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Let's talk about great vacations (1 Viewer)

T

The Dude

Footballguy
Let's recommend some vacation ideas..... in all price ranges.....domestic and foreign.  Without using the C word

Late 2019 we attended the Hot Air Balloon festival in New Mexico.  Great event and a great cost.  Great southwest food - I had some awesome enchiladas there.  Close enough to spend a day in Santa Fe.  Only need about 4 days there but you need to know that to attend the morning launch you need to be on your way there between 4 and 5 AM.

Atlantis Bahamas for families with kids over like 7.  First trip you should plan 6-7 days.  And do a lot of research.

Spain and France are great but highly recommend using a tour company.  They will pack so much more into your trip than most could hope.

Please add on

 
The Dude said:
Let's recommend some vacation ideas..... in all price ranges.....domestic and foreign.  Without using the C word

Late 2019 we attended the Hot Air Balloon festival in New Mexico.  Great event and a great cost.  Great southwest food - I had some awesome enchiladas there.  Close enough to spend a day in Santa Fe.  Only need about 4 days there but you need to know that to attend the morning launch you need to be on your way there between 4 and 5 AM.

Atlantis Bahamas for families with kids over like 7.  First trip you should plan 6-7 days.  And do a lot of research.

Spain and France are great but highly recommend using a tour company.  They will pack so much more into your trip than most could hope.

Please add on
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I was at the Balloon Fiesta in 2019 too.  My wife is from Albuquerque and always a fun trip. As part of the same trip, went up to the NM-Colorado border to ride the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad (for my train-obsessed son). Also stopped in Chimayo on wikkid’s recommendation.

 
Some our favorites have been the 2 times we picked up our bmw at the factory in munchen.  One trip was germany, switzerland, and austria..with a quick trip to lake como.  the second started in munchen for the pick up then over to alsace, and 3-4 weeks in france.   :angry:  they discontinued the program in 2020.

 
Quick ones that jump out for me.

1. Anywhere in Italy.  Food, landscape, people.... It has it all.

2. Santorini in Greece. Riding an ATV around the island one of the greatest days ever.

3. Alaskan cruise.

 
August 1988.  We had planned a bicycle trip across the entire BC province from Vancouver all the way to Banff.  

The plan was to go to Banff and take the train to Vancouver and then bike back to where we had planned to park the car.

That was the plan.

The night before we were to drive up to Banff Canada had its first railroad strike in decades so our plans quickly changed where we would still park the car in Banff but bike a loop from Banff into the Canadian Rockies and head North before circling back to the car.

Nothing I've ever done can compare to that trip.  I've taken the Alaskan Highway many times, lived in a tent in Alaska, taken numerous back country camping trips, kayaked gorgeous mountain lakes, lived in the Colorado Rockies, worked at a ski area for years, no one single experience could compare to that trip.

Beyond Beautiful

 
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wikkidpissah said:
Two words - Mediterranean. Beaches, ruins, food.
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Gotta agree with this. We have done Italy and Portugal and plan on either Greece or Spain next.

Went to New Zealand in 2020 but the trip got cut short, so I plan on heading back to do the north island and maybe swing over to Australia at some point.

 
Take the Baltic Cruise that visits many of the capital cities (Oslo, Stockholm, Tallinn, Copenhagen, Helsinki, etc) and also stops in St. Petersburg for 2 days.

Every stop was either good or great.

 
gianmarco said:
Quick ones that jump out for me.

1. Anywhere in Italy.  Food, landscape, people.... It has it all.

2. Santorini in Greece. Riding an ATV around the island one of the greatest days ever.

3. Alaskan cruise.
Click to expand...


I haven't been to Santorini yet, but Italy and Alaska cruise are 1-2 for me.

 
El Floppo said:
Maldives. while it lasts. absolute island beach/water/swimming paradise.
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Always had that plus Tahiti/Bora Bora in our minds, but, never was able to overcome 3+ times the cost for villa, airfare and food and drink as compared to similar in the Caribbean. 

 
tonydead said:
Always had that plus Tahiti/Bora Bora in our minds, but, never was able to overcome 3+ times the cost for villa, airfare and food and drink as compared to similar in the Caribbean. 
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It's pricey and super far, but as a guy whos spent a lot of time in the Caribbean (and love it)...trust me- there's no comparison.

But would love to get the South Pacific atolls some day. If I was west coast, I'd make it happen....would still like to, but unless finances change in unlikely ways- ite not gonna happen.

 
Bracie Smathers said:
August 1988.  We had planned a bicycle trip across the entire BC province from Vancouver all the way to Banff.  

The plan was to go to Banff and take the train to Vancouver and then bike back to where we had planned to park the car.

That was the plan.

The night before we were to drive up to Banff Canada had its first railroad strike in decades so our plans quickly changed where we would still park the car in Banff but bike a loop from Banff into the Canadian Rockies and head North before circling back to the car.

Nothing I've ever done can compare to that trip.  I've taken the Alaskan Highway many times, lived in a tent in Alaska, taken numerous back country camping trips, kayaked gorgeous mountain lakes, lived in the Colorado Rockies, worked at a ski area for years, no one single experience could compare to that trip.

Beyond Beautiful
Click to expand...
Banff is on our must visit list. Wife HATES flying, so it's probably as close to seeing something that resembles Switzerland in my lifetime.

We've already discussed taking Amtrak to East Glacier, then drive to Banff from there. :thumbup:

 
El Floppo said:
It's pricey and super far, but as a guy whos spent a lot of time in the Caribbean (and love it)...trust me- there's no comparison.

But would love to get the South Pacific atolls some day. If I was west coast, I'd make it happen....would still like to, but unless finances change in unlikely ways- ite not gonna happen.
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What are the things you think make it better?  
 

Just got done 10 days in Sint Maarten. Here is the view out of our villa. Beach is just below the infinity pool.   We were all in for 3.5K and drinks are cheap and plentiful. Awesome food. 
 

 
London for 9 days along with Dublin for 3.  Never a boring day with all of the sights and pubs.  Did a day trip to Paris that was exhausting, but was worth it.  Went up Eiffel Tower, visited Notre Dame, walked along the Seine and ate at an outdoor cafe.

 
Been to Maui 6 times - love it.  Recommend going in winter as that is peak whale season.  So awesome to sit in your room…or Starbucks at the Marriott in Kaanapali…or at a lookout..or on a beach, and watch the humpbacks play.

Italy is on my wish list..

Also, I don’t know if this counts as a vacation, but we spent a week in Miami for Super Bowl XLIV.  Stayed in the same hotel as the Colts.  Concerts, celebrity events, Miami Beach and the Super Bowl.  Brees vs. Manning.
 

The whole experience is one of the top 5 things I’ve done in my life..

 
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Lots of great places mentioned.

Faves: Maui / Big Island, London, Paris, Bavaria region of Germany, backpacking Mount Rainier area, Whistler, Vail, New Orleans, Austin, Bend, Napa region, and a golf trip pretty much anywhere

Want to do: Whole boot of Italy, Southern France into Basque region of Spain, backpack Swiss Alps, Greek islands, further into South Pacific (Bora Bora, Tahiti, etc)

 
African safari ...and stay inside the reserve.  So incredibly different than any other type of vacation I've had.  Beyond just the sights, it's also the sounds and smells.  

 
tonydead said:
What are the things you think make it better?  
 

Just got done 10 days in Sint Maarten. Here is the view out of our villa. Beach is just below the infinity pool.   We were all in for 3.5K and drinks are cheap and plentiful. Awesome food. 
 
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Gorgeous! Nice price too!

We are big Anguilla and St Barths fans...St Maarten too. Used to go to one of them at least once a year- got married in Anguilla where we've spent more time than anywhere else. Love all of them...and had them all nailed down on the "cheap" with the right airfare at the right time.

The ecology, sea-life, islands, water, beaches in the Maldives- just no comparison. Throw in the luxury and distinctness of the overwater bungalows... that St Maarten triangle is great, Maldives is just breathtaking.

 
The Dude said:
Let's recommend some vacation ideas..... in all price ranges.....domestic and foreign.  Without using the C word

Late 2019 we attended the Hot Air Balloon festival in New Mexico.  Great event and a great cost.  Great southwest food - I had some awesome enchiladas there.  Close enough to spend a day in Santa Fe.  Only need about 4 days there but you need to know that to attend the morning launch you need to be on your way there between 4 and 5 AM.

Atlantis Bahamas for families with kids over like 7.  First trip you should plan 6-7 days.  And do a lot of research.

Spain and France are great but highly recommend using a tour company.  They will pack so much more into your trip than most could hope.

Please add on
Click to expand...
I'd debate you on the tour company.  With research and planning you can do everything a tour company could do that's great and eliminate what's not.

I've done Spain several times.  The last being a Portugal/Spain trip where we started in Porto, then went to Lisbon, then to the Algarve in the South, then drove over to Spain. Sevilla, Granada, Barcelona, etc.  All on our own.  Such an epic trip.  Highly recommend.

I'd also put the itineraries we ended up with in London, Paris, Amsterdam etc against any tour company.

I am using a tour company for portions of our Kentucky Oaks/Derby trip this year because we didn't have a choice.  Only way you could get 2 day tickets and hospitality suites.

 
gianmarco said:
Quick ones that jump out for me.

1. Anywhere in Italy.  Food, landscape, people.... It has it all.

2. Santorini in Greece. Riding an ATV around the island one of the greatest days ever.

3. Alaskan cruise.
Click to expand...
Where is any country I can meet Judge Smails' clan at a bar for a drink in this list?

Seriously, I agree with you on Italy.  I could live in Florence and we did Rome up big time.  Still haven't been to the Amalfi Coast.

Santorini is next on our list. Probably next year.  And the Alaskan Cruise is on the bucket list.  Want to take the whole family when it's a better time to cruise

 
For golfers trips to both Scotland and Bandon Dunes are breathtaking.  Best guys trip ever.  St. Andrews/Carnoustie/Kingsbarnes - you are walking on hallowed grounds, then doing pints with the caddies back at the pubs.  Doesn't get better than that.

 
snogger said:
Easy for me.. Glacier National Park

I've been there 3 times.... if I had it my way, we would move to Montana just so I could visit it more. :thumbup:
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Really an awesome NP, and far enough out of the way never gets as crowded as Yellowstone or Yosemite. Highline trail was my favorite.

South island of New Zealand, Costa Rica and Argentinian Patagonia were also great.

 
tonydead said:
What are the things you think make it better?  
 

Just got done 10 days in Sint Maarten. Here is the view out of our villa. Beach is just below the infinity pool.   We were all in for 3.5K and drinks are cheap and plentiful. Awesome food. 
 
Click to expand...


If you are into diving or even snorkeling (which I am), then there is no comparison between the two.  We did a 7-day cruise through the Tahitian islands and the diving/snorkeling are beyond compare.  If you are not into those things though, I totally see your point.

 
PlayaHata said:
If you are into diving or even snorkeling (which I am), then there is no comparison between the two.  We did a 7-day cruise through the Tahitian islands and the diving/snorkeling are beyond compare.  If you are not into those things though, I totally see your point.
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Any particular place you recommend or enjoyed staying at?

 
We did a cruise so we stayed on the ship, but my favorite islands were Moorea and Taha'a, even moreso than Bora Bora.  One of the things that stuck out to me when we visited was one of our guides told us that the same number of people visit Hawaii in a single day that visit Tahiti in an entire year.  So if you're not into crowds like me, that is another big selling point.

 
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For those that have been to/are familiar with Glacier, where would you recommend staying? Are there particular lodges/cabins, areas, or towns that you recommend?

Thinking about planning a trip there in summer of 2023. Not sure yet whether it would just be me, my wife and daughter or if we’d maybe go with my parents as well since they had to cancel a planned trip there a couple of years ago.

 
I loved the Bahamas. Not Nassau though.

I'd fly into Marsh Harbour and spend some time on Abaco Islands. Hope Town and Guana Cay are awesome. I'd charter someone in their sailboat to take me around snorkeling. 

It's basically what I did with my son on a Boy Scouts High Adventure trip. Eight days on a sailboat in the Caribbean...epic!

 
Chaos Commish said:
Little known Punta Mita is an amazing destination. Forbes covered it nicely here, but there's much much more they missed. 
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Punta Mita is AWESOME.  My friend has a condo there that sleeps 10. Love everything about it. Gated so feel safe. 3 beach clubs. Golf courses. Golf carts to traverse everywhere. Great restaurants on the beach a few blocks outside the guard gate. It’s quiet so don’t expect Cabo but just a great place for a vacation  

 
For me (rough tiers): 

Playa Samara, Costa Rica: A+ (Chill vibe / Amazing Food / Amazing Fishing / Great beer / Amazing People / Etc) 
Dublin IR: A (Trinity College / Long Room / Kilmainham Gaol / Gravediggers Pub / Long Hall Pub / Dublin Castle / Drimnaugh Castle / Guiness & Jameson / etc)
La Fortuna, Costa Rica: A- (hiking Arenal Volcano / Coffee Tours / Cocao Tours / Maleku Indigenous Reserve / etc)
Amsterdam NED: A- ( Canal Tours / Van Gogh Museum / Anne Frank Museum / wandering Nine Streets district / Coffee Shops / Pickled Herring / Etc) 
Monteverde, CR: A- (Hanging bridges in Cloud Forests / Treetop Dining Experience / Butterfly Garden / Ziplines / etc)
Cuenca, Ecuador: B+ (Beautiful Architecture / Amazing people / El Mercado Restaurant / Street Food (Cuy etc) / etc)

Frankfurt DE: C+ (Sachsenhausen / Sharks FKK :unsure:  / Train Station / Doner Kebabs / etc) 
Cozumel: C (Good fishing, Super Touristy, Overpriced for what it is)
Grand Cayman: C (Same as above)
Heidelberg DE: C (Castle / Old Pubs / Nice town / 1 day.. maybe 2)
Tamarindo, Costa Rica C- (Tamagringo for a reason.... Nice beach/sunset / Overpriced for CR / Cancun-south). 

Birmingham UK:D (meh...)
 

 
GroveDiesel said:
For those that have been to/are familiar with Glacier, where would you recommend staying? Are there particular lodges/cabins, areas, or towns that you recommend?

Thinking about planning a trip there in summer of 2023. Not sure yet whether it would just be me, my wife and daughter or if we’d maybe go with my parents as well since they had to cancel a planned trip there a couple of years ago.
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Comes down to what you want to see. We've stayed at West Glacier and East Glacier. We really LOVED West Glacier.. easy access to the Park, as well as close to Essex, Whitefish and other towns.

WHEN we go back ( notice I said when ;) ) we will stay at Apgar Village again.
You have your choice of either staying in Motel rooms right on Lake McDonald or cabins and direct access to the Going to the sun road vie car, or jumping on a Shuttle or Red bus.

East Glacier is more "Remote".. Not many other cities to visit and getting into the park is a drive.
If I was going to stay on the East side again, I'd stay in Saint Mary as it is right on the "Going to the Sun" road entrance, plus the drive up to Many Glacier is shorter.

 
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I feel like I've led such a boring, isolated life.  :bag: .  But I have been to Amsterdam, Italy, and Hawaii.  Had a great time at each place.  :thumbup:

 
In order of awesomeness, as I get older I prefer the wilderness to the cities.

1.   Kenyan/Tanzania safari - you get away from it all and see some amazing stuff...go during the wildabeast crossing if possible, will be more pricey.  Don't go cheap, pay extra for comforts.

2.   Iceland - rent a car, but do all the touristy stuff too...go in the summer

3.  Antarctica - look into the Nat Geo cruise

4.  Canadian Rockies Trek - if you want to really get away from it all and enjoy pristine nature (also see Nordic treks)

 
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Hong Kong/Macau/Phuket

Next time we go to SE Asia, want to spend some time in Vietnam as well. Maybe skip Thailand as we have been twice (Hua Hin the first time).

Never been to Europe but Germany (relatives), Italy, Greece, Spain are on the list as well. 

 
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