Where would you go?

[sunshinehighway]

We usually go to Europe about twice a year and I have learned to do it on the cheap. I still think that $3k for two people for a week is tough. An 8 day Italy package, which appears to be the shortest, is running about $2,100 a person on the site you mentioned. Factor in meals and some incidentals that are not included and that is definitely more than $3k. You may be able to do 3 nights over a weekend in a large city for $1,500 person with some research and bargains, but that is a long way to go for that short of a stay.

Note I did not search all Europe, I just used a week in Italy as an example.

The site mentioned by a previous posters has many options. It has self guided tour packages for under $1000 (and many just over $1000) for several different countries. Obviously the prices vary by airport and time of travel but there are lots of options.

 

[apress]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. We have a lot to think about. Does anyone have any suggestions for cruises. I had heard how reasonable they are, but I am not finding the deals. We were looking to leave out of Baltimore and the one I priced was from Royal Caribbean. When I figure in gratituty and the Excursions we are looking at 3500. I know I said my budget is 3000, but I feel like that is really high. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[havaneselover]

Are you a Costco member? They usually give you cash back which may help (I'm getting 7% back on my Disney Cruise). Also RC seems to frequently offer buy one get one half off fares. Is it Baltimore to Bermuda?

 

[Moomduck1]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. We have a lot to think about. Does anyone have any suggestions for cruises. I had heard how reasonable they are, but I am not finding the deals. We were looking to leave out of Baltimore and the one I priced was from Royal Caribbean. When I figure in gratituty and the Excursions we are looking at 3500. I know I said my budget is 3000, but I feel like that is really high. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

That seems high. Did you pick a suite?

 

[North of Mouse]

Not really sure where to put this question, but thought I would try here. My husband and I are looking to take a trip in July just the two of us. We both are turning 40 this year and just had our 15th wedding anniversary. We have talked about it for years, that instead of a party or gifts we should take a trip together alone without our 3 kids. We have not been away together since 2006, so it is much needed. The problem I am having is I can't figure out where to go. We talk about cruises, but have never been on one and I am not sure if I would like that. I am the type that loves to be on the go. We love Disney but my family thinks we are nuts to keep vacationing there. Plus I don't know about the guilt factor from the kids. So any suggestions on where we should go that wouldn't break the bank.

First, 'never' feel guilty about getting away, as just a couple, as this is very nurturing for you as a couple, but also the children benefit greatly from your happiness.

One suggestion that I would make is the Smoky Mountains. You like to be active, and there are lots of things to do there. Our favorite, of course, is to actually take hikes and enjoy the outdoor beauty. We camp inside the park often, but there are plenty of places to stay right north of the park in Gatlinburg, TN. This can be as economical as you like depending on what you choose to do. Have fun, and remember, as long as you have someone you trust watching your children, 'never' feel guilty!!! I speak from 'many' years of happiness and experience (48 yrs. married).

 

[apress]

That seems high. Did you pick a suite?

No, it was ocean view and 9 days.

 

[Moomduck1]

No, it was ocean view and 9 days.

NCL (Norwegian) has a week Bermuda cruise leaving out of NYC for 949 a person, but that's an inside room. That was leaving in the summer. There was a 6 day New England?Canada one as well. I'm not an expert by any means, I've only cruised 3 times. But one thing I've learned is that a lot of cruises get cheaper as it gets closer to departure. The only time this doesn't apply is if it's an unusual route, and is only offered once or twice. But if you are leaving out of NYC, NJ, or Baltimore, and are not purchasing airfare, you can afford to wait. Research the cruises. There's an awesome message board cruise critic (google it) that can help you. Sales will probably start in Jan or Feb. Just keep checking the cruise that you want and when you see a price you are willing to pay, jump on it. Several family members went with us on a cruise (Holland America) out of Montreal and finished up in Boston. (we rented a car to drive there and another car to drive back) We had 3 rooms. My sister decided to go at the last minute (a few days before) and got a really cheap deal on a room. I think the 7 day cruise was under $1000 for her. You don't have to book too many excursions. Yes, they're great. But some places have a lot to do in port as well, so you don't necessarily need to book them. If you google Tom's port guides, you will find a website that has some great guides for walking around ports on your own. Also, I found it very cool to depart from NYC. Yes, it was expensive to park your car, but seeing the statue of liberty from the cruise ship was very cool.

A nice thing that we did on our cruise was renew our wedding vows. I think it was $175 and the captain did the ceremony. We received a nice book of photos. They had a small wedding cake, and my husband and I got to cut it, just like at wedding receptions. It was very nice.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Cruising out of Baltimore is always expensive (unless it's the winter). I would not recommend it if you have a tight budget - since you're as close to NYC, I would cruise from there, b/c it will be cheaper and the ships will be bigger with more amenities.

I would do a week of weekends (yes, you would do this for 7 days in a row), and I would spent 2 days at the Hershey Park spa, 2 days in NYC going to a Broadway show, and 2-3 days in DC seeing the sites (and hitting some of the more grown-up attractions). Without kids, travel is not nearly as rough and you can travel as fast or slow as you like. Put this in whatever order you like and have a fun time. I'd maybe stop in Philly or Baltimore (or the Jersey shore) for an afternoon on the way from NYC to DC - pick all your favorite non-kid friendly sites and pick high end hotels and have fun b/c your budget will go far on this type of vacation.

 

[bcwife76]

For us we'd be heading straight to a Secrets (adult-only) resort in or around Cancun! DH and I are dying to go on an adults-only trip (we also both turn 40 in 2016) but there is no one to watch our kids so instead we are doing a week in Maui with them and a week on DCL cruise. Hard life, I know

 

[OKgirl]

My 2 favorite vacations (with or without kids) are cruising and Disney World. Most of our cruises have been with Royal Caribbean or Carnival and we enjoyed them all but RC steps it up a notch in food and entertainment (Carnival serves powdered eggs on their buffets). Celebrity was nice but the average age of other passengers had to be 60+ (i.e no night life at all on that ship, trying to navigate around 40+ scooters in the hallways at night, and generally no one else our age - we are in our 30's). Carnival has comedy shows at night which I love but the stage shows aren't as good. RC has some comedy shows but in smaller venues so you may not be able to get a seat. We love to cruise because we can visit several ports, do several different activities, and there always seems to be something fun to do. We haven't cruised Disney yet because we can get a suite on RC for the same cost as as ocean view room on Disney (and honestly, I'd rather be in a suite for the same price). You can easily book a 7 day cruise in a balcony room for less than $2000 on RC or Carnival, leaving the extra $1000 for airfare, shopping excursions. (RC has a slightly nicer clientele base as well). Any vacation without the kids is VERY SPECIAL so you really can't go wrong no matter what you choose!

 

[meggybear17]

Dive up to NYC and take one of the cruises there to bermuda. We did the norwegian breakaway in September and i believe celebrity summit also sails from nyc to bermuda in the summer. You generally spend 3 days docked in bermuda so lots of time to see everything. Most cruise lines offer some type of promo nowadays (free drinks package, free gratuities, shore exurscion credits etc.) Depending on the room category you pick you should be able to keep it around 3k even with setting aside money for excursions.

 

[The Princess]

My DH and I went to Disney in September for our 25th wedding anniversary....no kids with us!!! It was wonderful!!! We didn't have to worry about anyone but us...we loved it so much that we are going again this September!

 

[halfpintpeggy]

We love New Orleans! That being said - it's crazy humid in July. Since you are from Pa. have you considered nixing an airfare trip & driving down to Cape May? There is sooo much to see & do in Cape May & it has, IMO, some of the best restaurants in the tri state area!

 

[BSwest]

We did 5 nights in Ireland for st Patrick's day in 2012 for just over that. With the exchange rate now you could probably do longer for cheaper. It's a great place!

 

[nhgirl]

NCL Dawn - Boston to Bermuda - Departing July 1st, 2016 $3,193. two people Ocean View Deck 8. Dawn will be in dry dock for May and half of June.

 

[hodad]

Have you considered a combined trip to Seattle and the San Juan Islands?

 

[monarchsfan16]

Colorado is an awesome (and affordable) summer vacation if you like to be on the go. There's a great mix of nature and other stuff to do. We did a trip a few years ago where we flew into Denver, then spent a few nights in Colorado Springs, followed by 2 nights in Estes Park (the gateway town to Rocky Mountain National Park). While in Colorado Springs, we took the train up Pikes Peak, toured the US Olympic Training Center, drove out to Florrisant Fossil Beds (home of petrified redwoods), etc. And Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite national parks that I've been to.

We also LOVED our trip to San Antonio. Lots of history and lots of fun. The Drury Inn and Suites on the Riverwalk was a wonderful, affordable hotel.

I will also echo previous posters' love of New Orleans, but also the concern that it may be too hot and humid in July. Being from NH, I found it more humid there in late April than I found WDW in July...

 

[leebee]

Don't go to New Orleans in July. My sister lives there and she says they don't go outside at all, if they can avoid it, in July. She actually says don't go anytime between May and November- it's just SO incredibly humid and hot!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

San Antonio isn't much fun in July, either.