distant_traveler

I recently traveled to a fancy resort with friends in the Dominican Republic for a week. The first few days were great. We enjoyed the Palm Trees, the beautiful weather and tropical waters. We spent the first couple days exploring the resort and reading a book by the pool.

But by the third day I was bored. I had already ate in all the restaurants, explored every square foot of the resort and read all the books. I had grown tired of the pool scene and the constant drinking and carrying on by the people near by.

I asked my friends if they wanted to explore the island. They thought I was crazy. Why would I want to drive through 40 miles of jungle to see a poverty stricken town of tin roofs and shantytowns? I got the impression no one else I met was interested in leaving the resort other than me.

For the next four days I counted the hours to when I could go home. I was bored!

Scubagirl

I feel your pain. Although I'm not a big "activities" person, I like to explore the country, shop locally, check out the markets, eat native and just get to know the place I'm visiting.
I remember staying at the Atlantis years ago, and feeling like a criminal when I "escaped" to the outside world.

JeanH

Your post is exactly the reason we don't stay at resorts. Much prefer staying in towns and meeting the locals. Or at least walking distance to towns.

JarredK

Yup. It was about 10 years ago that I got fed up with it and took up scuba diving to keep me occupied. One of the best decisions I've made. Now I love going to tropical resorts.

KVR

We have been to several AI resorts, but we are not the type to hang at the hotel. We pick destinations that there is plenty to see and do off property. We'll only spend 1 or 2 days doing the resort pool and beach thing. In the evenings we'll eat on property and then go do something like visit a local bar for dancing, go into town for shopping, or plan an excursion like a sunset sail.

I agree there is no way I could just sit at the resort for a week and call it a vacation.

camelbak

There was one AI vacation where I got bored after a few days of sitting on the beachchair and sleeping. We went exploring outside the resort and took a day trip to a local volcano (in Western Mexico). I was ready to go home after day 4.

However, the following year we went to another AI resort and I loved just sitting around on the beach, suntanning, reading and doing crafts. Didn't want to go home!

I love travelling to Europe and running around from city to city and museum to amazing museum...but when it's time to relax then I head to the AI resorts.

ScottB

When we were young and still in our 20's, all we needed was a beach, a bar, and some palm trees. AI's worked well for our first couple trips....

Then we discovered how much we liked exploring islands, and doing our own thing. All our vacations now are planned around snorkeling, exploring, beaches, and whatever else we can find. Renting a jeep, finding a new beach everyday, talking to locals, just all out exploring new areas...that's what it's about for us. Yes, we still mix in a few "Do Nothing" days....Which we all need once and a while...

MP07950

I like both types of vacations. In the spring, I was in Paris for a week and it seemed like we didn't sit down the whole time (except for all that time spent in the cafes....) but later in the year, we'll head to St. John and spend 2 weeks doing nothing (but hanging at the beach and reading tons of books)!

Anguillagirl

I like both types of trips too, but I have to say I favor laying in the sun all day. During our vacation each year in Anguilla here is our typical day:
wake up at 10am
Have breakfast
Change into our suits
Take a walk on the beach
Lay in the sun on the beach
take another walk
Lay in the sun
Swim
Lay in the sun
Take a walk on the beach
Hit the beach bar, usually around 5pm
We don't stay at an AI, so we always get out at night for dinner.
To me that is heaven and never boring, but that is only my opinion.

greenie

ahhh...I like anguillagirls' itinerary!

Peace, Greenie (Grenada bound next Friday)

diann24

We were in the DR for a week at a AI resort and my husband was bored and felt like distant traveler after several days. We did take a tour to Santo domingo to break up the week. We also rented mopeds but didn't feel safe at all. Crazy drivers. My husband needs to be busy doing something and on top of it he is not a reader. I can read all day on the beach. We seem to favor cruises. Different island everyday, and exploring and a nice mixture of relaxing and stimulation.

Nickity

We try to alternate one day at the resort relaxing on the beach with an offsite trip the next. That's why I hesitate to go to the Dominican - the resorts are so far away from any other activities.

ejcrowe

well, like many people here I like a nice mix of adventure and relaxation, but I defnitely like to go to a different restaurant for every outing, so AI's aren't my first choice.

greenie, glad you're making it to Grenada this time. Hope nothing interferes with this trip and that you have a fantastic time!

beachplum

First you would never find me by the pool. But my typical schedule is having early coffee on the beach after a sunrise swim, put cover up on for a late b'fast, head back to the beach for floating, swimming or beaching, maybe have a snack for lunch, usually brought to the beach in a little cooler so I don't have to leave accompanied by a "beachy drink" around 4pm and continue swimming, floating and beaching until there is no more sun. I do take a pile of books to read. I don't much like traveling to other beaches either since the sun and water is pretty much the same. The "big" event of the day is choosing where to try for dinner and am back ready for early to bed and another early day on the beach! Might take a half a day to "explore" a bit just to see the island and any sights to see - there's always local spots but certainly don't go with an attitude that all I'll see is "poverty and tin-roofed shacks." My schedule may vary depending on the island - a bike ride, a bit of tennis early in the morn, or maybe a leisurely "hike" - it depends. Each island has its own culture and think that locked up in an all-inclusive is not the way to learn and enjoy the Caribbean but to find the time to sit and read, enjoy the sun and warm and bury my toes in the sand or float for hours on a raft is ideal and I would NEVER be bored. Others are not so easily pleased!

greenie

Thanks, EJ! I've got your most recent trip rpt with me, love the restaurant recs. We're renting a car and look forward to getting lost!

Peace!

ParrotMom

In our 30 plus years of traveling from Machu Picchu, Costa Rica, Colombia,Cabo, Cozumel, Cancun, St.,Thomas, etc. we loved staying at little hotels and visiting the country side, going to museums, interesting sites, etc. (Parrot Pop speaks spanish) Now, that we are olderin the winter there is nothing like an A! in the D.R. for warming the bones, reading books, crossword puzzles, relaxiing, going out into the country side if we want through excursions. We also cruise now from Europe and it gives us the opportunity to visit Italy, Morocco, Barcelona, days at sea when we can just sun and eat.. Work for many of your is stressful, but remember.. there are no days off in retirement and frankly... its exhausting..lo;

kfusto

I have never been bored at an AI but then I choose mine carefully based on my preferences.

My day starts early with a cup of coffee, then it is off to the gym, back to wake up my husband for a shared breakfast. We generally then hit the beach, snorkel or dive, participate in the water sports offered, head up for a light lunch. Afternoon would a swim, walk on the beach, yoga or pilates for me, golf or volleyball for him. Then a massage, nap and getting dressed for happy hour and dinner.

Not boring at all for either or us

JoenShell

We don't mind al for just a wk! it's a quick getaway for us & we'll take it! also depending where u are your sometimes limited off the resort. knowing that in the spring we'll b in either st.john or anguilla for a longer stay in a villa... it ties us over til than!

christiegr

I am normally the type of traveler who loves to explore,talk with the locals and find the places that seem like they are *not discovered yet*.....but I tell ya..the stressful year that I have had...I will be happy chilling with a few Painkillers,Red Stripes, and a 5th of Pineapple Cruzan Rum on a nice deserted beach for atleast 3 of the days of my trip!!

Ahhhhh...that is tranquility!!

Christie

suze

Answer's simple.. You need to travel with friends who are more compatible and have similar interests to your own. I have never stayed at a 'resort' because I know I'd hate it for the reasons you mention. Why didn't you go out on your own? Why waste 4 days with boring friends at a boring resort. Surely you could have made alternate plans of your own?