Losing Patience. Need a Vacation.
The wife and I haven't taken a real vacation in maybe 2 years. She can accrue vacation (kinda), but mine runs out at the end of the year if I don't use it. We both are in desperate need of something relaxing. So the dilemma -- where should we go? We have to factor both potential for fun and relaxation, while keeping costs down. TRIP=(F+R)/$.
1) Atlanta -- We've been wanting to go here for a while. V has never been to the Coke Museum (and they just opened the new one). Plus there's a Louvre exhibit at the High Art Museum and the new aquarium.
PROS: Relatively inexpensive, family in town = probable good meal out at a nice place, close enough to drive in under 4 hours.
CONS: Short trip, not as relaxing?
2) Gatlinburg -- Been a while since either of us have been there. Interesting combination of the commercialism of the city with the expanse of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
PROS: Beautiful in the fall, drivable, lots to do with the actual city and the hiking trails through the Smokies.
CONS: More expensive in the fall, lots of traffic if we do drive, filled with tourist traps and kinda cheesy.
3) Orlando -- Mostly because I haven't been to Disneyworld in ages.
PROS: Again, not terribly expensive. Even if we want to stay on the resort, there are less pricey options.
CONS: Requires airfare.
4) Las Vegas -- Neither of us really care to gamble or anything, but we just want to see some shows.
PROS: Can get good deals on hotels and airfare.
CONS: Since we don't really gamble and don't care much for nightlife, would we be bored?
5) San Diego -- Going here for a conference in early November. Possibly could stay a few days extra and have Valerie meet me.
PROS: Never been to southern CA, great beaches, world famous zoo and other attractions, free airfare for me, great weather in late fall.
CONS: Logistics of making sure it all runs smoothly, transportation (?), may need to get a more cost-effective hotel as the place I'm staying will be directly downtown, Valerie flying here by herself.
6) Charleston, Caribbean cruise -- Norwegian runs a 7 day cruise from Charleston that stops in the Caymans, Cozumel, and Key West.
PROS: Mind-bogglingly inexpensive (you can get a ticket for under $400 a person), meals included, hits plenty of places we want to visit, lots of time for relaxation.
CONS: Excursions could be expensive, long drive to Charleston, is 7 days too long to be on a boat?
7) Paris -- Neither of us have been to Europe past England.
PROS: It's France.
CONS: Cost. Flight. And also, it's France.
So, there we are. Please comment with opinions. I'll add any information (and anything else I can think of) to the Pro/Con list. Also, feel free to suggest alternatives. Where's the best place you've been to lately, even if it's just down the block?
10 comments:
I'm thinking that Paris is not actually financially probable. Did you just want 7 on the list? ;)
#6 is looking pretty good right now.
Charleston is a worthy destination in itself, and the trip might be broken up enough to make 7 days on a boat not seem awful. So, I'm with Val. I was maybe 8 when we went to the Smokies, and it seemed a bit cheesy even then.
Geez, "The Beach" didn't even make the list? Gulf Shores? Destin? Of the options listed, I'd either take the cruise (Mark is right, Charleston is kick-ass) or Orlando. Jen and I went to Disney last spring and they had a few sweet new rides/attractions, this Abominable Snowman-coaster thing at the Animal Kingdom foremost among them.
I have to say I crigned when I saw "The Color of Magic" on your "books read" list. I mean, I'm glad you're taking a whirl at Pratchett, of course, but ... compared to his later work, that book more-or-less blows. I think 99 percent of Pratchett fans would suggest starting further along into the Discworld series, getting hooked, and then reading TCOM later as a "So this is how it all began" exercise. Personally, I'd recommend Going Postal, Small Gods, or Guards! Guards! to start with. (Jen really liked Going Postal.) And of course, there's Good Omens, which isn't Discworld but reads much more like Pratchett than Gaiman. Anyways, if you thought TCOM sucked and wondered "Why the hell are people so fired up about this guy," do at least make a stab at one of the later books. They're just better.
Good to know on the book thing, Jerry. It was okay, but I was surprised that people love the author as much as they do.
Andrew, the Gatlinburg thing is more about the park. I wasn't planning to spend much time in the actual town, aside from eating and sleeping.
Thanks for the comments so far guys. As for Gatlinburg, yeah, I should probably have clarified that we'd be going more for the hiking and park than for the city.
Gatlinburg's a great town, even in the city. But you might want to save that one and just come with us to Wine over Water. You'll get all the best of Gatlinburg AND get hammered on a bridge with your friends!
Other recommendations: Amelia Island, Fla. near Jacksonville is nice — and pirate-themed! I wouldn't stay more than a few days, though. It's small.
Also in Florida, Seaside/Watercolor is fun and beachy without any rednecks ruining the view. And it's a close drive.
I know you used to live near Boston, but we loved our trip there. Washington, D.C., is good times. I like Charleston just by itself, too, in case the cruise doesn't work out. And Savannah is pretty.
Of course there's Asheville, which really is as great as I'm paid to say it is.
Hope all that helps somewhat. Good luck!
I vote Orlando. Jamey and I went there several times and always had fun at the parks. Also, the airfare is relatively inexpensive and, if you choose to drive, it's not a horrible drive. You can relax at a hotel or have fun at a park.
Griner, are you confusing Gatlinburg with Chattanooga? Wine Over Water is in Chattanooga.
I like Gatlinburg if you rent a cabin, bring some friends and sequester youself in the mountains for eating, drinking, and games. Bring a gun to put in your mouth if you actually find yourself in the touristy section of the town proper.
I've been to Vegas. I don't really gamble and I've always had fun. It's a really good two day destination...but I think a week might be too long for just eating and taking in shows/casino gawking.
Like our honeymoon was too long?
I agree that the drive to Orlando isn't bad at all. I mean you guys are used to driving from Providence to H'ville in ONE day. B'ham to Orlando should be a cake walk.
I know this suggestion is unlike any of the others, but have you thought about going to Northern CA, Washington, or the Oregon area? It's very pretty. The Paul Bunion museum is around that area. Growing up our family trips to Washington and Oregon was one of my favorites. That or Yosemite. It's so pretty and has many types of ecosystems.
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