Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a great week! The Friday Five theme this week is five trips to take. I created my list of trips filled with some places I’ve been and some places I’d like to go. Can’t wait to read everyone’s list. Per usual, Iβm linking up with my girls Cynthia and Mar for the #Friday Five. You can read our linkup rules here. Please note that if you donβt play nicely, we will delete your link. Have a wonderful weekend and if you are racing Cherry Blossom on Sunday, read my goals for the race here and be sure to look out for me!
- The Dominican Republic. You may remember we went there for our honeymoon and had the best time. So much so that I’d love to go back and explore that beautiful country more. And practice my Spanish, of course.
- South Africa. This is a big one and I’m not sure when it will happen but I really want to take a trip to visit beautiful South Africa. This is a bucket list type trip and it’s always fun to plan those big huge trips, right?
- South Dakota. I know, what?! Well, I want to travel there to run what is supposed to be an amazing all women’s marathon. A fellow marathon maniac I met after my last marathon mentioned it to me and it looks awesome. I can’t make it this year, but I’m hoping maybe 2016! Has anyone run this one?
- Vegas is one of my favorite fun places to go and I haven’t been in forever. Combining that with the fact that K has never been = a trip is necessary!
- Costa Rica. I’ve had so many friends rave about Costa Rica that I just know I would love it.
Have you traveled to any of these places? Have any recommendations for me?

Courtney, I’ve NEVER been to Vegas; that trip is going to have to happen, one of these days! π Thanks so much for another great Friday Five; hope you have a BLAST at the race this weekend! You’re going to do GREAT! Woo hoo! I’ll be cheering…
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Trips To Take As A Couple
Thanks Tara! And never been to Vegas?!?! What?!?! π
True story: I used to look for races in the south during winter to get away from the mid Atlantic cold, but now that I live in Texas, I was looking for summertime races in places it’s cooler and found that very marathon in South Dakota. I am eyeing it for 2016 as well! Maybe a reunion will be in order π
Nevie recently posted…On my work.
It’s fate!! π
South Dakota?! I love it. I’ve driven through SD multiple times and, well, it’s worth a visit. The Badlands are gorgeous (as we all know from “The Bachelor”) and Sturgis in August is a sight to see.
I also would love to visit South Africa. My husband went there for work and really enjoyed it.
MollY @alsoranagain recently posted…5 Trips to Take Before You Die
I’m going to Vegas for the first time in November and can’t wait! I also really want to go to South Africa-I heard it’s beautiful!
Lauren recently posted…Run for Another {Janji water for Haiti}
Oooh can’t wait to hear about your Vegas trip. Are you running RNR?
I have never been to any of the places you list. Bill and I really need to travel more!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Learning To Love Solitude
I had no idea there was a women’s only marathon. Though South Dakota is not on my list of places to visit. This sounds like it would be fun!
We have been talking about South Dakota lately! Definitely on the list to take our kiddos to Mount Rushmore etc.
The marathon there sounds cool!!
My Mom and Aunt went on a big trip to South Africa last June and they LOVED it. It was a trip of a lifetime.
Have fun racing Cherry Blossom – woo hoo!!
Natalie recently posted…Staying motivated!
Thanks Natalie! South Dakota has so much to see – and the race is reason enough for me π
South dakota sounds awesome especially for a race!
I barely wentry to Vegas for the first time in December! Crazy right? But I loved it, can’t wait to go back. Costa Rica is beautiful. Highly recommend. Oh and I really want to go to the Dominican. Maybe in the next year or so. π
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Places to Visit in California
Vegas is dangerously close to me since I don’t mind the 4.5 hour drive to get there. I love seeing concerts there and we also do enjoy running the RnR Half Marathon. Always a good time. Vegas is also the only 1 of the 5 places you listed that I have been! Thanks for the fun Friday Five! Have a great day!
Diane @runninrocker recently posted…Rockinβ Vacations!
Vegas is on my list too, but not because I’m a fan of it. I don’t really like hot weather and gambling so it’s not my favorite place – but the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half sounds like a really fun race and I’ll probably need to run that someday! Maybe you can visit while I’m there and show me the fun side of Vegas I’ve been missing! π
Kristen recently posted…Friday Five: Five Trips Iβd Make For Running!
Yes, I’ll show you the fun side! So much to do outside of gambling!! π
if you ever get here to SA, give me a shout! We can go for a run together! X
That would be AWESOME!!!
I also want to visit the Dominican!! The same way that you feel about South Dakota is how I feel about San Antonio. I have no reason why?! But I have to go there.
My husband has been to Vegas many times (he likes to play cards etc but I wanna go and people watch. because you know I could pass the time that way lol
Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…Friday Five (s) : Runner Favorites and Confessions
South Africa is on my travel bucket list as well. I would like to make it to the west to visit the National Parks – I heard SD is great!
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Trips/Racecations I Would Like to Take
I absolutely love South Africa and would go back in a heartbeat. However, other parts of Africa have gotten a bit unstable and while we loved our trip to Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania several years ago, I am not sure I would be comfortable going back now.
Pam and Christine recently posted…5 Running Trips
Great list! The only place I’ve been on your list is Vegas!
Coco recently posted…Strategies For The Cherry Blossom Ten Miler
Costa Rica and a safari in Africa are on my list and we also talk about Alaska. This summer we are headed to Hawaii for our 20th anniversary and my daughter’s graduation.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…5 Fitness Tests That You Can Pass
I loved South Dakota! We went to Badlands National Park, which is amazing, as werr as Rushmore & devil’s peak in Wyoming. It was awesome! I’d like to go to Costa Rico too, but my husband has been saying no because of the bugs.
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Five Special Places I’ve Visited
I love that you list all warm and tropical places, but then add South Dakota in the middle! That was fun!! I hope you get there to run the race!!
Lara @ Uptite Mamas recently posted…Friday Five – 5 Trips
Yeah, so random I know…but that marathon just seems too awesome to miss!
We went to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon too and it was amazing! I would love to go back one day. I went to Costa Rica many, many years ago and it’s absolutely beautiful. There is so much to see and do. I’m sure you would love it!
The DR is just awesome!!
You will NOT be disappointed by South Africa! I studied abroad there and have been back 4 or 5 times because I love it so much!
Ck @ coOkingupKefi recently posted…Iβm a Triathlete Around Town!
Omg, really? How amazing! I’m thinking maybe for a fifth anniversary trip or something!
I’ve never been to Vegas (although we were nearby when we drove to the Grand Canyon!). One of these days!! My husband was able to go on a trip to Costa Rica when he was in college (he got his masters in education so they visited lots of local schools) and he loved it, so I’d love to get to go there one day!
I haven’t been to Vegas since I was in elementary school. Now I can do all the adult things…. well, those before my bedtime ;-P
Lesley recently posted…World Traveler
What an awesome list! I’ve never been to any of these places. A co-worker went to the Dominican last year and she said it was amazing. Id also love to visit Costa Rica and Vegas. South Dakota sounds pretty awesome too, I didn’t know that had an all women’s marathon. I haven’t built up to the level of running a marathon but when I do I may have to put that on the list of races to consider π
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It is my dream to go to South Africa! Especially now that I know so much more about it. The owner of the company I work for is from there and I always hear so many stories and see so many beautiful pics. It looks amazing!
Salt recently posted…Have a nice trip. See you next fall. {The Friday Five}
Oh that’s awesome that you’re getting firsthand knowledge!
Now that I live near South Dakota, I may have to visit. And having a race to travel for is always a bonus.
What a great list, I have not been to any of these great places, but Vegas is on my bucket list. I love this link up and I had fun with the theme, I did not take the obvious path as the others. π Have a great day Courtney!
Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin recently posted…5 Trips to the Bathroom
I travelled to the Dominican and South Africa when I was really little so unfortunately I don’t have any tips for you. I would love to take a trip to South Africa (and I very nearly put that on my list of five)! Vegas is a lot of fun. Last year we stayed at the Aria and I absolutely loved it. The next time we go back I would stay there again in a heartbeat. One restaurant that surprised me by how delicious the food and service was at Bobby Flay’s restaurant at Caesar’s Palace. So good! And I always love to catch a Cirque show when we are in town.
Leana recently posted…Five Trips to Take
Lovely list!
That is so funny-we went to Dominican Republic for out honeymoon too. It was nice but I did not like the ‘ladies’ trying to get to my husband-like asking him if he wanted to go away with them….uum do you see me right her ladies?!!?? SMH!
Ooh! I have friends who are going to Costa Rica in the next few weeks. I really would LOVE to go there as I’ve seen some awesome pictures of the beautiful creation down there.
I think I would love to go to Australia or New Zealand sometims, as I’m kind of an LOTR fan, and I love the scenery in the films.
Emily recently posted…Maintaining Weight. Not About the Numbers.
That South Dakota marathon looks amazing! We are actually headed there this summer for a family vacation… looking forward to it! π
Lora @ Crazy Running Girl recently posted…Five Running Trips to Take
the only place I’ve been on the list is Vegas. Costa Rica is really high on my to do list though! I’ve heard so many good things about it.
Chaitali recently posted…Friday Five – tips for running trips
We’ve been to South Dakota and Vegas. I’d love to get back to Vegas and see a couple shows this time!
Jen recently posted…Friday Five: Bucket List Racecations
I just posted about South Africa in my Friday Five as well! I want to go so badly.
I spent a semester abroad in Costa Rica and it really is an AMAZING country. There are so many different activities and adventures to do. Hope you get to make it there soon! π
I’m not too sure about the South Dakota one, but I suppose that would be a fun trip if it was for a race! The warmer vacation spots always appeal more to me. I just want to swim, lay on the beach, and read a good book on vacation!
Nora @ 2 Generations Running recently posted…What a Trip!
Great list! The closest I’ve ever been to any of them was a mission trip to Haiti – on the other side of the island of the Dominican Republic.
tammie recently posted…Field Notes: Hispanicize 2015
i had never heard of the leading ladies marathon. now i want to run it, too!
Vegas is also on my list, as is running Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas. Running down the strip at night just sounds like an incredible experience.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five β April 10th β Five Bucket List Racecations
I am sooooo down for the South Dakota race!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: So You Wanna Staycation?!
I would LOVE to go to South Africa! I agree that it is one of those bucket list type trips, so I’ve told my boyfriend that we should plan a trip there for his 50th birthday in 5 years. He hasn’t traveled outside of the US much, and I think turning 50 warrants a huge bucket list vacation!
Suzanne recently posted…Five Trips Iβve Taken
Awesome! I’ve been to the DR (although just off a cruise ship) and Vegas. Vegas is one of those places where I don’t think you can really go wrong. Stay on the strip, hit some of the restaurants, take in all the sights, eat well, drink, dance, sun at the pools… there’s something for everyone!
jenn recently posted…friday five: trips
I’m in agreement on Costa Rica! I hear so many good things about it (eco friendly, great day hikes) and House Hunters International makes me want to move.
I’m going to North Dakota to finish up my states (normal travel, not running travel) and people always look at me like I’m crazy! I may fit in a run, but it’s just a 5K.
Elizabeth recently posted…Friday Five: Five Running Trips I want to Take
I was in Vegas recently… a crazy place ! Once might be enough for me… it was like being in the middle of a giant pinball machine and I couldn’t take a break.
karen – Fit in France recently posted…Friday Five : Travel
I haven’t been to any of those places! But I’d like to go to all of them. I always wanted to take my boys to SD, the Badlands. Never got there..
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Taking the Long Way Home Book Club: Interview with Hal Higdon, author of 4:09:43 Boston Through the Eyes of the Runners
Costa Rica would be great. I’ve never been to Vegas. We are supposed to go this year but I still haven’t booked it.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Five Trips
Hmmm. You have Vegas, and I have Vegas. Meet you there?
Cecilia @ MommiesRun recently posted…Friday Five: Five Race Trips To Take
Lol – sounds like a plan! π
I absolutely love Vegas. My hubby used to live there, before we met, so he’s knows all the secret local spots and super secret night clubs. I’ve never been to Costa Rica or DR, but my hubby is from Panama and we go there at least once a year to visit family, and that’s close enough, right?
Haley recently posted…Five Favorite Road Trips
We honeymooned in Costa Rica and it was absolutely beautiful π
Helly on the run recently posted…My 5 Fave Racing Trips {link up!}
This looks like an awesome list! The Mr. and I spent Christmas last year in Vegas and it rocked! I have also heard that the RnR Vegas Race is awesome so I’m sure we’ll head out there again for that.
I’ve heard about that race in SD. I think Kim from Just Trying is for Little Girls ran it last year.
Have a great race tomorrow!
MCM MaMA Runs recently posted…Five trips in 2015
Thanks Erika!
I have not been to any of them, but zip lining and hiking through Costa Rica is on the bucket list.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…5 Ways to Tailor Sponsored Posts to Your Audience
Great list! I got married in Vegas. Have been to Costa Rica on a business trip so I didn’t get to do too much while there. I have also been to South Dakota for work. So no advice on destination races at this point! I have to get back to Vegas for an anniversary celebration at some point (maybe Elvis can renew our vows)
Kelli recently posted…Escape Fort Desoto Sprint Tri
I really want to go to Vegas this summer because Reba will be performing there!! Fun list! π
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