I’m going on a cruise that includes 7 sea days! I’ve organized a Stitchers’ Meet-Up on board and plan to take some knitting while meeting new friends from a variety of places. There’s a library room on the ship so I’m sure to find a few interesting books to read. My travels include the Netherlands, Norway, Shetland Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands and Scotland plus time with Dutch friends afterwards. I’m in major packing mode!😊
One of my favorite places are these renovated salt box cottages in Cedar Key, Florida. It's about as old Florida as you can get, but there's this lovely ecletic artist community there as well. One can pretty much walk anywhere. The food is great, and you can plop down on any bench to sit and read in front of a lovely vista.
I would stay close to our home in southern Maine so there weren’t any flight issues. I love Southwest Harbor, Maine. It’s the quiet side of Acadia National Park. I am sitting on a covered porch in the rocking chair at my favorite old-fashioned hotel watching ships go by in Somes Sound. Or I am in the mountains of Vermont, also sitting on the porch of a cabin near a small brook or river. There are books and beverages being enjoyed in both locations. Obviously, porches are a big deal! 🙂
I love Mt. Dessert Island and have fond memories of several trips to Acadia NP, boating on Somes Sound, visiting Southwest Harbor, Thuya Gardens, popovers and clam chowder. You chose a wonderful place!❤️
I took my first trip out East a couple of years ago (NH, Cape Cod area, and Maine) and absolutely loved it! We ate so many lobster rolls! We are heading back there in September, and also will visit Vermont this time. I can't wait!
I love Vermont and have always heard lovely things about Maine. My mom visited recently and loved it, so it is moving up on my lost! New England is so charming.
If relaxation is allowed to include hiking/walking I would have to say going back to the Camino de Santiago. So far I've only completed two parts of it and have two more parts to go. But I love getting to know the country of Spain by walking through it. This pilgrimage trail takes you through small villages, vineyards, and wide open dusty trails. Give me so many interesting people along the way. The food is always delicious but I'm not sure if that's because you're exhausted by the time you get somewhere to eat, it really is absolutely delicious, or a good combination of both. After walking part of this trail the first time there are so many other places that I would like to visit now and walk through them as well. As a kid I could lay on the beach, read a book, listen to music, and just relax. That is no longer a vacation for me. I have trouble sitting still these days.
My daughter did a good section of this about 10 years ago. I have wanted to go back and do some with her, but it hasn't worked out. I suppose I should do it before I get too old!
There are people of all ages working their way along. I do highly recommend it. I still have to complete the middle part. I did the last part two years ago thinking that was all I was going to do. Then I got the bug and went back and did the first portion of it. On to the middle!
I’m about to head to Austria to see Taylor Swift! While that in itself won’t be relaxing, I have four long days of train travel and I can’t wait to sit and watch the various landscapes glide by with a book and a cup of tea.
I’m going to Woodstock, VT, a place where I’ve vacationed many times. I stay at the beautiful historic Woodstock Inn, with the gorgeous inner grass filled courtyard - full of Adirondack chairs to sit on and read for hours. Before I sit down to read, I take a hike up a local mountain, hopefully not seeing a bear along the way (although I’ve seen a cub once and it’s was cute but scary)! After hiking and reading, the best way to end the day is dinner at Simon Pearce, the home of the famous glass studio. The food and wine are always delicious, the scenery is gorgeous. At the end of this idyllic day, I hit repeat and start again the next morning! Note - this has been a vacation I’ve taken several times with my husband…we’re skipping VT this summer (other travels took precedence), but I can’t wait to go back next summer!
Ha! We basically have this exact trip planned for September. Simon Pearce is one of my all time favorite restaurants-and really good people run it. I love walking up to the Pogue if looking for an easy outing, but there are so many other great trails. Enjoy whatever travels you have planned for this summer.
Ha ha, that’s an awesome time to visit VT - especially if the leaves start to change early this year (doubtful)…enjoy Simon Pearce and whatever else you stumble upon. I’ll be in Maine instead!
Chances are high that I'm going to the beach, most likely Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, Alabama. Love 'em or hate 'em, I'll be in a condo right on the beach with a big balcony where I can hear the ocean waves. There is a window or sliding door into my bedroom that lets the waves lull me to sleep.
Another option is to a Getaway cabin. If you haven't been to one or heard of one, their website is getaway.house. I've stayed at 3 so far. They are a tiny home in the woods, sort of like a campground with tiny houses. They have everything you need and nothing you don't. The best is the bed beside an enormous window. They are very relaxing (so long as your neighbors are cool.)
Finally, I have always wanted to go on a spa vacation. I love massages and pampering. I never have - they seem too expensive - but I would love to.
Leaving in a few hours for 4 days camping that fits this description exactly! Nothing to do but park myself by the river and dive into the books i've spent the last few months carefully curating for this moment!
I have no imagination so my first pick would be Hawaii. I want the tropical breeze with a tropical drink on the beach. I would eat my way through island hopping. Fresh ahi, Japanese-Chinese-Hawaiian foods with a lava flow beverage to wash it down.and the best tasting fruit in the whole world.
I would go to a wooded area with some hills or mountains and nice country roads. Start my day reading my Bible and after a smoothie breakfast, go on a long (15-20 mile) bike ride on slightly rolling country roads with no traffic with my husband. We'd find a cute place for an ethnic lunch and then take an afternoon reading nap--you know where you read until you doze for 15 -20 minutes. A cup of coffee and a good book for the afternoon/evening and then a short walk together in the evening. A light supper and maybe a movie or more reading.
However, I think this would kill my husband. He would probably be fixing up the place while I read, maybe taking another bike ride while I napped, prepping for later work, or whatever makes Type A people happy. He might be able to do this for 3 days. So our trips are less about reading and relaxing, more about seeing and doing, which I also enjoy immensely and have FOMO so I want to do it all. He loves bike riding, so we usually get a lot of that in. I love exercise that is fun.
But three days of my trip, ahh, that would be wonderful!
I am a culture vulture, so I want all the art, history, music, literature, language, food, famous architecture, etc when I travel. And some shopping is always nice, too!
Are we talking unlimited budget? If so, I'm touring the UK in FULL. London, Dublin, Edinburgh. Museums, libraries, castles, road trips, pubs, little towns where my ancestors lived...lots of time in Ireland and Scotland. Definitely spend time with my sister, who lives outside of Glasgow.
If we are talking realistic budget, I'm going to a small Southern city/town like Asheville NC (ooh, Biltmore!), Savannah, GA (my old stomping grounds), or Natchez, MS (because I'm a Greg Iles fan) or maybe New Orleans (again!) or anywhere in TX (never been, dying to go)!
I love the idea of going full out in the UK! There are sooooo many beautiful things to see and do. I would also add in Wales. Castles, castles, castles!
The Upstate is so pretty! I lived in Columbia for 8 years and Savannah for 3. I miss the Deep(er) South. Now I'm in rural Virginia. Not quite the same, but still lovely in its own way.
I lived in Greenville South Carolina. I managed to go to Charlotte and Asheville and Hendersonville North Carolina I also made it to Hilton head and Myrtle Beach and Savannah Georgia but never made it to Charleston and that’s my biggest regret. I am back living up north in Pittsburgh.
Eh, Charleston is just Savannah's snooty rich cousin. I like Savannah much more. It's more interesting, affordable, and mysterious. Kind of like a smaller NOLA. I mean, Charleston is nice....but I think it's overrated. I actually had a Pretty Woman moment there once. I inquired about the price of something in a store and was told, "It's very expensive."
Isn’t it awful but I want to go there just to eat. I have shrimp and grits and mine and coconut cake for dessert. I really would like to do the tour of the historical district. As far as beaches are concerned I’ve seen Hilton head and Myrtle Beach so it’s not like I’m going for the beach at all. I love the trees in Savannah. Also loved seeing the cemeteries. Isn’t that funny? Didn’t get to eat at Paula Dean’s place because they were booked for three days. I have no doubt you had a pretty woman moment in Charleston lol. In the south don’t they say that’s where the hoity-toity people hang out? Lol
Oh, I could definitely eat my way through Savannah! Eating shrimp that was caught that same day has ruined me! There is no substitute. I also love the cemeteries in Savannah. I lived near two of them. Don't fool with Paula Deen's. I love her, but the food isn't very good. I can recommend much better places to you!
I want to go somewhere quiet and not overly populated or tourist-filled. Ideally, for me, this is either a gorgeous beach in Seychelles or a mountain cabin close to water (lake, stream, river, waterfall). I would wake up when I want, eat and enjoy coffee outside while reading in peaceful quiet. I would go on a hike, walk, or swim for awhile, and then eat and drink outside again, and then take a nap. Enjoy a recreational activity at a leisurely pace. Get some dinner that I didn't cook. Watch the sunset and look at the stars. Read some more and fall asleep when I can't read anymore.
I am currently staying with my best friend and her family for the week and honestly, this is THE place for me to relax. A beautiful large home where I have zero responsibilities except being a respectful house guest and a fun auntie, and we just do all the fun things we have always done together - pool trips with the kids, walks to a coffee shop, hours talking and laughing. Time with someone I have known my entire life is just so freeing and priceless.
I’m going on a cruise that includes 7 sea days! I’ve organized a Stitchers’ Meet-Up on board and plan to take some knitting while meeting new friends from a variety of places. There’s a library room on the ship so I’m sure to find a few interesting books to read. My travels include the Netherlands, Norway, Shetland Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands and Scotland plus time with Dutch friends afterwards. I’m in major packing mode!😊
I take a knitting project with me on cruises, too.
One of my favorite places are these renovated salt box cottages in Cedar Key, Florida. It's about as old Florida as you can get, but there's this lovely ecletic artist community there as well. One can pretty much walk anywhere. The food is great, and you can plop down on any bench to sit and read in front of a lovely vista.
That sounds great. I’ve never been to Cedar Key.
That sounds lovely. I really enjoyed a trip I took to Key West once. I especially enjoyed the glimpses of Old Florida. So charming.
I would stay close to our home in southern Maine so there weren’t any flight issues. I love Southwest Harbor, Maine. It’s the quiet side of Acadia National Park. I am sitting on a covered porch in the rocking chair at my favorite old-fashioned hotel watching ships go by in Somes Sound. Or I am in the mountains of Vermont, also sitting on the porch of a cabin near a small brook or river. There are books and beverages being enjoyed in both locations. Obviously, porches are a big deal! 🙂
I love Mt. Dessert Island and have fond memories of several trips to Acadia NP, boating on Somes Sound, visiting Southwest Harbor, Thuya Gardens, popovers and clam chowder. You chose a wonderful place!❤️
I took my first trip out East a couple of years ago (NH, Cape Cod area, and Maine) and absolutely loved it! We ate so many lobster rolls! We are heading back there in September, and also will visit Vermont this time. I can't wait!
I love Vermont and have always heard lovely things about Maine. My mom visited recently and loved it, so it is moving up on my lost! New England is so charming.
I hope you make it here soon. Everybody loves the ocean, but the mountains (White or Green!) are some of my favorite places.
If relaxation is allowed to include hiking/walking I would have to say going back to the Camino de Santiago. So far I've only completed two parts of it and have two more parts to go. But I love getting to know the country of Spain by walking through it. This pilgrimage trail takes you through small villages, vineyards, and wide open dusty trails. Give me so many interesting people along the way. The food is always delicious but I'm not sure if that's because you're exhausted by the time you get somewhere to eat, it really is absolutely delicious, or a good combination of both. After walking part of this trail the first time there are so many other places that I would like to visit now and walk through them as well. As a kid I could lay on the beach, read a book, listen to music, and just relax. That is no longer a vacation for me. I have trouble sitting still these days.
My daughter did a good section of this about 10 years ago. I have wanted to go back and do some with her, but it hasn't worked out. I suppose I should do it before I get too old!
There are people of all ages working their way along. I do highly recommend it. I still have to complete the middle part. I did the last part two years ago thinking that was all I was going to do. Then I got the bug and went back and did the first portion of it. On to the middle!
I’m about to head to Austria to see Taylor Swift! While that in itself won’t be relaxing, I have four long days of train travel and I can’t wait to sit and watch the various landscapes glide by with a book and a cup of tea.
I’m going to Woodstock, VT, a place where I’ve vacationed many times. I stay at the beautiful historic Woodstock Inn, with the gorgeous inner grass filled courtyard - full of Adirondack chairs to sit on and read for hours. Before I sit down to read, I take a hike up a local mountain, hopefully not seeing a bear along the way (although I’ve seen a cub once and it’s was cute but scary)! After hiking and reading, the best way to end the day is dinner at Simon Pearce, the home of the famous glass studio. The food and wine are always delicious, the scenery is gorgeous. At the end of this idyllic day, I hit repeat and start again the next morning! Note - this has been a vacation I’ve taken several times with my husband…we’re skipping VT this summer (other travels took precedence), but I can’t wait to go back next summer!
Ha! We basically have this exact trip planned for September. Simon Pearce is one of my all time favorite restaurants-and really good people run it. I love walking up to the Pogue if looking for an easy outing, but there are so many other great trails. Enjoy whatever travels you have planned for this summer.
Ha ha, that’s an awesome time to visit VT - especially if the leaves start to change early this year (doubtful)…enjoy Simon Pearce and whatever else you stumble upon. I’ll be in Maine instead!
My boys really enjoyed the Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour. I still have a t-shirt that says "Body By Ben & Jerry's".
Did you get your boys a Vermonster?
Alas, no. Just plain old ice cream cones. Now that they are both teenagers taller than me, they could probably eat an entire Vermonster!
Ok I will be adding this town to my list! That sounds heavenly.
Woodstock, VT is so quaint, the covered bridges and all the scenery is stunning!
Heading to the beach. Spending most my time reading, contemplating, and relaxing beach side.
Chances are high that I'm going to the beach, most likely Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, Alabama. Love 'em or hate 'em, I'll be in a condo right on the beach with a big balcony where I can hear the ocean waves. There is a window or sliding door into my bedroom that lets the waves lull me to sleep.
Another option is to a Getaway cabin. If you haven't been to one or heard of one, their website is getaway.house. I've stayed at 3 so far. They are a tiny home in the woods, sort of like a campground with tiny houses. They have everything you need and nothing you don't. The best is the bed beside an enormous window. They are very relaxing (so long as your neighbors are cool.)
Finally, I have always wanted to go on a spa vacation. I love massages and pampering. I never have - they seem too expensive - but I would love to.
Thank you for putting the link to the cabins here. This is something I will seriously make use of in the future!!
Leaving in a few hours for 4 days camping that fits this description exactly! Nothing to do but park myself by the river and dive into the books i've spent the last few months carefully curating for this moment!
I’m sitting right here on my terrace looking across the hills and water toward Istanbul and reading a book. The best vacation ever.
I have no imagination so my first pick would be Hawaii. I want the tropical breeze with a tropical drink on the beach. I would eat my way through island hopping. Fresh ahi, Japanese-Chinese-Hawaiian foods with a lava flow beverage to wash it down.and the best tasting fruit in the whole world.
Oh wow. Maybe I need to edit my answer! 😆
I would go to a wooded area with some hills or mountains and nice country roads. Start my day reading my Bible and after a smoothie breakfast, go on a long (15-20 mile) bike ride on slightly rolling country roads with no traffic with my husband. We'd find a cute place for an ethnic lunch and then take an afternoon reading nap--you know where you read until you doze for 15 -20 minutes. A cup of coffee and a good book for the afternoon/evening and then a short walk together in the evening. A light supper and maybe a movie or more reading.
However, I think this would kill my husband. He would probably be fixing up the place while I read, maybe taking another bike ride while I napped, prepping for later work, or whatever makes Type A people happy. He might be able to do this for 3 days. So our trips are less about reading and relaxing, more about seeing and doing, which I also enjoy immensely and have FOMO so I want to do it all. He loves bike riding, so we usually get a lot of that in. I love exercise that is fun.
But three days of my trip, ahh, that would be wonderful!
We are actually doing this right now! Two weeks national forest camping in the New Mexico mountains.
New Mexico-especially Santa Fe or Taos is in of my favorite places. It has that rugged beauty. Hope to go back someday!
We're in Cloudcroft (much closer drive), but we love Santa Fe too!
I am a culture vulture, so I want all the art, history, music, literature, language, food, famous architecture, etc when I travel. And some shopping is always nice, too!
Are we talking unlimited budget? If so, I'm touring the UK in FULL. London, Dublin, Edinburgh. Museums, libraries, castles, road trips, pubs, little towns where my ancestors lived...lots of time in Ireland and Scotland. Definitely spend time with my sister, who lives outside of Glasgow.
If we are talking realistic budget, I'm going to a small Southern city/town like Asheville NC (ooh, Biltmore!), Savannah, GA (my old stomping grounds), or Natchez, MS (because I'm a Greg Iles fan) or maybe New Orleans (again!) or anywhere in TX (never been, dying to go)!
I love the idea of going full out in the UK! There are sooooo many beautiful things to see and do. I would also add in Wales. Castles, castles, castles!
Do you want a travel partner? That's something I have always wanted to do! Must include Oxford and a stretch of Narrowboating :)
I lived in SC just less than one hour south of Ashville. Loved going up there to shop and just hang out for the day. Savanna was pretty awesome also.
The Upstate is so pretty! I lived in Columbia for 8 years and Savannah for 3. I miss the Deep(er) South. Now I'm in rural Virginia. Not quite the same, but still lovely in its own way.
I lived in Greenville South Carolina. I managed to go to Charlotte and Asheville and Hendersonville North Carolina I also made it to Hilton head and Myrtle Beach and Savannah Georgia but never made it to Charleston and that’s my biggest regret. I am back living up north in Pittsburgh.
Eh, Charleston is just Savannah's snooty rich cousin. I like Savannah much more. It's more interesting, affordable, and mysterious. Kind of like a smaller NOLA. I mean, Charleston is nice....but I think it's overrated. I actually had a Pretty Woman moment there once. I inquired about the price of something in a store and was told, "It's very expensive."
Isn’t it awful but I want to go there just to eat. I have shrimp and grits and mine and coconut cake for dessert. I really would like to do the tour of the historical district. As far as beaches are concerned I’ve seen Hilton head and Myrtle Beach so it’s not like I’m going for the beach at all. I love the trees in Savannah. Also loved seeing the cemeteries. Isn’t that funny? Didn’t get to eat at Paula Dean’s place because they were booked for three days. I have no doubt you had a pretty woman moment in Charleston lol. In the south don’t they say that’s where the hoity-toity people hang out? Lol
Oh, I could definitely eat my way through Savannah! Eating shrimp that was caught that same day has ruined me! There is no substitute. I also love the cemeteries in Savannah. I lived near two of them. Don't fool with Paula Deen's. I love her, but the food isn't very good. I can recommend much better places to you!
I want to go somewhere quiet and not overly populated or tourist-filled. Ideally, for me, this is either a gorgeous beach in Seychelles or a mountain cabin close to water (lake, stream, river, waterfall). I would wake up when I want, eat and enjoy coffee outside while reading in peaceful quiet. I would go on a hike, walk, or swim for awhile, and then eat and drink outside again, and then take a nap. Enjoy a recreational activity at a leisurely pace. Get some dinner that I didn't cook. Watch the sunset and look at the stars. Read some more and fall asleep when I can't read anymore.
I am currently staying with my best friend and her family for the week and honestly, this is THE place for me to relax. A beautiful large home where I have zero responsibilities except being a respectful house guest and a fun auntie, and we just do all the fun things we have always done together - pool trips with the kids, walks to a coffee shop, hours talking and laughing. Time with someone I have known my entire life is just so freeing and priceless.