where oh where.......
 

My husband is going to turn 40 next year (Iknow August is a long way off, but this way it gives me time to save up!!) and I really want to take him somewhere great (without the kids!). Any suggestions? I would want to make it a one venue holiday.

Boysy: Sounds like you've got Europe on your mind. <BR> <BR>Many here could help you, but we'll need to know where you've been, what you like/interests, how much time you will have and if it's a budget kind of trip. <BR> <BR>If you have a week or less, you could do Paris or London, for example. If you have more than one week, the possibilities increase with your only limitations being your imagination. <BR> <BR>Details, please. <BR>

We live in London (so that's definitely out)!! but I was thinking of maybe one week to 10 days (depending on cover for the children!!) I am thinking of something like Venice (although people have told me that Venice in August stinks!??) We are both culture vultures, and like cities. What about Floremce? It is not a budget trip, as I would like to push the boat out for this one, or at least as much as possible, seeing as it is a landmark birthday. We go to Paris quite a lot already, so I'd quite like to take him somewhere he hasn't been to before. He's been to Paris, Brussels, Germany, but not Italy. Sorry for the vagueness of my original message, I was trying to get it posted while he wasn't hovering over my shoulder!!

Come to New York! I absolutely loved NY and the summers in the Upstate NY area are amazing! <BR> <BR>...but if you are set in Europe (...and many here can relate to that!) I would go to the Greek Isles. <BR>

Boysy: Oohhh, the Greek Isles. Sounds good! I've always wanted to visit Santorini. <BR> <BR>There's lots to choose from. How about a farmhouse in Tuscany, where you can also visit Florence. Or maybe Switzerland. Or Prague. Mmmmmm. <BR> <BR>Those would be my choices, after where you have already been, that is. <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR>

I have been to Venice in august.It does not stink.I thought it one of the lovliest places I have ever seen.However if you don't like crowds you may not like it in august.Florence is great, but the heat at that time of year is terrific.What about Provence?

Thanks for all your suggestions. Sadly, we have been to NY, and had a rather bad experience there, we had my handbag stolen with all our money, camera, passport etc inside, from the hoytel (The Hilton!!) But what about Las Vegas? Or Florence! IS a week too long to spend in Las Vegas?

Sounds like you want to plan a very special trip. I would suggest a trip to <BR>Maine in the US. It is a lovely state with so much natural beauty on the coast and the inland mountain regions. There is much to do in the way of cultural festivals, historic sites, etc. August is one of the most beautiful times of year to explore the charm and beauty.I am a bit prejudiced being a resident but having travelled to Europe several times I think Maine can hold its own.There is alot of travel info available from the Maine Publicity bureau also.Hope you enjoy planning this trip!Just my opinion..I think 10 minutes is too long in Las Vegas!

Boysy-----if your NY experience was limited to visiting New York City, I have to say you truly have not seen NY (there is a thread going around about what Europeans think when you tell them where you are from.....you just proved the answer I gave to that thread). <BR> <BR>August in the Adirondack Region (beautiful lakes, relaxing B&B's, charming towns), Saratoga with the August racetrack season (very exciting town with performances every night by the NYC Ballet, top-notch concerts, etc...). That is what I had in mind when I suggested NY. For that matter, I think J. Cabral is thinking along the same lines when he suggested Maine, another beautiful destination. <BR> <BR>I still think you should come to the States.

Boysy: How about Norway, cruising the fjords? You will find lots of posts in this forum on the Norway in a Nutshell tour. It's fabulous. <BR>Then there's Amsterdam. We just returned from there and plan on going back this spring just to sit about at the sidewalk cafes among the flowers and soak up some of the atmosphere. <BR>I know this a European forum, but I am going to tell you this anyway. My husband and I went on our honeymoon 10 years ago to the Canadian Rockies, specifically Banff and Lake Louise. My husband is not a beach person, but I wanted to be wined and dined. We chose Banff because we could go hiking, biking and fishing during the day. Then at night we dressed up, ate $150 dinners in the pure luxury of the Banff Springs Hotel and the Chateau Lake Louise. The scenery is breathtaking there and something akin to Switzerland or Norway. It was a fabulous honeymoon. <BR>What we plan on doing this summer for our 10th anniversary is go into the French wine country and sample the regional wines accompanied by baguettes and local cheeses. Sound Romantic? It's what we wanted to do originally, but couldn't get enough time off to go. <BR>I don't know if any of these ideas will help you decide. You may want to figure out what you like and don't like, narrow your choices down and then look at this forum. The problem I find here is that people who post on this forum make everywhere sounds fabulous. Hope you find what you are looking for.

For a vacation that is beautiful, relaxing, cultural and scenic, have you considered Hawaii? It is beautiful all year long and you can relax on a beach for the day, or sightsee or hike, whatever you wish. There are some wonderful hotels there where you can feel pampered and special. We went for 3 weeks in September, and it was relaxing, but not boring. We've been to Europe many times, and there is so much to see there that it's not always a relaxing trip. Good luck in your decision. Let us all know what you decide.

Okay folks, what do you think about this for an idea? What about Chicago for 3/4 days and then Las Vegas (I seem to be quite hung up on this particular train of thought, can no one put me off?) for 2 nights? What do you reckon? My husband is not one to lie in the sun, (he complains that he returns home a slightly darker shade of grey than when he arrived)!! He also gets extremely agitated and begins to wonder what is going on at the office during his absence etc! Hawaii sounds fabulous though! There just seems to be too much choice out there, why can't someone just decide and book it for me!!!

I suppose Las Vegas is an American cultural icon. *sigh* In my "book" it's not romantic or restful. It's in the middle of a boring desert and it's all about greed, avarice and surface glitz. I'm sorry, a little culture and good food dropped in a moral vaccum does not a destination make. <BR>I *do* live in Chicago. We're a nice world class city, but for sheer unqiueness and romance I'd take San Francisco any day. A few days at a small romantic hotel in the city, or across the bay in Sausalito. Do the Muir Woods, the seashore, or the wine country. Ever so much more romantic than Las Vegas and *yes* even Chicago. [Although if you decide on Chicago let me know. I know some great places to stay, some nice romantic restaurants and some unusual things to see and do.] <BR>As for Hawaii *sigh* the closest I cam was flying over it on the way to Sydney, Australia. <BR>

My favourite U.S. city is New Orleans.We had a week there last spring.We only went because my husband had a conference there.I wasn't really looking forward to it,but it was truly fantastic.I loved every minute.Bourbon St is so much fun.

Add another vote AGAINST Las Vegas. I have never understood why people go there. The big "theme" hotels are different on the outside and all the same on the inside. No windows or clocks (so you don't know how long you've been at the tables). Lots of sad people just sitting there drinking and smoking and plunking coins into the slots. Very depressing! People of both sexes on the streets passing out prostitution flyers. Not my idea of a good time.

Boysy---- What about the Napa Valley in California? My husband & I spend four days in that Region last August and it was great! Horseback riding, Redwood forests, amazing wineries, beautiful coastline nearby, just amazing!! <BR> <BR>We stayed at a very quiet, beautiful B&B called The Santa Nella House in Guernsville. (http://www.virtualcities.com/ons/ca/w/caw3604.htm) <BR> <BR>San Francisco is nearby (great suggestion, by the way!)

Hi Boysy <BR>I'm so sorry you had a bad experience in New York City. I've lived here for 20 years and have never been a crime victim, so I can only say, a bit defensively, that your unfortunate incident could have happened anywhere. I am from central New York State originally, and although I agree that there are many beautiful spots up there, and in Massachusetts's Berkshire area as well, I don't know that I would put them in a top-ten world-class list for beauty--there's a lot of competition out there!. Actually, there are fabulous cultural events up there in the summer, esp. dance and theatre,and I am a big fan, but still... <BR> <BR>Since you mention that you are culture vultures and New York is out, I will vote for San Francisco in the US. It certainly has cultural attractions, and 3 o4 4 days spent in Napa/Sonoma in the summer can be heaven. A bit crowded in the summer, but find yourself a great hotel, and there are many, especially if you are pushing the budget envelope, and take a few excursions to wineries. Or just relax on the verandah. <BR> <BR>I give a big nix to Las Vegas, at least for a very special occasion.It may be a nice place to live in, but it's a <BR>tacky place to visit. <BR> <BR>All of that said, and loyal American that I am, I could never not vote for a trip "abroad", even though Europe is not as "abroad" for you as it is for me. <BR>For culture, you'll never exhaust the possibilities in Florence, Venice, and Rome. Venice would always get my vote.Or what about Prague and/or Vienna? That wine or chateau tour in France also sounds fabulous as long as you don't mind driving and staying on the move. Since he's not really a beach person, you could consider a cruise in the Mediterranean. You'll have some shore excursions to absorb some culture, but you don't have to drive the boat. Or maybe he'll get too antsy on a ship. <BR>What about a week in Hong Kong or St. Petersburg? <BR> By the way, would you considering surprising him in August with the promise of a trip in Sept or Oct when the heat and crowds are less? You could still keep the destination secret. <BR> <BR>Your husband is a lucky man. <BR>

Hi, Boysy, <BR>There are many good points in this thread; here are some of my thoughts: <BR>We live in Seattle (weather not unlike the UK, and incidentally also a great destination) and would not recommend some of the suggestions for August, such as Chicago, New Orleans, or the Mediterranean/Adriatic for that matter, unless you and your (lucky) husband are real heat and humidity lovers. On the other hand, despite the heat, I think you might find Las Vegas a real treat, with the added advantage that LV is the most jet lag-friendly place you could visit in North America; your internal British clocks wouldn’t even need resetting in 24-hour Vegas. Yes, it’s very hot (but dry) in the days, but everything is air conditioned, and if you want to get out of town for 1 or 2-day excursions, there are many interesting nearby destinations, like Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, or the canyons of SW Utah, like Bryce or Zion, which are easily reached on motorway from Las Vegas. And despite comments in this thread to the contrary, I think LV is a hoot, an absolutely, quintessentially American over-the-top assault on your senses (and wallet if you permit it), but just the architecture is worth the trip. Los Angeles is only 5 or 6 hours (driving) away if you want to start and end there, too. <BR> <BR>As for closer-to-home thoughts, you could assemble a pretty romantic week or so on the continent; some recommendations would include the Hotel Richard Löwenherz in Dürnstein, Austria, upstream from Vienna (converted convent with wine terrace overlooking the Danube), http://www.duernstein.at/LOEWENHERZ/ , or Schloss Hotel Korb near Bolzano in Italy (a converted castle in the German speaking wine country near the Dolomites), Horta do Mauro, a gorgeous inn in the Alentejo region of Portugal east of Evora, or maybe even closer yet, how about Skye or the Edinburgh festival? And tell him 40 isn’t so bad, but 50, well… <BR>

If you do go to Las Vegas, a couple of days should be enough. It's rather hot in August and some day trips, such as a drive to Zion National Park in Utah, could take a toll on you driving across the desert. <BR> <BR>Las Vegas is a hoot. It's such a statement of excess in a fun type of way. The casinos are the same as any other gambling casinos, but each hotel has its "theme", some shows are pretty good, and there are some very nice pool areas at the Mirage, Bellagio, etc. <BR> <BR>Hawaii is beautiful and relaxing, but be prepared for traffic and wall-to-wall people on the beach in Waikiki on the island of Oahu. The big island of Hawaii offers variety, more history, and lots of sun in the Kona area. Hilo gets much more rain, but the volcano national park is on the Hilo side. There are not huge expanses of white sand beaches in Kona, but enough for everyone since it's an uncrowded island. <BR> <BR>Maui is great for snorkeling and golfing. Kauai (spelling?) is also slower paced and rich for the eyes. Don't miss a helicopter ride on this island. <BR> <BR>You could combine the San Francisco or Las Vegas stopover for a couple of days with one week, perhaps two, on the islands. <BR> <BR>Happy planning.

Hello Boysy, thought I would add my two cents worth. I currently live in Boulder, Colorado, though I lived in San Francisco for several years. I would strongly recommend that you NOT go to Las Vegas, or if you feel you simply must go, I would recommend staying no more than one or two days. <BR>I would highly recommend a trip to San Francisco, perhaps with a day or two in the Napa and Sonoma wine country, then some time down in Monterey county. There are lovely B & B's in the Monterey bay area, the coastline is breathtaking and the pace is relaxed. I was just out in Soquel (just north of Monterey) for a long weekend and came home wonderfully refreshed! If money is not an issue, you can look into the Ventana resort near Monterey. They have a website, I believe. My parents stayed there and whenever I mention California they can talk of nothing else. Apparently the place has private spas, massage service, and world-class meals delivered to your door. I haven't ever been able to part with that much money at one time! <BR>I have also traveled the west coast of California up to Seattle, and on to Vancouver and Whistler in British Columbia. Seattle is a lovely city, though I much prefer San Francisco. <BR>Anyway, best of luck with your planning. You have plenty of time to decide which trip is best! I am currently planning a trip to Europe for this April (just a month from now) and still need to decide where to go. We'll see where I end up.

where oh where, Boysy, did you guys decided to go? <BR>

My husband took me to Paris for my 40th. Luckily, my birthday is in February when fares are cheap. Europeans sometimes declare Paris depressing in Winter and they seem to have the blues, but I found it wonderful. One day we were walking along while snowflakes were in the air but vaporized before they hit the ground. Paris seemed magical that day. I remember sitting in the Madeline listening to Verdi's Requiem and how etherial it was looking up at Napoleon's Coronation on the wall fresco. I will never forget it.