As I’m sure many you have heard, Jet Blue recently offered a travel package that created quite a buzz. For $499, people were allowed unlimited travel throughout their network of destinations, from from September 7, 2010, to October 6, 2010. The biggest restriction was no travel on Fridays or Sundays. This could be removed by going with the $699 deal.
I didn’t go for it, due to time commitments, but it was a pretty intriguing offer. If one has a large block of time available during that time frame, it can be a great opportunity to be a jet setter and explorer all in one month. Seems like a good time to me!
That got me thinking about how fun it would be to get away and just chill out. Even though it’s not possible right now for me due to time commitments, I feel like getting inspired by the possibilities. Along those lines, I thought about this totally hypothetical situation:
Let’s pretend for a moment that someone offered you a chance to travel to one location for R&R, just to relax and recharge. The parameters of this daydream scenario would be as follows:
- One free round trip to anywhere within your country of residence; if U.S., it must be within the lower 48 states
- You would have up to 10 days to vacation
- You must stay within the state of your arrival/departure
- You got a reasonable daily stipend for lodging, food, auto rental – say, $200 per day.
For me, the place to chill would be Coastal Oregon. I would fly into Portland, then drive to the coast for some R&R. Cities such as Cannon Beach and Yachats would be on my list of places to stay.
Why Coastal Oregon, of all places? I have been there previously, and found it to be a very relaxing place to visit. You get the beautiful, majestic scenery of the Pacific coastline, with the surf hitting beaches (and occasionally rocks and seastacks) that are juxtaposed against lush, green hills and mountains. There are some quaint towns along the way that are welcoming to tourists, yet relatively unpretentious. Good food, good times. I liken to a northern version of California’s famed Highway 1. It’s a little cooler, and there’s a bit more rain, but if you pick the right time to go and the weather cooperates, it’s a hidden gem. I’ve been to 47 out of 50 states, and think this is a very underrated area for recharging one’s batteries. I highly recommend checking it out.
OK, enough about me. How about you? In this totally hypothetical, fun scenario, where would you go choose to fly? What state/province would you visit, and to what locations would you go?
Ironically, for me it would also be Oregon. We already toured the coast of California (San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey Bay and San Francisco). It was a beautiful trip, but I have always wanted to see Oregon. (By the way, Yosemite in California is another fantastic destination.)
You have just given me an idea for next year – so thank you!
Everyday Tips, Oregon has much natural beauty, yet is reasonably priced (depending where you go, of course). Now, I have been to the SF Area many times – and this includes the drive to Monterey/Carmel. It’s a beautiful area, with much to offer and it’s hard to beat. I chose Coastal Oregon for the chillax factor, as it’s less populated and less expensive, yet has great natural beauty. The towns are not as upscale or exciting as in California, to be fair.
CA bay area! And we might drive up to Mount Shasta or down to Napa Valley… Ah, the beauty of nature. The deliciousness of amazing ethnic food.
Nicole, I always enjoy the SF Bay Area. Lots to do, lots of fun. Culture, the outdoors, whatever you want it’s all there. Great quality of life there!
I’d want to take Mr. BFS to Washington and stay on Orca Island. He would want us to go to Las Vegas again (which is fun). We may even try something new like Florida or Colorado…choices, choices. 🙂
BFS and Roshawn – from what I understand, there are some pretty good hotel deals in Vegas these days. For a short weekend, that’s a great place to visit. One doesn’t have to gamble much there to enjoy it either.
Haven’t been to Vegas in a few years, so I would probably go there. It would be a lot of fun 🙂
When I graduated from high school way back when I always wanted to go to live in Seattle, then after I graduated from college I changed my tune to Portland. I hope I see one of those places before the desire to visit them leaves me. That would be quite a lose for me…
Great post, you really made me want it. BITFS, Orca Island sounds very interesting, I never heard of it before, but if I ever make it out there, that something I will check out too!
Don’t go to Vegas!
Just come to San Fan 🙂
I wish I could have taken that deal. I have been feeling nothing but over worked as of late. I think I would spend a good amount of time on the West Coast. I know that the Financial Samurai would love to hear me say that! It’s true though I would spend a night or two in each spot working my way south from the Canadian border to as far south as Jet Blue would take me. I’ve always wanted to visit Seattle, San Fran, Santa Barbara etc etc etc 🙂 Plus there’s still a little bit of summer left and beaches are always a good thing!
I have been to a lot of places, but have never been in the Northwest. (Montana, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons). I think I would enjoy a trip there this time of year.
I’ve spent a lot of time on both coasts, so to me, I would like to go somewhere brandy new for the first time.
I have always dreamt of visiting San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles in California, and Baltimore-Annapolis area in Maryland… where most of my friends and relatives are!