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October mini-trip ideas?
And so begins my hunt for a fall break mini-trip with our herd (2 adults, 3 young children). Mid-October.
Key ingredients to my ideal trip (in order of importance):
- plenty of seat availability in higher classes - 3 of us will want to fly business/first each way (toddler and a parent will stay in back)
- minimal cost - DL is our preferred airline because of this, but accommodations & activities & transportation in the destination should be on the low price end but of course with 5 people we have to be creative with our accommodations sometimes
- minimal connections - we will already have one flight just getting to a hub, so a destination that is a direct flight from a hub is preferred since we'll be on a time constraint (trying to avoid nastygrams from the elementary school principal for repeat absences)...fewer connections also make life easier on the toddler (and her escorts and seat companions)...we will be leaving from Oklahoma or Arkansas (TUL or XNA)
- EUROPE
- something to do for everyone...not really interested in a beach trip this time; history would be nice; we have a toddler and 2 young boys, so places to play will be needed; ability to interact with locals is always fun for us - this could play into our accomodations
Suggestions? TIA
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And when I say minimal cost, I mean less than $1000 for the entire trip. Preferably $600 or less. Don't laugh - that's what it cost us for a over a week in Japan (all 5 of us)! If I don't get Europe, I'm probably bound for Arizona, northern Georgia, or Ohio. Take pity on my children and help them see the world!
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With the 5 of you why not YUL or YYZ? Weather is still good, flights 60% full, still in North America..TUL-DTW-YUL. Only RJ's though.
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Homestay in Korea? They fawn over children there. Incheon airport is an experience in itself. How old are the boys? Maybe Costa Rica--skip the beaches anyway and go interior. Lake Atitlan Guatemala could be an option, with stop in Antigua on the way.
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DCA is great in October. Indian summer. Ottawa Canada, Montreal or Toronto, all very nice during Indian summer. Niagra definately, you can do that in conjunction with a trip to Toronto. You'll like it better than that heat over there in Muskogee.
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Just another reason why I love this board...my friends and co-workers would say "Why would you want to go to a different country?"
Might consider Canada...I like Toronto, but never been to Montreal. I like to 60% loads! Niagara Falls (I insist on the Canadian side) is actually on our list of places to go within the next 12 - 18 months. Costa Rica - hmmm...my toddler is the reason I didn't get to go last time, so that might be a good choice. Guatemala also sounds good. But Korea? That's probably gotta be the one the really surprised me! Definitely hadn't considered visiting. My last visit wasn't that pleasant (a fever of 104 didn't really help), and I honestly have never thought about returning. Maybe I should consider it. I like the idea of a place that fawns over children (mine are 9, 7, and 2). A homestay is definitely what I'm secretly hoping to do - just seems like the best way to experience a different culture.
Thanks for the ideas! And keep them coming! I've got places to start looking into now.
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29palms do not get me started on "local" trips. "We have a castle in Muskogee, you don't need to go to a foreign country for that." Ugh. DCA might be good for my boys - I've been wanting to head to the Smithsonian for a few days - and plenty of affordable timeshare condos nearby to fit our herd.
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I was in Korea but on a military excercise Team Spirit 89 at Pohan for a month. Interesting place but I prefer other destinations in Asia. Europe??? I like SPAIN. Southern Spain, around Rota, Puerto de Santa Maria, Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz, (ANDALUSIA region of Spain). Maybe there are prettier areas of Spain or different regions, but this is where I was so its the only one I know. Beautiful place great people. I could definately live there. To get to that area of Spain, I suspect you would have to fly into Cadiz from some local airline. Never quite checked it out. But this was around 1990-91 time frame. It's been more than 20. I guess if you can get to anywhere in Spain, you are in the PLUS.
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Most Spanish destinations for DL are very reasonable. Malaga might be good for your familia. I've been once, but I think our season will be over early Oct.
Re Korea--there is a large network somewhere online for homestays. Don't recall the name, tho. I think it sounds fascinating.
Gautemala and the lake would be most interesting with the "mystic" atmosphere and volcanoes. Towns/villages accessible by local boat service or by car. Or you can take chicken buses from GUA to Antigua (coffee plantations and colonial museums, etc) then Panajachel @ Atitlan.
DC sounds like great idea--look at homeaway.com, too. or airbnb.com and the Metro is so easy.
Keep searching and keep us posted!