Where would you go?

[tinkerfan1]

I have no idea if it would be the right amount of money or enough time but I'd love to go across the country and stop various places. For example, I've never been to Disney Land. Go there, go to Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, the Four Corners area, the Colorado mountains. I'd just like to work my way across the country, I guess is what I'm saying, visiting various national parks, and maybe ending at Disney Land.

 

[PatsGirl]

Go to Costa Rica, it is amazing! We went last year for 3 weeks and loved it! We plan to go there many times in the future. Beach, mountains, volcanos, monkeys, birds, nature nature nature--adventure---! Ziplining, rafting, horseback riding--they have it all!

I just spent the last couple of hours looking at CR and I think it might be a go Airfare (according to a few websites) for this spring are around $300RT from Boston and that leaves alot of money for other expenses.

I would love to hear more about where you stayed and an example itinerary if you want to help a DISer Feel free to PM me and I can forward my email. Just for some idea of prices I did look at some 4* hotels (probably not what we would want for more than a few nights here and there) but the Marriott Costa Rica runs $250, Doubletree $150 and Hilton around $200. Of course, I know these are this years prices. On the other hand, I didn't take the time to look for discounts, etc. IRL, we prefer smaller, more casual hotels but if we find ourselves in the cities, it is nice to have a pool and pool bar for relaxing

 

[PatsGirl]

I'd take her to Europe. There's a lot you can do there in four weeks. If you're flexible on dates you can get cheap flights.

I've traveled extensively in Europe and would love to go back but I don't think DD could stand more than a week of historical sightseeing (not to mention that she only eats kid-friendly and that takes alot of fun out of Europe, doesn't it) and I am really leaning towards warmer weather. Unfortunately, if I want to take more than 10 days it has to be in April so I'm limited as for as climate.

 

[Mom21]

Try this site for Costa Rica. haven't used it, but has nice prices and it includes some that are 2 or 3 hotels and will transfer you. You can do the rainforest and then the volcano, and then the beach. Sounds nice to me

Editing to add the link.....LOL

http://www.vacationscostarica.com/packages/familyfriendlyadventure.htm

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Australia - we have friends and family there - but it will cost a family of 4 more than $5k...

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I did take a look at Australia but I'm a bit lost...seems that the weather would be in the 50s unless we went really south, have you been? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Seasons are reversed, as they are in the Southern hemisphere, but they don't get nearly as cold as do we. Their cities are on the coast, which makes it even warmer.

Just about everyone in my family has been but me. We will likely go in 2012. While planning for the trip, we have decided to layover in Fiji on the way there, then in Hawaii on the way back...

 

[abdmom]

I took a student field trip to Costa Rica once upon a time. It's a very budget friendly place. San Jose itself is nothing special. I would recommend the Puntarenas area on the Pacific coast. Wonderful resorts there. I'm told that the Atlantic coast has malaria. Check out the volcanoes too. Ooh - Monteverde too!

 

[Evil Genius]

I went to San Diego last year for my 50th and had a wonderful time. Plenty to do and some beautiful beaches. Of course with 4 weeks, you could really enjoy the whole state!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I'm with you, I'd totally spend 4 weeks in Europe visiting Venice, Tuscany, Rome, the Amalfi Coast then Switzerland, Germany and somewhere French countryside. As it happens I was in a Dr's office reading an issue in Conde Nast about Venice and it made me all dreamy about it.

If cross country is the way to go then maybe start thinking of a theme. Possibly an amusement park quest or even asking around for different festivals across the US so you can zig zag your way through with nice little events here & there. I always wanted to do the Pigjig in Georgia and here in Bethlehem PA Musikfest is wonderful. Theme parks give you Cedar Point in Ohio on your way across the country, then there's Dorney Park, Hershey park in PA, Kings Dominion in Va, Dollywood, Graceland (not an amusement park but up there on my list anyway).

 

[scrapquitler]

I did take a look at Australia but I'm a bit lost...seems that the weather would be in the 50s unless we went really south, have you been? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

No, never been but would love to!

 

[FireDancer]

If I had a month I would do an adventure trip through Europe. I would start in Norway and end in Sicily and do a combination of Kayaking, hiking, cycling, and running along the way. If you are willing to camp out at least some of the nights as opposed to staying in the center of European capitals the price isn't as terrible as you'd think. Luckily Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Spain are doing their best to devalue the Euro at the moment so the exchange isn't as bad as it has been. I am planning on doing a 2 week version of just that in Sept 2011 in France, Germany, and Austria.

If I was looking for something a bit more budget friendly I would probably do the same only through Africa. Kenya and Tanzania have turned into pretty decent and not overly expensive adventure sport areas and then I could mountaineer Kilimanjaro.

 

[Diznotyzed]

Our daughter lived in Costa Rica for a year and 1/2 and we loved our week long visit with her there. She was based up in the mountains in Monteverde, where we zip-lined (and the guides started calling us Mama & Papa since we were there with our daughter), hiked in the cloud forest and visited a butterfly research station. We'd flown into Liberia, and started the week at Playa Ocotal doing the beach thing, and finished up at the Arenal volcano, which was amazing. We had a volcano view room at Arenal Observatory Lodge, where we watched the volcano into the wee hours both nights. Our week went by way too fast, but we had a great time!

 

[aprilgail2]

I am doing a trip like that in 3 years- I turn 50 a few months before I retire and then once school ends (my daughter will be graduating Jr. High that year) we are going to take off for up to 8 weeks and just drive across the US- we are driving first from NY to Washington, then down the pacific coast, through Vegas, New Mexico, Az and across to Florida and then back up the east coast. My daughter has been picking out places she would like to see like Mt. Rushmore,Hover Dam etc so we will be hitting all those plus lots of others!

 

[PixieTopaz]

The best family trip we ever took was a camping trip out west. We saw Carlsbad Caverns, Painted Desert, Cliff Dwellings, santa Fe,Rocky Mountains, and the grand canyon.

 

[pyrxtc]

I say check out the Adventures By Disney site. they have so much you can do and it is all guided so you don't get lost or miss out on anything fun. My DH and I plan on doing the African Safari when our kids are old enough to leave home for that long.

 

[MrsSpratt]

Drive Route 66. I've done it with my mother - there are VERY cool older hotels along the way, you can catch the Grand Canyon, and end up in California - DISNEY LAND!

Start in Chicago - catch a show, go to a museum or two, get in a convertible, and GO! See the St. Louis Arch, see the beautiful mid-west - and meet some of the nicest folks on the planet. Catch the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. Stay at the El Centro in Gallup. Pull into the tourist traps. Stay only if it makes you laugh really hard.

Note: Momma and I have some rules that make trips like this more fun: No National chains for food - local only. (Going to Mickey D's for a coke is allowed....getting breakfast there isn't.) Seek out local cuisine. Avoid main Highways where ever possible. Dawdle. Stop often. If you make a mistake and miss an exit, call "Do-Over!" and NO COMPLAINING ABOUT THE MISTAKE ALLOWED. Even if you go 6 hours out of your way. (No, this hasn't happened...)

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me - as you can tell, I've really enjoyed doing this with my Mom - it is our own "Thelma and Louise" minus the really sad end.

 

[golfgal]

I'd take her to Europe. There's a lot you can do there in four weeks. If you're flexible on dates you can get cheap flights.

I would do this as well. There is SO much to do there and the historical sites in Europe aren't quite the same as they are here. In 4 weeks you can pretty much hit every European country if you wanted. I would spend part of the time in Germany/Austria then make my way down to France/Italy, including some time on the beaches and if there was time into Greece and the Med. If your DD would get bored on a trip like that then I would find someone else to go with . As for food, it wouldn't hurt her at all to expose her to new foods but keep in mind, there are fast food joints all over Europe too .

 

[Melmac]

I did take a look at Australia but I'm a bit lost...seems that the weather would be in the 50s unless we went really south, have you been? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I went to Australia last March and the weather was beautiful! We spent a week in Adelaide (south-central Australia) which ran about 75-85F, a week in Cairns (north-west Australia - gateway to the Great Barrier Reef) which ran about 85-100F (with lots of humidity - Cairns is in the middle of the rainforest) and Sydney (south-east Australia) which was about 70-80F (seemed windier in Sydney and that made it a little chilly.

I have family there and they said that March-April and September-October are the best times.

Looks like you might be leaning towards Costa Rica. I had two couple friends that went for their honeymoon and they all loved it! I can't comment since I haven't been but they said it was friendly (a PP said this too) and really reasonably priced. Have fun whatever you decide to do!

 

[clutter]

Drive Route 66. I've done it with my mother - there are VERY cool older hotels along the way, you can catch the Grand Canyon, and end up in California - DISNEY LAND!

There's a book called The Leisure Seekers about that. Sort of.

Anyway, much as I'd love to do Africa, you're talking a couple of grand for airfare, aren't you? With a $5k budget, I just don't see overseas travel. My dd12 and I are DYING to do the Disney South Africa tour, but for 2 of us, it's expensive, and that's before airfare!

That said, I'd certainly fly out to the midwest, rent a car and do a 1/2 cross country trip. I did the western drive in my 20s and it was wonderful! I did a drive-away (drive someone else's car for them) then flew back east. Did the North route, which was wonderful! But why not fly into Chicago, take the north route west, go south along the coast, drive back east to maybe Texas and fly home? If I could take four weeks off, I'd do that in a heartbeat!

 

[Pakey]

I've been doing a dream trip every year since hitting 50; got 4 under my belt now. This year is Egypt. However, we aren't doing these trips for $5000 per person. The Adventures by Disney trips are out too; we did one of those and they are over your budget too, even the least expensive one.

I agree with many of the PP's; a road trip to the west coast would be your best bet to bring it in on your budget. There is quite a bit to see out here.