karens

Someone asked where do I vacation? We've been fortunate to go away 4x this year. In Feb. I went with husband on a business trip to Cancun. Last year we went to Vegas on his company's President's Club trip, and it was my idea to go tropical this year. Everyone had a great time and it was decided to go someplace tropical every year from now on. In May we flew into Vegas, then drove to the Grand Canyon. Hiked into Havasu and saw 3 of the most incredible waterfalls. Then spent time in Sedona, flew home through Phoenix. This past July we spent time in Utah/Colorado. Took my kids to Moab/Ouray/Crested Butte/Glenwood Springs/Copper Mnt. Over spring break we took the kids to San Diego and did all the touristy things around there. All four trips were fun and we enjoyed everything.

We really like roaming around west - we love Seattle, Portland, and the surrounding areas. Southern Utah (Zion, Bryce) is great,as was Banff/Glacier (probably my favorite NP). For cities, I love Manhattan, Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia. For beach areas, we like Cape Cod, Sanibel/Captiva, Sarasota (Siesta Key) and the Olympic NP beaches.

Next year we're thinking Yellowstone. Still really want to see Hawaii and we have all of Europe left to explore (except for Spain). Would also like to see the USVI. Hopefully, someday!

These are the places we've enjoyed. Your mileage may vary!!

theladyjess

Enough with the karen bashing. She was just sharing her opinion. Opinions are like belly buttons, everybody has one. Lay off.

I live in western WA and can't see why people are facinated with Snoqualmie Falls. It's a waterfall. There are millions of them all over the world. I've been there once for about 30 min and that is enough for me, and I LOVE the out doors (I just got back from a camping trip a few hours ago).

caribtraveler

Karens. I wasn't offended by your post. However, I can't seem to think of any travel rants and I've traveled to lots of u.s. states and countries. I think I'm one of those people who see positives and negatives in every place I've been, so I can't truly rant about it. Know what I mean?

hugglynn

I think what you find when you travel is what your preferences are. This is no different than one of the newer posts regarding resorts that didn't measure up to the hype or the post that asked people why they would ever eat at a chain on vacation. There are places we've visited that other people have raved about...and when we got there, we weren't as crazy about it, but you are there, and you find something good to like or some way to make it your own(geesh, I sound like Paula Abdul). A good example for us was a cruise to the South Pacific where we couldn't find what the hype of Moorea and Bora Bora was all about. To each his own, though, and while we might not go back, it was still an experience to visit, to explore, to observe, to learn and to say, "hey, I've been there".

kodi

Isn't it wonderful that we are all different and have different priorities! and different ideas on what makes a wonderful holiday. I think it's kind of funny that Karen doesn't 'get' some places, then states that she's been several times ( Orlando), which would make me think that she 'got' it at some point in the past, but now doesn't understand why other people 'get' it.
Also, as we get older and have more travelling under our belts, our tastes change, and there is nothing wrong with that. Karens obviously did.
Everyone do their thing and have fun..... that's the main thing, whether anyone else 'gets' it or not.

GoTravel

ladyjess, no one is bashing karens personally. If there is any bashing, it is about her post.

Her post comes across as "how can you blue collar peasants enjoy these horrible places?" and very elitist.

When you use the words 'fake' and 'hate' in a post to describe a locale, it doesn't set itself up as a positive post.

karens

GoTravel, I think you are reading too much into what I wrote. I in no way meant to say or imply that the destinations I don't personally like are populated by blue collar "peasants". Many, many white collar people travel to the places I mentioned! Someone is paying very high prices to stay in the expensive hotel rooms there.

The reason I used the word hate to describe Las Vegas is b/c it seems everyone I talk to either loves or hates Las Vegas. There is little middle ground with a place like Vegas, like there would be to, like, going to be the beach. (Yes, I know there are people out there who hate the beach, but most do not dislike it intensely). Las Vegas seems to inspire a lot of emotion - both ways - and this thread and its responses certainly bears this out.

It seems that many people misread what I said. I meant no malice - but I know that many of you meant some toward me! Like I said, this posting was inspired by the most overrated places thread, and maybe I should have just posted it under there. Or I should have entitled it "Places I don't like to go - but don't mind if others go! I'm not bashing those who like these places!" And I really, really should learn to use those smiley face thingees you all use here! It would probably have softened my message.

This is an opinion question, people! There are no right or wrong answers. If your rant is that you hate to travel to the places I do, that's OK! I know my own boys travel rant would probably go something like this: Why do my parents like to take long drives when there's nothing to see but scenery? And they like to go on long hikes - that's sooo boring! My boys' favorite day on the beach would include playing in the water and sand and then spending an hour in the arcade on the boardwalk. Good dining to them is McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Dennys for breakfast and Chuck E Cheese. So when we vacation we them, we do some of these things, but we also expose them to some of the stuff we like. Or when we do lots of scenic driving, say in Colorado, we make sure to ride some alpine slides or do a white water rafting trip to make it a bit more interesting to them.

So, everyone, please go and travel to the places you enjoy. I just wanted to know about places or travel stuff you do not like. (But I like to know the good stuff, too!). Like someone said - it's a good thing we all didn't like the same thing, b/c those places would be awfully crowded!! (smiley face thingee)

flopmeister

karens is just posting an opinion. certainly she is entitled to one.

vegas, for the smile on my face. disney, for the smile on my kid's face. humid sub-tropical beaches, for the smile on my wife's face.

a vacation destination is what you make of it. to each his own, thankfully.

E

Karens, this whole thread encapsulates why we have been unable to organize an extended-family vacation in over 6 years! My SO's sister chose Helen, GA for the last one, in winter, which no one enjoyed. But her family is dead set against urban areas; brother-in-law likes only urban areas and dreads a replay of Helen; my SO and I are able to hang just about anywhere, but don't want to waste scarce vacation time and money staying in a cabin all day, every day; and other sister wonders why we can't all just get along.
It's why finding travel buddies is hard: everyone seeks something different from a vacation, has unique tastes, different comfort zones, etc. I think I tend to agree with you on the subject of mega destinations like Vegas and Orlando, but they're popular for some reason...

ahhnold

karens....You have just as much to bitch about a destination as posters do bragging about one. They can be just as constructive. Just because lots of people go there doesn't make it great.

And,I also hate Vegas and think it is for simple mided travelers who couldn't produce a creative vacation if their life was on the line. Thats why the same morons go there every year. everything down to the air in the casinos is fabricated.

this is a good thread and the posters like Gekko,who has never said a good word about anything other than NYC,can get over it. You go girl.

uuhhhh

"I also hate Vegas and think it is for simple mided travelers....the same morons go there every year."

that does it, ahhnold, you just lost my vote.

bennie

I like WDW because it is fun. Plain and simple fun. Whirling around in a teacup is fun. Goofy is fun.

I like Vegas because it is fun. Crazy and tacky fun.

I like hiking because it is fun. Tiring and challenging fun.

I like museums because they are fun. Thought provoking and challenging fun.

Get it?

Leona

Ahhnold,
What's your idea of a creative vacation? (Pretend that your life is on the line.)

gyppielou

When I first read Karens post I laughed and moved on. I thought it was quite funny and honest. I'm shocked how sensitive people, especially GoTravel got and that this thread has taken off like this. And I have to tell you people...many of you seem wrapped a little tight to be so defensive rather than put any thought into places people love, that yes, you don't get.

I don't get Cheeseburger in Paradise. It is constantly recommended, and I thought they ran up the street to McDonalds and then threw it on a plate! There's one for you Karens!!!

gualalalisa

Gyppielou: How DARE you! I LOVE Cheeseburger in Paradise - had the best tuna melt of my life there.

Of course, I am just kidding folks! (Except it was a good tuna melt!) I just wanted to add my support to Karens and to the people who post rants - I get just as much from them as I do the raves.

We are all so different but you can can get a good idea of what might appeal to you by reading the text of a rant/rave. Did this person complain about stuff I personally would find appealing or did they love a place for reasons I would not?

That's why I love this site - it is educational in so many ways.

Happy Trails to you all!

gyppielou

well done!!!!! you had me thinking for a moment, st now who've I offended! Very funny! Trust me stick with the Tuna Melt, it's the best seller, changing their name to Tuna Melt in Paradise!!!! Now that's a place I could back!

Heartburn3

Question: Am I a simple minded moron because I went to Vegas once and enjoyed it??

I don't mind someone bashing a location, but please don't be so shallow as to say everyone who likes Vegas (or any other location) is simple minded. I was there for a convention and thought it was different -- I guess I was just blinded by all the pretty flashing lights!

Heartburn3

Karens - check out the following for the smileys, etc.

www.fodors.com/forums/smileys/

Have fun!

gyppielou

Karens: I don't get people visiting hot muggy zoos in the afternoon when all the animals are sleeping out of site in the shade.

mrwunrfl

We're not simple-minded morons for visiting Vegas, Heartburn3. Coulda been that trip to WDW way back when.