Need advice for a Budget vacation. (under $1,000)
 

Ok. If you only wanted to spend under $1,000 for air/hotel for a nice 4 day vacation in October where would you go? Flying from Detroit.

Ooops forgot to mention this trip would be for 2 adults- anniversary vacation.

Cheap flights from Detroit can often be had to NYC, Washington DC and Florida. NYC hotels can be expensive, though you can get a deal using priceline. Florida is beautiful in October.

Or, you could save the airfare money and drive someplace - Chicago is 4 hours away, Wash. DC is only 8 or so hours drive. Then you would have more money to splurge on hotel and food at your destination.

If the $1000 only has to cover air and hotel, you would actually even have more options.

So, the next question back to you is - what do you want to do on vacation? Relax by a beach, explore a city, see great architecture, hike in the mountains, explore small towns in the countryside . . .?

Well, Vegas will give you good weather, very nice accomodations for a good price, and lots to do even if you don't gamble.

I'm sure you could do a Florida vacation, perhaps Miami or Fort Lauderdale for under $1000 but keep in mind that's hurricane season so your trip could be messed up, although the chances of that happening during your 4 days are slim.

Well, those are the first things that come to my mind.

We found a 200 dollar round trip airfare to LAX from Minneapolis on Northwest. They may have a similar fare from Detroit. We're taking four days to drive up to Santa Barbara to enjoy the sun, scenery and wineries in the area. Personally, we're staying at the Motel 6 a half block from the beach for 60 dollars, but we found many small inns for 120-175 dollars a night. Our car rental was only 41 dollars as well. So it can be done on a budget!

Vegas is another good option. I like Florida too.

San Francisco. Get a nice 4* hotel on Priceline.

If it's early October fly up to Manchester New Hampshire to tour the fall colors.

www.bayside-inn.com

Drive to Toronto. For 3 nights, US$1,000 should get you a suite in a nice hotel. Just an example, 10/15, Fri to 10/18, Mon, you can get a deluxe executive suite at the Four Seasons for C$425/night.

You could rent a ski condo in LIncoln NH. for the week and use it as a base to tour New Englad. Lincoln is at the beginning of the Kangamougus Highway, a beautiful place that has hundreds of hiking/walking trails. Beautiful vistas, fun shopping area in North Conway. Ski Condos are very cheat off season. Have fun.

If you go to any of the midto large cities, consider using priceline. Another possibility is Tucson or Pheonix/Scottsdale. There are many great resorts there and some good deals to be had with priceline for these places.

I think much depends on the airfare. I would track airfare for a few places that may interest you. When you see a good deal, book it, then find a hotel.

Vail Colorado

Ski condos are inexpensive in off season. Foliage time is high season. Rates are at their highest.

gc your post does not make sense to me. Oct in Vail will have rates at thier lowest for the year.

Sin City is a good option!

I'd look into going someplace that is cheap once you get there, like Mexico or Jamaica. But I have no idea what it would cost you to fly to either once you get there.

Also keep in mind that you can get more for your money in Canada. Again, I don't have any idea what airfares would be from Detroit to, say Montreal.

Thanks for the suggestions. Forgot to mention ski trip is out. Would like someplace warm and fun! Prefer not to drive. Rather fly.

Janny, there is an airline called USA3000 I have used a couple of times for really cheap fares to Florida.

www.usa3000airlines.com

Any other ideas?
Thx!

Hey Janny - I have to say that if none of the suggestions so far works for you:

* Wash. DC
* Florida
* Las Vegas
* Phoenix
* Tucson
* Los Angeles
* San Francisco
* Mexico
* Jamaica

- and those are just the ones that have the potential to be reasonably warm - then you'll have to give us more to go on.

All of those places are "warm and fun". So, what do you want that you feel you can't get there. I think giving us more info is the only way to get more ideas that you might be interested in.