When not cruising, what other vacations places you like to do?

[OCruisers]

We enjoy going to one of our SC beaches. Occasionally, we go to the mountains (outside of Asheville).

New Orleans is a must for us at least every couple of years.

[Haoie]

I visit the US every year or other year; I'm trying to visit as many states as I can. Going to Chicago and the surrounding places soon!

[OCruisers]

Probably like many of you ....

While cruising remains our favorite vacation, we would not like to have it as the only type of vacation we take. :)

[Sequim88]

While I expect we will do a lot more cruising now that we live near a port city we still have a favorite road trip and we're a bit closer than we were in Minnesota too. We are hot springs fans and really like relaxing by the pools and soaking in 102° water between swims in a warm pool and a fruity rum drink from time to time. So it's a special type of road trip.

 

#1 favorite hot springs destination is Thermopolis Wyoming and the historic Plaza Hotel - just 36 rooms with their own hot pool and swimming pool courtyard. But for real hot water variety we go next door to either Star Plunge or Tepee Pools & Spa and use the steam caves in addition to the soaking and swimming pools. In evening we head to Kirby, WY a few miles away burgers at Butch's Place.

 

#2 and usually combined on a trip is Chico Hot Springs just north of Yellowstone NP. Nice hot and warm pools and an amazingly good restaurant often frequented by celebs with ranches in the area. And at night (usually clear) the view of the stars is amazing.

 

Nice thing is Chico is an easy day drive to/from the Seattle area. Another notable hot spring vacation we like is Ainsworth Hot Springs in British Columbia. The hot spring cave is wonderful with 104°water gushing from the ceiling and benches to sit with hot water right at shoulder level. Ahhhh!

[jocap]

Memorable holidays have been Inter Railing in Northern Europe; touring Big Island, Hawaii; a week on Santorini; many happy visits to the Hebridean Islands of Scotland, and city breaks in various countries. We're looking at time in the Azores now, and perhaps train riding from London to Venice.

[buggins0402]

We've cut back on the cruises and have focused on land for at least the next year. Since we are both at the end of our careers and only working part time, we chase value. I also keep leveraging CC points into the next vacation..and that works better on land. Secondly, we're only getting older and the land trips will get more difficult and the ease of cruising will be the trump card in 5 or so years. So we're holding off on some bucket list itineraries for now and concentrating on land.

 

We just returned from over three weeks in SE Asia land trip. While it could have been done on a cruise, we had more feet on the ground time (disregarding the 12 flight legs:)). Next up is Poland in August..not exactly a cruise destination (found $500 RT flights back in November and hotels are cheap)

 

For next year, I'm mulling Normandy and Brittany land...while we can still handle driving in foreign countries...after a condo in PV Mexico (flights on points).

[Warm Breezes]

We like to mix up land vacations (US based) and cruises (closed loop from USA). We currently have no desire to travel outside of that since there is so many places still on our bucket list that can be done with in those parameters. This year we are renting a house in Orlando for a family vacation with DD(20), DS(23), DM, DH and myself and we are doing a cruise in September with just DH and myself. If we can find a deal in the time we have available we may try to squeeze in another cruise with just DH and myself. Our jobs limit us to taking a max of 10-11 days vacation at a time so we work with what we have.

 

In the past our land vacations have included: Rental house in Tuscon, Condo in Myrtle Beach, Road Trips: Hwy 1 from San Francisco to LA to San Diego, LA/Hollywood/Sequoia National Park, Las Vegas/Death Valley, Las Vegas/Sedona/Grand Canyon, Las Vegas/Bryce Canyon/Zion, Las Vegas/Valley of Fire/Red Rock Canyon/Hoover Dam, North Dakota, Mall of America, Wisconsin Dells, Chicago, Detroit, Louisville, Sandusky, Toledo, Key West, Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, Atlantic City, Poconos, Niagara Falls, New York,Traverse City, Mackinaw Island, Petosky, and probably more that I can't think of at the moment. We try to combine land trips with our cruises so we have had stays in St. Louis, New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York and Orlando related to cruise vacations.

 

As our kids were growing up, we tried to have at least one week long + vacation with the family and at least one week long + vacation with just DH and myself. More if we could fit it in our schedule and budget (but mostly long week ends were what fit). We had a Motorhome for about 10 years while our kids were growing up and did one large trip around Lake Erie and many smaller trips around Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio with it. We also did one trip a year to Dance Nationals for DD. It was usually about a week long. The last 5-6 years were in Toledo. We always tried to fit in a Tiger game or trip to Cedar Point with those. Before that they were mostly in Chicago and there was always plenty to do around there.

 

Now that we are closer to retirement and DS has moved out to North Dakota for his first post college job and DD is living at home going to a local University, we are still trying to keep the family vacation tradition with the house in Orlando this year. There have also been more couple trips the last couple of years with just DH and I that I see continuing in the future. We seem to be cruising more frequently as our time frees up and I can see that continuing too along with more road trips/flights to where ever our kids end up in the future...hoping DS gets to move on from ND soon though....not much to see in the middle of nowhere;p.

[John Bull]

.............and perhaps train riding from London to Venice.

 

Riding a train, Jo?

Or the train ? :cool:

 

JB :)

[no1racefan1]

While I expect we will do a lot more cruising now that we live near a port city we still have a favorite road trip and we're a bit closer than we were in Minnesota too. We are hot springs fans and really like relaxing by the pools and soaking in 102° water between swims in a warm pool and a fruity rum drink from time to time. So it's a special type of road trip.

 

#1 favorite hot springs destination is Thermopolis Wyoming and the historic Plaza Hotel - just 36 rooms with their own hot pool and swimming pool courtyard. But for real hot water variety we go next door to either Star Plunge or Tepee Pools & Spa and use the steam caves in addition to the soaking and swimming pools. In evening we head to Kirby, WY a few miles away burgers at Butch's Place.

 

#2 and usually combined on a trip is Chico Hot Springs just north of Yellowstone NP. Nice hot and warm pools and an amazingly good restaurant often frequented by celebs with ranches in the area. And at night (usually clear) the view of the stars is amazing.

 

Nice thing is Chico is an easy day drive to/from the Seattle area. Another notable hot spring vacation we like is Ainsworth Hot Springs in British Columbia. The hot spring cave is wonderful with 104°water gushing from the ceiling and benches to sit with hot water right at shoulder level. Ahhhh!

 

I typed up a whole response to this thread and then got bullied by a Captcha, but anyways.....as a Wyo. gal, I was pleased to see your WY shoutout! On our most recent cruise, we met many people who did not know where Wyoming is, LOL. You should check out Saratoga Hot Springs, I liked it even better than Thermopolis. Chico is pretty great too :)

[NantahalaCruiser]

Last year was our first B2B - a special 50th anniversary cruise in Asian. This year just a S. Caribbean. But we're putting cruising on hold in 2018; instead doing a train and road trips through both the Canadian (Jasper) and American (Glacier) Rocky Mountains.

 

However, we expect to be back cruising in 2019, God willing.

[sf49erfreak]

me and my dad loved zion bryce arches i dont think we did canyonlands but utah was so beautiful

We stopped cruising several years ago after we bought a large RV. Now it's road trips only - SO much fun! (and we can bring the dog)

 

My favorite road trip was to the national parks in Southern Utah: Brice, Zion, Canyonlands, etc. AMAZING sights to see! Absolutely amazing!

 

When we retire next year, we'll be living part-time in the RV traveling all over the USA. Can't wait!

[Porthopper101]

We have been on five world cruises in the last seven years. The longest one was 180 days. When we are not cruising we go to Lyon, France and Las Vegas.

 

We just got back from 67 days cruise to South America on the Prinsendam. Next week we go to Las Vegas for four nights. Then to the Kentucky Derby early May. To Lyon right after. Then to New York for the Belmont Stakes June 10th. To Bali in July then to Macau, Hong Kong, Belgium. We are never home.

 

M

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h_blond2]

Cruising is my ultimate form of vacation, but there is something great about a road trip! In a few weeks, my boyfriend and I are headed to Kentucky to explore some caves and mom and I are headed to Springfield, Illinois in late June to hit up all the Abraham Lincoln sites. This is all in addition to our cruise that is in May!

[pghsteelerfan]

We do family beach vacations in South Carolina and have also gone to Myrtle Beach and Nag's Head, NC, with friends. Years ago our neighbors were getting married (2nd marriage for both) and decided on a "Vegas" wedding and we were among the group in the neighborhood invited. The original trip was from Thursday to a Monday, but considering the airfare out there, my DH and I decided to fly out the Monday before everyone else arrived and spend a few extra days and make that our vacation that year. We're not really gamblers, so we decided on using Las Vegas as a "base" and did side trips those three days before the others arrived. We went to Death Valley, CA and Red Rock Canyon (just outside Las Vegas) one day; Zion and Bryce the second day (drove through Zion to get to Bryce); North Rim of Grand Canyon that last day and got back to our hotel at the same time the rest of the group arrived. I am so glad we did that, beautiful places and we'd love to go back now that we've got digital cameras. The rest of the weekend was spent with the neighbors, the wedding, and just kicking back by the pool or casino hopping to see some of the other casinos, which each have their own themes.

[Warm Breezes]

We do family beach vacations in South Carolina and have also gone to Myrtle Beach and Nag's Head, NC, with friends. Years ago our neighbors were getting married (2nd marriage for both) and decided on a "Vegas" wedding and we were among the group in the neighborhood invited. The original trip was from Thursday to a Monday, but considering the airfare out there, my DH and I decided to fly out the Monday before everyone else arrived and spend a few extra days and make that our vacation that year. We're not really gamblers, so we decided on using Las Vegas as a "base" and did side trips those three days before the others arrived. We went to Death Valley, CA and Red Rock Canyon (just outside Las Vegas) one day; Zion and Bryce the second day (drove through Zion to get to Bryce); North Rim of Grand Canyon that last day and got back to our hotel at the same time the rest of the group arrived. I am so glad we did that, beautiful places and we'd love to go back now that we've got digital cameras. The rest of the weekend was spent with the neighbors, the wedding, and just kicking back by the pool or casino hopping to see some of the other casinos, which each have their own themes.

 

We flew to LA and drove to LV as part of our honeymoon in 1988. Since then we have gone back to LV every 2-3 years. Absolutely drawn by the surrounding areas. LV is always our base but every time we go we plan to see at least one new place along with revisiting favorites. So far we have done a trip around the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Train from Williams to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Glen Canyon Dam, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Death Valley, Mt. Charleston, Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, Oatman, Calico, Laughlin, Helicopter over Las Vegas at night, Tour Plane over Grand Canyon....I'm sure there are more but I can't think of them right now. We once tried to go there for a long weekend and not rent a car. That lasted one day and we had a car and were off sight seeing. My absolute favorite place to go besides a cruise ship.

[jocap]

Riding a train, Jo?

Or the train ? :cool:

 

JB :)

Have you seen the trains in India? ;p

[John Bull]

Have you seen the trains in India? ;p

 

Hi Jo,

 

Going from London to Venice via India :confused: would be quite an experience if you don't mind sitting on the roof or hanging on the side for a week or two. ;p.

But I was thinkin' the Orient Express might be more comfortable. :hearteyes:

 

JB :)

[tip]

Now that we are retired we cruise at least once every year (January) and every other year in the fall.

 

We extend our January cruises by renting a condo for six weeks on Hollywood Beach which is between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. On "off" years in the fall, we rent a timeshare for a week or more in Aruba which is our favorite island in the Caribbean which of course we discovered by cruising.

[lenquixote66]

We did a cross country trip from NY to Calif stopping in 43 cities .We also did a trip through Canada visiting 11 cities in Ontario then going to New Brunswick ,Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia .

[Sequim88]

You should check out Saratoga Hot Springs,

no1racefan1 - We have, we have! Several times. We love the Silver Saddle restaurant there. Not sure if they still have it but the best coconut shrimp I have ever had cornflake coated french toast that can't be beat. The unique tepee soaking pools are really nice and out of the wind. We tried the Hobo Pool in town but it was too hot for us. The Wolf Inn downtown is also nice for dinner. We always drive up the Snowy Range Byway into the Medicine Bow Mts. for a picnic and sometimes down to Centennial for pie. I took the picture below - unfortunately the guys weren't catching anything that day. 6th of June and the ice just was going off.

 

For years I was a destination Expert for TripAdvisor.com for Wyoming - especially away from the parks. Too many people fixate on Yellowstone and Grand Teton but those are just the beginning. I've been to every corner of the state and we really enjoy vacations there. Even Cheyenne where SveaGirl almost died in a car rollover accident in 1974 just west of town on the freeway. So from the first JC Penny store in Kemmerer to Devils Tower we've covered it all. I used to say you haven't experienced Wyoming until you stand on the corner of the main intersection in Farson and drink in the remoteness. Truly getting away from it all on vacation.

 

[slidergirl]

We flew to LA and drove to LV as part of our honeymoon in 1988. Since then we have gone back to LV every 2-3 years. Absolutely drawn by the surrounding areas. LV is always our base but every time we go we plan to see at least one new place along with revisiting favorites. So far we have done a trip around the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Train from Williams to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Glen Canyon Dam, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Death Valley, Mt. Charleston, Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, Oatman, Calico, Laughlin, Helicopter over Las Vegas at night, Tour Plane over Grand Canyon....I'm sure there are more but I can't think of them right now. We once tried to go there for a long weekend and not rent a car. That lasted one day and we had a car and were off sight seeing. My absolute favorite place to go besides a cruise ship.

 

You need to venture out a tad further to Moab, UT. Home to Arches and Canyonlands NPs, and Dead Horse Point SP! On the way out or back, go via Capital Reef or Zion NPs. This part of Utah is amazing!

[marti2282]

Our favorite land based vacation was two weeks in the Finger Lakes area of New York. Beautiful summer weather! We flew to Elmira, and toured the area in a rented car. Wine and waterfalls!

[navybankerteacher]

Our favorite land based vacation was two weeks in the Finger Lakes area of New York. Beautiful summer weather! We flew to Elmira, and toured the area in a rented car. Wine and waterfalls!

 

You have reminded me of why winter cruises and land getaways are so important: I spent four (college) years in the Finger Lakes area - downwind of Lake Erie - where the lake effect pretty much assured snow on the ground from Columbus Day to May Day: I am still in recovery these many years later.

[FireStation46]

Turkey and Deer hunting across the USA

[jocap]

Hi Jo,

 

Going from London to Venice via India :confused: would be quite an experience if you don't mind sitting on the roof or hanging on the side for a week or two. ;p.

But I was thinkin' the Orient Express might be more comfortable. :hearteyes:

 

JB :)[/quote

Mmm... we saw that cruise which started with the O E, then 3 nights in Venice... Unfortunately the same money for one would buy 2 of us a month at sea.... :cool: