A Kids Vacation (Beaches?)

Jan 10, 2007 3:55 pm

Anyone have suggestions on travel to a warm spot with water and great beaches for a family with kids.  “Two and four year old.”  Anyone been to any Beaches Resorts?  I need quality child care so spouse and I can get away at least a bit each day.     

Jan 10, 2007 4:36 pm

We have been to Cape May three of the last four years. Waves are not large and plenty of space.

One problem...if you are coming from the West, you have to drive on the "SureKill" Expressway.

Peace to all of you as we must confront Iran.

Jan 10, 2007 5:23 pm

[quote=Malcolm]Anyone have suggestions on travel to a warm spot with water and great beaches for a family with kids.  "Two and four year old."  Anyone been to any Beaches Resorts?  I need quality child care so spouse and I can get away at least a bit each day.     [/quote]

Summer time destinations along the east coast range from NJ to SC. Zaid's recco of Cape May is good. However, one problem with Cape May maybe it's lack of large resort hotels, still it's a great family town. 10 miles up the coast brings you to Wildwood, with it's world class boardwalk. Wildwood is a more honky tonk and party town, but it's changing. It has what has to be the biggest beach on the east coast. And it is pristine clean.

All the Jersey towns have much to offer. Going south, Ocean City MD has major resort hotels on the beach, with a nice beach as does Virginia Beach VA.

If you're looking for someplace warm, that is beach warm, at this time of year You need to get south of Vero Bch on Fl's east coast and Bradenton on the west coast. This time of year is as likely to bring a 60 degree day as it is an 80 degree day even in those two towns. For consistantly warm weather Key largo and further down the Keys might work. I say might because I spent most of a week with 50 degree weather in a luxury camping resort at about mile marker 60 in the Keys a few years ago.  We spent more time inside our motor home than out. And that I could of done in my driveway without the 2800 mile round trip drive(flat towing a Grand Cherokee @5.5mpg). For really warm weather this time of year, Bermuda, PR, or the Bahamas.

Wait till late March and all of Florida south of the pan handle will be beachable.

Jan 10, 2007 5:39 pm

Destin/Fort Walton Beach, FL (panhandle) are nice after spring break.

Really nice beaches in my opinion.

Jan 10, 2007 6:01 pm

I am talking about Beaches Resorts which is an all inclusive family resort with locations in Jamaica and in Turks and Caicos.  I am not talking about beaches in a generic way.  The Beaches Resorts have child care specialists there and the entire place is oriented to families. 

Jan 10, 2007 7:19 pm

[quote=Malcolm]

I am talking about Beaches Resorts which is an all inclusive family resort with locations in Jamaica and in Turks and Caicos.  I am not talking about beaches in a generic way.  The Beaches Resorts have child care specialists there and the entire place is oriented to families.
[/quote]

Hawaii has some nice beaches/family resorts, and is very tropical.

Why don't you contact a travel agent and ask them to set this up for you?

Jan 10, 2007 8:53 pm

[quote=Malcolm]

I am talking about Beaches Resorts which is an all inclusive family resort with locations in Jamaica and in Turks and Caicos.  I am not talking about beaches in a generic way.  The Beaches Resorts have child care specialists there and the entire place is oriented to families. 

[/quote]

I spent a week at the Beaches Resort in Turks & Caicos a few years back (Ed Jones trip ).  Great childcare, activities available.  They even have a nursery for the young ones to nap during the day.  The older kids were kept busy with all kinds of planned activities.  The entire facility is top notch.  Great scuba and snorkeling resort.  The only problem was that you had to pretty much stay within the resort, very little to do outside the Beaches area. 

Jan 11, 2007 1:21 am

[quote=Malcolm]

I am talking about Beaches Resorts which is an all inclusive family resort with locations in Jamaica and in Turks and Caicos.  I am not talking about beaches in a generic way.  The Beaches Resorts have child care specialists there and the entire place is oriented to families. 

[/quote]

Grotto Bay, Bermuda.

Jan 11, 2007 1:47 am

Turks & Caicos will blow you away, even if you’re an avid beach traveler. The

beach and surrounding waters are, IMO, the best in the Caribbean.



The resort is also nice but be aware that it is huge. So make sure that your

room isn’t 3/4 of a mile from the beach. No kidding. Also, reserve a butler.

Its the best money you’ll spend and you can avoid the lines to get lunch or

refreshments, etc.



If you’re a fisherman, it an awesome experience. The fishing grounds are a

1000 ft from the shore because there’s a huge canyon drop off. Game fish

galore.

Jan 11, 2007 1:49 am

Me and the wife like the cruises, we don't have kids but our friends we usually go with do and most of the cruise lines have onboard childcare 24 hrs. a day.  We looked into the Beaches resorts but decided on cruises because of the lower cost and daily changes of scenery.

Jan 11, 2007 4:55 am

Destin, Florida!



Beloxi is cheep and fun…



Both get a bit chilly in Jan/Feb

Jan 11, 2007 2:41 pm

How about a crewed sailboat charter? Pick your location. The boat's range from 45 ft to 80 ft long. So there is plenty of roomThe crew drives the boat, you sit back and drink. Bring a nanny for the kids. Exotic beaches, snorkeling, wind surfing, scuba diving, swimming, lazing on the beach. Plus the crew does all the cooking etc. They will let you drive the boat as much as you'd like. Some charter companies cater to families, or so I've been led to believe. 

Jan 11, 2007 3:17 pm

Malcolm,

I would have thought you would have experienced the beaches resorts through your EJ days.

Jan 11, 2007 4:16 pm

$$$$-  No I never did.  I did do some other nice EDJ trips though to places like Maui in I think 97 and my favorite of all a sail boat excurision in the Virgin Islands like BondGuy is talking about.  If my kids werent so little that would be my first pick of a trip.    I almost did Turks & Caicos 2001 but ended up leaving EDJ before I could collect on my trip.  It was my pick at the time though.  Thanks for the input from you all.  

Jan 11, 2007 4:41 pm

Virgin Islands trips to French Islands is the best. I went a bit ago and it was so awesome. Kids and adults would love this!

Jan 11, 2007 4:44 pm

Come to virginia beach where I live.

 No a better place is the outer banks of North Carolina. It is more secluded

Jan 11, 2007 11:39 pm

Nothing like the Jersey Shore baby!!!

Jan 13, 2007 1:18 am

Jersey and North Carolina. yeah, your kids can wear a sweater and jacket to the beach.