Vacations

[SaraXLive]

So as I was planning my vacation for June I realized that there are about a zillion places I want to visit both here in the US, the tropical areas below US, and abroad. I thought it would be fun to have a thread sharing about vacations, whether it was amazing or you went to a really popular place and thought it sucked or you'd like to recommend something off the beaten path that's perhaps not well known to tourists.

I apologize in advance if this already exists, I tried searching it but didn't see anything similar.

I'll start- probably my favorite vacation so far was to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, I had friends who were living/working there so I went down in 2007 with a girl I knew on $300 round trip airfare (SO CHEAP!!!!) and stayed with them for a week. We got a bit more of a locals view and to this day I toy with the idea of moving there. The only downside was finding out WHILE I WAS THERE that my friend had a coke problem, because she woke me up at 6AM after going out while I slept and started screaming crazy stuff at me. And I don't mean cola, obvs. I would go back there every single year if I had the funds/time & it didn't mean I wouldn't get to see the rest of the world. This is me on the beach (with my snorkeling mask lines on my face) giving my best Blue Steel

 

[KylieJacobs]

Ooooooooo, I like this idea for a thread!

$300 roundtrip airfare is awesome! What are prices like in St. Thomas for everyday things?

I've been toying with the idea of someday (15 or more years from now) moving to a tropical island. Thinking along the line of the US Virgin Island, Maui (Hawaii), Bahamas, or Puerto Rico. I absolutely love water, I've always dreamed of having beachfront property.

 

[AmberCutie]

I went to St Thomas when I was 12! But the only real vacay I've had since then was my train wreck of a honeymoon in Cancun. It seemed really pretty but I got sunburned to hell on the first day, then had the flu for the remainder of the trip. It was an all inclusive resort so we got to eat and drink whatever we wanted but didn't get to see many sights or enjoy any excursions.

To top it off I got pink eye on the way home. I need a re-do!

I want to go to Bora Bora. I will. At some point in my life. And Hawaii.

 

[JoleneBrody]

I've never been on a real "vacation" before and I am SO petrified of flying, I just can't even do it anymore but my main dream is to fish the Amazon river.

Secondly, I want to do a tour of grand ancient ruins of lost civilizations. Maya, Aztec, Inca, Egypt.

And Havana, Cuba!

 

[Deleted member 16664]

I'd really like to go swimming on a beautiful beach somewhere in Mexico. I was super disappointed in my last trip. I went to Peru for a month, but it didn't go as planned. I wanted to check out the ancient sites---I totally will next time around.




Take a look at these pictures in this article --> http://www.boredpanda.com/amazing-places-to-see-before-you-die-2/
You won't regret it. It inspires me to travel more in the future.

Below are a couple of pictures I took in Peru.

 

[LuckySmiles]

I'm bit of a warm climater at heart thats always lived in northern states soooo... I'm all about the beach vacays.

I flew into St. Thomas but stayed in St. John. It's more private, you have to take the boat there from St. Thomas but theres great house rentals and very beautiful scenery and beaches.

I've been to Puerto Rico and I love it. Ive stayed in San Juan though it's very busy. I love the colorful buildings and shops in Old San Juan and theres fun night life.

I've been to Costa Rica, aaamazing. I stayed in the Guanacaste province which has this thing called a "dry rainforrest" in the winter months. It's like... cactus, beach. Very cool. It's very rural and great for a less touristy trip. Quiet beaches. Places to hump discreetly etc. :-D Learned how to surf for $40 check that off my bucket list.

For the US I've been up everywhere up and down the East Coast and a little midwest, Florida a bunch of times and Colorado. Ive yet to get to the west coast and its still a goal. That and Europe.... and South America... and japan... and...and...and...

:-D

 

[LilyEvans]

I went to Guatemala as a teen and I loved it! It was so beautiful and fun and I loved the people...of course it's one of the biggest murder capitals of the world, too :shock: but I didn't know that at the time. We got to tour Mayan ruins and just seeing all the old Spanish churches and stuff was incredible. It was cool and foggy and great. I'd love to go back but I'm not sure I'd live there...people had their homes surrounded by 9-foot brick walls topped with broken glass to keep robbers out.

This summer I plan to visit Rome! I'm completely beside myself for this-- I've never been to Europe before and as an artist and a major foodie there are few better places I can think to visit.

 

[SaraXLive]

I want to go to Bora Bora also! I am a tropical beach kind of gal. I went to Puerto Rico but stayed on the west coast and wasn't impressed, because it was all coral shelves and crazy surf, which are not my scene (I want a beautiful calm lagoon type thing, NOT to meet my demise being smashed into coral & sea urchins). I also want to visit Europe, and the Pacific Northwest!

A bit of backstory in starting this thread- I have wanted to visit Hawaii, my SO lived there for 3+ yrs, we were planning this trip together for June when one day he said to me, "look, Big Island Hawaii is NOT THAT GREAT for a vacation and while it looks pretty in pictures, it's NOT what you are looking for!" I found it really interesting to consider that Hawaii might not be the best destination when it's one of the top tropical destinations. I am really looking forward to hearing about places near and far & swapping stories!

 

[WildFingers]

We stayed at the Iberostar Tucan in Playa del Carmen an all inclusive and had a wonderful time in June of 2011.

There are excursions to 3 ruins that you can visit Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba. We visited the Mayan Ruin in Tulum which is on the coast and breezy so it wasn't stifling hot. It was Beautiful.

There are tons of excursions form Zip Lining to shopping. We chose to stay on site most of the week we were there and get Open Water Scuba certified.

In May of 2012 we went to Cozumel and stayed at the Iberostar. It also is an all inclusive resort with a lot of beautiful Scuba and snorkeling dive sites in the Chankanaab underwater National Park . We got Certified as Advanced Open Water scuba and spent a lot of time in the water. It rained almost everyday Which is strange since the rainy season starts in June or July. It didn't mess with us since we were getting wet (diving anyway).

There are excursions offered but not as many as in Cancun or Rivera Maya. Some excursions take you back over to Cancun via the ferry to Zip Line and to do other things.

I hope this makes you curious and you visit some if my favorite places.

 

[PunkInDrublic]

Going to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in a few weeks. Might try to see some lesser known spots also. Been in both areas for work but couldn't enjoy my time there. Favorite vacation is probably the first time I went to Europe. Only really saw Holland and Spain but it was still awesome. Want to go to Africa somewhat soon and see the Serengeti and all the other cool shit they got there.

 

[theRileyDaniels]

Ive never been on vacation so these are giving me so many ideas

 

[Rose]

Y'all are all talking about beaches and sun, and I'm just sitting over here like, "man, I really like Gatlinburg." :lol:

The mountains are so beautiful. The gardens and greenery are always so pretty and relaxing.

 

[MaggieRider]

Girls everyone welcome in Phuket! I am living here!

xoxo

 

[Brad]

I have no idea what it's like now but when I was 14 or 15 (late 1970's) we went on a family vacation to Freeport, Bahamas. We stayed at the Shalimar Hotel. It was awesome other then the very expensive food. We took a west end tour and were able to see some rather native areas which was totally cool. I got kicked out of the casino 2 or 3 times for being underage and playing the slot machines. There were little lizards all over the place which was also way cool. Monsoon type rain storms that were over almost as fast as they started. Loved the International Bazaar. Awesome beaches and bikinis. etc...

All in all I had a wonderful time and really enjoyed it. It was the only family vacation I remember so vividly. It was also the only time I had ever been somewhere outside of the contiguous 48 states.
:-D

 

[RileyBooXOXO]

Nothing as exotic as anybody else.

I miss Disneyland! I want to go back so bad.

I'm saving up money now and hope to make a trip by late Summer.

 

[Diana Blake]

My family went on vacation of Wakulla Springs one year. It's where all the old Tarzan movies were filmed. I'm an old fogey so I really liked it. Super clear water that's always at a wonderfully chilly 72 degrees, a little old fashioned soda shop and a beautiful resort hotel and some surprisingly trained alligators just at the edge of the ropes...

However, if you're interested in more than just the water there's not much around. I think a few of us tried to go shopping but weren't very impressed. I was busy with heat stroke after painting an oil portrait of the springs. The hotel restaurant was amazing but when we tried going further out for dinner we found a little place nearby that was uhm...less than awesome. Really, the only reason to be there is the spring and if you want anything else you're just SOL.

I'd still love to go back but I'm a "cup of tea and good book on the grass" type of vacationer.

 

[EdgarAllenWhoa]

Maybe a different location to check things out?
Central Spain, small city, Valladolid...things move at a slower pace, great food and red wine that will make you re-think your life, nice ppl as well.
Loved this place and looking forward to going back, history everywhere.

 

[Fay_Galore]

I love how most US citizens go on holiday in north or south america, and that's probably where they'll look into looking for a good vacation spot, where as europeans have a very different view on holiday locations. (might even go to Asia before going to America)

I travel through the UK every summer with my mum for 2-3 weeks. it's our thing and we've done it for years! We're both a bit on the new age side of things and love the arthurian tales, medieval history, etc. Glastonbury is the place to be, I also love Manchester and Brighton.

I go to berlin every now and then, which is probably the coolest city ever.

The furthest I've been was Israel, which is very different from what the media leds you to believe (but still quite a complicated country, also to visit)

I'm looking into going to Denmark this year, Copehagen and Christiana in particular, it's a bit of a hippie/freehaven sort of thing. looks lovely! I would also love to visit morocco and iceland. someday.

I live in Amsterdam, the city centre consist of 80% expats and if you include all the tourists, only 5% of people in the city centre are actually dutch. so riding my bike around sounds like vacation too

apparently I'm not much of a sun-seeker :')

 

[Kunra9]

I love how most US citizens go on holiday in north or south america, and that's probably where they'll look into looking for a good vacation spot, where as europeans have a very different view on holiday locations. (might even go to Asia before going to America)

I travel through the UK every summer with my mum for 2-3 weeks. it's our thing and we've done it for years! We're both a bit on the new age side of things and love the arthurian tales, medieval history, etc. Glastonbury is the place to be, I also love Manchester and Brighton.

I go to berlin every now and then, which is probably the coolest city ever.

The furthest I've been was Israel, which is very different from what the media leds you to believe (but still quite a complicated country, also to visit)

I'm looking into going to Denmark this year, Copehagen and Christiana in particular, it's a bit of a hippie/freehaven sort of thing. looks lovely! I would also love to visit morocco and iceland. someday.

I live in Amsterdam, the city centre consist of 80% expats and if you include all the tourists, only 5% of people in the city centre are actually dutch. so riding my bike around sounds like vacation too

apparently I'm not much of a sun-seeker :')

I'm not sure, and just asking here, but it seems like you might be mocking Americans for vacationing in the Americas

Then as a European, describe vacationing in Europe.

I don't understand.

 

[All_Mina]

I've been to Beijing with a bunch of students during my undergrad days.

Domestically, I like desolate, "no man's land" type of places. In fact, my favorite vacation was to South Dakota :lol: I'd love to take a road trip across the States just to see all the beauty of "nothingness". Popular vacation spots are too crowded and tourist-y. Forget Hawaii, I'd love to go on an Alaskan cruise. I like the serenity of the mountains and desert, and have made it a mission to visit as many National Parks as possible.

If I were to travel internationally again, I'd prefer to go to a large city (Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Seoul, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Saigon, Sydney, Melbourne, Moscow, Singapore). I wouldn't be comfortable driving in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country (unless it was Canada).

I'm saving up for a trip to Boston, where my guy and I will drive into NYC and then Montreal. This trip will be during autumn so that we can see the beautiful fall foliage of New England, which would be the main objective. I've heard driving in NYC and Montreal is not for the faint of heart :angry4: If not that, then I'm going to visit a long-time friend in South Carolina...I've never been to the South

I didn't take these but these are from the most beautiful place I've seen: South Dakota

 

[Fay_Galore]

I love how most US citizens go on holiday in north or south america, and that's probably where they'll look into looking for a good vacation spot, where as europeans have a very different view on holiday locations. (might even go to Asia before going to America)

I travel through the UK every summer with my mum for 2-3 weeks. it's our thing and we've done it for years! We're both a bit on the new age side of things and love the arthurian tales, medieval history, etc. Glastonbury is the place to be, I also love Manchester and Brighton.

I go to berlin every now and then, which is probably the coolest city ever.

The furthest I've been was Israel, which is very different from what the media leds you to believe (but still quite a complicated country, also to visit)

I'm looking into going to Denmark this year, Copehagen and Christiana in particular, it's a bit of a hippie/freehaven sort of thing. looks lovely! I would also love to visit morocco and iceland. someday.

I live in Amsterdam, the city centre consist of 80% expats and if you include all the tourists, only 5% of people in the city centre are actually dutch. so riding my bike around sounds like vacation too

apparently I'm not much of a sun-seeker :')

I'm not sure, and just asking here, but it seems like you might be mocking Americans for vacationing in the Americas

Then as a European, describe vacationing in Europe.

I don't understand.

No, I wasn't, did it come off as mocking?
It's just that this forum's active members are 90% american, and therefor most of this thread is filled with american spots, which I find interesting/funny, if this was a 90% european forum maybe none would have mentioned an american location. I didnt mean to suggest one is better then the other, I don't think I did.
(also, israel, not europe )

 

[RedHerby]

I go to berlin every now and then, which is probably the coolest city ever.

I can confirm this )))) I go 2-3 times a year to Berlin, not doing much activities, just living a few weeks in a big city, in The Netherlands I live at the country-side, so a big city is something different for me, I love the small cinema's, the cheap restaurants, the beer, the parks and so on.

The biggest trip I have done was the Trans-Siberian train, with the plane to Beiijng and than back with the train to The Netherlands, 90% of the Trans-Siberian route.

 

[HiGirlsRHot]

I want to go to Bora Bora also! I am a tropical beach kind of gal. I went to Puerto Rico but stayed on the west coast and wasn't impressed, because it was all coral shelves and crazy surf, which are not my scene (I want a beautiful calm lagoon type thing, NOT to meet my demise being smashed into coral & sea urchins). I also want to visit Europe, and the Pacific Northwest!

A bit of backstory in starting this thread- I have wanted to visit Hawaii, my SO lived there for 3+ yrs, we were planning this trip together for June when one day he said to me, "look, Big Island Hawaii is NOT THAT GREAT for a vacation and while it looks pretty in pictures, it's NOT what you are looking for!" I found it really interesting to consider that Hawaii might not be the best destination when it's one of the top tropical destinations. I am really looking forward to hearing about places near and far & swapping stories!

Well I am biased living in Hawaii, but I think your ex is wrong. I've travel quite a bit 49 states, almost 40 countries, and 15 island, the Big Island is hands down my favorite island for a vacation. Bora Bora and Kauai are prettier, Moorea is more serene, Bali has a more impressive temples and culture. Several islands have nicer white sand beaches, The diving is better in the Cayman Island, and the Solomon Island have the more exotic diseases. But the Big Island has it all great snorkeling and diving, spectacular waterfalls, gorgeous pastures, tropical rainforest. 5 star resorts and affordable youth hostels. It isn't so crowded that you can't get away from it all, but not so primitive you can't get good meals, drinks and wifi. Plus it has volcanoes which are pretty amazing, watching lava flowing into the ocean at night is even better than a cum show.. :lol:

 

[eyeteach]

Y'all are all talking about beaches and sun, and I'm just sitting over here like, "man, I really like Gatlinburg." :lol:

The mountains are so beautiful. The gardens and greenery are always so pretty and relaxing.

Gatlinburg, huh? I live probably 2 1/2 hours from Gatlinburg and have never been there...so I hope you get to go soon! For both of us!

 

[eyeteach]

Nothing as exotic as anybody else.

I miss Disneyland! I want to go back so bad.

I'm saving up money now and hope to make a trip by late Summer.

I've done Disneyworld multiple times but never Disneyland. Tell ya what, change your destination from Anaheim to Orlando, I'll split the cost with ya and we'll hit the Disney parks plus the Universal parks. Ummm, would you mind staying on the property?

 

[HiGirlsRHot]

Y'all are all talking about beaches and sun, and I'm just sitting over here like, "man, I really like Gatlinburg." :lol:

The mountains are so beautiful. The gardens and greenery are always so pretty and relaxing.

Gatlinburg, huh? I live probably 2 1/2 hours from Gatlinburg and have never been there...so I hope you get to go soon! For both of us!

Gatlinburg is pretty cool place went there a couple of times as kid/teenager. Although the west coast snob in me can't help but think those are more like large foothills than mountains.

 

[KamikaziKitty]

I'm dying to go back to oki so I can scuba at maeda point again. Tropical southern island of Japan with underwater caves and some amazingly vivid fish. I miss it.

 

[Rose]

Y'all are all talking about beaches and sun, and I'm just sitting over here like, "man, I really like Gatlinburg." :lol:

The mountains are so beautiful. The gardens and greenery are always so pretty and relaxing.

Gatlinburg, huh? I live probably 2 1/2 hours from Gatlinburg and have never been there...so I hope you get to go soon! For both of us!

Gatlinburg is pretty cool place went there a couple of times as kid/teenager. Although the west coast snob in me can't help but think those are more like large foothills than mountains.

Mountains, hills, speedbumps, dgaf what they're called or who calls them what. They're pretty, the cabin is relaxing, the indoor waterpark is warm and fun, and I enjoy the peace and quiet. :handgestures-salute:

There won't be any vacations in my future for quite some time, but the last time I went was in 2010 and was just as fun and relaxing as the previous 15 times I'd gone, minus the food poisoning and chemical burn I ended up getting all over my face. Luckily the local Walmart had some benadryl cream and all of the Tremors movies. That couch was comfy as shit.

 

[MsAllyCat]

I love travelling and planning some future trips again after a few years of doing nothing much.

I really loved what I saw of Eastern Europe. St Peterburg, Moscow. Both were wow. I am a sucker for history and really enjoyed being immersed in the soviet culture. Kiev in Ukraine was great for the same reason. Would recommend travelling there at the moment tho! I wouldn't put Poland on my list of places to go again. Miserable. Moldova was adventurous. Scary going on a random tour of weapon caches with drunk scary Russians.

My fave cities would be either Moscow, Edinburgh or Amsterdam.

I really want to travel to the US. I've never wanted to in the past, but the last 12 months or so it's become a thing for for. I'd like to experience the wide open landscapes and cowboy country. I'd also like to visit Czech Republic. I regret not going to Prague once before when I had the opportunity. My BF is Czech and I'd love to see his country with him.

I'll currently saving up for an epic remote Western Australian adventure. There is a sculpture installation on a remote lake I want to see. then road tripping through the pilbara to end up relaxing on Cable Beach for a week or so. This is truly wild Australia and I cannot wait!