Hi all,
Looking for some advice for my husband, 9 mo. old son and I. We will have 3-4 weeks off in 2007 and we would like to go somewhere for an extended period of time. Criteria -
We love nature and beautiful scenery
We love to drive, but don't want to spend the whole time driving. Maybe stay in 2-3 places at the most so we can get a feel for an area. For example, in the Pacific Northwest we would stay a little more than a week in Washington a little more than a week in Oregon, so we could see a lot without always being on the go.
We're not skiers or snowboarders
We like rural, somewhat quiet and slow paced as opposed to nightlife and cities
We’re not sure which month we will be going, so weather may be an issue. We like spring/fall weather.
We’re open to home swaps and traveling out of the country.
Finally, we’d like to do a lot, but realize with a young child we will be restricted in some areas. We’re happy with a lot of “down time”

What are some “dream destinations”?


thanks.

What part of the country do you live in now?

if you like mild weather and say you do this in March, April or May. I'd go to the East coast.

You could start in one of the Carolinas. Probably SC Charleston area first. Lots of history.

Then travel to the NC mountains.

Then go on up to DC

You can do Baltimore

You can do Virginia area. Williamsburg, Montecello etc.,.

Basically do an I-95 tour. Not that you want to be on 95. It's just that you can get to a lot from there.

One time we spent a wonderful summer with our first pull behind camper. The first month was spent exploring the Skyline Drive and spending as much time as we wanted in each place. Finally turned around at Henderson NC (I think) and ventured back on a different route but not stopping more than an overnight. After checking in at home we took off for another month this time on Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Both are beautiful places with a variety of scenery depending on the area. Beaches in some parts are as beautiful as NC and with much warmer water than New England due to the Gulf Stream.
Many places in New England were originally designed for tourists to spend the summer. A lot of people had summer homes even modest ones (when things were cheap). Unfortunately, cottage rentals in NH's lakes region are more than $1000 a week. You might be able to find a better deal with a month long rental.

Colonial Mexico for an immersion Spanish language school.
M

I'd go on a cruise! You'll be pampered, see many different areas that you don't have to drive to and be able to relax.

The Canadian Rockies. Start in Calgary and work your way north to Jasper or west towards Field . Fabulous area, tons of wildlife, beautiful scenery. It is a place to linger.

I'm assuming that your son is nine months old now so this trip will not be with a nine month old, but a toddler older than 18 months, depending on when you go. That might make the trip a little harder, as that age is harder to control, as your child will be walking, less likely to fall asleep anywhere, etc. I'd work in a beach somewhere, and if you do the Carolina suggestion you'll have lots of choices.

Nothing wrong with the Pacific Northwest idea. It's beautiful out here.

I would do the Northwest Tour also, and go up into Canada visiting Vancouver and Victoria.

I would fly into Seattle, sightsee a bit, head to Olympic Penisula, ferry to Victoria, then to Vancouver and then drive east to Calgary. Fly out from there - or if the drop fee is too high, then double back to Seattle seeing new territory.

An absolutely incredble vacation.

Shop rates and stay in the Canadian Railroad hotels if you can. Alternate with moderate/ cheap hotels to even things out. Empress in Victoria, Chateau Lake Louise, etc. Have afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel. Victoria is a bit of England in North America. Canadian parks and campgrounds are beautiful - clean & full of flowers.