<p>Finally another topic I like to participate. All inclusive vacation in Dominican Republic has the best vacation value IMHO. It is a little late but there are still some great deal. </p>
<p>The cost depends on the level of resort you pick. For less than $2000, you could have a 8 day 7 night all included vacation for two on Punta cana beach. You don’t have think about anything for those 8 days - 24/7 food/drinks and all kinds of activities. Several miles of white sand beach is just so beautiful. </p>
<p>A vacation at FL will definitely cost you more.</p>
<p>A cruise will cost alot more once you add up all the land based activities. They got you when you arrive at a port. </p>
<p>For the past 5 years, we have been going to various Iberostar properties. We like their styles especially the entertainment/activities. several of my friends have actually be pursued to join us. We are all going to Jamaica this Christmas.</p>
<p>Several properties are like Iberostar- they build several hotels next to each other. If you pay for the best one, you are allowed to use all the lower ones. Basically you get to use 3 to 5 hotels with one price.</p>
<p>zoosermom, I think that it’s great that you are deciding on a vacation. I think it’s really hard when you don’t vacation very often. </p>
<p>First, does everyone have passports. If not, consider Porto Rico or the US Virgin Islands. Or Florida, I hear Sanibel Island is great that time of year. End of March I would try for more southern part of Florida for the best weather. And away from spring breakers. </p>
<p>What does everyone want to do on vacation? We went on vacation with extended family and some people like to drink on vacation. They like to sit at the pool bar, sit in the sun and have cocktails. Some people like to read and relax. Others have to have tons to do. Is it sightseeing? Or physical activities? My H is not a sightseer, he wants to do stuff and hates to sit in the sun around the pool. He is hard to figure out what to do with and what I want to do also. My kids are easy, they like to do all the things I’ve mentioned, the H not so much.</p>
<p>Although I think Hawaii is a great place, I don’t know if I would go there if I only had a week coming from the east coast. Too much travel time.</p>
<p>If you want to be exotic, I hear Spain is a great vacation in the spring. I had a friend who went to Barcelona and thought it was wonderful.</p>
<p>Look for sales–sometimes the deals are quite amazing, especially if you’re flexible on the island you will go to and where you will stay. Good luck–I’m sure you’ll find a great place to rest and find your “happy place.” Personally, I love national parks as well and find them amazingly restorative, though no sandy beaches and balmy days at the ones I’ve been to. ;)</p>
<p>I live on the gulf coast and visit Florida several times a year. Last week in March: yes it will be more crowded than usual because of spring breakers. However, if you stay at a resort that doesn’t cater to them you should not have any problems.</p>
<p>The Panhandle: Destin has wonderful upscale resorts. I really love Sandestin because its an enclosed resort community with its own mini dowtown/nightlife which is not open to the general public, only the people staying at the resort are allowed in. On the other hand avoid Panama City in March and April as it is spring break central.</p>
<p>I have also had good experiences in the Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater area.</p>
<p>Have you considered Mexico? As other’s have suggested Bermuda/Carribean may get cold. However, Mexico has more southern points such as the Yucatan. I am actually going on a cruise in December which stops in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Belize.</p>
<p>I haven not gone to Mexico yet, because I am driving distance from the Florida beaches. However, since you are flying anyway Mexico may be more economical. One of my friends recently went to a destination wedding in Cancun and absolutely loved the resort they were in. </p>
<p>As for cruises. I would recommend comapring prices on flight + cruise on cruises leaving from Florida vs Texas. you can get a direct flight from just about anywhere to Houston, and they have cruises leaving out of Galveston.</p>
<p>How much are you planning on spending? The cruise I will be going on in December was $1100 after tax for two people. However, that does not include land activities or alcohol.</p>
<p>Dad II,
“Several properties are like Iberostar” - That is where we go every year in Cozumel. I love their grounds, no high rises, walking like in botanical garden.
Jamaica has no off shore snorkeling, have to go on a boat. I have not been to Dominican. Do you snorkel there? We were tempted to go, but it wa not clear, if you can just enter the water and be in a soup of fish right there.</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>Take a look at Iberostar’s “Grand” properties. May pay a little more but worth every penny I have heard.</p>
<p>^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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>I’m not crazy about Florida. Bugs everywhere and there seems to be mildew everywhere. </p>
<p>There are beautiful places in Southern California.</p>
<p>I agree that Arizona is beautiful with varied scenery. But I always feel sick there, the dry heat does a number on me. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>zooser - I know it isn’t florida but some suggestions…</p>
<p>the outerbanks in NC is beautiful and perfect for relaxing… Great food also. May be a bit cool still that time of the year.</p>
<p>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</a> Bay Resort](<a href=“http://www.longbayresort.com/]Long”>http://www.longbayresort.com/)</p>
<p>nice place for kids, they even have an in door lazy river to float around in.</p>
<p>They have very good prices. We usually stay in an ocean front hotel room or ocean front suite depending on budget.</p>
<p>Both of those places are drivable from new york if you don’t mind a long ride.</p>
<p>1214mom, I’m thinking there are 2 golf courses on Grand Cayman. We are going the first week of December.</p>
<p>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!</p>
<p>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!</p>