I need Vacation suggestions!

[Atlantagaguy]

Where you going on vacation this year, and why? How long? Are you with a tour group or on your own? Are you traveling by yourself? I am not sure what I want to do this year, just thought reading about your adventures might interest me and help me formulate a trip!

[bigvalboy]

Actually just finished formulating summer plans.

 

1. Key West in May/ possibly traveling solo or with a friend.

2. Early summer cruise to the Mediterranean with 3 friends, and yes I know it will be hot. / possibly a side trip to Italy, while I am close, to see family.

3. Key West with an escort end of summer.

4. Fall cruise out of NYC with friends to see the 'Autumn leaves'

5. And although it is not technically this year, DC in January.

 

Key West because I fell in love with the "Conch Republic" as WG says, so I want to explore it more. Possibly with a friend or solo the first run, then with an escort later in the year.

 

The cruise because I love the Greek Isles, and want to see them again, and the Northern cruise in October I'm going at the urging of friends. One friend is not well, and this might be the last time he is able to travel. So we are doing a farewell run.

 

Wherever you decide to go Atlantagaguy, and whether you travel solo or with friends, I hope you enjoy.

[jimboivyo]

I wish key west of today was anything like key west of the 70s and 80s

 

let me throw santa fe into the mix too.

[+ WilliamM]

Oslo and Bergen, Norway. I always buy a plane ticket and just go on my own or with a friend. The train ride between the two cities is supposed to be spectacular.

[foxy]

I'm spending a week in early May at a small resort on Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos.

 

In October I'm staying with friends for a week at their house in Provence and then going on to a walking tour through Burgundy with a group of 8 people.

[+ Chris Eisenhower]

HA! I read this as "Vatican suggestions," which is a whole other thread.

 

I just got back from SFO, which I tacked onto the end of the PS trip. I'd never been before, and it was absolutely stunning. The weather was great, the food was great, it wasn't expensive to get out there, and there is a ton of stuff to do.

[leigh.bess.toad]

5. And although it is not technically this year, DC in January.

 

Now that seems like an odd choice.

 

Nothing big, just a long weekend anniversary getaway to Baltimore. Found a great gay-owned B&B where we can spend some "us" time we need. Maybe a trip to Asheville, NC. Maybe a weekend in Fire Island. And I'm thinking about flying down to Atlanta for an afternoon at the end of the month. It seems that a certain escort of our acquaintance is having a get-together and I have the free miles and free car rental so the trip is free so I'm thinking about it. I'm looking for more low key, closer to home, shorter stuff right now.

[BgMstr4u]

Jimboivyo mentioned Santa Fe.

 

I love Santa Fe, and used to spend a month or so there every summer in the later 80's. At that point there was one gay place -- I think it was called Victor's, a pretty nice bar and restaurant. And there was a spa outside of town in the hills called 10,000 Waves or something -- not gay, but everybody took their clothes off in the hot tub.

 

What's going on in Santa Fe for gay types now? Is it a good place these days for a single person traveling alone to go? Any escorts?

[Newly]

Portugal in late April. Been to Spain and love it, wanted to see the differences between it and Portugal. May also go back to Halifax, NS in September. One of my favorite places in the world and have been meaning to go to Cape Breton while I'm there.

[tyro]

I'm so glad Chris E misread the title too; I also thought it said "Vatican suggestions."

Now I'm just jealous of all you studs gallivanting across the globe.

T

[+ imagooddog]

My favorite get-away city is New Orleans. It is such a unique place with the French Quarter being an experience not to be missed. There is the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square,

Cafe du Monde with its wonderful coffee and beignets, shopping on Royal Street, some great (and some expensive) restaurants, nice hotels, and of course Bourbon street. The street car

lines are a good way to see much of the city. I think a one-day pass is only $3 for unlimited rides. If you want to spend a little extra money, I highly recommend the Omni Royal Hotel,

one block off Bourbon street, but it is a little expensive. Their Premier room with balcony is wonderful. There is also the aquarium and the zoo. For people watching, Jackson Square and

the river front are interesting. Just the atmosphere of the city is so unique, you feel like you are in a different country.

[leigh.bess.toad]

My favorite get-away city is New Orleans. It is such a unique place with the French Quarter being an experience not to be missed. There is the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square,

Cafe du Monde with its wonderful coffee and beignets, shopping on Royal Street, some great (and some expensive) restaurants, nice hotels, and of course Bourbon street. The street car

lines are a good way to see much of the city. I think a one-day pass is only $3 for unlimited rides. If you want to spend a little extra money, I highly recommend the Omni Royal Hotel,

one block off Bourbon street, but it is a little expensive. Their Premier room with balcony is wonderful. There is also the aquarium and the zoo. For people watching, Jackson Square and

the river front are interesting. Just the atmosphere of the city is so unique, you feel like you are in a different country.

 

And of course, Southern Decadence is in New Orleans. This year's dates are August 27 - September 1.

[jimboivyo]

Jimboivyo mentioned Santa Fe.

 

What's going on in Santa Fe for gay types now? Is it a good place these days for a single person traveling alone to go? Any escorts?

 

 

SF has always been gay accepting and friendly. more so now than ever. No, not if you're looking for a traditional pickup bar scene, but most of the folks who own when I have a home are gay.

 

ten thousand waves, ojo calliente, galleries, great food. SF is a place you go to find yourself, but not for a wild party.

 

All escorts I see there are the guys I take with. the local scene is sleepy for that

[jimboivyo]

My favorite get-away city is New Orleans. It is such a unique place with the French Quarter being an experience not to be missed. There is the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square,

Cafe du Monde with its wonderful coffee and beignets, shopping on Royal Street, some great (and some expensive) restaurants, nice hotels, and of course Bourbon street. The street car

lines are a good way to see much of the city. I think a one-day pass is only $3 for unlimited rides. If you want to spend a little extra money, I highly recommend the Omni Royal Hotel,

one block off Bourbon street, but it is a little expensive. Their Premier room with balcony is wonderful. There is also the aquarium and the zoo. For people watching, Jackson Square and

the river front are interesting. Just the atmosphere of the city is so unique, you feel like you are in a different country.

 

nawlins if fine once you get out of the quarter. that's for the tourists

 

lower garden district, mid-city, central biz district, bayou st john. all great spots to really see what new orleans has to offer. so much more than the crap on bourbon and drinking yourself into a stupor

[paulsf]

I just got back from a month in Bangkok last week. In 2 weeks I am leaving on a cruise from Miami to Barcelona. Taking the long way around coming back. Barcelona to Helsinki for a couple of days, then Helsinki to Bangkok for a couple more weeks. Bangkok to San Francisco for a few days, then back to Ft.Lauderdale. I'll probably hit up Bangkok a couple more times later in the year. I'll probably spend most of the hot summer here in hot Ft.Lauderdale. Travel gets a littler tougher once school gets out for summer. So come September , I'll be back at the airport.

[Diverdan]

To William.... You will have a fabulous time in Norway... home to my grandparents who immigrated to the USA. The train ride from Oslo to Bergen is unbelievable, but be sure you go from Oslo to Bergen during the day and not the night train. If you have the time, take one of the "mail boats" north from Bergen, if you have the time, you can go all the way to the Russian Border. These are "smaller" boats than the big cruise lines, so you stop in many of the smaller coastal towns and go in many of the Fjords all the way up the coast. A lot of the people on these ships are locals going back and forth and they love Americans.

 

Oslo is a very friendly city, and I met some fantastic guys in a couple of the bars in the central part of town. When I was there, I only knew of one gay bar, but it was so much fun, and all the guys spoke English, once they realized that I knew very little Norwegian. I only bought my first round of drinks, other guys were treating !!

 

I can't wait to get back ,but it probably won't be until next summer. My other favorite spot is Hawaii and I now go to all the islands, but spend very little time on Oahu/Honolulu.

 

Hope you all have a great time where ever your vacation plans take you.

 

DD

[+ nycman]

Oslo and Bergen, Norway. I always buy a plane ticket and just go on my own or with a friend. The train ride between the two cities is supposed to be spectacular.

 

I made that trip over 20 years ago. You will love it. If you can, book a cruise back from Bergen to Oslo via the fjords.

 

The train trip is spectacular, but once is enough and cruising the fjords is even more incredible.

 

Have fun!

[fedssocr1]

Took a weekend break in Toronto back in Feb. Headed to Singapore and Indonesia in October for a few weeks. I will be on my own but will have a guide and driver most of the time in Java and Bali.

[bigvalboy]

I just got back from a month in Bangkok last week. In 2 weeks I am leaving on a cruise from Miami to Barcelona. Taking the long way around coming back. Barcelona to Helsinki for a couple of days, then Helsinki to Bangkok for a couple more weeks. Bangkok to San Francisco for a few days, then back to Ft.Lauderdale. I'll probably hit up Bangkok a couple more times later in the year. I'll probably spend most of the hot summer here in hot Ft.Lauderdale. Travel gets a littler tougher once school gets out for summer. So come September , I'll be back at the airport.

trav1..question for you on Bangkok. for years I used to go twice a year, even before the new highway was put in to Pattaya. Now that goes way back, but how is the political climate there now? Did you feel safe? Did you notice anything that would make you feel uncomfortable? My guess is not, since you are going multiple times this year, but just curious on your take on things. I want to go back, but as I get older, I am not looking for any drama, if you know what I mean.

[Mac64]

Atlantagaguy - I was thinking the same thing - need to get a summer vacation on the books. Spent some time in Fort Lauderdale last month, have a work/play trip to NYC Thurs-Sun of this week, then down to Lexington KY for some horse racing and bourbon tasting later in the month, but I am itching to plan something for the summer. I'm thinking Europe, been to Portugal and Italy in the past and although I am very drawn to Italy I feel like I should expand my horizons. Thinking maybe a Edinburgh, London, Paris whirlwind tour. Also thinking of heading to Palm Springs in late fall. Was there this past November for the first time and really enjoyed it. Palm Springs is currently in a head to head fight with Fort Lauderdale for my eventual retirement home. Usually travel alone or with a couple friends. If alone, I usually hire some fun companionship...

[paulsf]

For the most part, Thai's are non violent. This political go around has shown a bit more violence than past political upheavals. Most of the issues have been in the protest camps during the late night hours. I stayed away from these areas, and never felt threatened.

The first weekend I arrived, the protesters had 7 major intersections blocked. A couple of times a 10 minute taxi ride would take an hour. Taxi drivers were the most angry of anyone I met. It really was hurting them. But in my month there it never took me more than 1 minute to get taxi. Lots of empties. You could tell tourism was way off in Bangkok. I have a couple of friends that were in Thailand same time as me. They bypassed Bangkok and said most people they talked to at their resorts, said the same thing. Skip Bangkok, do the beaches.

 

Several days after my arrival, the protesters moved everything to Lumpini Park. Once that happened, it was easy to get around the city. They had several military outposts around the park and every once in awhile, you would see some of the soldiers strolling the neighborhoods. Usually unarmed. So to answer your question..No, I had no problems with the political unrest and unless something really drastic were to happen, I will continue to go frequently. (Or as long as my frequent flyer miles last).

[bigvalboy]

For the most part, Thai's are non violent. This political go around has shown a bit more violence than past political upheavals. Most of the issues have been in the protest camps during the late night hours. I stayed away from these areas, and never felt threatened.

The first weekend I arrived, the protesters had 7 major intersections blocked. A couple of times a 10 minute taxi ride would take an hour. Taxi drivers were the most angry of anyone I met. It really was hurting them. But in my month there it never took me more than 1 minute to get taxi. Lots of empties. You could tell tourism was way off in Bangkok. I have a couple of friends that were in Thailand same time as me. They bypassed Bangkok and said most people they talked to at their resorts, said the same thing. Skip Bangkok, do the beaches.

 

Several days after my arrival, the protesters moved everything to Lumpini Park. Once that happened, it was easy to get around the city. They had several military outposts around the park and every once in awhile, you would see some of the soldiers strolling the neighborhoods. Usually unarmed. So to answer your question..No, I had no problems with the political unrest and unless something really drastic were to happen, I will continue to go frequently. (Or as long as my frequent flyer miles last).

 

Excellent information trav1, and I thank you so very much. I have never really stayed in Bangkok, never really liked the place, nor Phuket. We always would land, do one night in Bangkok then make the drive to Pattaya. Much faster and safer after the freeway went in. It sounds like much of the unrest is only political, and not directed at tourist, and confined to Bangkok itself. That makes me think about making the trip next year. Very informative, thanks.

[paulsf]

This past trip I stayed in Bangkok for a month. I went the airbnb.com route and found a great apartment. I have some friends that work in the city, so I just hung out with them most of the time. I did a quick couple of days in Pattaya, but was just enjoying myself in the big city. I made sure I had a pool, so I didn't miss Ft.Lauderdale to much. It's also one place were you can go and say it was hotter than so.fla every day .

[Guest Starbuck]

The big vacations I've particularly loved have been to Venice (I could go every year), the Greek islands, Istanbul, Amsterdam, driving through France, but this weekend I was reminded that we sometimes fail to take advantage of the getaways close at hand. In my case, that means NYC, a couple of hours away, which I am always meaning to spend more time in (for reasons in addition to the one you'd guess). After a Friday overnight (to see friends in town for a special occasion), I enjoyed a sunny/windy walk along the High Line, nibbled my way through the wonderful Chelsea Market and started thinking that renting a place in The City for a week (no big hassles with flying, barely any travel time or expense) would be a great vacation in a place where you'd never run out of things to do.

 

But before I had that thought, I already planned some (solo) West Coast travel for May into June ... visiting friends outside of Phoenix, other friends in Palm Springs, driving up the coast of California (doing some hiking along the way, spending time with a guy I met on this forum who's become a good friend), kicking back at a rental on the Russian River for a few days (sitting in the sun, visiting a few wineries, doing some kayaking on the river), then spending a couple of nights in San Francisco before heading home.

[gallahadesquire]

I made that trip over 20 years ago. You will love it. If you can, book a cruise back from Bergen to Oslo via the fjords.

 

The train trip is spectacular, but once is enough and cruising the fjords is even more incredible.

 

Have fun!

 

From The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:

 

“The Earth …” whispered Arthur.

 

“Well, the Earth Mark Two in fact,” said Slartibartfast cheerfully. “We’re making a copy from our original blueprints.”

 

There was a pause.

 

“Are you trying to tell me,” said Arthur, slowly and with control, “that you originally … made the Earth?”

 

“Oh yes,” said Slartibartfast. “Did you ever go to a place … I think it was called Norway?”

 

“No,” said Arthur, “no, I didn’t.”

 

“Pity,” said Slartibartfast, “that was one of mine. Won an award you know. Lovely crinkly edges. I was most upset to hear about its destruction.”