Let's talk about great vacations (1 Viewer)

[Klimtology]

 

[Mookie]

We've done Vermont Bicycle Tours in Southern France (Provence), Germany (Bodensee), and Ireland (Wild Atlantic Way).  Ireland was by far my favorite as I took my two boys over a few days early to play some golf and plenty of Guinness.  Seeing a country on a bike is active, immersive, and personal, and VBT does a really good job of scheduling us, but not overly scheduling. I can't recommend it more highly. 

 

[El Floppo]

This is what I would like to do (with scuba mixed in).  A decent sized Cat, and cruise the Caribbean

My dad was a sailor- we did a lot sailing vacations like this. Same as renting an RV and cruising around...the absolute best way to see any island nation. Wish I was better at it (or wealthy enough to do it and hire a captain)....these were my favorite vacations as a kid.

 

[cubd8]

Considering looking at options for a Cancun vacation, but haven't been there before.

Anyone prefer something other than Cancun? Thinking of looking in March.....

Before I even look at that one, what is a typical vacation length for a trip like that?

Do you book everything in pieces (hotel/flights/etc.) or is there a better way to do this?

Any other tips to save money etc? Which hotel to stay at, etc?

Thank you!

 

[Atomic Punk]

I’ve been to Cancun and Playa del Carmen and like the more relaxed vibe of Playa better. There are a couple of smaller towns near Playa that are even more chill. Can’t go wrong either way.

 

[Drunken knight]

Considering looking at options for a Cancun vacation, but haven't been there before.

Anyone prefer something other than Cancun? Thinking of looking in March.....

Before I even look at that one, what is a typical vacation length for a trip like that?

Do you book everything in pieces (hotel/flights/etc.) or is there a better way to do this?

Any other tips to save money etc? Which hotel to stay at, etc?

Thank you!

I prefer Cozumel and the Mayan Riviera ( I like getting away from crowds)

 

[Atomic Punk]

You could do the trip either way based on your comfort level. There are lots of good all inclusive resorts or you can find some great condos and just book one of those and do excursions, beach and pool time at your leisure. If you go the condo route, I recommend finding one with a rooftop patio area. Did this a couple of times with a bbq, pool, view, etc. Just walk down to the market to pick up your groceries and booze and you are all set!

 

[El Floppo]

Considering looking at options for a Cancun vacation, but haven't been there before.

Anyone prefer something other than Cancun? Thinking of looking in March.....

Before I even look at that one, what is a typical vacation length for a trip like that?

Do you book everything in pieces (hotel/flights/etc.) or is there a better way to do this?

Any other tips to save money etc? Which hotel to stay at, etc?

Thank you!

There are a few threads about Playa del Carmen, Mayan Riviera and Cancun. I know...search function- but I promise you, they're full of great info.

We go to Cozumel once a year or so (my wife is half Mexican and grew up going there before the cruise ships). The water is amazing and I like the vibe too- at least away from the cruise ships. It's a direct flight from Houston, or ferry ride from Play del Carmen.

 

[Random]

Machu Picchu -- lives up to the hype

The 3-4 day hike there was awesome.  MP itself was just meh, too crowded.  

 

[Random]

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.

Highline trail and  Grinnell Glacier were our favorites.  One of our favorite NPs.  Did both hikes with our (then) 7 and 12 year olds.  

 

[SouthJersey]

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.

Did you plan Scotland yourself or go with one of the tour operators?  Any tips/recs?  Buddies have been kicking this around the past few years but nobody has undertaken the action. 

 

[Joe Mammy]

In a couple of weeks we'll be roaming France, Italy, Germany, Japan and England in Orlando.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

You could do the trip either way based on your comfort level. There are lots of good all inclusive resorts or you can find some great condos and just book one of those and do excursions, beach and pool time at your leisure. If you go the condo route, I recommend finding one with a rooftop patio area. Did this a couple of times with a bbq, pool, view, etc. Just walk down to the market to pick up your groceries and booze and you are all set!

We got a great deal a few years ago from CostCo Travel to a resort in Riviera Maya. It was an all inclusive resort, great pools and Scuba diving within walking distance. They also offered paid excursions to Chichen Itza and Tulum. I don't know if the deal is still there but it's worth checking.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

This is what I would like to do (with scuba mixed in).  A decent sized Cat, and cruise the Caribbean

I’ve done this around the usvi-bvi. Awesome. 

 

[DA RAIDERS]

In no particular order.  Sequoias. We camped. Unreal. St. John, usvi. Been going for 30 years. Amalfi coast. One of the most stunning places I’ve ever been. Any small town in Italy. Mallorca Spain. I really want to explore more of Spain. Buenos Aires was an amazing city. And we loved Argentina.
I need to plan another trip!*

*just got back, Saturday, from a week in deer valley.  

 

[Judge Smails]

Did you plan Scotland yourself or go with one of the tour operators?  Any tips/recs?  Buddies have been kicking this around the past few years but nobody has undertaken the action. 

We did it all on our own.  One buddy had done it before so he took the lead.   We stayed in rooms above a pub.  It was awesome.  Put in for the lottery several days (had to put in the ballot at 3am so we drew straws at the pub to determine who would go) at the Old Course and played there twice.  Also played Carnoustie, Kingsbarnes (my favorite course in the world), the New Course, Eden and a few gems along the coast.  I'll see if he had any tips re booking

 

[BobbyLayne]

Maldives. while it lasts. absolute island beach/water/swimming paradise.

I was there in 1987, tbh I thought it wasn't much different than any other remote beach with privacy. The snorkeling was good. Food was OK. Nicest thing was it was very uncrowded, relaxing and peaceful.

But this would be cool as a unique experience. That opened in 2016 and I'm def intrigued.

 

[El Floppo]

I was there in 1987, tbh I thought it wasn't much different than any other remote beach with privacy. The snorkeling was good. Food was OK. Nicest thing was it was very uncrowded, relaxing and peaceful.

But this would be cool as a unique experience. That opened in 2016 and I'm def intrigued.

we ate there! or at least at an identical spot... we stayed at two places, and the Hilton location had it.

I'll backtrack on my previous... never having been to Tahiti/Bora-bora, those "look" more amazing just due to the geology of the places. But Maldives was dripping luxury (I've never been to a more meticulously designed resort than One and Only Reethi-Ra) and the over-water bungalows and formation of the atolls made it completely unlike other beach resorts I've been to... and I've been to a bunch. But there's not a lot to do there other than luxuriate/spa, swim, snorkel/dive and eat.

 

[Joe Mammy]

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.  

I'd like to do this. With balloon ride over the wildebeest migration in Masai Mara. No hunting.

Balloonist starts wildebeest stampede!

 

[PlayaHata]

There are a few threads about Playa del Carmen, Mayan Riviera and Cancun. I know...search function- but I promise you, they're full of great info.

We go to Cozumel once a year or so (my wife is half Mexican and grew up going there before the cruise ships). The water is amazing and I like the vibe too- at least away from the cruise ships. It's a direct flight from Houston, or ferry ride from Play del Carmen.

I've been to Mexico a good number of times, including Cancun/Cozumel multiple times, but one thing I haven't experienced yet that I really want to do is swim with the whale sharks.

 

[SWC]

I'd like to do this. With balloon ride over the wildebeest migration in Masai Mara. No hunting.

Balloonist starts wildebeest stampede!

i wish those wilderbeasts could jump up there and rip that guys leg off for being a tool like that my old man used to always tell me that if you leave a wilderbeast alone it will leave you alone so that jackalope in the baloon can take a long walk off of a short pier as far as i am concerned take that to the bank bromigos 

 

[Joe Mammy]

i wish those wilderbeasts could jump up there and rip that guys leg off for being a tool like that my old man used to always tell me that if you leave a wilderbeast alone it will leave you alone so that jackalope in the baloon can take a long walk off of a short pier as far as i am concerned take that to the bank bromigos 

Yeah, not so big on the stampede. But I would like to see a lion pride run a few down. Nature, you know…

 

[El Floppo]

dammit... I just read the Topic Title as: "Let's Talk about Great Vaccines"

this era can't get wrapped up fast enough.

 

[Joe Mammy]

Yeah, not so big on the stampede. But I would like to see a lion pride run a few down. Nature, you know…

 

[3 hour lunch]

1. Positano, Italy

2. Florence, Italy

3. Maui

4. Aruba

5. St Thomas

6. Cancun/Puerto V

7. Rome

8. Orlando/Disney 

9. Scottsdale (golf)

10. Zion Natl Park

Left off Vegas and Austin since I’ve been so many times. Next up San Diego next month, Bandon Dunes 2023, Greece in the next couple of years. 

 

[bagger]

Bora Bora was about the prettiest place I have ever been to.

 

[Scoresman]

A couple of off the beaten path spots for me were Ecuador and Belgium. Wonderful experiences to be had in both. 

Honestly, I’m probably happy traveling almost anywhere so long it isn’t on a cruise line.