if you were planning 4 different 5-7 day vacations this year
 

where would you go when and why?

I am thinking that instead of taking a 2-3 week vacation, that I would like to try some smaller vacations. We are planning to stay in the US this year -- try to alternate every year between overseas and here.

A few ideas to get you started -- I have thought about the Olympic Peninsula in Washington; Boston; Utah the National Parks, the Grand Canyon (I have been here but dh hasn't)

I love the Asheville area because it has wonderful hiking and scenery, lots of artists and hand made items, great restaurants, wonderful bed and breakfasts to stay in. I did wonder if there were any similar communities somewhere else -- can be beach as well as the mountains.

We are a couple around 50 (I am older, he is younger) Never travel before May because of tax season.

Well in your shoes I'd take a 3-week vacation outside the U.S. so I'm no help
:-)
(but will top this question for you)

Oahu

Maui

Big Island

Kauai

Not far outside the U.S. is the Canadian Rockies with Jasper and Lake Louise. Wonderful to visit summer or winter.

Florida Keys

San Diego

Hilton Head

Manhattan

San Francisco/Monterey/Napa

A few ideas:

I loved Olympic National Park. We used Port Angeles as a base which is not quite as charming or scenic as Asheville, but does have a number of good restaurants. We spent each day out in the Park.

Here are a few photos from our trip there - each was taken in the Park.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...4vt6p&Ux=0

Others:

We enjoyed our time in the Keys - we stayed on Islamorada which is pretty laid back. We enjoyed dinner and drinks watching the sunset and went on some snorkeling/diving outings. The Keys are not known for great beaches.

Columbia River Gorge and Portland, Oregon. Small funky Hood River was a nice base for checking out the Mt. Hood area. Portland is a cool city with great dining, Powell's Book Store, the Japanese Gardens, and much more.

I have never been, but would consider Memphis for BBQ and Music experience. I have thought about that for a3-4 day trip.

Vermont - stay in a B&B, hike or ski. Putter around country stores and antiques, dine and stroll though NE towns.

Bar Harbor, Maine

San Diego

NYC

Happy Travels. Let us know what you decide. :-)

We have been to San Francisco. New York and Hawaii. Definitely want to back to Hawaii some day but it would be for more than 5-7 days as it takes so long to get there(we are on the east coast). We tend to go overseas every other year. Last year our trip to Ireland was cut short and we went to Nevis later in the year. The year before we spent the time in Maine and the year before that we went to Cape Town and Zambia. Before that we spent 2-3 weeks in Colorado.

Bot when you spend that much time all at once, you really don't have much time to do other trips during the year. I was thinking more to look forward to -- a week in May and a week in July and a week in September or something like that. When we went to Maine I remembered thinking I would have enjoyed it more if we had gone for a shorter time because every town basically had the same things to do. Five days would have been great and I would have left wanting to return again. So I think I might like to try that this year. And y'all always have so many great ideas that I wanted to tap into them.

Thanks

One more thing fun4all4 your pictures are great. I am interested in seeing the Hoh rain forest. 5 years ago we sent to Canada and the Queen Charlotte Islands which are beautiful and a rain forest. I have been to New Zealand a long time ago and would love to go back as dh has never been. They have a temperate rain forest there as well.

I would do two one weeks and a two week.

Washington D.C.
Chicago
New Orleans
Glacier National Park
Santa Fe/Taos

A river raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon would be fun.

Peninsula Hotel in Chicago (not DC)
Fifteen Beacon - in Boston...and drive out to Cape Ann
Canyon Ranch - (MA) for a great Spa break!
Inn at the Market and visit Seattle-- however first,
PORTLAND OREGON!!! A day in the wine region, a day on the coast, a day for the Japanese and Chinese Gardens, include a Saturday for Farmer's Market (in addition to the Saturday Market) drive out to Mount Hood, and on route to Seattle, stop at Mount St. Helens

I went to Zion and Bryce last year and loved it - so would recommend Utah from your list of choices.

I am going to Alaska for 2 weeks this summer, but if I wasn't doing that, places that are on my list:

Camping in Arcadia National Park in Maine.

Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons

Wine tasting in Sonoma

Glacier National Park w/Banff

Outer Banks, NC (off season)

Karen

I'm going to chime in here with Northern Michigan. Either fly into Pellston, MI, or Chicago and drive up the coast of Michigan. Northern lower Michigan is beautiful (Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Mackinac Island) and the Upper Peninsula is also amazing (Tahquamanon Falls, Pictured Rocks, Porcupine Mountains). Summer is a magical time up there. It is why we put up with the rest of the year.

One great thing about four shorter vacations is that you'll always have one to look forward to. No post-vacation blues -- there will be another trip in three months or so.

How about Chicago, NYC, or San Francisco? Or tour Civil War sites/battlefields/plantations?

Here are my choices

1) Northwest- Seattle/Portland- about 3 hours apart and you can also drive to the coast for a few days and enjoy the pacific ocean

2) Vancouver/Victoria- both lovely towns and so much to do, short ferry ride between the two towns, can easily spend a week between these two cities

3)Southwest- Grand Canyon/Flagstaff/Sedona area- again all relatively short drives and beautiful area

4)Southwest- Santa Fe/Taos area, hiking, awesome Southwestern food, great towns

5) Florida- Miami/south beach and The Keys- you can spend 3-4 days at each spot

6) Southern California- Los Angeles onto San Diego, can also hit some of the beach towns on the way down in Orange county or go up towards Santa Barbara area

That sounds great.

Hawaii (Big Island or Kauai)
Lake Louise/Banff National Park
New Orleans or Charleston
Yellowstone/Grand Teton
Sedona/Grand Canyon Area

I have had fabulous experiences in all these places (even Post-Katrina New Orleans)...except Yellowstone, where I have never been.

I would add Yosemite because it is spectacular, but I can be there in 3 hours and already go often.

In California, Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez for Wine-tasting is also very nice.

Nothing to totally add except how cool that you can take 4 5-7 day vacations! That is awesome. Please share back with what you decide so we can live through you!

San Antonio is always wonderful -- anytime of year. Lots to do, fairly close to other large cities, mild weather. One of my favorite places to go even though we live 1.5 hours away (Austin). Used to drive down just for weekend getaways when we lived in Dallas. I like Boston also although I don't know anything about hiking there or anywhere for that matter.

Sanibel or Oahu

San Francisco

Charleston

Boston/Nantucket

Sante fe,
to Grand Canyon to Sedona and then to Santa Barbara for variety.

A week spent in the Savannah/Charleston area in May would give you great restaurants, wonderful B&B's, and local artists with shopping.

You might also look into spending a week in the Amish area around Lancaster PA which could also include a day or two spent in the Brandywine area, Winterthur, and Longwood Gardens a bit to the SE.

I'll also second <font color="blue">kelliebellie's</font> recommendation for a July trip to Michigan. Spend a couple of days on Mackinac Island where you can rent bikes, stay at one of the B&amp;B's or splurge with a stay at the Grand Hotel, explore the Upper Penninsula...

Consider taking the Great River Road along the Mississippi River in September or a month later for fall foliage colors. You could start in the Quad Cities where the river runs east/west. Leave the river briefly for a sidetrip to Galena, then visit the Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque IA. There are lots of small B&amp;B's along the west side of the river heading north towards Minneapolis, but be sure to stop in Red Wing. You could then follow the river back down on the east bank, stopping in LaCrosse before heading into central Wisconsin to explore The House on the Rock and Frank L. Wright's Taliesin. (Let me know if you're interested in more details as there's little posted about the GRR on this forum.)

The Natchez Trace from just outside Franklin TN to Natchez MS would provide a great roadtrip with hiking opportunities following an old First People trail later used by early explorers. Although your work schedules would conflict with the Spring Pilgrimage, you could time your visit in September to take advantage of the Fall Pilgrimage in both Natchez and Vicksburg MS. Great B&amp;B accommodations in both of these cities.

Two additional week trips which you might consider would be spending a week in Nova Scotia (flying in and out of Halifax) or Vancouver Island (Victoria). Both of these trip would provide a more rugged beauty with lots of scenery &amp; hiking opportunities, but more limited accommodations and shopping.

National Parks are really fantastic. Great Scenery, Great Lodges, some even have Great Food. It really just depends on your interest.

Alaska/Denali/Katmai/Kenai/Lake Clark

Mesa Verde/Durango/Monument Valley

Acadia/Bar Harbour/Maine

Yellowstone/Grand Tetons

Redwoods/Crater Lake/Columbia River Gorge

Raft Grand Canyon

Any National Park in Utah

Yosemite or Sequioa NP/San Fran/Big Sur

Mount Rushmore/Wind Cave/Badlands

I would do 2 city and 2 beach - SF, NYC, Cape Cod and Florida panhandle.

But, since you've &quot;done&quot; the city locations, I would do Seattle/ Olympic Penisula, over to Victoria BC via the San Juans and then a Sedona/ Grand Canyon combination. If you've been to the South Rim, go to the North Rim.

I'd do Cape Cod in the summer and Florida panhandle beach in the fall.

Here's where we are so far

We are thinking of going to North Carolina above Asheville for a week in May. In July we are thinking about either Stowe VT or Washington State Hoh Rain forest; In September -- third week maybe either Utah National Park or Sedona nad Grand Canyon. For Thanksgiving the Keys.

We need to work this around going to visit parents as well so we may have to eliminate one trip but this is our start.

Thanks for all your help -- any additional ideas would be welcome!

I can tell you our plans should the job market, etc. work out. Keep in mind we reside in CLT so we spend lots of long weekends at the beach &amp; the Mts. to which you refer. Montserrat (Spring), Maine (Summer),Keys (Fall actually Thanksgiving also, we usually go down Thanksgiving Day &amp; come back on Tuesday after), Germany(XMas).

In regards to the Asheville area, we like Black Mt./Montreat &amp; up around the Hot Springs area to escape the crowds. If you like wine I can also suggest some wineries that are not too far &amp; worth a daytrip (Nearer Winston-Salem).

I don't know if you said where you are coming from, these are places I want to go to:

Quebec City
Chicago
Seattle
Asheville
North East (VT) in the fall

Oops. I forgot Yosemite. That is at the top of my list...

By now you have started working down the list but if you still need more suggestions here are mine. (By the way we live in Asheville so a vacation destination has to be pretty special to beat staying home:)

Spring--Charleston /Savannah which can easily be done in a week

Fall--Robbinsville NC (Snowbird Mountain Lodge) which could also be combined with a few days in the Great Smokies NP

Winter--San Diego. What a beautiful city with so much to do not only right there but in neighboring towns like La Jolla

Summer--Olympic NP either based in Port Angeles which allows for day trips to Victoria BC (Buchart Gardens) or San Juan islands. OR you could spend part of the time on one of the islands and the rest in PA. Acadia NP is also a gem and staying outside Bar Harbor (Southwest Harbor or another close by locale) is cheaper and less frantic.

Since you love hiking, restaurants and wonderful lodging, I would also recommend the Canadian Rockies for your early Sept. trip and St. John for your May, after tax season trip.

The Canadian Rockies is a hiker's paradise with spectacular scenery and wonderful places to stay.

St. John was our most romantic one week get away--villa with private pool perched on a hillside with fabulous views out over the water. Hiking, beautiful beaches, boat trips--it has it all.

On your list thus far I would definitely recommend Stowe,Vt and Zion NP.

I honeymooned in Stowe 6 years ago, it's this great little mountain town with a bunch of gourmet restaurants. If you have some money to splurge I highly recommend The Stone Hill Inn.

For me Zion NP ranks as one of the most beautiful places in the world (along with Provence and St. Johns). It's breathtaking and Springfield is such a cute little gateway town.

I'm planning on a vacation in August. Hopefully I will be going up to Anchorage to stay with a friend but if our schedules don't match up I'm thinking about Asheville or returning to Zion.

I'll give you the 'typical' trips for us. Thanksgiving - Key West. Still not high season &amp; flights are typically cheap. Fly in Thursday leave Tuesday. Amelia Island - Usually January/New Years. Several Wine Spectator rated restaurants as well as many good B &amp; B's in Old Town, or on the Beach. Europe (Esp. Paris or Munich areas) Feb./Mar. also off season but the weather can be great. It may be rainy but will likely always be better than here (in the SE US). Great value for your $$$. The Caribbean - Mar./Apr. also great deals to be had &amp; awesome weather. The NC Mts. - November. After the leaf peepers leave, discounts abound &amp; the area is still great. I prefer Black Mt. (outside of Asheville) for its close proximity to the Parkway. West Jefferson (Near Boone) or Hot Springs (near the Appalachian Trail). Carolina beaches - October, the best weather &amp; no people, you cam still get in the water &amp; everything is still open.

As an aside, I reside in Charlotte so many of these places we routinely visit for long weekends.

Here's a West Coast and East Coast recommendation:

If you like both city life and hiking/scenery, try Seattle for a few days

http://www.visitseattle.org/visitors/itineraries/

then drive out to Salish Lodge near the Snoqualmie Falls (beautiful!!!)

http://www.salishlodge.com/

and even leave a day or two to venture up north to the San Juan Islands or further still to Vancouver or Victoria, British Columbia (all considered &quot;day trips&quot; from Seattle (don't forget your passports!).

My DH and I did this very trip a few years back (flying in from Calif. and staying only a week) and LOVED it.

Another favorite itinerary is to fly into Boston (including the various neighborhoods within), stay a few days, drive or ride the train (we realized with luggage or not, the train would have been more convenient than a rental car. You can walk everywhere or catch the subway in Boston, and the train goes upstate and down to the cape with no problems) up north to Gloucestor

http://www.bassrocksoceaninn.com/

then back down to Boston or over to Cape Cod (we stayed in Chatham)

http://www.chathambarsinn.com/

Again, we only had 1 week and LOVED it!

Another recommendation that covers a lot of ground in California and could be interesting, both in history and scenery. Plan a road trip and travel down The Royal Highway, a.k.a. El Camino Real. From Sonoma County to San Diego or vice versa. We visited 4 missions in 6 hours driving from Sacramento, CA to Cayucos, CA. It was fun! Follow the bells!

http://missions.bgmm.com/

Being a California Native, I could spend 5-7 days in EACH of the following counties:

San Luis Obisbo County (San Simeon, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach)

Sonoma County (Sonoma, Bodega Bay, Petaluma, Duncans Mills, Fort Ross, Jenner - Goat Rock, Freestone, Bodega, Occidental)

Napa County (wine, shopping &amp; massages/mud bathes, what else?)

Marin County (oh my gosh... too much! Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, Tiburon, Dillions Beach, Point Reyes, Angel Island)

San Mateo County (same as above - too much to list. Start in Pacifica and drive down visiting/stopping at all coastal communities until you get to Ana Nuevo State Park - plan it correctly and see elephant seals!)

Shasta County (Whiskeytown, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Redding - Sundial Bridge (amazing at night!), Mount Shasta, Sacramento River)

Mendocino County (Fort Bragg, Russian River, Skunk Train, Point Arena, Mendocino)

And of course, lovely Carmel, Monterey and nearby sites, hikes and beaches!

If you like driving, walking, wine, countryside and California, you could also try this off the beaten track road trip... Lots of opportunities to take photographs, windowshop and taste local cuisine. It includes a long list of wineries, a woodsy-hiking-walking area that is not as known or popular as Lake Tahoe or Yosemite, and a long but beautiful drive on the Northern California coast. A week (spending a few days in each county) and several tanks of gas would be ideal for this road trip!

My suggestion:

From Sacramento, CA take Hwy 80 West towards San Francisco OR from the Bay Area, take Hwy 80 east.

Take Hwy 12 (Napa County) to Hwy 29 into Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Stopping on the way for lunch, wine or shopping.

http://napavalley.com/visitorsinfo/N...Winery_Map.pdf

Continuing on Hwy 29 to Hwy 128 (now entering Sonoma County). Take 101 North (you'll be near Geyersville) to Cloverdale and get back on Hwy 128.

http://www.sonoma.com/visitorsinfo/S...Winery_Map.pdf

Take Hwy 128 (now entering Mendocino County) to Yorkville, Boonville and into Hendy Woods

http://www.mcn.org/1/mendoparks/hendy.htm

Be sure to check out the &quot;Hermit Huts&quot; there. From here, you can turn around and revisit more winery country to take pictures, have a picnic or wine taste.

Or you can continue on Hwy 128 (heading west) to Hwy 1. Take Hwy 1 South to Point Arena, Gualala, Stewart's Point, Fort Ross, Jenner, Bodega Bay and back inland to Petaluma, Hwy 37 to Vallejo and onto Hwy 80 either heading east to Sacramento or west to San Francisco.

I would definitely throw Boston and Charleston into the mix.