Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Adventure Tour 2010: The Master Plan

Brian and I have been lucky enough to do a lot of traveling in the time we've been together. We are at a point in our lives where we don't have a lot of expenses, don't have many obligations outside of school, and can be a little bit selfish, so taking fun trips together has been a priority over the past year or so (because obviously this won't always be the case!)

We decided a while ago that we would forgo a Spring Break vacation to save money for a longer Summer trip during Brian's graduation leave. We had thrown around a couple of ideas, but this past weekend before I left New York, we sat in Panera surfing the Internet and started getting a better idea of what our Summer vacation might look like. Planning vacations is one of my favorite things, and, in my opinion, almost as fun as the actual traveling (and I know Brian would agree)! I totally don't think I would mind being a travel agent. When I left on Sunday, we had a general idea of what kind of vacation we were looking at; Brian started calling it "Adventure Tour 2010" or, alternatively, "The Great Escape." A week of outdoor fun in Lake Tahoe...

http://www.laketahoe4fun.com/images/nevadabeach.jpg

and then a week of relaxing in San Diego!

http://www.foreclosureconnections.com/images/San-Diego-ca.jpg

I'm so excited! I think I love this idea so much because it has a little something for both of us.

Brian and I both approach problem solving and decision making in a very similar way, which is one of the reasons I think we get along so well. We're deliberate in our planning and like to look at every angle before committing to a solution or decision. That's why I wasn't surprised to find an Excel document from Brian in my e-mail inbox on Monday morning (that he had stayed up half the night working on instead of homework). And not just any Excel document: a color-coded spreadsheet with calendars, travel and flight information, activity details, and prices (that were automatically calculated and added together to determine a final cost). It makes me laugh because that's exactly how I'd go about it (if I had amazing Excel knowledge), too. It might drive other people crazy, but Brian is definitely a good vacation-planning (and overall) partner for me. :)


We've spent the past couple of days researching our destinations, looking at hotels, and figuring out what to do once we're there. I love that every time Brian calls me with a great deal on something we've been looking at, it's like a little victory!

Have any of you ever been to Lake Tahoe or San Diego? Any suggestions?? :)


19 comments:

rinniez said...

wow!
that spreadsheet is impressive.

sounds like a great getaway :)

xx

Anonymous said...

Been to both, lived in SD. Stay on Coronado Island, it's beautiful and there are choices other than the Hotel Del Coronado, but is a wonderful place to stay. A ferry will take you over to SD proper. Tahoe is great, do some hiking in the Sierra's, on horseback is also awesome. Enjoy! My time there was some time ago as a newlywed with a grad from another Academy, lol!
BEAT ARMY!!!!

Jax said...

OOoh love it! And OH MY GOSH I love San Diego.. my ex was from there so I visited a lot. LOVE IT. Go down to La Jolla for sure! Super cute! And I agree about Coronado Island.. definitely hotel Del for sure. My FAVORITE breakfast place was Kono's.. if you like breakfast burritos and stuff. You just go wait in line, get your food and then can go eat it at tables overlooking the ocean! Just a chill, yummy, casual place. Then, walk along the beach afterwards! Lots of activities right there, little shops etc.. I could give tips FOREVER! haha.. :) http://www.yelp.com/biz/konos-cafe-san-diego

So jealous! I want to plan a trip so badly right now!!!

Ams said...

I have never been to Lake Tahoe but I told S that we WILL be moving to San Diego. The beaches... omgosh they are absolutely incredible. Actually, in my phone I have San Diego's weather forecast because I like to check out how my future home is doing everyday!! You will love love love it there. I will have to think back to what we did while we were there and give you some suggestions.

And I totally agree - travel, enjoy and love in all places that you can right now because one day it will become harder to do. All of this creates such WONDERFUL memories. I am so excited for you two :)

Kerry said...

wow that looks amazing! im sure it will be too :) xxx

Laura and Ryan said...

That's awesome! I LOVE San Diego. You HAVE to go to La Joya while you are there!

Erin said...

I've only been to San Diego as a child...so obviously my answer is the SD Zoo :-)

I love that you're both crazy travel planners - we're the same way. That's half the fun!!! I knew I'd married the right man when he called me and said he'd just booked two round-trip flights to Maui for $260 each!

Kelly said...

Awww, that spreadsheet is the cutest thing! This is such exciting news! :-) Like I've mentioned before, I loooove San Diego, and I'm sure you will too! Have fun researching and planning! :-)

Brittany said...

I heard both locations are beautiful!! I'm jealous :-) I think the spreadsheet is awesome lol.

katie + bret said...

Wow chica, that spreadsheet is INTENSE! Very impressive!

Yalls vacation is going to be so, so, SO much fun! What an exciting thing to plan and look forward to!

Jamie Pickle said...

My hubby LOVES to makes spreadsheets!!!

We have a cabin in Tahoe and have been going there since I was a little girl. There are so many fun things to do, especially in the summer. What kind of activities do you enjoy? Hiking, biking, shopping, visiting museums, outdoor adventures?? What part of Tahoe are you staying?

I love San Diego too, but I haven't been in a while.

KMC510 said...

Tahoe is the best!! I go every year! I think my email address is on my profile if you have any question. Tahoe is my favorite!!

Hannah said...

That makes me happy to see someone else likes spreadsheets as much as my boyfriend and I! Haha!

Lauren Kelly said...

You both seem like capability at it's finest, haha!!! Sooo fun!!!! I want to come with ya'll, ha!! :)

Hilary Lane said...

My husband hates when I make lists & spreadsheets!! It looks like you made a good choice!! I've never been to either of those places!

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

I love that you guys do so much traveling!!

Tamara Nicole said...

I swear him and my hubby were twins separated at birth! ha ha his employess laugh at his color-coded spreadsheets! At least our men are organized right?!

Trip sounds fab:-) We're in the same boat, we have several trips planned the next few years. Do it whiel you can right?!

Brown Girl said...

I went to Lake Tahoe during winter one year and it was beyond beautiful! I love to travel, you guys are going to have so much fun!

I do what I want! said...

I was born in San Diego and grew up in Lake Tahoe. Ironic. I LOVE both places and I know you guys will have a blast!