Need suggestions for last vacation before new job!
 

I just found out that I will be able to take a week to 10 days over thanksgiving for my last hurrah before my new job. Since it is mid-November, I am sort of at a loss on weather in europe, etc. I am also overwhelmed with cleaning up at the old job that I don't have the time I would like to do extensive research for a trip. I need some help. Money is not an issue.

Here are some places I have been to recently (last 5 years)-Southern Spain, Morocco, South of France (husband won't go to Paris), Monaco, Austria, and a few trips to Italy. Also, Costa Rica, Vegas, Montreal, LA, DC, Aruba, PR, Cancun.

New job will take me on frequent trips to London, Venice, Canne, Utah, LA, Toronto, and Boston, so I will visit those places on their dime.

Any advise?

Since you're already going to be traveling to Europe often on their dime, why not somewhere in South America? Buenos Aires perhaps. The weather should be beautiful that time of year. Also check out some specials on Go-Today.com.

What do you want to do? Lounge on the beach? Hike? View wildlife? Visit historical sites? Shop and dine in a big city?

And, will you have any children with you?

I can't decide where to go on my own vacation next, so deciding for someone else with virtually no criteria is next to impossible. ;)

South America might be a good thing.

jlm mi -no kids. I like to do a little bit of everything on vacation. a few days of r & r, and a few days of exploring. when we do europe we do a city and a beach (rome & positano, barcelona & marbella). We are pretty active though and love adventure. Some ideas i have kicked around are Iceland, Dubai, and Canary Islands.

Iceland mid_November?
How about one week of paradise in Bora Bora?

Mama-been there. and to Morea also. It is a really long trip just to lay on the beach, but the water is beautiful.

Bugswife:
Can I have your old job? Or even your old life?

How about Australia or New Zealand? It will be summer there in November!!

We took a week's driving tour of New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta last year at Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. Not Cannes to be sure, but good food, good scenery, good history, and did I mention good food?

Bugs-
I truly don't mean to be rude but I hate this question. You have already been to many more fabulous places than I could ever hope to go. Your new job sounds like a dream. So even though you apparently married a bug the 1st time, I could never hope to provide you with a good answer. Good luck in your travels and with your new job.

Bakersfield? 8-}

Yes, I am fortunate when it comes to travel, but I have no children and therefore have more disposable income. The new job is a dream, but I have suffered and paid my dues at a miserable job for 8 years. Thank the lord for travel! And, I may be able to involve some Fodorites in my new job at some point--will divulge in a few months.

New Zealand & Australia are out,with only 10 days. New Orleans has some rowdy football game that weekend that I really want to steer clear of.

Anybody?

Kal - P.S. I have been to Bakersfield more times then I care to count. Brother-in-law and kids live there. They have goats and stuff. Yuck.

FWIW, we stayed in NO only until the Friday after Thanksgiving in order to avoid the football types, then drove up the Mississippi to Memphis - one of our all-time best road trips. Special if you like the Blues.

Otherwise, Big Island. Plenty of variety, hikes, restaurants, beaches, history, and your basic active volcano. We were there the week after TG a couple of years ago and it was perfect.

If you had more than 7-10 days, I'd say SE Asia, Thailand is good for starters.

Asia. Yes. HongKong. Thailand. Bangkok.

Or how about Bali?

Let start with these questions;
Where are you located? How far are you willing to fly? How many hours on a plane and how many days once you get to your destination? What would you like to do on this trip?
By the way, we had a fantastic weather in Portugal in mid-November so your statement about weather in Europe that time of the year does not apply to Portugal and a number of other places.

I live in NYC and I guess I would like to limit total flying time to 10 hrs. I am trying to avoid too many local places that could be done on a long weekend, as this may be my last week to 10 days off for a year. Not that I won't get vacation time, but I anticipate being to busy the first year to use it in a big lump.

Portugal sounds good to me. Not sure though if I should stick to the cities or if some beach time in mid-November is feasable. Moving to the europe board with that question.

Thanks to everyone!

Hi Sarah,

Italy is great after November 2 prices on lodging and airfare are good, planes are open so you can stretch out and sleep over a few seats. I November 03,00.

Having said that why have you not explored Latin America. Costa Rica is just a hop to the south. I have not been.

I really want to go to Quito in Ecuador. It is suppose to be the most beautiful city in Latin America. AND THERE IS A MARRIOT which is something of a hint of the comforts available. go to lonelyplanet.com and read about it. It is suppose to have springtime weather year round. You also have the Galapagos Islands near by where you can do a cruise. You are starting a new job why not add a new travel experience as well.

I met someone at Penn station over the Labor Day weekend who was flying home to Brazil for the long weekend. He said it was much easier than doing a long weekend in Europe because you don't get jet lag, little to no time difference.

Let us know what you decide. I am waiting for the next job to take an exotic trip Quito. Airfares through Thanksgiving lucky for you that was the week I thought about or dreamt about was $593. You have to connect through MIA or IAH. I think it was cheaper if you went directly to AA. Then even cheaper if you arrange ticket to Florida then ticket to Quito separately.

Have you been to Hawaii? Seems like an obvious choice. Nice place for r & r and too far from NY IMO for less than 10 days. The only caveat, if you want to fly on airmiles, you might be better off after you've been on your new job for a while.

South America could be a good idea. I've never been. Rio sounds like fun.

In Europe, there will be few places warm enough for beach in Nov. I think you'd be bored in the Canary Islands for 10 days.