Best relax-cation this summer? I really need help.

[vi edit]

Need to be careful on which islands you look at in Caribbean, some of them (like Antigua) got hit hard by hurricanes last year. Recovery efforts may still be affecting resorts.

If cost isn't a *huge* concern, I do like Sandals resorts. Get the butler service and just enjoy a week of having someone bring you whatever you want, when you want it by just picking up a phone. You can get your own splash tub outside your room, or spend the afternoon floating in a pool with a swim up bar. Most of the restaurants on property are decent and you can hop between resorts to check out others. Most of the time we just hang out at the pools, one the beach, do some snorkeling, or hit up the spas. At night they usually have fire pits that you can crash in front of chat with other people.

There's no kids, they are expensive enough that *most* riffraff is able to afford them, and they are usually pretty decent accommodations on better parts of the islands.

I've done St. Lucia and Antigua. I don't know how bad they got beat up last fall in Antigua. For St. Lucia we stayed at La Toc but would probably stay at the Grande the next time. The beach was a lot quieter. La Toc is very rough waters.

 

[Zeze]

If you're ever around Laconia, NH, it's 100% worth a visit! I'm lucky to be 2-2.5 hours away. $20 will get you enough tokens to last the entire day.

I spent my HS years in northern MA. Of course, like a textbook, I had to move away to realize how beautiful New England fall is. I miss Vermont and NH. I miss Lanconia too.

 

[Kaido]

I did Maine a few years ago. It's not too far away from where you are - drive up! Hike. Kayak on the ocean. Eat freshly-caught lobster at portside shops. Go out on some boats. Maybe do some fishing. Do touristy stuff. Very chill.

It's kind of a mix of the benefits of camping (i.e. getting away to nature), but you still get food & other stuff to do, and can stay at a lot of different places. Lots of Groupons available for cool bed & breakfasts up in that area as well.

 

[snoopy7548]

I did Maine a few years ago. It's not too far away from where you are - drive up! Hike. Kayak on the ocean. Eat freshly-caught lobster at portside shops. Go out on some boats. Maybe do some fishing. Do touristy stuff. Very chill.

It's kind of a mix of the benefits of camping (i.e. getting away to nature), but you still get food & other stuff to do, and can stay at a lot of different places. Lots of Groupons available for cool bed & breakfasts up in that area as well.

+1 for Maine.

Maine actually is a really nice relaxing vacation, especially if you stay around a place like Kennebunkport. Tons of easy-going things to do or you could just hang out on the beach, walk around the town for a few hours, and eat great seafood.

EDIT: And while you're on your way to/from Maine, stop by Funspot in NH! You can't lose!

 

[purbeast0]

Need to be careful on which islands you look at in Caribbean, some of them (like Antigua) got hit hard by hurricanes last year. Recovery efforts may still be affecting resorts.

If cost isn't a *huge* concern, I do like Sandals resorts. Get the butler service and just enjoy a week of having someone bring you whatever you want, when you want it by just picking up a phone. You can get your own splash tub outside your room, or spend the afternoon floating in a pool with a swim up bar. Most of the restaurants on property are decent and you can hop between resorts to check out others. Most of the time we just hang out at the pools, one the beach, do some snorkeling, or hit up the spas. At night they usually have fire pits that you can crash in front of chat with other people.

There's no kids, they are expensive enough that *most* riffraff is able to afford them, and they are usually pretty decent accommodations on better parts of the islands.

I've done St. Lucia and Antigua. I don't know how bad they got beat up last fall in Antigua. For St. Lucia we stayed at La Toc but would probably stay at the Grande the next time. The beach was a lot quieter. La Toc is very rough waters.

I was going to try out Sandals in Exuma last year for my birthday but opted for Aruba instead due to it being sold out. We were going to get a ground level unit on the beach with butler service too. We will try that out at some point again though.

Typically I'm not a huge fan of All Inclusive at all and steer clear of it, but I wanted to give Sandals a try in Exuma because I hear Sandals is very good for AI, and that Exuma is beautiful.

 

[Zeze]

+1 for Maine.

Maine actually is a really nice relaxing vacation, especially if you stay around a place like Kennebunkport. Tons of easy-going things to do or you could just hang out on the beach, walk around the town for a few hours, and eat great seafood.

EDIT: And while you're on your way to/from Maine, stop by Funspot in NH! You can't lose!

+11111111 to Maine.
-10 for driving this much. Ugh. I grew up going to Maine as well - as a Masshole.

 

[snoopy7548]

+11111111 to Maine.
-10 for driving this much. Ugh. I grew up going to Maine as well - as a Masshole.

You could fly into Logan in Boston (do some stuff around there for a day or two), rent a car, and drive up to Maine (while stopping at Funspot on the way).

 

[Thebobo]

West By God Virginia - West Virginia Highlands.

Bear rocks / Dolly sods - Turnda like hikes and views
Seneca Rocks and visitor center - High cliffs for climbing and hiking
Canaan Valley NWR and visitor center - huge wildlife refuge
Blackwater Falls State park
Spruce Knob - Highest peak in WV Great views.
Sinks of Gandy - Hike a creek underground from in to out.
Highland Scenic Highway. Like the Blue Ridge parkway but never finished
Cranberry Glades and visitor center.

And to geek out at the end the Green Bank Observatory and visitor center.
Largest steerable radio telescope in the world

 

[dullard]

West By God Virginia - West Virginia Highlands.

Bear rocks / Dolly sods - Turnda like hikes and views
Seneca Rocks and visitor center - High cliffs for climbing and hiking
Canaan Valley NWR and visitor center - huge wildlife refuge
Blackwater Falls State park
Spruce Knob - Highest peak in WV Great views.
Sinks of Gandy - Hike a creek underground from in to out.
Highland Scenic Highway. Like the Blue Ridge parkway but never finished
Cranberry Glades and visitor center.

Good list, but I see many things that are active: hiking, climbing, walking, spelunking, etc. Much of that isn't relaxation.

 

[zinfamous]

Aleppo?