The Horticulturalist

We have some time off in the November during the thanksgiving week. We are hoping to get away for 4 nights or so, but so far we've not decided where.
We live in North Mississippi and would be prepared to drive between 4 - 7hrs away. (we are 4 hrs from Atlanta, 3 from Memphis, 4 from Gulfport)

We have 2 boys (6 and 4) and I would prefer a cottage or a cabin rather than a hotel, so that we can have our own rooms.

Not sure whether we should head to the beach or mountains....

Rete

Whereabouts in Mississippi? My daughter and her family are in Hattiesburg, north of the Gulf but not at the top of the State. I'll ask Joe for a referral as they vacation a lot. I know one of their favorite places is to rent a seaside cottage on the Florida Panhandle and the other is to drive to Tennessee.

The Horticulturalist

Rete,
Any info on either of those would be great. We are in Columbus MS.

I don't know if we'll be able to rent a cottage, apartment type place for just 4 nights? maybe your family will be able to advise?

Rete

Will get back to you sometime tomorrow. Don't know when she'll be free to chat. Has an almost 3 yo and a newborne only 3 weeks old. They still own gulf front property in Long Beach -- building gone in Katrina -- so I know that Joe still has connections and will ask about the MS gulf area as well.

cindyabs

I would think the rates would be reasonable since it's off season.

The Horticulturalist

Thanks Cindy!

I was wondering if they would hike up the prices for that week as it's thanksgiving week, but I'm glad to know it's off season.

Just checking Southern Livings travel section (getting fed up watching the debate)

clarissageo

I'd recommend Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, TN - beautiful places, plenty of cabins to chose from and loads to do for the whole family

cindyabs

That's where I refer my clients, when they are looking for info on more "local" holidays-back pages of Southern Living.

Bob

Not much help, but Maine and Vermont are lovely at that time of year, but a bit of a hop, unless you could find cheap flights, Bangor in Maine, or the puddle hopper in Rhode Island perhaps?

The Horticulturalist

Thanks Bob,

We only have a few days and not a whole lot of cash, so it's a bit far to come this time round

We did drive from NJ along the coast to Cape Cod and then to Plymouth a few years ago (still living in the UK at the time and before kids), I would love to see more of that part of the country though.
I'm hoping that when we have more than a weeks holiday we can drive up the Eastern Seaboard, though I don't know if we'd get as far as Vermont or Maine. We have friends in Richmond, D.C. and Philly so we'd get some free B&B for a few nights en-route at least.

penguinsix

FWIW, flying around Thanksgiving to London is actually quite cheap. Many Americans do not travel then and it's not a holiday over there so you have the normal number of flights but not the same number of passengers.

The Horticulturalist

Thanks penguinsix,

Do you think it works in reverse? I mean if our family wanted to come here for thanksgiving from Scotland?

If we had more than a week off school I would consider going home at that time in the future, but I think we'll likely go in the summer.

cindyabs

It is low season time frame and price wise for trnasatlantic flight, the only thing is competing with Americans for the flights within the US on the dates leading up to Thanksgiving and no way Jose fly on the Sunday after Thanksgiving-

Rete

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Lee just e-mailed the following:

we used VRBO - vacation rentals by owner when we rented the house. they could try that site.

www.vrbo.com

Destin fl, gulfshores al, or the western panhandle is a short drive.

penguinsix

It might be. It's definitely worth investigating. February and November are usually the best times for flying overseas as far as prices go.