Please can anyone suggest some ideas for parts of our holiday next year? We've just got flight reservations from London Heathrow to JFK on 31st July, and we're returning to the UK in the evening of 18th August from Boston, Logan. This is for myself and my wife and our 2 daughters of 14 and 18.

We're planning to spend the first week in a house/apartment rental in NYC. We've found a few possibilities around the web [including a couple that look good in Brooklyn], but any other recommendations would be most welcome.

Then we'd like to hire a car and drive up NY state for a few hours [max 4h driving] to rent a house in the hills for a week. Ideally this should be not too remote and close to an interesting town or two: we're into hiking, biking, horseriding, historical towns and houses, live classical and rock music, and good food/wine/beer. We'd thought of near Woodstock or Catskill, but are open to suggestions. Would the Berkshires give us more to do? Is the Adirondacks too far? Any recommendations for rentals? We don't want to be more than, say, 5 hours drive from Cape Cod [see below...].

Finally we want to spend the last 4 nights in a B&B in Cape Cod, probably in the Sandwich or Wellfleet areas. Any advice?

Budget for each of the week rentals/stays is a max of $1500 [but we'd much prefer $1000 or less!], and a max of $250/night for the 4 of us in Cape Cod.

Many thanks in advance, Mark

The Berkshires would definitely be a wonderful location for all the things you're seeking -- and a shorter drive to the Cape afterwards.

I too would recommend the Berkshires, since the Adirondacks are out with your 4 hour driving limit, would be about 6 hours to get past Old Forge. (but would offer you far more "woodsy" and outdoor adventures"). There are plenty of camp rentals of all range of price.

I would have to agree on the Berkshires, due to the timeframe you stated alone. We live about 45 minutes west of Boston and just went to NYC yesterday for the first time and was a 4 hr drive. Driving out to the Cape is even further. It takes us 2-3 hours driving to the cape as it is as well. I don't have an vacation rentals listed on my site from that area, but you may wanna try one of the sites like vrbo.com . Are you wanting a rental for the cape or perhaps a hotel? From what I understand you need to hurry up and make your reservations as that sometimes they are booked well in advance. Good luck, have fun and welcome to the US.

Many thanks for the suggestions so far. We're not rigidly limited to 4-5h driving - I just don't find all-day driving to be much of a holiday!

On the basis of your advice I'll certainly look in the Berkshires: can anyone recommend any small towns to base ourselves near that will meet our requirements? Not too 'touristy' preferably.

In Cape Cod, has anyone stayed at the Lamb and Lion Inn in Barnstable? They've got a couple of 2-bedroom units available that might suit us.

Thanks, Mark

I would recommend either Lake George or Saratoga Springs, NY. It's probably a 4-5 hour drive from NYC. Another 4 hours to the cape.

I love the Hudson Valley and Southern Catskill region. Wonderful gardens, towns, mansions, walks, and hikes.

You are in my "stomping grounds" for your holiday. I would suggest:

Look at a map of the Hudson Valley. Head north from NYC on the East side of the river (when driving please take the scenic Taconic Parkway).

Consider what you want to do...the berkshire town are very American Country, but you are limited to what each town has to offer. I'd stay in the hudson valley...perhaps the town of Hudson, or Woodstock (or in between). The Valley offers, great antiquing, great food, and wonderfull historic homes to visit....There are quite a few notable homes to see in the Hyde Park area (the Mewport of the Valley perhaps). Don't miss Olana up by Hudson.

When heading to the Cape there are 2 options; take the NY Thruway to the Berkshire extension, to the Mass. Turnpike to 495 to 25 across the canal and to 6 on the Cape...thats the fast way...maybe 5 hours. The old road route 44 takes you across through various towns, scenic but slow....a full days drive.

On the Cape; Sandwich is just over the canal so it minimizes your drive. But, because of that it is very busy in July. I would suggest the extra 45 minutes of driving to the outer Cape, Wellfleet, Truro and if you like good food, do not miss Provincetown (Front Street Cafe, The Mews, Martin House, cafe Edwige, The Commons....just a few good to great places to eat.

Actually if you have teens with you PTown (as we call it) may be the place to stay. Great beaches, whale watching, boating, kayaking(rent from Flyer's on Commercial Street) etc. But you should be aware that Ptown is a very diverse community....the ends of land masses often are. There is a mix of families, local portugese, plenty of islanders in for the summer, and it is one of the countries premier resorts for Gay men and Lesbians....so, if that makes you nervous, maybe stay in Truro and drive in for activities and dinners??? By the way - LOTS of fun shopping and people watching in Ptown in July....watch for the Hat Sisters....There are very good B&Bs in Ptown that cater to families. Just got to th web and search.

okay - enough said - feel free to ask questions

The Berkshires are a lovely location in the summer. I would suggest that you stay in the small, sophisticated town of Lenox. In addition to many fine hotels, restaurants, and shops, it is the home of the Tanglewood Music Festival. This is the summer residence of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, one of the best in the country. You can purchase tickets to the Shed, indoors and airconditioned or sit outside on the lawn. The latter is much less expensive. Many folks bring elaborate picnics; you can see fine linen tablecloths, candlelabara, etc.
The music is just wonderful. There is also the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, also of high quality. The town of Stockbridge, where lunch or dinner at the Red Lion Inn is a must, is also home to the Norman Rockwell Museum. Hancock Shaker Village just west of Pittsfield might be of interest to your girls. Williamstown, close to the Vermont border, is the quintessential New England college town. In addition to the gorgeous buildings which dominate the campus, there are numerous high quality dining places. The Berkshires, in general, are fairly close to southern Vermont. Bennington and Manchester are certainly accessible as a day trip. Oh, by the way, Williamstown has two fine museums, one on the grounds of the college and the other the Francine and Sterling Clark Institute. It has a wonderful collection of Impressionistic art.
In general, I think western Massachusetts is basically a hidden and undiscovered gem, except for the New Yorkers, who flocks there by the droves in the summer. From that area to Cape Cod is only three or so hours, depending upon your location on the Cape.
Although I am not familiar with the B and B's down here, I live on the Cape and would be glad to supply you with more information. If you wish to supply your e-mal address, we can communicate more directly; otherwise, I would be happy to respond from this site. By the way, my sister-in-law emigrated from Blackpool to this area a number of years ago. So, welcome, and let us know how we can help you with your travel plans, Mark.

First, on NYC, I don't know what websites you're using to find an apartment, but nyhabitat.com is a co. that several Fodorites have used and liked. www.apartments2book.com is a London agency that gets good prices on serviced apts. newyork.craiglist.com is a site for individuals to rent their places (plus you'll find some inns/b & bs). I personally wouldn't chose Brooklyn as a base despite the fact that parts of it have become a trendy spot to live. Also, you must pay attention to air conditioning. You will definitely need it at that time of year. Even if you think you can do without, you can't!

I'm not too familiar with the Cape, but I do know the Berkshires. You say you don't want any place too touristy and yet you want to be "not too remote and close to an interesting town or two: we're into hiking, biking, horseriding, historical towns and houses, live classical and rock music, and good food/wine/beer" Uh, those things will attract tourists! :

Williamstown, Mass. has a lot to offer with 2 great art museums, a college and a summer theater. There's a music festival in nearby Lenox, Mass. called Tanglewood. Very popular (buy tickets ASAP) Other towns a bit south of theret area are Chatham and Great Barrington (both in NY).

Here's a link to a good older post on the Berkshires
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...=1&tid=1355142

I'm assuming they already took this trip.....

Holy smokes! Wonder how that happened.