Help! I need a vacation.

Meniscus

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I'm taking a week off in June (and have 2 more weeks to use before the end of the year) and I'd like to travel somewhere, but I don't know where to go. I'm not a experienced traveler. I've never been out of the country, and haven't even seen that much of the U.S. beyond the Northeast (and not even all athat much of that).

So I need some advice...but please don't ask me what I enjoy. I don't know. I haven't traveled much, so how could I know? Honestly, I don't even know what there is to do.

I think it might be more helpful for you to tell me where you've taken your vacations, what you enjoyed, and why you enjoyed it.

I will say that I'm very frugal, so I'd like to go somewhere where I can get a lot of bang for my buck. Gay-friendly places are good, but not essential. I want to rest and relax, but I don't want to be bored. I'd like to do something "easy," if you know what I mean--i.e., I don't want a vacation that so complicated or takes so much work that I end up stressed out and not having fun.

Thanks for your help.
 

D_Billy Bluitt

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You should try the Philippines or Thailand they both pretty gay friendly and pretty easy as well as relaxing and fun, and if your frugal, you can get very far on the USD in both of those places!!
 

B_cdcm

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well, i've been to Washington, D.C. and that was a lot of fun... but if you're looking at somewhere that's not on the east coast... try Monterey, CA!!! that was one of the best Vacations ever... i went a couple years ago this month... beautiful weather, scenery, and just awesome!!!
hope this helps! have fun!!
 

IntoxicatingToxin

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Depends on what you're looking for. Kansas City has a GREAT gay scene (my brother is gay, so I know all about it). It's pretty warm and humid at that time of the year, but it's a great place to visit. Has everything that the biggest major cities has, just on a small, more personal level. Museums, parks, clubs, sports, great shopping districts, amusement park, water parks, whatever you want we have it. For shits and grins, you can also check out the wiki page for Kansas City. Tells you everything you'd ever wanna know and then some. Great food too! Home of BBQ and Jazz, baby. I know I sound like a travel agent atm, but I think everyone should visit KC at least once in their life. :tongue:
 

jason_els

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I'm taking a week off in June (and have 2 more weeks to use before the end of the year) and I'd like to travel somewhere, but I don't know where to go. I'm not a experienced traveler. I've never been out of the country, and haven't even seen that much of the U.S. beyond the Northeast (and not even all athat much of that).

So I need some advice...but please don't ask me what I enjoy. I don't know. I haven't traveled much, so how could I know? Honestly, I don't even know what there is to do.

I think it might be more helpful for you to tell me where you've taken your vacations, what you enjoyed, and why you enjoyed it.

I will say that I'm very frugal, so I'd like to go somewhere where I can get a lot of bang for my buck. Gay-friendly places are good, but not essential. I want to rest and relax, but I don't want to be bored. I'd like to do something "easy," if you know what I mean--i.e., I don't want a vacation that so complicated or takes so much work that I end up stressed out and not having fun.

Thanks for your help.


I know you said not to ask, but perhaps a few basic questions could help us?

Are you very sensitive to heat and sun?

Regardless of swimming, do you like the coast or beach?

Is dealing with foreign language too much of a hassle for you?

Do you want to visit a city or do you prefer more relaxed atmospheres?

Is there any place that has ever really intrigued you?

Do you have any problems with flying/trains/boats/driving?
 

hud01

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I'm taking a week off in June (and have 2 more weeks to use before the end of the year) and I'd like to travel somewhere, but I don't know where to go. I'm not a experienced traveler. I've never been out of the country, and haven't even seen that much of the U.S. beyond the Northeast (and not even all athat much of that).

So I need some advice...but please don't ask me what I enjoy. I don't know. I haven't traveled much, so how could I know? Honestly, I don't even know what there is to do.

I think it might be more helpful for you to tell me where you've taken your vacations, what you enjoyed, and why you enjoyed it.

I will say that I'm very frugal, so I'd like to go somewhere where I can get a lot of bang for my buck. Gay-friendly places are good, but not essential. I want to rest and relax, but I don't want to be bored. I'd like to do something "easy," if you know what I mean--i.e., I don't want a vacation that so complicated or takes so much work that I end up stressed out and not having fun.

Thanks for your help.
For you to say you don't know what you enjoy is really stupid. You seem lazy from all of your post.

Edit: I see that you are 38. I thought I was reading a post from a 20 year old.
 

jason_els

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For you to say you don't know what you enjoy is really stupid. You seem lazy from all of your post.

Edit: I see that you are 38. I thought I was reading a post from a 20 year old.

From your post you seem judgmental, ageist, insulting, and quick to jump to conclusions. I hope I'm wrong.

Meniscus is a good guy.
 

IntoxicatingToxin

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For you to say you don't know what you enjoy is really stupid. You seem lazy from all of your post.

Edit: I see that you are 38. I thought I was reading a post from a 20 year old.

Way to be a team player. :rolleyes: I guess your mother never gave you the "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" chat? Such constructive criticism you bring to the table! You must be proud.
 

SpeedoGuy

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I love cross country road trips in the western US: The open highways and desolate mountains, campouts in National Parks and other scenic spots, rodeos and cowboy poetry readings, motel stays on rocky coastlines or in interesting cities, even some kitschy touristy attractions just for laughs...

I love historical tours: Narrated Civil War battlefield tours, art or viticultural tours, following the footsteps of Lewis and Clark or the journey of the Donner Party, Ansel Adam's photography exhibits in Yosemite National Park, a geological history tour of the Grand Canyon conducted from a rubber raft floating down the Colorado River....

I love venturing abroad: The spas in Europe's Alps, the scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, the mountain biking in the Canadian Rockies, Hiking Mexico's Copper Canyon...

Man, I just love time for quality vacations...
 

TwasBrillig

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Jason Els asked if you were sensitive to sun/heat. If not, I would strongly recommend Key West. Gay friendly (straight but still like the place), great B&Bs, easy to get around - don't need a car. Check their website FLA-KEYS.COM. If you find it worth more than a glance you might check the Atlantic Shores resort (Google it). All art-deco, popular with straight and gay, clothing optional area and outdoor movies.
 

Meniscus

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Here are the answers to Jason's questions, plus some additional information.

Are you very sensitive to heat and sun? I can deal with dry heat, but I can only tolerate direct sunlight for a couple of hours at a time--after that I start to feel sick and need to get indoors or in the shade.

Regardless of swimming, do you like the coast or beach? Honestly, I'm not sure. When I think of taking a vacation, I immediately get a mental image of a beach or tropical island--someplace warm and sunny--but that's probably just because I've seen lots of such images in advertising. When I actually think about sitting on a beach, it seems rather boring.

Is dealing with foreign language too much of a hassle for you? I hate to say it, but yes. Someday I'd like to visit a foreign country, but I don't think I'm up to it right now.

Do you want to visit a city or do you prefer more relaxed atmospheres? Someplace more relaxed. Cities really stress me out.

Is there any place that has ever really intrigued you? I didn't think of it until this morning, but when I was in grad school I read some really interesting stuff about Yosemite and Yellowstone. If/when I travel outside of the country, I'd like to go to Paris, mainly to visit the Louvre, and years ago I read something about how stunning the art was at the museums in Florence.

Do you have any problems with flying/trains/boats/driving? I'm a nervous flyer, but I can do it. (I fly 2 or 3 times a year for work.) Shorter trips are better than longer ones, because after a few hours I stiffen up to the extent that I'm in considerable pain. (The last time I had to fly I convinced my doctor to prescribe a muscle relaxant and some Tramadol.) I've never been on a train. I get seasick on small boats; I'm not sure how I'd adapt to being on something like a cruise ship. I don't like to drive, especially in unfamiliar cities where it's easy to miss a turn or get stuck in traffic. (I can adapt to some places better than others. Driving in Phoenix & Tucson is pretty easy, but driving in Boston and Seattle is hellish.) I'd actually rather fly directly to the city I'm visiting than do a long drive by car (e.g., going to Cape Cod).

Here's some more information about my likes and dislikes:

In the past I've enjoyed museums, art galleries, zoos, aquariums, natural sites (mountains, waterfalls, etc.), and historic sites.

But, I also want to try something different, something I haven't tried or even thought of before.

I can't stand crowds, traffic, noise, or flashing lights. I'd love to go someplace where I can get around by walking or using public transportation. If I have to drive I like places that have well-designed, easy-to-navigate roads without too much traffic. (Again, Phoenix & Tucson are good examples.)

Thailand and the Philippines are a bit too far for me (both in terms of actual distance and in terms of my comfort zone), but thanks for the suggestions. I will research Kansas City, Key West, and the National Parks SpeedoGuy mentioned.

cdcm, I've never heard of Monterey, CA. Why is it a good vacation destination? Thanks.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.
 
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Southern California has the Aquarium of the Pacific, there is the Queen Mary. Los Angeles Museum of Art and the Modern art wing is open.
A drive down Pacific Coast Hwy 1 to San Juan Capistrano and stay on the beach in a nice hotel. A day trip to San Diego is a car drive away.

There is also Catalina Island boat crusies and Newport Beach as well. Disneyland and Knotts Berry farm.

Laguna Beach (see my av) is having it's annual Saw Dust Festival, Pageant of the Masters were they reinact famous paintings and works of art in the outdoor theater in the evenings. The food is amazing and so is the art.
 

jason_els

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Thanks for the information Men! I'm working away as I type...

We'd always love to see you in New York, though I'm not going to make it an official recommendation given your preferences. :smile:
 

jason_els

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cruises have food 24 hours either the buffets, the restaurants, the pizza, ice cream.. clubs, casino, karaoke. always something to do and u get to relax alot!

Cruises are good and can be loads of fun. Much depends on the ship and what you like to do. My problem with many cruises is that they tend to insulate passengers in one giant Mall of America at Sea. Rather than living in the destination, you're viewing a Disney Pan-O-Rama from the safety of your TV room Barca.
 

got_lost

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Am I right in assuming you're on your own?

If so, how about a resort holiday?

Somewhere where everything is all in, food, bed, entertainment, where there are lots of activities to take part in or you can just sit by the pool when you like, too?

I'm a seasoned traveller and love travelling on my own but I do recognize it's not everyone's cup of tea and if you haven't been away much, it's kind of 'jumping in the deep end'. It can also be pretty lonely. At a resort there will be lots of people around and you're sure to make some great friends and learn what you like/dislike!

I'd pop down to your local travel shop (do they still have those?) and sit down a browse through their brochures.

The most important thing is you have a good time and a good rest from work too so you don't need to take too many risks first time out! :smile:
 

Meniscus

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We'd always love to see you in New York, though I'm not going to make it an official recommendation given your preferences. :smile:

I want to attend the NYC meet & greet and have seriously considered going, but my desire to go is warring against my desire to not drive in NYC. (The thought fucking terrifies me.) I could take the train, but it's a 5 hour trip which (to me) is excruciatingly long. I'd probably be so tired and cranky by the time I arrived that I wouldn't be any fun. Then there's the question of where I would spend the night, since I sure as hell wouldn't want to drive back late at night.

I know I'm being a big baby and I should just do it, but I know myself well enough to know that I'll probably worry myself sick and use that as a last-minute excuse not to go.

If only the technology existing such that I could just "beam" to NYC (or anywhere else, for that matter).