Where would you go?
 

A windfall is expected of about £2500! :)
I've already booked N.Y. next month, and south of France in the summer, so where would you go in 2006?
We're a small family - 2 adults and 1 10yr by then (oh dear!!!) As a teacher, I'm free most of the summer, but Dec '06 will be hubby's 40th. We've done most of Western Europe and N.Y., Washington, L.A. & Vegas in the USA.
We're not laze by the pool or spend all day on the beach people.
Any ideas out there for a time to remember, rather than buy a new sofa?

How about Central and Eastern Europe, or the west coast of the U.S. (SF to Seattle or Vancouver)? For the latter, I suggest camping if you have done it before. Or you could visit the National Parks in the west (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Arches, Rocky Mountain NP, Mesa Verde, etc.).

I don't know if this falls into the "laze by the pool or spend all day on the beach" category, but how about a cruise? Perhaps to somewhere without a beach, say Alaska?

Biltmmore House in December, followed by Nashville, TN (stay at the Opryland hotel).

Best wishes,

Rex

1. Fly to Vancouver, hire a car and drop it in San Francisco. Mountains, desert, redwoods, great cities...

2. Norwegian coastal steamer.

3. Turkey.

4. Take gliding (sailplane) lessons in Scotland.

5. Isle of Wight.

6. Just kidding.

Well of course being from the west coast (U.S.) I like the Vancouver idea and then work down the coast. Like
Seattle, on through Oregon and end up in San Francisco. The only thing to remember if you entertain such an idea that the coast in the Northwest and Northern California can be cold and foggy in the summer...at least in the early morning hours. You will have to go along way to see more magnificient scenery.

Nice to see that my dear wife is expecting a windfall - and that she intends to spend it on my 40th.
Can I chip in with opinions?
I like the Vancouver to Frisco suggestion.

Frisco is a town in Colorado. <i>San Francisco</i> is a large city in California. Not, by the way, &quot;Cali,&quot; which is a city in Colombia.

Congratulations on the windfall.

My suggestion for a visit to the US would be to get out of the big cities, visit some of our national parks, do some hiking in the mountains, perhaps white-water rafting. The Everglades are unique, though pretty uncomfortable in the summer, and you could spend literally months in the western states -- Grand Canyon, etc. The 10-year-old might enjoy a more active vacation than limiting yourself to NYC, DC, and Las Vegas. I know I would, and I'm many decades removed from there.

Oh AR, you hurt my heart. I grew up in the Bay Area...(San Francisco) and oh pu-leeze don't say Frisco!!!!!!! LOL Well, you won't be alone in calling it that and you won't be tarred and feathered I promise. I think your 10 year old would love a trip down the coast. Lots of beaches to play on...but like I said, be prepared for some fog, lost of little towns , light houses, aquariums, salt water taffy, the seals, the redwoods, the wharf in San Francisco, the old Ferry Building is now a farmer's market, and if you had enough time you could drive north on Highway 101 up to Sonoma County, the wine country...There is just a zillion things to do on such a trip. So, here's to you having a wonderful time spending all that money!!!

Gardyloo's suggestion of seeing Vancouver to San Francisco is a terrific trip. And Gardyloo is a source of great suggestions - he provided me with many during my recent trip to the Pacific Northwest!

If you have not seen much else of the U.S., I would strongly consider the national parks in Utah - Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and toss in Mesa Verde if you want to seen a spectacular environment different from most anyplacer else.

And Turkey is also an interesting suggestion. i'm considering a trip there myself in April.

Have lots of fun, wherever you choose

I love Vancouver, and also the San Juan Islands in Puguet Sound. In California, I love Big Sur, then north to San Francisco or vice versa.

Or San Francisco and Sonoma and Napa Valleys.

I got a little windfall this year and spent it in Bellagio and Positana. Had a grand old time.

World Cup 2006 in Germany...stay in Cologne and do some side trips to Belgium and the Netherlands.

Turkey

New England

Thanks for all your replies.
Hubby wasn't supposed to see this posting, but I forgot that a title like that can't be ignored by a fodor addict!

He appreciates the soccer idea, Cheesy - I don't! Thought lots about returning to the USA as there's so much we haven't done (would love to visit Graceland?), but similarly wondered about a new country:
Been to France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Czech republic, Russia, Greek &amp; Spanish islands, Egypt.

I would love a cruise, tudorprincess, so will check that out. My dream is a Caribbean cruise for a big anniversary treat in 12yrs. time! I know that this money won't get me that far.


Canada and down the west coast's a great idea, but would all my money be spent on flights? Sorry, Michael, but camping definately isn't my thing - I need an en-suite bathroom! White water rafting a no-no also, Rachel. I was thinking more of museums and history/architecture.(Boring or what?)

Hope the above helps to narrow down our dis/likes? Can't wait to hear more suggestions. Thanks everyone!

&lt;&lt;We've done most of Western Europe and&gt;&gt;

Where HAVE you been already in western Europe (and how far east do you consuder &quot;western Europe&quot; to extend) and what did you love or not especially like? Have you been to every region in Italy? If not, I'd go to any regions you've not seen, with Sicily first if you've never been there. If you haven't been to Greece, I'd go somewhere in Greece.

With my lack of Geography, western europe extends very far east, sorry!! Been put off Norway/Scandinavia due to the high cost of living, mainly, and with lots of countries so easily accessible via Easy-Jet etc. would consider them for short trips as they're 'on the doorstep'.

Loved Cyprus - good mix of history, scenery &amp; child friendly stuff. Enjoy the USA as there are no language barriers.
(Yes, I learn enough Russian etc. to get me through a trip, but find I'm always on my toes worrying about how to ask the next question. I'm also bilingual, but we Welsh speakers don't hold out well abroad... Patagonia's an idea!)
Italy - been to lakes, Venice (got engaged there), Florence, Rome, Assisi, Sorrento, Capri. A Tuscan villa is something I'd do as a normal holiday, so wanted exciting ideas for a splurge on top of our usual holiday budget?

Sorry cmt, but the fact is that, as my wife says, we have seen what we want to see in Western Europe.
As for how far east it goes, well, we've been to Western Russia, Poland, Czech, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary etc. I first went to Italy in 1972 and have been there eight times since, so a 40th birthday trip to Italy would not excite me (I would be very disappointed if we ended up in Sicily for such a special trip, sorry).
With the budget airlines, we can &quot;pop over&quot; to places like Latvia for long weekends. We've even done day-trips to Iceland and Barcelona - started from our own home in the morning and been back home to sleep at night.
We are looking for something different. The &pound;2500 windfall is to be added to what we would have spent on our '06 holiday anyway (which would probably have been a gite in France).
I'm quite taken by the idea of Canada and the US, although we have a friend in Japan that's begging us to go over. Problem is, we couldn't impose on her too long and I know that the country is very expensive should we then move to a hotel or tour the country.

Does anyone have any views on Eastern Canada (say, Toronto or Montreal) and then into the US?

You still have a lot more to see in Italy. Since you're asking for subjective opinions, I think Sicily is one of the most interesting places anyone could possibly visit and among the first regions of Italy worth visiting.

We all have such differenet interests and are attracted to such different things that if you ask where WE would go, it won't necessarily be where YOU'd want to go. Maybe if our interests are different enough, it's worth hearing our preferences so that you can do the OPPOSITE of what we'd like (I'm only 1/2 joking). Since I think Sicily is the #1 or #2 region worth visiting in Italy and you strongly disagree, maybe you should AVOID my other preferences, which are:
in France, the Dordogne (my favorite part so far), in Greece-anyplace in Greece you haven't already been (I'd love to go to Karpathos or northern Greece--have never been to either), Turkey, in Canada- (I'd love to go to British Columbia for the first time).

Actually, I love Italy. It's just that we can do Italy anytime. My wife asked for opinions for a special trip as a one off and is grateful to all people who have taken the time to reply. It's not a case of taking an opposite view, but that I preferred the idea of Canada and the USA. Sorry, but there is no animosity intended.
As for your other ideas, well - we have booked the Dordogne this summer already. See, we do have similar ideas after all. LOL.

Take the train from Vancouver to San Francisco...awesome scenery!

TheUncleSam

YEEHAW!

Hi Mrs (and Mr) AR

I suggest New Orleans for the birthday party.

((I))

I never picked up on whether you were thinking about summer 06 or December 06 for the actual trip. While we'd love to have you visit here in Memphis, if it's planned around December for AR's birthday, I'd go so far to suggest Australia for something new (or have you been?)

As much scenery and history as N. America, but not already on the list - and in summer mode in December. Sydney(scenic +), the Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, the Great Ocean Rd, Wine country, funny animals. It's another place with no language barrier and there you get to stay on the correct side of the road when driving. ;)

Then there's New Zealand...
have only been to Auckland, but the views in the LOTR movies has me interested in seeing more someday.

A motoring tour down the west coast needn't be too expensive; depends on your hotel tastes, etc. of course. At today's &pound;/$ exchange rates (which I frankly hope will improve, i.e., worsen for you - sorry - by 2006) you could figure around &pound;35 a day for a car, around &pound;40 a night for accommodation (higher in Seattle and SF, use Priceline, thus lower in Vancouver); and food and miscellaneous about 20% less than comparables in the UK. Gas/petrol for the car right now is around &pound;1 per US gallon, i.e., around 25p per litre (I know, ha ha) so motoring is a real bargain compared to Europe. Figure 7-10 days of unrushed motoring from Vancouver-SF, longer of course if you stop for several days at a time.

Another very affordable holiday option in our part of the world is an Alaska cruise. Several alternative routes, departing Vancouver or Seattle, some round-trip through southeast Alaska, some one-way to/from Anchorage (requiring more airfare, but providing land-based touring opportunities at the northern end of the tour.) The cruises mostly are 7 nights, and cost, depending on accommodations, anywhere from &pound;500 to &pound;1000 per person, with 3rd pax in cabins (i.e. your 10yo) discounted or free. Remember that includes all meals as well, so quite a bargain on a per diem basis.

We have numerous British pals who've done versions of this holiday and have raved about it.

Another alternative is to look at timeshares or house exchanges. Are you familiar with www.homelink.org? If not, become so.

Happy planning.

I'm with ira in endorsing a trip to New Orleans, MRS_AR. Three nights in the Big Easy for great food and GREAT music, then another 2-3 mights touring Cajun Country with a stop at Avery Island to pay respects to Tabasco!

If it's a warm weather trip you're thinking about, here's a vote for the East coast. Start of in Quebec or Montreal if you want a bit of Canada, then meander down to Boston for great museums and lots of US history. Go to Tanglewood for the Boston Symphony, or maybe out to Cape Cod for a bit of beach and a lot of art. Newport, Rhode Island, with its great houses, gives a look at how we'd all like to be able to live. Old Sturbridge, Massachusetts, shows how we colonials lived when we were still in your thrall.
Another advantage of the East Coast: we're unlikely to fall into the Atlantic any time soon.
So come one over and croeso.

Diolch am y croeso, vcl ;) Sounds like a fab trip for us.

Do you have any links for the cruises, Gardyloo? I can't find prices anything like that. Also, yes - have considered house swops. While I love the idea, the thought of having to sort out things this end is too frightening - where would all my things go to make space for the new family?!

If AR continues to poke his nose in on this thread, the trip could end up a girly twosome for me and daughter. Now THAT would be full of possibilities!!!:)

If you are thinking about coming back to the USA, Charleston is a fabulous city and don't discount Chicago. It has beautiful lakefront parks and some of the finest museums in the country. The Museum of Science and Industry would delight any ten year old. Discount old gangster movies. I remember a visiting British woman my mother met on the train saying she thought the city was charming and she was surprised that during her stay, not a single shot was exchanged!

HI if you like to try a cruise its definately a wonderful one to start cruises in citaveccia or genova/italy dwon to sicily round the maltese island
up to venice or start inpir&auml;us through the kyklade islands (tiny vulcano islands) to crete cyprus alexandria!
need more info ?

Thanks everyone for all your ideas :)
I'm now waiting for the windfall to materialise before making any firm plans, so will be back when the cash in my hands!!

I vote for Toronto and Niagara Falls.I was there(Toronto) for the International Film Festival in September,and it is so much fun. The people are so lovely and friendly and the city has plenty to offer culture mavens. Add a trip to the beautiful Niagara Falls and you'll have a memorable vacation.

Mrs AR - Summer 2006 is too far out for many cruise schedules to be posted, but you can get an idea of prices by looking at www.cruise.com or similar sites, even Expedia or Travelocity. Specify Aug. 2005 for Alaska cruises, and you'll see a number of sailings with cabins in the US $700-$1500 range (prices per person), i.e., &pound;400-800. Some cruise lines are pricier than others, balconies cost more then inside cabins, etc. Visit the boards at www.cruisecritic.com for a bazillion posts on various destinations and cruise lines.