kins

We have some airline vouchers to use up before January so we're thinking of getting away from Maine over Christmas/New Year.

Want to go somewhere warm... well, warmer than Maine (not difficult).

Don't necessarily want to go to Florida as we've been there a few times - but would like to see more of other southern states.

Don't want to go to a city - we've been to most of the major cities and would rather go somewhere we can rent a house/cabin and relax.

Any suggestions for areas we could look at?

Rete

You can look into places along the shore in Georgia or South Carolina. There is always Charleston and Savannah. If you want to go towards the west you might choose to look at Texas, Arizona, southern California. If you didn't want to stay in the US there is always the Caribbean or Mexico for the holidays.

kins

Ahhh got looking at Georgia and found this list of historic houses you can rent in various cities 20 Historic AirBnb Rentals For Old House Lovers: Georgia Edition | CIRCA Old Houses | Old Houses For Sale and Historic Real Estate Listings. Now I'm tempted to stay right in the heart of a city for a few days, having thought I didn't want a city at all...

scrubbedexpat097

Not all cities have the big city feel about them especially some of the older southern cities

Pulaski

Just about everywhere except Florida could be quite nippy at Christmas, albeit warmer than Maine.

Honestly, if you avoid the cities in The South, there ain't a whole lot else to see, and many of the cities ain't much to write home about either. ..... We have a lot of trees, if you like trees.

tom169

Let's not forget Christmas Town USA... http://www.mcadenville-christmastown.com

kins

Well... I do like trees but I already have plenty :-)

Maybe we should wait till Feb or Apr vacation and go then - when we're really really sick of the snow.

Rete

Nippy isn't the same as downright freezing like it will be in Maine. Just think of how lovely it would be Charleston or Savannah during the holidays. There are also the Gulf Coast areas in Florida's Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana. Check out the rentals in places like Gulfport, Long Beach, Pass Christian, Mississippi. Look on the city websites for average temps. Biloxi has great casinos and the beaches have been rebuilt and are just downright stunning. Or look for a place along the lower Mississippi River to kick back and relax. Spend a day touring an old plantation in Vicksburg or Natchez. Drive about an hour into New Orleans to tour the French Quarter, soak up the atmosphere, take a grave tour, drink a Hurricane and learn the legends of vampires.

kins

Thanks Rete - that sounds like exactly what we'd love to do.

Rete

I subscribe to a magazine called "Southern Living" now that I reside down here in Mississippi.

There is always a travel guide portion in the mag and this month's mag features Mississippi's Vicksburg and Charleston, SC. Also featured is Tennessee and Dallas.

If you can't get your hands on a copy here are some URL's

Christmas in Charleston, SC 2016 | Holiday Events, Packages & Food

Home - Downtown Vicksburg, MS

www.valleyinvicksburg.com

If you thinking of the Gulfport area of Florida, Alabama or Mississippi and if you have free flights, I use Gulfport/Biloxi airport. Usually I change over from a northern visit to the family in NY at Atlanta which is a great airport to have a layover at.

A must have in the way of culinary treats is fried green tomatoes with a spicy shrimp sauce. Much of the coast landscape of Mississippi has changed due to Katrina but they have rebuilt most of it and the change is a beautiful sight. Just a shame that so many of the old Victorians in Pass Christian were destroyed. However, several were 'saved' by the topography in Long Beach on the coast road to Biloxi.

I know, I sound like a travel agent in need of a commission sale. But I'm not. Just love to explore and looking forward to doing the Vicksburg, Natchez visits this coming spring now that the house is nearly fully renovated. I've done some exploration of New Orleans with my daughter and her hubby last year. One point of interest that he explained is that the wrought iron points on the balconies are there to ward off and/or capture vampires and it is one of the reasons why you will see so many ornamental crosses on the grillwork.

Redwing

We used to spend February on the Mississippi Gulf, and I can thoroughly recommend it. Loved watching the sun go down over the water.

Noorah101

I recently visited Savannah GA, just for 1 afternoon, but they have a beautiful, walkable, historic district. I would love to stay in a historic hotel or B&B there for a couple of days.

Rene

civilservant

And it's a total post-Matthew mess right now.

Noorah101

Oh, whoops....darn! 🤕

Rene

Orangepants

I agree - I love Savannah. We stayed at the Marshall House, totally recommend, it was beautiful.