FinanceGrad

Miami - is that Iberostar place in Cozumel all inclusive?

Dad II

Not Miami here. But that resort is AI but there is just one hotel. It is one of the most cost effective Iberostar properties. If you book the 1st week in Dec early enough, you could get a 8 day vacation including the flight for around $1600.

Take a look at Iberostar's "Grand" properties. May pay a little more but worth every penny I have heard.

http://www.thegrandcollection.com/en/home

FinanceGrad

^That's an excellent price if it includes the flight. One of the main reasons we chose to go on a cruise was due to the fact that we wouldn't have to fly to get there. I have been wanting to go to Mexico, I will keep this property in mind.

Dad II

Yes, that includes flights. As I said, these AI vacations are best values. Flight, hotel, food, entertainments, tip, etc.

1214mom

If you're looking for something relatively inexpensive, to please multiple tastes, an all-inclusive is a good bet. We stayed at an iberostar in the Riviera Maya near Cancun. I will butcher the spelling, but it was something like the pariaso lindo. I usually like to aim for one of the more expensive parts of the multi-part properties, so we can enjoy all the restaurants, etc. St. John was wonderful, but not cheap. We stayed on the east end of Grand Cayman, away from 7 mile beach, and had a wonderful time, snorkeling right off the beach, taking boat trips, etc., but I don't recall golf nearby. I think the week you are going is around Easter, which is when MANY school districts have spring break, so be prepared for crowds. I hope you have a wonderful time, and let us know where you pick.

mom60

Loved post 25. Sounds just like my D.

NYMomof2

It's great that you're planning a vacation, zm! I agree with others that Ireland is not what you want. It's beautiful, with varied scenery, but not a place with beaches and waves. Maui would be perfect. We stayed in Wailea, very resort-like, clean, fantastic beaches and huge waves. March should be a good time there. But Hawaii is very far away.

Jamaica could be good in March. It's beautiful. If you go there, I'd recommend staying in one of the fenced-in resorts. We didn't want to do that, stayed in a resort on the beach in Negril. It's a beautiful 7-mile long beach, but you can't walk more than 10 feet without someone approaching you and offering to braid your hair, give you a massage, sell you oranges, baskets, hashish. Very unpleasant to have to deal with someone every 2 minutes. And we rented a car and had the experience of boys letting the air out of the tires and offering to fix them for a price. Very, very hot and sunny there.

I'm not crazy about Florida. Bugs everywhere and there seems to be mildew everywhere.

There are beautiful places in Southern California.

I agree that Arizona is beautiful with varied scenery. But I always feel sick there, the dry heat does a number on me.

Bermuda is fabulous but March would not be beach weather. I was there for a week once in May, and it was marginal in terms of beaches/swimming. But the most beautiful place in the world.

fendergirl

zooser - I know it isn't florida but some suggestions...

the outerbanks in NC is beautiful and perfect for relaxing... Great food also. May be a bit cool still that time of the year.

My sister and I like to go to myrtle beach, SC (golf is great there!!!! and nice shows as well)
the place we stay at is called the long bay resort - Long Bay Resort

nice place for kids, they even have an in door lazy river to float around in.

They have very good prices. We usually stay in an ocean front hotel room or ocean front suite depending on budget.

Both of those places are drivable from new york if you don't mind a long ride.

deb922

1214mom, I'm thinking there are 2 golf courses on Grand Cayman. We are going the first week of December.

My MIL went to Cayman in March. She complained that it was too hot. She also complained that it was too expensive and she hated stingray city. My SIL was not thrilled since they paid for the trip lol!

windbehindwings

Our family loves to spend time in northern San Diego County. You can visit La Jolla, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Carlsbad (flower fields are in bloom in March) La Costa. Check VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owners) for an interesting place to stay. There are a variety of different price points. We have found many appealing places to stay through the site. Last spring break, it was warm every day and we enjoyed the lovely beaches. We walked from Del Mar to La Jolla at low tide. There are often wildflowers in bloom in the hills of La Jolla at that time of year. The golf courses are amazing (Torrey Pines Golf Course). You can rent bikes and ride on the coast highway. You can go to Coronado Island to see the Hotel del Coronado. Sometimes our teens bring their friends along and everyone is chill with the swimming, tennis and relaxation. There are many happy hours at restaurants for really delicious food and drinks at reasonable prices. The spirit is friendly and the vibe is relaxing. You can even take the train into downtown San Diego or up to Los Angeles for a day's outing. Good airfares can be found on the cheapoAir site. Don't forget your sunscreen!

AllThisIsNewToMe

I prefer Cozumel to Cancun. It's less of a party city. You may still run into the spring breakers tho. What about St Thomas or St John? Both are beautiful!!!

I had never even HEARD of Turks & Caicos until last year, but I know of several families who have recommended it recently.

jym626

Aruba. Mexico still has issues with crime.

MiamiDAP

"Miami - is that Iberostar place in Cozumel all inclusive? "
Yes, it is AI, as Dad II said. Not only food AI, it is AI activity wise from our prospective. Everything is on a beach, all that we are looking for, including plenty of books to read for you readers (I am not the one. My H. reads them than tells me story while we are walking on the beach and beautiful grounds)
here is our list of activities:
1. Walking on a beach before breakfast, all down to 3rd hotel, it is all open and, yes, if you wish, you can swim anywhere too
2. I swim laps in a pool after breakfast while nobody is there and while H. reads the books (they have left over collection, they do not pitch books left by visitors, at one point of time H. managed to pick 3 books in 3 different languages, 2 of which he could read, but not the 3rd one, he did not realize that it was in German, we laughed forever about it).
3. We go snorkeling throut the day. Tons of fish right under the pier, including baracudas, just awesome. No need to hurt yourself walking thru reefs off shore, they have stairs right from pier, so you step right into water full of fish
4. We play pink pong throut the day. Very handy in case of rain, it is under cover.
5. Having free drinks all day long and snack all day long. 2 weeks is usually 7 lbs for me. They come off after few weeks at home on your regular diet. Food is great, but I am not big fan of meat. Salmon all day long, cooked various ways, desert is way byond any expectations, ice cream is nothing that you can get here, way way better....so I load up several times a /day. Breakfast includes freshly squized juices, both fruit and veggie
6. I am not a reader, so I paint pottery for several hours every day right there on a beach. Huge fun, lots of people at the same table, different ages, all having fun.
7. there are various activities at the pool and on a beach, games, beach volleyball, dance lessons, but we do not participate, just not our preference. Plenty of people do though.
8. All kind of vendors (pirmarily jewlerly) are coming frequently, no need to shop in downtown).
9. there has never been any crime in Cozumel. They deport them at the first slightest delinquency. The island survives only because of tourists. they did not even let Trump to build casinos there because of potential crime activity. This of course does not quarantee what might happen in a future
10.. we go for 2 weeks in March, next March is scheduled already, they are usually fully booked, so we do it ahead of the time. Many come back. But if you like fancy rooms, it is not a place for you, it is very old, no fancy anything. No great evening entertainment either, I have been to places with much better, but it is not our first priority.

jym626

It would be lovely if there truly was some place that had a history of absolutely no crime. Sadly, it's unrealistic.

HImom

As was suggested, Wailea on Maui is similar (though further from NY) and has no crime that I've heard of. They also don't have people approaching you when you are there for the resort. If you don't want to stay at the pricier places, there are less expensive places a bit further away or by checking out condo rentals to consider but you can still enjoy Wailea with a short drive. Many other spots in Hawaii, especially neighbor islands would be lovely.