Do you know how you like to vacation? Do you like to drive, fly, bus or go by train? How long to you want to vacation? Do you like to stay in a condo, hotel or resort? How about all inclusive? Do you like to be quiet and in a relaxing atmosphere or party atmosphere in and around party people? Do you like to have a tour guide or do it yourself? Do you want to go international or stay domestic?
Many time we don’t think of these things. We think we already know, until we experience it. We may have some ideas about where because of someone else s experience. Or maybe we’ve seen a fantastic commercial about an exotic destination. I have been traveling quite a bit in the last 8 years and I am STILL learning about my likes and dislikes
. I like cruising. My first cruise was the Transatlantic cruise from London to New York on the Queen Elizabeth II (aka QE2). I learned I did not like being on water for 7 days straight, seeing only water. The QE2 is a very high end cruise line, a luxury liner. They showed bad manners for showing the movie Titanic while on that cruise. I truly was uncomfortable. I definitely liked the food and the service. The QE2 was my measuring stick for cruising. Since then I have been on many other cruise lines but mostly Carnival, ‘the peoples party ship.’ BIG difference in style. I book what my clients want plus, I love the Super Jazz Cruise and it’s on Carnival. I like to have fun. I like to have options of things to do ALL NIGHT LONG. I don’t know any strangers. However, on the ‘upper crust’ ships you might want to bring your own posse.
I have a timeshare;thus, I stay in condos most of the time. I like the space and the apartment feel with full kitchens and washer/dryers in the unit. I don’t want to cook and clean but I like having the option. I am at an age now where as much as I like driving my knees don’t. So, driving is cool for a short trip – 2 hours at most. I would only imagine my legs and knees may feel the same way about a long bus ride. As a child I liked the train. I will be revisiting that this May as the last leg of my 6th Annual My May Cruise venture.
I like 2 weeks for a good vacation. One week is over so fast. By the time the swelling has gone down in my ankles and my knees straighten out I may have a couple of days to enjoy my surroundings and then it’s time to go home, ugh.. So, 2 weeks is the magic number for me, and more if I can get it. I do like a 2 night stay in Napa, 1.25 miles from my home. It’s can be warm and is most relaxing. But, that’s a ‘get-away’ not what I call a vacation.
Last summer I stayed 2 weeks at the Mayan Palace somewhere between Cancun and Playa del Carmen in Mexico. Hated it!! I chose it online. I wanted to experience Cancun and the Mayan Palace. I have a girlfriend that absolutely LOVES the Mayan Palace and blabs about it all the time. Well, first off it is nearly 1.5 hours away from Cancun. Expensive to get there by cab. They offer shuttle service 2 x a week from 7am -7pm. If you want or need go back to the Mayan, you are own your own. So, I never saw Cancun. The resort is SO huge. There are 5 different hotels on the Mayan premises, each at a different level of luxury. You had to take a shuttle to go anywhere. A shuttle to get to the lobby. A shuttle to get to the spa and or the swimming pools. You had to take 2 shuttle to get the best restaurant. Not to mention most waiting areas had NO SHADE and it was hot. I learned I do NOT like being isolated. When I go to another country I want to experience the culture. I want to feel like I am in another country. Many resorts that are out in the middle of nowhere try to make everything available to their guests. However, it is mostly westernized. Sometimes I think ‘the powers that be’ must tell their staff to NOT speak their native tongue, English only. English is my native tongue; however, why go international and NOT learn and experience something about the culture, to include their language. All- inclusive can be a good deal, especially if you are a drinker. Be careful. In Mexico all- inclusive drinks may only be their domestic drinks and not the premium alcohol that you know. I met a lady who was not a drinker but always chose all-inclusive because she could order the most expensive meals.
I take advantage of a guided tour and then go out on my own. I find the people willing to cross the language barrier and we have fun trying to communicate. As long as I am patient with them, they are patient with me. It is imperative that you learn ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in their native tongue. Please, thank you and a smile go a L O N G way. Because Mexico is close, I go there a lot. Brazil is my most favorite place to visit. Africa has been the most interesting. Vancouver, Canada has a lot to offer. You can ski, hike, kayak, cruise, snowboard, zip line, bird watch, whale watch, pub crawl, sight see all in the same day and all within 30 minutes from downtown. Pretty terrific.
So give it some real thought – how do you like to vacation. Call me and I’ll make it happen.
Later,
Marsha-a-gogo
