My husband and I will be celebrating our 40th birthdays and 16th wedding anniversary next year and want to go away for 4 nights or so. We have two young kids we'll leave with grandparents so we don't want to go anywhere we could easily go with them (aka this is our chance to be adventurous or do a lot of walking, etc.). We're from Boston, and even though this is the US forum, are open to anywhere within a 6 hour plane ride. Any thoughts? Thanks!

What time of year?

What sort of budget are you looking for?

Wht are your interests? (Do you like to sit on a beach? Or do something outdoorsy? Or like touring big cities?)

Oops, I meant to say Summer. And I didn't mention interests b/c we love everything you listed. As far as budget, let's assume it's not a factor for now. Thanks!

I assume that you have already been to Niagara on the Lake? Also:
Casa Marina- Key West FL
Otesaga-Cooperstown, NY
Sagamore-Lake George, NY
South Seas Resort-Captiva Island, FL
Mayflower Inn-Washington, CT
Castle Hill-Newport, RI
Wequassett-Chatham, Cape Cod, MA
Chatham Bars-Cape Cod

Scotland. Looooong days, amazing scenery, hiking/walking, castles, Edinburgh . . . A great place for a get away and just about w/i your 6 hour flight time.

Or for big city fun, London or Paris.

Take Aer Lingus diect to Dublin. You will love it !

For 4 days I would stay in the US and fly to San Francisco,visit and eventually hire a car and visit Yosemite.

Thanks for all the rec's 330east - lots to research.

janisj - I posted on the European board as well and heard Scotland there too. Will def look into it.

kelbo - I've always wanted to go to Ireland - it July a good time of year and is 4-5 days enough?

tovarich - we did that trip a few years ago and LOVED it. I'm tempted to go back to wine country but I also love going places I've never been before.

What about British Columbia? I know I'm in the wrong forum, but wondering if anyone has been and if it's as beautiful as I've heard.

With a 6 hour plane ride, you can go almost anywhere in Europe. If you've never been, it's truly a life changing experience.
Three of my most memorable destinations were Paris, the Tuscan countryside, and Vienna and the Austrian countryside.
Another place to consider might be San Francisco and wine country.

I'd love to dream about where to celebrate! Although I have many places in mind that I would love to see again, it would no doubt end up as some special site yet unvisited. And like you going from Boston. Naturally I could make my dream list but you should make your own. Too many variables for anyone else. Truly part of the fun in travel is in the planning.

Hmm. I reread your post. 6 hr. planeride. Hmm. Check out Paris and/or Venice. Very romantic.

What about the Azores? Never been but have heard great things and there are direct flights from Boston.

Ideally you would have more time in Ireland to really do it justice but I used to fly from Chicago direct on Aer Lingus for long holiday weekends...and yes, July is probably one of the best months to go! If you just stay in Dublin your timeframe is definitely doable. You can take day trips as well out to the countryside ( Wicklow, etc).

I travel alot and absolutely love Paris/Venice etc as well...but the reason I am recommending Dublin is you can get great airfare out of Boston and Dublin, and I believe it is a direct flight, and it is a great city to spend just about 4/5 days. For example Venice is difficult to get to...no direct flights, water taxi to hotel, etc...so you'd be wasting precious time with such amount of days to work with.

If you decide to do Dublin I can give you further recommendation on hotels, day trips, live music, etc.

Good Luck!

What are your recommendations on Dublin?

BC is beautiful; I especially loved Victoria and Buchart Gardens.