Take Me Away...

Doc and I are very much in need of an important vacation. We are just now getting settled in to our lives with our new house, new baby, new jobs, etc. Unfortunately, because of all of the changes, now is not the time. We need something relaxing, but fun. Doc is wanting to do something different. He grew up going to the beach several times a year because his parents own a home in Sarasota (or Siesta Key) in Florida. He says he's sort of over the beach scene, which I guess I understand, although I am obsessed with the ocean (like most people) and would love to spend a week at the beach. One thing we agree on is that we want to do something different. Florida isn't really an option since we've both been all over Florida a million times. The desired date in mind will probably be April 2012. It seems forever away, but realistically, we can't go before that. Like I said, we both have great jobs that we really can't leave even for a week right now. Then there is of course Christmas, Jamyn's birthday, Glenna's Birthday, then Doc Thomas' birthday, Maxwell's Birthday, then Jackson's birthday, lol...Its a busy time of year. Emma's birthday is the 20th of April, but we could plan around that. Thus, April it is...

Below, I've included some possibilities for destinations. I'd like to skip the hotel route and rent a house, cottage, or villa for the week. I like going that route because its more private, less touristy and gives more flexibility. I know we'll need to budget for airline (unless the destination is drivable in a day or less,) and then a rental car if we're flying. I know there is going to be a lot that we want to do - I don't want to have to rely on cabs to get us around. I'm trying to stick it to a $2000-2500 budget - that's for everything...we'll see what we can do!
Sedona, AZ

Flights to Sedona are around $500/pp. kinda steep if you ask me - but it just might be worth it! Or maybe, we could drive straight through - depending upon the other expenses. We plan on taking around $500 extra for spending money (that's outside of the vacation budget). We'll hope to do a lot of breakfast and lunches at the house/condo, whatever, and then go out for dinner each night.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360697
1/br, 1/ba listed at $1,498

Enjoy million dollar views from your luxury vacation villa for two, with romantic seclusion and both indoor and outdoor hot tubs. Perched on a hillside above Sedona's exclusive Gallery District, Casa Cielo (House of the Sky), features wonderful views of Sedona's famous red rocks and clear blue skies. The 850 square foot guest house is constructed in a carriage house configuration, up a flight of steps from the parking level. Enjoy wonderful privacy and no common walls with the main house. The villa is ideally situated within walking distance of fabulous shops, galleries, restaurants, Oak Creek and National Forest hiking trails and free bus service. Secluded and peaceful, it is the perfect adult non-smoking retreat Palm Springs, CA

Flights to Palm Springs are around $350-$400. We would have to fly I would think in order to make this trip beneficial. So we'd have to consider car rental as part of our budget. With this option, we could potentially even invite another couple to join us which would decrease our costs all the way around...not sure if we would want to go that route - but its nice to have the option.
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p324951
2br/2ba
This family home is centrally located a mile from downtown Palm Springs in the exclusive Ruth Hardy Park neighborhood. Called an 'oasis within an oasis' the location boasts easy access to a huge variety of amenities, and famous past residents such as Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope. Walk or ride to Ruth Hardy park and enjoy 8 tennis courts, space to run your dog, dramatic mountain views, and a large children's play area. Grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and movie theaters are conveniently just down the road. Golf at the nearby Mesquite Country Club, or bike to the Palm Springs Convention center and Spa & Casino. With extensive views of the Mountain range you'll want to experience the nearby hiking as well as the Aerial Tram. Day trips to Joshua Tree and surrounding desert communities such as Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta makes our home in Palm Springs the right choice for your desert experience.


I'll come back to this - there are several other options that I want to explore. Doc has expressed interest in seeing San Diego, CA. I'm interested in checking out what Tybee Island in Georgia has to offer...so stay tuned for more possibilities!