It just hit me that my husband is turning 50 in January, and over a three-day weekend. I talked my parents into coming up to stay with the boys, and I'd like to spirit Larry away for three nights. Now, where? We'd be leaving from Boston, and as much as I'd love to skip to Paris, I think its out of my budget unless there's a huge airfare sale. I think US, Canada, or Caribbean/Central America would be doable.

So, I'd welcome any ideas. We go to NYC very often, so that's probably out unless there's a great exhibit or concert he'd like. We like cities, interesting areas, good restaurants, museums. We'll be in Sanibel in February, so I don't want to just do a beach location, though warmer weather wouldn't be a bad thing.

Thanks, all!

Quebec City. Loads of character, history and great restaurants.

And of course with so much French spoken you will feel that you are abroad!

If you go to Quebec City (a great idea) you should definitely stay at the Chateau Frontenac. I may have spelled it wrong but you can't miss it if you do a search. On the other hand, I wouldn't rule out Paris in January from Boston. I have a friend in LA who just got round trip tickets from there for $600. in February. Go to travelzoo.com or farecompare and see what you can come up with. They've been emailing me some pretty amazing offers for winter travel lately. Good luck.

Amy, If this is New Year's weekend then come join us in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
(About 45 minutes south of Memphis)

We are going to the NYE house party at a Juke Joint called Ground Zero Blues Club.

They have some really cool apartments for rent upstairs.

What about New Orleans?

Ginger

Amy, I vote for old Quebec City also. Its not far from Boston and the walled city itself is wonderful. We drove from just south of Boston and it took about 7 hours so I would imagine if the flight leaves on time, you could get there in much less time leaving from Logan or Green or Manchester. Lots of great walking, views, great restaurants, really a wonderful old city, particularly if you like a French feeling. Otherwise, hey, how about Providence? We live in Foxboro so we go down there alot and its a terrific city to walk around, enjoy the excellent food, museums, entertainment, etc. You could be there from the Boston area in under an hour.

Check into the weather for Quebec City in January! How about Miami Beach? I haven't been there in 20 years, but we loved it when we spent two weeks there. You can probably fly right down to the Caribbean - pick a nice resort and have a long weekend.

Another thing to consider is flying in January - maybe not so much fun if there are delays for bad weather. What about a great hotel in Boston? Room service!!

Amy, I like Pauline's idea of a great hotel in Boston.

Or, building on the Quebec City idea ---- what about Montreal? The weather is probably nearly as bad as in Quebec City, but much more to do indoors. I was there for a fancy wedding last summer, and an engagement party the previous winter, and saw that it is really an exciting city. Just bring your boots! But really there are lots of underground connections between buildings.

Old Town has some French flavor, if you want that. But much more variety overall than what I remember of Quebec City.

Kirk and I went to Brussels for a Valentine's Day weekend one year - all the chocolate we could eat, elegant Brussels one day and romantic medieval Brugges another - one of the best long weekends we've ever enjoyed.
So if a cheap fare to Brussels shows up, I'd grab it!
Anne

What about Iceland? Didn't someone go there last year for a long weekend?

Ginger

quote:

What about Iceland? Didn't someone go there last year for a long weekend?

Iceland is a summer destination. You definitely don't want to be in Iceland in January! There's about four hours of daylight! (if that!)

I second Montreal. Tons to do, and fantastic restaurants. Even if the weather is cold, there's skating on the river (to watch if not to do) and all kinds of winter activities. They are used to winter up there

Although personally I'd opt for a warmer place, with a 3 day weekend you really want to keep flight time short--and nonstop-- especially if there's a risk of weather delay.

EllenS went to Iceland for a long weekend - let me check if she did a trip report hold on ... nope can't find one but I could have sworn I read one recently - oh well.

Now another alternative because with only three days, in January, relying on airlines, flying wouldn't be my first choice - so how about Philadelphia!

Philadelphia Travel Notes
Philadelphia Google Map
Brandywine Valley

Just some ideas above - great city; easy to navigate, plenty to do, good eats.

Milford.

Ok, seriously, I think the Metroliner straight down to Union Station in Washington DC. A day of museums, a day of great shopping in Georgetown, a day of monument hopping. Great food, lots of history, and lots of romance too... Washington DC is a great weekend destination.

AND I am with Kim, too. Philly and the suburbs. It's great. Manayunk, downtown, Reading Terminal Market, Chestnut Hill, Brandywine ( a little removed, but doable)...

And you can stop in Manhattan on your way back, take the Shortline bus to the Eckard Drug Store in Milford and really live it up, but that's optional.

I would say get out of the cold, but not necessarily on a beach, since you have Sanibel in February.

How about Charleston or San Francisco?

Marcia

Great hotel in Boston, Montreal, Philadelphia ---- a real grownup vacation! And I agree with all those who say avoid flying for a three-day winter vacation; too high a ration of airport time to vacation time, even if there are no delays.

My suggestion would be a weekend getting cozy on Martha's Vineyard...beach walks, books by a fire, good restaurants, antiquing perhaps...no swarms of tourists!

Cheers,
Karen

Mmmm,
Quebec city not far from Boston... 7 hours probably in Summer and this is not including stops and customs. In 7 hours I can get to Paris and may be Munich.

In any case, Quebec and Montreal are great destinations. Quebec is magical under snow. In January and February it is very cold. If you really like cold then take a look at this site for an ice hotel in Quebec:
http://www.icehotel-canada.com/en/index.en.php

If you decide to come, don't forget winter tires.

quote:

I'd love to skip to Paris, I think its out of my budget unless there's a huge airfare sale.

My neice did a weekend Paris trip with several friends in January a couple of years ago...just because there was such a good deal on airfares.

Don't give up on your dream....keep watching the airfares.

Bill

I like Diana's idea -- the train to DC. It's pretty risky around here in Jan to plan a weekend trip by air, or even a road trip. Many years ago we took a sleeper to DC from Boston -- I wonder if they still have those.

If you want a nearby destination, and Boston seems too close to home, how about Portland, Maine? There are wonderful restaurants there and a great little art museum. You can also get there by train, I think.

Or if you want the French ambience and are willing to fly, how about the French Caribbean? I've never been there, but my sister loves St. Barts. Probably you won't get anything cheap there that time of year though.

- Roz

Hey Amy...there is a great inn in Freeport Maine, that makes a great getaway. The Harraseeket Inn in Freeport. They have rooms with fireplaces, two great restaurants. Well worth the trip!

Wow! Such great feedback from everyone. Some destinations I hadn't considered.

You make excellent points about the risk factor of a weekend trip by air in January.

I do like Montreal, and have never been to Quebec. I'm very amused though that the airfares aren't much less than those to Paris! I'll keep poking at the discount ticket websites.

Humnn. Maybe just the chance to enjoy Boston or NY without kids or family commitments would be a treat.

Amy, JetBlue just announced some sale fares from Boston -- have to be booked by Nov. 1. Check out their web site. You can fly to Washington for $69 each way, and to Nassau for $99, for example. (Taxes, etc., extra of course.)