Ideas- Summer Vacation for the Adults

[DanC78]

wife and I were looking to do a 7-10 day last minute vacation in mid August without the kids.

Was looking for ideas.

Our thought was a 7 day cruise. I’ve cruised several times in the past and have always enjoyed it. I get that some people are anti cruises. But they are hard to beat when it includes food, places you travel, and price.

We are on a normal persons budget. We don’t have an exact price, but we know it can’t be over the top.

So what day ye LR...where to go, any agents or websites worth using that have great deals and will organize for us???

 

[Spearhead04]

I would try and go sooner than that. You start running the risk of getting choppier waters and hurricanes in August.

 

[DanC78]

I would try and go sooner than that. You start running the risk of getting choppier waters and hurricanes in August.

Good point. They have insurance for pretty cheap. But this is the only time we can do a trip without kids, then or September I guess.

 

[DFSNOLE]

Good point. They have insurance for pretty cheap. But this is the only time we can do a trip without kids, then or September I guess.

If you're going to cruise, look for one that travels to somewhere other than the Caribbean. Like maybe up the northeast coast up to Nova Scotia or a river cruise down the Mississippi.

 

[DanC78]

If you're going to cruise, look for one that travels to somewhere other than the Caribbean. Like maybe up the northeast coast up to Nova Scotia or a river cruise down the Mississippi.

Really...a river cruise down the Mississippi seems like a bunch of old folks in wheel chairs, smoking cigarettes while using oxygen tanks.

I’m assuming that’s the wrong impression? Have you done one of these before?

 

[LesClaypool]

7-10 days, you can go to Europe for $2500-$3,000 if you bundle your air/hotel together.

Check out www.tripmasters.com to price out a Euro trip. That’s always my first choice.

If you must cruise, look at the Norwegian Bliss, out of Miami. Brand new boat that has a go kart track and a laser tag course, among other things, on it.

Other than that, I got nuthin’ but good luck and have fun whatever you do.

 

[DFSNOLE]

Really...a river cruise down the Mississippi seems like a bunch of old folks in wheel chairs, smoking cigarettes while using oxygen tanks.

I’m assuming that’s the wrong impression? Have you done one of these before?

No but we've looked into them. Obviously smaller more intimate ships. They're more expensive than a normal cruise which eliminates the riff-raff.

 

[FSUdawg]

Alaskan Cruise?

 

[JohnnieHolmesNole]

Get off the cruise ships, I say. Hit Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, Hilton Head or something like that. Great food, neat stuff to see and do, etc.

 

[DFSNOLE]

Get off the cruise ships, I say. Hit Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, Hilton Head or something like that. Great food, neat stuff to see and do, etc.

Instead of the bigger cities, my wife and I like to find and explore smaller, out of the way towns. We've never done it for a full week though. Usually long weekends. Last month we spent a weekend in Milledgeville Ga. Neat little college town with an Antebellum downtown with local shops, bars and restaurants. There are a lot of places like that if you enjoy that type of stuff.

 

[SoddyNole]

No but we've looked into them. Obviously smaller more intimate ships. They're more expensive than a normal cruise which eliminates the riff-raff.

Upper river seems interesting that time of year. I have an image of a lot of heat and mosquitoes on the lower river in August.

 

[DanC78]

Get off the cruise ships, I say. Hit Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, Hilton Head or something like that. Great food, neat stuff to see and do, etc.

Love all these cities, but a week seems like too much time. Would be cool to do a road trip maybe.

 

[goldmom]

August? I'd do San Fran and Napa. Weather would be good.
Also think of Lake Tahoe. We went in August and weather was fabulous. Casinos on the Nevada side, golf courses, touristy stuff like the Ponderosa and Virginia/Carson City for some Wild West vibes.
San Diego is another spot - always gorgeous weather, great beach areas, restaurants, golf courses.

 

[DFSNOLE]

If you're going to cruise, look for one that travels to somewhere other than the Caribbean. Like maybe up the northeast coast up to Nova Scotia or a river cruise down the Mississippi.

https://www.americancruiselines.com/cruises/mississippi-river-cruises

 

[ericram]

Go to an island in the Caribbean and stay at an all inclusive resort.

 

[NoleFan2U]

Do a New England cruise. Of the 39 cruises I have taken in my life, that was my absolute favorite. Even better than Alaska!

 

[noleit]

European river cruises are great, the service and the food are amazing.

 

[LesClaypool]

European river cruises are great, the service and the food are amazing.

Those things are expensive though.

Dan I know you said you have no budget, per se, but what’s a number for the trip that you would immediately say is too much?

...$5,000? ...$7,500? $10k?

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

wife and I were looking to do a 7-10 day last minute vacation in mid August without the kids.

Was looking for ideas.

Our thought was a 7 day cruise. I’ve cruised several times in the past and have always enjoyed it. I get that some people are anti cruises. But they are hard to beat when it includes food, places you travel, and price.

We are on a normal persons budget. We don’t have an exact price, but we know it can’t be over the top.

So what day ye LR...where to go, any agents or websites worth using that have great deals and will organize for us???

Honestly, I love cruises but summer is the wrong time for Carribean and Mediterranean cruises. Late winter/early spring is the best time for those warm weather cruises as it will only be in the high 70s and low 80s instead of the 100s+ like it is during summer. No reason be miserable when you’re in the Caymans/Greece/Bahamas/Whatever.

If you’re going in midAugust, I’d suggest going north. I’d suggest flying into the Niagara/Buffalo airport and renting a car so you can do Niagara Falls, the vineyards, casinos, whiskey distilleries and restaurants of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Beamsville Bench and then up to Toronto before reversing course. Toronto is like New York and Chicago (it’s a surprising large and vertical city) except far clear and far nicer. So you’ve got a number of plays and musicals going on (on par with Chicago and LA but not as many or as big as New York or London) for the wife, plus there’s a large number of comedy stages so you get the big city entertainments. Plus there’s a lot of truly great regional food to try plus great museums, bars, shops, etc...

If you wanted to do a 10 day trip I’d suggest adding in another location like Montreal, Pittsburgh or Cleveland all about 5 hours apart. Obviously if you’ve seen my Facebook recently I just did Milwaukee plus Chicago plus Indianapolis in just five days, so 10 days to do Buffalo/Niagara, Toronto and either Montreal, Pittsburgh or Cleveland is easily doable. And you’ll get everything I look to do in a vacation, some great outdoor locations (Niagara Falls, Toronto Island, salmon/trout fishing, etc...), some great museums, great entertainment, some gambling and some great food and drink.

 

[F4Gary]

Breckenridge or the Dillon/Silverthorne area.

 

[Gonolz]

I just got back from a great vacation in Costa Rica. We planned most of the trip ourselves, but had a few excellent day tours with this company.

https://www.graylinecostarica.com/costa-rica-one-day-tours

 

[West Duval Nole]

Honestly, I love cruises but summer is the wrong time for Carribean and Mediterranean cruises. Late winter/early spring is the best time for those warm weather cruises as it will only be in the high 70s and low 80s instead of the 100s+ like it is during summer. No reason be miserable when you’re in the Caymans/Greece/Bahamas/Whatever.

If you’re going in midAugust, I’d suggest going north. I’d suggest flying into the Niagara/Buffalo airport and renting a car so you can do Niagara Falls, the vineyards, casinos, whiskey distilleries and restaurants of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Beamsville Bench and then up to Toronto before reversing course. Toronto is like New York and Chicago (it’s a surprising large and vertical city) except far clear and far nicer. So you’ve got a number of plays and musicals going on (on par with Chicago and LA but not as many or as big as New York or London) for the wife, plus there’s a large number of comedy stages so you get the big city entertainments. Plus there’s a lot of truly great regional food to try plus great museums, bars, shops, etc...

If you wanted to do a 10 day trip I’d suggest adding in another location like Montreal, Pittsburgh or Cleveland all about 5 hours apart. Obviously if you’ve seen my Facebook recently I just did Milwaukee plus Chicago plus Indianapolis in just five days, so 10 days to do Buffalo/Niagara, Toronto and either Montreal, Pittsburgh or Cleveland is easily doable. And you’ll get everything I look to do in a vacation, some great outdoor locations (Niagara Falls, Toronto Island, salmon/trout fishing, etc...), some great museums, great entertainment, some gambling and some great food and drink.

What the heck. Are you no longer promoting New Zealand?

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

What the heck. Are you no longer promoting New Zealand?

Opposite seasons. So dead of summer is the equivalent of dead of winter.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Surprised nobody has suggested Atlanta!

Seriously, California, Rocky Mountains, far northern US or Northern Europe. I wouldn't want to do much else in August.

 

[Fijimn]

The issue is what are you looking for. My wife has two moods when it comes to vacation without the little one. It’s either: “ I want to sit on a beach or pool with someone bringing me a drink and the hardest decision I have to make is whether to have steak or lobster” or “let’s have a spontaneous adventure.”

 

[DanC78]

I found a celebrity cruise, western Caribbean for 2500. That includes food of course.

I’d double that for total budget.

@NoleFan2U what made the New England Cruise so special.

I loved @goldmom west coast suggestions as well, but we I’ve done that area of the country before, and would not at all be disappointed to go back.

But I’m curious about the New England area and Rockies as well.

 

[cmanole]

I just got back from a great vacation in Costa Rica. We planned most of the trip ourselves, but had a few excellent day tours with this company.

https://www.graylinecostarica.com/costa-rica-one-day-tours

Ourselves?

 

[DanC78]

The issue is what are you looking for. My wife has two moods when it comes to vacation without the little one. It’s either: “ I want to sit on a beach or pool with someone bringing me a drink and the hardest decision I have to make is whether to have steak or lobster” or “let’s have a spontaneous adventure.”

This is a little bit of our struggle right now.

 

[ericram]

I just got back from a great vacation in Costa Rica. We planned most of the trip ourselves, but had a few excellent day tours with this company.

https://www.graylinecostarica.com/costa-rica-one-day-tours

We are going to do Costa Rica next summer. We want to rent a house with some friends & family and have our own chef. What was your accommodations like?

 

[skramer100]

Folks did a New England cruise up the Canadian coast a few years ago. Said they loved it. They are avid cruisers and just did one from Vancouver down the Pacific NW and into Snake River.

 

[goldmom]

So, Dan, the Rockies?
Southern Rockies AKA New Mexico? Ruidoso is way cool - quarter horse track season, local sights like ghost towns - White Oak was cool - Day trips to Lincoln, where Billy the Kid met his match with the local sheriff, Apache Rez - fun place.
Arizona - Sedona is also waaay cool - weather too.

Colorado Rockies just speak for themselves.

Jackson Hole and the Tetons are a bucket list trip.

Yours Truly is a western junkie.

 

[Fijimn]

We are going to do Costa Rica next summer. We want to rent a house with some friends & family and have our own chef. What was your accommodations like?

We rented a house in Tamarindo. It had a casita and awesome pool. I acted as chef. Enjoyed the area a lot

 

[NoleFan2U]

I found a celebrity cruise, western Caribbean for 2500. That includes food of course.

I’d double that for total budget.

@NoleFan2U what made the New England Cruise so special.

I loved @goldmom west coast suggestions as well, but we I’ve done that area of the country before, and would not at all be disappointed to go back.

But I’m curious about the New England area and Rockies as well.

The people are fabulous and the scenery is phenomenal. Just had a great time, loved the ports and can't wait to go back.

 

[F4Gary]

So, Dan, the Rockies?
Southern Rockies AKA New Mexico? Ruidoso is way cool - quarter horse track season, local sights like ghost towns - White Oak was cool - Day trips to Lincoln, where Billy the Kid met his match with the local sheriff, Apache Rez - fun place.
Arizona - Sedona is also waaay cool - weather too.

Colorado Rockies just speak for themselves.

Jackson Hole and the Tetons are a bucket list trip.

Yours Truly is a western junkie.

We are heading down to San Diego right now.
Spending the night in a nice RV park in Fiji's stomping grounds, Bakersfield.
Up over Tehachapi tomorrow and down I-15 to avoid the traffic. Staying in Sweetwater Summit regional park for a few nights.
Then it's I-10 home, ugh.

Dan, fly out to Portland and do the coast from Astoria down. Should be nice and cool and plenty of sights (not just the beaches).

 

[Fijimn]

We are heading down to San Diego right now.
Spending the night in a nice RV park in Fiji's stomping grounds, Bakersfield.
Up over Tehachapi tomorrow and down I-15 to avoid the traffic. Staying in Sweetwater Summit regional park for a few nights.
Then it's I-10 home, ugh.

Dan, fly out to Portland and do the coast from Astoria down. Should be nice and cool and plenty of sights (not just the beaches).

Post a pic (of wife of course) next to the Bakersfield sign. It’s on Union Ave (if I Remember right). Benji’s Basque on Rosedale Hwy is the best basque restaurant in town. Going through Tehachapi, stop at lKohnen’s Bakery. It’s very good

 

[Gonolz]

We are going to do Costa Rica next summer. We want to rent a house with some friends & family and have our own chef. What was your accommodations like?

We got a suite at Holiday Inn Aurola in downtown San Jose as a home base. It was much more upscale than a typical Holiday Inn. Excellent food (enormous buffet for breakfast and upscale appetizers, snacks and complimentary booze in the VIP lounge in the evenings) and a very attentive staff. We did a number of day trips with the company I linked from San Jose and then ventured out for some overnight stays, like Jaco Beach at a Best Western resort, which like the Holiday Inn was much more impressive than it sounds.

 

[Urban Cryer]

If you're going to cruise, look for one that travels to somewhere other than the Caribbean. Like maybe up the northeast coast up to Nova Scotia or a river cruise down the Mississippi.

This, or Alaska.

 

[F4Gary]

Post a pic (of wife of course) next to the Bakersfield sign. It’s on Union Ave (if I Remember right). Benji’s Basque on Rosedale Hwy is the best basque restaurant in town. Going through Tehachapi, stop at lKohnen’s Bakery. It’s very good

Heh, not spending any time here, just the night. I'm in a motorhome towing a car, so not stopping till we get to San Diego.
I have had some Basque food though. In Reno. It's good, but that drink they drink....ugh.

 

[EconSean]

So, Dan, the Rockies?
Southern Rockies AKA New Mexico? Ruidoso is way cool - quarter horse track season, local sights like ghost towns - White Oak was cool - Day trips to Lincoln, where Billy the Kid met his match with the local sheriff, Apache Rez - fun place.
Arizona - Sedona is also waaay cool - weather too.

Colorado Rockies just speak for themselves.

Jackson Hole and the Tetons are a bucket list trip.

Yours Truly is a western junkie.

You could also look at Northern NM. Santa Fe is one of my favorite cities (I grew up there), and there are other towns further north (e.g., Taos) that a nice to visit.

There is a narrow gauge, coal-powered steam train that runs from Chama, NM, up into southern Colorado that is spectacular.

 

[southgateNOLE]

Seattle/Vancouver is a great trip. Also Northern Cali/Napa/Sonoma.