<p>My freshman D1 and I would like to take a trip together during spring break and I’d love some suggestions. We are in the northeast, would like to head someplace warm with beaches but other attractions too. Trip would be late March, just under a week. My first thoughts were of Atlantis, maybe Costa Rica, but really don’t know tons about either. Also, would folks suggest using a travel agent (do they still exist??)</p>
<p>Atlantis could be overrun with either families or high school students on their last spring break. I don’t know if you have been there before, but chaise lounges are lined up in rows with barely an inch to spare. There is a lot to see and do, but it would not be a relaxing vacation, so it depends on what you are looking for.</p>
<p>Costa Rica is an entirely different trip. You might find some useful info here, even though this thread is about a large family trip to CR. CR can offer relaxing beaches and soft-adventure activities (white water rafting, zip-lining, hiking, nature walks, etc)
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1599558-summer-trip-costa-rica-large-group.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1599558-summer-trip-costa-rica-large-group.html</a></p>
<p>Atlantis is a bit more like a grown-up Disney World, and very expensive for food & beverages or Dolphin Swims.</p>
<p>There are direct non-stops from NYC area airports to Liberia or SJO. I think we had to go out of Newark but the new Liberia airport has opened since we visited, so I would guess there are more flight options.</p>
<p>I have not used a travel agent. Trip Advisor has tons of useful info, but easier to use once you have identified your destination.</p>
<p>Someplace warm with beaches, etc. could very well be overrun by other college students and families, which might or might not be appealing. Maybe go someplace in the middle of cold and warm like southern Europe, if you are able. I took my daughter to Italy in June (overrun by tourists at that time of year though) and it was really fun-- just the two of us. A trip with your kiddo could be great. Also, could be challenging at times, so build in a couple of afternoons doing your own solo things and then plan to meet up and share stories later. Even the best of parent/child relationships need a break from 24/7.</p>
<p>Would you consider California? LA or San Diego could be a great trip. Lots to see and beautiful weather.</p>
<p>Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Aruba, Curacao has lots of shopping!, any island…</p>
<p>Sanibel Island or Marco Island in Florida…Miami…</p>
<p>I tend to use online sites like Trip Advisor to assess destinations, attractions, restaurants, etc. </p>
<p>Went to LA with my DD and 2 of her aunts a couple of years ago and we had a blast! Open-air bus tour of celebrity homes, Santa Monica and Venice beaches, Joshua Tree National Park, shopping, etc.; so much to see and do.</p>
<p>I hear lots of people staying at all-inclusives in Dominican Republic, if you want something more exotic.</p>
<p>What sort of other attractions? Museums, nature reserves, shopping, biking, golf?</p>
<p>Hilton Head is close to Savannah, which has Juliette Gordon Lowes house and other tours. (First read ‘Midnight in the Garden of a Good and evil’). If you are looking to save some money, you can drive and have your own car with you. Kiawah Island is close to Charleston SC.</p>
<p>Re the previous post: It will probably not be lying on the beach weather in South Carolina or Georgia, but Charleston and Savannah would make a lovely mother daughter trip (easy drive from one to the other, so could spend a couple of nights in each) and you could always go to Hilton Head or Kiawah for beach walks and a sene of being at the beach ieven though it may be springlike rather than summerlike. Both Charleston and Savannah have wonderful food and historic neighborhoods/houses. But if you want a real beach vacation at that tim of year I think you would have to look elsewhere.</p>
<p>St. Pete beach is a lovely beach that is not over run with Spring Breakers. It will be busy, but there still will be huge sections of uncrowded white sand. There are a host of accomodations from luxury to condo to bread and breakfast. There is a free beach shuttle as well. Lots of restaurants on Gulf Blvd. and plenty of casual beach front restaurants also. Wide range of food and prices available. Some nice boutique shops in Pass a Grille and Corey Ave. (can take a beach shuttle or walk). There is a Sunday art and food market on Corey Ave. Gulfport about 10 minutes away is a quaint, artsy area that has open air markets. A ferry shuttle to Shell Island, a trip to Ft. DeSoto beach is very close. St. Petersburg has museums, shops, antiques, open markets, gardens, theaters, etc. You can take Dolphin watching cruises, sunset or lunch cruises, rent boats, parasail, fish, rent bicycles or go to a spa. Busch gardens is about 40 minutes away, Tampa has an aquarium as well as Clearwater, there is a small zoo in Tampa and a number of bird/primate/big cats rescue centers. Sarasota is about 30-40 minutes away with Mote Marine, Ringling Museum and shoping and eating St. Armands. There is an outlet center in Ellenton, 30 minutes away. You can fly into Tampa, (Super Shuttle or taxi to the beach) or St. Pete/Clearwater airport for some of the regional carriers.</p>
<p>I love Sanibel. The shells are great, there are bike paths all over the island, plus the Ding Darling national wildlife refuge has a great array of birds. </p>
<p>Several years ago I picked up a cheap timeshare on Craig’s list for a March week in the southern part of Fort Myers Beach. (Be aware, The northern area near the pier is a spring break destination). There’s a lot to do in that area, plus a good outlet mall just south of the airport.</p>
<p>Less crowded: Hot Springs, Arkansas (spas) or somewhere along the Gulf Coast in Mississippi or Alabama? Also Texas or Louisiana have coasts.</p>
<p>Another idea would be Key Largo. It was by far the best place we’ve ever been for snorkeling. You could fly into Miami and drive to Key Largo…base out of Key Largo and drive to Key West (@3 1/2 hours from Miami)…visit the Keys and Miami! We also swam with Sea Lions there, fun! Tons of fun things to do in that area, you wouldn’t be bored! There are air boat tours in the Everglades, shopping, beaches…did I mention shopping?! ;)</p>
<p>^^I guess I have a shopping pattern going on since my first post mentioned shopping in Curacao!! 
Maybe because I have two boys and you are going with a D!!!</p>
<p>Avoid the spring-breakers.Rent an apartment in Rome. The most fun D and I ever had together.</p>
<p>I’ve heard good things about Playa del Carmen, although I’m not sure if you will run into spring breakers. Besides the beach, you can visit the Mayan ruins and snorkel in cenoytes.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions–I will be exploring them! At the moment I am corresponding with an online travel agent booking custom trips in Costa Rica.</p>
<p>St. Thomas is beautiful. St. Maarten has the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen.</p>
<p>Charleston - DD and I went for an overnight (we have family in Columbia SC). Well, oh my, how beautiful. Must. Go. Back.</p>
<p>If your daughter is at all into nature, Costa Rica is fantastic. We can recommend nice B & B’s in Monteverde and Arenal. You can rent a car with a GPS and make your own way around. Haven’t snorkeled or spent much time on beaches but I bet that’s fun too.</p>
<p>D and I learned about the threat to butterflies and the effect that has on pollination (there’s a butterfly farm on St. Maarten and also on St. Thomas right outside the cruise ship dock). Very interesting. D now wants to move to St. Thomas after graduation and open a butterfly farm, live off of the earth and do physical therapy on the side (yeah I know it’s a longshot dream but it’s her off of the beaten path dream!) I could then follow and serve rum to the tourist and grow my dreadlocks long…</p>
<p>Thanks for all of these comments–somehow CC stopped informing me when people were posting to this thread! We have booked a trip to Costa Rica, staying at Arenal and then Manuel Antonio. Very excited! And will post back once we go with follow up. But I will take note of all of the other suggestions for future trips. </p>
<p>So, follow up! Our Costa Rica trip was awesome–we loved every minute and would recommend to others. We worked with a great company that helped plan the tour–PM me if you want details.</p>