I am looking to get away from Monterey for some rest and relaxation alone and would love some advice on where to go that I could find wonderful food/wine and exceptional accomodations...I have thought about Scottsdale, Vancouver and possibly Toronto but only get away once a year and want the perfect place and am more than open to advice and suggestions from those of you who know. I am 33 and single and am willing to spend some $$, but not break the bank. Thank you so much - Sarah

Have you been to NYC? Toronto (I think) is kind of boring...

Anyway, how could you want to get away from Monterey?! : )

Hi it might help us to do a little bit more about your likes/dislikes. Are you looking for a beachy vacation or something else? Describe your idea of a perfect vacation and that will help us help you.

I have been to NYC and love it, but am not sure that is the best place to travel alone. I am really looking for a beautiful, relaxing spot (either ocean front or inland) that would either be self-contained with restaurants/places to walk and read or central to an area I can walk to restaurants etc. I am sorry if that sounds vague, but I just need to get away and really love good food and wine and possibly some spa treatments...My last vacation was Boston and loved that, but am looking for something more relaxing that is truly special. Does that help at all?

I'm going to put out some places that come to my mind based on your wants.

1. Vancouver
2. New Orleans
3. Charleston, SC
4. Naples, FL

I'm sure there will be other suggestions but those are the places that came to my mind first.

How about Club Med? They cater to single travelers, and they have several locations not too far from you, such as in Mexico. They have wonderful spas!

Hi Sarah

Check out www.smarteliving.com for this weeks price breaks from all commercial airlines. I felt as you did this past November and went to Italy for week.

You can go anywhere single, I find most other countries go out of there way to protect single women traveling alone.

Santa Fe comes to mind--maybe b/c I just replied to an ABQ traveler recommending Santa Fe instead! But seriously, it fits your criteria very well: fine food/wine/accomodation--check; spa treatments--check; walk to everything--check; beautiful, relaxing--check. If you stayed in the "downtown" area, you could rent a car for some very nice daytrips into the countryside, or you could just stay in town and easily walk all over; there are great museums and high-quality shops and vendors. And while I'm not familiar with them, I think there are all-inclusive resort/spa type places just outside town. Of course, time of year is a main consideration, as Santa Fe gets cold and snowy in the winter and very hot in summer; we were there in late spirng and it was perfect.