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This forum has been really helpful with open-ended questions like this, so here goes. My wife and I (mid 40's) are planning for a 7-10 night vacation next August with our 11 year old daughter, and we're looking at various options in Europe and North America based primarily on pricing/logistics from NYC. We enjoy everything from outdoor vacations involving hiking/horseback riding/national parks to architecture and history, and we've been everywhere from Israel to Greece and Italy to the national parks in Utah and Arizona and have loved all of it.
We're considering the below options based on pricing and flight options, and in recognizing that the list seems super random, please understand that it's because we're willing to be guided by cost and logistics as opposed to pure desirability. (For example we'd love to go to Switzerland but it's out of our budget, and ditto for Yellowstone and Glacier which involve expensive indirect flights and lodging that needed to be booked already.) Any thoughts re: what to choose from the list below would be hugely appreciated - thank you!
-Azores
-Helsinki and Tallinn
-Milan (for northern Italy although I'm concerned re: hotel costs).
-Prague and/or Vienna
-Denver/Estes Park/Colorado Springs
-Northern New Mexico and SW Colorado (Santa Fe, Taos and Mesa Verde, etc.).
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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August trips you want away from tourists and from HEAT / hot weather, and forest fires.
Horses trekking in Wales, Scotland, or Ireland. (Inn to Inn via horseback, usually along the coast - unforgetable (for an 11yo girl))
Buchart Gardens / Victoria and Vancouver BC
Alaska (we booked a cabin on a cove and were treated to ocean fishing (Halibut) one day, and stream fishing (Salmon) the next). Flew in via float plane (the entire trip was very inexpensive - did not use 'tourist- accommodations' or guides...) private, referral - loggers who were taking August off due to dry forests.
Lake Louise / Glacier NP (Does not have to be expensive if planned well)
We stayed in Switzerland and Italian Alps (free to $20 / night in fantastic stays with local hosts)
Having grown up in Estes Park (on a ranch)... I would NOT go there for August, or Northen NM either. Save that for Balloon Fiesta + aspen colors (narrow gauge RR) (early October) 2023 comes with a bonus! "Ring-of-Fire' eclipse. I would plan to see it and the balloons from Sandia Casino parking lot (free).
Rte 66. Buy a trendy custom car (rust free in CA), drive it to Chicago / Detroit and sell it for $$$ to cover your trip.
Luxury? Buy a vintage (restored) GMC Motorhome https://www.youtube.com/@motorhomerehabranch
Fun... just get a Mustang convertible. Cheap, easy to resell.
Quote:
-Azores
-Helsinki and Tallinn
-Milan (for northern Italy although I'm concerned re: hotel costs).
-Prague and/or Vienna
Do this^^^ when Europe is NOT on vacation! (Late fall is nice, but days are short.
Spring is nice with flower boxes / gardens in bloom, long days) Definitely book a Viennese Formal Ball!!! (unforgetable) https://concert-vienna.com/blogs/vie...wanted-to-know
Don't miss the Dolomites!! (Tour de Italy?) Bring a Motorcycle (with sidecar for 11 yo)
Last edited by StealthRabbit; 10-05-2023 at 02:46 PM..
Tallinn and Helsinki would be cool, but, Helsinki may be a bit boring for an 11 year old. The weather would be really nice then! Tallinn is one of my favorite cities and I think it would be cool for a child to see it!
Consider Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. PEI is a beautiful place we have been visiting since 1985. We have been to all 50 states, most of Canada, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland, but still find time to get back to PEI we love it. Why….friendly locals, amazing seafood ie lobster, muscles, oysters, cod, not crowded even in the summer. Endless red sand beaches and cliffs, amazing folk music, green potato fields, bike and walking trails the entire length of the island, warm water via the Gulf Steam to swim in the ocean. Anne of Green Gables if you have kids. Best time to visit is June to September. You can get onto the island via a 8 mile long bridge or a 2 hour ferry from Nova Scotia. The largest city is Charlottetown about 50 k population with an island population of 170k. But get out and explore the countryside it’s amazing. The US to Canada exchange rate is also very favorable to us in the USA. You can fly direct to Halifax Nova Scotia from NYC and drive about 4 hours to the island. Let us know if you need more information.
Add New Brunswick, (and NS, Newfoundland), while you are in the neighborhood of PEI.
Bay of Fundy, Peggy's Cove... delightful places (that we frequent during fall colors.)
We've had some really great farm stays in each province. But I really enjoy New Brunswick farmers.
Thousand Islands and upstate NY is great too (since you are nearby).
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