Travel ideas - wed to Sun from east coast

[foodiemom]

i want to plan a quick getaway somewhere international next spring. Late April to end of May timing. We'd go for longer but are leaving three kids and have to find people to watch them. We are targeting leaving Wednesday return Sunday.

We used to be big travelers and still travel within the U.S. And to Caribbean, Mexico etc at least 1-2 times a year. The goal is to do something we can't do easily with kids, and celebrate a big anniversary, and also revive our love of international travel.

I am thinking toasting each other under the Eiffel Tower sounds amazing. But is three days enough given travel time? We are on the east coast. I've oddly never been to Paris, so that is why I am targeting there. I'd also love to do Spain at some point in life.

Any suggestions? Looking for something we could not do with kids, international, and maybe a bit romantic. We are active people, so hiking and that type of trip would be fine too. We've been to England together multiple times, also Dnemark, and Greece. Individually we have done Ireland, Amsterdam, Italy, etc.

Budget is about $3,000 or so.

[cheezer]

I think you can absolutely do it. What airport are you going to be flying out of? Getting a direct flight for such a short trip is key to me. I'd look at where you can get to from your airport and then play around with a couple different weekends. I've definitely done weekend trips to Europe a few times (I was flying from Chicago). I've been to Paris, London, Munich, and Barcelona for long weekends ranging from 2 - 4 nights. You've just got to realize you will be tired and will not have time to get over jet lag so grab a coffee or a 5 hour energy and go.

[frlcb]

I would go to South America. Colombia would go in that time frame, or even Peru. You really will have 3 days, and one will be jet lagged unless you do something like South America where the time difference is negligible. Brazil/Argentina is a long flight (9-12 or so hours from Atlanta) whereas Colombia is like 4. I've done that timeframe to Europe before, even shorter, like Thurs-Sun, or Fri-Sun, and it's tough. I was visiting my now husband so we weren't doing sightseeing and stuff, it would have been hard to do it. It is doable, just tiring. If you do Europe I would stick to somewhere in Western Europe, so Spain or Lisbon/Porto or Paris.

Does the $3000 include airfare?

[v]

Particularly if you get a direct flight, that sounds like more than enough time in Paris to make it worth it. If you go into it with the right attitude the travel time really isn't that bad. I go to London for 3 days every year and that's a great amount of time with no regrets about travel time (particularly the hours spent sleeping on the redeye there). You really can see/do a lot in a city in three days.

You should look into Iceland! Even closer and a bit tougher to do with kids particularly if you hike while you're there.

[foodiemom]

Aug 27, 2015 6:27:26 GMT -5 frlcb said:

I would go to South America. Colombia would go in that time frame, or even Peru. You really will have 3 days, and one will be jet lagged unless you do something like South America where the time difference is negligible. Brazil/Argentina is a long flight (9-12 or so hours from Atlanta) whereas Colombia is like 4. I've done that timeframe to Europe before, even shorter, like Thurs-Sun, or Fri-Sun, and it's tough. I was visiting my now husband so we weren't doing sightseeing and stuff, it would have been hard to do it. It is doable, just tiring. If you do Europe I would stick to somewhere in Western Europe, so Spain or Lisbon/Porto or Paris.

Does the $3000 include airfare?

I'd like the $3k to include airfare and hotel. I can be flexible on it including food etc. A quick Expedia search shows that is definitely doable for Paris for mid-may.

We'll fly from Providence RI or Boston. Probably Boston to get a direct flight, which to Europe are also overnight flights. I'll look into south America. I have friends from Peru who indicated that was definitely not enough time there, not to mention flights can be very expensive. We are actually toying with going to Belize for another trip in the next 18 months with friends.

[Deleted]

I'd do somewhere in central or South America. I am heavily considering Belize for an upcoming trip. There are a lot of other wonderful options in that area. I'd be a quicker flight and more fun without kids than Paris in my opinion.

[iammalcolmx]

You can do Paris Wed-Sunday

[frlcb]

From RI Paris would be fine. I think Iceland is a great suggestion too. If you were further South I would do South America.

[heyney]

Have you considered the Azores? They've recently come up on my radar.

[foodiemom]

Aug 27, 2015 11:40:17 GMT -5 heyney said:

Have you considered the Azores? They've recently come up on my radar.

We have - a bunch of my parents and friends have gone in the past year actually.

I need to look at the weather there for May, I do sort of want it to be warm enough to enjoy. Everyone I know has gone later in the year.

[neonpink]

I've done a weekend in Milan. I think I was there for 3 days including flying. It is a whirlwind but a lot of fun. I just soldiered through the no sleep and grabbed an espresso when I landed.

I think it would be awesome to do such a short trip and something that would be very hard with small kids.

[Wanderista]

I think Paris is very doable in that timeframe, especially flying from Boston. It also has some great cafes to perk up in if you are feeling laggy. I remember being tired on the first day that I arrived in Paris just from taking an early Eurostar. A quick pitstop in a cafe really did the trick and also helped me soak up the ambiance.

[Deleted]

Go to Paris!!!!

Especially if you take a Tuesday red eye, you will get all day W, Th, Fri and Sat before flying back Sunday.

I did my last fast trip there from DC 2 yrs ago, happy to share our detailed day by day schedule if you'd like a starting point.

Now I want to plan another trip there for the spring

[foodiemom]

Thanks all. Husband and I are total foodies, kids are not - I think I am targeting Paris or Spain because we would love all day to explore cafes and restaurants, take in the sights, and sleep in a nice hotel. We can even sleep off Jet Lag and party at night right??

I don't drink coffee, but I'm sure their tea is nice too.