<p>H and I want to take a well deserved trip. We like the beach but not to lay out for a week, Europe would be too cold. But we love to sight see particularly historical places. can be in the United States but we want to escape the winter any suggestions?</p>
<p>Key West would be nice in January, if you have never been there.<br>
Or have you been to Tulum and Chichen Itza in the Yucatan? Tulum meets the “historical place” and “the beach” criteria; it’s beautiful.</p>
<p>also in Florida: Sanibel Island and points nearby: seashelling, Ding Darling Nature Preserve, Corkscrew Swamp for bird-watching, kayaking, etc.</p>
<p>I’ve only been there briefly, but was impressed with San Juan, PR for both the history and the beaches.</p>
<p>St. Simon’s Island GA. It’s really pretty, great for bike riding (rentals are available), the beach, some historic sites and a really quaint village area and town park/boardwalk right oon the water. There is an old lighthouse you can climb, plus some great restaurants</p>
<p>. Just down the road is Jekyll Island where you can do a tour of Jekyll Island Beach Club, famous beautiful old hotel (still in operation) that was the summer vacation place for some of America’s biggest names in the early 20th century. JI has a good bike riding path too.</p>
<p>SSI is close to Jacksonville FL for city action and St. Augustine FL for more history/sightseeing.</p>
<p>When it is winter here, it is summer in South America. Argentina, while far away is lovely. Good wine, good food and handsome men- what more could you want. </p>
<p>Closer to home- Savanna, Ga and San Antonio,Tx.</p>
<p>Oh yes, forgot to mention that Savannah is just about an hour upthe interstate from St. Simon’s.</p>
<p>HIMom would be very happy if you visit her beautiful state and especially her island of Oahu. Oahu is not just Waikiki - it is much more, and Hawaiian culture and history are fascinating (just avoid luaus) 
The islands are so close, you can visit two or three in one trip if you have a couple of weeks. The Pacific Ocean water is warmer in January than in late May, and the air temperatures are always balmy 80 degrees (dipping to mid to high 60’s at night in January) with trade winds working as the natural AC. Whaaaaa, I wanna go back to HI!..</p>
<p>Palm Springs and Palm Desert (California) are really fun towns with lots of good food, shopping, hiking/biking, and a National park to visit.</p>
<p>^^And a very nice zoo with desert critters.</p>
<p>(And my friend just said, “There is a fancy outlet mall near Palm Springs - Gucci, Prada, etc.”)</p>
<p>We have loved visiting northern New Mexico in the winter. Anywhere in “four corners” would be great. Lots of history (Chaco Canyon, Acoma pueblo, Taos pueblo, Georgia O’Keefe at Abiqui, etc. etc.) and great food too. The weather is never bitterly cold, and there may be snow, but not enough to get stuck in.</p>
<p>thank you soo much for responding. all your ideas sound great.</p>
<p>Tucson, Arizona. [Official</a> Tucson Travel Information Guide Website](<a href=“http://www.visittucson.org/]Official”>http://www.visittucson.org/) </p>
<p>I think anyplace in Arizona from around Phoenix and southward will be acceptably warm. </p>
<p>From there, you can take a day trip up to the south rim of the Grand Canyon (north rim roads are closed in winter). If you wear a warm jacket, you can find the Grand Canyon very quiet and free of tourists that time of year. Just be aware there might be a snowstorm coming through the canyon unpredictably that would stop everything for a few days, but then melt away. If you pick warm, sunny Tucson as your home base for a week, then just drive on up to the Canyon on a day that you know won’t be snowed-out, it’s pretty nice.</p>
<p>There are several state and city parks that feature desert ecology plantlife and wildlife in and near Tucson.</p>
<p>You can also approach the north rim from Las Vegas. I read of places that give snowshoe tours there in the winter.</p>
<p>I agree with the suggestion of SE Arizona. Not just Tucson, but Patagonia, Tubac, the whole region. I love it because it is SO different from where I live the rest of the year.</p>
<p>The Santa Rita mountains have terrific hiking trails. Does that interest you? For history, there are museums and Spanish missions. The Desert Museum is a good place to learn about the high desert ecosystem. I know of a couple nice and different dude ranches in the area if you’re interested.</p>
<p>What about San Diego? The weather there is about the same year round. A pass to Balboa Park gives you admittance to 12 museums…there is the zoo, and beautiful ocean areas in San Diego and La Jolla. You can go for a short drive into the mountains to a great little town…Jullian. And you can even do a day trip to Anaheim to Disney or go south for a day trip to Tijuana.</p>
<p>How about Santa Fe, New Mexico? It will be cool, maybe even cold, but it will be sunny, and there’s lots to do.</p>
<p>If you want to go overseas, South-east asia? My hair-cut lady just got back from visiting family in Viet Nam. When I told her how much I would like to visit, she advised me to go in mid-Dec through mid-Feb, since the humidity is less then. I have been reading about the beautiful countryside and beaches and how friendly they are to US tourists.
Cheaper but also not domestic is Costa Rica. That’s dry season there, also. Wonderful, wonderful spot to vacation and easy, fairly cheap and very safe from the US.</p>
<p>Belize? </p>
<p>10 char</p>
<p>We have a week as both D’s will be away. One D is horrified we would not take her, but we laugh and say that s the point. I am recovering from an illness and have issues with my feet as a result. My favorite destination is always Europe but not that time of year. So I will be looking into your suggestions. I had thought about the west to california H thought od hawaii is 1 week enough?</p>