I'm thinking of a holiday in October starting with a few days in NYC and then taking the train to Philadelphia & Washington. Where would be a good place to finish the trip with a few days relaxing prior to flying back to the UK (and I would prefer the nearest airport to enable a non-stop flight home). I am open to suggestions about routing - nothing booked.

I'm sure Fodorites will have some good ideas as usual!

Hi,

If you want a non-stop flight to London, your best bet would be to finish in DC, I think.

Maybe stop in Baltimore for a few days between Philly and DC?

When you say "relaxing", what do you want to do? Do you mean not a big city? You could go to Annapolis for a few days - smaller, on the water. Or St. Michael's.

Not sure how you'd get there without a car though - anyone?

Karen

It sounds like you're trying to avoid driving and that can be a problem if you want to spend a few days in someplace other than a city AND be near an airport. How long is the total time for your trip?

You could fly to Florida for a few days and have some beach time before heading home from either Miami or Orlando airports.

mclaurie has asked some good questions. It would help to know if you plan to rent a car and how long a trip you are planning.

If you end up in DC, there are many parks and other relaxing areas to wind down in for a few days after you have seen the major tourists sights you are interested in. I suggest staying in a quiet, central, residential area close to subway, parks, etc. Afterward, you'll be close to your non-stop flight home.

Thank you all for your replies. You are quite right that I am looking to avoid driving. I fully accept that a car is a liability in these cities, especially for strangers (and I'm sure the residents would rather the tourists kept off their roads!)

I have since had an idea - having looked at the Amtrak site - how about if I continue down to Richmond by train and spend a few days there (very interested in history), then get a Jetblue flight back to JFK to connect with a London flight. Presumably Richmond is a fairly laid back, low-key place?

I can't comment too much on Richmond, as I have not spent much time there. However, you can take the MARC train out to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia or an Amtrack train to Charlottesville, VA. Both places are quite, relaxing and -- depending on when you are here in October -- will have great fall colors. Harpers Ferry is quite small, is very rural and would be quiet. Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia and is a great place to visit -- in addition to being able to see the home of Thomas Jefferson. I always look for a reason to head down there.

While they are nice places, there are no dirct budget flights from Harpers Ferry or Charlottesville
to JFK.

Oddly, Fodor's doesn't have a guide for Richmond, only Williamsburg (which is close to Richmond by car).

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...liamsburg@1044

I think Richmond would be fine. Plan to rent a car once you arrive. Driving (and parking) is very easy around there - much easier than NYC, Philly, or DC. You'll adjust to driving on the right hand side of the road with 10 minutes.

Here is a Richmond guide from a DIFFERENT travel site:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/richmond/

I strongly suggest staying in the Shockoe Slip neighborhood. The website above list many sights in Richmond and close by like Jamestown and Williamsburg (hence the rental car).

While in Richmond, make time for a walk down monument ave. Also, spend some time on the the islands if you really want to relax. For a history buff in Richmond, the Museum of the Confederacy is also a "don't miss" - http://www.moc.org

Thanks so much - you have really helped enormously. The sites you have put me onto are very useful, Bardo1. So we have decided to start in NYC on October 5 and wend our way down to Richmond, flying home on Oct. 13. Can't wait!