
Many times IcyPeas Jan 2 #40
Wasn't sure how to respond. duncang Jan 2 #41
I responded more than 50 mnhtnbb Jan 2 #43
Man, I envy those who have travelled extensively! lark Jan 2 #47
I went to Canada once, in the early 90's Mad_Dem_X Jan 2 #48
Went to Canada all the time as a teenager.. MiHale Jan 2 #51
U.S. Navy ZDU Jan 2 #52
Army brat.... sdfernando Jan 2 #53
Our land locked friends MuseRider Jan 2 #54
Mexico several times, Canada/Newfournland, UK, Netherlands/Amsterdam/Haarlem, Belgium... brush Jan 2 #55
Going to Panama on Saturday PJMcK Jan 2 #56
Once to England, about ten times to Mexico. I live 100 miles from the southern border. Elessar Zappa Jan 2 #58
I've been to all the Canadian Provinces VGNonly Jan 2 #59
Was married to a family that traveled every 2 years tonekat Jan 3 #62
Yes, but not for a long time. Dulcinea Jan 5 #66
I kept undoing and re-voting as I remembered things yellowdogintexas Jan 5 #68
Inside "The 48" I saved for all my trips: 1x across from NYC to SF with big stops in AZ, then electric_blue68 Jan 23 #69

displacedvermoter

(3,635 posts)
31. Air Force
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 10:38 PM
Jan 2025

Stationed in UK, Belgium, Germany, temporary duty in Egypt and Pakistan.

Travels to England, Luxembourg, Netherlands, France, Iceland, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico and Canada.

Flying no longer fun, probably no more travels abroad.

Bok_Tukalo

(4,446 posts)
2. Leaving Out Mexico, Caribbean, and Canada
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 02:29 PM
Jan 2025

5-10 times.

Brazil, Great Britain (2 times), The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, and France.


bamagal62

(3,853 posts)
3. Lived overseas
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 02:31 PM
Jan 2025

For 15 years. Have also traveled outside the continental US before I moved away and also after I’ve returned!

True Dough

(22,493 posts)
4. For the sticklers,
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 02:51 PM
Jan 2025

I realized shortly after I posted the poll that I should have made it Five to ten times, Eleven to twenty times and Twenty-one to fifty times. Alas, the poll options cannot be altered after they're finalized, apparently.

 

Unladen Swallow

(491 posts)
5. Not really "visiting"
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 03:04 PM
Jan 2025

I went to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls when I was a kid, and I've been to Mexico a few times to visit the pharmacy. Not sure those count.

LudwigPastorius

(12,024 posts)
6. 4 times
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 04:16 PM
Jan 2025

Mexico as a kid, then Europe/UK, Japan/Korea, and Singapore

But, my responsibilities here prevent me from doing any traveling these days.

LogDog75

(368 posts)
7. I was stationed overseas five times
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 04:29 PM
Jan 2025

while in the AF. Twice in Germany, twice in England, and once in South Korea. While in Germany and England I was able to travel to, not in this order, Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

I lived in Germany for a total of 3 years, England for a total of 5 years, and South Korea for 1 year. Germany was great because it was centrally located so I could drive to a couple of countries in a short amount of time. The same with England except it’s easier to take the train or an excursion bus to Scotland and Ireland.

ailsagirl

(24,067 posts)
23. I lived in BC for a few months back in 2018
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 10:16 PM
Jan 2025

Plus, my parents were born and raised in Canada
(Dad-Ontario, Mom-Alberta)
Because of that, I was fortunate enough to obtain dual citizenship

intheflow

(29,461 posts)
10. Four times but all were still on the North American continent.
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 06:15 PM
Jan 2025

A couple day trips into Mexico, one stint to Canada as a kid, and once to visit a former DUer who lives in Alaska.

Niagara

(10,408 posts)
14. I bought $10 worth of Mega Millions on Dec. 27th
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 07:02 PM
Jan 2025

Obviously someone more worthy in California won the 1.22B jackpot

True Dough

(22,493 posts)
15. There's nobody more worthy than you!
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 07:15 PM
Jan 2025

Last edited Wed Jan 1, 2025, 08:33 PM - Edit history (1)

Just wasn't your night!

milestogo

(20,102 posts)
13. Africa, Europe, South America, Kauai
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 07:02 PM
Jan 2025

If you can only take two vacations in your life, go to Africa twice.

AllaN01Bear

(24,498 posts)
17. yes. quite a few times .
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 07:38 PM
Jan 2025

1 canada. victoria , vancouver and sook. montreal and quebec city
2: mexico. mex city, ensanada and tj, sorry i cant spell it right now.
thats it.this was way before 911 and the mess it created .

catbyte

(36,644 posts)
18. I've been to Maui 15 times, Italy once, Ireland once, Russia once,
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 08:09 PM
Jan 2025

The Netherlands once.

As for the continent, I've been to Canada more times than I can count. We lived near the border and would cross just to eat dinner.

catbyte

(36,644 posts)
49. Actually, I've never eaten poutine, lol, and here in Michigan, maple everything is everywhere.
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 03:02 PM
Jan 2

No, there was a Chinese restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie that my dad was addicted to.

electric_blue68

(20,599 posts)
50. Oh. I hear you - returning to favorite restaurants!
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 03:24 PM
Jan 2

As NYS is a mapling State.... In fact just looking it up to be sure we were at all - we're the 2nd largest! I didn't know that.

For a long time this wonderful garden in upper west Riverdale neighborhood in northewest Bronx had a gather maple syrup event. I wanted to go, but not quite enough to overcome my aversion to getting up early.

At one point I started to tolerate it more. So now's the time! But by then they had canceled it as an event. Dang!

I should check, maybe they brought it back.

Anyway, despite using maple syrup I'd never heard of Maple Candy. It wasn't till I went to a Vermont event at the World Financial Plaza that I tried it. Ohhh, yum!😄

Since then I've treated myself off & on when I find it at my Green Market. 👍

catbyte

(36,644 posts)
60. I had neighbors who had a gazillion maple trees and, trust me, it's a nasty, tedious, sticky, cold job
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 11:36 PM
Jan 2

to haul all of those sap buckets around. I despised it, but it sure does taste good once it's cooked, lol.

electric_blue68

(20,599 posts)
61. Got it. Should have earbuds, and music to help! ...
Fri Jan 3, 2025, 12:19 AM
Jan 3

At that time of year, and State locations...
brrrrrrr!

I guess chanting "Pancakes & waffles" doesn't help much!

Emile

(33,711 posts)
21. I was in the Navy for four years and made
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 09:18 PM
Jan 2025

a lot cruises.

Since 1974 I have only traveled to Canada and Mexico.

UTUSN

(73,675 posts)
67. Shipmate (I didn't know)! - also 4 yrs, not "lots" of cruises, but 3 yrs' worth out of 4
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 12:57 AM
Jan 5

First ship: Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Guam. Second ship: Acapulco, Panama Canal, Gitmo, Haiti. Leaving out the continentals: Seattle, Vancouver, New Orleans, Norfolk. Little tour/Spain. Not much of a tourist, almost exclusively the inside of Happy Hours wherever.




electric_blue68

(20,599 posts)
25. Toronto, Montreal as a tween, teen w parents. Puerto Rico as a gifted vacation, and Switzerland, Paris by an aunt, and..
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 10:23 PM
Jan 2025

uncle's gift!
PR was by my sister.
Both wonderful times, and total astonishing surprises!

I, on my good luck, and effort of my own savings have gone around The USA on shorter medium, medium, and long travels. Mostly by bus. Some train, and 2 round-trip air flights.
(just to say I was able to rely on myself, too, at times, and not just others)

Last trip outside of NJ for cousins was Europe 2016.

exboyfil

(18,172 posts)
29. Baja Mexico twice as a kid
Wed Jan 1, 2025, 10:29 PM
Jan 2025

Montreal and Germany with my prior employer
Hawaii with wife

Wife won't travel outside US. I have let my passport lapse after my two business trips.

DFW

(57,609 posts)
39. I passed
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 12:25 AM
Jan 2

I have been living in Europe for many years now. I am married to one of the friendly natives, and my job takes me to a different country practically every day. That’s no big deal when “another country” can be reached with a 2 or 3 hour train ride, or a 50 minute plane flight.

For me, a trip down to Paris or Zürich is a “quickie,” where I can have both breakfast and dinner at home, and have made my trip in between.

IcyPeas

(23,398 posts)
40. Many times
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 12:37 AM
Jan 2

Family in Scotland... been there numerous times
Ireland 1x
Mediterranean cruise (Barcelona, Istanbul, 4 cities in Italy, Mykonos)
Caribbean cruise
Canada 2x
Mexico 2x

duncang

(3,767 posts)
41. Wasn't sure how to respond.
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 03:26 AM
Jan 2

I’ve been out of the U.S. several times. Not out of North America. But I also made a trip to Scotland and Sweden.

mnhtnbb

(32,382 posts)
43. I responded more than 50
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 07:26 AM
Jan 2

Last edited Thu Jan 2, 2025, 08:00 AM - Edit history (1)

But it would take me awhile to recall all the trips. A house fire in 2007 destroyed passports I'd held since the early '80's when I made my first trip to Europe. I'd been in Mexico and Hawaii prior to that, and then began taking Caribbean cruises. My second husband, whom I married in 1985, loved to travel, and we did a lot. Our honeymoon was a month driving around France. We were married for 32 years and probably averaged at least 1-2 trips out of the Continental US every year, even when the boys were little. Our oldest son took his first steps at 10 months when we were on a trip to England with him. He had a Polish babysitter who stayed with him who was working in our London hotel for the summer before she would return to Poland to start med school in the fall. We took her with us on one day trip to Oxford.
We went to look at New Zealand in 1994 as a possible place to relocate and stopped in Hawaii, both coming and going. We owned property in Panama during Shrub's second term and we scouted Belize prior to deciding to buy in Panama. I've been in Canada half a dozen times: our 10th anniversary was in Montreal and Quebec; another time we took the marvelous Canada by rail trip from Toronto to Vancouver.
I continued to travel abroad on my own after my husband died in 2018, up until Covid; I was on Bonaire in March 2020 when Covid hit. I've only been out of the country once since 2020 and find that the idea of traveling alone in my '70's isn't as appealing as it once was, although I probably will renew my passport before it expires in 2026.

lark

(24,764 posts)
47. Man, I envy those who have travelled extensively!
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 10:10 AM
Jan 2

I love to travel, but it's expensive and we're retired so we don't do much anymore. Right now, I'd be ashamed to travel to Europe and have to face their scorn for what our country did in promoting fascism on 11/5. We have considered Portugal as a fallback if things get really bad here. That's the only trip to Europe I forsee in the near future. Instead we will probbly go to places closer to here, like the Caribbean. There are a number of islands we haven't visited yet that I'd like to see.

Of course, I need to improve my mobility issues, but I've got lots of appts. trying to figure out what's wrong. Hopefully they'll figure it out and find a way to reduce the pain/weakness so I don't limp all the time.

MiHale

(11,437 posts)
51. Went to Canada all the time as a teenager..
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 03:32 PM
Jan 2

Then while in the Army, I was in nuclear weapons maintenance. One rotation I was on we flew to each missile site to inspect the warheads in the depots. Kinda exciting but yet boring cause we weren’t allowed to go off the base for security reasons. So around the world in 2 weeks. Whoopee! Only did it once.

ZDU

(255 posts)
52. U.S. Navy
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 03:36 PM
Jan 2

U.S. Navy: Cruises and deployments.
Study: Turkey
Fun and adventure: Mexico and Europe (multiple countries)

There are amazing people all over the world. Beautiful art and architecture, great food, and outstanding & efficient transportation systems

sdfernando

(5,637 posts)
53. Army brat....
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 03:41 PM
Jan 2

born in Munich but lived in Dachau...other stations: Panama, Hawaii, Alaska (technically continental, but considered overseas in the army). Also visited England, took the Chunnel to Paris. Mexico several times. Columbia, Puerto Rico.

MuseRider

(34,540 posts)
54. Our land locked friends
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 03:48 PM
Jan 2

and my husband and I, also land locked, made a group for at least one scuba diving trip per year. Anywhere from 4 to 6 of us went, sometimes twice. God I miss those years.

brush

(59,412 posts)
55. Mexico several times, Canada/Newfournland, UK, Netherlands/Amsterdam/Haarlem, Belgium...
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 04:14 PM
Jan 2

France/Paris,Nice, Spain/Barcelona, Italy/Rome/Pompeii/Naples, Hawaii, South America/Salvador Bania/Rio de Janeiro, Africa/Cameroon/Senegal/Gambia, Jamaica.

Did a bit of traveling in earlier years.

PJMcK

(23,417 posts)
56. Going to Panama on Saturday
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 05:48 PM
Jan 2

Traveling to other lands is fantastic! I've always loved seeing other places, meeting different people, trying different foods and breathing different air. It always amazes me that the sunlight is different around the world. There is so much to see and do in this world that staying home seems wasteful. Missing the great adventures strikes me as living an unfulfilled life.

Travel doesn't have to be expensive. There are so many ways to see the world on limited funds. You can't stay in 5-star hotels, of course, but there are many other options that are affordable for most travelers. You just have to do a bit of research and learn to be patient.

Generally, many Americans don't travel overseas. This limiting of experience adds to the xenophobia that so many people seem to have. I've never understood it.

Elessar Zappa

(16,318 posts)
58. Once to England, about ten times to Mexico. I live 100 miles from the southern border.
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 07:06 PM
Jan 2

Can’t afford it now though (well I could probably afford a Ciudad Juarez trip but there’s not much to do there).

VGNonly

(8,007 posts)
59. I've been to all the Canadian Provinces
Thu Jan 2, 2025, 07:25 PM
Jan 2

except for Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. I've been to the Bahamas and British Virgin Islands, Hawaii twice.

(I've been in all the US states except for Alaska, Mississippi and Louisiana)

tonekat

(2,187 posts)
62. Was married to a family that traveled every 2 years
Fri Jan 3, 2025, 12:37 AM
Jan 3

The in law parents took us for two weeks every other year in July.

In return, we got to be their servants and put up with their BS. The constant debate was between the married kids. "It's your turn today with them!"

I was able to escape eventually.

Dulcinea

(8,109 posts)
66. Yes, but not for a long time.
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 12:37 AM
Jan 5

Greece, the Galapagos, London a couple of times, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada. Now that my husband has retired, we hope to travel abroad more. Paris, an overwater bungalow, & Australia & New Zealand are on my bucket list.

yellowdogintexas

(23,152 posts)
68. I kept undoing and re-voting as I remembered things
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 03:07 AM
Jan 5

Germany and France (same trip)
Spain
Mexico twice
Jamaica Grand Cayman (cruise)
brief excursion into Canada during a trip to Detroit

Off the mainland: Hawaii (the Big Island)

also: Key West which is kind of like a foreign country

electric_blue68

(20,599 posts)
69. Inside "The 48" I saved for all my trips: 1x across from NYC to SF with big stops in AZ, then
Thu Jan 23, 2025, 08:07 PM
Jan 23

Alberquerque; next year 2/3rds across to AZ, up to So Dakota, down to Denver, Co Springs (saw the Air Force Acadeny), back to AZ & Alberquerque.

Then trips to East Lansing Michigan, 20 trips to DC (half for fun, half for demos & rallies), and sevwral to Philadelphia, once Boston.

Outside of the 48 were gifts. One because my monetary circumstances changed.

My sis had a great year, and told me to pick a Carribean island. I picked Puerto Rico.
Found a by the beach hotel east of SJ with a very cool organically shaped pool. My first Casino, too. The teal/turquoise waters was something I'd always wanted to see!
🥰 Glorious! Even the deep water in the distance was a vivid semi-dark blue. Not dull like up here.
I only got to walk half way through San Juan though. I'd go back if I could to visit the western half. It *was* interesting, and fun what I did see. 👍

Then out of the blue many years later my aunt who was a *wonderful artist* invited me to her & my uncle's home in a literally picturesque little village in western Switerzerland about a mile+ from the French border! This was to make art w her!
This was for 3 weeks!!! 🥰
Her art studio (a part of their house) was big, and amazing! The whole house was very cool, and filled art, and craft items. Can you say W-O-W! You could just about see The Alps in the distance from their well furnushed attic! A better view of on the upper road to go visit Bracontés (flea markets).

Her biggest medium were B&W, and multi colored Wood cuts Had this big roller press. She was *masterful*!
Also etchings, some drawings. She made about 5 small press children's books, too. Had set up for metal typefaces.

Then bc I'd asked (we were e mailing back and forth) if I could take a 1 day trip to Paris by train - like I didn't care if I only spent a few hours there. Instead she took me, and one of her granddaughters to Paris for 4 days/3 nights after I'd been there for 10 days . Can you say O-M-G!
(returned, and still had 6 days back in Switzerland).

Of course, The Lourvre, Musee Or'say. The Lourver itself was an architectural trip! My jaw dropped open when we turned a corner, and came into this Great Hall, and at the end we entered from....
There was The Winged Victory!
(Famous staute)

But I didn't know there a Museum that housed 4 of Monet's longest Waterlilly Paintings ( and 4 "regular" size ones).
Can you say N-E-A-R S-W-O-O-N ! 😄🥰
In fact, spent so long on the first room, then a small alcove with smaller works, then foind out there was another room?!!!
Each room had 2 very long paintings, and 2 regular ones.

We were near the Seine so I, and I and my cousin walked along to see the book, and magazine sellers.

Since they'd been to Paris X times I went off to see The Eifil Tower. My aunt says to my cousin..."you think she'll be ok", she said yes. I wouldn't have had the nerve to go up even if I'd had the time. Maaaaybe to the 3rd flr if I had had the time.

But I was so thrilled *just* to walk around, and underneath it!

Then I walked to see (I was told to see this, and shown a photo while discussing my upcoming trip) The Ponte Alexander The III Bridge! Can you say 24K G-O-L-D
C-O-V-E-R-E-D Statues?!!! The shine, and glow! And very cute ?Bronze cherubs.
Returned by their metro to our hotel.

My last night (It's a hilly village) We took their car around the corner, up the longer block, around the corner and down 2 houses to visit their friends. After appetizers we had Fondue which was invented in Switzerland.
What could have been better. 🩷

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