My husband is taking the bar this summer for the first time, and as a special "treat" - I would like to plan a vacation (about a week long) in August after he's finished for him to unwind. We did this last year, after I took the bar, and travelled to the Northeast (New Hampshire, Vermont, and Mid-coast Maine - all of which were beautiful and it was a great trip thanks to people on Fodors). We live in South Florida, so I'd like to go somewhere "cool" for the vacation. We really don't want to repeat the trip we had last year - so I'm looking for suggestions. Cost is somewhat of a factor as we're saving for a house downpayment, but money isn't too tight. I'd like to stay in a homey bed and breakfast. We are avid photographers - and just want somewhere low key and quiet to relax. Any ideas?

Oh. I forgot to mention places we've recently travelled (and while we loved them - we'd like to go somewhere new). In the last year we've been to the Northeast, as mentioned, Phoenix/Sedonna, Montreal, and Seattle.

Hmmm - San Francisco and the wine country sounds like it would meet your needs very nicely. Lovely area, and so much to see and do, yet can easily relax as much as you want.

Niagra Falls

Stay on the Canadian side.

Inexpensive, cool, and COOL

I've seen some really inexpensive packages to Brazil. Including air and hotel, it usually runs about $900 per person for a seven night trip.

Since it is winter in the southern hemisphere, you would certainly have cool weather.

I'm going to cut and paste a post I just wrote a few minutes ago. We have children, but neither place will be overrun with them.

Good luck to your DH on his exam. Mine took the FL exam in Orlando in 1983--I'll never forget it. He drove there from Sarasota and when he checked into his hotel, he realized he'd left all of his materials at home. I had to drive them over. The good news was he passed!

Message: I'm going to suggest a couple of different places in the Smokies that you might like--Cashiers or Blowing Rock NC. Both are probably a three-hour drive from g-burg but both have the the accommodations, beauty and privacy you require.

We live in Florida and spend much of our summer near Cashiers, NC. My family has had a place there since I was little and my three children absolutely love it there. There are a few dozen good restaurants between Cashiers and Franklin. The weather is wonderful--if you like it cool. You can rent a home on a lake (Glenville or Toxaway) as well as boats for tubing, skiing or just to putter around. If you don't want to rent a house, the Greystone in Toxaway is a luxurious property with golf, tennis, children's program etc. It's on Lake Toxaway and it's gorgeous. They have a wonderful family unit right on the lake--hard to book in the summer however. Fairfield Sapphire Valley Resort is nice, you just have to be more careful about the accommodations because there are so many to choose from.

We'll often go over to Blowing Rock for a week during our NC summers. We stay at Chetola Resort, which was owned many years ago by Coca Cola. The accommodations range from a lovely inn, to luxury condos. They have a small lake on the property which they stock regularly with trout. They also have an indoor pool, rec center and tennis courts. The village is wonderful and they go to great lengths to avoid commercialism. There are many excellent restaurants in the area and IMO, it's a little prettier than the Cashiers area (just a little!) and there is more to do in the immediate area.

We go to NC strictly to unwind and cool off! It's not the place if you're looking for a lot of commercial type of activities, but both areas have so many wonderful hikes, fishing, waterfalls, white river rafting etc. we never get bo

San Francisco in August, yes? We went last year and the weather was so nice, I hated to come home to the brutal South Carolina heat. We went to Alcatraz, which was much better than I ever expected (my husband is fascinated with jails, perhaps because he's never been detained in one?)and like to froze to death! Yikes, that was a real jacket wearing moment that I didn't prepare for. Stayed in the Marriott, hotel was overbooked, our flight was delayed and they kicked our room to the curb. I was genuinely distraught when they tried to give 4 of us 1 king sized bed. They did fix it after several hours of inconvenience and our 13 hour trip from SC. But I still loved it, sorry, didn't mean to get into all that.

How about a Rocky Mountain getaway? Denver is usually expensive to fly into, but if you go Salt Lake you can be in the mountains in minutes. The Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper) are also nice.

Another vote for Canada - one of the few places that the dollar is really strong! Options: the maritimes - or for something a teeny more exotic: Montreal/Quebec.

The San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest.

White Point Beach Resort... Nova Scotia... a beautiful, inexpensive resort with terrific food (get the meal option), quaint beachside cottages with porches and fireplaces, and a relaxed, almost 'campy' atmosphere... ... great bike paths along the old rail beds. A place to do a whole lot of 'not much' and truly relax.

Thanks for all the great replies! What an amazing variety of responses... looking forward to seeing what I can find.

april

Long as you are at it, take a look at the Canadian Rockies: Banf, Jasper, Lake Louise, Columbia Icefields are fantastic.

For a more get away from it all, how about a cabin on a lake in WI, MN or MI? Not expensive, great weather, quiet, etc.

How about Lake Tahoe? It's usually not much hotter than 75 degrees and the air is dry. There is lots to do, rafting, alpine hiking, golf and even nightlife at the casinos. Lots of beautiful vistas for photos, Most of the B&Bs are on the North Shore or the West Shore near Tahoma. Tahoma is close to nice beaches and Emerald Bay.

LaJolla, CA and San Miguel de Allende, MX
M

I second the opinion about the Rockies (either Canadian or US) Check out all the great ski resort areas. Some have amazing summer air & hotel packages.

Another vote for the Canadian Rockies, beautiful!! Your dollar is very strong here right now so your money will go far in Canada. Good luck to your husband on his exam.

Nova Scotia is beautiful and cool in the summer.

aprilkrueg, you mentioned budget concerns. Colorado is very affordable in Summer, rates are much less than winter. Great weather, beautiful views, Vail is nice, though can be busy. You might checnk out www.summitnet.com for ideas. If like the outdoors it is hard to beat Colorado in Summer.

The western coast of Michigan (the Lake Michigan side) is beautiful! Take a look at www.michigan.org to find out more about wonderful coastal towns like Saugatuck.