Post by vadasultenfuss on Apr 12, 2015 21:08:38 GMT -5
DH and I are looking for some Thanksgiving travel plans. We have the whole week off work, so we'd probably be up for 6 days/5 nights, if we stay in a close tine zone or 5 days/4 nights, if we're too far from central time.
We love natural beauty, loathe tourist traps but appreciate cultural attractions. We're not against simple accommodations but aren't down for roughing it. I love every wine-producing area I've ever been - be it in Europe or Africa or California, so warm climate and coastal geography would probably be amazing, but I'm up for suggestions to just about anywhere. DH isn't an experienced traveler, so English should probably be a widely used language, though I know that can be found most everywhere these days. We don't want to do a cruise.
Post by rupertpenny on Apr 13, 2015 6:38:15 GMT -5
I have also been to Iceland for Thanksgiving but I'm not sure I'd recommend it. The short days might make it hard to do everything you might want to do.
Have you been to Portugal before? Of course it depends on airfare, but if you can get decent tickets I think you could easily do a week there on your budget. Portugal is already cheap by European standards and if they dollar stays strong it will be even a better deal. My H and I went a few years ago and rented a great apartment in the Alfama neighborhood of Lisbon for less than $75 a night. And of course the wine is great!
We were planning a trip to Argentina over Thanksgiving before we lost our babysitter, Buenos Ares and Mendoza because we are also into wine. From what I researched it sounds a lot like what you are looking for.
Post by majesty318 on Apr 13, 2015 13:59:21 GMT -5
cheezer - sorry to thread jack, but we visited San Miguel de Allende just after New Year's and were underwhelmed. It's expensive (for Mexico) and there are so many ex-pats that I felt its losing some authenticity. However, we also visited Queretaro (slightly closer to Mexico City) and I absolutely LOVED it. It is cheaper and so quaint. They had tons of street fairs while we were there, great food, and it's well-located in case you want to do any other day trips. We actually went to SMA from there. In case you are interested, we stayed here and it was fantastic: www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g479232-d1486270-Reviews-La_Casa_del_Atrio-Queretaro_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html
cheezer - sorry to thread jack, but we visited San Miguel de Allende just after New Year's and were underwhelmed. It's expensive (for Mexico) and there are so many ex-pats that I felt its losing some authenticity. However, we also visited Queretaro (slightly closer to Mexico City) and I absolutely LOVED it. It is cheaper and so quaint. They had tons of street fairs while we were there, great food, and it's well-located in case you want to do any other day trips. We actually went to SMA from there. In case you are interested, we stayed here and it was fantastic: www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g479232-d1486270-Reviews-La_Casa_del_Atrio-Queretaro_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html
I loved Queretaro too and have been there over Thanksgiving. It was great. We also stayed at La Casa del Atrio!
I also recommend Guanajuato which is in the same area. I liked San Miguel fine, but have only been there on a day trip. Mexico City is great too.
cheezer, just wanted to tag you so you saw this too. I love central Mexico and get so excited when others go too. I feel like no one visits there and it so nice and so close to the U.S. If you decide to go for sure, let me know and I will have lots of tips for you.
I've been to Spain but not Portugal. I'll check their weather for November.
I've been to Lisbon in early December and the weather was great. November would probably be good, too.
If you are interested in staying closer, Vieques (Puerto Rico) is lovely in November. Not sure when direct flights to Havana will be happening on commercial airlines, but I would also vote for Cuba at that time of year.