Empty Nest Escapes
Your job is done. You have survived the terrible-twos, the nightmare-nines and the high school years. Now it’s your turn. Maybe you’ve been planning your escape or maybe you’ve been so caught up in dorm shopping and college move-in that you forgot all about you.
Think about it. You don’t have to worry about kids’ clubs, trying to fit everyone into one room, or how you will entertain your kids. You don’t have to go to Disney just because your kids won’t go anywhere else without a fight. Best of all, since you don’t have to bring a whole brood you can splurge on what you want.
So, where will you go?
If you only have a weekend:
Montreal – Montréal, is Canada’s cultural center, and now one of the most exciting food scenes in North America. It’s a slice of old Europe surrounded by contemporary design. A day’s wander might take in the photogenic 18th-century facades of Old Montréal before a cycling tour of the lovely Canal de Lachine, or a wander through the glittering shops and restaurants of downtown before ending at the inviting terraced cafes of Plateau Mont-Royal.
California Wine Country – It’s more than just wine, although there is plenty of that. Enjoy a mud bath in Calistoga, peddle along the vineyard-lined roads, hike in nearby Redwood forests, and, of course, don’t miss the amazing cuisine of the valley from taco stands to diners to Michelin rated tasting menus.
New Orleans – Step away from the French Quarter. There is so much more to New Orleans and you don’t want to miss it because you’ve indulged in too many Hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s in the Quarter. Instead, indulge in incredible food (it’s hard to find a bad meal here), listen to world class jazz, admire the grand historic mansions and the lavish gardens of the Garden District, and explore Crescent Park, 1.4-mile-long riverfront park with walking and biking lanes and plenty of scenery.
For a little longer getaway:
Amsterdam – Amsterdam's historic canals and cobbled streets are filled with treasure: a tiny hidden garden; a boutique selling witty, stylized Dutch-designed house wares and fashion; a jewel-box-like jenever (Dutch gin) distillery; an old monastery-turned-classical-music-venue; or a an ultra-niche restaurant focused on avocados or strawberries or one reinventing age-old Dutch classics. Visit cutting-edge art galleries and world-famous museums housing Golden Age treasures as you peddle through the city’s atmospheric narrow lanes like a local.
Paris – Romantic, culture-rich, and gorgeous. Whether it’s your first visit to the City of Lights or your third, there is always something new to explore. Spend time strolling along the monument-lined boulevards, exploring the city’s artistic treasures, and take a food tour in the Marais. Or head out of the city and explore the spectacular wine regions of Reims or the Loire Valley.
Dublin – Dublin is all cobbled streets and classic pubs with a dash of literary history thrown in for good measure. Even the cabbies (the friendliest you will ever meet) are known to quote Oscar Wilde, the city’s favorite son. While you are there you can drink in the history with an expertly poured Guinness, take a private pub crawl with your guide who might break into song on a street corner, listen to an impromtu set of trad music at a local pub, explore the city’s burgeoning food scene (really!), spend your days on world famous golf courses, or use the city as a jumping off point to explore the rest of the Emerald Isle.
For a week or more:
Take a Cruise – It’s not too late for a European river cruise this fall. Many luxury cruise lines are offering discounts on cruises through December.
Sail along the Rhine River and experience the historic heritage of regal Esztergom or ancient Bratislava as you explore Central and Eastern Europe on cruises from Regensburg, Budapest, Vienna or Passau. Or, discover the scenic Rüdesheim, medieval Ghent or quaint Middelburg out of Amsterdam, Basel, Frankfurt or Mainz.
On the Danube you can travel to legendary destinations from Vilshofen to Budapest. Explore a 2,000 year-old city, savor Wachau Valley wines, and experience the timeless beauty and fascinating history of Vienna and Budapest. Let the hills come alive with the sounds of music in Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District.
Or sail along the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam and be transported to another era, where the rhythms of the countryside move at a slower pace. Visit rural villages, colorful markets, and monasteries where you will receive a special blessing from a Buddhist monk.
Start checking off your bucket list - Visit South Africa, sail the Greek islands, peddle along the Mekong - the world is your oyster. And since you don't have to schedule your trips during school vacations anymore you can hit the hotspots during shoulder season when the weather is best and the crowds are sparse.
Contact Houlahan Travel at 847.868.4502 for more information about the suggested trips or for any of your travel needs.