Looking for a great end of the year Vacation Spot, any suggestions?

I want to go on my first real vacation. Meaning not traveling to a wedding or for the holidays but going someplace just to relax and enjoy myself.
With that said, I’ll probably end up going by myself. I asked a friend to come with me but you never know if someone is serious or going to back out.
I’d like to find someplace interesting and beautiful. In or out of the country but I only with have at most $1500 to spend. I thought of the Dominican Republic and Belize. In the states, Alaska and Maine. I don’t want to go to Cancun or Daytona Beach or somewhere lame like that where everyone else goes and drinks and clubs it up. I like adventure and serenity and yes, at night I want to get drunk and meet people 😉 Please help…
Yeah, not staying home. That’s the point of a vacation retard. Although I agree with you on being content at home and not feeling the constant urge to have to be on the move or going somewhere, I’d like to expand my experiences and knowledge of the world through traveling.