hamster1

I am looking for ideas for a brief vacation (3-4 days). It would just myself as I will be leaving the kids with DH. January works with my teaching schedule, so I can't change time of year. I would be traveling from the Midwest and would fly, but hoping no more than one connection. This will be a vacation to refresh and rejuvenate. I do like moderate outdoor activities, history, tours, good food, and some shopping. Maybe a place with a nice spa. I am looking for cities/quaint towns where I could stroll around and just take each day as they come. Would prefer a place where I would not need to rent a day for the whole time. I have family in Florida so will be there later in the year. I would prefer warmer weather than the midwest, but I realize that it may not be warm in January in the US. Please share your ideas?

Tabernash2

A spa in Arizona? Mirabella, or something like that? We like Tucson. I'll find the name of the place in Tucson.

RoamsAround

Texas Gulf Coast (Galveston, Corpus Christi, South Padre Island)

Los Angeles or other Southern California location

Charleston, Beaufort or Hilton Head, South Carolina

Savannah, Georgia

Tabernash2

Miraval is the name I was thinking. I only know it from Oprah's adventures. It is probably really expensive.

There are lots of resorts in the Tucson area:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsLis...s-zfp4599.html

Have fun planning your getaway!

MmePerdu

Tucson isn't reliably warm although certainly warmer most days than the Midwest.

I suggest Puerto Rico and possibly the El Convento Hotel in Old San Juan. May I come along? I lived in PR for 5 years and always wanted to stay there.

http://www.elconvento.com

rizzo0904

My initial thought is warm...then I thought, why not a beautiful winter view?

http://www.mohonk.com/

WhereAreWe

San Juan would be awesome, it has everything you are asking for. The only question would be travel time and cost, which may or may not be prohibitive depending on where you're flying from.

If not there, look at San Diego.

ElendilPickle

It won't be all that warm, but what about Santa Fe? Good food, strolling, shopping, spas, museums, etc. You can take the RailRunner train from Albuquerque to Santa Fe if you don't want to rent a car.

Lee Ann

Gardyloo

Last January we drove from Seattle to Santa Barbara; too far with your time frame, but I'd strongly suggest the Monterey Peninsula. Great, charming towns, low-key, lots of historic and cultural activities, a full range of accommodations, well priced in the off season.

Throw in Point Lobos State Park, or the Big Sur coast, easily visited in a day trip, the awesome aquarium in Monterey, the migrating Monarch butterflies in Pacific Grove, fabulous seafood, the Steinbeck center in nearby Salinas...

The weather can be sunny or foggy or both (within the hour) but it's going to be nicer than the Midwest. Much. Monterey/Carmel are two hours from SFO, 90 min. or so from San Jose (SJC).

Pictures to illustrate from January:

Monterey aquarium - http://gardyloo.us/0118-6a.JPG
Big Sur coast, an hour from Monterey - http://gardyloo.us/20130119_61H1a.jpg
Butterflies in Pacific Grove - http://gardyloo.us/20130124_187b.JPG

hamster1

Thank you for your suggestions! I was just in Puerto Rico two years ago (beautiful). Also, have been to the Monterey Peninsula. I am going to look further into Santa Fe, Charleston, San Diego and Savannah. Let me know if you have other suggestions.

DebitNM

I went here for a 4 day getaway by myself. I had never done that before and absolutely loved it! The price includes 3 meals a day and most classes and activities. The spa is so relaxing and they have communal tables so you don't have to sit alone, unless you want to ! I met some really nice ladies there and I keep on touch with them still.

http://www.redmountainresort.com/

You fly to Vegas and take a shuttle(2 hours) or you can fly into St. George