Need help deciding - where to go for speacial celebration?
 

My husband and I are both celebrating "Milestone" birthdays in 2005 and are thinking of taking a 3 - 4 day trip, probably in May. We would like to go somewhere warm, romantic, with nightlife, great dining and history. We enjoy biking, fishing, hiking and shopping (okay - that's just me actually).

We were thinking of somewhere on the east coast, bot are willing to travel to AZ (thinking Sedona) or NM (Santa Fe).

The places I am considering are : Key West, Bermuda, Charleston, Santa Fe, Sedona, New Orleans. Any other recs? What do you seasoned travellers suggest?

Thanks!

P.S.: Las Vegas is out of the running.

Just realized my speling error- in the title of all places. Please ignore!

Santa Fe should be lovely in May; the spring winds will have died down, it won't be too hot yet, and you can certainly do all the things you mentioned there.

Lee Ann

I love Bermuda for a special trip. No poverty, nice weather, short trip, friendly people. I also think New Orleans is a good trip but more fun and exciting than special and romantic. You cannot go wrong with either.

"...warm, romantic, with nightlife, great dining and history. We enjoy biking, fishing, hiking and shopping."

Having been to all your choices, I'd suggest New Orleans. You will have clearly the best dining, the best nightlife, tons of fascinating history, and if you steer clear of Bourbon Street, it can be very romantic.

There will be plenty of shopping but don't know about biking and hiking.

None of the places you mention offer it all, but in 3-4 days you can't really do it all. I think the Keys come closest, but not necessarily just Key West.
From where are you travelling and what's the budget?

Well, Bermuda and New Orleans get my vote for warm in May and great dining. Bermuda would tip the scales for "romantic" from my point of view, but there is not a lot of "nightlife." New Orleans has fantastic nightlife, but not that same honeymoon type of romance. :)
As for the shopping, I did not find big fashion shopping at either place, but Bermuda has all those beautiful UK imports! Shell junk in Bermuda; bead junk in NOLA. Plus lots of gorgeous laces.
As for the biking, fishing, hiking - I have no idea. But wouldn't you find more of that around Charleston and Kiawah? I've heard Charleston is really lovely, too.
I think you'll have your answer if you think more about what "mood" you want to create on your vaca.
From both experience and impression, I'd guess something like:
Bermuda - British Paradise on island time.
New Orleans - Jazz, blues, fun-loving.
Charleston - Colonial and Southern charm.
Santa Fe - Upscale, culture.
Key West - Relaxed, funky.
Happy Birthday to you both. Have fun!

Dreamer2-
Sounds like you and I have been to the same places for special times. I agree with you totally.

Right here! Boston/Cambridge has delightful bike ride or run along the Charles River. We have great restaurants and history.

Wow, you guys know your stuff!

I am travelling from Toronto and we hope to use air miles for our flight. Since we are only going for a few nights, we thought that we would splurge a little on accomodations and probably at least one dinner out (1 over-the-top splurge dinner I mean and probably 2 average-priced ones).

Keep the ideas coming please!! Thanks!

Since you were thinking of Sedona, let me give you a little shove in that direction. Check out www.lauberge.com. Definitely one of the most romantic places I've been.

With the exception of Sedona, we've been to all those places. It's close, but Santa Fe gets my vote. IMHO, it has everything that interests you (fishing might be iffy) and May is a great time of year to visit. We love the La Posada--very cozy, romantic and it has a great spa.

Living in FL, I can't bring myself to recommend an island right now but that is a personal, temporary bias!