I got a big more of a bonus than I expected and still have two weeks vacation remaining.

Sure this is a vague question but I need suggestions on vacationing in or out of the country for a four day weekend on US$1,000 or less.

I do have 160,000 miles on UA and 95,000 miles on AA and 60,000 priority club points.

I have never been anywhere in the northeast (boston, nyc, philadelphia, maine, vermont, n.h.)

First, congrats on that bonus!!

How about a couple of starting factors:

a) How soon is your time frame for the four-day weekend?

b) How about something about your and your travel companion's interests and what you'd like this vacation to be - urban adventure? lay on the beach soaking up rays? sports event? There's endless options - please tell us a bit more so we can help

[This message has been edited by Non-NonRev (edited 08-13-2000).]

"I got a big more of a bonus"...typing camp maybe?
P.S. the prority club points are pretty useless without much advance notice. You need paper certificates.

Visit the northeast in autumn when the leaves are turning.

I would likelty (intentional typo for cigarman) travel on my own sometime between now and the end of the year spanning a thu-sun or fri-mon. So I do have apprehensions about travelling out of the US alone.

I am up for outdoors/nature. I don't do well on my own in massive metro areas like NYC or LA.

I'd thought about New England states in the fall but wonder how packed out it gets with foliage tourists?


cigarman... Have you EVER had any useful information to add to a topic?
Or are you the designated jerk for ft? Maybe the smoke has clouded your mindset/darkened you to be so negative? You must be a blast to herf with.

Instead of cigarman you should be named 'DOG ROCKET' because your posts tend to be in poor taste!

The historic Equinox in Manchester, Vermont, is dreamy in the Autumn. Outdoor recreation, shopping and dining abound. Foliage peak is second week of October. Fly AA into ALB, about 90 minutes southwest.

0524,

You've hit the proverbial right on the head! That sounds perfect.

First go to a video rental place and rent an old movie, Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeves (have kleenex and no disturbance, as the movie should be viewed stright thru.

After viewing the movie, make reservations for the Somewhere in Time reunion at The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island (may be sold out by now). Lots of attendees where period costumes. Hat boxes galore on the ferry. Lot of fun, very classey. High end, but a perfect way to have a first class time. There too you see the leaves turning, take a surry ride, dine in 5* elegance, abiet somewhat worn. Have a glass of very fine wine in a elegant library/bar. Few children attend this event. The rooms are period decorated and modest in size.


Even if you can't go that weekend, go another time. The hotel has the longest pourch of any building in the world, the grounds are pretty and the island very upscale and quaint. Definitely go upstairs in the lounge during the day (wine in hand?) and savor the view!

"I am up for outdoors/nature. I don't do well on my own in massive metro areas like NYC or LA."

NYC and LA in the same breadth - I don't know about that! We're talking like two different countries here!

Of course, I'd go with a trip to NYC anytime!

ranles-
Isn't it Mackinac Is? I think so (as opposed to Mackinaw City! )

FWIW, I recall that the Grand used to be entirely seasonal, closing in October as well! Timing is nearly everything, eh!

BTW - kst8wct & cigarman - Let's all please not be so sensitive/insensitive/cranky or whatever!

I liked cigarman's comments. Perhaps I'm being naive - but I assumed he penned it with a smile on his farce (oops, I mean face).

Dear kst8wct;
My favorite place in the autumn in the NE, since that's the area you mentioned, is Vermont. I'm starting a habit of visiting the northern Vermont (NE Kingdom) mountains for their beauty, lovely country roads and wonderful B&B/Inns. Also, if you want to enjoy the favorable US/Canadian $ exchange rate, it's not too far to drive across the border into Quebec(Montreal) for a "bit of France". I don't want to give away all my finds, but I'm sure you'll discover your own favorites. I can recommend Jeff's Maine Seafood Restaurant in St. Albans,VT (We ate there almost every day during our stay in the area).
Enjoy your vacation, what ever you choose to do!

OK - how many pretty leaves can one look at? Maybe I'm too jaded (or too much of a New Yorker), but I just don't see the attraction to colorful leaves, country roads (unless I'm speeding along on my way to somewhere), etc. as a vacation. I did like the suggestion of the Equinox - some great restaurants and shopping around there, but I prefer it when there's snow on the ground!

beantownflyer... and try to sweep gallons of the fallen leaves off your yard!

Go to London at the end of January for that vacation as shopping is really good and you can buy early Christmas gifts. I'll be at Harrods!

Hello kst8wct,

I have to ditto the turning of the leaves, but also agree with Beaner and "how many days" of tree watching can one do? Another option that would afford turning of the colors AND being close to other options, including big cities, historical attractions, American Indian life and other assorted amenites would be visiting the mountains of Western North Carolina/Eastern Tennessee. If this interests you in any way, send me an e-mail and I'll do what I can to pipeline you some info. If you opt for that and would be here mid-week I would be more than happy to show you some of the area sites. I'm out of town almost every weekend during college football season.