Can't decide where to go!
 

So, my husband and I are looking to go somewhere fantastic in May/June 2009. We are at a complete loss of where to go. We need help!

We honeymooned last year in Italy and had a great time, so we're definitely open to going back to Europe. However, it is just so darn expensive! We had been planning to go to Greece until a few days ago when I finally got the numbers from a travel agent, and I think it's going to have to wait. But if someone knows somewhere to go that isn't terribly pricey, we're definitely open to suggestions!

We live in Atlanta and will be doing our traveling from there. We have a budget of about $5,000 - 6,000. We want to stay as long as we can--my husband will have just graduated law school and I'm a teacher, so we have some time and want to make the most of it before he starts working in the fall.

We don't want to have to rent a car, but if we have to, we will. My husband does not want to go a on cruise, so they're out. We also don't want to go anywhere that isn't warm--although it doesn't have to be the beach.

We've talked about going down to Turks and Caicos and just staying there, being lazy, for a couple weeks, but I don't think either one of us are 100% thrilled with that. We're 25, and although we don't stay out all night, we'd like some kind of night scene--if for no other reason than to be able to go out for dinner and maybe a couple drinks.

Road trips aren't really our thing, either.

Any suggestions??

Why not Hawaii?

Depends on what you are wanting- a resort type experience, art/museums, beaches, historical places, etc. What are you interested in? If you have been to Europe and considering Greece I would imagine that you have visited many areas in the US? Personally, for us, we have been visiting as many National Parks the last 4 or 5 years. I almost refuse to plan a trip without including at least one NP visit. Have you been to Seatle area or Oregon? Thats our trip for next summer.

Well, you have a relatively small budget but lots of time. Maybe someplace in Mexico? Go to Destinations on Fodors and browse.

Or check out the Mexico travel section in the New York Times - they have some great ideas for more active vacations for younger people, in more off-the-beaten spots.
http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui.../overview.html

What about St. Thomas? Beautiful island. Aruba is fun too.

I like Underhill's idea. A totally horizontal Hawaiian (Kauai?) vacation would be wonderful, IMO.

If not, how about Western Canada?

Vancouver, Victoria, and then across to the Canadian Rockies, Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, or the other way around. This definitely will be a driving trip but nothing like driving in Italy.

We'll come along. LOL

Anna Roz

Okay this might sound bland for your tastes but how about good old Northern Cali? Stay in a very nice place between the Napa Napa Valley and San Fran. Tons of stuff to do both ways. The hotel/resort options are many and there are some very nice options. Somewhere like Calistoga Ranch or
http://www.meadowood.com/

You would need to rent a car, but there is plenty to do in that area...

May can often be a lot less expensive than June

How about Bali? Airfare isn't cheap, but once you get there, prices are great. With a couple weeks you could base yourselves in 2 or 3 different areas around the island. You could have some hang-out-on-the-beach time and there is plenty of other things to do as well. And most people, at least people at hotels, in restaurants, and so forth speak english so it is really easy.

I haven't come up with a place yet but let me suggest a concept. This will be one of the few times in your life for probably a long time when BOTH of you can get away for more than two weeks. I hope that you can resist the temptaion to just pop somwhere for a cruise or two weeks at a resort. Try to stay on vacation for at least a month and two would be better.

you'll need to probably stay in one or two locations for an extended time because traveling is expensive.

Your dates are between spring break and school vacations for the Mexican or Central American resorts. Cabo, Belize, Riviera de Maya, Costa Rica. If you are into archaeology the Mayan penninsula and Guatemala rival Egypt.

Go post this question in the Latin America forum. My husband and I had the same problem. This was our year for Europe, but we just couldn't justify the exchange rate. We ended up staying in the US and taking smaller trips to see friends, but what we were really thinking about doing was Argentina.

Apparently their dollar nose dived many years ago and just hasn't come back. So things are less expensive there and apparently beautiful. Buenos Aires is the Paris of South America they say.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

As far as Hawaii goes, we were definitely thinking about going there, but where is the best? It's expensive there, right? Could we reasonably stay for 2 weeks?

As far as Mexico goes, we're actually going down to Cabo in December.. We are trying to take advantage of his time off and travel as much as possible! Although, if I had thought ahead, we might have skipped on Cabo in order to go to Greece in May.. But, life is short and I wanted to go.

We've never been to Seattle or Oregon; we played around with flying into Los Angeles and doing a road trip up to Seattle and then flying home. It's still not entirely off our list, but we're not sold either.

Anna Roz, I wish you could come along! It's funny--we'd both be into almost anything if someone else would do the planning! I know that's what a travel agent does, but we haven't been happy with the services we've received in the past.

Badmin, Northern California might work, too.. Thanks for the link and name. I'll look into them both..

Hadn't thought of Bali.. I'm going to go price some options there, as well.

Stumpworks, we actually have plans to head to Belize in a couple years--our friends are throwing a party down there, and we thought we'd save that for then..

I like the idea of Argentina, too.. and it doesn't hurt that, ok I admit it, I loved Evita.. So that's definitely interesting..

Thanks so much for all the suggestions!!! I really appreciate it and several of these were places I hadn't really considered!

Just my 'feel' for which island would be for you - Maui & or Oahu, for a first visit. I say that because use mention night life is important.

I kind of think those are the best two for a first visit to Hawaii in any event. You will, of course be smitten, & want to return for more!

Oops! Not use mention, but you mention. I'm feeling this rum punch! lol!

If avoiding a rental car is really a big deal for you, you could make a great long vacation in the Pacific Northwest by staying in these very foot-friendly cities (and taking a passenger ferry to and from, which itself is a really neat experience):

Seatle, Vancouver, and Victoria.

Beautiful area, and the cities are different enough that you'll have a variety of experiences.

If you liked Italy, Argentina has the same European feel without the horribly increased cost. There is a lot of Italian influence in BsAs. It is a great international city with opportunities for museums, shopping, wine tasting, dancing, relaxing and enjoying great food at reasonable prices. If you have additional time to explore the NW part of Argentina that is natural beauty, great wine and food, quaint villages with wonderful markets and friendly people. Check out the Argentina forum since there is a lot of information there on both BsAs and the Salta (NW) region.

Go to Machu Picchu.

Thanks everyone! Still doing my research on what everyone has said..

Dockruins, isn't it winter/rainy season in Peru? My husband would love to go to Machu Picchu, but it doesn't seem like the right time of year..

I love the idea of Buenos Aires, but honestly, I don't even know where to start! Any recommendations on hotels that are centrally located and safe?

Should have previewed my last post before it went up.. I'm okay with going to Buenos Aires when it's getting cooler, but hiking up to Machu Picchu when it could be chilly and rainy just doesn't sound like the best time. Has anyone else ever been to Machu Picchu in late May/early June?