Looking for a vacation spot

[heyttown]

GF graduates school in mid may so we are looking to celebrate by taking a little trip somewhere..we have tossed around a few ideas and looked at a couple of websites.. She says she wants to relax on a beach under an umbrella drinking fancy drinks with umbrellas in them also We have looked into going to Dominican Republic,Jamaica, and mexico...probably do a 7 day 6 night deal, and all inclusive is a must...

What trip have you taken that you would suggest by name, I can look at all the fancy pictures on the net and they will always show the best spots of their place...Word of mouth and experience is what I am looking for here.. As always,trying to find a good deal in the process. We do not need a 5 star resort, but we also do not want to stay in a dump either.

Anything with a package deal is always a plus, IE all inclusive and airfare type thing...But not mandatory.

Thanks

 

[Bucks45]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

Wife and I have been several different places. Our favorite, by far, is Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Wife's even made the comment that if she had to pick one place to go for the rest of her life, that would be it. Can't beat it!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

agree with above...love that part of Mexico.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

We love Mexico beaches and island but its very dangerous right now. The U.S. has even pulled out all of our foriegn exchange students.

My girlfriend goes to Aruba every year and dosen't even consider other places. She loves the beaches there.

The Bahamas

Grand Cayman

Barbados

Jamaica

Cabo San Lucas

 

[smclear]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

US Virgin Islands. No passport required. Beautiful beaches. Half or Full Day charters (sail or power) to neighboring islands (and there are plenty). Great snorkeling/diving. Great food and shopping. Charlotte Amalie is renowned for the shopping.

The Bahamas are cool, but they're flat. Not as picturesque as further south.

Check out honeymoon packages. I don't think you have to "prove" you just got married. They most often throw in a lot of everything to get your $$'s.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

Grand Cayman, Rum Point


Been here 4 or 5 times in my life. It's such a nice out of the way place. Small waves and crystal clear waters. Lots of snorkeling and sting ray city!!

It might be expensive but it was soooo relaxing..... and yes, drinks with umbrellas in them, all day long!

resized picture

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

keep your $$$ in the US, Florida Keys.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

Just got back from Jamaica again last night. Amazing once again. Punta Cana, Dominican is good also but we steer clear of Mexico anywhere. Armed guards on the street corners of Playa Del Carmen and being told not to wander down any of the side streets was not my idea of a tranquil vacation shopping trip.
Just my 2 cents though.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

Yep, the good old USA has plenty of great places, cheaper, less travel time/more fun time, no airport searches, passports, less drug murders, etc. Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach, Daytona, etc...better stay away from Mexico right now. Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao all very good, but just a long flight down there. My son and his wife love Jamaica. Good Luck and try not to get killed!

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

If your looking for something unique, a trip you'll never forget...try Detroit

Adventure - anywhere after dark
Leisure - in your hotel room behind dead bolts and alarm systems
Sight seeing - any of the court houses...from gang drug dealers to ex mayors & city council-persons up on charges
Historical tours - this is the motor city, and you'll discover just how many motors can jam the local roads at anytime
Breath taking views - 'of' Canada
Comedy clubs - {see above 'sight seeing'}

Just kidding, but all that aside, a boaters paradise...two a 1/2 great lakes with an hours drive, and some of the best fresh water fishing in the world.... vacations - it's all how you perceive things

Hope ya find/have a great one!

 

[mike64]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

Seconding TD's Keys suggestion--I've been to the Keys several times and I love it down there. When I was single I used to visit my sister every winter and take a side trip down there (she was an hour north of Key Largo). Nice casual relaxed vibe. I was talking to a bartender down there, said I was tempted to move to the Keys. Turns out they have a term for that-- "Keys Disease". The bartender caught it-- used to be a banker. Cashed in his investments and moved down.

If you really want to get out of the country I second Ladyfish's Aruba suggestion-- My wife and I went there on our honeymoon (all-inclusive, can't remember the exact hotel) and it was great. Compared to Mexico, sounds like it's a lot safer, and you can drink the tapwater in Aruba with no worries. They have a desalinization plant, so they distill water from the ocean, and it's as clean as your local city water (maybe cleaner). That's one thing about Mexico I'd be leery of-- I hear you have to avoid even lettuce and fresh fruit because they've been washed in the local water. And no ice in drinks. I know some of the bigger resorts have clean water but who wants to play intestinal roulette on vacation?

Another idea, since it'll be almost summer when you guys go, how about northern Michigan? You might not get the really hot beach weather unless you wait until July or August, but it's very beautiful up there and lots of places to visit.

This got longer than I thought-- think I need a vacation myself

EDIT: looks like Kenny beat me to the Michigan idea-- though his Detroit suggestion might make for a more, ummm... exciting vacation experience than you guys might want

 

[JRJ]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

I really enjoy the Keys. If you want to spend even more money, Atlantis on Paradise Island is a good time.

 

[642mx]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

We love to travel and hit the beaches. The Bahama's is one of the best places on Earth as far as I'm concerned. We stay at the Sandals resort in Nassau, its not new, but its clean and the staff is friendly.

We've been to Jamaica too (Sandals Negril resort). It was a nicer resort than the Bahama's, but the beach and water didn't come close to the Bahama's.

The Sandals resorts can be as expensive as you want them to be. Under $4K should keep you in paradise for a week. Want to spend a little more $8K+ and you'll have 2 butlers that bring you breakfast on the beach while your getting massaged. Butler service is great.... anything you want, when you want it, no delays, and they do it with a smile. (I did this in Jamaica)

And to whoever said to keep the $$$ here.... you can't get the service in the US like you can in Negril or Nassau. For example: You give a cab driver a $20 tip here and it goes unappreciated, you give a cab driver a $20 tip in Jamaica and you made a friend for life. The pampering, service and overall attitude is just better....

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

If you do decide to stay in the States, San Diego is nice.

 

[Jillybean]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

Wife and I have been several different places. Our favorite, by far, is Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Wife's even made the comment that if she had to pick one place to go for the rest of her life, that would be it. Can't beat it!

Totally agree. We've been to the Keys, USVI, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Cabo, but by far we love Playa Del Carmen!! Been there twice in the last year alone.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

San Juan, PR is a great place to just relax and enjoy the people. Been there many times and it never gets old.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

Wife and my favorite destination, by far, is Kauai, Hawaii. The "Garden Isle" has beautiful beaches, quaint places, lots of nature ... and not a lot of commercialism. Excellent place to relax and unwind, hike, kayak, fish, snorkel, sail, hang from zip lines, bike, if it is outside, it is there. Have a ton of pics !

On a scale of 1 - 10, my wife rates it a 12! (Which gives it high ratings in my book also! )

 

[PW2]

Re: Looking for a vacation spot

Try Belize if you are on a serious budget