I would appreciate some suggestions on where to go on vacation in November, 2001. I have finally managed to build up enough American Airlines miles to fly first class anywhere in the world and enough Starwood points to stay at any of their hotels(any class) anywhere in the world. Where would you go for at the most one week (it's really all I can get off) next November? We have been to New Zealand (which we loved), Australia (which was good), Hawaii (don't want to go back there for awhile), Singapore (ok for a couple of days, but we were there for a week and could not stand the heat and humidity). I would feel more comfortable in a place where the language would not be a problem (when I was in Germany in the Air Force in the late 60's, many times the locals would not speak English even if they knew how, not that I blame them). We have always rented a car overseas so as long as the street signs were in English and traffic wasn't too bad that wouldn't be a problem. To tell you the truth, we hate and won't go on excursions the hotel might arrange where you are crammed into a minivan with too many other people, or on a tour bus where you are stuck all day whether you want to be or not. I would rather be able to pay (and feel safe) a driver to take us sightseeing for a day.

We don't mind (and would enjoy) just sitting in a hotel room (if it's really nice) for some of the time. An indoor pool would be nice also. I don't want to be somewhere where I have to spend a hundred dollars for every meal. Walking to a bakery for some rolls for breakfast and McDonalds for takeout for dinner would be fine for most days. My wife loves to shop so stores within walking distance would be nice.

The first-class flight itself would be a big part of the fun also (obviously not a flight within the states where first class is not much better than economy on some routes and planes).

Sightseeing is fine for awhile, but an old building is still an old building in any country you happen to be in.

If the place you suggest is cold in November that would not be a problem.

We aren't big on nightlife and usually are done for the day by suppertime.

I've searched this site and seen many people's suggestions but I really need to be specific on the airline and the Starwood hotels.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.

[This message has been edited by scrog (edited 12-22-2000).]

"my wife loves to shop" (how about a mall)

"Starwood Hotel" (Westin?)

"American Airlines" (where does AA have flights?)

"Walking to a bakery"

I had the Westin in the Dallas Galleria going until you said,

"obviously not a flight within the states..."

I just got back from 8 days in Barcelona, but Starwood does not have a property there. Perhaps Madrid or Malaga?

I think you are already there in the Republic of Texas. They speak English (sort of), they have lots of McDonald's, plenty of shopping, your choice of Westins and Sheratons. You don't even need to use the miles for this trip. Give them to me! I'll go to Paris. I'll take on the burden of struggling with my French, reading the International road signs, enjoying the cafes, boulangeries, etc. And I think we'd both be very happy.

Las Vegas or Beverly Hills sounds about right.

good shopping in Japan or Seoul Korea!!

Right here in sunny S. Florida !

------------------
MRKEY

scrog, a man after my own heart. Don't listen to these cynics. I completely understand your tastes (I think). That said, I would suggest London. Not very exotic but has everything else you asked for. And on Regents Blvd there's a McDonalds every two blocks (I know, I counted!)

ENJOY!

Italy!
You can drive to see the sights you want to see. Your wife can shop at Coin (a nice department store) and the two of you can eat at tavalo caldo(s) very inexpensively. November would be a great time to go. The tourists, for the most part, have gone home. You can relax and enjoy Italy. Check out some of the options at www.igougo.com

People are negative! (at times)

I put some thought into this. You might try Nevis - St. Kitts. Its an Island nation in the Bahamas, small, friendly, sit around the pool, walk to everything. Max speed limit is 35. The people are very friendly. The bar is a lot of fun. One week is more than enough time to see everything. And AA flys there.

Florence. It will be cold, but wonderful!

I would suggest a trip to Venice. Although AA does not fly there directly, you can fly into Rome and then take a EuroStar Italia train (not expensive and very nice) into Venice. The trip is about 3-4 hours. A second plan would be to use AA's codeshare flight directly into the city. (American Airlines flight 6273)
There are quite a few Starwood properties in Venice, inluding the Danieli (excellent), Europa y Regina (not so excellent) and a few others.

Plat4Life--Nevis-St. Kitts is a real nice place, but it ain't in the Bahamas, unless they moved it!


Djlawman


[This message has been edited by Djlawman (edited 12-27-2000).]

Antalya & Istanbul, Turkey!

Turkish Airlines is codesharing with American Airlines and have flights to IST from MIA, ORD and JFK direct. Domestic flights to AYT from IST may be added to your award ticket.

Accomadation and dining are very cheap in Turkey if you are not too choosy. And there are McDonalds' every corner.

There are not many Starwood properties. One Sheraton in Antalya and another in Ankara. Though the Sheraton Voyager in Antalya is an old property, it is a good one and there are so many things to see around Antalya like the birth place of Santa Claus, Roman Cities and Antique Theathers.

And for your stopever in Istanbul, i can recommend Istanbul Hilton, Hyatt Regency or Conrad International. No Starwood property in Istanbul. Old Sheraton tower is now Ceylan Inter-Continental.

Well, driving would be a problem in Istanbul but definetly not in Antalya. Turkish drivers aren't rated as the best and most considerate drivers of the world. ))

My $0.02...

I just returned home from Aruba the other day. I thought I was in heaven...Enough like the US to be comfortable, but different enough to make it interesting.

I dunno their schedule, as I'm a UA man, but seems as if AA has quite the frequent service there.

As for Starwood, I don't think there is a property on Aruba, but stayed at an excellent resort--the Aruba Sonesta Resort & Suites (which is somehow connected to AA--you get miles as I saw at check in--so you may want to see if any way to swing rooms through AA points)...Had a suite, so don't know what the standard room is like--but all was clean, well decorated and relatively new...TONS of shopping connected to the hotel from souvenir shops to Gucci and the like, plus a casino. Good food in the hotel and lots of nearby restaurants as well...Plus McDonald's nearby and a Wendy's connected to the hotel shopping center.

The kicker was the fact that the hotel has its own private island just off the coast of Aruba. A canal runs through the lobby where you hop on a boat (departs every 15 minutes)and head out to their little island (total trip time 15 minutes...The island has tennis courts, a shop, and 2 beaches-one being topless (way overrated--I kept to the standard beach myself). There's also a Snackbar/restaurant/bar on the island and servers come around to the beaches and bring you drinks.

[This message has been edited by MBS PremExec (edited 12-28-2000).]

Thanks to everyone for the ideas, I still haven't decided where to go yet, all these places do sound nice, especially Texas.