Charleston, SC
One of the South’s most beautiful and best-preserved cities. Its treasured, double-galleried antebellum homes are authentically furnished house museums. Heading down in the low season can save you big money (just after New Year’s is a perfect -- and slow -- time for a pre-Valentine’s Day, kids-free romantic weekend).
Stay where? The Vendue Inn. Starting at $170 per night, this hotel is in the heart of Charleston's Historic District, known as the French Quarter, and has the most romantic canopy beds. The area is one block from the harbor and steps from everything you’ll want to explore, including the cutest boutiques and awesome restaurants. The weekend must? Taking in the harbor view from the inn’s noted Rooftop Bar & Restaurant.
Info: vendueinn.com, (843) 577-7970
The Berkshires
Northeast New York’s hidden gem, especially for nature lovers.
Stay where? During the off-season (November through April), you can find rooms at historic inns, like The Inn at Green River starting at $110 a night. Even during the high summer season, the most expensive rooms don’t exceed $250! Nearby, you can tour the Norman Rockwell Museum, listen to classical music on the lawn at the world-famous Tanglewood, and visit well-regarded theater venues.
Info: innatgreenriver.com, (518) 325-7248
U.S. Tour
Take a road trip. For seven nights, go kitsch and rent a Winnebago to drive south from San Francisco to San Diego on the Pacific Coast Highway; take Route 66 from Chicago to L.A.; or head down Route 1 from Maine to Miami.
Stay where? Your Winne, of course. But take a break from the car cabana and overnight at a campground or pitch a tent on the beach.
Info: elmonterv.com
Las Vegas, NV
Sin City’s recent campaign, "What Happens Here, Stays Here," epitomizes the town’s guilty pleasures. Try your luck at the tables at Wynn Las Vegas, the most expensive casino resort ever built, and then party with the pretty people at Ghostbar on the 55th floor of the Palms.
Stay where? Even if you’re not a gambler, you can still be a high roller in Vegas. Stay just off the strip -- the Palms, the Rio -- for less than $200 a night. Bonus: Recently, The Ritz Carlton on Lake Las Vegas had rooms for less than $150 a night.
Info: The Palms;
Rio Las Vegas;
Lake Las Vegas
Quebec City
Feel like you’re in France without the six-hour time difference. Quebec City is one of our favorite trips this side of the Atlantic.
Stay where? There are so many quaint B&Bs -- or get in on the deals and discounts mailing list for the Loews Le Concorde Hotel, which sits atop the Old City. At the Loews Hotel Quebec City, summer family deals can get you a deluxe queen room with drop-dead views of the city and the St. Lawrence River for less than $160 a night.
Info: Quebec City Tourism;
Loews Le Concorde Hotel
Dominican Republic
All-inclusive locations are great for Caribbean getaways. You never have to open your wallet, and there’s less temptation for spontaneous overspending. And the DR is one of the less touristy of the Caribbean islands (aka more quiet and romantic).
Stay where? For a long weekend on the beach at $195 a night, the Sun Village Resort and Spa on Cofresi Beach in Puerto Plata is one of the best all-inclusives we could find on this island. Seven swimming pools, five restaurants, an on-site nightclub, scuba lessons, kayaks, snorkeling, and nightly live entertainment are all part of your package. May through September offers the lowest prices on accommodations. For just a little more, you can book a private dinner on the beach.
Info: sunvillagebeachresort.com
by The Nest Editors
2/11/08
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