Holiday dilemmas...

[graculus]

I usually have a couple of weeks off work in May/June, to coincide with my annual trip to MediaWest - this year is no different, though work commitments mean holiday first, con after.

My dilemma? I don't know what to do/where to go. The main options at the moment are Arizona/New Mexico or Newfoundland - I've visited a lot of cities and frankly, once you've seen one museum you've pretty much seen them all. Don't mind that for a couple of days but after that it starts to pall.

The main problem with Newfoundland appears to be that some of the things I would want to visit may well be closed because the holiday season hasn't started yet (L'Anse aux Meadows being the prime one on that list). The main problem with Arizona/New Mexico is multiple stops to fly to Las Vegas, which looks like being the best starting point despite the fact I would probably never want to go there for any other reason than to leave it behind in my rearview mirror. ;)

So, wise friendslist, what would you do? (Alternative primarily non-city suggestions also considered!)

Comments

[siluria]

You can get direct flights to LV from London, but then you have to get down there too. I think both places are fascinating, and both are on my list. If you're heading out this time of year then Arizona may be a bit warmer and less snow covered, but both would be lovely.

[obelix]

I'd vote for Newfoundland but if L'Anse aux Meadows isn't open then yeah I can understand since I would love to see it myself. Although Newfoundland in and of itself is stunning.

Haven't been to New Mexico but I did make it to Arizona and it's very different so maybe that would be something you would want to see specifically I'd recommend The Petrified Forest it's amazing and there is plenty to see there. Oh and if you are in Vegas for one night you could always take in one of the six permanent Cirque du Soleil shows there. I don't like Vegas myself but I'd give anything to just spend a week there to see every Cirque du Soleil show they have showing.

You can always do Newfoundland another year ;-)

[manna]

I've been to Arizona, and it's absolutely beautiful, and has very interesting landscape. There's plenty to see, and if you get bored with rocks and cactus, you can always drive to California :-) We stayed for a week on a ranch, and horseback is a very nice way to see some of the countryside, especially if you have a good guide. We started from Tucson, mostly because that was where the ranch was.

[rhade-rad.livejournal.com]

ruric recommends the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon which you can do from LV, if you haven't already. She did that last year before spending most of the rest of her holiday in LA with a side trip for pampering and relaxing in Ojai.

Have to say Ojai is beautiful.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

To the north of Vegas is a very beautiful park called Valley of Fire.
It has petroglyphs and is maybe 2 hours away from Vegas.
http://parks.nv.gov/masterplans/ValleyofFire/ValleyofFire.html

You know about the Grand Canyon already. To the south of Flagstaff is a beautiful drive through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona which is also quite striking and worth a few days of poking around in. The town is very artsy and New Age-ish. It's a very lovely area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedona,_Arizona

To the east of Flagstaff is Meteor Crater. Granted it's just looking at a big hole in the ground, but it's a different type of hole than the Grand Canyon. :::BOOM!!::: *g*

http://www.meteorcrater.com/index.php

If you want to go further, you have Monument Valley, Mesa Verde to the north east. If you get to Mesa Verde, might as well go to Durango Colorado and take the steam train ride to Silverton. Absolutely gorgeous and a particular thrill if you like the Old West stuff.