<p>Honestly, I’m open to any suggestions. We live on the east coast and generally do beach vacations anywhere beween Ocean City and Hilton Head. We’ve visited some major cities and traveled to California, and both Disneys. We’re due for a really good vacation. Son is gradutating college this year and it will probably be his last one with us for awhile. Daugher is still in High School but as we know, time flies.</p>
<p>We have passports, but have never done an all inclusive. I think I’m more interested in that option than my husband, but he could probably be convinced. I seriously need to relax but will get bored with that by the second day. I think we do best when we can relax with plenty of optional activites.</p>
<p>So, tell me about your best vacation places. We will probably go in July for about a week, so the clock is ticking.</p>
<p>I don’t know how adventuresome your family is., or if they need something that is full of all kinds of things to do, etc…but one suggestion I have is to try a Windjammer cruise up in Maine. There are a fleet of boats that go out of Rockport and Camden, and they have week long cruises around Casco bay. It is very plain and simple, the boats accommodations are generally bunk beds, bathrooms are shared, but the food on board is usually good home cooking, and it for me was a wonderful experience. Actually had the time to sit and talk to people, catch up on reading, and see some great sights and places. Though with a teenage girl and a kid about to graduate college, it may be boring for them, but it is a very different experience. </p>
<p>I am one that gets bored sitting on the beach after a few days. We are going to an all inclusive in the caribbean for our honeymoon and we are excited to have a great beach but LOTS of other things going on (included) to entertain us-- the price for the AI just made sense because we booked with a great sale, sandals and beaches have 65% off sales every couple months. We priced out the cost to go to non AIs since we were told if we don’t drink AI doesnt make financial sense, but that turned out not to be true with the sale that we booked under.</p>
<p>Consider July does put you into hurricane season. You might want trip insurance if you go someplace coastal. </p>
<p>One couple I know went to Bermuda in the beginning of July (which is before hurricane season) and they said the heat was tolerable. Another option (if you want some exercise) would be to hike the Presidential mountains in New Hampshire. There are some charming inns (one had a great wine tasting dinner when we were there).</p>
<p>To answer the question about heat tolerance, there are four of us and of course we are all different. Husband and son will sit under the umbrella, daughter will sit in the sun for hours, I’m ok as long as I can get in the water. </p>
<p>We took a cruise to Bermuda from NY area( Bayonne) last May after my son’s graduation. There are probably ones from Baltimore as well. Had a great time and there was something for everyone to do -beach, history, shopping. Congratulations on your son’s graduation!</p>
<p>I am a Club Med fan. We are going to the one at Cancun end of May. It is all inclusive - food, drinks and ALL activities, except for scuba and outside excursions. With 2 young adults, there would be plenty of things and people to keep them entertained. Most instructors and staff (GOs) are in their 20s. My girls always make friends with them. The one at Cancun has outdoor live music every evening. It is truly a mindless vacation or adult summer camp. The one at Cancun has gone upscale with a special 5 start section. It shouldn’t be any hotter in July.</p>
<p>Costa Rica is a great place—beaches, mountains, ecotours, rainforests—all in a relatively compact area. D and I spent a week at a sloth sanctuary there and got to play with baby sloths every morning before we began our adventures. Best. Vacation. Ever. </p>
<p>I like this idea, but I’m prejudiced since I live here! Seriously, though, we’ve been here over 27 years and still haven’t run out of things to do and places to see in Maine. I think the state is a hidden gem. I am always happy to answer questions about it, too!</p>
<p>Absolutely concur with a Costa Rica trip. Awesome and there would be plenty to do/see to keep everyone happy. We loved our trip there. Didn’t have our grown up kids with us, but was easy to see how much they would have enjoyed going when they were your kids’ ages!</p>
<p>One of our fav family trips was to Montreal and then we took the train down to Niagara Falls and back to Toronto . Montreal has such a European feel, lots to do!</p>
<p>How about a cruise? Enough activities for everyone, pretty much everything included, relaxation plus shore expeditions, could be a memorable family event.</p>
<p>Quebec City is another amazing place to visit. You really feel like you’re in Europe. The city has several museums, beautiful parks, and an old town with lots of shops to explore. There are also many artists who have outdoor booths. There is a big waterfall just outside the city - you can take a gondola up to the top. We’ve been there several times and still haven’t seen everything.</p>
<p>I agree with Costa Rica. Fun, adventurous things for the kids to do. Plus beachy things. I’ve heard that Groupon has great prices on package deals, although I’ve not tried it before.</p>