Last Minute - need some downtime... please help!

[GeologyRocks]

So, I was supposed to be at Yellowstone yesterday. Actually, like two weeks ago I was supposed to be driving out west, not to return until next week. Unfortunately, life just kept getting in the way, and I had to cancel. Now my husband gets word that he can take the last week of the month off - the 24th through the 2nd. I've been searching like crazy, and can't find much of anything! I just want 3 or 4 days (hopefully no more than 4 nights) to go out and not HAVE to do anything. If we stay at home again I think I'll scream!

We can't do Disney, because we went for the seasonal passes and can't go until December. We've let our Universal passes expire (spend too much time at Disney to get our $ out of Universal right now =P) and my husband is tired of Busch Gardens. Our favorite trip away is St. Augustine, but I'm an IDIOT and didn't realize that it's 4th of July that last weekend, so there is very limited availability. Everywhere.

I should say that because it's short notice, I don't have much in the vacation coffers to spend- maybe $1250? I can stretch it, but not by much. Plane trips aren't really in the cards this trip. I don't want to spend a small fortune on a cruise, but I've never been on one and would enjoy it. We love to camp, but it's so darn hot right now that Florida is sort of out. Georgia or Alabama might be better, but I don't know... Any ideas you've got, spit them out - thanks!

EDIT: Yeah, that'd be helpful! :: I live about 45 minutes north of Orlando.

 

[spiceycat]

it would help if we knew where you lived????

HH, SC is nice - but probably very hard to get something.

savannah, ga is also nice

you can try this site

www.hotelkingdom.com

 

[GeologyRocks]

Heh, sorry about that - I live outside of Orlando.

We like to buy passes with our vacation funds - that way we get to escape all year long as part of our vacation. I'm thinking about getting the Florida Resident Pass for Amtrak - good for unlimited travel in Florida for a year, $249 a person. My husband looooves trains - like crazy. That would leave us with about $700 for lodging and food and whatnot. Anyone ever get one? Is it worth that much? That's more than we paid for Disney!

Also, my grandmother is recovering from a hip replacement, so we don't want to be gone too far or too long.

 

[spiceycat]

then I might just stick with Florida.

I like the panhandle area - it is enough north of you...

 

[GeologyRocks]

Well, I happened upon an upgrade deal that gave us an oceanview (portholes, I guess) for $250 each, 3 nights to the Bahamas. The room is pretty far forward, so we might have some sea sickness, but DH is friends with a guy that runs casino shuttles to and from the Bahamas, and could shuttle us back if we got sick or if something happened back home. I'm already excited!

 

[Serene]

Since it looks like you're all set, I hope you won't mind me hijacking your thread just a little and asking you about St. Augustine. We've never been, but keep thinking about driving over there. We live in south Georgia.

Where do you stay? And what is there to do there besides sitting on the beach? Any restaurant recommendations, etc.?

Thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

my brother lives in St augustine.

if you like history there is a bunch of stuff to do - without a whole ton of walking...

http://www.nps.gov/casa/

http://www.oldcity.com/intro.cfm?lookup=9&check=76

http://www.ci.st-augustine.fl.us/

for eating my brother loves a seafood place along A1a - I can get more information if you want it.

 

[GeologyRocks]

Not a problem - St. Augustine is one of our favorite trips! I've been to the beach there exactly once - there's lots to do there.

Our favorite restaurant is the A1 Brewery - right across the street from the base of the Bridge of Lions. Their beer is pretty good, but their root beer is to die for! Their appetizers are large and very good, and their entrees are good too.

It's also right across the square from St. Georges Street - a walking street full of nifty little stores and eateries. In that whole area (walking distance - wear broken in shoes!) there are literally hundreds of things to do, especially historic sites.