[GhostUser]

I'm well overdue for a vacation. In fact, I haven't been on a vacation in years. I've just taken long weekends here and there. I've never planned my very own vacation either. They've always been planned by family members and I've just gone along with the agenda...<br><br><br><br>
Anyhow, I'm yearning for something a little Carribbean, more native than touristy, though I think I could tolerate mildly touristy places... Any ideas?<br><br><br><br>
I ask you guys because, well, you all'd be the best source for veg-friendly vacations. Help a girl out!

 

[mushroom]

We had our honeymoon in Cozumel...it was very nice - not very touristy where we stayed - beautiful & warm in January (but that was in 1984) A few years later we went down to the Florida Keys...the kids got to snorkel and we saw a sting ray...nice quiet beach. Other than that, we loved Disney World (I am ashamed to admit) Ive heard Bali is a great place to go...<br><br>
Well, I wasn't a lot of help...um, we visited New York City last year and loved it. These have been our big trips - it's hard to travel with 7.

 

[GhostUser]

If you consider Florida, don't stay in a Hotel. look at <a href="http://www.orlandovillas.com." target="_blank">www.orlandovillas.com.</a> All owners have been verified/certified properties most within development communities with their own private pool. Very nice. And very affordable compared to what a hotel wants per night. I've rented one for the 1st week of July. At $100 a night I got a heck of a deal. 5 of us going.

 

[LadyFaile]

or rent a cabin somewhere, that's always fun.

 

[GhostUser]

Just rented a townhouse in New Orleans for the last weekend of May for $120 a night in the heart of the French Quarter. I've been reading up on New Orleans and there is really alot of interesting things to do/see there besides the usually drinking and eating.<br><br><br><br>
You may want to consider that for in the fall though as it get's way hot there in the summer.<br><br><br><br>
I'm going to look at this site in a little while. Got it out of a mag <a href="http://www.travelingonline.com." target="_blank">www.travelingonline.com.</a> Says that you can take a virtual vacation. Maybe you'll get some ideas that way.<br><br><br><br>
I've always wanted to stay in <a href="http://www.margiescabins.com" target="_blank">www.margiescabins.com</a> in Tennessee. It's within a short drive to DollyWood and the airport, yet the cabin is secluded enough to find some inner peace with your hunny.

 

[Skylark]

My family always vacations for a week at Senecaville Lake, Ohio. This summer's cabin signups were back in December, but for future reference, it's a decent rate for the in-good-shape waterfront cabins. I forget how much we pay... sorry.<br><br><br><br>
Pitching a tent is fun, too. It depends on how natural you want to go!<br><br><br><br>
May I also recommend FDR Memorial Campground just outside of Pine Mountain, Georgia? Oh yeah, and Indiana Dunes State Park in (duh) northern Indiana. I've been to those dunes sooooo many times!<br><br><br><br>
Whatever you do, don't go to West Branch State Park north of Ravenna, Ohio. At least don't go to camp. If you do decide to risk it, take your own shower and water because they don't have showers in the campground, and the water is iron-laden, and you have to pump it from a hand-pump. If you like that sort of thing, go for it. I just don't care for it that much.

 

[WonderRandy]

there's always Hawaii... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Skylark]

I was gonna say that, Randy, but I thought you'd like to be the one to extend that invitation. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Funkified]

baja peninusla? western mexico? black hills south dakota? eastern maine? vancouver? hawaii (uh, yeah)? dry tortugas? seattle? coastal oregon? outer banks? what do you want to do on this vaca? that makes a big difference, if you just want to chill, if you want to get out and bike/hike/kayak, ya know?<br><br><br><br>
take me with you though, either way. i'm hoping to take a road trip this summer with the boyfriend, if we get the jobs we're applying for that is, that will give us this time...stupid school just gets in the way of stuff!

 

[Skylark]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by Funkified</i><br><br><b>school just gets in the way of stuff!</b></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
I know! It's so constraining. From what I hear, though, once a person is settled into their career, it's even more difficult to go places then than when you're in school. Being married, I'm told, makes it harder yet to travel all around.

 

[GhostUser]

femme, i went to key west last summer and i really liked it. i don't mind touristy stuff all that much, as long as the beaches are nice and it's sunny. it's beautiful there. and of course there's hawaii.....wonderrandy where in hawaii are you located? i was born on oahu, i lived on the military base. don't remember it though<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> in august j fizzle and i are taking a road trip to vegas. long drive from wisconsin. we'll be looking for an apartment and jobs. i can't wait<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[GhostUser]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by skylark</i><br><br><b>I know! It's so constraining. From what I hear, though, once a person is settled into their career, it's even more difficult to go places then than when you're in school. Being married, I'm told, makes it harder yet to travel all around.</b></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Actually, in my case having a career made it easier (paid vacation time). Being married?? I think that makes it easier to travel, but harder to decide where to go. I think the biggie that restricts travel is children and their age(s).

 

[Skylark]

*grins* It probably varies for everyone. The director of the writing lab at my school is adament that I should take as many trips as I can squeeze in during my college years because after that, "You won't have this freedom."

 

[GhostUser]

That whole marriage vs. freedom thing is BS, skylark. I'm thinking maybe the director means that you'll be tied down with a job and bills and such, thus making it a bit harder to freely travel apres college. I find the idea that marriage makes it harder to travel completely and entirely laughable. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br><br><br>
Pardon the tangent.

 

[GhostUser]

And thanks for the ideas everyone! Have any of you had a particularly veg-friendly time at any of these suggestions? That's mostly what I'm interested in...

 

[mushroom]

Just in NY City...

 

[Skylark]

FemmeDemonica,<br><br>
Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that! I don't want to resign myself to limited travel if I don't have to.

 

[GhostUser]

Here are veg friendly places with veg friendly timing:<br><br><br><br>
1) Phuket, Thailand: mid-October. Phuket International Vegan/Vegetarian Festival. All-you-can-eat pure veg Thai food (no fish sauce either!) during the festival.<br><br><br><br>
2) Western or Southern India: year-round (best time is October - February). See exotic stuff while gorging on pure veg food in almost all restaurant establishments you can see (including roadside cafes!)<br><br><br><br>
3) Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: year-round. Veg-only restaurant in that city: <a href="http://www.geocities.com/planetavegetariano/" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/planetavegetariano/</a><br><br><br><br>
4) Taiwan: year-round. Heard there are many pure-veg Chinese restaurants in Taipei.

 

[GhostUser]

what about New Zealand?

 

[Skylark]

Has anyone experienced what it's like to be veg*n in Spain?