Help!

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Given all the crap-ola that seems to be falling around the iMSN family these past few week, I figured that I would ask for assistance/suggestions with something completely and totally fun

So, DH and I decided that if we both lose some weight by June, then we will take a vacation sometime before residency (not much of a firm decision, but I'll take it!). The "problem" that I am having is that I have NO idea where to go. We didn't go on a honeymoon, and have never taken a real (read: not to visit family) vacation together (in 8 years!). Here are the things that I am batting around:

1) All-inclusive tropical resort
2) Italy
3) Mediterranean cruise
4) Hawaii
5) A trip out west

Here are some things I am looking for:
1) Beautiful scenery
2) Good food
3) A totally relaxing/no-stress experience

This will be a "last hurrah" of sorts before residency, kids, etc. I've been to Italy before (before college) as well as Hawaii (in college), but would have a different experience going with DH.

So...what was your favorite vacation or a destination you'd like to travel to and why? We won't be going anywhere until 2010, so I've got plenty of time, but I will be more motivated to lose weight if I have a more specific goal!

Re: Help!

I would pick 2, 4, or 5. I don't think Italy would be stressful but might be more involved than the others with international travel, language, etc.

These Hawaii guidebooks are great:
http://www.wizardpublications.com/main/home.html

You could check them out from the library for some research. Have fun!

[madeintaiwan]

Re: Help!

We went to Maui for a week before residency. It was awesome. We plan to do it again at the end of residency.

[spotty_dog]

Re: Help!

Our idea of stress-free is to be away from other people, and able to make our own schedule as we see fit, so cruises and resorts aren't really our style. We honeymooned on the big island of Hawaii and it was perfect for us: much less touristy than Oahu or Maui, with great beaches and lots to see. We rented a cottage just up the mountain (much cheaper than beachfront) and spent a little time on the beach, a little time snorkeling, a little time going to excellent restaurants, a lot of time hiking and visiting interesting areas elsewhere on the island, and a lot of time just relaxing on the lanai grilling shrimp and beef and veggies, and drinking beer. Sheer bliss!

Another favorite vacation pre-kids was road tripping. In college we toured the desert Southwest and northern California from Portland. In med school, starting from Cleveland, we did Breckenridge, Colorado; Glacier, Montana; and Middlebury, Vermont for a few memorable trips. The best part of road tripping is that the dog(s) can come with! You can find a pet-friendly rental cottage for surprisingly cheap and then take your time getting there.

[HouseofWool]

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Personally, I would do an all inclusive in the Caribbean. Relatively low cost, depending on where you go and there are always side trips to take, or beaches to enjoy. The one we took right before I found out I was pregnant with DS was one of the best vacations.

Apple vacations used to have something called the Square Apple Deal. You picked the island and the dates, but didn't find out which resort until you arrived at the airport. You were guaranteed a certain quality level so the risk isn't huge and we saved about 50% from the standard price. I can't wait until we can afford to do it again.

[houseelf]

Re: Help!

If you are trying to get a Last-hurrah-before-kids trip in, I'd go to the most distant locale. While you may indeed take an adults only vacation after kids and residency, you may feel compelled to stay within a single plane ride distance if your kids are young. Also, time off in residency can be iffy. I'd take advantage of the extra time you have now to make those layover flights and do some mediterranean island hopping.

Kelly

[poky]

Re: Help!

If you are trying to get a Last-hurrah-before-kids trip in, I'd go to the most distant locale. While you may indeed take an adults only vacation after kids and residency, you may feel compelled to stay within a single plane ride distance if your kids are young. Also, time off in residency can be iffy. I'd take advantage of the extra time you have now to make those layover flights and do some mediterranean island hopping.

Going by this logic, I'd go for New Zealand.

[SuzySunshine]

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We honeymooned on Kauai (sp?) and LOVED it! Stayed at the Princeville resort on the north side, did lots of nothing and LOVED it, did I already say that?

[alison]

Re: Help!

2, 4, 5, or New Zealand (great idea, Sandy!).

The weather can be kind of iffy in the PNW in March-April (rainy), but by June, it should be pretty nice.

Life is short. I don't like to go to the same place twice.

[Tenacious_D]

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Cinque Terre....the best vacation we EVER took.

[MrsK]

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I've always wanted to go to Italy.

That said, I went to Montana/Wyoming in the summer several years ago and it was beautiful, restful. I stayed at the Chico Hot Springs Resort in Montana and drove through Yellowstone. If you like camping, I'd definitely recommend this trip. Having grown up in South Florida, camping never appealed to me -- too much humidity, bugs, snakes, allegators, etc. But after having seen Yellowstone, I get it. However, I'd probably stay away from wine country in the summer. We went to napa/sonoma for our honeymoon. We loved it but we definitely benefitted from going just before the tourist season. I think it would be very crowded during the season.

[medpedspouse]

Re: Help!

Here is an all inclusive tropical resort in a beautiful, relaxed setting where the restaurants have great food.

http://www.robertsgrove.com/

DH and I went there for our 10th anniversary. Perhaps it was because we had been through a pretty rough year (one that landed us in counseling), he had just started his fellowship and we were also mourning the death of our beloved golden retriever, that made this place such an oasis of sorts. If you want to be busy doing stuff you can but if you want to just sit and read or nap you can too. I am not a fan of resorts because I am the type of traveler that wants to experience the local culture/foods/customs. This place, although it has all kinds of luxuries, still feels like you are away from the USA. It is probably because it is pretty small for a resort and the employees live on site. They treat you so well than when you leave, you feel like you are leaving family (the good kind ). It is also located in a small town where you can stroll around like the locals - not touristy like Ambergris (sp?) key north of Belize. We also chose it because it was a place where the dollar was still a little stronger. Have not checked today though.

It is a place that we will definitely be going back to this year - now, if only DH can get his schedule set - I'd be planning right along with you.

[ladymoreta]

Re: Help!

Since you're considering somewhere like Italy, I'm guessing cost isn't a factor? If you are wanting to go cheaper, a cruise is awesome. You can just get the cheapest room, since you won't be in there much. We went on Carnival, and the food was just okay, but I've heard the other lines have better food, and they're not much more expensive. We're trying Royal Caribbean for our next one, and our friend who's been on both lines said it was significantly better.

But if you can afford it, maybe you could try another European country, since you've already been to Italy? Beach vacations are always wonderful, and the resort medpedspouse suggested looks really nice. Whatever you decide, all-inclusive will be the least stressful (even if you still have to pay for drinks, they'll usually just use your room key, so you don't *feel* like you're spending money!) When we do pay-as-you-go vacations, I have to keep a mental tally to make sure we don't go over budget. It drives my husband crazy to hear "We can't afford that" on vacation!

[HouseofWool]

Re: Help!

I don't like all-inclusives (we had a pretty lame time at a Sandals in Jamaica).

I love the all-inclusive and wouldn't go any other way again. I really like not having to worry about how much my bottomless pit of a husband eats or if I can afford another drink.

What don't you like about them?

[HouseofWool]

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I guess we just felt kind of stuck and that there wasn't enough to do. I didn't think the food was very good, either. Most people just seemed to want to take advantage of the included alcohol and drink all day, which is SO not our scene.

The one thing we did like about Sandals is that they include scuba diving.

Different strokes and all that, I guess.

ETA: Even with the all-inclusive, they STILL obsessively tried to upsell us, which drove me totally crazy. Spa treatments, special wine service... ugh, leave me alone!

We didn't get the upsell at all when we went to Jamaica, which was nice. We also booked a side tour in the Blue Mountains. It was touristy, but the view was spectacular. The resort we stayed at included snorkling which was nice. Mostly, I was burned out and wanted to just sit, so it was great for me. Turns out the reason I was so dang tired was that I was preggers with DS!