NationStates Jolt Archive

i'm thinking about going on a trip this summer. where does NSG recommend and why?

^^

I see what you did their....

where do you live, what kind of vacations do you like best, how much money do you have to spend?

i like national park vacations myself.

i live in the USian midwest, like everything from tropical beaches to theme parks to climbing mountains, and my budget is what you might call grad studenty.


one of my longstanding plans involves driving to yellowknife, just to see where the road ends.

It sounds redneck, but rent a houseboat for two weeks on a big lake. Pack up the beer/liquor/weed and cruise around aimlessly. Sleep in reclining lawn chairs, drop anchor and read for hours, get a whole bunch of swimming in (I swam a mile and a half at the end of my last time out on a houseboat), pull up to shore and build a small bonfire. You're kind of cut off from the world hurried pace of the world, and connected over only the most tenuous of lines, an old school marine radio. :)

It sounds redneck, but rent a houseboat for two weeks on a big lake. Pack up the beer/liquor/weed and cruise around aimlessly. Sleep in reclining lawn chairs, drop anchor and read for hours, get a whole bunch of swimming in (I swam a mile and a half at the end of my last time out on a houseboat), pull up to shore and build a small bonfire. You're kind of cut off from the world hurried pace of the world, and connected over only the most tenuous of lines, an old school marine radio. :)

actually, that doesn't sound half bad

You should do what I usually do in my summers.

"Hmmm. I should really go on vacation somewhere."
*looks up world map online.*
"Yeah.... that would be a really nice place to visit."
*keeps surfing internet*
"On the other hand, that one looks nice too. I can't visit both, so I'll just stay here all summer and get bored."
*does so*
"Hey! It's August already! What happened to that vacation I was going to take? It's time for me to turn my life around. To take some initiative. I should go *there*!" *pause* "But I can't speak the language/it's too dangerous to do alone/there would be a lot of tourists/some other excuse. Oh well, I have work this fall anyway, may as well start getting prepared for it."

Guaranteed to be loads of fun, if you enjoy sitting around doing nothing agonizing over minutiae.

More seriously, though, I've no idea. If I think of anything I'll mention it.

Scotland, in particular, the Highlands.

If you can afford it, I'd say Rome. If you can't, then San Antonio is a nice vacation spot.

Come to S. Illinois and do the River to River trail. It takes about 1-2 weeks to do, and is free, minus the food and gas it takes to get here.

i'm thinking about going on a trip this summer. where does NSG recommend and why?

What's your budget?

Come to S. Illinois and do the River to River trail. It takes about 1-2 weeks to do, and is free, minus the food and gas it takes to get here.

hmmm, i have been meaning to see garden of the gods down there...

What's your budget?

cheap for this year. but don't let that stop you from suggesting bigger trips - they might make the list of future possibilities.

cheap for this year. but don't let that stop you from suggesting bigger trips - they might make the list of future possibilities.

Puerto Rico was definitely one of my favorite trips of the last few years. You stay outside of San Juan and come into town a few days for historical stuff and food (some nice restaurants in there) and most importantly the Bacardi plant.
Then you go to the east side with the lush forests and then the west side to Arecibo, and in the meantime you've got beautiful scenery to just take in.

Depending on your budget, I'd recommend Paris. I think our total trip, renting a car (fuel in Europe is fucking expensive) and staying for a week was about $8000 for 4 people. But that was back in 2004. If you DO go to Paris, I really do recommend getting a car and taking a day out to drive to the Abbe Mont St Michel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_St_Michel Gorgeous, even at a distance, though it's a long drive.

i live in the USian midwest, like everything from tropical beaches to theme parks to climbing mountains, and my budget is what you might call grad studenty.


one of my longstanding plans involves driving to yellowknife, just to see where the road ends.

Come to Hawaii. Lots of trails, lots of places to explore... and you really can't get lost because you're on an ISLAND!!! :p

Come to Hawaii. Lots of trails, lots of places to explore... and you really can't get lost because you're on an ISLAND!!! :p

I so want to go back to Hawaii when I can afford to. Me and the family went there in 2006 to the Big Island, and spent a week lounging around Kona and getting rained on on the eastern side of the island.

I so want to go back to Hawaii when I can afford to. Me and the family went there in 2006 to the Big Island, and spent a week lounging around Kona and getting rained on on the eastern side of the island.

Go to Kehei on Maui. I swear, that place would be bone dry and sunny while the rest of the island is under a flood advisory due to heavy rains! :p

The Baleares, Menorca and Mallorca, in Spain. Gorgeous. Just be careful with the herds of German and English tourists.

Go to Kehei on Maui. I swear, that place would be bone dry and sunny while the rest of the island is under a flood advisory due to heavy rains! :p

That happened to us on the Big Island. We didn't check the weather on the east side and just assumed it'd be like it was in Kona. That was a painful lesson to learn.

The Baleares, Menorca and Mallorca, in Spain. Gorgeous. Just be careful with the herds of German and English tourists.

what are they like?

i've wanted to go to barcelona for a while now.

i'm thinking about going on a trip this summer. where does NSG recommend and why?

I would recommend Spain. More specifically Madrid, Alcala de Henaries, Segovia, Toledo, and Zarragoza. Lots of history there, museums, castles, etc. The food is great and the people very friendly.

Another good place is around Boston Massachusetts. There are a lot of historic places to see like the USS Constitution, Paul Revere's House, the Old North Church, Bunker Hill and Fanuel Hall. Then you can go out to Lexington and Concord and visit some of the historical places there. Another must is Harvard Square, Harvard University, Longfellow's House, and the Museum of Natural Histor at Harvard University all located in Cambridge. Then take a jaunt down to Plymouth and visit the Mayflower and Plymouth Plantation.

i live in the USian midwest, like everything from tropical beaches to theme parks to climbing mountains, and my budget is what you might call grad studenty.


one of my longstanding plans involves driving to yellowknife, just to see where the road ends.

OOPS. In that case, forget what I said about Spain and Boston. Visit your local library or used book store, get some good books and a couple of inexpensive bottles of wine, and stay at home and read. :eek2:

The Baleares, Menorca and Mallorca, in Spain. Gorgeous. Just be careful with the herds of German and English tourists.

As long as you don't go in August you will miss the Germans and English.

The Baleares, Menorca and Mallorca, in Spain. Gorgeous. Just be careful with the herds of German and English tourists.

German, English, and, on the same level of horror, Dutch tourists. That's why you'll never see me anywhere near a Spanish beach. :D

what are they like?

i've wanted to go to barcelona for a while now.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/mallorca
Check this. All I can tell you is that, if it wasn't for Winter, I would be on the beaches of Palma.

As long as you don't go in August you will miss the Germans and English.

They seem to be there all year round.:tongue:

They seem to be there all year round.:tongue:

We have nothing better to do. :$

We have nothing better to do. :$

Lies. Your country has so much to offer. You do have things to do there. Stay out of our beaches, you tea-swinging Brits!:mad:


:wink:

Italy and Paris are very nice if you can ever afford them, but I'd suggest maybe going in the spring or autum. Paris was damn hot in the summer.

Novermber evenings/nights in Italy however were very pleasent for walking though, at least the year I was their.:) Though I don't know how safe the cities really are at night.

Also, the architecture and historical sites in both countries are fascinating and beautiful, they have great art museums if you like those, and I love Italian food. Plus going up the tower or on a boat down the river in Paris are probably two of the nicer things you can do with your holiday.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/mallorca
Check this. All I can tell you is that, if it wasn't for Winter, I would be on the beaches of Palma.

Why would you want to go to Spain to go to the beach? You can go to beaches right here in the US, Canada, or Mexico. If you go to Spain, go for the culture, museums, art, etc.

During the three years we lived in the Madrid area we seldom saw any European tourists except in August which is a big vacation month in Europe. Even the Spanish get the hell out of Spain in August to go on vacation somewhere then.

Why would you want to go to Spain to go to the beach? You can go to beaches right here in the US, Canada, or Mexico. If you go to Spain, go for the culture, museums, art, etc.

During the three years we lived in the Madrid area we seldom saw any European tourists except in August which is a big vacation month in Europe. Even the Spanish get the hell out of Spain in August to go on vacation somewhere then.

I like to tour my country. I've been all over damn Europe, I live in Madrid and I would rather go to Palma, go to Asturias, or spend time in Seville rather than hop on a train to visit Paris or hop on a plane and cross the sea. I've traveled enough. I like being in my home country.

In the case of tourists, foreign or otherwise, I see enough of them on a daily basis to be fed with them. It's part of my job.

Another good place is around Boston Massachusetts. There are a lot of historic places to see like the USS Constitution, Paul Revere's House, the Old North Church, Bunker Hill and Fanuel Hall. Then you can go out to Lexington and Concord and visit some of the historical places there. Another must is Harvard Square, Harvard University, Longfellow's House, and the Museum of Natural Histor at Harvard University all located in Cambridge. Then take a jaunt down to Plymouth and visit the Mayflower and Plymouth Plantation.
I support this, but skip Harvard University. It's a uni. Nothing to see. Really.

Lots of other stuff to check out in the area too...Salem is pretty chill, got your beaches, amusment parks, mountains, the Arnold Arboretum and Emerald Necklace, the Common...lots of good times, and not all just historical.

Plus, a few pretty bangin tour guides, if I do say so myself. I'll get you drunk at a place with 112 taps and 450 bottles.

In the U.S., I like Lake Tahoe (http://www.visitinglaketahoe.com). It's not the most happening place in the world, but it's beautiful. I like kayaking on the lake and hiking in the summer. There are also a few casinos if that's your thing, but I've no idea what they're like. And of course, you can ski/snowboard if you're there in the winter.

Plus, a few pretty bangin tour guides, if I do say so myself. I'll get you drunk at a place with 112 taps and 450 bottles.

this sounds very tempting

Brazil

Not Rio or the Amazon -

Try Trancoso, Canoa Quebrada, Praia de Pipa, Just about anywhere on the coast in Bahia, João Pessoa - etc. etc.

Brazil

Not Rio or the Amazon -

Try Trancoso, Canoa Quebrada, Praia de Pipa, Just about anywhere on the coast in Bahia, João Pessoa - etc. etc.

what do they have to recommend them? i mean other than being in brazil, which is technically enough to get me interested?

Come to Hawaii. Lots of trails, lots of places to explore... and you really can't get lost because you're on an ISLAND!!! :p

i've been trying to get back to hawaii ever since my failed attempt to move there...

Start a communist revolution in Somalia.

edit:

Or go to the mountains and go hiking/backpacking/camping.

There are a few trips that I want to take (so maybe you will too) also, they're vague and not well planned out because I don't have enough money to do many of them:

1. Morocco: I would like to kick around some of the bigger cities for a bit and then go off to one of the towns near the desert, rent a camel and a guide and go on a camel ride into the desert for a couple of days then back.

2. Peru: Go to Cuzco for a couple days to acclimatize (and poke around), go on the hike to Machu Picchu. It's four days from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, but it's a hike through the Andes and apparently there are lots of ruins along the way. It's a hike one can only do with guides pretty much, so they have porters who bring along the tents and food and as part of the package, you get a train ticket back to Cuzco so you don't have to walk back, plus the bit of being in a group makes it a bit safer. (if I get sent to South America this summer, I'm sneaking in a trip)

3. Newfoundland: Hike through Gros Morne, apparently it's a two day hike. I've been to Newfoundland before, but mostly just to St John's and around there and Gros Morne is gorgeous. I think that corner brook is technically a better place to start if you're flying into the island since it's closer.

Although if you're starting from the US, why not road trip to Yellowstone? It would probably be great for camping and hiking if that's what you're into.

That happened to us on the Big Island. We didn't check the weather on the east side and just assumed it'd be like it was in Kona. That was a painful lesson to learn.

Yeah, it rains a lot in Hilo. But it's always sunny a couple of hours each day.

If I get to go back, I'm totally learning to surf (and going to Volcanoes national park). Though with my current financial state, this will happen when I get sent to observe again.

Narnia is an ideal place to take a vacation. Be careful and take weapons, mind. Apparently there's a talking lion who'll try and convert you to Christianity.

Do what I do on vacation. Be loud. Wave an American flag. do nothing but talk about how great the US is to strangers on the bus. You will have a great time.

i live in the USian midwest, like everything from tropical beaches to theme parks to climbing mountains, and my budget is what you might call grad studenty.

one of my longstanding plans involves driving to yellowknife, just to see where the road ends.

Contrary to common perceptions, it's posible to do Japan on a shoestring (http://www.epinions.com/content_4338655364).

The big hurdles are airfare and accomodation. It's still possible to get a good deal on airfare... Cheap place and eats are pretty easy.

Tropical Beaches? Can do.

Theme parks? Tokyo Disney Resort's around. Universal Japan's cheaper. And there are a slew of others.

And climbing mountains? Definately available here.

And Japan's an anthropologists dream. ;) (Or nightmare?)

Do what I do on vacation. Be loud. Wave an American flag. do nothing but talk about how great the US is to strangers on the bus. You will have a great time.

Haha!

I've always thought, that if one wanted to be a huge ass, that it would be a fun idea to drive a hummer or a pickup truck (F-250+) around Europe, with an American flag flying on it, wearing a cowboy hat and boots, playing country music, and with plenty of fun bumper stickers (pro life ones, Christian ones, Bush '04, etc).

And then follow through with your plan of talking up America when not driving around.

:p

Haha!

I've always thought, that if one wanted to be a huge ass, that it would be a fun idea to drive a hummer or a pickup truck (F-250+) around Europe, with an American flag flying on it, wearing a cowboy hat and boots, playing country music, and with plenty of fun bumper stickers (pro life ones, Christian ones, Bush '04, etc).

And then follow through with your plan of talking up America when not driving around.

:p

The only problem with that is that most Europeans would get the joke and it isn't funny if no one is getting upset.

The only problem with that is that most Europeans would get the joke and it isn't funny if no one is getting upset.

Then you better be a damn good actor!

Then you better be a damn good actor!

acting that dumb with out coming off as a satirist is perhaps the hardest thing to do.

West Virginia, if you want to do something cheap and outdoorsy.

Capri, if money is no object.

Seriously, the South West Virginia, North Carolina, W. Va triangle is a lot of fun in the summer if you want to have a good time and not spend much.

Texas is a nice place to go, especially San Antonio. You could see The Alamo. Nashville and Charlotte are good spots too. I'd pass on France, but Spain is nice, and Italy is interesting.

what do they have to recommend them? i mean other than being in brazil, which is technically enough to get me interested?

Google is your friend. Too much to describe here in other words.

I'm going to suggest Edmonton, Alberta, for literally no other reason than the fact that I'm still living here.

If you want to do touristy things, I could take you to a round dance :D

Road trips are always fun & relatively cheap, if your car doesn't use too much petrol. You can keep your costs down by taking your tent & cooking your own food. Just follow the road & see where it takes you.

I did one a couple of years ago, with no destination in mind. 10 days later, I'd driven almost 7000km & done a round trip from Melbourne to Ayers Rock. It was great because there was no pressure to get anywhere, I'd just stop somewhere for the night, put my tent up, cook my dinner, have a couple of beers & watch the sun set over the mountains & the outback. In the mornings, I'd get up & decide where to head next.

I'm going to suggest Edmonton, Alberta, for literally no other reason than the fact that I'm still living here.

If you want to do touristy things, I could take you to a round dance :D

I was born in Edmonton! I've been back a couple of times, most recently in 2001. I can't say I was too impressed with the place, but the mall is huge! There are some cool places nearby though, like the Rockies & the dinosaur badlands.

I was born in Edmonton! I've been back a couple of times, most recently in 2001. I can't say I was too impressed with the place, but the mall is huge! There are some cool places nearby though, like the Rockies & the dinosaur badlands.

I'm not going to talk the place up, it's a dump.

I want out.

I'm going to suggest Edmonton, Alberta, for literally no other reason than the fact that I'm still living here.

you should totally work for the tourism board

hmmm, i have been meaning to see garden of the gods down there...


It is a good place to visit. Southern Illinois is full of natural and also historical sites to spend loads of time in. :) I would also advise going down to the Missouri Ozarks. I go there every spring. Its quite beautiful there as well, plus there are a few good places to go rafting. :)

you should totally work for the tourism board

Centerfold tourism pamphlet!

i'm thinking about going on a trip this summer. where does NSG recommend and why?
Ooh, Alaska! *waves hand frantically*
Because I'm here. I can show you around all the terrible drivers, drunks on the streets, cracking down on decent porn stores (bafflingly), the mosquitoes, the view of Russia, the insipid political climate, the insipid corporate climate, the ....
wait a sec, perhaps i'm petitioning you to swap me places or something.

I like to tour my country. I've been all over damn Europe, I live in Madrid and I would rather go to Palma, go to Asturias, or spend time in Seville rather than hop on a train to visit Paris or hop on a plane and cross the sea. I've traveled enough. I like being in my home country.

In the case of tourists, foreign or otherwise, I see enough of them on a daily basis to be fed with them. It's part of my job.

I'm sorry. I forgot you live in Spain. Of course you would go to the beaches there. Stupid me.

wait a sec, perhaps i'm petitioning you to swap me places or something.

i'm pretty sure we don't require a hostage exchange program down here...

3. Newfoundland: Hike through Gros Morne, apparently it's a two day hike. I've been to Newfoundland before, but mostly just to St John's and around there and Gros Morne is gorgeous. I think that corner brook is technically a better place to start if you're flying into the island since it's closer.



Newfoundland is a beautiful place full of history, stunning landmass that consit of beaches,forests,cliffs,rivers,icebergs etc and is full of friendly people. Google it sometime. Their so many things cramped into one island(many world class that can only be found here) that you could waste quite a few summers here.

Finland, Finland, Finland
A poor second to Belgium,
when going abroad.

Really, what else does one need for a good vacation besides pony trekking.

If you can afford it, I'd say Rome. If you can't, then San Antonio is a nice vacation spot.

Rome in the height of summer? When the natives abandon it to the tourist hordes?

I'd suggest Morocco.

Holiday in Cambodia...

Holiday in Cambodia...

But Free's not a a star-belly sneech....

But Free's not a a star-belly sneech....

though it is possible that i have been to school for a year or two, and know that i've seen it all.*


even worse, and betraying how long i've been in school, i was tempted to write 'et al' right there. that ain't right.

Come to Ireland. We can house-swap.

so, any more ideas/offers to let me crash at your house?

North Truro on Cape Cod. Second floor efficiency. Late in the season, when no one is there. Stare across the bay all night. Priceless.

cheap for this year. but don't let that stop you from suggesting bigger trips - they might make the list of future possibilities.

Do the all in one vacation and visit Los Angeles. 7 hours in any direction and you're someplace new. You can go to the beach, the desert, forests, mountains, theme parks (little kid and big kid versions), nice restaurants, old stuff, museums, etc. It's kind of everything.

Edit - Oh, or do Disney World with the Deluxe Dining Plan. All you pay is tips while you're there. Stay in one of the cheapie on site hotels (you're never in the room), and check everything out. I did it with my girlfriend last year for Christmas, and we're going for a food/wine thing for a week before Halloween this year. If I'm lucky, I'll pop the question to her in the Cinderella Castle.

I'm sorry. I forgot you live in Spain. Of course you would go to the beaches there. Stupid me.

No problem.

North Truro on Cape Cod. Second floor efficiency. Late in the season, when no one is there. Stare across the bay all night. Priceless.

I haven't been to Truro in far too long...*sigh*

Do the all in one vacation and visit Los Angeles. 7 hours in any direction and you're someplace new. You can go to the beach, the desert, forests, mountains, theme parks (little kid and big kid versions), nice restaurants, old stuff, museums, etc. It's kind of everything.

Edit - Oh, or do Disney World with the Deluxe Dining Plan. All you pay is tips while you're there. Stay in one of the cheapie on site hotels (you're never in the room), and check everything out. I did it with my girlfriend last year for Christmas, and we're going for a food/wine thing for a week before Halloween this year. If I'm lucky, I'll pop the question to her in the Cinderella Castle.

Don't do it in the castle...too many people. There's an old boat launch where the swan boats used to be down by the Crystal Palace that is really removed, has a great view of the castle, tons of rose bushes around...all that good stuff. Or watch the fireworks from the beach of the Polynesian.

I say Finland. Only because I live here. Maybe Helsinki or Lapland.

The mountains of Afghanistan. I hear it's all expenses paid, and it includes a 13 week stay at a diet camp before you go.

Sleepy Hollow New York. It's quaint.

stay at home and have more fun just doing nothing for a week or 12

no stress and you can even get paid for it! (or sneak into Cuba and take pictures to troll America)

Come to Ireland. We can house-swap.

and date each others brothers?

The Holiday is a horrible movie that gets men in trouble for not being perfect

I say Finland.

Finland, Finland, Finland

I thought everyone hated Finland :confused:

I thought everyone hated Finland :confused:

Even us Finns?

Even us Finns?

Finland is great. You can shoot firearms there, and even own a suppressor or machinegun.

Good times.

Finland is great. You can shoot firearms there, and even own a suppressor or machinegun.

Good times.

You mean like you can't have a gun for self-defense?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Finland#Regulation

If you haven't, get to one of the western US parks. It's cheap and the mountains give you a huge range of things to do from camping to whitewater rafting.

though it is possible that i have been to school for a year or two, and know that i've seen it all.*


even worse, and betraying how long i've been in school, i was tempted to write 'et al' right there. that ain't right.

Heheh... But neither are you... ;)

The mountains of Afghanistan. I hear it's all expenses paid, and it includes a 13 week stay at a diet camp before you go.

Indeed, indeed. I hear the nightlife is pretty exciting as well...