go_laura

Hi Everyone,

We are a couple in our late forties, no kids, who have just one week available for vacation in early January 2009, and frequent flyer miles for use anywhere in the U.S., Canada or Mexico.

We want to go somewhere not too cold (maybe 60's F and up?) and enjoy a combination of just relaxing and wining/dining, with some activities. Things we most enjoy are hearing live music of most sorts, theater, walking in beautiful areas, and exploring fun towns - just wandering/discovering, and some shopping never hurts!

Our last trip was to Santa Fe, NM (which we loved).

Also, we enjoy a glass of wine or having a beer but are not big drinkers or partyers at all.

Any suggestions/thoughts? If I get a few ideas, I'll then go to the separate boards for more info.

Thanks in advance!

HereInFranklin

Austin, TX
Key West, FL
Nashville (but may be colder)
Charleston/Savannah (but not sure of music)
New Orleans

www.hereinfranklin.wordpress.com

SAnParis2

New Orleans immediately comes to mind. Particularly if music is important.

dfr4848

Well, I was thinking of the same places as HereinFranklin (!), but had San Antonio on my list instead of Nashville (which can get pretty chilly in Jan).

WhereAreWe

Puerto Rico

beanweb24

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Brian_in_Charlotte

California wine country? Or is that too cold in Jan?

Bill_I

Even though I have not been there, the first thing that popped into my mind was San Antonio. That is because it is a place that I have wanted to visit & for the reasons that you have listed.

SAnParis2

Austin, Tx. also comes to mind.

Bird

San Francisco

mclaurie

San Miguel Allende, Mex

kgh8m

I third Austin.

yk

Either Austin;
and/or Fredericksburg & Texas Hill Country

PaulRabe

I've lived in the Bay Area and I've lived in Austin -- if you want to avoid "not too cold" in early January, then the former is NOT your choice. Could be glorious, but more likely will be dreary. Yes, the temps will always be above 60F, but the Bay Area in winter just FEELS colder than the temps.

If "live music" is your thing, then Austin is clearly your choice. It has some theater, nice walking, and you can explore nearby towns.

taconictraveler

If you haven't been to Oaxaca, in Southwestern Mexico, I heartily endorse it as a place to wander and discover - there will be music, but I don't think it's so great, but everything else will be. (does anyone disagree about the music?)

go_laura

Wow, I am always so amazed at the helpfulness of Fodorites...it's been only about 8 hrs. since my post and here are 14 responses! Thank you all so much!

Looking forward now to further researching the suggested places, especially Austin/San Antonio, which seemed to get many votes.

I know I mentioned that my frequent flyer miles include Mexico, and I loved my one trip there some years back (which was to Melaque) but now I'm thinking with just the one week, I don't want to spend quite that much time getting there and back (am in the Phila. area).

But that still leaves me with quite a few places to explore more...definitely a part of the fun!

polaris

I'll second San Miguel Allende. We even saw Doc Severnson(sp?) perform his frequent gig with some very talented locals. We stayed at Las Terrazas which was lovely.

Lots of wonderful restaurants and art galleries.

azusa_street

A beach community in Mexico, but not one of the resort after resort after resort cities in Mexico. Maybe an island or somewhat remote area. There's quite a few places south of Puerto Vallerta.

msteacher

Another vote for Key West!

sightseer

Palm Desert/Indian Wells in California would match your needs.