Recommendations for warm weather trip?

[RaRa]

Since I got so much great advice for my last trip request (alas, not for me, though), I'm posting again. My brother and his family with young children are taking my parents with them for a March trip to somewhere warm. Any recommendations for 1 week that is nice and doesn't attract spring breakers? They did somewhere on the west coast of Florida last year. Maybe Bahamas this year? Any ideas? I think they like a nice beach and quiet; maybe a condo instead of hotel. Thanks!

[On the Road]

1. If You're Adventurous, Try Venezuela

Seriously. Air fare is much cheaper than the rest of South America, and local prices are cheaper than Florida or the Caribbean. Not especially dangerous. The people are nice and (surprisingly) like Americans.

They have beaches and resorts, but also rainforest, grasslands, and the Andes. You can go to a Western-style resort if you or they prefer or venture out farther afield.

If you like, I can share a travelogue I wrote a couple of years ago.

[RaRa]

2. Waaaaay too adventurous for them

I'm afraid. Probably a bit far too. Their kids are 6,8, and 10. Money isn't too much of an issue for them. How's the climate now for Americans there anyway? My sister-in-law is a very easily frightened woman, and while she probably hasn't even heard of Chavez, she'd probably freak out at the prospect of going there if she heard anything from our media. :eyes:

[On the Road]

3. Maybe Cancun Would be Better

Because it's on the mainland, you can visit Chichenitza or go on wildlife trips.

[RaRa]

4. It would be but

not during spring break - that's when they'd be going.

[babylonsister]

7. Playa del Carmen is right down the road but doesn't

attract the kids like Cancun. It's a lovely place to go for a week, lots to do there if they want though is also a great place to be lazy in the sun, sort of European, no mega-hotels in town like Cancun.

[jannyk]

5. Cancun during spring break is much scarier

than Venezuala - or anywhere else I can think of. Just about any Mexican resort is off limits during Spring Break

What about a cruise? (Just avoid Carnival) The kids would have plenty to entertain them and plenty for the adults to do too.

[unc70]

8. Cancun spring break is scary; Cozumel might work

Cozumel might work. You can get there by mid-day and be on the beach.

Just don't go into town during the day when its overflows with cruise ships and their passengers. (Except on Sunday, when there are no ships and there is a fiesta mostly frequented by locals.) During the week, most of the ships sail before dinner.

Snorkeling is great, scuba to; enough other stuff to do. The trek to Chichen Itza is a long(er) day because you have a ferry ride to/from the mainland. Still worth doing.

Also good resorts on the mainland opposite Cozumel that don't get the spring break crowd of drunken college (and increasingly high school) students.

[Eurobabe]

6. Quiet, lovely beaches, no spring breakers? TCI!!

Turks and Caicos! South of Miami 585 miles. Use the USD. Peaceful, great food, nice people, easy in and out airport.

We've been going there almost every year since we discovered the islands in 1994. If you want more info, pm me.

[MelissaB]

9. We were thinking about a 7 day cruise in Hawaii

for Christmas, but hubby dragged feet too long. The prices were down to about $400 each. Keep an eye out here: http://ncl.com/nclweb/home.html Just select Hawaii, or give a fellow DU'er the benefit and search/book here: http://cruisefairy.joystar.com/

Edited to make search easier by clicking here: http://www3.latesttraveloffers.com/ci/OfferDetail.asp?site=VCJOYS&account=10009215&PriceId=489144&SupplierId=105923&TrackDetail=No&ListSubset=All&ReferringType=&ReferringId=&SearchId=&agencyID=&aName=Melissa%20Blose&aEmail=[e-mail]&emailID=

[tinfoilinfor2005]

10. My five year old grandson was born and raised in Key Largo.

Not very exciting unless you like to dive or fish or swim.

But we like it. Easy island life here. Not a lot of night life, but if you like the water and the sun and everything that has to offer, come and give us a try.

And there's always Key West to the south and South Beach to the north. But then again, they're just not as relaxed as we are on Key Largo.