Let me clarify the point about driving in another country. That should read "if in another country, you don't want to drive yourself; riding public transportation or being driven is fine".

Is this limited to overseas? What about Canada or Mexico? Can you do Europe in only about a week? Do you want to explore new territory or revisit a favorite place?

What would I do? I'd call a travel agent!

Sherry

It's not limited to any location; that wasn't one of the conditions. I'm just looking for some ideas of what people here would like to do.

A cruise is the first thing to pop into my mind.

It would probably help if we had some sort of budget to consider.

I'll add that you might like the NCL 7-day cruise that departs Honolulu every Saturday, with ship's tours to the highlights on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Big Island of Hawaii. You could come two days early or stay Waikiki after the cruise.

Ok, budget = ~$2,000.

Given those requirements... I'd opt for a bus tour of some sort. I don't know how much it would cost to do one overseas, but I'm sure I could stay on budget_ if I did a tour in the states.

I'd most likely never do that IRL though. I think I'd be nervous about not knowing anyone plus I might get claustrophobic on the bus. Not really my cup of tea. :-)

I'd opt for the bus tour also. All your arrangements are made for you so you are not stressing over getting lost or trying to communicate. Most tour groups allow plenty of time for persons to be alone and either choose to get extra sleep or take side tours of their choice. The tour guide can make restaurant reservations, get theater/museum tickets, or whatever help you may need to plan your free time. You will also meet people on the tour who may tag along with you or you may be invited to join them. I've taken bus tours alone and with friends.

Costa Rica is beautiful and very affordable. If you Google Costa Rica vacations, you'll find a lot of all-inclusive vacation deals. I'd love to go there if Harry was able to get around better.

Thanks, all. I'm really looking for answers to my question of "where would you go", given what I said about my situation and personality.

Hmmmm....Costa Rica. I've never been there; will look into it.

I went on a group trip to Mexico several years ago that probably fits into your category. We flew into Merida in the Yucatan Peninsula and did some shopping and sight seeing of local churches, plazas, etc. It's not all English speaking, but I was there with a group of other students. We had all just finished two years of high school English. We never drove. Transportation was provided through the group. If I remember correctly, we went from there to Volladolid and then onto Cancun. We were taken to several of the Mayan ruins including Uxmal and Chichen Itza. It was eye opening for me because I never knew they existed before that. I also learned that each area of Mexico has it own foods and cultures. We got to talk to some of the locals and see how they live. I remember our guide telling us he could 'afford' air conditioning if he had wanted it. Here, our poor people have food, clothing and air conditioning. It's a sharp contrast to those people I saw living there in one room huts made out of sticks.

We did some touristy things. Given the opportunity, I would love to take another trip like that back into Mexico or another Latin American country that is off the beaten path.

I would go to NYC and see all the sights, take in a couple of Yankee baseball games, walk all around Central Park, visit the museums, ride the subways....just have a great time shopping and eating and observing people.

If I was in your shoes, I would do a bus tour in Europe, lets say, southern, taking in France, Italy and Switzerland. Love it there. :)

But, I am not in your shoes, and have much more time... and I am going to ride my bicycle down the pacific coast this summer.

Moni

Definitely a cruise!

I'd head out for a self guided tour of Napa Valley and stay in a local B&B. Maybe one day take the wine train, one day into San Francisco for a swanky dinner, one day to the Pacific Coast, a day spa, and a couple of days touring vineyards.

Ahhh, some excellent thoughts. Thank you! Keep 'em coming.

we're revisiting mt rushmore this year...

but if i had my heart of hearts vacation? not europe, or a cruise, but i'd do hiway 1 again in ca...probably would start in san luis obispo, head over to morro bay, do san simion hurst castle, the big sur, the aquarium in monteray bay (never have seen it) maybe butterflies in pacific grove, winchester house in san jose, and dinner in san fran...end it driving thru the redwoods...

I'm with Carol in California. NYC: museums, food, shopping, museums, baseball, food, crowds, food, museums.

Altho $2000 would a tight budget, since that barely pays for a decent hotel for a full week. Yeah, $285 a night, good neighborhood, no bedbugs.

Check Global tours. They do both US and foreign and are very good. Check AAA and Rehman (Country Life) use to have bus tours from 1-2 days to month. Check Holland Boats tours for Alaska and NW tours. Do you have a local tour office? Many colleges have day tours as do some senior citizens groups. I would love to do Canada. Oh yes, check Amtrack and Canadian RR. Knowing what state you live in could help. There are many day trips on Grey Tours, I think that is what it is. Hope this helps.

Cruises are lonely, IF you are not with a group. Trust me, I know.

I DO cruise, as a single, but with a group. Just like to be able to hook up with some familiar faces, especially at dinner time. Meet them to sun on the deck.

I go my own way after seated dining. Do my own thing.

If you do NYC, check in to the youth hostel option (cheapest place to sleep), unless sharing a room with three other females is not to your liking. If you do it, take a lock. You will have a locker, but locks cost extra.

:)

Moni who loved her NYC trip!

Thanks all, again. For those suggesting NYC, I'm in Massachusetts. So I've been to NYC many, many times, so that's not in the cards for me this time. I agree with you, though - it's absolutely great. For those who haven't been there, it's worth the trip, more than once!

Since you like on the East Coast, you might enjoy San Francisco or Seattle. In San Fran, you could take a bus tour of the wine country one of the days you are there.

Susannjf.....I live in the are you want to visit....call me when you get here.
We have a butterfly grove in Pismo Beach....and don't forget the elephant seals north of Cambria.

What I did a few years ago
Get in touch with a travel agent
line up all the events I want to go to including plays and stuff and have her/him
book them for me as well as my transportation and tours also book me in a Bed and Breakfast.
this is to London

this time I might not come back.
She left me a couple of days to be on my own but everything was done in advance.
I planned for 5 weeks went all by myself
Didn't drive took tour buses or the underground or cabs
one weeek of it in Scotland but I came back to my B&B early from that trip
I was seeing one or two shows a day interspersed with Pub
Walks and visits to famous stores etc.

Moni, an ideal vacation for me includes a touch of luxury, or at least a private room. I'd just build the hotel price into my budget. Some of us are less adventurous than others!

;-)

From Mass, find out about those Canadian tours. Nova Scotia to Ann of Green Gables, tons of stuff to do, Prince Edward Island, Yes you do need a passport.

Thanks all, again. For those suggesting NYC, I'm in Massachusetts. So I've been to NYC many, many times, so that's not in the cards for me this time. I agree with you, though - it's absolutely great. For those who haven't been there, it's worth the trip, more than once!

Why did that post again ???????? (Sorry)

Travel the country by horseback.

Sue

I'd do a river cruise in Europe - Viking River Cruises is one company to look at - the boats carry no more than 200 passengers, it's open seating so that you meet people, and it's a combination of day tours and river cruising. We went last year on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel Switzerland and had a marvelous time. The cost is cheap but it's a vacation to remember

I'm going by myself to Hawaii this summer. Staying with a friend so it's going to be fairly cheap. Not one for sitting on a beach either so I plan to go hiking on a volcano, see the local Japanese botanical gardens, walk along the beach and sightsee.

I also want to drive up and down both coasts lines someday, northern part as I've been to the southern parts.

Then there's a train ride across the country that I've always wanted to do.

Cruise to Alaska.

suzie, just don't do a bus trip in Spain, or if you do, be prepared. LOL, go see if you can find the movie: Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing

It is about a bus trip in Spain. Don't ask me why it was on my netflix list, cause I don't know. :)

Moni

Around here there's banks that offer various tours throughout the year. Some are day trips and some are for 3 weeks or more. My sister is going to Austrailia with a bank group this summer. You don't even have to have money in the bank. She says that she has met everyone that is going on the trip and that would be nice if I were alone.

I'd head to Paris, because I had a great time there by myself when I went the first time. (I stayed with a friend, but she's a doctor and was working most of the time.)

Since I've never been to Hawaii, I'd vote for the Hawaiian cruise....but I don't think 2000 would cover it.

For one week:

1. Do a photo tour. Make a list of all the great scenes you like to see and photograph, and then select a set that can be included in a week tour, then go for it. This assumes tht you'll be doing your own driving. That's the best way because you can spend as much time as you want at each location, and you have tghe freedom to explore roads off the beaten path.

2. If you are a Civil War buff, there are a number of historical locations to view.

3. Make contact with a long "lost" relative or close friend that you have not seen in a very long time and plan to visit her/him.

Self tours that e have enjoyed the most:

a. Fall color tour of New England

b. Fall tour of the Smokys, including the Blue Ridge Parkway.

c. Grand Canyon including Arches, Mesa Verde, and Moument Valley.

d. Yellow Stone National Park.

e. In Canada, the drive from Banff to Japser in British Columbia. At Jasper, be sure to take side trips to local lakes.

carol, i'd love to revisit ca...we lived in sa diego, and in seattle...but have been back here (mi) since 1988...i miss the ocean and mountains...i don't miss the smog!

one thing I would love to do is ride the Orient express in Peru...to Machu Picchu. Lovely scenery on a luxurious train...

If I was staying in country, I think I would like to go to the Outer Banks. Many historical sites, museums, parks, lighthouses and of course, the beach. (but not a lot of people)

Wow! I can't believe how many responses there are to my question. Thank you all for taking the time to think and post. I love the ideas and will let you know what I decide.

Suzieque

St. John's, Newfoundland! One of the oldest cities in North America.

Ocean, incredible scenery (you've seen Casey's photos?), great food, very unique culture, fantastic trails. Whale-watching, if you go in season.

Newfoundlanders have a reputation for being the most fun and friendly people in Canada.

The "Vacations To Go" website has early season, late season and repositioning cruises out of NYC starting at about $1000. The Queen Mary 2 goes to London. A Costa ship goes to Copenhagen. (That's $1000 pp, and cheapest cabin.)

The NCL Hawaiian islands cruise can be had for very little if you can book within 90 days of sailing. There are cheap fares on almost every cruise line if you can get to a port on short notice. Ships want as many passengers as they can get; passenger tips help pay cabin crew and waiters, and they need people to buy drinks, visit the casino and take ship's tours. Remember to add those costs when you budget your trip.

Oh there are so many great places to go and things to do. I think being alone, my first choice would be a cruise. There are so many things to choose from both on and off the ship and you can do as much or as little as you like.

Second choice in the states is Las Vegas. There is so much to do there and lots of people - men and women - do solo trips there. Great food, shows and people-watching.

For Europe, I would go to London or Rome & Venice. Public transportation is wonderful over there. Driving a rentaL car is awful! There are so many museums and parks to see at all these places.

I hope you pick the perfect spot for you and that you have a wonderful time. Let us know when you decide.

Barbara