Ideas for Romantic Getaway with Girlfriend
 

Hello,

My ex is taking my son to South Padre for vacation from May 28th until the June 1st so I have some unexpected free time and plan to take a vacation with my new girlfriend.

Seeing as how it's starting to heat up here in Austin (mid 90's), I was thinking maybe someplace cool. I want to drive, so I was thinking perhaps the mountains of New Mexico (Santa Fe) or Carlsbad Caverns (cool).

How far are these locations from Austin? Is this even doable?

I think both of these would appeal to my new girlfriend. I've never been to New Mexico before so any ideas would be welcomed. She's a "shade" kind of girl (read: fair skin), which differs from my ex who was a sun worshipper (gotta love the variety out there :). So, I'm thinking the cave/cool weather stuff might appeal to her.

The focus of this trip would be romance and good scenery. We'd probably want to stay at a cozy B&B or non chain hotel. We are both foodies so keep that in mind for restaurants.

I can help; I can help!!

Santa Fe should be wonderful at that time. The weather here has been excellent.

I have some info on vrbo rentals, casitas near the plaza. I have to look for it; search here isn't turning it up.

Would you be willing/wanting to try Priceline?

From a recent post I did on another thread here:

Santa Fe is wonderful. Ten Thousand Waves spa, lots of museums on Museum Hill, Canyon Road for browsing the galleries, great food. Shidoni Brass Foundry, Saturday Flea Market, Santa Fe Opera, some beautiful hikes, casinos if that's your thing too. Lots of possibilities.

http://www.santafeopera.org

http://www.tenthousandwaves.com/

http://www.shidoni.com

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui.../overview.html

I would suggest trying mapquest for route and time; I don't know too much about getting here from Austin. I know how to get here from El Paso, but that isn't too helpful is it?

Deb

Ok, the casitas are here:

http://www.vrbo.com/my/57368

Deb

Thanks DebitNM, keep the info coming.

How long have you been an item?? Sometimes vacationing together can be the kiss of death for a relationship - especially if jet lag is involved :) So, you will probably be OK.

Sorry I can't help with New Mexico. Have a great time.

MY

We've been serious around one month, were dating around 2 months prior at a more casual level. I understand about the kiss of death thing with travel. With my first wife, our first travel together after two months caused a big argument and we almost broke up. We were married 10 years after that though, so you never know.

I guess I'd rather know now rather than later if we are compatible long term. Traveling is a big part of my life and we need to be able to do that together.

Both your choices in New Mexico are fine. Santa Fe is a bit more "romantic" than Carlsbad, but Carlsbad is interesting geologically and the bats should be swarming in the evening, which is interesting to watch. There is also a National Forrest in the mountains southwest of there which would provide some nice hiking opportunities if that interests you. Not too far from Santa Fe is Bandelier NM which has neat ancient Native American sites, carved into the rock of the mountainside, good hiking opportunities there too if that interests you, but SF also has great museums and a very interesting old town area.

BTW if you are thinking about driving, Carlsbad is about half the distance to Santa Fe, it would be two days drive to SF. The National Forrest/Monument near Carlsbad is actually in Texas and is Guadalupe (wrong spelling)

I also favor that area but tend to like Taos a bit more than Santa Fe, not quite so touristy either.

I'm not a big Santa Fe fan but I believe it has the atmosphere that you are looking for. As Debit pointed out you will have a wide choice of hotels, museums, outdoor activities and restaurants.

I'm sure I'll offend someone, but when I was in Carlsbad two years ago the town did not appear to offer much beside the standard chain motels and restaurants. There is nothing wrong with Carlsbad and I was fine with the Days Inn I stayed at with my family but obviously that is not what you have in mind for a romantic getaway. On the other hand, I thought the caverns were amazing and definitely worth the trip. The bat flight in the evening was incredibly beautiful and peaceful - I'd even say romantic.

I agree about Carlsbad - it is not where I would want to go for my first "romantic" trip together. As a day trip sometime, sure, but not as a destination.

Taos is really nice too, but it really is limited as far as thing to do that aren't outdoors and it will add almost 2 hours to the drive [beyond Santa Fe].

Deb

I only have a four day weekend so I'm thinking that Sante Fe is out then if it's a 2 day drive from Austin?

I don't mind the drive from Austin to New Mexico as I have never been in that part of Texas and want to see the landscape, no matter how desolate it can get. We will be able to get to know each other better on the long drive.

mapblast takes me west on 71 from Austin out to 190 west to I-10 then up 285 to Carlsbad. Would it not be faster to take 290 to I-10 and take that to be on interstate for a majority of the way? mapblast says it takes around 7 hours, is that about right?

I assume the town of Carlsbad, NM, has the only accommodations for the area?

Taken her to NOLA yet ??

SAnParis2,

Not yet. When I take her there, then you know we're getting very serious :) If she doesn't like NOLA, that's a deal breaker.

I figure I might take her to NOLA this Fall or next Spring. I want her to see it at its finest.

I am making her some Shrimp Creole tonight though!

Ok, I need help here. I priced out flights to Albuquerque and a car rental, along with hotels in Sante Fe and compared to driving to Carlsbad.

It will be around $800 cheaper to drive to Carlsbad, but it appears the weather will be better in Sante Fe and the hotels and restaurants are far better in Sante Fe. However, I really would like to see Carlsbad Caverns.

Please help me weigh the pros and cons. Is it worth an extra $800 to see Sante Fe? Would I be better off saving Sante Fe for a ski trip in the winter?

What kind of hiking is nearby to Carlsbad Caverns? What about Sante Fe? Are there any decent restaurants near Carlsbad or are the caverns the only thing to see.

Please help, I'm not sure what to do, there's so many options!

I would check around for flights, I can usually get to ABQ from CLT for around $200 r/t. The trip from ABQ to SAnta Fe is a great Drive as well. I don't think there is a lot to do around Carlsbad.

In my not so humble opinion, you asked for romantic. Carlsbad cannot be construed, in any way, shape or form as romantic. It is what it is, and there won't be charming B&B's, excellent restaurants, any other "indoor" activities.

You always remember your first trip with a new love and to me, that screams Santa Fe.

Are you looking for flights on Southwest? Have you considered Priceline for a room and/or a car using name your own price; or one of those casitas I have listed above?

There are some excellent places to eat in Santa Fe that won't break the bank [see my trip report from Dec 08].

There is just so much more to see and do in Santa Fe, there isn't a comparison. A cave with bats [which <b>is</b> neat, but won't hold a candle to Santa Fe] or the charm, fun, and romance of Santa Fe?? Santa Fe has museums, galleries, spas, restaurants, music, hiking, beautiful mountains, that you aren't going to find in Carlsbad.

Save skiing for another trip, that is a great trip, but there are better places close by for that like Taos, or Durango. Or even back to Santa Fe, which is magically in winter with crystal blue skies, abundant sunshine, the smell of pinon wood drifting through the sunset skies.

Deb

bk, congrats on your new girlfriend!

DebitNM,

Thanks for the feedback. After mulling over it the whole day, I've made my final decision. She told me she'd be fine with either location and would support my decision - gotta love that :)

My final decision is below, but these are the factors I considered:

1. I understand that Sante Fe is probably more romantic, but I'm worried we won't really have enough time to see a whole lot for four days. Two of those days would be traveling, so that doesn't leave a lot.

2. We probably don't need a whole lot of activities to keep us busy because we will probably be sleeping in if things go as planned :).

3. We talked about it and we both haven't seen Carlsbad Caverns, and to me, it's something you need to see at least once in your life, like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite, so we've opted for Carlsbad.

4. It's $800 cheaper to go to Carlsbad and after a divorce that cleaned me out and the unstable economy, I need to be cautious about money.

So, the decision will be to go to Carlsbad Caverns. DONE.

Now, I need to plan the trip to Carlsbad. We'll be driving so that part is easy! Just need some hotel and restaurant recommendations.

volcanogirl,

Thanks :)

I would do Taos over Santa Fe anyday..
Santa Fe to me, is the Beverly Hills of New Mexico..do I really want to see a Louis Vuitton store..everything seems so faux to me..
sorry Deb..
I want rugged, unspoiled New Mexico which is so gorgeous and pure..
It would be a great road trip from Austin!

oops..just read your final decision..
I would so not go to Carlsbad!!

FWIW, there is no Louis Vitton store in Santa Fe. Nor any other designer store for that matter, that I know of at least.

Perhaps it seems faux, but honestly, when you live here, it is how things are and Santa Fe can be snooty and it can be warm, friendly and charming. I guess it depends on what you do in Santa Fe and where ya do it.

Sorry, bk, I have no helpful or first hand suggestions for you on Carlsbad. I hope you have a great time, it's the company that makes a trip special!

Deb

I'd swear I bought my wife a bag there but I was making a point that Santa Fe seems so contrived..maybe, I would have to live there but never would because I couldn't get past that vibe of it all..I see I am not alone with my feelings of SF from this thread..I don't get the snooty feel to SF..just ingenuine.
Taos to me seems so much real..and more of the New Mexico that I am looking for..
Just my two cents..

I hope you practice safe sex :)

s'ok ksucat - we all have different ideas about things. That is why there is vanilla and chocolate!

Deb

MichelleY,

Thanks for pointing out the obvious! I'm a mature adult, thank you.

There is no Louis Vuitton store in Santa Fe. And, my husband is grateful for that. There are many upscale <i>local</i> jewelry stores selling Cartier, Rolex and others but no name chains.

Santa Fe can be whatever you want. It can give you fine dining, luxury lodging and shopping for world-class art and jewelry. Or, Santa Fe can offer charming courtyards, local New Mexican dining, a slow stroll up Canyon Road taking in the scents of burning pinon, enjoying the bluest of blue skies while you wander in and out of fine art galleries. Whether you are wearing Keen sandals or Ferragamos, it's all good.

bkluvsNola,

It's an eleven hour drive from Austin to Santa Fe. But Santa Fe is wonderful and varied. Yes, it can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Keep it on your list of romantic places to visit with your girlfriend. It was the first trip I took with my husband before we married, checking to see if we were travel compatible, and the place where he later proposed and bought my ring. Each time we visit we enjoy some old favorite places and find some new ones. We are very happy together ten years later and going back soon to celebrate my upcoming birthday.

The National Park websites may help with trip planning.

Guadalupe Mountains NP
www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm

Carlsbad Caverns NP
www.nps.gov/cave

Also, I strongly recommend bringing a cooler with supplies ready for a picnic or two. Hopefully, you'll be able to find a great restaurant but you should be prepared with a back-up plan if that doesn't happen.

Where does she want to go?

I think the Carlsbad Caverns sounds like fun. (I'm a rock hounder at heart)But once the day is over + one night, you still need one more thing to do.
What about Ruidoso? My husband & I stayed in a darling little cabin on a river there. I think theres a casino in town too.
Its been a couple of years, so I don't remember the cabin name, but there were lots of them, and we just drove around until we found one we liked. That will fill the fun with Rocks and minerals w/end with some romance near the water, and it's in the southern part of the state!

Oops sorry, I didn't see your post that she'd be happy going either place. I'm not a fan of long car rides or going underground myself, so for me the Carlsbad Caverns thing wouldn't be my idea of romance. buena suerte, suze

suze,

Lisa_D,

We plan to go to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and hike the summit the first day and then do the Caverns the next day. There are many different tours, some of which are 2.5 hours long, so that will occupy the time. She is planning which hikes and tours to take, I'm getting the hotel.

suze,

I understand about the Caverns - they're not for everyone. I actually love Caverns, even though I wish they were a little bit warmer than 56 degrees (it will be a shock to my system from the warm weather to which I'm acclimated). I think they're mysterious, unique, and fascinating, which I think is romantic. I just hope she thinks the same.

I wouldn't have decided to go there if she said she wasn't interested, though. And the truth is I love National Parks and I'm glad she shares that interest.

Carlsbad Caverns were one on the stops for my parents on their honeymoon in 1950!! So it has to be romantic, doesn't it??? The got married in Las Vegas, stopped at the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forrest, Carlsbad Caverns, El Paso to visit cousins and finally San Angelo, TX to buy sheep. A honeymoon and business trip rolled into one!!

Your trip will have to be more romantic :)


MY

You do realize it will be really hot outside, right? :-) Drink a lot of water and wear a hat and sunscreen, otherwise romance will be the last thing on y'all's minds!

Lee Ann

ElendilPickle,

We're having a really cool spell here - temps are only expected to be upper 70's to low 80's when we're there. Us Texans call that type of weather "cool".

Also, the caves are 56 degrees regardless of the outside weather.

Travel isn't always the way to see if someone will be around "long term" ... knowing someone and being with them Long Term generally is the way to find out.

Often people are on their best behavior or will snap when on a trip together .. especially early days in a relationship. A month is very early days.

Good luck .. we liked Carlsbad Caverns but it smells like bat sh*t and is damp and dank and can be unpleasant for some people .. especially if someone doesn't like being in closed in dark places..

Early days romance.. take her to a nice resort.