gail

20 year old daughter just had her heart broken by a guy - long story, but I could wring his neck with my hands right now. Realizing that this is her problem to work out, will stay out of her social/love life etc, etc - I want to be able to offer her a mother-daughter weekend away - this weekend. She may or may not be interested - but if I could offer a concrete plan, she will better be able to decide.

Thought Portland, ME - we have already been there but would go again. Cape Cod doesn't do it for me for this trip. Thought NYC - but it is supposed to be 90 degrees - still a possibility though. Maybe Martha Vineyard or Nantucket - although not sure we could get reservations at this late date.

Suggestions of a destination and what to do there?

yk

Portland is a lot of fun, you can just do an eating trip as many great restaurants have opened there in recent years. We also enjoyed the mail boat cruise.

We most recently went to Portsmouth NH - I bet you've been there too but it's such a cute town.

Or Berkshires? Maybe tough to get accomodations out near Tanglewood but how about Williamstown? The Pisarro exhibit at the Clark is getting great reviews.

sharona

How about some pampering at a Berkshires spa? Canyon Ranch is a bit pricey but there are other spa choices. Nothing like a little self-improvement to feel better about yourself:

http://www.1001-vacation-ideas.com/berkshires-spa.html

I like the Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket suggestions as well. You might luck out with a cancellation.

gail

Thanks. Would we be insane to drive to Montreal for the weekend?

Ackislander

I think you would be nuts to drive to Montreal, but if she hasn't been to Burlington, but even during summer school, it is a terrific place to remind a student that their ex is not the only cute boy in the world, their college isn't the only college, and central NC isn't the heart of the universe. Lots of fun places to eat and hang out downtown, gorgeous views across Lake Champlain, you could even take the ferry for some nice mom-daughter time. And you could stop in
Hanover, NH, on the way up and loop back through Middlebury and even Keene to see that the world continues to exist at other colleges.

We were lucky. We h-a-t-e-d our daughter's college boyfriend in NC and were delighted that they broke up, though we did such a good job of hiding our feelings that she was worried that we would be disappointed. We sang Hallelujah!

You are a good mom, Gail.

suite7

Montreal is a great idea... a fantastic city. it will be an adventure. it's only about 6 hour drive. (Trouble is, when you have a broken heart, anywhere the object of your affection isn't...is hell)

gail

DD (who is at Red Sox game with female friend) says friend says she should go to Montreal since she is legal to drink there - not sure I want to teach her to drown her sorrows in alcohol, but it could be fun - we are both foodies and she has a couple of semesters of French and I have years of French - but 35 years ago.

Will007

Montreal is a fantastic city, and well worth the jaunt if you're up for the roundtrip drive.

Do you and your daughter have either NEXUS cards or U.S. Passports?

Anyways, me and my friends used to go up there all the time for a weekend. It's great to be able to drink legally, but the city is also really nice. Lots to enjoy for a weekend visit. And, I doubt it would be 90 degrees up there.

irishswampyankee

IMO, Montreal would be too much driving back and forth for a weekend. Portsmouth or Portland would be fun. The day long boat trip to the Isles of Shoals and back from Portsmouth is great if weather is good. A wonderful adventure, esp if you're an Anita Shreve fan.

NorthwestMale

While I'd love to have THE great answer for this, I think the mere idea that you (would) HAVE a plan, HAVE a destination, and were addressing DIRECTLY the 'broken heart' with the mother-daughter weekend, means more than any particular spot to which anybody could send you.

You could go to Newport, Portland, Springfield, Hartford, Concord, Burlington, or even Montreal... and help your underlying intention just the same.

I think I'd opt for a "city" with things going on around you vs. a rural setting with nothing but space and time to try to draw her heart and thoughts elsewhere.

I think you should assert yourself and make the trip to somewhere... figuratively "dragging" the daughter along if need be.

Hope you become confident about some certain destination.

dfrostnh

For the short amount of time, I vote either Portland or Portsmouth. Both have good boat ride possibilities. I would check events to see what appeals to you. Portsmouth has a couple of theaters, Prescott Park events. There's also summer theater in a nearby town. But if you like ice cream, go to Portland and visit MDI ice cream on Exchange St in the Old Port area (really adventurous flavors). Both cities have great foodie options. You can get some specific ideas on chowhound.com. I think Portland has more ethnic choices.

Burlington is a great suggestion, too. You could follow the cheese trail. There's usually something going on on Church Street (pedestrians only).

Vttraveler

sounds as though (from the other thread) you decided on Montreal. A long drive but a fun city. My son went to McGill undergraduate and his friends definitely liked to visit, partly because of the drinking age. I think it is good for young adults to be able to drink at restaurants and go out to bars when they aren't driving.

If you do go to Burlington instead, there is a very good folk festival this weekend but I doubt that would interest most 20 year olds. Montreal usually has at least one festival each weekend--check out the events on the tourist office web site

gail

Thanks - I know we are nuts to drive 5-6 hours for a weekend, and if someone asked me the same question I would tell them to go someplace closer. But DD finds a certain poetic justice in leaving the country. Off to wake up people on Canada Board for suggestions - but strangely when I "won" a free Fodors book last year for travel quote, I picked Montreal - so sent her off to work with that book. Will post trip report.

suite7

"But DD finds a certain poetic justice in leaving the country"
She's right. Montreal is chic, the food is outstanding, and it has a certain euro-appeal. What ex-boyfriend would be jealous because you went to Portsmouth? Not that jealousy is the point...but living well IS the best revenge.

gail

Trip just got better - using DH's Hilton points found Embassy Suites in great location of Montreal - was not available yesterday. Since we will not be paying for hotel, I will now assume we can spend more money eating, drinking and shopping.

tchoiniere

Enjoy your trip. Haven't been to Montreal in a long time.

china_cat

I noticed Porter airlines had some very good fares advertised in the Globe this past weekend...maybe you could fly to Montreal?

Bowsprit

gail: Your daughter's a lucky girl. Have a wonderful trip. This too shall pass....

gail

Thought about flying. We are about an hour from Boston/Logan. Add time for possible traffic, TSA, boarding - we would be leaving house 2 - 2 1/2 hours prior to flight. Then in Montreal we would either have to get transportation to hotel. Flight is about an hour plus delays. So 3 1/2 - 4 hours transit time - for another hour or 2 I can drive and save the money,

NorthwestMale

pssst, Gail, I left you a note on your other post about this trip. (just in case you don't drift back there)