Personally, I will spend a lot of time exploring before I get into the main DB quest. I always do that in TES games.

Oh I can't wait to explore Solstheim. I'm going to take in the island and talk to all the natives and just explore way before I even think about doing the main quest. I may even just stand and look at Red Mountain if we can.

took me a little over a month to finally get even half way through the dawnguard DLC. and that was one epic DLC i must say.

After i ran thru DG, i will def take my time, and enjoy and explore Soltheism , try to make it last ... and also avoid spoilers in the meantime lol