TFP'ers summer travel plans

[keyshawn]

Hey,

So with summer coming along, I was wondering who has travel plans this summer. Where they're going, things planning on doing there, length, etc.
If someone sees another posting about a place that you've been to, share your advice for them.

I'll be near Philadelphia [Media, PA] for 2 weeks (for an internship). I'll be probably busy with work for most of the time there, so I haven't figured what to see during my free time there, I might check out to see if there's any concerts I'm interested in. I'm sure they'll be having stuff for 4th of July too.

Right from there, I'll be taking a train/subway to NYC (Queens) for a week, visiting a friend. Although it sounds touristy, I'd like to check out MOCA (sp?), maybe see a taping of the daily show (free tickets, just reserve ahead online); some record stores, ethnic neighborhoods, maybe a night of clubbing (). It's my first time there, so I'll just be leisurely soaking it all up.

And on top of it, I'll try and be pretty cheap about as well (I actually don't have a budget yet, I should make one out, hmmm...).
Expense-wise, the round-trip flight (PHI to CLE) is $360 after fees, the cost is split between the college and me. Plus, they gave me $150 for (documented) expenses.

Catcha back on the flipside,
will.

[Jimellow]

I hope to do a lot of hiking. Day hikes during the week, potentially something further away on weekends.

I work evenings so the morning to early afternoon is a great time to go hiking.. I try to go 3-4 days a week, but in the warm months it's more enjoyable, as there is much more wildlife and vegetation.

One of the cool things about hiking familiar trails throughout the year is you are able to see the stark contrast from winter to fall to spring, and then summer.

No big summer plans though. Lots of relaxing and enjoyment, whatever that ends up entailing.

[maleficent]

Originally Posted by keyshawn

MOCA .

MOCA is the museum of contempary art in cleveland... MOMA is the museum of modern art in NYC and definitely worth going... I'm not a big art fan, but the guggenheim is also wonderful, especially for the architecture of the buildng.. and absolutely must check out the dinosaurs and the big blue whale at the museum of natural history...

If you wanted concerts while in NYC - especially queens, check out the theater at Jones beach it's a great open air theater right on the water and they have some decent acts that appear... it's a nice way to break up a summer night.

NYC also has a lot of street fairs lots of people watching and really good street food (just hold on to your wallet)

Philly at the 4th of july? it's the 230th birthday so they've got a bunch of stuff going on... Philly is a neat city - you'll have to taste taste which is better -- Pats or Genos as to cheesesteaks...

[Charlatan]

I have no concrete plans other than my son going to camp for three weeks in July and my wife and brood going to the cottage for three weeks in August.

My life is on hold until I find employment.

[Cynthetiq]

Iceland for 4th of July. Midnight Sun, horesback riding and sitting on a glacier.

Gilroy, CA for the Garlic Festival end of July.

Smoky Mountains, Tennessee TBD

[maleficent]

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

Gilroy, CA for the Garlic Festival end of July.

oooh I'm jealous... I've always wanted to go there... mmmm garlic....

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

Smoky Mountains, Tennessee TBD

Dollywood?

[fresnelly]

Does Rochester III count?

I'm dragging my family along, and then pushing on to Pittsburgh for the rest of the long weekend. We're going to visit the the Mattress Factory - a contemporary art gallery where the whole rooms are experiential installations that you walk through. They've even taken over a decrepit Victorian house next door and "excavated" it in some suprising ways.

I'm not sure what else to to in Pittsburgh, maybe the Zoo and Aquarium.

Towards the end of August we're going camping with friends up on Georgian Bay. I just got back from France, so I'm pretty spoiled.

[CaliLivChick]

Originally Posted by maleficent

oooh I'm jealous... I've always wanted to go there... mmmm garlic....

Mal, it's a bit of a cow town, and the garlic festival is about the greatest thing about it, but it's close enough to San Francisco, etc., to make a longer trip out there worth while.

My summer trip has already happened, but I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, if you can get in. Up in Trinity Center, CA (about two hours south of the Oregon border, 5 hours north of San Francisco), is a cabin area called Trinity Resort (about 20 minutes north of Weaverville on Hwy 3). It's like a big extended family (gee, why does that sound familiar?), where the owners and staff live up there, and you can rent a cabin for a weekend, a week, or probably however long you want. The only catch is, the people that have been there before have first dibs... there are some families that go there every Memorial Day weekend, and have been for 35, 40, 45 years. When the kids grow up, and start their own families, they get cabins of their own.

There are a few openings for random weekends this summer, and this place is so nice and relaxing, it's worth the drive. There's all sorts of activities, and the cabin that our family has been getting for four years is on the river, where there's fishing, white water rafting, swimming when they put up the dam... to sum it up, it's great.

[abaya]

keyshawn--when will you be in Media? Send me or ktspktsp a PM about that, since his place is not too far from there!

As for me, this summer is blissfully boring compared to last summer. No remote African village, no lonely Icelandic nights (sorry Cyn), like last year... just finishing up a Statistics summer class in a few weeks, and then heading towards Philly to spend some very important time with my boy. Oh, and I suppose we might go to Seattle towards the end of the summer... for that whole wedding thing and all... we'll see.

[snowy]

My plans so far include Portland, Oregon's Waterfront Blues Festival during the 4th of July weekend (coincidentally my birthday weekend, and my choice for my birthday celebration). I don't know how many days of the festival we're going to yet.

We're also going to be taking a few days towards the end of August to attend my family reunion in NW Washington. It's on a lake up there and should be really nice. Since we'll be so close to Canada I plan on popping across the border and heading up to Vancouver for a couple of days.

There are also plans for various trips to the Oregon coast and camping.

Should be a good summer, even though I don't get any vacation time--any time off comes out of my pay, sadly.

[aberkok]

Jolly Olde England!!! For 2 weeks in July. It's our honeymoon.

We'll be doing a bit of London, Brighton, Norwich (my birthplace) and finally heading to my uncle's in Kingston-upon-Hull. It'll be my wife's first time overseas and I'm looking forward to being in that culture for a bit once again.

I'd love to get a camping trip in before September, but in Ontario you pretty much have to book everything by March to get a spot in one of the Provincial parks. If we're really desperate we might camp in Fresnelly's backyard while he's off on one of his trips.

[fresnelly]

Originally Posted by aberkok

If we're really desperate we might camp in Fresnelly's backyard while he's off on one of his trips.

If you can manage to mow a clear spot, it's all yours!

[Charlatan]

Don't mow... it's more rustic that way.

[macmanmike6100]

I've had the travel bug for as long as I can remember and my pretty chill stint in China has let me explore it even more. I'm taking the long way back to NY (again), this time stopping in Russia, Amsterdam, The Hague, and Ireland...all in all, a short 2.5 weeks. After that it's my usual NYC-TUC-LAX-NYC loop.

[jorgelito]

I am graduating in two weeks. To cap it all off, I will go on a 2-3 month journey with my good buddy.

My first stop will be Paris for 3 weeks. I am going with the summer travel abroad from school - it's going to be awesome. Barcelona on one of the weekends.

Next, hopping the short flight to Venice, then going to Florence, Siena then Rome. 10 days in Italy.

From there, we will head down to Egypt for a Nile safari and Alexandria as well for 10 days.

Afterwards, we will cross the Sinai by caravan in Jordan to Rum, Petra then Amman.

Our final destination will be Israel for a month where I will tour all the Holy sites, visit the Negev, maybe the Golan, and just soak it all in. I was hoping to add Lebanon, Syria, and Iran but it's just too complicated.

When I get back, I may add a 10-day visit to China to see friends in Beijing and Shanghai.

I will be broke by the end.

But it will be worth it.

[abaya]

OH MY GOD, jorgelito. What an INCREDIBLE time you're going to have... I am just in awe. Talk about spending your life savings! But if you ask me, going broke for travel is one of the top investments on my list... there's no better payoff than world travel experience.

I am extremely envious... the last time I did anything like that was in 2002, for 6 weeks backpacking around Europe. Which sounds pretty wimpy compared with your trip!! Are you getting an around-the-world ticket??

Btw, though, the fact that you are going to Israel pretty much annulls any chance you'll ever have of going to Lebanon. I don't know about the other countries you mentioned, but Lebanon does NOT allow people into the country if you've previously been in Israel. They asked me about 5 times on my way to Beirut... they check every page of your passport very carefully, several times. Just an FYI.

[mirevolver]

I'll be spending a week in August in Spain/Portugal.

Flying into Madrid and spending a couple of days there, I'll be with a friend who's finishing up her master's degree in Spain., then traveling with her to Aveiro and Porto, Portugal where her parents live. I'll be with her and staying at her parents' place, by their invitation, which will be interesting since her parents don't speak a word of English. As they're Russian, I'm doing a lot of brushing up on my Russian. Looking foreward to spending a couple of days relaxing on a beach in Portugal none the less.

[radioguy]

i'm heading out on a roadtrip to boston in late july. it's a solo trip to head out to meet my dad up there and spend a couple of weeks enjoying the northeast! it's great being a teacher....all this time off!!!

[Average_Joe]

Packing up the wife and 4 kids to northern New Hampshire to hit some theme parks for a few days. That should be fun...

[cabbit]

Hey all, well since it's summer I was wondering what to do. I haven't ever really gone anywhere outside of IL save for WI, MI, or IN and I wanna check out at least one of the coasts sometime before I die. Just turned 21 and never really went out on a journey so i figured I should start. I suppose the main topics here would be: 1.) where to? 2.) how to get there? (car, plane, etc.) 3.) what to do when ya get there? Thoughts?

[abaya]

Ktspktsp and I are driving around New England, going camping, this 4th of July weekend... we'll go through northern New York, cross into Vermont, then over to New Hampshire and down the middle of the White Mountains (I think it's I-93?). We'll stop somewhere in Connecticut and end up back in Philly, by the 4th.

Any suggestions for our trip??

[maleficent]

Originally Posted by abaya

Ktspktsp and I are driving around New England, going camping, this 4th of July weekend... we'll go through northern New York, cross into Vermont, then over to New Hampshire and down the middle of the White Mountains (I think it's I-93?). We'll stop somewhere in Connecticut and end up back in Philly, by the 4th.

Any suggestions for our trip??

the auto road to the top of mount washington in new hampshire - -take a visit to the mount washington hotel while you are there - the hotel is gorgeous - amazing architecture... Then head over to Lake Winnepausake.

In that region, there are a lot of smaller mountains in the presidentail ridge, that are great for day hikes... Rattlesnake mountai is perfect for a non taxing day hike that at the top of the mountain you've got impressive views of Squam Lake (the lake from On Golden Pond) and this is an easy hike - sneakers are acceptable as footware and just a bottle or two of water... full on hiking gear no needed

Fireworks are legal in New Hampshire, so stock up and there's no state sales tax.... so have fun...

[Meditrina]

We did not make many summer plans this year. I am heading to Rochester tomorrow and some time in August we are taking a small family vacation, just over the Sound to Connecticut. Mystic, to be exact. Other than that, I am hoping to take the kids to the beach alot.

[Average_Joe]

Quote:
Originally Posted by abaya
Ktspktsp and I are driving around New England, going camping, this 4th of July weekend... we'll go through northern New York, cross into Vermont, then over to New Hampshire and down the middle of the White Mountains (I think it's I-93?). We'll stop somewhere in Connecticut and end up back in Philly, by the 4th.

Any suggestions for our trip??

the auto road to the top of mount washington in new hampshire - -take a visit to the mount washington hotel while you are there - the hotel is gorgeous - amazing architecture... Then head over to Lake Winnepausake.

In that region, there are a lot of smaller mountains in the presidentail ridge, that are great for day hikes... Rattlesnake mountai is perfect for a non taxing day hike that at the top of the mountain you've got impressive views of Squam Lake (the lake from On Golden Pond) and this is an easy hike - sneakers are acceptable as footware and just a bottle or two of water... full on hiking gear no needed
Fireworks are legal in New Hampshire, so stock up and there's no state sales tax.... so have fun...

Those are all great ideas!!! However, it sounds like you're planning to do an awful lot of driving for a short period of time.

The Mt. Washington Auto Road is actually off of Rt 16, not I-93, in New Hampshire. The road is mostly a 2-lane highway, so if you go there, expect some slow traffic. North Conway, NH is on Rt. 16, and it has tons of factory outlets, great restaurants, and a half-decent nite life. From there you can take the very scenic Kangamangus highway back to I-93.

If your cutting through Vermont, most of the East-West highways are very winding and slow getting to the White Mountains. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.

I guess what I'm trying to recommend to you is that unless being in a car is your thing, pick 1 place and stay there in that area for the weekend. You're already sacrificing 6-8 hours in the car to get to northern New England and another 6-8 for the ride home. You'll get more time to enjoy the outdoors and enjoy the experience of being a tourist.

No matter what you decide, ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!!

[maleficent]

the top of mount washington is fantastic on a really hot day.. it can be 100 degrees on the ground when you reach the top it can be in the 50s... it's awesome... and the views.... are just breathtaking... (plus you can get a really cool bumper sticker that says This car Climbed mount washington) Just be sure to keep the car in low gear and not ride the brakes on the way down...

The observation deck from mount washington... and today isn't really a clear day - it's kind of overcast...
http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/cam/deck/

Originally Posted by Average_Joe

North Conway, NH is on Rt. 16, and it has tons of factory outlets,

It's been ages since i've been out that way - but I think LL Bean has a pretty big outlet store there...

[Crack]

I am planning on heading out to pigeon forge/gatlinburg over labor day, should be fun... a quiet little cabin in the smoky mnts, and a big whirlpool on the porch, all secluded and such with an awesome view.

[Lucifer]

Hagatha and I are going to Scotland (Linlithgow, Edinburgh, Glasgow and then up to Inverness to see Loch Ness) and Portugal (Porto for a couple of days to look up some old friends and then Lisbon to meet up with LittleTippler) in September.

[noodle]

Soooo jealous! I was going to Amsterdam with someone, but he went to a house on the other side of town instead. The extent of my travels will now be up-and-down the neighborhood trying to find a new place, to Sarasota to get my new car in August, and to the beach once I lose access to the pool. Ahh, fabulous Jacksonville. Bleech.

Someone take me with you! I have three years left on my passport and I fit in a suitcase!

[Average_Joe]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Average_Joe
North Conway, NH is on Rt. 16, and it has tons of factory outlets,

It's been ages since i've been out that way - but I think LL Bean has a pretty big outlet store there...

You are correct, Mal. If I remember correctly, it's almost 100% clothes. Not much camping equipment, etc.

[jimk]

packing up the family & driving through detroit into canada to see toronto and niagara falls.


don't plan on catching the "windsor ballet" like i used to while an undergrad at michigan state.........ahhhhh, strong canadian beer & full nudity.

*sigh*

[Leto]

I'm doing the reverse.... but not quite Detroit/Chicago.

I'm going to spend about 10 days on a touring/driving trip with the family starting Aug 21. We will leave Toronto and go to the USA via Niagara Falls.

So far my itinerary is fairly vague and I would LOVE any suggestions or feedback.

Destinations that we want to hit are: Boston, Washington DC (My kids loved Team America, the cartoon, and want to see the White House)

Is there a good route? Should I hit Boston first, then swing down to DC? Or the other way around? I'm worried that it might be too hot that far south.

- are there any good family hotels in those places ?

(my standard is the wonderful Holiday Inn Express in Saint John New Brunswick, which was modern, downtown, cheap and had a great pool and free breakfast and parking - so far even the so-called quality chains such as the Delta can't match this place)

- Does the Smithsonian provide family packages? is there anything that the young crowd would enjoy there?

- any experience from TFPers with respect to taking electronics across the border? do I have to register lap tops, MP3 players etc? Is it a good idea to leave burned DVDs behind?

[ngdawg]

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

Iceland for 4th of July. Midnight Sun, horesback riding and sitting on a glacier.

Gilroy, CA for the Garlic Festival end of July.

Smoky Mountains, Tennessee TBD

The Smoky Mountains are simply gorgeous. Depending on where you end up, there are visitor centers with rebuilt farms (Ranger Mike was a trip of a guide).
If you can, get yourself to Gatlinburg and go the crafters row...8 miles of winding road lined with shops of original artwork and crafts.
Also check out the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.


As for me....only one trip planned this summer. Going to Kansas City to the Crossroads artists community, several blocks of galleries, studios and shops, to pick brains, check out artworks and take LOTS of photos. Maybe I can write the whole thing off as a business trip!

[abaya]

Just realized that I didn't update my post about the NE trip earlier this summer!

Thanks, all, for your suggestions... we ended up taking some beautiful tiny mountain roads from Vermont to the White Mountains, had a nice surprise with the Robert Frost grave/house in Bennington... (I am a fan of his), LOVED the Franconia Notch State Park (we camped there overnight; beautiful). Yes, it was definitely rushed, but it was our only chance to see NE and we are glad to have seen it.

We would love to go to Maine at some point, though... it was just too much time in the car to get there. Next time.

[Leto]

hey all!

currently in Washington DC - at the marriot courtyard downtown. feet tired. Walked EVERYWHERE today.

already tired of restaurant food.

tomorrow is the Smithsonian. today was the space and air museum. In credible....

[Charlatan]

Leto! Great to hear from you. Hope Washington is going well and (more importantly) the kids are enjoying it.

The geek in me is really jealous about the plethora of great museums you have to explore.

[Ch'i]

I've been planning some "dream" summer vacations for awile now. Like abaya said...

Original poster abaya
going broke for travel is one of the top investments on my list... there's no better payoff than world travel experience.

Here's the list.

1.) Neko Harbor, Antarctica
2.) Bora Bora, French Polynesia
3.) Geirangerfjord, Norway
4.) Li River, China
5.) Banaue Rice Terraces, China
6.) Iguaza Falls, Argentina/Brazil
7.) Amazon Rain Forest, via Iquitos, Peru
8.) Valley of Kings, Egypt

I would try to see other sights that are nearby to these, but getting anywhere near finishing this list would be absolutely amazing.

[Leto]

on the way back... nearing Hershey Pennsylvania today. Chocolate....

Saw the US National Archives building today (you know, the constitution, Declaration of Independance) but what I found most fascinating was that they hold one of 4 original copies of the 1297 version of the Magna Carta there!

Apparantly Ross Perot bought it in 1984. Hard to believe the basis of all of our common law legal systems is sitting right there. I gota pic of it that I can add to this post later....