I'm looking for a nice, affordable vacation spot for a couple in June. We're really interested in the arts, nice weather, music, adventure, & being around people around our age. We've never ventured out on the west coast before, but it's an option.
f.y.i. We're in our mid 20's.
2006-12-20 03:14:45 · 42 answers · asked by lookinforexcitement 3 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Other - Destinations
Go to Belize!
If you want adventure and culture, start on the mainland, but get out of the city of Belize immediately. Nothing is really wrong with it, it is safe, but not the safest. Travel down to the Mayan Ruins, and definitely make your way down to Placencia. All of this is on the mainland. But, if you want to combine adventure with romance, than travel to the islands of Belize.
The best island is Ambergris. If you are only going to vacation for a week, then go straight to Ambergris Caye. You miss out on some of the culture, because mainly everyone living here is some American or Italian person that wanted to leave the struggles of life and pursued the more laid-back lifestyle of Belize. You better Belize it; you'll be dining at a New York restaurant in the middle of Ambergris because the owner was a chef from New York and decided to move there. I'm referring to my fave restaurant on Ambergris; Blue Water Grill.
You have three choices for lodging areas: Stay in the city so you can walk all the main streets or beaches to get to where you are going; I suggest Ramon's Village since it's really the center of the action, or Blue Tang Inn, which is just a little north, but is one of the newest hotels.
Or, stay south of the city in the coolest hotel, the Victoria House. You'll need a taxi to come into town, as it is a little long for walking. But, to prove how awesome it is, our first time there, E! channel was there with Brooke Burke taping Wild On E! A standard room (Casita) has an airy feel; ie, they put mosquito nets around your bed. The rooms are closed in, but they are made from Logs, so the cracks may allow in a bug or two. Trust me, this isn't that scary and its kind of fun and adventurous. (We didn't see any but one little creepy crawly, and the reason why is because Belize is protected by a great barrier reef which creates a very strong off-shore wind. Bugs just can't last there; too windy). Or, the Plantation Rooms, which are more expensive, but I hear they are more secure in that you don't have any bugs to worry about.
Third option is to stay north of the city. Here you can't just take a regular taxi, you have to take a water taxi; ie, boat, to get back down to the city. It stays close inland in case you are scared, and the water is very shallow, and the ride is very short. It's just that they haven't built a road all the way up there yet. But, it's not so remote that it's scary, again adventure... I would stay at Captain Morgan's hotel. You may recognize it if you watched the first season of Fox's "Temptation Island".
Definitely make it to Belize even if you don't go this trip! I've gone three times in ONE year.
2006-12-21 03:19:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting places I know of:
San Francisco is a pretty artsy, but not too pretentious city. The cinema is big here, as well as visual arts and music. The weather would be pretty decent in June, although maybe a little warm (but what place wouldn't be in the summer?) Down by Fisherman's Wharf are really inexpensive (and expensive), fresh seafood. You can take the 49-Mile Scenic Drive ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/49_mile_scenic_drive ), which stops by the most amazing places. The Palace of Fine Arts is really gorgeous. There is a pretty decent club scene there, also, if you're interested.
Seattle's weather is notably horrid, but it's decentish during the summer. It's a pretty "in" city. Music is big, the clubbing scene is okay, and shopping is great. However, Washington is just a really great place to go to for outdoorsy stuff, so driving out maybe an hour? less? more? out from Seattle can get you kayaking, hiking (Mount Olympia,) and there's this really great shrimp seller you'll have to look for along the freeway.
Actually, you could just rent a car and drive along the Washington coast. It's mostly just scenic stuff, and a few cities along the way. Make sure you bring a GPS system. Then, you can just drive up to the border of Washington and catch a ferry to British Columbia, Canada. (Canada is so expensive. Haha.) Victoria is a really pretty city, where the main type of transportation is on foot.
I've also heard that Montreal is a really great city. Here's some info: ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal#Culture )
And then of course, the typical Paris/London/Milan/New York suggestion. Oh, Hong Kong is a really great place too. Everything is super cheap there, and the food is great (mm...MSG..) Hong Kong is the center of Chinese cinema, and it's a pretty stylish city. I think last June, the price for a 14? 8? (sorry, bad memory) day tour in Hong Kong was $2000-something. $2800 maybe? That includes hotel and plane ticket.
2006-12-20 13:06:20 · answer #2 · answered by huh 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are really interested in culture and adventure I might suggest American Samoa. The people are friendly, the food is wonderful and views offered are astounding. It might be a little hard on the pocket book however. I was there courtesy of the US Army, and absolutely loved it. A little less expensive and not so exotic could be found state side in Arizona. A common tourist area is "Old Tuscon", where they have a mock-ups of the gun fight at the OK Corral (see Kurt Russell in "Tombstone"). A little bit down the road from that is the Sonora Desert Museum, which shows all the normal and abnormal desert wildlife. The weather is ok that time of year and for a cultural treat, there is always Nogales, which is right on the Mexican/American border. Enjoy. Oh and I might mention that the actual town of Tombstone is in the same area.
2006-12-20 14:17:45 · answer #3 · answered by blazinjavelin73 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first time my boyfriend (now husband) and I went on vacation together, we went to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. We've been many places since then (including Hawaii, Mexico and all over the U.S.) and have not found another place we like better. St. Lucia has amazing weather, friendly people, nice, safe beaches and a fun, upbeat culture. We felt safe leaving our all-inclusive resort and travelling around the island alone. We also did several organized tours including a rainforest tour and a snorkelling adventure. We even hopped on a local bus and went exploring by ourselves. They had a great street party one night with a good mix of locals and tourists that was the most fun I ever had!
They have several all-inclusives on the island ranging in prices. We stayed at a very moderately priced place and loved it! It was the Rex St. Lucian Resort.
2006-12-21 02:28:04 · answer #4 · answered by lvt4cats 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about Cancun? I would actually recommend the area south of Cancun - which is newer, I think they refer to it as the Mayan Riviera, It has newer hotels. Cancun itself tends to be a little too commercialized. There are lots of adventures available - A trip to the XCARET park is a nice outing, scuba/snorkeling in the ocean and cenotes (caves out in the jungle) is a blast. There is historical Chichen Itza for Mayan Pyramids, and a great night life. And of course the beaches are gorgeous. Most of the hotels on the Mayan Riviera are all inclusive - make sure the pick a nice once because quality does matter.
Good luck and have a wonderful time.
2006-12-21 05:26:31 · answer #5 · answered by Jackie B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dominican Republic.. not only is beautiful the people there are amazingly nice romantic places. i go there as many times as i possibly can. Dominican has the most beautiful beaches ( and i have been to many beaches) i always hear nonesense about the crime (ussually from people that have never been there) and i have never had a problem. The Dominican republic has so many vacation choices. you can stay at an all inclusive (which i dont recommend) or you can stay the many 5 star hotels they have. For entertainment there is SOOOO much to do. dancing, drinking, eating, outdoors, beaches, lakes, hiking, whale watching, white water rafting, i can go on and on. but best of all is soo AFFORDABLE! my goodness i mean the flights and hotel stay are so much more affordable then the mayority of vacation spots in the caribean (and im puerto rican)
2006-12-21 04:45:12 · answer #6 · answered by godisamor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My boyfriend and I last summer went White Water Rafting and had a blast. I am also in my 20's and there were tons of other younge people there. I'm from the east coast, but there has got to be one around where you live. It is very adventurous, you would enjoy the weather, and the place I went to had 2 lodges where everyone hung out afterwards and had dinner and drinks. And the lodging was a cabin tent, which was wooden floors, cots, but tent walls. I had a blast and we plan on going this summer also.
2006-12-21 05:19:04 · answer #7 · answered by Katie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Austin or San Antonio Texas are lovely and romantic, and both cities are very art/music oriented. Miami (particularly South Beach) is fun for young couples, but not exactly affordable - stay in Hallendale or Hollywood and drive in to Miami. Anything in Oregon - its a beautiful state! and the beaches are rocky, misty and sooo romantic. Better yet, look for group tour packages (MUCH less expensive, and often include planned activities) to far off exotic places like Greece and Italy. You may not be with tons of people your own age, but you will be exposed to so much art, culture, music and adventure!
Bon Voyage!
2006-12-21 01:57:31 · answer #8 · answered by SmartAleck 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cancun is great, not only is there a lot of night life and tons of stuff to do, like surf, swim, whatever... but you can rent a car for cheap, drive down the coast and stay in some insanely charming little beach towns. Tulum, for example, has ruins and the beach. I recomend Los Lirios, it's the name of a little teeny resort that looks really rustic but has all the ammenities (electricity, cute restuaruant, secluded)... look it up. So much fun.
2006-12-21 04:49:40 · answer #9 · answered by Ashley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dominican Republic, Punta Cana, Bávaro
2006-12-21 02:30:41 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋