Cabin fever

[rolanni]

Here at the Cat Farm, it has been a Week of Parts.

We had the exploding computer part, and the going to the dentist part, and the Steve's eye exam has been rescheduled for the third time since January part, and the delivery of various boxes of used books from geographically distant parts of the country part, and the arrival this morning of a bitchy headache, of which I Do Not Approve, and the arrival of the Win7 machine, of which I Do Approve, at least in theory, since I'm not going to undertake to transfer programs and files from one computer to another computer while I have a headache.

Into this week of Parts have come emails -- two, one from Kimpton Hotels, and one from Starwood -- tempting me to take a winter break.  Surprisingly, I find myself most tempted by Kimpton, which offers me a quirky Kimpton-y room in a hotel built inside of an historic building in downtown Philly, walking distance to museums and The Shopping.  It's been a long, long time since I just hung out at a museum for a day, never mind a couple of museums over three days.  It would, my brain says, Be Nice.

Mind you, it's still winter in Philadelphia, too -- in fact, at last report, Philadelphia was having more winter than we here in Central Maine are currently enjoying -- and I'm not a fan of walking in the slush and the wind, be it city or country -- but the idea of a little museum-touring mini-vacation is. . .awfully attractive.

So, if you could drop everything and take a winter break -- where would you go, and what would you do?

Comments

[reedrover]

If we were fantasizing that it were summer, I would go here: http://www.sierracity.com

But if we are talking about packing bags right now, then I'd like to go to Austin. I really enjoyed a few years of New Years parties down there. They have interesting little museums, quirky little shops, and the state house is fun to tour.

[otterb.livejournal.com]

If we assume that in addition to the time, I have the money, I'll opt for the traditional tropical beach. A nice little cottage with a water view from a comfortable chair on the porch (screened, if the insects call for it), a quiet beach to stroll along, the ability to snorkel from the beach (with something to see), a nearby open-air restaurant serving fresh-caught fish and other local delicacies. A few new books, a journal full of blank pages and a nice pen ... I'm set.

Ooh. Want.

If I'm going more budget-friendly, then I'd head to a waterfront cottage on Chincoteague; rent is reasonable in the off season and I can drive from here.

If we assume I could make travel time instant ...

[gareth griffiths (from livejournal.com)]

Wow - so many choices...

I'd probably head to somewhere with proper winter (rather the constant rain and wetness in the UK) get the skis out and blow away the cobwebs. Would want some sunny cold days - Northern Maine in the mountains WOULD work but the sun and not too much wind combination is rare - maybe British Columbia.

Did this one a couple of years ago Long weekend in N Sweden watching the Northern Lights. Hot sauna, hot spa bath outside watching the night sky... Cross country ski, quiet beauty all around - Magical.

Alternatively again assuming instant travel - I LOVE to spend a few days in New Zealand

Paris is good but probably not in winter - give it another few weeks and Paris in the spring.

(writing from a sunny but very cold Logan airport heading back to the UK)

Where else?

[susan kelly (from livejournal.com)]

We just returned from 3 weeks in Rome. Fourth trip, still a long list of things to see, do, eat... you know. I'd go back tomorrow if I could. Allowing for the travel time, maybe the day after, but you know what I mean.

[zola.livejournal.com]

I'd either go see friends who live near San Francisco or visit another friend in Florida. Note both places are warm, and I'd happily trade the snow we've had for rain. I've had enough winter!

Winter break

[julian satchell (from livejournal.com)]

We went to Iceland, to watch Orca.

During the winter, the herring shelter in some fjords on the west of Iceland, and the Orca come close in to feed. There is a hotel in the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, very close to the wharf where the whale watching boat leaves. We went out three times, and saw the Orca every time, as well as Dolphins. The water is pretty sheltered, and we never had anything more than some moderate choppiness. It was cool (just above freezing), but you are fitted out with a padded survival suit that keeps you nice and warm, and you get hot chocolate and a pastry thing on the way back.

The scenery is stark but heroic, the food lovely, and they looked after us beautifully. On the final day, when we went back to the airport to go home, we stopped off at the famous Blue Lagoons, which was very relaxing.

Winter Break

[catherine ives (from livejournal.com)]

The Big Island of Hawaii to see Kilauea, the active volcano. No question.