Winter vacation, need some advice...

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by MarcatGSB, Jun 24, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. MarcatGSB

    MarcatGSB Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2011 Michigan

    Being in the seasonal restaurant/hotel business I have the opportunity to travel a bit in the winter. Well last winter we went through a complete hotel remodel, so I didn't get to travel much at all. Sooo, this winter I am going to take a beer-centric vacation somewhere. I have a few options, all of which are a bit different and I'd like your advice if you have enjoyed any of these places.

    Option A: Road trip from my home in Upper Michigan across the northern part of the United States to Seattle and down the coast to eventually wind up in San Diego for a two week chill fest. Time is no constraint, but I don't think I would like to be gone for more than a month. (Ive done this road trip twice already, so that is a negative IMO)

    Option B: A few week road trip through Canada into Maine and down the coast to eventually wind up in Boston for Extreme Beer Fest in February. I've never been to the East Coast at all, and it's something that interests me.

    Option C: A three week trip to Belgium. I'm kind of leaning towards this personally, but I was hoping to get some feed back as far as Brussels goes, etc. I've been doing some reading, but once again, I've never been and have no idea what I would be getting into. I'd like to stay for about 20 days roughly, hit as many breweries and beer bars as possible. Possibly hop on the Eurorail and head to Germany and Amsterdam...

    Any comments or advice would be awesome. Thanks!

    Marc
     
    #1 MarcatGSB, Jun 24, 2012
  2. Aml42000

    Aml42000 Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2011 Washington

    I'd go to Belgium knowing that you can, as you stated jump to Germany or Holland or even France. My second choice would be San Diego, but I would just fly down there. Skiing in Colorado would afford you a great chance to visit some great breweries too.
     
    #2 Aml42000, Jun 24, 2012
  3. DanE

    DanE Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2012 Connecticut

    I have been in the east coast my entire life. Because so, i love being out west. Maybe because you're familair with the west, you'll love the east! Alchemist, Allagash, Portsmouth, NE Brewing,, Williimantic, plus plenty of Boston breweries. You wont be miserable. :slight_smile:

    All else being equal, go to Europe.
     
    #3 DanE, Jun 24, 2012
  4. mltobin

    mltobin Pooh-Bah (2,408) Apr 1, 2007 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Option A looks like the best option to me. Seeing how you will be traveling in the winter, it would be interesting to see cold weather in the Northwest. Perhaps, taking some time to snowboard or ski after time spent eating and drinking in Seattle and Portland.
    And then after that, you noted that San Diego would be your destination. Where even in winter, those ingrates step outdoors to sunny and 75 degrees. Of course, they also have a fantastic craft beer scene.
     
    #4 mltobin, Jun 24, 2012
  5. morimech

    morimech Grand Pooh-Bah (3,803) Nov 6, 2006 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    I would not go to the east coast in winter. I would not go on vacation and experience the same miserable weather where I was coming from. Belgium and Germany during the off-season would be nice. Weather probably would suck but virtually no tourists.
     
    #5 morimech, Jun 24, 2012
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.