Where to go for August vacation...
 

I was originally planning a trip to New England for this summer, but bf's parents surprised us. He graduated from law school so their graduation gift is a trip to go wherever we want, within reason of course. Basically anywhere in the States, Caribbean or Mexico is good!

Possible ideas we have for the trip are:

San Diego
Bahamas
Miami
Cabo
Puerto Vallarta

The only time we can go is early August, due to work schedules. However, seeing as it is hurricane season...I'm wondering if we should rule out any Florida or Caribbean ideas. Would it be unwise to go there that time of year?

Any insight on Mexico? Neither of us have ever been there.

Any other ideas are welcome. We're looking for a beach setting but ideally a place that has other fun things to do (nightlife, shopping, etc). I'm unsure of his parents' price range (they really didn't give us one) they just told us to get some ideas for places and then we can discuss.

Thanks!

Out of the places you listed, I personally (and I realize it's just my opinion) would rule out Miami and the Bahamas. It being during hurricane season is a concern, but I can't stand the heat and humidity of either places in the middle of summer.

What your interest are would be a factor regarding your other mentioned locations.

If you are looking primarily for a beach/water vacation, then I would lean towards wither Cabo or Puerto Vallarta. I would then narrow these two choices down depending on your other interests (touristy, nightlife, etc). If I was looking for a busier kind of atmosphere, I would lean towards Cabo.

My choice of all of your itineraries would be San Diego though. Is a more well rounded choice, again in my opinion. Nice beaches, nice weather and lots of other activities to do (i.e. the zoo, Seaworld, etc).

Again, just depends on the atmosphere you're looking for and what you want to do when you get to your destination.

Hope this helps.

You will definitely cook in Miami or the Bahamas or Cabo in August. But that's a great time of year to go out west to the national parks or to San Francisco and spend several days in the California wine country.

Why rule out NE? Cape Cod is lovely, as are the Vineyard and Nantucket. Mt. Desert Island in August would be fun and there is at least a bit of nightlife (maybe not much) in Bar Harbor.

After taking the bar (I assume your boyfriend is doing the July exam), who wants to worry about the stress of having to make last minute changes due to hurricanes? Good luck to him, by the way, and make sure he studies.

Why not Canada? The beaches of the province of Prince Edward Island(PEI)are beautiful. And, early August is the perfect time to go there! The PEI "fresh lobster suppers" are amazing! You cld tack on a few days & visit Halifax in Nova Scotia for your shopping & nightlife. Fly to Halifax. Rent a car & drive to PEI.

Nova Scotia ? Vancouver/San Juan Islands ?

Thanks for the replies!

Cantstayhome, the only reason we were going to New England was it's close, and cheaper than flying somewhere. We had no idea his parents were going to pay for us to go on a trip this summer and both of us are broke (yay law school) so an expensive vacation wasn't an option, and New England seemed like a good alternative. We have friends on the Cape so can go up there anytime, and since we have the opportunity to go somewhere we've never been, we'll take it! :) Thanks for the best wishes, by the way.

San Diego is high on my list, as well as Puerto Vallarta and Cabo. Good point, the humidity in FL in August would not be fun!

Haven't considered Canada but will look into it. San Fran is off the list because I was just there recently.

How about Europe? Is that without reason?

I would loooove to go to Europe (Bf is itching to go to Italy, I've been twice). But I think that might be out of the question budget-wise unless we could find a really good deal.

Hmmmm (can you tell I'm desperate for a trip and living vicariously here) . . .

Another suggestion if you do end up going to Mexico would be to check out Puerto Escondido to see if you can fit it into your travel plans. I haven't been, but a friend has and it sounds lovely. I've been only to Cancun (actually while in law school, so a real budget trip), so can't help on the other Mexico places!

Hawaii? Bermuda? Sonoma/Napa?

San Diego is nice and definitely worth a trip, but wouldn't be my pick if it were a let's go anywhere kind of vacation.

How about Montreal and Quebec City? Beautiful in the summer, Quebec City is almost like being in France!

Lately I've had a hankerin' (did I just say that?) to head to Tulum and stay in Cabanas like Cabanas Las Conchitas,Los Lirios, Zamas or Hotel Ana y Jose, the beaches and the vibe there are JUST like the Corona commercials and, the flights to Cancun just went on sale, great rates...google those hotel names plus Tulum and just look at the pictures and tell me that wouldn't be the perfect antidote to law school.

That's where I'd go if I were you, no doubt about it...PS, I've always traveled during hurricane season to places I shouldn't go, but I've been lucky. I like to live on the edge ;)

Also if you want a little less rustic, try Las Ranitas and Suenos Tulum. Check out the prices, you'll have a great trip with great food without breaking the 'rents bank.

Puerto Vallarta would be good -- hot, but good. Anywhere in Mexico would be good! (maybe not Cabo)
We have a trip planned to Cancun in August. I know its hurricane season, but we've been lucky before...

Nina, didn't you find Cancun way too hot and humid that time of year?

I love it there, but went one year in the middle of summer and was absolutely miserable. The humidity was so thick you could have cut it with a knife.

We definitely love it down in Tulum and Playa Del Carmen, but we've started going down either in February (when we've forgotten what summer feels like) or April.

Do a post on the Latin America board, if you want Puerto Vallarta and Cabo ideas. Suze has been to PV a lot and has great ideas. I did some research there for a friend who went to PV in March. :-)

Cabo!

I would think Mexico would also be really hot. Not sure where you live but if Cape Cod is close, I'd say San Diego or San Francisco or the Pacific Northwest and/or BC (British Columbia). The US dollar is strong against the Canadian dollar.

Hi shortcake, I love PV but have always gone there in February..perfect weather. I had a good friend who loves hot weather. A few years ago he went to PV in August and found the weather so hot and miserable he came home early. He spent most of his time in his A/C room..I felt so bad for him.

I was thinking of Suze too..as she has spent lots of time in PV. So do check out the Latin American Board and Suze's posts as trippinkpj suggested.

I'd suggest Aruba if you want to travel during hurricane season.

Here's a PV lodging website from one of Suze's posts: http://www.vallartaspecials.com/

From the Latin America forum.
--Karen

Cape Cod.

Thanks for all the helpful advice. We've actually decided to rule out Florida and the Caribbean entirely, and probably Mexico. I'd be a whiney, miserable you know what if the humidity and heat is as bad as everyone says it is - lol. Plus I'm nervous about the whole hurricane season.

We ended up finding a great deal to London so we're going to run that by his parents...it was so cheap it actually cost more to go Disney for the same days! If that doesn't fly, I guess it's back to square one.

Great choice! What was the deal, may I ask?

I always end up in Mexico in August. I find it hot but definitely not unbearable; we've been lucky I guess.
I do find PV more hot and humid than Cancun.

Yes, can you share that London deal with us? The prices to Europe and the UK have been astronomical for this summer!

I believe Aruba is out of the hurricane belt and is blessed with cooling tradewinds.

If you are divers or snorkellers, Bonaire is in the general vicinity of Aruba,also out of the hurricane path. Bonaire is less developed than Aruba, but has phenomenal underwater vistas

Have fun!

Again, Cape Cod beaches. DEFINITELY not a problem with heat and humidity. Warm weather - cooler water - and you can spend the day on the beach without sweltering. This southern girl thinks its just magical! :-)

If you don't end up going to Europe, I'm thinking La Jolla/ San Diego/ Coronado would be good. Nice weather, lots to do. :-)
Oh the large cities in Europe, are usually very crowded with Eupean vacationers. My daughter encountered that last summer in Paris. And it was the first week in August.

Sorry, I meant European vacationers, LOL.

Sorry, forgot all about this thread and never came back to check on it. The London deal was $899 a person air and hotel on Virgin but it expired on the 24th of May :(

Unfortunately, bf's parents said they were thinking more along the range of $1500 for the trip, and that clearly isn't getting us anywhere near London, lol. (even w/ that deal!)Actually, I don't know where we're supposed to go for two people with air and hotel for 1500 or less??

Even going back to the original idea of Rhode Island, half the hotels I'm seeing are about 300-400 a night! Sigh.

go to VRBO and check out the rentals on Cape Cod. There are some absolutely wonderful places there to rent. No hurricanes. No humidity. Warm weather to enjoy the beach without being drenched in sweat. Great seafood.

Give it a try!

Although I do enjoy the cape, my best friend grew up there so I've been many times and can go any time I want...bf and I really wanted to go somewhere we've never been before.

Ah, that makes perfect sense.

What about Charleston or Savannah? Both are romantic. You can get cheap flights. You can spend time on the beach if you want - but either city would provide a nice change of pace.

Of course, both will be hot and humid in August.

If you can get cheap flights - San Diego, specifically Coronado Island.

Charleston is a good idea -- I was there once a while ago but just for the day. I'm also still looking into Newport, RI...but it's not looking so good price-wise so far.

Of the places you mention, I would recommend San Diego unless you just really like very hot weather. But if you are looking to the west coast, I personally would recommend Laguna Beach, which is half way between San Diego and L.A., or Santa Barbara or even the Monterey/Carmel area (Big Sur) which I think is the most beautiful area of coastline in the country. All of these are much smaller than San Diego, but much nicer areas to visit. Also, if you are looking for something that feels more tropical, you might want to consider Catalina Island, just off the coast from L.A..

This may sound crazy, but we once vacationed very happily in Arizona in August. You can get a very nice hotel or resort pretty cheaply. On Orbitz, it looks like you can get a flight and the Biltmore for around $870 pp. There are cheaper options. Of course, it is hot, but not humid, but you really can't do much midday except lounge in a pool or plan indoor activities. I think it would be possible to do a day trip up to Sedona or maybe overnight to the Grand Canyon.

Just wanted to add: I've been in both Charleston and in Phoenix in August and I would choose Phoenix every time. Charleston will be oppressively hot and humid.

Shortcake, You can almost be guaranteed to get the Newport Hyatt on Priceline for around $100 a night. It's $154 on Hotwire....

shortcake you sound dejected. Don't be so glum. You were originally going to pay for your own vacation. Think of the parents money as a gift rather than the total budget.

You never told us where you're located so can't really give you specifics but many people here have mentioned site59.com as a good place for air/hotel pkgs. last minute.

There's also something called dream maps on travelocity that shows you airfare from your city to other cities.

The other idea is if you have a car, drive somewhere you haven't been and blow the budget on a nice hotel. What about Nantucket? Gorgeous beaches, great food, really feels like you're "away."