30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
A budget trip? A splurge? An exotic locale? A wilderness adventure? A cruise? Family fun? Rest and relaxation? Here are 30 intriguing vacation ideas, places your colleagues have visited and things they've done on their time off. They think you might enjoy them too.
Note: All suggestions appearing in this slideshow come from Medscape authors and readers. Medscape does not promote or receive payment from any hotels, resorts, cruise lines, tourism organizations, or other entities mentioned.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Family Vacations
The Greenbrier
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
When family physician P. Bradley Hall, MD, executive director of the West Virginia Medical Professionals Health Program, wants to spend quality time off with his family, the sprawling, White House–dwarfing Greenbrier[1] in West Virginia's Allegheny Mountains, set on 11,000 wooded acres, is high on his list. First opened in 1778, the resort has been a favorite of historical notables ever since, from Confederate General Robert E. Lee to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Today, many of the 700-plus guestrooms boast a history of famous lodgers, antiques, and period décor. "It's a beautiful resort," Dr Hall says. "It has a casino, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, golf [five championship courses], paintball, hunting, kayaking, off-road driving adventures, 4 o'clock tea, carriage rides, a spa [which spans 40,000 square feet], an indoor theater, bowling lanes, and restaurants [19 eateries and lounges featuring southern-inspired cuisine]. They have it all." With over 55 activities—from falconry to laser tag, cooking classes, and an "Adventure Zone" for kids—there's something for all ages.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Family Vacations
Carmel Valley Ranch
Carmel, California
California's Monterey Peninsula, with its old adobes, Mission Trail, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row (made famous by John Steinbeck's novel), aquarium, 20 golf courses, verdant parks and natural areas, and trendy shops and art galleries, not to mention the towering redwoods of nearby Big Sur and a wine-growing region that Wine Enthusiast Magazine ranked one of the top 10 in the world, is an ideal family destination.[2,3] So says Charles Vega, MD, clinical professor of family medicine at the University of California, Irvine. Dr Vega recommends staying at Carmel Valley Ranch, set on 500 scenic acres with hundreds of miles of hiking trails and such diversions as an organic garden, an apiary where you can learn about honey bees, a vineyard terroir, mountaintop yoga, an 18-hole golf course, and a choice of pools, all within walking distance of your guestroom. "We recently spent 4 days there with our twin 3-year-olds and 2-year-old girl," Dr Vega says. "It was a nice demonstration of the importance of space for us. Space to run, chase turkeys, and play. Space to get away from technology and gadgets that can sap the imagination, and instead renew our bond as a family."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Family Vacations
Bryson City, North Carolina
"Our favorite family vacation area is Bryson City, North Carolina," says cardiac electrophysiologist John Mandrola, MD, who practices at Baptist Medical Associates in Louisville, Kentucky. For outdoor lovers, the rugged beauty of the Southern Appalachians, spanning the western part of the state, is tough to beat. The town of Bryson City (population 1411 or thereabouts) is surrounded by mountains on all sides.[4,5] Nantahala National Forest lies just to the south, with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park just to the north. Try any of seven day hikes along the famed Appalachian Trail. Visit the Cherokee Indian Reservation, with its authentic village, museums, waterfalls, fishing, and casino. Go hiking, biking, fishing, or horseback riding by Deep Creek. Anglers should visit the 29-mile-long Fontana Lake and Dam, created by the Tennessee Valley Authority, where record-setting muskies and walleyes have been caught. Picturesque mountain roads with splendid vistas abound. Rent a cabin, stay in a campground, or, if you prefer creature comforts, the Folkestone Inn and Hemlock Inn in town offer B&B experiences with old-fashioned Southern charm. Says Dr Mandrola: "We love Western North Carolina in summer because of the beauty of the mountain biking at the Tsali Recreation Area, the road riding, and watersports on the Nantahala River."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Learning Vacations
Washington, DC
With presidential primary candidates of both parties decrying the culture of Washington, it's easy to forget that the nation's capital is among the world's great cultural meccas, as internist Mark E. Williams, MD, Ward K. Ensminger Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, reminds us. Dr Williams cites the Smithsonian as reason enough for a visit, and numbers make his case. The 20 art- and artifact-filled museums are national treasures and include the city's most-visited attractions—among them the National Air & Space Museum (6.9 million visitors in 2015), National Museum of Natural History (same), and National Museum of American History (4.1 million).[6,7] In addition, Washington boasts about 60 other tantalizing museums, including the White House. Pace yourself, especially if you're traveling with kids. Even with repeated visits, you're not likely to do more than glimpse a fraction of the marvels on display within their walls.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Learning Vacations
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The flight from New York to Phnom Penh, the capital and largest city of Cambodia, in Southeast Asia, is about 18 hours, but from there you can join the more than 2 million tourists each year who visit Angkor Wat, a 12th-century Buddhist temple of such beauty and complexity that it ranks with the Egyptian pyramids and India's Taj Mahal as an architectural wonder of the world.[8-10] Otolaryngologist Arlen Meyers, MD, MBA, president of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs in Denver, notes that the temple, the most famous edifice in a multi-temple complex that forms the world's largest religious monument, served as a set for the films Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Tomb Raider. The Angkor Archeological Park, in which the temple is set, features a rainforest canopy filled with gibbons and colorful parrots, four hanging bridges spanning hundreds of feet, seven staircases carved from ancient stone, and a treehouse propped over 150 feet above the forest floor, with dramatic views. Touring by light plane, helicopter, balloon, cruise vessel, or sailing craft, as well as walking, biking, and horseback riding, are options. The floating fishing villages and the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, home to 150 species of exotic birds, are among the many attractions you will not want to miss.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Learning Vacations
Wilderness Medical Society
For doctors who seek a learning experience (for CME credit) while on an adventure vacation, internist Gregory A. Hood, MD, of Lexington, Kentucky, recommends checking out the offerings of the Wilderness Medical Society, based in Salt Lake City. The Society offers advice and guidance to medical personnel working in (or simply experiencing) wilderness or backcountry environments. Trips in 2016 include a 2-week trek to the Himalayas of Nepal, with visits to local hospitals and instruction in high-altitude medicine; a weeklong visit to the canyon lands of southern Utah to learn desert camping, travel, and survival techniques, basic canyoneering skills, and wilderness medicine; and a 1-week stay at the Mars Desert Research Station in the Utah desert, which simulates the demands of living and working on Mars.[11] As part of the experience, you don spacesuits, explore the setting's Mars-like landscape in rovers, stargaze at a dedicated observatory, and learn about medical issues unique to astronauts, space flight, and life on other planets. While this year's course is full, now is the time to join a waiting list for the next opportunity.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Rejuvenating Vacations
Canyon Ranch
Tucson, Arizona
Medscape's 2016 Physician Lifestyle Report found burnout to be pervasive in all 25 specialties examined. When internist Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, adjunct associate professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, needs to recharge, "my favorite is the Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona," she says. Extensive resort activities include tennis, golf, hiking, and biking in the Sonoran Desert, yoga, exercise classes, swimming (four pools are on the premises), cooking and jewelry-making classes, and more.[12] A full-service spa offers classic massages, Asian therapies, restorative touch therapies, Ayurvedic body treatments, body scrubs and wraps, facials, and a salon. Dr Fryhofer especially likes "the healthy food, the opportunity to try new things, the scenery (saguaro cactuses)—it's all so relaxing," she says. "It's a great place to boost creativity and soul-search. Try yoga, Pilates, meditation, acupuncture, massage, stretch classes, and the interesting lectures." Canyon Ranch also operates a resort and spa in Lenox, Massachusetts, set in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains in a century-old mansion, with plenty of historical attractions nearby—among them the Norman Rockwell Museum and the homes of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Rejuvenating Vacations
Rosewood Mayakoba Riviera Maya Resort
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Edging 1 mile of pristine Caribbean beach and surrounded by exotic bird-filled jungle, the Rosewood Mayakoba is a 1600-acre luxury resort enclave from which you can visit the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, including the massive 1500-year-old Kukulkan pyramid; cenotes (sinkholes), a natural wonder of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula; and the unique flora and fauna at the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.[13] (If you're lucky you might spot an elusive jaguar.) But for orthopedic surgeon Bert R. Mandelbaum, MD, co-director of medical affairs at the Institute of Sports Sciences in Mission Viejo, California, the main attractions are "great relaxation, food, and diving." In the open-air resort, graceful wooden terraces, stairs, and walkways overlook tranquil aqua pools and mangrove-filled lagoons at almost every turn. Three elegant restaurants feature Mayan, Mexican, and nouvelle cuisine, with more fine dining available nearby. For those who share Dr Mandelbaum's passion—scuba diving—the Mexican Caribbean averages a bathtub-warm 78º F, visibility is clear, the waters teem with gorgeously colored marine life, and the rock and coral formations resemble underwater sculpture. Swimming in a cave or a cenote, sport fishing, dolphin riding, and horseback riding are among many other recreational options.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Rejuvenating Vacations
Sequoia National Park
Three Rivers, California
Roughly 4 hours by car from Los Angeles or San Francisco is a dramatic landscape of huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, and the world's tallest trees, which reach heights of over 350 feet: Sequoia National Park.[14,15] A prime attraction is day hiking over hundreds of miles of trails that wend through the stately sequoia groves. Trails range from easy to strenuous; some are paved. For the more adventurous, overnight wilderness trips are an option. In addition, ranger-led programs, visitor centers and museums, scenic drives, cave tours, picnicking, horseback riding, and rock climbing are among the offerings; skiing and snowshoeing are available in snowy winter months. For accommodations, three rustic lodges are nearby, as well as six types of rentable cabins, the Bearpaw Meadow High Sierra Camp "tent hotel," and, for wilderness skiers who trek to Pear Lake in winter, a winter hut. There are eight eateries on park grounds, with other restaurants and markets nearby, many of which will fix you a box lunch. "Fill up your gas tank before going up," advises Dr Hood, who recommends this trip for stressed-out colleagues, "but for a peaceful, restful vacation, there is no underemphasizing this easy destination."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Budget Vacations
Route 1, California
Not every doctor wants to cash in a CD to fund a great vacation. And there's no need. Dr Hood's suggestion of Sequoia National Park, his choice for a rejuvenating vacation, is also a budget getaway, as are the other 57 national parks in the United States.[16] For another getaway that can be easy on the wallet, Dr Mandelbaum suggests a relaxing drive up California's Pacific coastal highway—Route 1—one of the world's most celebrated auto routes. Your journey typically begins in San Diego, at the southern end of the state; winds north through picturesque beach towns and the excitement of Los Angeles before heading into Santa Barbara and luxuriant wine country; then north to more beaches and attractions in Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Cruz; finishing up in delightful San Francisco.[17-19] "Best scenery in the world," Dr Mandelbaum contends. Who would argue when the route includes Huntington Beach, a classic beach town; the Spanish colonial ambiance of Santa Barbara; the Santa Ynez wine region, famed for its Pinots and Chardonnays, and the setting for the film Sideways; the 165-room Hearst Castle, the private residence of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, with 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and pools; Big Sur, with its towering redwoods and sheer cliffs plunging into the sea; and artsy Carmel-by-the-Sea, with its galleries, fine dining, and spectacular Pacific coastal scenery—to name just a few highlights.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Budget Vacations
Wilmington, North Carolina
Low cost, low stress, and often overlooked as vacation destinations are America's charming small towns and cities. Such places as Estes Park, Colorado; Nantucket, Massachusetts; Cooperstown, New York; Healdsburg, California; and Beaufort, South Carolina, offer landmark attractions, photo-worthy scenery, and plenty of activities for a several-day or weeklong visit with or without children.[20] If Virginia geriatrician Mark Williams had his druthers, he would head for Wilmington, North Carolina, a lovely port city on the southeastern coast, cited by USA Today as having "America's Best Riverfront," where you can stroll along the boutique- and café-lined Riverwalk or through the city's National Register Historic District: over 230 blocks of landmark churches, classic architecture, moss-draped oaks, brick-lined streets, and antebellum homes.[21-23] Wilmington, home to three island beaches, is the site of many cultural events, among them a jazz festival and a wine and chocolate festival. Nearby are the state aquarium, art galleries, and a variety of museums—notably the colonnaded Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design. Other things to do: hiking or biking in leafy parks; golfing; shopping; or strolling in colorful Airlie Gardens, Greenfield Lake Park and Gardens, or the Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Budget Vacations
Perdido Bay, Alabama and Florida
Perdido Bay, a coastal lagoon separated from the Gulf of Mexico by barrier islands, is bordered by Alabama (about 60 miles from Mobile) to the west and Florida (about 15 miles from Pensacola) to the east.[24] Dr Hood recommends the area for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities, from water sports to nature trails, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, kayaking the Intracoastal Waterway, or taking a moonlit stroll along one of the bay's many sandy beaches. Pensacola features art galleries, an art museum, live theater, and a varied calendar of festivals and special events.[25] The National Naval Aviation Museum, with 150 unique aircraft, is among the most popular attractions in Florida. Take a haunted lighthouse tour; explore historic Pensacola; view rare flora and fauna at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Sanctuary; join a dolphin cruise; try your luck at the Pensacola Greyhound Track & Poker Room; or dive to the sunken, coral-encrusted aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, the world's largest artificial reef. Seafood lovers flock to Alabama's Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar in Orange Beach, a local favorite with live music, or try Happy Harbor on the Line across the street. The Crab Trap and The Jellyfish on Perdido Key, Florida, are popular too.[26]
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Splurge Vacations
Napa Valley, Northern California
A 90-minute drive north of San Francisco brings you to Napa Valley, home to such charming small towns as Napa, Calistoga, Yountville, and St. Helena, as well as 400 legendary wineries and some of the finest hostelries, eateries, and drinkeries in the United States, if not the world.[27] Arlen Meyers, the physician-entrepreneur, recommends Napa as a splurge vacation for "the food, wine, and fun." Over 40 varieties of wine—from Syrah to Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Malbec, and Chardonnay (43 labels alone)—are available to sample and purchase. Over 50 opportunities for tastings and more than 70 winery tours are available. Vineyards aside, many Napa wineries are still noteworthy destinations, with inventive architecture, elegant tasting rooms, manicured grounds, delightful gardens, and other attractions. Tamber Bey, for example, is located at a world-class equestrian facility where you can mingle with top performance horses. The Peju Province Winery features a trendy art gallery. Other Napa activities include bicycle tours, hot-air balloon rides, cooking classes, culinary walking tours, art galleries, museums, parks, festivals, historic landmarks, shopping, and scores of ecstasy-inspiring adventures in gastronomy. On the Napa Valley Wine Train, for instance, dine in elegantly refurbished Pullman cars as you make your way through the beautiful valley in Orient Express–like opulence.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Splurge Vacations
Il San Pietro di Positano
Amalfi, Italy
Forty miles southeast of Naples, Italy's Amalfi Coast, with its colorful towns perched on coastal mountains that plunge into the Tyrrhenian Sea, has been called an outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In addition to its spectacular beauty and sightseeing attractions—the lava-encrusted ruins of ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum, the trendy Sorrento resort, and the island of Capri are feasible day trips—the region is home to some of Europe's best places to stay and eat, including several restaurants boasting Michelin stars.[28-31] One of them, Zass, resides in the medieval port of Positano, at the Il San Pietro di Positano hotel. A member of the opulent Relais & Châteaux network of historic and luxury lodging properties, this cantilevered contemporary villa, where every fresco-adorned guestroom features a private terrace overlooking the sea with breathtaking views, is built into a rocky promontory in which an elevator transports you down to a private beach, spa, and tennis courts at the foot of the dramatic cliffs. Dr Mandelbaum recommends Il San Pietro for "its view and the pure luxury" it offers. For gastronomes, dishes like filetto di agnello con limone candito, cipollotti novelli, nocciole caramellate, e carciofi (roast lamb with lemon confit, spring onions, caramelized hazelnuts, and artichokes), featured on Zazz's spring menu, perhaps accompanied by Taurasi, one of the Campania region's famous hearty red wines and prized by oenophiles, are reason enough for a visit.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Splurge Vacations
Waldorf Astoria
New York, New York
Although Kentucky internist Greg Hood is a lover of the great outdoors, a vacation that is often inexpensive, sometimes he and his family are in the mood to splurge. When they are, a stay at Manhattan's luxurious landmark hotel, the Waldorf Astoria, with its Park Avenue entrance just steps from designer shopping on 5th Avenue and the Broadway theater district, is high on their list. This Art Deco extravaganza opened in 1893 and gained international renown for its lavish dinner parties and galas involving the rich and famous.[32,33] Today it boasts 1413 guestrooms and suites, including the Cole Porter Suite, the MacArthur Suite, and the Churchill Suite, named for the luminaries who lived or stayed in them. It was here that Marilyn Monroe, fleeing her troubled life in Hollywood, resided in 1955; where the "Queen of Jazz," Ella Fitzgerald, performed at the hotel's famed Starlight Ballroom; and where the eponymous Waldorf Salad was created and is still served at the hotel's glamorous Peacock Alley Restaurant, among the three eateries and three bars and lounges on the premises. Not that you need to dine at a hotel, however storied, when over 18,500 eating establishments, including some of the world's best, await you outside.[34] But to round out a quintessential New York experience, the Waldorf is an ideal place to be based.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Adventure Vacations
Kayaking the Hudson River, New York
Adventure vacations are often pricey, in hard-to-get-to remote locales, and may require more time than many doctors are willing to take off from work. But not necessarily. "Since my wife and I both travel excessively, it's nice to be home without work, but there does always seem to be more work," concedes Robert W. Morrow, MD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Family and Social Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. Because a vacation, by definition, is a period of recreation, especially one spent away from home, "my solution is kayaking on the Hudson, a river akin to a great national park but without the people," Dr Morrow says. "In clement weather, I go out three to five times weekly for an hour or two, often with friends. We share the river with cormorants, which are silly; sturgeons; gulls; bald eagles; ospreys; and a few boats. There are no trucks to knock you down." Substitute your preferred watercraft and river, and a similar experience can be had just about anywhere. Or if the historic Hudson, America's first great river, beckons, plan to stop along the way for sightseeing and lunch in an appealing town like Sleepy Hollow, Croton-on-Hudson, or Tarrytown, which border the Hudson. Hudson River Recreation, NY River Sports, New York Kayak Company, and Manhattan Kayak Company offer boat rentals, lessons, and guided tours.[35-37]
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Adventure Vacations
Machu Picchu, Peru
"The most enjoyable vacation I took recently was a week-long trip to Peru to hike the Inca Trail with my family," says aesthetic plastic surgeon Michael A. Bogdan, MD, of Southlake, Texas. "You have to prepare for the journey, but it should be easy for individuals in good physical shape who are less than 55 years of age. It is a 4-day hike on the trail, which is both impressive from a technological standpoint and breathtakingly beautiful." Located in the Andes, the world's highest mountain range outside of Asia, the Inca trail is traversed by 400,000 reasonably fit tourists a year.[38-41] The Inca ruin–filled city of Cuzco, in southeastern Peru, is a popular starting point. The trail (actually three overlapping routes), nearly 14,000 feet above sea level at its highest point, winds through ethereal cloud forest and majestic alpine tundra, with dramatic views of the valley below. Machu Picchu, at the trail's end, is thought to be an estate built for the emperor Pachacuti in the 15th century. The site is divided into an urban and an agricultural sector and an upper and a lower town, and consists of 200 buildings arranged on wide parallel terraces around a vast central square. The Temple of the Sun is an architectural highlight. In 2007, Machu Picchu—along with the Great Pyramid of Giza, Great Wall of China, Roman Colosseum, and Taj Mahal—was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World by a worldwide Internet poll. While 90% of visitors take the classic 4-day Inca Trail, 2-, 5-, and 7-day offerings are also available.[42]
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Adventure Vacations
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Located in Tanzania's Kilimanjaro National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa (19,336 feet) and the tallest freestanding mountain—and one of the highest volcanoes—on earth, capped with snow year-round. This is a serious climb—regular hiking and gym workouts at home are recommended preparation, although some 25,000 trekkers manage it each year.[43-46] One of them was neurosurgeon Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD, CEO and founder of Medical Justice Services and eMerit in Greensboro, North Carolina, who made the ascent with his daughter. The mountain rises from cultivated farmlands on the lower levels; through lush rainforest, home to buffaloes, elephants, leopards, monkeys, and elands; to alpine meadows; and finally across a barren lunar-like landscape as you near the top, where, Dr Segal points out, "it's cool and the air is thin." He adds, "It was the trip of a lifetime. Afterward, we did a 4-day photo safari." No vacation in Africa is complete without going on safari, the best way to experience the spectacular but fragile ecosystems and amazing but endangered wildlife of this beautiful region. Here you can witness one of the world's great natural wonders: the annual migration of giant herds of grazers across the northern part of the country, when over 2 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move through the Serengeti and Maasai Mara plains in search of green pastures.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Volunteer Vacations
Fiji
Physicians and other healthcare providers have an opportunity to combine vacationing at some of the world's most interesting and beautiful destinations with volunteering to treat needy inhabitants who lack regular access to healthcare. Orthopedic surgeon Bert Mandelbaum, for instance, stayed at the luxury Matangi Private Island Resort in Fiji in the South Pacific—"a private island and a superb destination with the best diving in the world," he says—while donating part of his time to the Matangi Island Dental/Medical Mission. About one-third of Fiji's 900,000 people live below the poverty line, and many have regular access only to traditional healers. A 2002 survey found that 19.1% of Fijians had hypertension; half of the deaths in those 40-59 years old were due to circulatory diseases; 65% of the population ate one or fewer servings of fruit per day; 37% smoked tobacco; the rate of physical activity was low; the rate of binge drinking was high; and the rate of type 2 diabetes per capita was the third highest in the world.[47-50] So there's plenty to keep a doctor busy in the midst of a tropical paradise with rainforests, powdery beaches, and crystal-clear waters that are home to hundreds of types of corals and sponges; 1000 species of fish; and, for adventurous divers, grey reef sharks, hammerheads, and other shark species.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Volunteer Vacations
Guatemala
Glaucoma expert Shuchi Patel, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Loyola University's Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, has combined work and play in places as diverse as Guatemala and Antigua. "They were great volunteer and cultural experiences," she attests. Take Guatemala, one of the world's poorest countries, where a number of humanitarian missions are focused. For example, the Baja Verapaz region, with a population of nearly 800,000, has only two resident ophthalmologists (the United States has one for every 20,000 residents), and often-curable blindness persists due to a lack of access to basic healthcare.[51] Sharing a border with Mexico, Guatemala is renowned for steep volcanoes, vast rainforests, and ancient Mayan ruins, the most famous of which, the Tikal pyramid, thought to date to the First Century AD, is the tallest pre-Columbian structure in the Western Hemisphere.[52] If you're interested in doing good deeds while on vacation, the websites of organizations like Discover Corps, World Endeavors, and Working Abroad—with opportunities for healthcare providers in Africa, Asia, and the Americas—are worth a visit.[53-55]
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Cruises
Alaska
When Dr Patel isn't taking a volunteer vacation in a developing country, one alternative that she recommends is an Alaskan cruise. And no wonder: Cruising is one of the most popular types of vacation—over 20 million people took a cruise in 2015—and Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations (23% of cruisegoers find it appealing; only the Caribbean, with 43%, is more popular).[56] Many people don't realize the tremendous variety of cruises going to the 49th state. Budget cruises are offered by Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, with a 4-night cruise going for as little as $159 per night.[57,58] Money-be-damned luxury offerings are available from lines like Regent Seven Seas Cruises,[59] Silversea,[60] and Crystal Cruises.[61] They feature opulently decorated vessels and gourmet repasts. Expedition cruises—such as those from Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic,[62] AdventureSmith Explorations,[63] and Sunstone Cruises[64]—journey in specially outfitted smaller vessels designed for wilderness exploration. They can visit remote, not-in-the-guidebook places in the company of naturalists, undersea experts, and professional photographers. Dr Patel chose a Holland America cruise (7- to 14-day roundtrip offerings from Seattle or Vancouver),[65] which, she says, afforded "breathtaking views."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Cruises
Danube River
Cruising is often associated with great bodies of water—the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, for example—to the exclusion of all else. But, as Dr Williams notes, scores of fabulous scenic river cruises are another option, and few can compare in spectacularity to a cruise along the longest river in the European Union—the Danube—which originates in Germany's Black Forest region and winds through 10 countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine) on its way to the Black Sea. Among the cities typically visited en route: Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov (in the Czech Republic), Bratislava (capital of Slovakia), and Budapest—all castle-filled, music- and art-loving places with medieval origins, rich in architecture and dripping with history. There are many cruise options from which to choose. You can cruise all or just part of the Danube, or combine a Danube cruise with cruises along the Moselle, Rhine, and Main rivers. River vessels, which can be quite large, are nevertheless small compared with giant ocean-going ships (100 or so cabins is common). For an even more intimate experience, a luxury barge may be just the thing, or, if money is no object, a private charter, whereby you and your family and friends hire an entire vessel for a cruise, complete with crew, with sightseeing activities tailored to your interests.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Cruises
British Virgin Islands
The Caribbean is the most popular cruise destination. While most people visit the islands aboard a huge ship that may boast 1000 or more cabins and crams as many islands as possible into a sightseeing itinerary, you may want to consider the small-is-beautiful approach. On one vacation, for example, Dr Mandelbaum and his family flew to the British Virgin Islands—there are 25 of them—and enjoyed the sun-soaked harbors; white, powdery beaches; coral atolls, and aquamarine waters at places of their choosing.[66,67] Over 800,000 tourists visit the Virgin Islands annually, and more than half are cruise ship passengers. The Mandelbaums took a different tack, leasing a "bare-boat charter," a vessel without crew, provisions, or fuel (provided, of course, that you are licensed to skipper), and planned their own voyage. If this sounds intriguing, Caribbean tour operators offer monohull or catamaran sailing yachts (which may have up to six cabins), or power yachts that can sleep up to 10 people. And if you're not qualified to sail unassisted, crewed yachts are also available.[68,69] A budget vacation this is not, but what is the experience of a lifetime worth? If you have kids who are normally glued to their smartphones, it's ideal for bonding, too. "Great for the family," Dr Mandelbaum reflects. "They are trapped."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Great Vacation Cities and Towns
Chicago, Illinois
"A city of neighborhoods, Chicago is wholly unique. And no matter where you go, each part has its own draw: the buzzing Loop downtown and upscale River North, artsy Wicker Park, scholarly Hyde Park, and flamboyant Boystown," notes Travel & Leisure.[70] "Add to that some of the world's best architecture and museums, a thriving music and dining scene, and its multicultural makeup, and you'll see why, for many, the Second City is second to none." Internist Matthew H. Mintz, MD, associate professor of medicine at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, DC, seconds that. "Chicago has that perfect mix of big-city attractions and Midwestern charm," he says. "In addition to amazing food and attractions, the renovation of Millennium Park and the Navy Pier make this a great vacation spot." Although the Windy City (a nickname derived from bloviating politicians, not meteorologic proclivity) hardly lacks for great places to stay, from atmospheric B&Bs to posh hotels, Dr Mintz prefers the Chicago Hyatt Regency for its opulence, pampering, and convenience.[71] "While ideal for conferences, it is in walking distance to Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and many other attractions," he observes, adding, "Don't go in the winter, though." Yes, it's cold (average monthly minimum temperature: 16.5º F), but plenty of places are colder; in a 2015 ranking of America's 50 coldest cities, based on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Chicago placed an almost balmy 48th.[72]
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Great Vacation Cities and Towns
San Francisco, California
With its grand-dame Victorian homes, classic cable cars, iconic waterfront, scenic bay, and famed 4200 feet–long, Art Deco suspension bridge—not to mention its proximity to the spectacular Napa and Sonoma Valley wine-growing regions—Northern California's San Francisco is one of the world's great vacation destinations.[73,74] But for orthopedic surgeon Tony Francis, MD, JD, who writes advisory reports for US federal judges, runs Legal Medical Research, and is one of Medscape's most prolific bloggers, the "City by the Bay" is first and foremost about the food, "with a great restaurant on every corner," he says. Indeed, a 2010 Huffington Post report ranked San Francisco number one in most restaurants per capita (39.3 per 10,000 households—New York placed fourth).[75] But more important than quantity is quality, and this is truly a world capital of trend-setting, mouthwatering, artfully plated cuisine. Whether it's Kitchen Story's open-face sandwich (wagyu patty, spinach, mushroom, onion, avocado, crispy pork belly, white cheddar, demi-glaze, and fried egg served over ginger rice)[76,77]; or Tony's Pizza Napoletana (a decadent $100 pie topped with gold flakes, white truffles, aged prosciutto, yellow oyster mushrooms, craft cheeses, and other good things)[77,78]; or the grilled Niman Ranch hanger steak with portobello mushroom cream sauce, mashed potatoes, and sautéed broccolini served at Zazie,[77,79] San Francisco's gastronomic delights are reason enough to base your vacation there.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Great Vacation Cities and Towns
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
To enjoy the benefits of a vacation, experts say, you should get out of the house, and you need not go far. As proof, family physician Charles C. Davant III, MD, recommends his home town of Blowing Rock, set in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, as having "something for everyone"—be it a family vacation, romantic getaway, or mountain adventure. Whitewater rafting, hiking, wildlife viewing, kayaking, tubing down a cool mountain river, gem mining, cavern exploring, rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing in winter, and driving through the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the most picturesque auto routes east of the Mississippi, are just a sampling of recreational possibilities.[80,81] Other attractions include local farms and wineries, art galleries and museums, and festivals year 'round (try the Polar Plunge in Chetola Lake during the Blowing Rock Winterfest). As for accommodations, the Village Inn of Blowing Rock, Blowing Rock Victorian Inn, Hillwinds Inn, Homestead Inn, Alpine Village Inn, and Inn at Ragged Gardens offer rustic charm.[82] Or rent a cedar cabin with a hot tub. To sample regional fare, try wood-fired trout at the Bistro Roca Antlers Bar; grilled molasses-glazed salmon at the Village Café, with its hand-hewn chestnut interior; or the cocoa-rubbed grilled elk with green peppercorn mushroom sauce at the elegant Gamekeeper Restaurant in nearby Boone.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Great Vacation Cities and Towns
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik—famous as the site of the 1972 World Chess Championship, in which American Bobby Fischer demolished defending champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in a stunning Cold War upset victory that riveted the world—is often now only a brief stopover on flights to or from Europe, not a destination in its own right.[83] Nicholas Genes, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, would like to set the record straight. "I've got to recommend Iceland—just 4-5 hours away from the Northeastern US, quick enough for even a weekend trip," he says. "Reykjavik is surprisingly modern, even a bit cosmopolitan, and there are lots of natural wonders within driving distance if you don't want to do the 5- to 8-day circuit around the whole island. (But we did!) Yes, it's on the chilly side most of the year (we went around Labor Day, and it was in the 40's and 50's) but it gets up to the 70's around the June Solstice. It's really peaceful and unlike anyplace else. One guide said, 'Don't think of it like another planet but like a beta version of Earth.' There are hot springs and geysers, with steam just rising up in barren fields of rocks. There are almost no trees but spectacular waterfalls around every turn; glaciers; and northern lights, sheep, whales, and reindeer. We went after a very busy and stressful summer (for me in the emergency department). Iceland was very soothing and peaceful, yet certainly exotic and interesting—just what I needed!"
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Great Resorts
Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Islamorada, Florida Keys
Andrew Kaunitz, MD, professor and associate chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, knows a thing or two about vacationing in the Sunshine State. "Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada in the Florida Keys is a favorite destination," he says. "The fishing is great, and Islamorada has great restaurants. Keep in mind, however, that it is not a great vacation spot for someone looking for nice beaches." This did not deter luminaries like Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Ted Williams, Jack Nicklaus, and former president George H.W. Bush from visiting, drawn to the resort's oceanfront villas, tennis courts, golf course, and trademark wooden fishing pier, from which you can reel in giant bonefish weighing up to 19 pounds.[84,85] This is one reason why Islamorada has been dubbed the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World," boasting perhaps the world's highest density of offshore charter boats with tournament-grade skippers to help you land sailfish, marlin, and other trophy-worthy catches. Just offshore, the Gulfstream current, the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico converge to create a "sweet spot" for marine life. Over 500 species of fish flourish here, as does North America's only living coral barrier reef, 4 miles offshore, home to groupers, barracudas, mackerels, and sharks, among others, making it a mecca for snorkelers and scuba divers. Here you can swim with dolphins, sea lions, and stingrays at Theater of the Sea marine mammal park, or join an eco-tour to Lignumvitae State Park or Everglades National Park. Music, theater, dance, film, art, and other cultural attractions round out the offerings.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Great Resorts
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Twenty miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia, and 95 miles southwest of Charleston, South Carolina's Hilton Head Island, bounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean, may be only 12 miles long by 5 miles wide, but it is an ideal island retreat, with over 12 miles of beaches, 24 world-class golf courses, 350 tennis courts, over 250 restaurants, and some of the nation's finest resorts.[86-88] For Dr Davant, among the finest of them all is the 2000-acre Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. Named by Travel & Leisure Family magazine the number-one family resort in the United States, Palmetto Dunes is equally ideal for a vacation in which the focus is on golf, romance, or R&R. Its three must-play golf courses (designed by Trent Jones, George Fazio, and Arthur Hills, respectively) garnered high marks from Golf magazine, which concluded that "Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort delivers an excellent, mid-island location, superb hotels with beach access, quality dining options and private homes and villas tucked in the trees.[89] It may lack a PGA Tour event, but as Lowcountry luxury goes, it's got everything else." "Everything else" includes tennis, biking, a fitness center, kayaking and canoeing in a saltwater lagoon, beach activities, spa services, charter fishing, nature cruises, and dolphin tours, with the resort's attractive public areas and guestrooms—overlooking beaches, grassy dunes, tidal marshes, wetlands, and maritime forests—among the high points of a stay.[87]
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors
Great Resorts
Beaches Turks & Caicos
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
Turks & Caicos is a group of 40 islands and cays (low islands made of sand or coral), eight of which are inhabited.[90] The islands, often thought to be Caribbean, are actually located in the Atlantic, 550 miles southeast of Miami just below the Bahamas chain, and just east of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Turks & Caicos, with about 30,000 residents, welcomes over 200,000 tourists annually, lured by its turquoise waters, 12 miles of sandy beaches considered among the world's best, and spectacular scuba diving opportunities—it's one of the top two diving destinations on the planet, according to Scuba Diving magazine. Washington, DC, internist Matthew Mintz recommends the Beaches Resort on Providenciales, the most developed of the islands, with over 750 rooms (grouped into four "villages" with Caribbean, Italian, French, or Key West architectural and décor accents), 20 restaurants, 15 bars (including three swim-up bars), 10 pools, and pretty much every land- and watersport you could want (although the destination lacks a golf course).[91] "Beaches is the perfect getaway for families, especially with young children, though teens will like it too," Dr Mintz says. Diversions for younger guests include Pirates Island Waterpark, Kids Camp, Xbox Play Lounge, and Kids Scuba Program, and certified nannies are available so that parents can have time to themselves. Engagement, wedding, honeymoon, and anniversary packages are also available. Rates include accommodations, meals, and activity fees. The resort, which Trip Advisor gave a 2015 Traveler's Choice Award, is extremely popular. Book well in advance.
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