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Come on out to Arizona. It's going to be up over 110 here soon so we're pretty much geared to things you can do while never breathing fresh, "outside" air.
That may be very well where I got my taste in travel activities. I lived in Phoenix for many years and never did anything outside until after dark. I LOVE being outside on a warm Arizona evening, especially where there is food, booze and good music involved!
The nicest thing about Arizona (at night) is that there aren't many bugs. I miss that a lot.
The nicest thing about Arizona (at night) is that there aren't many bugs. I miss that a lot.
I went to Sedona last July with a friend and the bugs at night were ridiculous! We were seated outside at a restaurant and after a few encounters with these giant bugs, we left. They were so huge and gross! The locals laughed at us, saying that it's a common thing in AZ. The hotel had a ton of bugs on their property as well, and I was terrified to walk at night and we ended up not using the pool because of the bug issue. Maybe Phoenix is different, but the only thing I distinctly remember about Sedona is the giant bugs everywhere. We won't be going back!
I went to Sedona last July with a friend and the bugs at night were ridiculous! We were seated outside at a restaurant and after a few encounters with these giant bugs, we left. They were so huge and gross! The locals laughed at us, saying that it's a common thing in AZ. The hotel had a ton of bugs on their property as well, and I was terrified to walk at night and we ended up not using the pool because of the bug issue. Maybe Phoenix is different, but the only thing I distinctly remember about Sedona is the giant bugs everywhere. We won't be going back!
Well, in my post I specifically meant mosquitoes. I guess I should have said that because I remember a lot of *other* bugs in Phoenix. I remember you could be outside at night and not be bitten by mosquitoes, which is a major PITA here in Missouri where I live. But again, it might have been the factor that Phoenix is a large city and where I live now is out in the country.
Anyway, I think this is one reason why I am not much of an outdoor person.
I like to immerse myself in the local culture. I travel off the beaten path, where very few tourists seem to go. I love traveling to foreign countries and mixing in with the locals, exploring their neighborhoods, trying their food. To me, that is an ideal trip. Sorry I'm of no help to you, I can't imagine traveling only to stay indoors the entire time!
About as concisely put as could be !
I would also add to that that I am real Archaeology/Architecture/Arts/Culture nut so always enjoy finding out about the history and visual arts aspects of any culture be they museums, art/craft galleries/archaeological sites... To me travel is about discovering something new and trying to "blend in " as much as possible.
Which is why I love home exchanges...
Staying indoors on a vacation would be my idea of hell.
I like to hang out at bars and meet new people and then hang out with them. For me the best experience is trying a whole bunch of food and making new friends so you can visit again cheaper and also it is just fun to have friends around the world, you never know how it might help in the future!
I can't imagine taking a vacation and being stuck indoors. Nothing could be more depressing. I have to get outside every day even if it is just for a few minutes. Cabin fever comes quickly in my life.
hmmm I am not really an outdoors person per se. I don't like to get hot and sweaty and I abhor dealing with stinging insects. I do enjoy walking around old towns and checking out the sights, taking boat tours and leisurely walking thru deciduous rain forests like in Tasmania.
We have been to Amsterdam, Munich, Prague, Sydney, Melbourne, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Alaskan Cruise, North Island New Zealand to give you an idea of the towns/places.
We have done some "outdoorsy" active things like Zorb and climbing the Auckland and Sydney Harbor Bridges but you don't have to be in great shape-just a bit adventurous! Fast boat ride near Manly Beach.
We tour wineries, movie sets (Hobbiton), museums, animal parks, rent bicycles (again not hard core but leisurely pace), historical buildings/sites- Anne Frank house, Castles in Germany, Churches, Botanical Gardens, Concentration Camp, natural wonders, ghost tours of old prisons...Cadbury chocolate factory in Tasmania and lots more but that should give you an idea.
We don't go in the summer heat to hot places. Yes, we walk around some outside to see the sites but we aren't doing anything fast/extreme! Shopping for souvenirs is about the only "shopping" we do. Last summer we spent a week in Ottawa. They had Canada Day festivities-bands,street performers, food, museums, boat tours, casino, great restaurants with outdoor seating to people watch. 2 yrs before we did Montreal and Quebec City.
No we have kids so things are a bit different but generally similar just throw in some kid museums and more animals!
First of all, let me preface this question by saying that I am not an outdoor person. I do not enjoy being outdoors and I do not go outdoors unless there is something extremely pressing that requires it. My vacations do not have to do with outdoor activities.
I hope that was clear.
Now then, I have a question for the traveling folks here.
When you go on vacation...what do you do?????
Oh, let me mention also, that I am not a shopper. Do not like shopping, do not consider it a recreational activity.
Ok, back to the topic.
What do you do?
I have been thinking about taking a vacation later in the year. Looking at travel brochures, etc., it seems that everything (or nearly so) is targeted at outdoor activities.
As far as a destination - I had been looking at Florida pre-oil disaster, and now I am not even sure where I want to go. I was thinking about Texas - maybe around Dallas. Just somewhere different.
But again, I cannot find anyplace that has fun things to do that does not involved being out of doors.
Who has some good suggestions? I'm depressed that nothing sounds like fun to me. out:
20yrsinBranson
Don't take this the wrong way--because I'm not really big on the outdoors myself. But in terms of the bolded statement, what does it matter? You're not planning on going to the beaches, so there are other things to do. In my area, there are museums, there are playhouses/theatres, there are other tourist attractions. You could go see musicians in some larger venues. I don't personally enjoy drinking, but I do like to go to bars for karaoke, to play pool, or darts, or trivia games. If you like drinking, I think there's a place here called "World of Beers". (well, Sarasota, but close enough).
Not knowing what you DO like to do, I can't advise you more than that. Performing arts, visual arts, museums. Maybe food. That's my list of things you could do that don't really involve the outdoors...or shopping, per se.
Well, in my post I specifically meant mosquitoes. I guess I should have said that because I remember a lot of *other* bugs in Phoenix. I remember you could be outside at night and not be bitten by mosquitoes, which is a major PITA here in Missouri where I live. But again, it might have been the factor that Phoenix is a large city and where I live now is out in the country.
Anyway, I think this is one reason why I am not much of an outdoor person.
20yrsinBranson
Yes, mosquitoes are bad down here. Mornings and early evenings. Pretty much too hot for the little buggers any other time of day. Can't tell you how to avoid them, except to say that I hear they're REALLY bad down in southeast Florida, and near the Keys.
Some might tell you there are good repellents out there--and there are--but most of them really stink, at least to me.
Yes, mosquitoes are bad down here. Mornings and early evenings. Pretty much too hot for the little buggers any other time of day. Can't tell you how to avoid them, except to say that I hear they're REALLY bad down in southeast Florida, and near the Keys.
Some might tell you there are good repellents out there--and there are--but most of them really stink, at least to me.
The time of year I like to visit Florida is mid winter, the SW coast. No mozzies, not too hot.
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