Hi,

My husband and I have one week vacation at the end of August and we have no idea where to go. We are from Montreal (Canada) and this is going to be our first vacation away from the kids (they are now to old to come along).

We are in our mid fourties and like nice sceneries. So far, we have been to the following places:

California (San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Yosemite)
Nevada (Las Vegas)
Arizona (Grand Canyon and Lake Powell)
Utah (Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon)
Florida (east and West coast + Orlando)
New York (Manhattan)
New Jersey (Cape May)
Vermont State
Canadian Rockies, Whistler, Victoria and Vancouver
The whole province of Quebec
Niagara Falls
New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island
Europe (France, England, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Amsterdam)

Where would you suggest that we should go on our next vacation?

Thanks,

Glacier NP, Montana

Portland or Seattle and nearby national parks/ocean

Thanks for your suggestions Karen,

What is there to see in Portland? Is Glacier National Park a little like the Canadin Rockies?

Yellowstone!

Yes, Glacier is like the Canadian Rockies. The most beautiful mountains in the US, in my opinion, but scenically/geologically like the CR.

Since it's your first kid free vacation, what about something romantic and tropical? Hawaii may be a bit far from Montreal, but what about the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Belize or the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico? It's very different than anyplace else you've been.

We went to Banff and Jasper to see the most beautiful part of the Rockies(and did) I second Costa
Rica. We did a cruise west vacation for our first post children cruise and loved it!

Boston, Charleston, Colorado (Rocky Mtn. Park, Mesa Verde Park)

Since it's the end of August, I would cross off anything in the south and southwest. It will be too hot. Vermont is something you could do on a long weekend, ditto for PEI. I think your answer would depend on what you like to do on vacation. We aren't beach people but enjoy the coast of Maine. If you chose Boston instead of NYC you could combine some city fun with a few days at a beach. But for a change of pace, I'd go with Vancouver plus Seattle and San Juan Islands.

Bermuda!!!!!!!

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rent a villa in the British Virgin Islands or charter a sail boat with captain! Paradise!

Alaska cruise from Vancouver?

Edinburgh Festival?

Norwegian coastal mail boat/cruise? - http://www.hurtigruten.no/index.asp

Northern Michigan. Fly into Chicago, do a few days there and then work your way up the coast staying in adorable b&bs and watching the sunset over the lake every night. Go all the way up to the bridge and spend a night on Mackinac Island. The Grand Hotel should be experienced by all. There is even a ferry you can take across Lake Michigan if you choose so you could see a little of Wisconsin and then head back to Chicago to fly out.

Michigan in the summer is why we put up with the winter!

Wow! Thanks for all the great suggestions! I must say that, although I would love to, cruises are out because I discovered some years ago that I am sea sick...

We already have been to Banff and Jasper and although it's one of our favourite places, we would like to go somewhere we have never been to before.

Hawai is on our list of places to see but it would be more in the winter time.

Is'nt August the rainy season in the Caribean and southern America?

We would love a combination of beach and scenery. It does not have to be the ocean, it could be one of the great lakes or other lakes that you may suggest. We are not particulary attracted by big cities.

Thanks again,

What about the Scandanavian countries? or Ireland? Although I've never been, my parents just got back from a trip and they claim that Norway was just the most beautiful place that they had ever been.

Then I think northern Michigan is the place for you. If you drive up the whole west coast, you will find nothing but giant sand dunes, cute harbor towns, and wonderful scenery. Here are some of my favorite places and links.

Saugatuck - little artistic community
http://www.saugatuck.com/

Great b&b near Saugatuck
http://www.kingsleyhouse.com/

Sleeping Bear Dunes - in my opinion, one of the wonders of the world, most visitors don't believe the giant sanddunes occured naturally
http://www.leelanau.com/dunes/

Silver Lake - great lake and dune buggy rides!
http://www.silverlakesanddunes.net/
http://www.silverlakebuggys.com/

Traverse City wine country
http://www.mytraversecity.com/wine/

Chateau Grand Traverse Winery
http://www.cgtwines.com

The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse
http://tinyurl.com/gry6e

Petoskey/Harbor Springs
http://www.boynecountry.com/

Inn at Bay Harbor
http://www.innatbayharbor.com/

Mackinac Island - no motorized vehicles allowed, only horse driven
http://www.mackinac.com/

Grand Hotel
http://www.grandhotel.com/

Sault Ste. Marie
http://www.saultstemarie.com/

The people of Michigan are some of the nicest you will ever find. It is not too crowded, even in the summer, and it is so peaceful and beautiful up there. Now you are making me long for summer!

Hi Kelliebellie,

If northern Michigan isn't the place for mist, it could be the place for me this summer or next. Thanks for the list of your favorite places and links.

kelliebellie, you have no idea how you made me smile. Do I need a bit of Michigan right now, winter or spring.

mist, & Central MI (Manistee Forest) etc. all lakes inland- also beautiful, close to pristine, with low traffic. We call it the Lighthouse Tour Trip- following this path North along Lake Michigan. We tried to continue it to its end and throughout the Upper Pennisula twice- and had so much fun along the way that we have never completed to the furthest point yet.

Near Mears there's also a Jeep tour outfit that will serve you elegant meals on a bridged creek, within the deep forest. They'll accompany you or let you drive in their caravan. That's worth doing too.

Thanks for all your suggestions. We are planning a trip to Greece for 2007 so for this summer it will be USA or Canada.

We will definetly look into Michigan, sounds pretty nice.

Thanks again

Just to echo kelliebellie's suggestions about northern Michigan....the last week of August is usually very nice...its warm and the bay is FINALLY warm enough to take a swim in...the peaches are ripe in the orchards and the sunsets on little Traverse Bay are glorious...you are sooo right kb, summer here is the ONLY reason to put up with the winter!!!!