have you ever thought about going on a skiing/snowboarding trip for your summer vacation? I did last year with my sister and it was so much fun! We went with an outfit called Powderquest and their professionalism and attention to detail blew us away. Check out their web site www.powderquest.com

That's really bad marketing: targeting somebody who is not currently in the market. I wouldn't put my business in the direction of an organisation that has such a poor focus, let alone one that abuses a non-commercial forum.

Lizmo, I think that the poster who commented on why you may be getting more responses to your liking on the LA forum has a point; when I read, and I quote, your "...seeing and doing requirements..." my first thoughts also turn towards Mexico and Central America (South America, too, but I haven't been there, and in some places August will be too cold for much besides snow sports).

When I want more urban pursuits --food & wine, museums, architecture, music, hanging out in cafes -- my first thougths are of Europe.

When I think of snorkeling, water sports, hiking, combined with ruins & artifacts, I think of La Ruta Maya in So. Mexico/Belize/Guatemala, or for the outdoor activities, the national parks of Costa Rica.

Or I think of New Zealand - but not August.

Of course, Europe has amazing outdoor-oriented things to do. For example:

I have loved hiking in the Austrian and Swiss alps, and in the Italian Dolomites. You can do day hikes and stop for apple strudel at a mountainside restaurant, or do an multi day serious hike across the 'Haute Route' through the Alps.

If you have a couple of days, the Cinque Terre in Italy has compact hiking & quaint little towns perched above the sea.

I had a lot of fun hiking around and soaking in natural thermal springs on the island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples.

I have not been but have heard from friends that the islands of Sardinia and Corsica offer a combination of hiking, water activites and interesting culture.

Greece, as mentioned here, springs to mind for snorkeling & kayaking combined with hiking and, of course, amazing ruins. The Turquoise coast of Turkey has similar offerings.

As already said -- the majority of Europeans take vacation in August, and very very often to the mountains and the coast, leaving the cities to the tourists...

Please realize that some of the people who responded to you, while perhaps not responding in a way you intended, are extremely helpful. (Just click on some or their names to see how many posts they have helped with and years they have been involved, simply out of a love for travel!)

Arghhh - just read the OP date (2006)...