Please help us find a destination. We're overwhelmed with choices...We're looking for a 7-8 day trip, not to Europe (we want to try someplace diff. having done much the past 4 yrs), preferably partially over Labor Day wknd, perhaps a national park (!!concern: crowds, heat and availability at this late date), and under $7k.

We're 2 DINKs between 35-45, live near Philly, very active, museums are ok (maybe 2hrs a day is our max tho), don't care about nightlife, beaches are ok but not really our first choice, love languages and nature. We don't need to stay in hostels nor camp but since we spend so little time in the hotel, the height of luxury is also not needed.

Recent past trips have been: Amsterdam, Germany, Belgium, Canadian Rockies, Hawaii, Napa/SFO, Australia, upstate NY, Nevis/St Kitts, Martha's Vineyard, Boston.

We're usually much better at planning but this is what happened: We originally looked at a tour to Bryce/Zion/Grand Canyons w NationalGeo. We'd never done a tour before however we were a bit put off when we heard there were 30 ppl on the tour and we were concerned about the activity pace with that many ppl. So we looked for smaller tours and had zeroed in on a Peru trek with Backroads but all the passes to the Inca trail were gone this year. Figuring a trek without doing The Trail would be lacking, we passed. Tours were considered mainly b/c they're already planned out...usually we plan everything ourselves, our trips being half planned, half up to chance but at this late date we can't even figure out a destination!!

With time flying, we're getting nervous and would love some suggestions.

How about Bosque del Cabo on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. We just got back, and it was an amazing trip. If you love nature, there are beautiful views, hiking, and trees full of monkeys, toucans, and scarlet macaws. The price includes all your food, and the food is amazing and really fresh. We loved it there. If you like nature and languages, it would be a great spot for you.

Here are some thoughts:

* Seattle, Olympic National Park & San Juan Islands (there are 1, 3 & 4 day sea kayaking tours of the San Juan's around Labor Day)

* Galapagos tour

* Yellowstone & Grand Teton NP (hiking)

* Moab (biking, hiking & rafting)

great ideas! These are exactly the kinds that we are looking for. Pls keep ideas coming...we are researching them as you send 'em.

British Columbia -- Vancouver, Gulf Islands, Tofino, Sooke and lots more

a couple months ago a friend of mine went to south africa and raved about it for weeks afterwards - hiking trails, safaris, local culture, she loved it. also robben island is there it's where nelson mandela spent 3 decades imprisoned.

This is an off-the-wall idea. Your recent trips have been all over the place. But have you ever considered spending a week exploring Philadelphia? Research and plan it as if it were Australia or Amsterdam, visit all the tourist places you never had time to see as well as the out-of-the-way neighborhoods, and use mass transit exclusively. There is much to be said for a hometown vacation-- no flying hassles, it treads lightly and fleetly upon upon our beleaguered Mother Earth, it helps the local economy, and the money you save can go toward your retirement savings.

It's something you may never have thought about, but you might find it extremely rewarding.