Never too soon to discuss a warm vacation. Ideas pleeze

[gassy]

So in March my wife and I want to take our 4 kids somewhere warm for spring break. They'll be 14, 12, 8, and 1 1/2. My wife went to Sanibel Island as a kid but neither of us have looked in to that yet-- I thought I'd start with you guys. No Disney or anything like that. No cruises either. If I can get away with just talking to my wife and kids for a week without running in to a crapload of other people, even better. Thanks doods.

[Zeke]

Is it realistic to get to "talk" to your family while on vacation? If so, you'd better drive or take a train.

[LWJ]

We did Kauai a few years ago with three kids. Youngest was 1.5 years. Got a place with a HUGE lawn outside the sliding door. Made the entire lawn like our living room. Hiked and swam each day. Everyone in the family had a stupid smile the entire time. No fighting, no unhappy kids. It was perfect. I can't recommend it enough.

Good luck. Sounds like fun.
Larry

[p911dad]

Gassy, you might want to consider the Ft Walton Beach FL area, especially since you're in IL. Not too far, not so crowded, easy to get to. We went last year and absolutely loved that coast of FL. Lots of folks from the middle of the US, lots of stuff to do, price is right on all sorts of condos right on the beach(white sugar sand), no oil spill in that area. We stayed in Seagrove Beach, which is a little isolated, but pristine, surrounded by state parkland and only a few highrises(say 12 stories only). Ft Walton might be a better bet for teenagers.
Panama City gets all the March spring breakers from college, not so further west on the coast.

[p911dad]

Here's a photo of the beach in Seagrove, very similar to Ft W., although much less developed.

[msk1986911]

We went to Jamaica this past August and had a great time (2 kids (17 & 15 years old), wife and me). The resort was very family oriented, although some of the facility was a bit rough around the edges (Holiday Inn Sunspree). I would not hesitate to go back, although I'd go to another resort.

Mike

[gprsh924]

Did Maui at when my sister and I were 14 and 11 (no younger kids). It was a blast. Snorkeling, boogie boarding, road to Hana, the volcano. Still one of my favorite vacations ever.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I take my kids to Seagrove Beach FL every year. March is a little too early for northern Florida Sun in my opinion.

We usually go the first week of May and the temp is just warm enough to get in the water. The ocean is chilly and the pools are much more comfortable with the heat turned on. Without heat, night swimming is out.

So in my opinion, March requires going south - way south.

[Danny_Ocean]

Marco Island with a side-trip to Everglades City for kayaking among the alligators. They come out to play/mate in the spring. Your kids will never forget kayaking next to a 12' gator. Airboat or swamp-buggy rides through the Everglades are pretty fun for kids, too. (Send the wife shopping in Naples while you're doing these side-trips). There's a ton of things to do in the SE strip between Naples & St. Pete, all within an hours drive.

[id10t]

Come do some camping around the springs of N Florida - Manatee, Blue, Ginnie, etc.

Close enough to either coast so you can slip off for a day at the beach, or go to St. Augustine

[Joeaksa]

Beautiful weather here in the Desert now. Its 06:30 in the morning, and the temp is 70 right now with the sun peeking over the horizion. High is supposed to be 90 or so today, perfect temps for taking the top off of the Targa or riding the bike.

Grand Canyon or the mountains would be beautiful right now... and for the next 8 months. Buycott Arizona.

[azasadny]

St Augustine, FL!

[gassy]

cool thanks guys. Appreciate it.