Whatever I feel like on a given day. I hate itineraries. I like going on vacation with a general idea of what I can do, and then picking and choosing when I get there.
That’s difficult to say, because it’s entirely dependent on the destination.
I like both urban and scenic exploration. I have trouble sitting around, unless my body needs the rest. So, I stray away from most “leisure” activities. Sitting on the beach for hours is not for me. If the destination has a high walkability factor, I will walk everywhere I physically can, and I will do it A LOT.
I barely take any pictures. I find that they detract from my being in the moment, and they never capture what I hope.
I do like thrifting for niche, often older electronics and peripherals.
I like food.
I like cigars, and love cigar bars, because the atmosphere and activity is excellent for meeting locals and travellers alike. That is one thing I will always scout out and do.
Not waking up early and not going to work is always a good start.
If I visit a city, I always try to ride their metro if they have it. I also try to at least find find a historical landmark to visit.
Respectfully, I’m assuming a “vacation” here is a US-ism for what we in the UK would call a “holiday” (i.e. a recreational trip somewhere), I’m not sure if there are nuanced differences. To see as much as possible of the local culture is generally my aim, that’s my main reason for travelling. I’m not saying that in a snooty “high culture” way at all, sometimes the most mundane cultural things can be the most interesting. Also to try the local cuisine. I like trains, so going to places I can explore by train are great - Interrailing around Europe have been some of my favourite trips. Also I did a great train trip around Japan pre-covid.
Does “vacation” have a different meaning in the UK? Or is it just not used?
In the US “vacation” could refer to either a trip away from home for leisure, or just individually scheduled paid leave from work in general, even if you spend it at home in your PJs (aka a “staycation”). Not sure if “holiday” is used there for only the former, or also the latter.
The only reason I asked is that I wasn’t 100% sure what it means, I could have guessed. I got that it probably means the same thing, I just wasn’t sure if it would cover a city/train trip the same way I was thinking. I, personally, wouldn’t use vacation. If they mean the same thing I think probably the Americans have the etymologically better term, if anything.
Geocaching! It’s taken me so many palces I never would have known about otherwise
It’s an outdoor game like a scavenger hunt. Other people place geocaches (tupperwares or similar containers) somewhere out in nature and mark the spot on an online map. Anyone can find them and sign the log book inside, sometimes there are other items to trade as well. Free to play at geocaching.com.
I’ve done this lots while travelling in Europe and North America, it’s fantastic if you want to get away from typical tourist hotspots for a while. It’s helped me discover so many spots I never would’ve seen advertised anywhere
That looks awesome! Very similar to the game my friends and I used to play with gmaps a long while ago. We created a group, place private POIs shared with the group, then go hunt. The game was that the POI was close enough to the object that you’re not searching a wide area, but far enough that you still had to search. The POI name was a clue, the only clue you get. My friend told me about this game, adapted from her parents, who used print maps. Her dad proposed to her mom through the game. A bit much for this comment, I think, but my friend took the story of their engagement and made it into a gmaps game. It was fun! And this geocaching thing looks fun, too!
