Where am I going on my next vacation?

I always enjoy these opportunities to fantasy-spend someone else's money, so hopefully this question, like the kitchen remodeling and new appliance ones, will be fun for some of you.

I need an idea for my next family vacation. I don't have specific criteria (or specific dates, though it's certainly 2006), though I can tell you what made Playa del Carmen pretty much perfect:

• Simple fun for kids aged 6 and 3 (i.e., pool and beach)
• Short flight time from Chicago
• Able to rent a house/condo, not just a hotel room, and live sort of like at home
• Warm in February or thereabouts
• Different, but not difficult, foreign culture
• Interesting food (no all-inclusive resorts, that's for sure)

So you see where some of the places I'd like to go fall down. A 4-year-old won't be interested in the Louvre, Thailand is far too long a flight for a restless, rambunctious toddler, a lot of Caribbean islands are boring foodwise (the last time I ate at a Subway, and possibly also a KFC, was Grand Cayman), Scotland has one good month of weather in the summer if that, etc.

That's not to say I wouldn't punt on some of these criteria-- even the food-- if a promising idea had enough other attractions. I'm not doctrinaire about this. But it's really got to make sense as somewhere not merely tolerable but genuinely fun to take a 7 and a 4 year old, as Mexico has been twice.

Any ideas?

New Orleans in Mardi Gras season could be a thrilling vacation. Or, for somewhat tamer, less crowded celebrations, check out Cajun country.

New Orleans has everything you list: Lots of fun things to see and do anytime, with the addition of parades and other festivities for Mardi Gras. Except for Bourbon Street, most of the parades and other events are apparently family friendly. It's a quick trip. The weather in February isn't tropical, but it's lots warmer than Chicago. House rentals are available (though you'll probably have to book way early). Different culture than Chicago, that's for sure. Fabulous food at all price levels.

I haven't been to Louisiana during carnival season, but friends of mine who were in NO for Mardi Gras last year reported that they had no trouble getting into any of the better restaurants, since the crowds were mainly heading for the drinking dens.

Here's a link to info about Mardi Gras with kids http://mardigras.neworleans.com/kids.shtml

Charleston, SC might meet your criteria, although I don't know what he weather would be.

I've heard that the Gulf coast in Alabama is good a good vacation time. A friend of mine went to Mobile with his six kids and had a great time. They fished and cooked a lot of their own meals.

Have you considered Arizona, Tuscon and Phoenix come to mind. While beaches are slim, pools aren't.

It's a flight, but not as long as Thailand, that's for sure. How about Hawaii? Lots of condo rentals, tremendous Asian and Pacific Islander influences, and, at least on Oahu, lots of great food.

And if I went back, Oahu is probably where I'd go--or maybe the Big Island, where I've not been. Kauai is beautiful, but a food dessert, and Maui has thousands of condos and a nice aquarium (where you can buy a reasonable one week pass) but you have to drive everywhere. Oahu has tremendous variety--of scenery, people, things to do-- and even reliable public transportation through the whole island. You could spend a very happy week there.

As you probably know, the

Chowhound "Elsewhere in America" board is mostly about Hawaii and this site will really tempt you.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota has resorts as well as canoe and backpacking outfitters. Wilderness travel--no motors allowed and only primative campsites--might not work too well with young children, but there are also quite a few resorts where you can rent cabins. They're usually have canoes for the guests' use, and can help you plan day canoe trips.
It's a long 1 day drive from Chicago, and a short flight to Duluth, from which you'll have to rent a car. See:
http://www.canoecountry.com/stay

Hi,

Some great ideas have already been offered in New Orleans, Charleston, Hawaii, though the boundary waters in February-March might be a bit chilly!

If you are considering Hawaii, then crossing the pond to Ireland (or England) may be of interest. People rent cottages in small towns, then day trip all over the place. Castles or their ruins, stately manors (sounds like Batman), natural wonders like Kings Causeway (or as I like to refer to it: Giant Tootsie Rolls), Dingle Bay with its ruins of prehistoric monasteries and it will be spring there with lots of green.

THe food there will range from bar food to buy from the local shops picnics to haute cuisine. Long ago, when driving through Dingle Peninsula we saw the sign 'Lobster' and the car parked! It wasn't Maine lobster, though the critter on our plate looked like a giant spindly spider. They brought out mayonnaise and I asked for melted butter.

If you are truly lucky, you can have my experience: drive those tiny cars I'd be afraid to use here and accidentally drive into the ditch. Don't bother calling AAA, the next few cars to show up are all strong guys who lift the car out and you're on your way in less than 10 minutes.

The kids will learn English as a foreign language, since there is at least a 20% difference in our vocabularies. Yeah, this could be quite instructional on many levels.

Whatever you do, I know we have an armchair travelogue in our future!

Regards,

Since other folks are recommending places with weather less than ideal in February, I'll put in a plug for Vancouver, where we've spent two super vacations in a row with our kids (slightly older than yours), though both occurred in the early summer. (So if your vacation could occur in late spring or in summer, this advice might be more meaningful, and for those other families out there considering where to go next...) Vancouver (the city) is just a delight for anyone to spend time in, but I think it's an especially great destination for families (with kids of all ages, even teenagers. It's a very young, hip, exciting city, or so this middle-aged mom thinks.) Of course the setting, with mountains in one direction and ocean in another, is stunning, and the city's Stanley Park (many times the size of Central Park) is a destination in itself -- miles of well-groomed trails through venerable rain forest, beaches, pools, the Aquarium, a train, a zoo, etc. etc. There are also many other great museums and attractions for kids, including a newly-opened living history museum called Storyeum which is a bit like Disneyland meets the History Channel meets Drury Lane Theatre (it's very hard to describe but impressive nonetheless.) And then there's the food. First, there's the gelato, which is better than I've ever had and which I dream of wistfully whenever there's a discussion of where to get good ice cream in Chicagoland. Then there's the incredibly great Asian food, available not just in the Chinatown there, but throughout Vancouver, which is now nearly half Asian in population. I am not the expert on Chinese food that many on this board are, but the meals we've had there have been unequaled here in Chicago. Fish, of course, is lovely to eat in Vancouver as well. Then there's the big public market called Granville Island, where one can spend a day eating the fresh produce and admiring the baked goods, and there are all kinds of nice shops and a whole building devoted to kid's stuff. There are many hotels in Vancouver that include small kitchens in the rooms -- you can find them listed in a good Frommer's guide called "Vancouver with Kids" that we made much use of.

Then there's Vancouver Island, which is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Some people go to the west coast of the island (where we've spent idyllic time in June) in February for storm-watching season, which could be exciting, though damp of course. It rains a lot in the winter in Vancouver, but they don't get much snow and it doesn't get very cold. Maybe too drippy for a February vacation with kids...but keep it in mind when you're planning a summer trip!

Sorry I my suggestion was totally inappropriate; I forgot that the time of the vacations was to be February. Don't go to the Boundary Waters then. The lakes would be frozen, and winter camping is only for the very hardy.

Mike

Try Tulum , just down the coast from where you and you family have been vacationing. I'm a bit biast about this place as my wife and I met here. We're thinking of taking our 7 & 8 year old boys down this winter.
http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/anayjose.html

Another place thats been a favorite of ours over the years is the west end of Negril, Jamiaica. Susanne and I like Citronella a LOT. Most of the rental units have kitchens and cooking for yourself is no problem . You can buy live lobsters from the maids and the local produce cant be beat.
http://www.citronellajamaica.com/index.html

JSM

JSM,

Been a while since we've seen you, man.

The Wife and I went courtin' in Tulum, and went to Negril for our honeymoon.

I have very pleasant memories of both...though, in the latter, there was good cold Red Stripe beer and ... you know.

Hammond

David

New job keeps me busy most evenings, as well as Saturdays . Back when I worked for the airlines I used to have a $20 a nite cabin with my name on it at this placehttp://www.tensingpen.com/. Compared to then prices are now in the rock star range and Negril along with the whole "Riviera Maya" seems to have become a spring break destination.

That being said I'd go back to either one in a heart beat.

Hope to see ya'll soon

JSM

Mike, you've experienced PDC....how about trying the west coast of Mexico? January 2004 found us in Huatulco, Oaxaca. While there is not as much to do there as PDC and environs, there should be enough to keep you and the family busy for a week (and the locals haven't learned to hate American tourists). The food in Oaxaca state is amazing. Huitlacoche in abundance! The town of LaCrucecita should entertain; it is small but packed with good stuff. There are amazing bakeries there.......*sigh*. Brought home mole paste (red and black) from a local store and it was pure heaven. Grilled pork tenderloin, shredded and mixed with red mole makes *amazing* enchiladas.....where's the drooling emoticon when you need it!

Apple Vacations flies non-stop from Chicago to Huatulco and it takes about 45 minutes more to get there than PDC; bonus is you don't have the hour drive from Cancun! While there are all inclusives, there are other places to stay. We stayed at the Zaashila because it's a smaller resort. I've heard good things about the Gala (AI) and lots of chatter about condos nearby. Try these links for more info...

http://www.go2huatulcobays.com/
http://www.tomzap.com/oaxaca.html (this is one of the better resources. The message board gets churlish at times but does have decent info.)
http://www.pacificmexico.com/huatulco/

We usually go AI/travel package and eat where we want; it ends up being cheaper. Oh....if you DO go there, please do breakfast at the Best Western Posada Chahue. Great breakfasts for real reasonable prices. Came highly recommended from the locals. Best chilaquiles you'll ever eat. I became totally addicted and had to eat there daily.

I've been researching Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo for January 2006 as I've heard Zihua is really nice and relaxing. Still haven't decided if Huatulco or Zihua will win out.

Good topic!

I'd add a couple of things:

New Orleans is not such a great place for young kidz (or kidz generally), and during Mardi Gras season, especially not good for kidz. It can also be fairly cold in February.

What about S. Florida. I'm highly partial to this part of the world as it produced the vivacious Condiment Queen. But I like a lot else too. The food's surely good. See here or here. And god knows the place is foreign enough. Walk around downtown Miami (and I mean downtown Miami, not Miami Beach) and you will feel like you are in a different country. Lotsa activities for the kidz (you might even want to consider camping in the Glades or Keys), and it will surely be warm in February.

Rob

I really like the Miami/Keys idea. The Keys especially.

Also, how about San Diego/Baja California? There's a good variety of activities there-- lots of outdoorsy stuff (hiking, swimming), as well as your kid-friendly parks (Sea World, the zoo). And February is a great time for whale-watching.

Thanks for all the suggestions, though I'm not sure anyone came up with the magic perfect answer, but some interesting prospects.

A few thoughts back: we've been to the Gulf Coast side of Florida a fair amount, as well as Orlando. I'd like to visit the Miami side but one thing I was looking for was the ability to actually go in the water, not just walk along it in a sweater, in February-ish. That said, I'm always intrigued by the Miami-area reports by VI and others, it'll happen one day.

New Orleans is the most obvious place in the US I've never been, but I'm just not so sure about the attractions of either NO or Miami for small kids.

Dees_1, I've been looking for another spot in Mexico that would work for the kids and have yet to really find it though it must exist. One book at least said Zihautanejo/Ixtapa was NOT especially kid friendly, not sure why. Also the calmness of the Caribbean water at Playa is important for small kids.

Vancouver etc. would work at another time of year, I appreciate the suggestions on that. Hawaii, I just don't think we could handle the flight yet. The 3/almost 4 year old is a pretty energetic guy, he could maybe go 6-7 hours but not 12-14 on a plane yet. Though volcanos are a big, slightly scary selling point for them.

Ireland we actually visited about a decade ago and had an absolutely wonderful time. That was what had me thinking about Scotland (well, that, and this movie). They're not as obvious as a beach when it comes to things that would keep a small child interested, but stay at farm B&Bs and it could work.

So, thanks for interesting things to think about. Here are a couple of direct questions if anyone has any answers:

• Any recommendations among specific Caribbean islands (besides Jamaica, noted) as having both great beaches and interesting food/culture? One I was looking at was Curacao, for instance.

• Spain and/or Portugal. I thought that might be a doable corner of Europe for the kind of vacation I'm talking about, albeit still sweater weather I assume.

BumbleBee wrote:I really like the Miami/Keys idea. The Keys especially.

Also, how about San Diego/Baja California? There's a good variety of activities there-- lots of outdoorsy stuff (hiking, swimming), as well as your kid-friendly parks (Sea World, the zoo). And February is a great time for whale-watching.

Yes. Or LA. We took the kidz to LA for a week 2 winters ago. Forgot about that. LA's a lot of fun. And the food is good too. I know you think otherwise, but perhaps now that you have all the posts you will find the good food.

You will surely be able to go into water in S. California or S. Florida in February.

I've never said L.A. didn't have good food. I believe it must exist there. But it has never revealed itself to me.

Actually one of the reasons all this came up was the certainty that LA was our next destination, because an in-law with a young cousin moved out there for a job from Michigan State... and then, six weeks later, quit his job and moved back to Michigan.

From an island standpoint Grand Cayman is very lovely and great for kids. It's also only a 3 hour flight.

Seven mile beach is one of the most beautiful in the world. It's VERY safe.

There is a cool Turtle Farm for the kids to see, it's a world renowned snorkel/dive site. You can go out and swim with the Stingrays in Stingray City. There are boat trips of all types available - but we found some great reefs and wildlife swimming off the public beaches.

All the food we had there was great - it was a few years ago though, but i distinctly remember a turtle steak with a mango coconut dressing - prepared, not unlike chicken fried steak. A Tortuga Milanesa if you will.

The people are very nice, it's formerly a British colony, so English is the spoke language.

There are many condos available for rental there - having a kitchen is really helpful w/ kids.

Also, don't miss the Tortuga Rum Company - the cakes...and the rum, are delish.

Although it's been many years about 20 since I have been there but we did a trip to Spain in February. We did not need sweaters on the Costa del Sol and the beaches are beautiful. This is the place many Europeans vacation in the winter. Also it is not far from Granada and the Al Hambra, a littel bit of Arabian Nights.
Paulette

I've done a lot of research on Caribbean islands lately tryin to plan my own mid-winter vacation ... So while I may not be able to give direct recommendations from my experiences, as they are still yet to come , two islands that I've heard good things about food etc. about are St. Martin and Trinidad & Tobago. T&T are farther, I believe. Being farther away from the average Caribbean tourists is a large selling point for me, but may not be for someone who has young children to entertain. From what I've read about St. Martin is that it can be very resort-y but many beachside stands etc. have the best food. I think Anthony Bourdain proclaimed it the best island for food-lovers in the Caribbean.

Because you mentioned "I Know Where I'm Going" -- one of our all-time favorite movies that also motivated us to consider a trip to the Scottish Isles (but talk about difficult to reach -- and with kids, one can only imagine) I thought I'd provide this website:

http://www.colonsay.org.uk/index.html

It's for the Isle of Colonsay, the real name of the island that remains just out of reach in the movie. If you decide to go, let me know. Maybe we'll tag along. Also, do consider Vancouver Island for a future family vacation, if Scotland appeals. The town of Tofino has magnificent scenery, great surfing, amazing hiking, starfish and sand dollars, as well as surprisingly sophisticated and delicious food, and not a fast food outlet anywhere in the town.

I'll just chime in with my 2 cents...

We have a now 2 yr old (New Year's Day baby) we took our first family vacation this April to St John USVI. This was great for us. The flight was non-stop about 4.5 hrs which wasn't a problem for our son. We rented a villa for the week which provided us with all of the aminities of home plus a pool and spa...This was great for some adult time after DS was sawing logs.
We spent out days exploring the island, snorkling and just the general beach stuff.

We have also been to Aruba and Curacao-back in BC times (before child)

Good luck!

Another one that's tempted me and perhaps would tempt you (as you loved Mexico) is Acupulco. I know it is a combination of three things, my desire to eat Thursday green pozole, my general love of La Quebrada, and my fantasy of Mid-Century "modern" jet setting Acupulco.