Ridiculous request for ideas for some kind of holiday trip w/2 teenage boys

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd do a Texas driving extravaganza - some combination of Hill Country, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston with some side quests for barbecue or weird/interesting regional stuff. (I haven't actually planned this trip, but it wouldn't be too hard to pull of and if you're up for hunting quirky adventure, you could have a great time.)

Gotta say xnay on this, unless you feel like being in the car the whole vacation. Texas is a huge state, 100s of miles between cities, and reall not that interesting scenery.

The OP literally asked for road trips. The longest drive in the suggestion is Houston to Hill Country (4.5 hrs) - but if you did this trip, you'd break it up by visiting Austin or SA in between that drive. It may not be for you. But there are lots of quirky off the beaten road spots to explore (and get a flavor of Texas).

[Anonymous]

If you can fly on Xmas, new Year's Eve and/or Jan 6, you may be able to find flights that aren't insane. We went to Costa Rica one year that way. Also check Costco travel and see if they have any good deals.

[Anonymous]

You can still get ocean front condos at St Augustine Beach and Crescent Beach for around $200 a night.

It will be chlly.

Savannah and Charleston are also worth a visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd do a Texas driving extravaganza - some combination of Hill Country, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston with some side quests for barbecue or weird/interesting regional stuff. (I haven't actually planned this trip, but it wouldn't be too hard to pull of and if you're up for hunting quirky adventure, you could have a great time.)

We did this one new year. We even did a boat tour of the port. We visited LBJ's winter White House, and different missions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Driving to northern Florida is doable. May not be lay on the beach weather but will be much nicer than here. Have you checked all Florida airports with random/flexible days on google flights? Are you willing to fly on 12/25? That is sometimes cheaper.

I’d check JAX, MCO, TPA, FLL, MIA, and RSW and see what you can find. Then just book a slightly inland hotel that’s a mile or two away from the coast and take little day trips each day to local beaches, nature sanctuaries, etc.

We do FL like this for most spring breaks because I’m not willing to pay “spring break” prices somewhere but still want a warm getaway. DCUM would judge but we enjoy it.

We're Floridians who moved away (military) and this is how we vacation there. Our anti-tourist souls died hard.

[Anonymous]

If the budget is flexible, just suck it up and pay the holiday premium to fly to a beach, no? Maybe use a travel agent. Or do you have an American Express card that would find you something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ooh, I love the Tucson suggestion and might now do that with my kid for (April) spring break. Winter break in the desert is a little too chilly for my taste - but likely beautiful.

Tucson is fantastic in April! Winter is definitely a bit chilly, but it's great day hiking weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd do a Texas driving extravaganza - some combination of Hill Country, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston with some side quests for barbecue or weird/interesting regional stuff. (I haven't actually planned this trip, but it wouldn't be too hard to pull of and if you're up for hunting quirky adventure, you could have a great time.)

We did this one new year. We even did a boat tour of the port. We visited LBJ's winter White House, and different missions.

Here's the free boat tour in Houston. We also went to the space center in Houston, then stayed on the Gulf coast. In the Hill country, there were lots of safari ranches - zebras, antelope etc. Maybe these are for game hunting, but it was mind bending to see herds of zebra as we drove along.

https://porthouston.com/community/tours/sam-houston-boat-tour/

If your kids are even vaguely interested in applying to Rice, call in there and do a tour or record your visit, because they like to see demonstrated interested!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd do a Texas driving extravaganza - some combination of Hill Country, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston with some side quests for barbecue or weird/interesting regional stuff. (I haven't actually planned this trip, but it wouldn't be too hard to pull of and if you're up for hunting quirky adventure, you could have a great time.)

Gotta say xnay on this, unless you feel like being in the car the whole vacation. Texas is a huge state, 100s of miles between cities, and reall not that interesting scenery.

These cities are relatively close to each other, so they'd only be visiting a corner of Texas, not the whole place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 14 yr old loves engineering. We've been taking trips to see interesting structures, natural wonders, cool buildings, etc.

Last year we did 5 days in Panama which was comparatively inexpensive. We spent 3 days exploring the Panama Canal from coast to coast, a day in the city, and a day at the beach.

For thanksgiving this year we went to Vegas. Not really warm in Dec but we visited the Hoover Dam, Sphere, saw Chris Angel, went out to eat a few times.

For xmas week, we're going to Houston. Visiting the space center and a few of the museums in the area. As a pp mentioned, we're going to find bbq and see where the quirky adventure takes us.

Next spring, we're looking at Iceland. Again, not warm, but he wants to see the geothermal power exhibitions.

You're an awesome parent!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 14 yr old loves engineering. We've been taking trips to see interesting structures, natural wonders, cool buildings, etc.

Last year we did 5 days in Panama which was comparatively inexpensive. We spent 3 days exploring the Panama Canal from coast to coast, a day in the city, and a day at the beach.

For thanksgiving this year we went to Vegas. Not really warm in Dec but we visited the Hoover Dam, Sphere, saw Chris Angel, went out to eat a few times.

For xmas week, we're going to Houston. Visiting the space center and a few of the museums in the area. As a pp mentioned, we're going to find bbq and see where the quirky adventure takes us.

Next spring, we're looking at Iceland. Again, not warm, but he wants to see the geothermal power exhibitions.

You're an awesome parent!!!!

You need to add the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland to your wishlist.

[Anonymous]

It's a great time of year to visit South America. You could enjoy the beaches in Brazil, see Machu Picchu, or hang in Buenos Aires. There are lots of great options.

[Anonymous]

PpParent of engineering teen, love your trips!
Can you recommend your flights and hotels in Panama? How hard was this
?

[Anonymous]

Dubai

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd do a Texas driving extravaganza - some combination of Hill Country, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston with some side quests for barbecue or weird/interesting regional stuff. (I haven't actually planned this trip, but it wouldn't be too hard to pull of and if you're up for hunting quirky adventure, you could have a great time.)

Gotta say xnay on this, unless you feel like being in the car the whole vacation. Texas is a huge state, 100s of miles between cities, and reall not that interesting scenery.

You've obviously never been to these places... because you are inaccurate on both the geography and the scenery.