After a year of being at my job, I finally am entitled to a week of vacation. I don't want to waste it by just sitting at my house and watching the time fly by so I wanted to take a fantastic first "grown-up" vacation. I am having trouble thinking of really cool ideas for it or finding places that don't charge an arm and a leg for the hotel, flight, and have things to do in the area. Any suggestions or ideas would be really helpful. Thanks guys!
We've already traveled to: We went to New Jersey and New York City once but that is about it.
Length: Ideally, all week. I would like to occupy my entire vacation with it so maybe from a Monday in July/August to the following Friday.
Budget: As little as possible but I think we could probably manage $1000 to $1200?
Climate: Warm and sunny, we live in Maine so the exact opposite would be a fantastic change.
Other experience: My mother went to Atlantis Resort once and she said she absolutely loved it and my father has been on cruises so those are other things I have looked at.
Interests: We are both huge nerds that share pretty much every interest. I think we would both like to experience the culture of where ever it is we go and see what they do; We like local markets and trade show type things; Animals; and art.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks guys!!