Planning trip, looking for idea's

So, I've spent almost the past 10 years living my life for someone else on top of working myself nearly to death for much of it and I'm done with all of that. Very done and very tired. Have 4 weeks of vacation to burn before the end of the year 1 of which I can roll into next year if need be. Probably can take it in 1-2 week chunks pretty easily and am looking to just go out and do something mindless and just enjoy the simple sense of being. The one thing I have ruled out is a cultural style of vacation, one where you go and explore a culture, as I don't enjoy doing that alone. Technically don't like traveling at all alone but oh well and I'll get over it. Some things I have thought of are below, I'm open to just about anything.

-Whistler BC for the winter season
-Alaska or Panama cruise
-Bum around the beaches and nature on the big island of Hawaii and Oahu
-Sailing vacation (the larger boats with a crew)
-Canada train vacation
-Cottage in the 1000 Islands (hmm, probably fall/winter is not the most ideal time but anyways...)
-Venice, I think I could get enough mindless wandering there. I only speak English so I do have doubts. Its the long shot idea.

I want simple and mindless so I can just be. Suggestions/recommendations/your own personal experiences? Looking to get things planned so that if nothing better comes up in the mean time I at least follow through with something to do. (also to have enough time to apply for any travel/vacation visa's that are required)

 

You have some good tastes

Australia is also on my list but I am holding out for my work to send me there (...free that way ) but there is little likely hood of that. Sydney over the holidays sounds like fun. New Zealand too, I really want to go there.

I think my time of year would kind of rule out the cottage rental around Canada. Freezing my ass off by my lonesome is not what I would consider high on my priority list, lol. Minnesota was bad enough with my wet hair freezing within 10 seconds of stepping outside...

Viking ocean cruise?
http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/multi-region/passage-west-europe/index.html

Or Viking river cruise?
http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/

 

Damn fine dream, think I'm going to add it to my list now too. CY 2015 is pretty much booked up unfortunately.

 

Good point on Venice, probably a place that should be better prepared for.

+1 on Hawaii, has gotten a few votes. Alaska in winter = northern lights.

 

I do see a trend. Whenever nobody else is there... Both of your idea's I've added to my someday list.

Not a fan of being a sardine in a big ole floating tin can either, but a cruise is pretty mindless. Just have to show up on time and that is about it. The thought of a sailing cruise is starting to grow on me some, less people, the accommodations (or lack of) don't really bother me.

I'm kind of screwed some with the timing, likely would be taking part or all of it in November/December and a lot of the things I would like to do are where it gets cold. Not that I mind cold at all, but I would have a hard time enjoying myself in a cabin surrounded by snow in front of a fire. Those types of things I have always associated with sharing with someone else and going at it alone would be a constant fight with those thoughts. Just something special about snow and keeping warm in front of a fire. Tropical and stuff like that I am not nearly as affected in the same way. Probably came from growing up and falling snow+fire=family time.

I was starting to get that impression about the Viking river cruises too, popular among the older age set. Heard through friends of family that they all really liked the cruises but they are also 50+ yr old couples too. I am really eyeballing the Germany one in December as it looks good and I know I would like it. Germany/Austria/Czech Republic/Hungary or anything around those just seem like a lot of fun around the Christmas holiday. But something about hanging out alone with a bunch of 70 year old couples is, I dunno..... (no offense to those with years of wisdom behind them) Guess I need to go about finding someone to bring with. It sounds so sad hearing myself say that but oh well, life is short.

 

Doesn't matter. Could be all fun or all gelling...as long as I don't have to do too much to make it happen.

Not into the party scene/drinking.

I'll check into that. That and the Columbia River sounds interesting.

 

Well, Venice is high on the list now.

Also, to any of those looking at the Viking river cruises sign up for their newsletter and special offer mailer. Just got a special offer email for November for the Cities of Light (12 day cruise) at a huge discount for their upgraded staterooms and that includes free round trip airfare. They drop their prices a lot when they are trying to fill rooms it looks like.

I never thought of it in those terms, a Se outlet, but it makes a lot of sense. I like it, its a blast, but not quite to the same extent that a lot of other people take it. Probably will stick to Colorado for winter sports this year and hit up Blackcomb some future date.