3K vacation budget....where to go?

[Frwinkley]

Myself and DH. We enjoy an active vacation, aren't much for hanging around on a beach (although we've been to Hawaii, St. Lucia, Cancun....lots to see and do in those places). If this makes any sense, we like what a beach vacation looks like, as long as there are other things to do.

We've done various parts of California, Lake Tahoe, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Sedona and we enjoy vacations of this type. We are not opposed to spending a few days in one place and than driving to get to another destination.

We enjoy cruising, but for no more than a few days. The days at sea tend to bore us. We are considering a few days at Universal and than a 3 day Disney cruise, but can't seem to get the cost under 4K (granted, that is staying at RPH for 3 nights--love FOTL).

We would be flying from the East Coast and it would have to be during the summer months.

Any suggestions?

 

[shoney]

Riviera Maya area in Mexico has so much to do (or so little to do, depending on how you want to spend your time). If you want to be active stay at a smaller hotel in Playa del Carmen, or a more sleepy village like Puerto Morelos, not an all-inclusive. You could do xel-ha, xcaret, the ruins, snorkeling, cenotes, jungle spa, deep sea fishing, atv tours, etc, etc.

 

[Frwinkley]

Thanks for the reply. We actually have done that vacation already. We did it as part of a vacation trip to Cancun. We spent 4 nights in each place.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Where are you on the East Coast? NYC or Boston can be fun "adult" vacation explorations...so can Maine/Vermont...DC...Charleston...Williamsburg/VA Beach...New Orleans...the Poconos...etc...if you could drive to your location or have a short flight, it would give you lots of money to spend doing the "fun" experiences...

 

[caitcance]

I would prob do an all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic. DH and I did it a few years back and I think we even got it closer to 2k. We did a mix of beach/relaxation and water sports/excursions.

 

[Frwinkley]

That sounds like a great idea! Where did you stay and what types of excursions did you do?

 

[HeatherC]

San Francisco and California Wine Country?

Vancouver and Banff British Columbia?

Sedona?

Montreal and Quebec?

 

[Frwinkley]

With the exception of Vancouver, we have done the others. Any experience with Vancouver?

 

[monarchsfan16]

If it weren't summer, I would suggest splitting the week between New Orleans and Orange Beach, AL. So much to do in both places! But I would not want to be in NOLA in the summer. Late April was more humid than summer in Disney...

Not the beach, but we loved our trip to Colorado. We did part of the week in Colorado Springs visiting places like Garden of the Gods, the Olympic Training Center, and taking the train up Pikes Peak. Then we moved to Estes Park where we spent a couple of days exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. It was fantastic! It was also very affordable!

 

[eliza61]

We want to do a white water river raft trip. a company called oars sent me a brochure that looks interesting

 

[Endor]

Iceland, especially if you are in NYC or Boston. check on their national air carriers pages for packages.

 

[hsmamato2]

National Parks.....all over America The southwest,Utah,Colorado...there is SO much to see and do! Glacier Park, Alaska,maybe a cruise and land tours? Puerto Rico is a lot of fun also,lots to do there,and beaches! Maybe a different part of Hawaii,I hear it's diverse...and each area has it's own 'flavor' I'm not an 'all inclusive' sort of vacationer(unless it's on Disney property lol) so I like options wherever we go for things to do....hiking through national parks is a great experience.

 

[Chaitali]

Iceland, especially if you are in NYC or Boston. check on their national air carriers pages for packages.

I was just going to say this as well. We just booked a package for air and hotel on Expedia and I'm really looking forward to it. It's not a traditional beach vacation and there are a lot of active things to do.

 

[bearzabout]

I vote for southwestern Colorado or northern New Mexico. Santa Fe is amazing in summer. It offers great food, numerous museums, amazing shopping, unique cultural activities (visiting pueblos), great hikes (google tent rocks), and an outstanding opera house. The Indian Market in August is an event not to be missed.

Las Alamos, Taos and Albuquerque are less than an hours drive in different directions. For a real adventure, head to Chaco Canyon for an overnight trip (sleep in Aztec).

Also consider a trip to Colorado. Durango with its steam train adventure to Silverton is really nice. Day trip to Pagosa Hot Springs, Mesa Verde or Silverton. Drive the million dollar highway to Ouray, known as the Switzerland of America. Soak in the hot pools there. Venture on to Telluride for a few nights and ride the free gondola to the grocery store in Mountain Village. Their festivals are very popular.

Both trips can easily be done within your budget as long as you are a bit careful with lodging choices.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We want to do a white water river raft trip. a company called oars sent me a brochure that looks interesting

If they tell you it's okay to straddle the outside "pontoon", don't. I tried that on the Snake River & the kid behind me lost his balance crashing into me. So, I ended up in the water & shot the "Big Kahuna" rapid without the raft LOL.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Another vote for Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park, white water rafting, etc..It's wonderful.

 

[seashell724]

If you want the most bang for your buck you need to get to Canada for your next vacation. I'm from Canada and to travel to the US right now the exchange is charging us 40% more. That means that your $3000 would equate to about $4260 in Canadian dollars! I would check out the Rocky Mountains in Alberta/BC or Vancouver Island. It is stunning!

 

[seashell724]

I see you have been to Banff already. Vancouver, Whistler (like Banff but bigger) and a ferry over to Vancouver Island would be marvelous! On the island there is Mountains, oceans, and a temperate rainforest to explore.

 

[ldo]

We also like active vacations. I would suggest Bermuda! You can get nonstop summer flights for about $350PP from the East Coast. If you rent a 1Br or Studio with a kitchenette, I think that you could keep it at $3K. You can get everywhere for about $50PP for the week with the bus/ferry system. A decent dinner out for 2 is about $100. We ate 3 nice dinners out and cooked simple dinners for the other meals. We had a great time snorkeling, exploring, beaching it. Fabulous beaches, scenery, and everyone is so friendly. It's my new favorite place.

 

[loveshak22]

Iceland, especially if you are in NYC or Boston. check on their national air carriers pages for packages.

I was going to say Iceland as well. We live on the east coast and it was a little over a 5 hour trip. Icelandair was running a special for a "free" stop to Iceland on your way to anywhere in Europe. We stayed in Iceland 3 night/4 days and then hit Finland for 3 nights/4 days. It was a great trip. We went in the winter but summer is supposed to be beautiful! It's reasonably priced as well!

PM me if you have any questions!