I suppose this thread may be used for requesting tips as well as offering them.

Two things:

Mrs, daughter and I are planning a trip to visit other daughter in the Phoenix area at the beginning of June for about 12 days. So the first thing is, any suggestions of things to do or see in (or near) Arizona. We took a western trip in 2000 and skirted the top of AZ, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, but I don't know that much about the southern part of the state. Especially interested in the secret gems, including restaurants, cool stores, whatever.

The second thing is that we are considering the possibility of having a house/pet sitter (two dogs) while we are gone. We have never done this before and would be interested in hearing from anyone on this subject.

 Leslie wrote: 

Sure, very good idea with titling the entries, like "tips for an exciting journey in Laos"  or something? 

BTW I was in Laos as well and have some good itenerary ideas if anyone is interested.  What an interesting and very inexpensive place. About 5 usd a night for a hotel room and less than $1.50 for a meal. about .50 for a beer.

land locked-so no beaches, but fun nonetheless. there is the yellow river one can take river boats down (or up).

Oh yeas, and I could of course say a thing or two about sweden

I love this idea! I hope it takes off. It would be helpful if contributors titled their entry for easy identification, don't you think, superfido?

I thought it would be fun to have a thread giving ideas about where to travel.

some insights, ideas, warnings, and/or things to think about from people who live in the places that are fun to go to or from people that have been to different places and can give either advice or inspiration for would be world travelers. There is an amazing world wide community here which surely has endless amounts of ideas and suggestions about where to visit on this home planet of ours.

I guess I could start by suggesting Ko Samet in Thailand. Don't go to one of the busy beaches but one farther up on the island. like "candlelight beach" or Ao Thain I think , .  Many people like to go to Thailand in the winter (for obvious reasons) but the (northern hemisphere) summers are excellent as well with a fraction of the amount of tourists and the prices are around 1/2-2/3 of high season prices.

ANyway, this beach, with bungalows next to the shore, and a somewhat secluded little cove is relaxing, refreshing, and is secluded enough to have its own little atmosphere. It is nice indeed. Bungalow price around 10-20 dollars a night. I certainly didn't want to leave and I always long to return. Especially in this cold Swedish winter which has fallen upon my area like a shroud.

Oh yes, when in bangkok, go to the weekend market at the end of the skytrain route. an absurd experience of sensory overload and a chance to see hundreds of things for sale, both living, dead,  and inanimate, that you never even have concieved of as existing.

//cheers