Affordable, awesome, short-notice babymoon destination
May 1, 2018 11:16 AM Subscribe
We are looking to plan a babymoon, but we are procrastinators - where can we go, relatively inexpensively, around the second week of June? Details below the fold.
Originating airports could be Little Rock, Memphis, or Nashville. Bonus points if Southwest flies to this destination.
We like nature, beaches, forests, mountains, pools, fireplaces, hammocks, and relaxing. Big cities are acceptable if it won't be insanely hot and there is nature nearby. Our dream vacation is sitting by a pool or beach reading for several days, maybe a fancy spa-ish thing a half day, and maybe 1-2 days of "adventure" or sightseeing. [Our best vacation ever was Pacific NW, with a few days at two different resorts, and a cabin on the San Juans. We would be willing to repeat this but it was $$$$$$.]
Zika free, which eliminates Mexico & most of the Caribbean.
Our total budget (including airfare, if we can't use credit card miles, lodging, food - everything) is maximum $3,000, although less would be fantastic.
If you have specific hotels/air BnBs/lodges/resorts to suggest that would be even better! Thanks in advance!
Originating airports could be Little Rock, Memphis, or Nashville. Bonus points if Southwest flies to this destination.
We like nature, beaches, forests, mountains, pools, fireplaces, hammocks, and relaxing. Big cities are acceptable if it won't be insanely hot and there is nature nearby. Our dream vacation is sitting by a pool or beach reading for several days, maybe a fancy spa-ish thing a half day, and maybe 1-2 days of "adventure" or sightseeing. [Our best vacation ever was Pacific NW, with a few days at two different resorts, and a cabin on the San Juans. We would be willing to repeat this but it was $$$$$$.]
Zika free, which eliminates Mexico & most of the Caribbean.
Our total budget (including airfare, if we can't use credit card miles, lodging, food - everything) is maximum $3,000, although less would be fantastic.
If you have specific hotels/air BnBs/lodges/resorts to suggest that would be even better! Thanks in advance!
We rented a cottage on a lake for our baby moon. I'm in Ontario, so we went up to the Muskokas- rented a fancy cottage and just "were". We brought in a bunch of non cooking food to graze on, and some fancier cooking food too (ok- fancy being bacon and eggs!) We listened to Harry Potter on audio books, and husband went out for the papers, we drank tea and listened to the loons. It was lovely
Is there anywhere within driving distances that might appeal ?
posted by Ftsqg at 1:26 PM on May 1, 2018
Is there anywhere within driving distances that might appeal ?
posted by Ftsqg at 1:26 PM on May 1, 2018
If you enjoyed a trip to the PNW, I'd recommend going to Nova Scotia. I haven't gone, but the inlaws did, and spoke very highly of it. They're the outdoorsy type, they spent most of the time kayaking, hiking, and biking. The weather mid-June will probably be mid-70s, though potential spikes ranging from upper 50s to lower 80s. If you're just as happy being by a fireplace as a pool, this won't be a problem for you. They have several options for resort/spas, as well. According to cross_impact's excellent categorization, Nova Scotia is definitely a "Be" kind of place.
posted by FirstMateKate at 2:53 PM on May 1, 2018
posted by FirstMateKate at 2:53 PM on May 1, 2018
I'll recommend Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove for this. The closest inexpensive airport is San Jose (90 minute drive or less) though you can also fly into Monterey for more money.
We like nature, beaches, forests, mountains, pools, fireplaces, hammocks, and relaxing. Big cities are acceptable if it won't be insanely hot and there is nature nearby. Our dream vacation is sitting by a pool or beach reading for several days, maybe a fancy spa-ish thing a half day, and maybe 1-2 days of "adventure" or sightseeing.
All of this is a yes. Two caveats:
1. You absolutely can go to the beach, but it probably won't be much over 65 degrees and the water will definitely be cold.
2. It might be foggy and/or overcast.
That being said, you can do beach, hiking and forest in the same day. It almost certainly won't rain. There are definitely spas. If you want to pay for it, you can stay somewhere fancy with a pool. Lots to do in the area and the food is excellent, or you can take some space and time along the coast between Monterey and Carmel and not do much.
I'd personally recommend against staying right in Cannery Row unless you spring for a bay view with a balcony. Being out of that hustle and bustle is much more relaxing, as far as I'm concerned.
I really like Julia's in Pacific Grove. If you do 17 Mile Drive, I think the coastal areas are all that's worthwhile, unless you're a golfer.
posted by cnc at 5:13 PM on May 1, 2018
We like nature, beaches, forests, mountains, pools, fireplaces, hammocks, and relaxing. Big cities are acceptable if it won't be insanely hot and there is nature nearby. Our dream vacation is sitting by a pool or beach reading for several days, maybe a fancy spa-ish thing a half day, and maybe 1-2 days of "adventure" or sightseeing.
All of this is a yes. Two caveats:
1. You absolutely can go to the beach, but it probably won't be much over 65 degrees and the water will definitely be cold.
2. It might be foggy and/or overcast.
That being said, you can do beach, hiking and forest in the same day. It almost certainly won't rain. There are definitely spas. If you want to pay for it, you can stay somewhere fancy with a pool. Lots to do in the area and the food is excellent, or you can take some space and time along the coast between Monterey and Carmel and not do much.
I'd personally recommend against staying right in Cannery Row unless you spring for a bay view with a balcony. Being out of that hustle and bustle is much more relaxing, as far as I'm concerned.
I really like Julia's in Pacific Grove. If you do 17 Mile Drive, I think the coastal areas are all that's worthwhile, unless you're a golfer.
posted by cnc at 5:13 PM on May 1, 2018
Response by poster: Thanks for the answers, all. For future readers, we decided on the Florida Keys! Easy and super cheap to fly from Nashville to Ft. Lauderdale, so we were able to book a few nights at a super swank resort-type place. Thanks for the inspiration!
posted by raspberrE at 6:06 PM on May 3, 2018
posted by raspberrE at 6:06 PM on May 3, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
Bowen Island, a sleepy island community a ferry ride away from Vancouver, BC.
Half-Moon Bay on the California coast south of San Francisco,
and, surprising as it is to admit, a Norwegian cruise to Southern Alaska
posted by cross_impact at 11:48 AM on May 1, 2018 [3 favorites]