I need a vacation; suggestions?

[Tikiman]

Head to Key West. Get loaded, visit the Hemmingway House and pet the nine-toed cats, bang a complete stranger, and come home with a tattoo you don't remember getting.

[slewfoot]

Cleveland

[Yadkin]

Caribbean > Floriduh. Unless you go to the Keys, not guaranteed to be warm.

But I would not attempt it without a passport, even the US territories. Just get one.

Jamaica is awesome, so is the DR, especially St. Lucia.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Cool 50th AE

Florida would be my 1st choice because it’s only a 2-hour flight.

But every resort website I check out is like a Walmart of resorts even at the high-end spots.
They all show a pool surrounded by 200 lounge chairs that can’t be quiet or relaxing.

I want a quiet beach area that still has high end restaurants.

Originally Posted by Cool 50th AE

I just want to sit down with my feet in the sand, the sun beating down on me and a blueberry colada in my hand with nothing but the sound of crashing waves echoing.

The best beaches to fit your quiet beach criteria won't have the resort amenities.

I know a spot where you can pretty much have the beach to yourself. But you will need to cook your own food and mix your own drinks.

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by Cool 50th AE

As an adult I have never been on a vacation.
Back about 10 years ago I started a thread at the other place asking for suggestions and I never went anywhere.

Florida would be my 1st choice because it’s only a 2-hour flight.
But every resort website I check out is like a Walmart of resorts even at the high-end spots.
They all show a pool surrounded by 200 lounge chairs that can’t be quiet or relaxing.

I want a quiet beach area that still has high end restaurants.

I don’t have a passport and I hear that places like Turks and Caicos are what I want.

Now that i don't work I will buy a one way airline ticket and worry about coming back when i feel like it.

There are still some nice quiet areas in the Florida pahhandle - like the "Forgotten Coast" (Apalachicola) still has the "old town" feel and you can have some of the best, fresh seafood in your life...

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

Head to Key West. Get loaded, visit the Hemmingway House and pet the nine-toed cats, bang a complete stranger, and come home with a tattoo you don't remember getting.

You might want to ensure that "stranger" is of the opposite sex - its a "thing" in Key West..

[Bruze]

Originally Posted by Raazor

The Holiday Inn Pool is heated... most of the time

Do I need to be vaxxed to get in?

[Vandelay Industries]

Mar-a-Lago Club.

/thread

[Bruze]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

You might want to ensure that "stranger" is of the opposite sex - its a "thing" in Key West..

I was in Key West in February 1971, was a cool place. But yes, I've heard it went Full Homo since then.

[Trapper Sean]

Little Palm Island in mid-lower Keys is accessible only by boat and I believe is $$$$ out of my budget range.

Would be quiet, private. One restaurant, to my knowledge (how the heck are you going to find multiple fine restaurants with nobody in them??)

Probably more for couples and honeymooners. You have anyone besides Rosey Palm?

Sidebar: vacation areas in FL tend to have a lot of good restaurants but few to zero great restaurants. For great restaurants, you generally have to go back to Chicago, San Francisco, other chitholes.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

Caribbean > Floriduh. Unless you go to the Keys, not guaranteed to be warm.

But I would not attempt it without a passport, even the US territories. Just get one.

Jamaica is awesome, so is the DR, especially St. Lucia.

I’ve been in the Keys when it was cold.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

There are still some nice quiet areas in the Florida pahhandle - like the "Forgotten Coast" (Apalachicola) still has the "old town" feel and you can have some of the best, fresh seafood in your life...

Cape san Blas FTW.

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by LATB

Cape san Blas FTW.

Yes - and if you can snag one of the government cabins in the state park, they are pretty private and quite nice - they were devastated by a hurricane a few years back but my understanding is that they are renovated and available now.

If you don't mind things a little rustic there are the Old Salt Works cabins in the area - we've rented there several times and kayaked on the Gulf, beware the time of year because the deer flies will eat your azz up during the hot months !

https://m.resortsandlodges.com/lodgi...ks-cabins.html

Then you can drive into town and gets some of the best grouper on the planet !

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

Yes - and if you can snag one of the government cabins in the state park, they are pretty private and quite nice - they were devastated by a hurricane a few years back but my understanding is that they are renovated and available now.

If you don't mind things a little rustic there are the Old Salt Works cabins in the area - we've rented there several times and kayaked on the Gulf, beware the time of year because the deer flies will eat your azz up during the hot months !

https://m.resortsandlodges.com/lodgi...ks-cabins.html

Then you can drive into town and gets some of the best grouper on the planet !

Indeed. And yes Hurricane Michael did a number on the Cape and Mexico Beach too.
We had property on the Cape and got real close to building there. Even considered a move there. But in the end we decided to move to a rural location and visit the coast if the bug hits us. But after 30+ years on the beach I have little interest.

[Egnalf]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

Head to Key West. Get loaded, visit the Hemmingway House and pet the nine-toed cats, bang a complete stranger, and come home with a tattoo you don't remember getting.

Originally Posted by Bruze

I was in Key West in February 1971, was a cool place. But yes, I've heard it went Full Homo since then.

Attachment 90747

Key west is probably one of the better answers on this thread. It is definitely not "full homo", in fact its has a nice mix of everything o/p asked for. It does have its high end expensive hotels, but there are also decent cheap places to stay. Bed and breakfast, hostels, etc. The hotels up north side are cheap in comparison to those in old town and new town.

Quiet beach? fort zach state park, and it has a bar. also the beach at the Galleon is open to public, quiet and has a decent bar. There are PLENTY of good restaurants, pick the type of food you like and ask around.

One thing great for single travelers, many of the serving class is from up north and moved there to get away. there is still that kind of vibe in the less well known places where you can sit, drink, chat with strangers, and feel perfectly welcome. I've been going there since 93 annually. Yes it has changed, but you can still find your hiding places.

Bonus---3 hour direct flights from philly.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

Head to Key West. Get loaded, visit the Hemmingway House and pet the nine-toed cats, bang a complete stranger, and come home with a tattoo you don't remember getting.

If you have never been to Key West, DO IT!!
Great restaurants, better bars, fun people,,, and no watch or reservations needed.
I go once a year, always memorable, weather is always perfect before May.

[Egnalf]

https://www.fortzacharytaylor.com/beach/

rent something like this up north, then rent a bike for the week and explore. No car needed. https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reser...3Enu2CagHw_wcB

head here for a chill afternoon on the water with the atlantic lapping at your feet, and a dog beach next door where you can take your drink in the water and play with dogs or relax. at night, excellent dinner .https://www.louiesbackyard.com/anni

[Budman]

Key West

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by Bruze

I was in Key West in February 1971, was a cool place. But yes, I've heard it went Full Homo since then.

Attachment 90747

Been there a few dozen times, AND have only had hetero sex!!

[Egnalf]

Originally Posted by Budman

Key West

its literally exactly what he posted he wants.


if you want to get a little fancier, you can head here and play out in the pool bars. dont need to be a guest. https://casamarinakeywest.reservatio...da%20-%20Other