Does anyone recommend any decent places to go for a vacation? I discovered I have the maximum amount of company vacation days possible and they won’t roll over next year. Going on a trip by myself has crossed my mind, but I haven’t done it before and it feels a little intimidating.
I mean, I can go up a trip with my mom, that isn’t so much a vacation as it is a test in money and stress management.
Ernie,
If you’re taking vacation in December – and you’re going to stay in the US – your choices are a little limited. I like Savannah and Charleston; they’re pretty progressive cities with a lot of history. Further south, Costa Rica is a really nice destination. If you’ve got money to burn, there’s always Australia and New Zealand.
Have fun!
TORONTO
What about Miami? There is a ton of stuff to do and plenty of hot guys around.
i enjoy traveling alone every now and then. last two trips i went on were the volcanoes on the big island of hawaii, and toronto. both were a great time.
What about just some time off and enjoying it relaxing? If not, I would suggest going to NYC, it’s great this time of the year, you can do lots of shopping and eating… my fav things to do while in NYC.
I really enjoy Washington D.C. for a quick trip on JetBlue. You get a bit of east coast perspective on life, a smidgen of southern plantation and tons of American history and culture (or propaganda if you prefer). All the museums are free and nightclubs in the SE are a blast.
I also agree about NYC, though I am biased since I live here (by my own choice since I came for college a number of years ago). I travel by myself for work and for college conferences at times, and I find it ok if I plan ahead and know what I want to do and see and try. If it feels a little initimidating, try something unfamiliar but not too different — like easing into something new.
I think it is important to do something you like or see something you have wanted to see but have not had the time or inclination. You may even meet your readers in the process!
I second the NYC recommendation assuming you like cold weather. Let me know if you choose that and I’ll introduce you to my sister, who lives there and is the bomb.
A week or two in a cabin in Tahoe might not be too bad, also cheap and close by in case you freak out and decide you want to come home. Not that you would do that.
Two words: bear cruise
go away by yourself, man – i’m a HUGE fan of it. clears the head and allows you the actual time one needs to decompress from the Usual Grind (plus, i find i drink less when alone then when amdist company – drinking alone is ok, right?)
shit, i just did three days in vegas by myself and met some really lovely strippers. lovely, i tell you.
D.C. does sound like a nice choice.
In the past, I would have said New Orleans, because it is my favorite place in the world. Not sure much fun the rebuilding has left though.
If you’re inclined to travel internationally, I highly recommend New Zealand. It’s a beautiful country, lots of wide open places but also plenty of big cities. Plus, it’s summer there now. Rent a car and drive the country. Do a little Blackwater Rafting in Waitomo, it’s awesome. There’s lots of spas in Rotorua if you’re into that.
I second the vote for Bear Cruise. If only because I would love to see the pictures and hear your snarky stories.
Another option: Sedona, AZ with a trip to the Grand Canyon added in? Gorgeousness.
You know what I really wish I could find? Some sort of gay gamers spa where you could go get massages, game, and drink froufy drinks and get facials of all sorts.
Is this a market I need to tap into?!
I’d be happy to show you around Birmingham AL! What? The bible belt buckle is not a popular tourist destination???? LOL.
DC was a good idea. I just got back from Chicago where I was alone for five days (partially business). I hit the fabulous Mag Mile stores, Macy’s sales, Field Museum and Wicked the Musical. I had a good time and I usually don’t do so well all alone. It was cold though.
i also recommend hawaii. either the big island or kauai, not maui or oahu. nothing against those two island, they’re just too busy and touristy. but the big island and kauai have a nice mix of rural hawaii and civilization (ie, jamba juice and starbucks).
i just got back from a week on the big island and nothing at work is bothering me anymore! there’s enough to see if you’re into the touristy thing, or you can just sit by the pool/on the beach and relax.
Road trip, dude. Get coastal with it. No sleep till Portland/Seattle!
vancouver
don’t know if you want a repeat of a few years ago, but hey! accomodations are free. and it would be good to see you.
i recommend western canada. go to the mountains, the mountains!
do the canmore / banff / jasper thing.
toronto has a good gay scene, too.
come to australia ernie. you’ll love it. it’s america with less culture and different accents. melbourne has a semi awesome gay scene, and i’ll buy you a drink. maybe even two.
I want to tell you to come to NYC, cause I am here and I want to hug you and feed you and take you where all the cute boys are, but it is damn cold right now so instead I will tell you to go to Hawaii. But if you do not want to come to Hawaii, come here!
If you don’t want to go too far, try Grass Valley/Nevada City. They have several good restaurants, and the wild west architecture is fun. There’s a lot of writers and artists in the area, so there is some brain food, too. It can be done on your own.
Dude, there’s always APO nationals this year
Not sure if you’re still doing the section staff thing or not… Meanwhile, back in reality, I suggest someplace warm….I live near Chicago, and people who are suggesting you come here during the winter months (October – April) are nuts.
If you want to get away, feel…unencumbered, as it were? Puerto Vallarta. Beautiful beach in a rarely traveled part of Mexico (but not so untraveled that it’s a pain in the ass). Trust me.
It sounds cheesy but what about a Club Med “Adults only” (i.e. singles) resort? I’ve been gagging to try the one in Turks & Caicos but it’s pretty expensive for us Europeans. Or, if you’re feeling flush, I would strongly recommend Kemer (Turkey). There’s photos and write-ups of my last few trips on my blog.
Arvid, dude, the APO convention this year is in Louisville, Kentucky. And while I do technically have the money to afford it… uhm… no.
I second TORONTO. It’s a fantastic city, though similar to San Francisco (very gay, very Chinese). I think it’s worth experiencing a colder, Canadian alternative universe.
Otherwise, if you’re coming to Paris, I can show you around town.
Ernie,
Being from Louisville, I’d have to reccommend that you visit KY at some point. Louisville has a lot to do and KY is a pretty state.
I love to travel solo in Mexico. It’s got a good mix of beach, cultural activities and hot latin men.
It’s not that your time doesn’t roll over, it’s that you simply stop accumulating.
I’m going to Death Valley for giftmas this year. Seriously.
The North Shore of Lake Tahoe – specifically… a stay at the “Cal Neva Resort”. Check out their website… they have all kinds of offerings – everything from full spa treatment (gym equipment as well) to all the gambling you might be interested in. This place used to be owned by Frank Sinatra back in the day (when Marilyn Monroe was still alive). Also close to skiing, site-seeing, good food… check out their site. A week there has lasted me a good 20 years so far. Might be the place to “lose” yourself… not too far from where you are at now and yet… just far enough.
Reminder: You have an open invitation to visit us here in New York. A free (and very comfortable) place to stay, Marc’s good cooking and even some tour guiding built in!
(JetBlue to JFK, and the rest is a piece of cake.)
Somewhere with penguins. Oh, and don’t stay with anyone. I don’t care how good of a cook Marc is or how much free space Billy-Bob has on his couch. Unless a lovely woman named Rosario is turning down your sheets, and unless you have pay-per-view porn on your TV, it’s no vacation.
How about Atlanta? A blue dot in the middle of the Bible belt… and you can bundle up and have fun with the rest of us…
Sweden
As Steven said, somewhere with penguins. Sweden can’t offer penguins, but we do have polarbears (Ok, no we don’t, but apparently people think so)
Its cold here and if you ask for the way anyone over 40 is gonna get a frightened look and run away. But you know… It could be fun!
I’ve never travelled alone, but it sounds like a super fun idea–like going to a moive alone, except longer. Around winter time, I love going to warmer climates: Cabo San Lucas, Hawaii, etc.
If you knew how to ride a motorcycle, I would recommend going on a long solo bike trip somewhere, as fuzzy mike and a few friends just did that and loved it.
However, if for some reason you end up in LA, give us a call.
Someone recommended Death Valley. I was there last March and it is a wonderful place to explore. And winter is the only time to do it too. Nice weather then.
You know…. you could always come visit me in TRACY. You know.. the farmland outside the bay area halfway between civilization (sf) and beauty (yosemite) *sigh* Can I come on your vacation with you? I really don’t care where we go, just get me out of here!!!
New Orleans. There is no city in the United States that could use your help more, plus you can drink all night. Plus, I could blog about it afterwards.
Yes, 80% of the city is still in ruins, but as a tourist you would never step foot in those areas anyway (mostly suburbs) and the French Quarter and Uptown are pretty much OK. Crime isn’t much worse than what it was before, except for in the areas where people can be found buying drugs in dark alleys. Don’t buy drugs in dark alleys and don’t wear the fucking “I’m a tourist” mardi gras beads the hotel gives you and you’ll be fine.
Plus, a taxi will be $5 to get you back to whatever hotel you’re staying at in the quarter if you’re drunk or whatever.
Do it. You know you want to.
Hi Ernie,
I second the NYC idea…if you’re travelling alone (and NYC is a great city to prowl by yourself), drop me a line! I’d love to show you around to some of my favorite haunts.
(I’ve been a lurker since I found your site through Margaret Cho’s site)
Recently started reading your blog–and now you’re going on vacation? Where will we turn for our regular helpings of corporate techie gay asian humor?
If you have a couple of weeks, some $$, and are travelling alone, I recommend going balls out and doing an African safari! Maybe Kenya? Or Tanzania? It’s not as scary as it sounds, lots of locals and expats to meet, and plenty of large animals. And some, with large teeth.
I’d go with Rannie on this one and do Toronto. Maximum love, cheer, and just a little bit of weeping at the strength of the American dollar.
Rannie, Jay, Christine M, Moulann, etc. Check in with Jonathan – I think he said he’d be going too.
You could do a multi-city stop:
Toronot: NYC: Philadelphia:
All pretty doable by train from one of the locations.
Um, did I mention New Orleans?
The more I think about it, the more I am convinced there is no place like NYC for the holidays. Of course, I was shopping today also, and still love NY the rest of the year.
Ever been to Key West? It is a great place to go by yourself — easy to get around and meet people. Laid back, warm, relaxing, good place to recharge. But I live here, so I’m biased.
Stay at the Blue Chairs resort in Puerto Vallarta. BEST VACATION EVER!!
vancouver. i’ve done the solo vacay, and I headed north to vancouver. museums, bars, clubs, moose – the works.
the food’s fresh, it’s pretty and all the boys look like the fell out of a j.crew catalogue or urban outfitters.
and throw in a 3-day layover in seattle while you’re at it…
Disneyland! Just kidding… Sort of. How about Thailand?
DUDE!! Do Disneyland… we have season passes and will go with you!!!! (seriously, how long did you think we could live THIS close to dLand and NOT have season passes!)
Vancouver. It’s stunning and multi-cultural, and a little distance from the U.S. can give you a new perspective.