OneWanderingJew

Hi all,
My husband and I need to get away and escape life and Atlanta for a long weekend. We're thinking if it's possible we'd prefer to fly somewhere, anywhere, vs. driving...We want to leave this Thurs. and come back either Sunday or Monday. We've had a lot on our minds so haven't had much time to research....

Who has last minute deals...We looked at go-today, skyauction (never used them--any comments?) travelzoo....

Some places we've toyed visiting (but are not limited to):
San Fran--we love it there
Naples, FL--vegging on a beach, even if it's not real warm, sounds good as long as there are cute shops and restaurants too
Taos, NM--never been but heard good things
London--another place we love (long flight though...)
Paris--don't shoot us, but we haven't gone there yet (but we've been to Molvania. LOL)
Portland, OR (yeah, because we want to be you, Ms. Scarlett!)

We're pretty wide open. We'd prefer not to blow a grand on this trip since it's just a long weekend...yes, I know we could drive and stay in some really nice place for less but my husband really wants an escape...I'd be happy with Savannah, Charleston, Amelia Is. or somewhere around N. Florida. We were in Asheville, NC not too long ago so don't want to go back right now (although if you haven't been, it's a great little city!) Chattanooga's close but we have friends there and so it defeats the escape clause, so to speak. NY's out--same reason.

I figure if we put our collective heads together, you will help us quickly organize a much needed getaway.

Thanks folks! Here's to a good Sunday for all of you!
Debbie

seetheworld

Good Morning, Debbie. I have been thinking about this for a bit - you are probably not only emotionally but perhaps a bit physically exhausted so I'm not sure that a 3/4 night jaunt to London or Paris would be a good idea (I'm sorry for seeming overly protective). But whatever we can do to help with a much needed getaway of course we will do!

San Franciso is a great place but if you want to try something totally new, how about Chicago? It has lots of museums, dining and shopping and you and your husband can take long walks along lake Michigan. STW

spring212

Take a look at Site 59 and Smarter Living to see what's being offered for this coming week/weekend.
FYI, you can sign up for weekly emails from Smarter Living. They consolidate all the info from the airlines regarding their last-minute discounts.

Fodorite018

I was thinking the same thing as Seetheworld. We do not want you to be too exhausted to try to enjoy the trip I live in the Portland area and think this would be a great little trip. It is a small, sort of compact city, and everything is very easy to get to. We are as laid back as it gets!

We have family in SF and love it also, but for this trip, if it were me anyway, I think it would be a little too much hustle and bustle. But thats just me.

Another place very similar to Portland is Seattle. We have lived there too. Both cities are very similar, but Seattle is bigger obviously, and not quite as compact.

Our forecast for next weekend is actually pretty good, for now anyway! Dry and low 50's.

If you have any questions, just ask. I know this is a very rough time for both of you and I hope that you find the perfect getaway to suit your needs

Meesthare

Hi, Debbie - If you're thinking of New Mexico, Santa Fe is more interesting for a long weekend than Taos. You'd fly into Albuquerque and then either rent a car or you could get a bus (it's only about a 40-minute trip) to Santa Fe. It will be chilly there - it's in the mountains - but you'd have scenery, and shops, and galleries, and great restaurants.

newt

Come to Naples. The weather is fantastic, you can stay at the Inn on Fith Ave and not need to rent a car.
Walk to the beach and there are more shops and places to eat than you will have time to for.
Newt in Naples

clarkgriswold

Stay out of Florida this coming weekend unless you want to spend four days counting votes.

lvk

Smarterliving.com and quikbook.com are good for last minute.

Not on your list, but worth a look - Phoenix/Sedona beautiful landscapes and lots of spas.

ElendilPickle

I'll second Meesthare's recommendation of Santa Fe; there's more to do there, and you can take a day trip to Taos if you like. It's not super busy this time of year, and you might be able to get good deals on lodging.

Lee Ann

wanderluster

Debbie, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. I would suggest Santa Fe also. Wonderful variety of everything, and great weather. All the best to you and your husband.

OneWanderingJew

Hi,
We did look into Santa Fe and found hotel/air packages starting at $400pp for three star hotels. Don't think that's too bad but really wanted to stay somewhere a little nicer/more character like a B&B but they never package those, do they?

We still haven't made a decision. I think we'll work on it more tomorrow. It's been a long day.

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. I'll let you know where we're headed so we can work on the good restaurant and shopping recs next

Debbie

paula1470

Debbie-I have been thinking about you all evening. Glad to see you are looking into trips. Don't know where you were looking at the air/hotel packages but I did see a couple of hotels In Santa Fe that had rooms available. One is the Hotel Santa Fe which got a decent review on tripadvisor. Jr suite for $120/night through Orbitz. The Inn & Spa Loreto seems very nice (I want to stay there someday). If you go to their webpage directly they have rooms for $179 which I think is a pretty good deal. Of course you would have to get airfare also.

I actually looked at SF for you because I am in the process of booking a trip for myself for end of Dec. You can fly cheaper from Atlanta to SF than you can fly to Florida. America West had rt for $288. Hotels looked pretty full but Cow Hollow may have rooms-I think they run around $125 a night. I may be staying there myself in Dec. I was also looking at priceline for hotel rooms which should work for Dec but looked like some hotels were full for next weekend. I am sure you got still get something decent through Priceline in SF since there are so many hotels.

I think for getting away, Santa Fe would be ideal (I love it) but San Francisco might actually be cheaper.
Good luck, we are thinking of you. Let us know what you decide.
Paula

tracys2cents

Delta.com has a big sale on to several cities, but it requires a 10 day advance purchase. If you can delay your getaway for a week, you're in luck.

paula1470

AirTran out of Atlanta is also running a big sale. Fare to SF one way $109, Florida cities from $79, even the Grand Bahamas. There is however the same parameter as Delta, the tickets need to be purchased 10 days in advance. So again waiting a week might be worth it.

TxTravelPro

It's hard to beat www.site59.com
for last minute travel deals. I'm always amazed!

Meesthare

Debbie - when we were in Santa Fe a few years ago we stayed at the St. Francis Hotel. It's a small boutique-style hotel and certainly back then the prices were surprisingly good; I haven't checked lately but I should imagine they're still competitive. It's a lovely place - the staff is wonderful and the location is very close to the Plaza - about a block and a half away. Good restaurants in the area. That's where we'd stay if we were going there any time soon. They do a really nice afternoon tea in the lobby.

ellen_griswold

Debbie, You've gotten some great suggestions.....but have you considered San Diego? It has such a great balance of culture, attractions and good weather. You could spend time chilling oceanfront, tour the historic ships, shop, stroll la jolla near the amazing sea creatures, great restaurants abound! Spend a day on Coronado Island....the opportunities are endless.

Wherever you go, i hope its a time of peaceful, healing R and R. Blessings to you and your husband.