Where Next?
 

My wife and I are still (after weeks of debate) trying to settle on our holiday destination in the States for 2000. We've been to San Francisco, then Chicago and then New York in separate trips. What we need is few days in an exciting and interesting city and then some time in the country or at the beach, walking or cycling. Has anyone out there got any ideas? Oh, by the way, we come from Ireland! Thanks.

Charleston. More interesting than exciting. Then a few days at one of the great beaches nearby.

New England: Boston, the White Mountains, the Coast of Maine, Newport (Rhode Island), Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard, and Boston again. <BR>

How about the Pacific Northwest? Seattle, Washington, and/or Portland, Oregon. Mountains, Pacific Ocean, national parks, day water tours, waterfalls. Scenery, scenery, and scenery. If we can help with a list, just let us know.

I have to second the nomination for the coast of Maine. You can fly into Boston, spend 3 or so days there, then drive up the coast of Maine which is really lovely. Check out www.visitmaine.com for lots of info. Camden is particularly nice -- lots of good restaurants, shops, and inns. Then there is a lovely inn just outside of Boothbay Harbor, Maine called the Lawnmeer Inn (www.lawnmeerinn.com) -- on the water, pretty views, excellent food. You can take whale watching boat tours from Boothbay Harbor. Also, if I were you I would definitely try to get up to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park for a few days. It is a wonderful little town with delightful restaurants and bed and breakfasts, and the National Park is gorgeous with good hiking trails. Make sure you watch the sunset one night from the top of Mt. Cadillac -- it is glorious. <BR> <BR>

If you are coming from May through October, I would suggest Boston/Newport RI area, then beach at either Cape Cod, Nantucket or the coast of Maine, all spectacularly beautiful. There are only a couple of months you would consider swimming at either the Cape or Maine, but hiking and biking would be wonderful and New England is uniquely different from the other areas you have already seen. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Peter: <BR>I'll second Jud's recommendation.

I agree with Ben: go to Charleston. The town is great and there are some area plantations that are remarkable beautiful. South of Charleston you'll find antebellum Beaufort and Savannah, easily one of the most wonderful cities in the US. Finally, the intervening South Carolina shore (e.g., Edisto and Hilton Head) are unbeatable. <BR> <BR>My wife and I take 2-week US driving vacations every two years. This area is simply outstanding. <BR> <BR>Have a great vacation. <BR>

As long as you don't come in the summer (when it's very hot), how about New Orleans? Great nightlife, historic neighborhoods, lots of attractions and some of the best food in the U.S. Rent a car to see the plantation country, to visit the new casino row developing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and to visit the white sand beaches of Perdido (Alabama) or Pensacola (Florida)...both beach areas are just 3 hours away from the city!

I am a big fan of New England myself. Boston is such a great city to walk around in. There are so many things to do in Boston that you really will never run out of things to do.

Sorry folks, you can't beat the Pacific Northwest in spring--especially Seattle and the San Juan Islands. As a bonus you'll get vast fields of daffodils and tulips in the Skagit Valley; apple, plum, pear, and cherry blossoms just about everywhere. It's HEAVEN ON EARTH!

I vote for Charleston too. However, if you are coming in July or August, go farther north.

Charleston with trips to Beaufort and Savannah. Charleston is one of the most beautiful cities anywhere as is Savannah-Beaufort is smaller and can give you a bit of a different flavor. The area is best not in the middle of summer when the heat might put a damper on things.