What type of vacations do you hate, that others enjoy?

[goldmom]

I’m down for a vacay where there’s lots of amazing scenery and historic stuff to see.
Just going to some inland lake has no interest for me whether at a very nice resort or camping.
The only exception to that was when we went to Lake Tahoe one summer. Left Dallas at 109 degrees and arrived to 79 degrees and incredible scenery.
And the Caribbean is sort of boring. I have a beach less than 15 minutes from my house.
Love anywhere in the Rockies.

 

[artradley]

Every two years my wife's very extended family has a week together at a lake in Minnesota. They basically take over one whole resort. If you are not into gabbing or fishing you are out of luck though walking through the woods kills some time in a nice way.

My wife's family has a pretty rustic home on a lake in Maine. I actually enjoy going there. The lake is beautiful, and it's a cool break from the summer heat. The great part is Mrs Radley and her sisters have a routine that goes back to childhood, so they occupy themselves all day long. When the kids were little, they were also be occupied with all the other kids.

So I am left alone to sit in the shade, drink beer, and shoot shit with the other men. Swim or canoe from time to time. Sit around the fire pit at night. Occasionally we might all go on a hike or take kayaks down a river.

One night each year we cook lobster. Because it's a huge family it's generally around 20 or 30 lobster, and the elders cook them in giant vats outside. We've been going their for 35 years, and just last year - a cousin my age and I took over lobster duties because the others have passed away. I assume one day my son and his cousins will take over.

 

[goldmom]

Both times in Cancun/playa they were everywhere. Old fat dudes usually.

Cancun is full of Texas folks. Puerto Vallarta is very mixed and interesting. (my favorite) Acapulco is now a risky place but kind of international as far as tourists.

 

[artradley]

Both times in Cancun/playa they were everywhere. Old fat dudes usually.

Now that you mention it, there were a lot of Europeans the first couple of times I went to Cancun in the 80's. But I stayed at Club Med and the crowd was young and attractive. A lot of people seem to build their entire vacation around the restaurants they're going to gorge themselves at.

Also, in Aruba there is a "high rise" section that has all the big hotels, restaurants, and bars. We stay further south in the "low rise" area that is quieter and attracts a different kind of crowd.

 

[Hawki97]

I've talked about this before, but basically anywhere the masses go - particularly "fake" destinations. I despise made up places with fake scenery, people, etc. I'm looking at you Disney. I've never been on a cruise but I'm pretty sure I'd jump off 1/2 way through. Finally, all inclusive beach resorts. That type of vacation is for dullards and poors.

 

[IowaHawkIT]

All-inclusive resorts get dumped on by many, and I somewhat agree with the arguments, but sometimes I just want to sit and do nothing for a few days. I know I've paid a premium for it, but it's nice to go eat when I want and drink when I want and not have to pay for it. We have always done excursions or golf to break it up. I don't think I could stand in a pool for 10 hours 5 straight days.

I hate vacations where we're always on a go. That is not a vacation.

 

[Hammerhead02]

Unfortunately, I have been to both Branson and Pigeon Forge.

Banjo player?

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

Not going to say I hate it, but I just don’t get the attraction of “foliage trips”. Basically like looking at the covers of jigsaw puzzle boxes. But then again, I love the beach, even in the off season when all you can do is sit in the sand and watch the waves. Lots of people don’t see the draw there. To each his own.

 

[Greenway4Prez]

I hate camping.

I’ve been on a cruise and been to an all-inclusive, and I would rather not do either again.

Really surprised nobody has specifically said “Vegas”.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Anything that involves just sitting in a beach chair.

I want to bike or hike or go see historic places.

Doing nothing drives me insane.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

I took my first cruise about 10 years ago. It was definitely my last cruise as well. The only thing I enjoyed were the port excursions/day trips.

I also loathe over planned vacations with too many to do items on the itinerary. You want to see me rage? Turn my vacation into a bataan death march then sit back and enjoy.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

All-inclusive resorts get dumped on by many, and I somewhat agree with the arguments, but sometimes I just want to sit and do nothing for a few days. I know I've paid a premium for it, but it's nice to go eat when I want and drink when I want and not have to pay for it. We have always done excursions or golf to break it up. I don't think I could stand in a pool for 10 hours 5 straight days.

I hate vacations where we're always on a go. That is not a vacation.

You’ve paid for all that food and drink.

Like renting a VRBO to eat in if we see foods we’d like to cook or eat out depending on seeing breakfast, lunch, or dinner locales we think might be good then do research on them by checking out their menu for interesting dishes. If common foods then a no go.

 

[Doodads and Hoohah]

Jam packed vacations where you are busy every minute of every day. I like to do a few things each day, one being a hike or workout then some sort of activity that has food or beverages being a part of it after said work out then just chill or relax in some sort of fashion.

This.

 

[3boysmom]

I love an all inclusive but you definitely get what you pay for. The idea that it is all masses getting drunk with buffet food is crazy. There are places like that, I have no desire to go to them, but a nice adult only boutique type property is probably my number one choice. Think Grand Velas Boutique in Cabo, Impressions by Secrets, Zoetry.
I loathe Vegas. Awful place. Not a fan of Disney and have zero desire to ever go back. Not big on mass cruises but do like river cruises or something like the Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia. We did a Mediterranean cruise a couple years ago and loved the stops, hated the ship. If I'm going to do a cruise it needs to be port intensive, smaller, and if possible no kids.
My favorite types of trips are scenery driven. In Ireland I much preferred the west coast to Dublin. In Iceland the Gullfoss area over Reykjavik. The ports on our river cruise over Amsterdam. Wengen over Zurich. Although Zurich was very cool. Rome was nice for a day but would rather do the Amalfi Coast.

 

[RicoSuave102954]

I hate camping.

I’venneed on a cruise and been to an all-inclusive, and I would rather not do either again.

Really surprised nobody has specifically said “Vegas”.

Vegas is trash, way too many people and too much concrete.

 

[Urohawk]

What island are you on?

I like the beach if the water is calm and crystal clear. Snorkeling is great. If it's above 90 degrees, I dislike it.

If the water is brown like the Atlantic or the waves are big, I don't like it.

I'm also a ginger and melt in the sun.

I'm in grand Cayman. It's nice because I planned activities but got yelled at the wife for hanging in the room relaxing until we had to leave at 2pm to go snorkeling.

 

[Urohawk]

Anything that involves just sitting in a beach chair.

I want to bike or hike or go see historic places.

Doing nothing drives me insane.

Can we vacation together?

 

[BrianNole777]

I'm in grand Cayman. It's nice because I planned activities but got yelled at the wife for hanging in the room relaxing until we had to leave at 2pm to go snorkeling.

I went there 20 years ago almost. It was fancy. You can hide your millions of dollars in the banks.

 

[3boysmom]

I'm in grand Cayman. It's nice because I planned activities but got yelled at the wife for hanging in the room relaxing until we had to leave at 2pm to go snorkeling.

Grand Cayman is really an awful place if you want lots of activities. I don't think Aruba is any better.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

Weirdly I enjoy both very luxurious vacations (5 star hotels, first class flights, Michelin starred restaurants, etc) but I also love hiking and camping which is about as cheap as you can get.

I was more referring to staying at a super nice 5 star hotel vs. staying at an all inclusive type place with that comment.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

I'm in grand Cayman. It's nice because I planned activities but got yelled at the wife for hanging in the room relaxing until we had to leave at 2pm to go snorkeling.

You lucky sob. Will be there late November. Love that island. I can see myself winter there two or three months then head home to Iowa April weather.

Are you on 7 mile and in a house, hotel, or condo? We like to stay at a condo near cemetery reef for snorkeling. Love the beach there and restaurants. Is the Cracked Conch open? Got hit hard by a hurricane and was closed last I heard.

 

[nck24]

Heading to the Outer Banks in 2 weeks. Off season=less people. VRBO house right on the Ocean in Rodanthe. We have a couple of events planned and some things that we might do, but we also want to leave some room for fun things we find once we arrive. Mostly just hang out, eat seafood, have some drinks and relax.

I can't imagine that I would like a cruise. I think it would be like staying in an ok very the top hotel, but you can't leave the hotel.

I also wouldn't care to go to popular tourist locations during the height of the season, or to attend the massive local festival. I don't want to fight crowds.

 

[FAUlty Gator]

Anything that involves the word “excursion”. I also imagine a cruise would be awful by the third day.

 

[ClarindaA's]

Any with children under 18

 

[Moral]

No cruises, tourist traps, beaches, or populated places for me.

 

[BrianNole777]

No cruises, tourist traps, beaches, or populated places for me.

I like to travel as a tourist and tell everyone how much I hate tourists.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

Heading to the Outer Banks in 2 weeks. Off season=less people. VRBO house right on the Ocean in Rodanthe. We have a couple of events planned and some things that we might do, but we also want to leave some room for fun things we find once we arrive. Mostly just hang out, eat seafood, have some drinks and relax.

I can't imagine that I would like a cruise. I think it would be like staying in an ok very the top hotel, but you can't leave the hotel.

I also wouldn't care to go to popular tourist locations during the height of the season, or to attend the massive local festival. I don't want to fight crowds.

You are going to not see too many people out there this time of year. We always hit Nags Head during season and it’s never too busy with lots of people up and down the beach road area.

Good places to eat up and down the beach road…Tortugas, Goom Bays, Awful Arthur’s, Nags Head Cafe, Tail of the Whale, then seafood markets to get fresh seafood like Austin’s which have great sandwiches - grouper, crab cake, mahi mahi, poboy while you are picking up your meal/catch for dinner or Sugar Creek with a seafood market that has fresh catch as well as menu similar to Austin’s. Love that area.

 

[Hans81]

Random non-political topic.... What types of vacations do you hate, that others seem to enjoy?

Currently in the Caribbean at a beach resort. I can't stand it. So damned boring. I'm good for about 3 days here. I can do one beach day, one fishing day, and on snorkeling/dive day. After that I get tried of the sweat, sand, and suntan lotion. I can roll around in the dirt and spray myself down with the hose and get the same effect during Midwest summers.

What say you HROT?

Snow ski trips…too cold. I prefer beaches…that you apparently don’t care for. 🥴

 

[beanerhawk]

Weirdly I enjoy both very luxurious vacations (5 star hotels, first class flights, Michelin starred restaurants, etc) but I also love hiking and camping which is about as cheap as you can get.

I was more referring to staying at a super nice 5 star hotel vs. staying at an all inclusive type place with that comment.

Just curious, the wife and I travel a lot. We've done both and really like both honestly. But when we go to an all inclusive it's top of the line resorts and we upgrade to a suite with a living room and private pool or patio every time. But in places like Key West, New Orleans, San Francisco, Chicago.. etc We do the 5 star hotels and eat at the nicer restaurants and go to some shows. I love traveling it's so much fun.

 

[hawkeyetraveler]

Just curious, the wife and I travel a lot. We've done both and really like both honestly. But when we go to an all inclusive it's top of the line resorts and we upgrade to a suite with a living room and private pool or patio every time. But in places like Key West, New Orleans, San Francisco, Chicago.. etc We do the 5 star hotels and eat at the nicer restaurants and go to some shows. I love traveling it's so much fun.

My view on all inclusive is definitely influenced by the Carnival Cruise I took 25 years ago. Yikes.

Perhaps I am not giving the ultra luxury ones a fair shake.

 

[beanerhawk]

My view on all inclusive is definitely influenced by the Carnival Cruise I took 25 years ago. Yikes.

Perhaps I am not giving the ultra luxury ones a fair shake.

Dude, Sandals St Lucia Regency La Toc, you get a suite with a living room on the cliff and it's amazing. Best food you could imagine, in room bar and separate VIP pool away from the common folk. Butler to bring you anything you want, golf right by the resort. Unreal experience, but pricey.

 

[prlyles]

Heading to the Outer Banks in 2 weeks. Off season=less people. VRBO house right on the Ocean in Rodanthe. We have a couple of events planned and some things that we might do, but we also want to leave some room for fun things we find once we arrive. Mostly just hang out, eat seafood, have some drinks and relax.

I can't imagine that I would like a cruise. I think it would be like staying in an ok very the top hotel, but you can't leave the hotel.

I also wouldn't care to go to popular tourist locations during the height of the season, or to attend the massive local festival. I don't want to fight crowds.

While you're there take a day trip to Ocracoke.

 

[alaskanseminole]

I didn't like the anthrax vaccination.

 

[nck24]

While you're there take a day trip to Ocracoke.

That is one of our planned events. We will visit the Wright Bros Memorial, The Roanoke Island Festival Park, and maybe a horseback ride on the beach if the weather is nice. Looks like sailing doesn't happen til May so that's out.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

That is one of our planned events. We will visit the Wright Bros Memorial, The Roanoke Island Festival Park, and maybe a horseback ride on the beach if the weather is nice. Looks like sailing doesn't happen til May so that's out.

You can drive on the beach in the northern part of the island to see the horses in Corolla area. Enjoy! In season we do this in conjunction with a kayak excursion.

 

[2bagger22]

I'm in grand Cayman. It's nice because I planned activities but got yelled at the wife for hanging in the room relaxing until we had to leave at 2pm to go snorkeling.

Hey, me too. We are going to Rum Point after lunch for fun and will take older kids to stingray city. Great island with no fear of getting mugged or drinking tainted water.

 

[Titus Andronicus]

For maybe twenty years my vacations consisted of 6-8 ski weekends at Lake Tahoe a year plus one 7-8 day extended ski trip to places like Park City, Sun Valley or once even to Winter Park ... always with friends so these were rowdy times and lots of fun.

Then I tried the all-inclusive Carribean Resort a for a 2-3 year cycle. (Everyone was saying "These were designed for you.") Food was great, but I ended up sitting on my little patio reading mostly history books. Otherwise, I felt as if I were in a pick-up bar for 144 hours straight. These trips became quite boring other than coming home feeling that I had done some quality self-improvement through reading.

For a few years, I was a semi-pro poker player. It was profitable, but at a low level and time-consuming as hell, taking up all of my weekends and vacation time. I kind of felt that the world was rushing by without me ... but it was an exciting ride for quite a long time.

Then in later years, I took a series of weeklong trips to European cities, staying in boutique hotels with access to a rental car. ... sight-seeing, hanging out in little bistros and cafes and mostly just absorbing the atmosphere and the ambiance, and talking to locals but mostly just looking and hearing. I became the ultimate tourist, passing on all of the T-shirt shops, but savoring and even attempting to understand the local language. I went to a few shows including an Opera in Germany and loved it. These were great trips ... my favorite vacations ever in fact.

As an aside, I did take a final all-inclusive trip to Jamaica somewhere in there but only because I won the Tower Records grand prize in a drawing. It was fun but my buddy (The prize was for two) and I ended up moving to a hotel in Montego Bay where we chased local girls and drank incessantly for about three days before going home to California. We did manage to stay out of jail. Hanging out with a buddy and on our own in Montego Bay was way more fun that sitting on a beach wondering what else there was to do.

Now that I am married and a little older and my wife is not able to travel. I just stay home.
.................................

All-inclusive resorts? If you are young, and cocksure, or just like to stare at the ocean I am sure they would be fine. However, at the end of the day I found them to be uninteresting.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

Hey, me too. We are going to Rum Point after lunch for fun and will take older kids to stingray city. Great island with no fear of getting mugged or drinking tainted water.

Rum Point is a good place. Drive through the island is ok but enjoy the long drive around it seeing the island and water. Wish I was there.

 

[RicoSuave102954]

Dude, Sandals St Lucia Regency La Toc, you get a suite with a living room on the cliff and it's amazing. Best food you could imagine, in room bar and separate VIP pool away from the common folk. Butler to bring you anything you want, golf right by the resort. Unreal experience, but pricey.

Terrible looking beach

 

[beanerhawk]

Terrible looking beach

Wouldn't know I don't walk down to the beach. I'm a pool guy.