OT: Need good, quiet vacation spot

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Hi all-

I had lunch with one of the administrators from my high school today. We've remained friends over the years. He will be leaving his position at the school (very close-knit boarding school) in June. The school has become his home and we all know the transition, although exciting and well-deserved, is going to be very difficult on him.

At lunch, he mentioned the need for taking a week to do NOTHING. This from a man whose had 4 vacation days in the past 3 years. I finally convinced him that it really is a necessary step so that he can refocus instead of moving from one school to the next and diving right in. He put the challenge to me to find the place for him... and here I am ready to pick YOUR brains over!

He just wants nothing to do except read, write, listen to some music, and hideaway for a few days. He said he's up for beaching, fishing, hiking, etc. Just doesn't want to be overwhelmed or taking in anything new (his initial thought was London for a week and dismissed it for the reason mentioned). It's just him, no companions.

I was thinking log cabin somewhere? St. John's in the USVAs? National Park somewhere? We're on the East Coast. Budget is flexible.

Thanks so much!

 

[Gillian]

St John is wonderful. So much of it is National Park that it's still pretty quiet. There is a campground (national, not sure of the name) with these cement cabin-y things that has a decent beach. There is an eco-resort (or 2?). Friends of ours stayed in town at condos there a long time ago. There are taxis from there to other places or you can rent a car. We've only been for the day.

We also enjoyed Tortola, BVI. we liked the Sugar mill restaurant and I think they rent out rooms also if a resort is not really needed. http://www.sugarmillhotel.com/ We stayed at Long Bay resort, but they've expanded since then.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

As a true Florida native (at least 4 generations born here) I gotta recommend a Florida beach. There are bunches of great ones, but my favorites have to be Destin/Sand Destin or Grayton. These beaches are in Northwest Florida - not as packed as Miami or Daytona - and are truly beautful beaches. They are also not terribly expensive.

As a teacher, I agree with your advice. It's very difficult to go from one school to another, especially if you've been there awhile. I teach at the same school I graduated from. I attended (as a student) this school from kindergarten to 12th grade, and now I teach there and my sons (ages 15 and 8) are students!!!! Talk about home, I often feel more at home there than . . . at home!!!

Tell him to go and be touristy and goofy and most of all - RELAX!!!! Because I'm the teacher, that's why!

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

http://www.sugarmillhotel.com/[/url] We stayed at Long Bay resort, but they've expanded since then.

My mom used to work at Sugar Mill and Long Bay... why didn't I think of this?

 

[loriandmatt]

there are some lovely secluded cabin rentals in the smokey mountains. yes, that area can get touristy in the summers, but there are still plenty of secluded cabin rentals where you would only have to be exposed to the touristy element if you went looking for it.

also - the poconos has some wonderful rustic get aways that can appear deserted even in the summer months. many flock away from the poconos in the summer (as opposed to during winter sports season) and opt to take a few more hours drive to the jersey beaches. We camp there often in the summer and feel like we are tuely getting away from it all.

- lori

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

He has a second home in the Poconos... admitted himself that it's still too close to NYC Need to trap him someplace!

I was wondering about the Applachian Trail, as well. Must look up cabins there.

Thanks for all the input so far- collecting it and researching things so that he DOES go away!

 

[Piglet4me]

I think I have just the place!
How about hiking in Acadia National Park? A hike ( or drive) up Cadillac Mountain?! There are so many wonderful places to stay in/ around Bar Harbor. Not the toursit part.
My family and I go there as we can, and truly it is one of the most relaxing, wonderful vacatons we take. we stay in Surry, Maine ( about 30 minutes outside Bar Harbor), It's a small town right outside of bEllswoth and is wonderful. The Surry Inn would be a great place for him to stay -- beautiful view of Acadia across the bay. Stunning!
And quiet, peacful. Wonderful.
Truly.

 

[rd0127]

He should fly down to St. Thomas and take a boat over to St. John and he will be in a peaceful heaven. It is one of the most serene and beautiful places on earth. Bless his heart, I hope that he is able to find his perfect, peaceful vacation.