My daughter (early 20s) and I who live in Toronto would like to get away in the early fall for 3 or 4 days. We like the idea of good food, a spa and would like to be able to shop as well. California perhaps? Your ideas would be most welcome.

Well, if you would like to have a scenic fall, I'd go to Vermont. Manchester Vermont is great with shops and beautiful old hotels. The Equinox Hotel (www.equinoxresort.com) has a spa, excellent dinner in and outside of hotel, and great scenery.

If you are looking for warmer weather, might I suggest Charleston, South Carolina. Beautiful old Southern city, with day spas, shopping, touring of old homes, EXCELLENT food...etc. I went there on a trip with a couple of girlfriends for 4 days and LOVED it. Just the right amount of time to enjoy the city.

Please feel free to e-mail me if you want more informtion.

I am 21 and would strongly suggest going to San Francisco. I have been there twice in the last year and would go again in a second! I have not gone with my mom, but wow-that would be so great! From the old Victorian houses, cable cars, parks, to the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, museums, Fishermans Wharf-there is so much to do and see! Great shopping there too!

Yeah! I'm in my early 20s, and my mom and I love going on trips together! We have been to New York city (not exactly relaxing, but so much fun and no shortage of things to do) and San Francisco. I would definitely agree with the previous posting that San Fran would be a good choice. We had a wonderful time there--shopping, sightseeing, shows, good restaurants, etc. This summer we're going to Boston and Cape Cod. We're going to relax by the water with good books, shop, sightsee, go to Blue Man Group in Boston, and relax! There are so many wonderful places in the US and Canada--have fun!

How about New Mexico? Albuquerque and Santa Fe are both very lovely in the early fall, and they have great shopping and food.

If California appeals to you, fall is one of the best times to come. The weather is more consistently good than in the summer. San Francisco would be great, as previously mentioned. Also, Sonoma or Napa (wine country), or Santa Barbara.

Wherever you go, however, evaluate how long you really have, and how much time you are willing to spend driving, as several of these ideas would be a distance from a major airport. If you're really wanting to keep it to a few days you might be happier flying straight to your ultimate destination.

I also love Charleston, SC. And, although I haven't been there, I here raves about Santa Fe, NM. Either would be ideal for a mother-daughter thing.

Although I have not been there I have heard that San Antonio, Texas is beautiful....

Sue: All of the places suggested are wonderful, and I especially love Charleston\n, SC and California. This is just a suggestion, but with the cheap airfares to Europe, you could do that very cheaply. This past March my daughter and I went to Italy and had the greatest time together. It was so inexpensive and was really a special treat. If you have not been to New York, that is really a neat place to go, also. Have lots of fun and make those wonderful memories.

I agree that San Francisco is a great place to visit. Plus, it's very easy to get around. A day trip to a Napa would be nice. I'd recommend the spa at Villagio in Yountville. I think it would be fun to tour a winery or two in the a.m. and spend the afternoon at the spa!