Where ELSE do you go on vacation?

[Mouskemom]

We're trying to plan a vacation and would like to try something OTHER than Disney this year (I know, I know). We're thinking of an all-inclusive beach vacation somewhere in the Caribbean. Right now, I'm looking at Punta Cana hotels, but I'm open to suggestions.

So - where else do you vacation?

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

How about a cruise? You get tropical/beachy, it's somewhat all-inclusive, and the kids clubs would be great for your little ones. I'm a little Disney-ed out as well so I'm going on the NCL Epic in January.

 

[wdwmom2]

We love to cruise too!! DH and I are doing the Eastern itinerary on the Allure of the Seas in March.

 

[Mouskemom]

I've looked into a cruise - even a Disney cruise. It's a little difficult for us because we're a family of 5. So now we're talking suites or two connecting rooms. A disney cruise was going to be about $7500 without airfare!

 

[minniebeth]

I've had 3 different members of my family vacation at the Iberostar in Jamaica (all inclusive) and they all loved it. There are different levels of accomodations, something to fit everyone's budget. They said the hospitality and service were awesome, and lots of families.

We've not done it yet, but eventually on our wish list, we would love to do Beaches at Turks and Caicos. (all inclusive as well) Gets great reviews.

Disney cruises are expensive for sure, if you would entertain the notion of a cruise, Royal Carribean and Carnival have some great family cruises much less expensive.

If you like the beach, the Outer Banks in NC are awesome for a family, you can rent very nice homes on the beach or closeby for a short walk, lots of things to do in the area, or nothing at all...

Same for Hilton Head Island, or Charleston SC you have a combination of beach and things to do as well.

Lots of nice beaches in Florida too!

 

[tammymacb]

We vacation away from Disney a lot!

Here's the 2011 schedule..

Jan- RCCL's Freedom of the Seas
April- Saratoga Springs, NY
July- Bonaire
August- Hilton Head Island family reunion. ( using my DVC for this-bringing 30 people )
September- DVC member Cruise
October - Disney Dream & Food and Wine with friends

then start all over again. I cancelled a trip to Hilton Head for Spring Break for 2011 because I'm bringing so many people in August..

For 2012 I'm working on the Galapagos and we'll be on the Allure of the Seas.

My DD loves cruises far more than WDW and likes most cruise lines better than Disney. She's 14 and thinks DCL is "boring". Depending of the ages of your children, there are a lot of choices.

BTW, I've been to Punta Cana ( I've been to more Caribbean Islands than I've missed at this point ) and I wasn't a fan. You can't leave the resort because the island is poor and dangerous. I wouldn't go there again.

 

[vicb]

Hey OP when is your trip? Time of year makes a big difference in recommendations. Also what is the age range of your 3 kids?

Have you done.... Washington DC?

We did a fun trip to San Antonio one year in March. It was the weekend of St. Paddy's day, they dye the river green, parade etc... We did the Alamo, Riverwalk, Seaworld, Zoo, Mexican mercado, Tower of the Americas etc..

We did a great beach trip to Cocoa Beach and Melbourne FL in April one year, just beach and Kennedy Space Center.

Also been to Phoenix, Scottsdale and Sedona (coolest jeep ride ever).

Lastly we did a great trip to San Diego in Feb. one year, again Seaworld, pandas at the Zoo, Lego land, La Jolla to see the baby seals being born on the beach....

 

[luvmyfam444]

We did DC this summer and LOVED it! The kids have been asking to go back already.

 

[czycropper]

There are several inclusives in the Caribbean that are better than Punta Cana, I've been to Beaches (great fun for the girls), Tortola, PR, Caiman Islands, St. Maarten & Bahamas- you can sometimes find great deals at Atlantis just sign up for their alerts.

We went to the Galapagos back in March of this year with National Geographic/Lindbald and they have some excellent all inclusive trips to Costa Rica, Baja California for whale watching and even the Amazon.

I've got a cruise planned for June but it will only be my oldest and myself since it's a college reunion cruise and DH isn't interested and neither is my youngest, more fun for us

 

[Amy]

This summer, we spent an entire week in the Mt. Rushmore/Black Hills area of South Dakota. I honestly hadn't expected to enjoy it as much as I did, and there was so much to do that we were never bored! Our boys are 18 and 20, and even they had a blast. There's Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, lots of caves with tours, Custer State Park and Sylvan Lake (where National Treasure 2 was filmed), Badlands National Park (almost like being on an alien planet - absolutely beautiful), took a day trip to Devil's Tower in Wyoming (where Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind was filmed), plus your typical touristy stuff (mini golf, t-shirt stores, etc., etc.). We even took a helicopter ride over the area - VERY affordable. This was one of the BEST vacations we've had.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

One word: Maui!

Quite possible the most beautiful island in the entire world....

 

[Amy]

We did DC this summer and LOVED it! The kids have been asking to go back already.

How old are your kids? I've been thinking of DC for next summer, but my youngest DS (18 yrs) said he's afraid he'll be bored because "all it has is museums". What other stuff did you do besides museums?

 

[bjgrazi]

For just my husband and I our favorite getaway is The Inn at Covered Bridge Green in VT. We usually go for a long weekend.

When it's the family, we've been all over. I love the Caribbean the best. The Grand Canyon was a great family vacation. It all depends on what you want to do.

 

[Mouskemom]

BTW, I've been to Punta Cana ( I've been to more Caribbean Islands than I've missed at this point ) and I wasn't a fan. You can't leave the resort because the island is poor and dangerous. I wouldn't go there again.

Where did you stay when you went to Punta Cana? I'm a little afriad of that situation as well. I've also heard mixed reviews about food quality and cleanliness. My kids are 2, 5 and 7 and the LAST thing I want to worry about is food poisoning and bugs in our room.

For all who recommended cruising, do you think our kids' ages would work well with a cruise?

 

[FireDancer]

I do 3 or 4 long weekend road trips every year, usually within driving distance. DC is my most visited place (going again in March) but in the last year and a half I've been to Niagara Falls, Philly, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Indianapolis, Virginia Beach, Tampa, and a couple of other places I can't think of at the moment.

By far my favorite place to go is anywhere in Europe, even more than Disney. I'm in the process of planning a trip to Germany, France, Austria, and maybe the Czech Republic for this fall with some friends. If it weren't so expensive I'd go every year. Hopefully Ireland will do their part in dragging the Euro down so it isn't so expensive this fall.

I do a lot of running, cycling, kayaking, and hiking anywhere I go though, sitting on a beach for more than a day just doesn't appeal to me.

 

[superme80]

I second the Outer Banks. It is beautiful!!!! We did a quick weekend trip to San Francisco since we only live a few hours away. Also Washington DC is awesome.

 

[tammymacb]

Where did you stay when you went to Punta Cana? I'm a little afriad of that situation as well. I've also heard mixed reviews about food quality and cleanliness. My kids are 2, 5 and 7 and the LAST thing I want to worry about is food poisoning and bugs in our room.

For all who recommended cruising, do you think our kids' ages would work well with a cruise?

We stayed at a Barcelo property. I wouldn't take a 2 year old to the Dominican Republic. I remember there was bottled water in the bathroom to brush your teeth with. The water was that bad. Now, this was 10 years ago, but no thanks. There are plenty of other choices.

My youngest DD is 14 and will take her 11th cruise in 2011. The one problem you'd have is the 2 year old can't take advantage of all the kids club times. Though I think on the newest RCCL ships ( Oasis and Allure ) their nursery has been expanded.

 

[KCmike]

CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!

We've done San Francisco, Yosemite National Park (just amazing, put it on your bucket list), Monterey, and San Diego. All are so beautiful. You get the amazing Pacific Ocean, Deserts, Mountains, and gorgeous weather in California.

Plus you can always get your Disney fix if you need it. Disneyland btw is our favorite park after visiting WDW several times.

We are thinking of heading to Cannon Beach/Portland/Seattle next summer.

 

[vicb]

Where did you stay when you went to Punta Cana? I'm a little afriad of that situation as well. I've also heard mixed reviews about food quality and cleanliness. My kids are 2, 5 and 7 and the LAST thing I want to worry about is food poisoning and bugs in our room.

For all who recommended cruising, do you think our kids' ages would work well with a cruise?

Sorry no advice on cruising, not our thing. But given your kids ages I would suggest San Diego. Like I said, Sea World, Legoland, beaches, the fabulous San Diego Zoo, fun kid friendly restaurants, Seal Beach in La Jolla, tons of great hotels with kid friendly ammenities.

It is good to have a non-disney vacation too.

 

[Pakey]

I've done 4 European vacations, China/Tibet, Hawaii several times and we just returned from a small ship river cruise on the Nile and toured Egypt.

We've done 2 big cruise ship type of cruises and did not enjoy them at all.

We aren't sure what's up next for us. We thought we would do Costa Rica but we are now leaning more towards South Africa. I also really want to go to Russia and Viet Nam.

The possibilities are endless.