I'd like to add one other point. I'd love to combine health, wellness, and spirituality with some aspect of self-development.

But I also recognize a lot can be gained from just driving cross-country with a good music playlist.

I do agree with you that there's lots to see in North America. Here are some suggestions:

1. Alaska - travel around last week of May to mid-June for best pricing, flying in to Anchorage and rent a car. It is simply amazing.

2. From Los Angeles, take the Pacific Coast Highway and do the scenic drive. Go as far as Redwood National Forest, maybe even further north. Stop at small town or big cities, according to your tastes and enjoy.

3. Grand Canyon-Bryce-Zion-Antelope-Canyon - loop.

4. Maui, Hawaii

My input would be to skip places that you have been to before, with your significant other, for now at least.

Hope you have fun!

If you are concerned whether your knees would hold up for a Rim to Rim hike in the grand Canyon, think about a mule ride to Phantom Ranch. http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/general-information-717.html
You could combine this with #3 above.
My thought is to see as many western National Parks as possible.
If you want mountains and sandy beaches, come to Oregon.

I did the mule ride a few years ago - that's what gave me the idea of doing a rim to rim hike. It was pretty cool. The north rim is gorgeous.

I may try a western National Park tour.

I did AZ - Sedona, Flagstaff, north rim, painted desert, petrified forest, winslow, PHX loop. But haven't been to any of the other big parks out there.

How about Canada? Mostly English speaking, or you could practice being in a non-English area in Quebec and Montreal, and find out how easy it is. If you want to hike the Rockies should satisfy you.

If you come back to Seattle, check out the Rick Steves travel workshops. http://www.ricksteves.com/news/classes/class_menu.htm
You can watch him on PBS quite often if you have any desire to go to Europe.
What I like about Seattle (and Portland) is that you are close to the ocean and the mountains at the same time.

innatloretto.com Ojo Caliente Hot Springs MM Art adventure R&R
visitsedona.com Hyatt spiritual rebirth renewal yoga

tabacon.com hotelvillacaletas.com CR adventure
desafiocostarica.com cheap flights spirit.com

journeywoman.com many other great ideas.

If you wanted to try Europe, you could try the UK. I have been twice solo and felt very comfortable.

I've spent a lot of time solo in Puerto Vallarta Mexico and in Waikiki/Honolulu on Oahu in Hawaii. Both are VERY easy and fun places to travel solo. Plenty of sun, fun, relaxation. As much activities or not as you want. You are fine as an English-speaker in the beach resort towns, it's truly not an issue.

If you want to have more structure, then nothing wrong with the idea of a yoga retreat, health resort or hobby like photography, cooking whatever. Personally I just like to get out on my own and do what I want, when I want. And PV is fantastic for that.

Definately a new adventure. Yoga retreat sounds good (for me it couldn't involve silence)

Going somewhere where you need to learn a new langauge would be fun, it would give you something to do pre-trip. It would give you something to do while your waiting to go.

I've looked into some different cool sounding health and/or yoga retreats in Mexico. But I love to have cocktails on vacation, so the no alcohol thing wouldn't work for me -lol!

About the only think that I would NOT do that you mention in your post is return to places you went with your ex-husband.

Go somewhere new!!!!!!!

Was just wondering, does the $2500 include airfare? Lucky for you that you can go anytime--there are great deals to be found if you spend the time to shop. My vote is for Alaska...For example, I've seen offers for Alaska in May that will work within your budget. Unfortunately I am limited to travel during summer so I can't take advantage of those great deals. (Thus, I'm going there in July and the prices are much higher at that time.) As others have suggested, why don't you celebrate your new life by going somewhere new?

Sounds like you have a great attitude, I'm sure you'll get the most out of your trip wherever you decide to go.

Just as a point of reference from the budget perspective. I'm in Seattle and can do a solo trip for 10-12 days in both Puerto Vallarta or Waikiki counting airfare, hotel, food, transportation for approx. $1500.

Going to a formal 'retreat' or program like yoga, surfing, cooking, etc. I'm sure would be at least somewhat more costly.

Hi, I just took a "divorce trip" over New Years to Rome. Had a fabulous time! Walked and walked and walked... The food is fabulous, people watching is very entertaining and there is tons to do, spectacular sites to see.
I had been to Rome a few years ago with my ex, a surprise 50th birthday present, so I was putting new memories on the old. I did have a sad moment and then reminded myself that I was there enjoying it all just as much, if not more, without him.
I've now decided to move there full time, as soon as I can close up shop here!

Good luck finding the right trip for you it's in credibly cathartic to get out there on your own.

I think it would be a good time for you to consider a trip abroad, might be to Europe or Asia. Prefer Europe as it's relative safe destination for solo traveler, moreover there are English-speaker either native or tourist there. Consider Italy or Ireland!

jh2011, I agree with you on that:

I say nothing takes the edge off than taking a trip across Europe -- visiting France, Italy, and Spain. Hop around the islands in Greece, have a glass of wine at the French Riviera.

Don't worry about language; you can get around just about everywhere with English these days. I for example do just fine.

All you need is a car, heck make it a convertible. Europeforvisitors is a great site for traveling in Europe has some good stories and insights.

You can check out places to see and how to get good rates on stay and car rental and if you are planning to stay over 3 weeks than car leasing is the way to go. For car leasing I would definitely recommend Renault USA Eurodrive, they are exclusive in the US and can save you a few pennies with their car rental / lease all-inclusive rates.
Also, a new VW Discover Europe site I hear is nice too http://www.VWdiscovereurope.com check it out and post back, would love to know what your thoughts were on this.

You've got to travel more because it's hard to say no.

For your Grand Canyon rim to rim, look to some of the touring companies like Wildland Treking or Green Tortoise that do trips in your price range - even when you add in travel to the canyon.

I'd say England as well. Deals can be had if you can shop around, especially going in Autumn, when the summer tourists won't be there and off-season is starting. London was fantastic, anywhere in England is fantastic, just don't go during the Olympics, going to be super expensive. Enjoy your trip!

When I was just post-divorce, I signed up for a 5 day workshop at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY called "Celebrate Your Life." It was a wonderful thing to do! Don't know if that particular course is still there but they have a catalog chock full of many different types of health/wellness/spirituality options. I stayed in a cabin by myself but got to meet wonderful people over meals and hanging out in evenings, and that worked well for me. Nearby hikes abound, and you'd be surrounded by people with like interests. Since you have more time, you could add a trip to any one of many nearby places, before or after.

In the following years, I also enjoyed some courses at Kripalu Institue - they have lots of types of yoga, but many other things as well. There, you'd be in Berkshires, plenty to explore there!

A number of years later I'd been proposed to by someone and found myself unsure, and decided I needed to get away by myself. I signed up for a watercolor class in Melaque, Mexico (west coast, a few hrs. south of Puerto Vallarta), and by the way I have no painting skill whatsoever, and it was perfect. Again, my own room with little kitchen right on the ocean, but people to have dinner with, hang out with, etc. Plenty of time for walks, runs, horseback rides, yoga, whatever suits you. And it was unbelievably affordable. I'm blanking on the name of the place but if you were interested, just google watercolor and Melaque Mexico and it will come right up.

Did NOT marry that person, have since re-married, and while trip to Rome was with my dh, I can easily imagine having loved that alone, too, with just a beginners Italian class. If you like theater, can't go wrong with London!

I think whether or not to avoid for now, places you went with your ex, depends a lot on what those trips were like, and whether you have some mixed feelings about the marriage ending. I needed to stay away from such places for some years, but I can imagine that being different depending on circumstances.

Whatever you do, enjoy! I applaud your spirit.

Oops, I meant to also include, Santa Fe New Mexico as another place I enjoyed very much when I was solo, and that offered much in the way of health/wellness/spirituality. And there was a restaurant there with a communal table option, that was a fun way to meet others for conversation. I'll look it up if you're interested.