Destination Help

[Crayons]

DH is turning 40 soon. We have a 2 year old. He wants to take a nice family vacation instead of having a party. I'm stumped on where to even start. I checked out some cruises, which we have done in the past, but the offerings for the dates and locations we want are less than ideal. Then I thought about an all-inclusive Caribbean, but the prices seem really high, and I don't know which ones are good. Complicating this further is that I was thinking we'd decide where to go, and then I would let a bunch of friends and family know in case they want to join us . . . but I don't have a lot of time to coordinate plans, so I just want to tell everyone what we are doing and let them make their own plans. We are not athletic, so no skiing, adventure-type vacations. Any ideas would be really helpful! Thanks!

[JTsMom]

Does it have to be someplace warm? One thing we enjoy doing as an extended family is getting a big cabin in the mountains of TN or GA. We usually do a big dinner, lots of game nights, some touristy stuff, etc.

If it does have to be warm, how about the FL keys?

[StantonHyde]

Are you Disney people? Or theme park people? Because that could focus your options. What about history? I would skip a big city with a 2 yo. Are you thinking Nov or Dec? Because then I would want to go somewhere where it wasn't freezing!! What about National Parks?

If you really don't have time to plan, then go for an all inclusive. Costa Rica is supposed to be amazing!! For any travel destination, check out www.fodors.com (http://www.fodors.com) and www.tripadvisor.com (http://www.tripadvisor.com) These are great travel boards. I planned a week in France and a week in California wine country from these boards. You can search for posts on all inclusive resorts and you can post a query--they do it by country/state etc. And I have received great advice there.

[jammytoast]

if you want to wait until next Summer, I'd recommend Tyler Place in Vermont!

[fivi2]

I love dreaming of vacations, but I think we need more info!

How far do you want to travel? What time of year? Do you like scenery, beaches, mountains, relaxing, shopping, theme parks, etc etc?

I think anything is doable with a two year old, depending on what you want out of it. If it was going to be my once in a lifetime trip to a place where I had always dreamed of going, then I might wait until my kids were older. But I think big cities can be fun, all inclusives, cabins, beaches, etc etc.

Family Friendly destinations I have considered (but haven't gone to):

San Diego
San Francisco/Big Sur
Portland Oregon and area
Phoenix/Sedona
Tucson
New Orleans
Lake Tahoe
Charleston
Asheville
New England (I am not too familiar)
Any of the Nat'l Parks - Glacier, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand canyon, Bryce, Zion, etc

Caribbean - Turks and Caicos and Jamaica are supposed to be very family friendly

Mexico - Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Isla de Mujeres (Carribbean side)

Costa Rica - my number one dream!

[brittone2]

Aruba? (safe enough to feel pretty comfortable going off-resort). We didn't do all inclusive when we went on the advice of our travel agent, and I'm glad we didn't. We had some great meals, wine, etc. and it was still quite a bit less expensive than an all inclusive resort.

Asheville is an awesome town :) (I was going to mention it and then I saw a PP had already, so I'll 2nd!) Not warm in late fall/winter, if that matters. But beautiful!

[Crayons]

Thanks everyone! I guess my initial post was a little vague, right? We go to Disney a lot because we have relatives in FL, so that would not be a choice. DH's b-day is in April, but I am flexible in going after that as well. Beach/warm would be nice, but I also like the mountains/country. Just a fun place with enough variety to please DS as well as potentially the grandparents if they come. I considered Aruba, but after the Natalie Holloway debacle, I kind of feel like I shouldn't give them my money. Is that weird?

[mama2g03]

Do you want to avoid FL altogether, or just Disney? My sister has been to Sanibel Island several times and has encouraged us to go there as it is supposed to be very family friendly. She always comes home with tons of seashells and she says the beaches are fantastic. We haven't been able to get down there to see it ourselves, but you might want to check it out.

[fivi2]

Thanks everyone! I guess my initial post was a little vague, right? We go to Disney a lot because we have relatives in FL, so that would not be a choice. DH's b-day is in April, but I am flexible in going after that as well. Beach/warm would be nice, but I also like the mountains/country. Just a fun place with enough variety to please DS as well as potentially the grandparents if they come. I considered Aruba, but after the Natalie Holloway debacle, I kind of feel like I shouldn't give them my money. Is that weird?

Sanibel is supposed to be nice as pp mentioned
Hilton Head
Kiawah
Charleston
Savannah
Turks and Caicos
Bahamas
Jamaica
We went to St. John USVI (pre kids) and loved it, but it seems like it would be difficult with kids
Grand Cayman - we went with kids and had a great time
Mexico - I mentioned some places above on Carribbean side, I am sure Pacific side has great spots too.
San Diego - I want this to be our next family vacation.
Puerto Rico
A friend just got back from Aruba (no kids) and said it was great.
eta: Hawaii!

The Fodor's carribbean forum will have good ideas!

[graciebellesmomma]

Lake Tahoe!

It's beautiful at that time of year!

PM me if you want a great rental deal on a great home in Lake Tahoe!

[gatorsmom]

We are very big fans of Club Meds. This past May, my husband brought the families of several of his employees to the Club Med in Florida. We love it because the food is fantastic (it's a French-managed company, mainly catering to French people who are MUCH more picky about their food than Americans, imho). There is something to do for everyone. I am content to hang out by the pool but my husband likes to get involved with their sports and other group activities. The kids love to go off and do things with the kids' clubs while DH and I have alone time but we can do family time whenever we want. And finally, the kids clubs and baby daycare facilities are fantastic. Oh, and I shouldn't forget that you don't ever have to get your wallet out while you are there. It's a really great value, from what I've researched. The Club Med Ixtapa is newly renovated and is suppose to be primo.

You should definitely check out www.tripadvisor.com or www.fodors.com or www.frommers.com. gl!