If you're going by yourself I don't know if a beach would be the best place. Maybe Vegas. Or.... Fix your passport go to the Philippines and get a tranny hooker.
How are the tranny hookers there? If you really want "relaxing" maybe go to a state park and do some kayaking/trails/zip lines etc. fun activities. Some zip courses will even have night runs with cocktail hours to mingle.
I was hammered one night in college and loaded a cooler full of beer and took an Amtrak... It was fun
Well just from San Marcos to San Antonio. I didn't have a plan, I just learned it was only $12 to take a train to San Antonio so I felt obligated to do it.
Any more feedback? Leaning towards the Sunset Limited route on Amtrak train... 48 hours to get to Cali, and maybe ill enjoy the beach there.
I've lived in san diego and LA and I wouldn't recommend it in Dec/Jan, if you want a beach experience. It's usually in the mid 60's which is still nice, but not nearly as fun or happening as it is in Sept/Oct or in March/April and in between. Of course there is still tons to do in LA or SD, but it;ll cost you a lot more than 1500.
I took the METRORail from Rice to UH one time. Sadly, I did not attend either school. I just wanted to experience the freedom of the rails.
Then maybe I could go continue the Amrak route to Seattle? I have 11 days of vacation to use... Maybe I should go halfway around the country on a train with stopovers.
I second the suggestion of Puerto Rico. I loved the bio-luminescence bay (do the electric boat, not the kayak) and the historical landmarks in San Juan. There are also a lot of beaches. I think it's a pretty cool place to be somewhere that feels 'foreign' but no need for a passport, most people spoke English, and have safe drinking water. Next time I go back, I plan going to see the radio telescope (featured in Golden Eye) and caving.
If you want to do that and have time to burn. I suggest you rake the grey hound bus. You'll end up going more than half way round the country and make some excellent contacts that will serve you well for the future. You get to vacation and network
If I only had $1000, I think I would keep it driveable. That makes about $200 a day for a room, food and activities. You could probably ski for that. I read an article this week about a guy that did a whole luxury week in Venezuela for $100 US (no air fare, he lived there). The inflation rate is so bad people are starving for foreign currency. He exchanged a 100 Euro's for a giant pile of local bills. Great meals were like $2, great rooms $12. This isn't the exact one I read but it's close: http://theplanetd.com/reasons-to-visit-venezuela/
