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?
