I have a rough outline of things I’d like to see. Such as some tourist attractions , nature sites , zoos , museums etc.
We do as many as we can but also eat out along the way. We avail of metro , trains and walking where possible. If the city has a river or canal tour we usually do that too.
Mainly it is just to unwind and get away from the rat race for a few days.
We usually go to a city somewhere and just explore, soak up the culture etc, We usually try to go on an adventure, Like when we went to Iceland in the winter and hired a car to drive round, That was fun, I just like to have a lot to remember and talk about when I return. I try not to visit the same place twice, Though I did go to Moscow twice as the Mrs wanted to go the second time.
If I visit a city, I always try to ride their metro if they have it. I also try to at least find find a historical landmark to visit.
Beach, swimming, hikes…
Whatever I feel like on a given day. I hate itineraries. I like going on vacation with a general idea of what I can do, and then picking and choosing when I get there.
What are things you typically like to do?
Whatever I feel like on a given day. I hate itineraries. I like going on vacation with a general idea of what I can do, and then picking and choosing when I get there.
That’s difficult to say, because it’s entirely dependent on the destination.
I like both urban and scenic exploration. I have trouble sitting around, unless my body needs the rest. So, I stray away from most “leisure” activities. Sitting on the beach for hours is not for me. If the destination has a high walkability factor, I will walk everywhere I physically can, and I will do it A LOT.
I barely take any pictures. I find that they detract from my being in the moment, and they never capture what I hope.
I do like thrifting for niche, often older electronics and peripherals.
I like food.
I like cigars, and love cigar bars, because the atmosphere and activity is excellent for meeting locals and travellers alike. That is one thing I will always scout out and do.
Thrifting is interesting. Have you found anything interesting?
I went to Osaka, Japan earlier this year. I returned with 2 large suitcases packed full of retro video game consoles and peripherals. Their LaserDisc stores were insane and floor to ceiling with stacks of discs. I so badly wanted to pick through them, but LaserDiscs are notoriously heavy, and I couldn’t spare the luggage weight.
A few years back I spent a year living on the road, all across the US. I brought back a huge haul that time, notable acquisitions being an Atari Jaguar and an NEC PC Engine.
One of the coolest things I saw in Osaka was a monthly flea market held on the grounds of Shitennoji Temple. It’s a pretty big temple so there were a lot of vendors. I spent the better part of the morning eating amazing food and browsing through old games and records, vintage clothes, and all sorts of other old stuff. I ended up getting some old woodworking tools, a couple of wooden serving platters, and a copy of Dragon Quest V.
What time of year was this, by chance? I’d definitely be interested in checking it out.
This was in the early summer, but I’m pretty sure it’s a year-round event.
My weekends are a vacation.
I’ve put in a lot of time and effort to make our back yard an oasis for relaxation, and we maximize our use of it. We have a strict “no work talk” rule from 6pm Friday to 6pm Sunday, strictly enforced. (Also, not in the bedroom, but that’s a different story.)
When we’re on actual PTO, we travel, nerd out, get stoned and find a spa for massages, eat decadent food and enjoy the night life.
Sounds generic, but it’s what we do.
Read. Drink. Read. Not necessarily in that order.
Not waking up early and not going to work is always a good start.
It’s a great middle and end too!
I grew up with parents who loved to do and see everything and it made me exhausted.
So when I go on vacation I just spend time relaxing.
I like to visit historical sites and museums at the place I’m visiting. I’m also the person who will pay the tourist tax to go to the top of tall buildings. The last couple of trips have been road trips around the country I’m visiting. I also like trying foods that the place is known for (or making my spouse try it if it’s something I won’t like cause I can be picky).
Also, there is something to be said for the occasional staycation where you just live your normal life without having to work.
I’m boring, all I do is walk around the city, go to the parks/hiking trails/nature, eat at local restaurants, and go to museums and art galleries
That doesn’t seem boring; that seems like a good vacation.
Nothing, anything? I don’t actively plan for vacation except maybe where I’m gonna be. Once there, even if I am in another city, I go with the mood of the time and try not to feel obligated to do anything. If I stay home sometimes I end up doing things that were put off for a long time, I finish them, grab a beer meanwhile, afterwards, even if it’s in the morning as long as it’s hot and that’s it for the day.
What’s a vacation?
I’m an American. The only vacations I’ve had in the last 5 years that aren’t work related trips have been staying home and cleaning. The big problem is lining up time when my wife and I both can take time off work, which has been nigh on impossible recently.
To be clear, this isn’t bragging. I need a real vacation but the combination of COVID, wanting to buy a house, and my wife needing to spend her leave on things that aren’t vacation (sick leave, bereavement leave) has led us to not being able to sync something up since our honeymoon.
Depends on where I’m going, whether I’ve been there before, and how long my trip is, but as a rule I’ll always seek out the local food and try to see a mix of famous big-name sights and weird niche things that interest me. For example, when I was in Tokyo last, I went to the top of Tokyo Tower at sunset (normal tourist sightseeing thing) and also went to see their underground flood-control tunnels.
I don’t enjoy “sit on a beach and do nothing” vacations, but more power to you if that’s your style.
I love an off-season beach trip when it’s cold. I love walking along a cold desolate beach then go back to a cozy cabin with a book. Perfection. A crowded beach, peak summer and just sitting there. Yuck.
