Vacation, all I ever wanted

[dancerjodi]

Brian and I want to go - somewhere this year. Somewhere that's not a convention and isn't directly Star Wars related.

Our travel in 2006 included CA to The Presidio/Skywalker Ranch, FL for Star Wars Weekends at Disney and then Dragoncon. Thus far in 2007 we're been to NYC Comicon and we'll be going to Dragoncon over Labor Day weekend. We want to do something else not Star Wars related! Domestic, leaning to the affordable side. Trying to conserve funds is why we didn't go to two far away weddings of friends and its why we're driving to Dragoncon (should be an adventure). The fall is far enough off that we can save and plan for it. Nothing crazy, but something different.

Some ideas:
-We keep saying we're going to Vegas some fall for a long weekend
-Montreal? Too cold? Bad time of year? The prospect of driving there is attractive.
-A far away Faire? We love Sterling but we've done that before (we'd drive out and camp). Its early in the faire season so it would be a summer thing and not a fall thing. We keep saying we want to check out MD but its late in the year and it would be too cold to camp (I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to the cold). But the Medieval Babes are playing there over Columbus Day weekend! But that's only a month after Dragoncon. I wonder if any of the fine MD folks wanted to put us up for the weekend and come along with us (bats eyelashes)?

What would you do for a different kind of domestic travel weekend in October?

Comments

[tiamatlady]

I think Vegas would be great - I have books if you don't to have a look at expected temps, and high seasons (I know we went at a low season and it was perfect temp wise for me)

I also saw a vacation thingy at BJs yesterday for airfare and 3 nights at the MGM for $530. Which, IMHO, is stupid cheap. As in I'd be doing it if I didn't have England and Black Sun (and I MIGHT try and do it anyway, maybe Thanksgiving weekend)

I've always heard the FL and Texas faires are the ones to hit, but I believe the timing is wrong.
Montreal I think is a blast anytime of year, the 4th weekend we went was SO humid though, I think October has to be an improvement.

[dionysia.livejournal.com]

Are you looking for a long weekend or a week+?

Budget Travel's Real Deals:
http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt-dyn/content/realdeals/index.html

Frommer's Deals:
http://www.frommers.com/deals/

[silentq.livejournal.com]

Montreal in July for FantAsia has usually been a few degrees cooler than Boston, but still really nice. I'm thinking of the first or third weekend, arcanus mentioned he was considering the 2nd or 3d weekend for his trip. As long as you go before late October, it shouldn't be *too* cold. :) You can also drive to Toronto in about 10 hours, I'll be going there (by air though) next month. The weather is pretty consisently a day or two ahead of Boston.
How about DC? I've had a take advantage of free museums trip in the back of my mind for a while. I've also considered going to Vegas to catch the Cirque du Soleil shows there, staying in hotels off the Strip is pretty cheap. Both cities can be pretty miserable in summer though.
New Orleans? Airfare can be found cheap, and there are decent hotel deals floating around.

[silentq.livejournal.com]

(I totally missed the bit about October, sorry!)

[jetgrrl01.livejournal.com]

Vegas is always great. Otherwise for my own preference, maybe New Orleans or Chicago (because I've never been outside the airport there). We're thinking of heading back to Disney because it's been a couple years and we're getting the itch. :)

[andrewfeland.livejournal.com]

I'll second Philadelphia. Lots to see and do.

Vancouver was surprisingly fun, but it's a bit of a haul getting there.

[lurfmonkey.livejournal.com]

Let us know if you want to go to Vegas. We can get you a 1 bedroom suite through our timeshare. For a check-in date of the October 5th, 6th, or 7th, we can get you one at Tahiti Village for $539 for the entire week. That's just $73 a night at a really nice resort. We just stayed there for my company's convention a couple weeks ago. It's on South Las Vegas Blvd right next to Fry's Electronics (geek heaven). We had a slightly bigger unit, but the smaller units are still quite nice with a bedroom, living area, and kitchenette. You can see the floorplan here:

http://www.consolidatedresorts.com/tahiti/moorea.html

Of course, if you're not going to stay a whole week, then I'm not sure how cost effective it would be. If you are staying a full week or close to it, then it's a really great deal. You can find hotels for the same price, but the rooms are small and crappy (believe me, we've stayed in them - Circus Circus, Sahara, Stratosphere). This is a brand new resort with lots of amenities. Or for check-in on the 15th, there's a suite at the Jockey Club for the same price which is closer to the strip but is older. These things change, though. Once they get booked, they're gone, but new suites can pop up.

Or if you go somewhere else, let us know. We might be able to find you a resort elsewhere, sometimes for even cheaper depending on where you go, so even if you don't go for a full week, it can often be cheaper than a hotel anyway.

Vegas

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"Let us know if you want to go to Vegas. We can get you a 1 bedroom suite through our timeshare. For a check-in date of the October 5th, 6th, or 7th, we can get you one at Tahiti Village for $539 for the entire week."

Well, we're going to Vegas now. How does this timeshare thing work? It sounds like a great deal, but I don't want to keep you guys from using it yourselves.

Tammy keeps talking about a joint trip at some point - any interest? We're actually thinking early October (for a week).

Re: Vegas

[lurfmonkey.livejournal.com]

Basically, in addition to our timeshare, which we trade, we also get access to unused weeks for discounted prices. These vary depending on what's available because once someone uses a week, it's unavailable. We don't have to sacrifice our week, though. Here are some examples of what I see right now:

Summer Bay Resort - studio - 10/7 check-in - $600
Same as above but a 1 bedroom - $710
Grandview - 1 bedroom - 10/5 check-in - $790
Geo Group at the Jockey Club - 1 bedroom - 10/7 check-in - $490
The Cliffs at Peace Canyon - 1 bedroom - 10/12 check-in - $790
Shell Vacations Club at Desert Rose - 1 bedroom - 10/14 check-in - $790

As for the prices, you basically get what you pay for. The more expensive ones are generally nicer. They are all resorts, though, and are better than any hotel room you would get for the same price. They also don't require you to travel mid-week, as they usually have weekend check-in dates and are for an entire week.

I would say the easiest thing, if you're interested, would be for you guys to come over sometime and browse online using our account. They give a lot of information on each resort and its amenities and location. And as I said, they change depending on what gets taken and what opens up. Tammy would also still like to try CS3 to see if it helps with her problems.

Re: Vegas

[lurfmonkey.livejournal.com]

Hey again. Tammy said she's up for doing a joint trip. It would save us both money by splitting lodging costs, and although we've been to Vegas many times, we'd like to do some day trips to Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon or something. You could come with us, but you wouldn't be obligated to. The problem is my company is asking me about my vacation plans over the next 6 months, and I don't know what to tell them. It kind of depends on you guys. It seems like you made the decision on Vegas but weren't positive about the dates. I hate to pressure you to make a decision, but if you do have an idea and would like to pursue the timeshare option, please let us know. If you don't have any idea and won't for a long time, then I'll probably just ask for time off sometime in early October, and if it doesn't mesh with you guys, we'll plan on going somewhere else.

[nepenthedreams]

I think Montreal is fine in September and October, but it can be frigid in November.

Another beautiful area is the Adirondacks and New York Finger Lakes areas. Far enough of a drive to feel remote, but still rather close. I haven't been tehre but my best friend just moved to teh area & posted gorgeous photos of waterfalls.

[canongrrl.livejournal.com]

as said montreal is wonderful - its a great long weekend. i've been reading a lot about how Portland ME has completely come into its own and its now a dining hot spot - might also be a nice, long weekend away.

I love Toronto - the drive from here is a bit much and its more hectic then Montreal - aside from that the place is just fun. Bonus, with the right drive you can see the falls of Niagra - a good way to spend a few hours in total cheesy goodness.

Keeping in the driving range - DC should be fine by then. Early October/late Sept (don't know how set you are on dates) are wonderful times to hit the Jersey Boardwalk (think Sept more then October on second thought). Wildwood is about 7 hours drive

and, if you watch the tickets - I did see ireland at 300$ per person, that's really not too bad. Its kinda end of the european season but the weather is still really good so you may be able to find some amazing deals going across the pond.

[dionysios.livejournal.com]

I can vouch for both the finger lakes and the Adirondacks. It's a great day spent wine tasting around the lakes. I know that's of no interest to you, but the scenery can't be beat either. Corning Museum of Glass is much fun, even to non-glass geeks. :)

If you consider it, let me know and I'll recommend more specific places.

[christmasjedi.livejournal.com]

Since you've already decided where to go, this is just notes for future reference.

Vegas on a weekend, unless you get lucky, isn't all that affordable. It's much more cost effective (and less crowded!) during the week. Hotel prices will double over the weekend, and it's much easier to find show tickets - especially discount tickets - during the week. We bought a travel guide before our trip, so if you do decide to go sometime let me know and you can have it. I don't think we'll be using it again.

And by all means, make use of the half-price ticket vendors! There are two - one is in the mall just north of the MGM Grand, by the Coke Factory and M&M World. The other is a couple of blocks north. They open at noon, and tickets for smaller shows day of are always half-price, and you can get discounts on bigger shows as well. That's how we got into Circq du Solei. Most of the shows in Vegas aren't worth the price of the ticket, unless you can get them twofer.

[denonymous.livejournal.com]

We drive to Montréal every New Year's, and even in the cold it's a nice drive (though every year I say we're absolutely not driving next year, as it is 5-6 hours).

If you're thinking New England, make sure it's not somewhere that's mostly driven by tourism and thus mostly closed by October, like the Cape.

Obligatory plug: SmarterTravel.com, we have loads of editorial content on destinations near & far. :)