what is the best type of vacation nowadays? Is it adventure vacation such as mountain biking, rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking?
Is it old fashion beach vacation?
Is it cruise ship vacation?
There is pervasive threat of terrorism around the world that traditional european destinations are deem risky. Some Asian sites are also dangerous too.

I gues everywhere there is a possible risk. I'm wondering what European destinations you are thinking about. I don't have the feeling that we here in Europe are more at risk than US citizens.

The high risk European destinations are UK, spain, Germany, France, Austria, Russia. There are still some places that are less likely to be terrorist targets:Greece, Itally, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway. High risk asian destinations include countries such as Bali, Indonesia, Malaysia,Thailand and Burma.

I wonder if carribean islands are more secluded from the prying eyes of Islamic terrorists.

I've been to the Carribbean two years in a row, Aruba and St Maarten. The biggest dangers I've encountered are too much food and too much booze.

COME VISIT HAWAII!!

Hawaii is cool. Took a cruise of the Inland Passage to Alaska last year, that was great, but expensive. Currently RVing our way thru BC on the way back from Alaska, that was GREAT. But I guess the best vacation of all is the full time one. Retirement is worth working for!!!

Hawaii is nice vaacation place however, it is much too expensive. The expenditure will equal to multiple vacations in St. Kitts island. I don't think I have time for retirement at all.

The current employment trend is very unsteady and remain unchange in the future.

I can understand that you have doubts about the Uk and Spain.

Brussels, the capitol of Belgium is an important city in Europe, as for Nato so there are some "potential" targets. They have arrested some people here to (hey there are elections comming soon <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />).

Germany, some people have been arrested due to failed attacks by wannabe terrorists who were angry about those cartoons in denmark <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

France has "relative" good connections with palestines and was not in favor of the war in Iraq. I admit there were problems with riots in France last year, but as far as I know things have calmed down. (Still, I wouldn't want to drive in Paris <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ).

Russia... imho that;s not a part of western europe.

Wat do you like in a holliday ? Sun and beach, cultural or hiking in the nature ?

Actually, if you book early, and avoid the busy touist time of the year, you can get a flight from the west coast, a hotel on Wikaki, with kitchenette (preparing a lot of your own food saves a bundle) you can go there for very little money. One year ago today we send my daugher and her brand new husband there on their honeymoon. I don't remember the cost, but it was much less than when the ex and I went there on ours in 1975!!!

Retirement is worth working for, trust me on this!!!

I love to go on vacation that allows me to rest on the beach for 1 day. Then I can go mountain biking in a national park reserve. I lvoe mountain biking as a sport. I used to think the world as oyster for vacationers. However, 9/11 event has changed my mode of thinking and behavior whenever I have to travel aboard.

I am travel well equiped like McGyver. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> I carry water filters, survival folking knifes, full first aid kit. I still feel uneasy despite my preparation. My eyes always search the plane for any trouble passengers who might be the terrorist. My mind is on hyperalert mode. Do you guys think I am paranoid? <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Russia is crime ridden everywhere. Tourists are attacked by youth gangs. Europe has a growing muslim population which are discontent with everything. They are the ticking timebomb in near future.

Citizen, you've just spend 5 plus years under multicolored terror alerts and endless rants by political pundits, what are you going to do next?

A: I'm going to Disneyworld!!!!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, I'd go wherever I'm happiest and let the terrorists be damned.

Besides, as I've said before, I'm much more worried about drunk drivers than any terrorist and I certainly don't let them deter me from enjoying my life or going wherever I'd like (insert vigorous raspberry directed at bin Ladin and drunk drivers alike).

I can understand your concerns, but I'd suggest a different tack. Buy and read the "Deep Survival" book Doug links to on the main page. One of the recurring themes that the book has was a failure to research the area being visited. I think that applies here, too. Figure out what the most common issues are, and weigh them up. To some extent it helps if you have an "acceptable criteria" when making decisions.

Mine is a simple one - I won't go anywhere where I have to be disarmed. Once past that, I've found I have plenty of choices still.

The best kind of vacation is one YOU want to take. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

And one where you can relax and have fun, with whatever it is you enjoy doing/seeing.

Does everyone carry full gear like Lara Croft for a vacation? The world is full of danger now.

Lot of places do not allow full gear like Lara Croft to be caried. Specialy in Europe.

I finally got to take my dream vacation this past Spring - we rafted into the bottom of the Grand Canyon - 6 days in, and hiked up the Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim. Amazing, Life Changing, Incredible vacation. Highly recommend it, if you've ever wanted to do it. We got to the top of the Canyon and, just like a kid at Six Flags, we wanted to run around to the start and do it again. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I can't imagine a safer place to spend a week or two! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Now I just need to figure out what could possibly compare for my next "Dream Vacation!"