Olympic-caliber athletes have pretty full passports. There aren’t a lot of places they haven’t been. But most of the time, their sightseeing consists of venues, hotels and airports.
So, if they were given the opportunity to vacation anywhere in the world, where would they go? See where these 20 Team USA athletes chose. Do winter athletes dream of sandy beaches and summer athletes prefer low temperatures? Find out!
1. Kelly Clark, Snowboarding
I would like to go on an expedition cruise to Antarctica and sleep on the ice. I would enjoy the wildlife and the seeing the icebergs. It would be unlike anything I have experienced and a once-in-a-lifetime type of trip.
2. Caleb Paine, Sailing
I would like to take the boat and live abroad and cruise the Northwest coast off Alaska. The beauty and experience would give you a greater appreciation for our time here and what really matters in life.
3. Jason Brown, Figure Skating
If I could vacation anywhere in the world, it would be somewhere warm that I haven't had the chance to go yet...or a place I wouldn't have the opportunity to go to through skating! I absolutely love to travel and I love adventures —and since I'm always training in the cold, during vacations, I prefer going somewhere warm.
4. Hilary Knight, Ice Hockey
I learned Swedish in college and absolutely fell in love with the Swedish culture, so probably anywhere there.
5. Alex Roelse, Water Polo
If I could go on vacation anywhere in the world it would be a hard choice between a place with very blue water such as Fiji or Thailand or Barcelona. I would love to go with a group of friends and enjoy all the relaxation of a beautiful destination. In Barcelona I really am fond of the culture, going out to eat at delicious restaurants and socializing deep into the night!
6. Maia Shibutani, Figure Skating
We have been all over Europe for skating competitions, but we've never been to Italy! A vacation there would be amazing because of the food, history, and culture. One of our coaches, Massimo, is Italian. I have heard from him and other friends that you can have a variety of experiences depending on the region you're visiting. We have very limited vacation time so it has never made sense to spend time traveling somewhere outside of the U.S. The 2018 world championships will be in Italy, so maybe we will be able to spend some extra time there.
7. Katrina Young, Diving
I would vacation in Rome, Italy. Rome is someplace I'd love to spend time seeing representations of the Roman Empire like the Coliseum. I love the romanticism of the Italian language and the strong history of opera and music there. I'm sure I could spend plenty of time exploring Rome.
8. Mirai Nagasu, Figure Skating
If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd enjoy a two-week tour of Greece. The unique geophysical and culinary aspects of each of the country's islands' cultures intrigue me and I would relish in the opportunity to take the time to explore the impact that they've made on our world history. The significance of the ancient ruins and charm of the surrounding towns and cities appeal to me like no other place in the world. Needless to say, the crystal blue waters and Mediterranean coastline make for some pretty amazing pictures as well.
9. Erin Hamlin, Luge
If I could vacation anywhere in the world right now I would go to the Maldives or Bali. Because it has been too long since I’ve had a tropical vacation and I’ve always wanted to go to the Maldives, and Bali. It’s somewhere I have felt would be a great place to get centered and reset my mind and body. I would love to go there on a yoga retreat and explore the amazing culture.
10. Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, Ice Hockey
I think Bora Bora or Fiji, somewhere in the French Polynesian islands. I want one of those overwater hut things.
11. Danny O'Shea, Figure Skating
I would love to visit the Great Barrier Reef off of Australia! It is amazing to me that such a large thing can be alive and at the same time a home to so much other life in the ocean. I would love to go snorkeling or scuba diving around the reef and just experience it while we still can.
12. Lindsay Whalen, Basketball
I really want to take a vacation back to a few of the places that I played while I was in Europe, enjoy some of those great places as a tourist and not have to focus on practices and games.
One would be London because it was my first Olympics and things seemed to go so quick that I would want to go back when things are calmer than a first Olympic Games. Also Prague and Paris are my two favorite cities in the world and I’ve had a chance to play in Prague for several seasons and be in Paris for various games and events but it would be fun to check out more of each city. It would be especially great to be able to check out some of the old restaurants and neighborhoods in Prague that my husband Ben and I went to all the time and see what they are like now a few years later.
13. Rachel Fattal, Water Polo
I would go to Bali. It is somewhere that I have always wanted to go. I love being at the beach all day and the water there just looks pretty!
14. Ashley Cain, Figure Skating
A dream vacation of mine would be Bali! I would love to ride elephants and swim in the ocean!
15. Kacey Bellamy, Ice Hockey
I would really want to go to Ireland. I’m Irish and I’ve heard it’s a beautiful place. I would want to do it with my family members because I think it would be really memorable and special.
16. Melissa Seidemann, Water Polo
I think there are a lot of really amazing places in the U.S. that I haven't had time to explore. I would love to take a trip to Alaska to get to enjoy the nature.
17. Lee Stecklein, Ice Hockey
Hawaii. My family went there a lot when I was growing up and I think it’s one of the prettiest places on earth. I want to go to all of the islands eventually. We did Maui, Oahu and I just went to Kauai last summer so I want to go to the big island next.
18. Timothy Dolensky, Figure Skating
I have always wanted to go to Hawaii because I love the beach and I've always wanted to go there since I was little! There is nothing better to me than reading a book in the sun. I hope to make it there someday!
19. Alex Obert, Water Polo
Me and my fiancé have always dreamed to travel to all of Europe because I would be able to see many countries and cultures easily.
20. Kaitlin Hawayek, Figure Skating
If I could go on vacation anywhere in the world, it would be the southern coast of Italy (Amalfi, Positano, etc.) because you have the unique cultural feel of a European city while having some of the most beautiful views, and beach-type destinations that make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation too! It is the perfect combination of all ideal vacation spots, in one.
