We live in paradise, where to go on Vaca?

[Pennstater]

We live in paradise, where to go on Vaca?

Just kidding, but really, we live in FL near the beach, we have boating, waterskiing, snorkeling, etc. We've been on cruises since we live right by two ports, looking for something else.

We need some vacation ideas! We are in our 40's, no kids, just us.
We've been to New Orleans, Niagara Falls, many Carribbean islands, few cities in Mexico, all over FL, PA and NY to visit family.

We don't ski or like cold weather, ie below 50 degrees!!

Don't want something super active like hiking, biking, mountain climbing, etc. Also, don't want something too sedentary like museum touring! Laying by the pool and relaxing is NOT what we want, we have that at home.

We don't like touristy spots, cause we live in one!!! Prefer to go somewhere to see how other ppl live. We like fine dining and trying other cultures foods. We like hotels, not camping. Hope that helps!

Any ideas, what have you all done? Especially all you Floridians?

[taylordvd]

What about a wine tour?

[joshmamabear]

are you interested in Indians and cowboys stuff? The place to go is Wyoming and South Dakota. In SD, there is the famous WALL Drug, you won't miss it once you're there since there are lots of signs on the highway. At first I thought it was like your typical drugstore, how wrong I was. Lots of interesting stuff in there aside from their free ice cold water and .05 coffee refill. While there, go see Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Badlands.

[countryterri]

ok, I know you said you don't like cold weather (neither do I) but you really must travle to Alaska at least once in your life time (i"ve been there twice). I am like you, below 50 is cold for me (and I live in Pgh, PA). I have a brother who lives in Juneau (Alaska's capitol) and I've been to visit twice and it is AMAZING! Go during the spring when the fish are spawning...bears galore. There are different cruises you can take to see glaciers calfing (breathtaking), go to Admiralty Island and get up close and personal with some wild bears(cool and scary), hike the Mendenhall Glacier (not really a 'hike', more like a walk around the glacier..my 60 year old mom did it with no complaints) Tons of fresh seafood to eat. Whale watching, seals OMG - Just GO! Ten years ago if you would have asked me my top 50 places to visit before I die, Alaska would not have been one of them. Now I tell everyone that it is something they must do!! The place is truly spiritual. My kids are finally old enough (12 and 11) that I am planning a 3rd trip to Alaska with them...and as much as I love sunning my buns on an 80+ day...Alaska is amazing!!

PS- Go State!!

[derketchup]

SEATTLE!!!! It's not too touristy, the weather is mild all winter, and it is FULL of things to do.

[melodyjg]

Sydney Australia!!! I am dying to go there :)

[queenofthehivemomof5]

are you interested in Indians and cowboys stuff? The place to go is Wyoming and South Dakota. In SD, there is the famous WALL Drug, you won't miss it once you're there since there are lots of signs on the highway. At first I thought it was like your typical drugstore, how wrong I was. Lots of interesting stuff in there aside from their free ice cold water and .05 coffee refill. While there, go see Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Badlands.

Plus you can come visit me! LOL

Wyoming is great to visit. But we are entering our cold period....and when I say cold I mean COLD.

San Francisco or Seattle sounds like it might fit the bill or like someone said above a wine tour through the Napa Valley in CA?

[leqet]

I live near the beach myself so I can relate.

If you have never been out West, I suggest you choose a state you both have never visited, choose a city/area and then start looking for things to do to see if that place is interesting to you.

If you want to go with a tight bugdet take a look at which airfares are cheapest to which cities from your home airport. If you sign up at Kayak.com they will e-mail you deals from your nearest airport. Also Kayak has this cool feature that will let you explore where you can go for a set amount of dollars. I think you have to have an account to do it, but once you set up a free logon, go to the "more" tab on the left side and then click on "explore". It will then show you a map with a sliding dollar amount to set how much you want to spend and it will show you all the locations you can fly for under that amount. Then you can also narrow it down by choosing the time of year you want to travel, the average temperature you want it to be and the activites that interest you.

Also if you are flying out west, check Southwest Airlines for cheap travel. They are one of the few airlines that don't have their tickets sold through the budget websites, but they are cheaper a lot of times and there are no checked bag fees.

I hope you have fun, wherever you go!

[aimeebee]

My parents live in SW FL and this is their first year of retirement. Like you, they have done a lot of cruises. This yesr they have also been to Tennessee twice, Indiana three times and we are meeting them in Hilton Head,SC for Christmas.

My mom shops for bargain deals online all the time. She is pretty good at it...she finds places to sleep 10 for an entire week at Christmas time and under $200!!! One Christmas it was Destin, another Myrtle Beach. We wanted her to meet us in Southern GA, maybe someplace like Savannah or Tybee Island this year. But, the better deal was in Hilton Head, so that is where we'll be going.

They like to do the time share deals, which you can find all over the US. They do the weekend visits in FL for free tickets or just a cheap weekend away, dinners to the Knights themed type places etc. But, there are resort areas in the mountains, by the sea, and in a lot of big cities. Mom has even occasionally bought someone's week on ebay or other sites at a steal price. Once she did a four day mystery shop at a time share, where every thing was reimbursed including a stipend for food each day and gas mileage to get there and back!!

[jolly321]

Vegas! Good time of year to go since it is not to hot.