I'm looking for destination ideas in the U.S. (or Canada). Here are all of the vitals: husband and me, early 30s, have a week-10 days. Want somewhere to relax, be romantic, and have a stress-free vacation, as we both have stressful jobs and work a lot of hours. Like the outdoors, but also like to be pampered. Like cities, too, but don't have to vacation in one. Money isn't a big object, but don't want to go too crazy. Been to the following: Key West, New Orleans, San Fran, New York, Washington D.C., Vegas, Miami, the Disney thing, Chicago, L.A., Death Valley.

Timing--June (2001) is the best month for us. May be able to go in May, but earlier in the year doesn't work because of work, and we always go to Europe for Christmas.

So, any ideas? Specifics of hotels, etc., would be great, but more general opinions on destinations is also welcome.

How about Macinaw Island in Michigan, beautiful, very unstressful, laid back, good food, beautiful hotels, and no cars, travel by horse drawn carriage or walk.

Might be fun to look into.

Have a great trip.

tweedy

How about New England??? Plenty of options there. Using Boston as your base you could travel to the Maine Coast, to the White Mountains of NH, Cape Cod, or to Vermont. Or you could fly into Boston and out of Montreal, visiting and seeing all the great things in between--Stowe and Burlington, VT are great stopping points. Have fun deciding and planning!

I love the Canadian Rockies. You could fly into Calagry and go to Banff or Lake Louise. Great accomodations and restaurants. Or you could go to Vancouver and drive up to the Whistler area. The drive from Seattle to Vancouver is also breathtaking! Have fun!

How about North Carolina/South Carolina? Every year my family goes to Emerald Isle (NC) for two weeks and it is very stressfree and relaxing. I know there are lots of nice condos out there for very reasonable prices (we always camp) and the beach is absolutely beautiful. Most of the condos are actually on the beach. I also know there's some nice beaches down in SC, but I've not been there.

Thanks for the great suggestions so far! I spent a day on Mackinaw Island as a child--unfortunately my family couldn't afford to stay at the Grand Hotel--and have great memories of it.

I think everyone's postings are going to make it even harder to decide where to go.

Is Hawaii out of the question? You can't do better than that for your list of wants.
Ever been to the Rockies in June/July? Some beautiful places with outstanding lodgings and food...Aspen, Telluride, Jerome come to mind.
Napa Valley B&B trip would fit your list.
Sedona is a pretty neat place in the summer. Ever been to the Boulders in Carefree, AZ? Wonderful hotel, beautiful scenery. Just north of Scottsdale.
Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket are excellent for romantic getaways. I'd choose the latter.

Hi Leigh,
I would agree with Betsy on New England. It has a little bit of everything you are looking for. Even if you head up into Canada to Montreal, maybe Nova Scotia.

How about the Colorado River. Parker, Arizona is the best place if you like being lazy and laid back on the river. You can always make side trips to Laughlin, NV and Lake Havasu, AZ. Try staying at the new casino owned by the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
Bring sunscreen.

Consider Colorado Rockies - Beaver Creek or Vail have nice accommodations. Activities include golf, fishing (stream or lake), hot air ballons, hiking, white water rafting, horseback riding, off road jeep or ATV -(doing nothing is also an option). Many fine restaurants, shops. Our favorite time to visit is first half of August - there is an arts/craft festival in Beaver Creak (next to Hyatt). Weather is ideal this time of year.

Advice so far is excellent. I thought of both New England and Colorado myself. To me, Colorado is highest on the pamper scale. But it can be crowded at times, and I believe you get a higher rating on the stress-free from Michigan but give up some on the romantic. Vermont has the highest romantic scale to me, but if you're going there during leaf peeping season, it's definitely not stress free.

I'd figure on one of those places just by a matter of which of romantic, stress-free or pampered is most important.

But the real reason I'm responding is that I think you should consider the Candian Meritimes if you're thinking about New England. Nova Scotia has places as stress free as Michigan (although you sometimes have to get off the beaten track in high tourist season) and as romantic as Vermont.

My recommendation is Tuscon. Stay at one of the various ranches in the area. Lots closeby to see: Tuscon Studios, Tombstone, don old miners gear and visit an old mine in lovely Bisbee, various desert activities, old missions.

Consider the weather if thinking about Canadian Rockies or Pacific Northwest--and be unseasonally cold and or wet. By the same token, extreme south Texas can have over 90s in June. Also Arizona and it "monsoons"
I've only been to Boston area in winter but I would love to go to New England in the spring.
Good Luck....

Now that you've gotten many excellent suggestions, I'll give you a few more. The province of Quebec is a great place to visit-Montreal is very cosmopolitan and Quebec City almost makes you feel like you've gone to France.
I also think the area north of San Francisco is a great place to visit you could combine the wine country with some coastal areas.

Noticed that you've traveled just about every corner of the continental US except for the northwest which most responses is leaning toward. I have a suggestion which is not for the weak hearted...that is if your afraid of heights. Montana and Northern Idaho has some spectacular firelookouts the forest service rents out for pittance ($25 a night) An experience that you'll never forget. Truelly getting away from it all. Just got back from UP UP tower a few days ago. Perched on top of a mountain and you can see for 50 miles every direction and civilization an hour and a half away. It does take some preparation on your part but the work is worth it. This is not something for everyone but if your looking for a unique experience and like the outdoors this may be something to consider. Check these web sites out.

www.fs.fed.us/lolo/rec-rentals/cabins.htm

http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/rec/yourpl...rentalmap.html


If you have questions you can email me directly.

My first recommendation would be the Canadian Rockies -- Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper. Breathtaking scenery! And you can't beat the exchange rate -- it makes everything so reasonable. Some people fly into Vancouver and take the scenic train that runs into Banff & Jasper. I thought there were lots of wonderful places to stay in this area, some with incredible views. Lots of ideas on this area in the Canadian section of the travel lounge.

My second recommendation would be the coast of Maine up to Bar Harbor and possibly Nova Scotia. I did a 10-day trip flying into Boston and driving up the coast of Maine and ferrying to Nova Scotia -- it was wonderful. Acadia National Park is beautiful! There are lots of romantic little inns and B&Bs in Maine, plus terrific restaurants (and inexpensive lobster!). Go to www.visit-maine.com for ideas -- I particularly recommend Camden and Bar Harbor.

Third -- I think the Montreal-Quebec idea is a great one. I've been to Montreal and it's lovely (haven't been to Quebec City yet but I'm planning on it soon!), with fantastic restaurants, lots of history, lovely places to stay, and again, the exchange rate is simply unbeatable. There is a train that runs between Montreal & Quebec City that is inexpensive and doesn't take that long. Stay at the Chateau Frontenac or one of those historic lodgings. Again, check out the Canadian section of the travel forum for more ideas on this.

Colorado Rockies & Arizona are excellent ideas too!

P.S. Leigh -- you didn't miss much by not staying at the Grand Hotel -- it's prettier from the outside -- the rooms themselves are nothing special.