[Anne1377]

Hi friends!

I am just begining to think about our vacation with our kiddies. I am looking for some good ideas...places that you think would work well for our four kiddies who are ages 16, 11, 8, and 3. We have done Disney many times as well as cruised the Carribean several times so we are looking for something new and exciting! Please give me some ideas!!!

If anyone has taken either a Hawaiian cruise or cruised the Meditterrean, I would especially like to hear what your thoughts on these two trips are...would either of these be fun for the kids?

Please...I am open to all sorts of ideas....!!! Thanks in advance!

Diane

[Princesa's Mama]

One trip that we took, which we loved, was renting a canal boat in England and seeing a portion of England that way. You skipper your own boat and it is a beautiful way to see England. We did the same thing in France and loved it too but liked doing it in England a little bit better. We took a route which took us to Birmingham which has a lot to see (i.e. Cadbury Chocolate Factory!). You live on your boat and can cook or stop at a pub for meals. We always ate breakfast and lunch on the barge and would eat dinner out, if we felt like it. It was a very restful vacation. You travel at about 4 mi. an hour, max, and can even get out and walk along the tow path. It is very economical too. We had 6 people on board and DH figured that it cost $200/person/week (1998 prices) Because commerce was done on the canals, years ago, a lot of cities have canals going through them and it is super easy to pull up to a town and park near a grocery store, or explore the sites in that town. We saw the Royal Worchestershire China factory and had fun shopping in their "seconds" shop. We toured an old mine and mining town near Birmingham. We were near enough to Worchestershire Castle to get transportation and see it. We took our 15 year old foster son and he loved it--especially Cadbury World.
BTW, the boats are not difficult to learn how to handle and they are made of iron so they are practically indestructable! LOL
You said new and exciting--it's different at least!!

[jules17]

We have cruised the Mediterranean three times. Each time we went to new islands and locations. It is so nice and so beautiful!! There would definitely be things of interest for all age groups, I would think.

The first time we did Royal Caribbean, the last two were Silversea Cruises. I do not recommend Silversea for kiddos - my husband and I were the youngest ones on board and we are in our 30's!

Good luck - what a fun decision to make! I think Princesa's Mama's trip sounds WONDERFUL - I think I will be checking that out!

[MicheleB]

OH bummer - When I saw the title I thought you were offering to take us on vacation.

I have no suggestions, but am very envious. DH just started a new job, so a vacation will be a year or so away for us.

Have a blast wherever you decide Diane

[wvamom]

Diane,
Every year for the past four years my dh and I have taken our kids to see a different part of the country: the Midwest, the Southwest, the Northeast, and the Southeast. Each trip has been memorable in its own way--if you like amazing scenery, the Southwest is the greatest--not only the Grand Canyon, but Bryce Canyon, Arches, the Saguaro cactus around Tucson, etc.

When we were in the Northeast, we flew in to Burlington, VT, then drove down to NY, Boston, Philly, and DC--that trip had lots of museums and a trip to the ESPN zone worked in for our sports fans (dad and Kelly!)

I would be glad to PM you with more details--in fact, I could send you my whole notebook on any one of the trips we have taken.

This year we are going to Guatemala, but I know you have been there lots more times than I already.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!
Carolyn

[ana-mom]

When my niece and nephew were 6 and 9 we went to St. Johns, USVI for a week. Lots of great swimming, snorkeling and hiking.

[countryjet1]

Hi Ann,

Just throwng my 2 cents in. My family and I have been to the Beaches Resorts ( the family part of Sandals) and they are wonderful. There are several to choose from and all have excellent things to do for the whole family. Its all inclusive so you know upfront what it will cost. Their website is www.beaches,com if you want to find out more.
We have been to three of them in the past few years and would highly reccomend it for all age groups.

Good luck!
Janet

[Disneycrazed]

You mean there are other places to go besides DISNEY??????? LOL Just kidding

[lexiesmom]

We have done Aruba for the past couple of years!! It is very child friendly. The girls love it and are looking to go back (maybe in 2008).

It is Disney for us in 2007. Can't wait.

[mattecook]

Diane--

First hello I haven't talked to you in awhile and was thinking about you the other day and wondering if you were going ot head down to Florida.

My suggestion is let your older kids come up with a vacation plan (you give them a budget ETC.) and then as a family you vote on where you should go. We did this with my inlaws and it was awesome and the best thing is that for the next several years we have vacation ideas. We got some really great ideas that were really out of the box.

Ami

[DPline]

Do you need someone to carry luggage, etc.?!

[lisam00]

Hmm, you've already had an offer to carry the luggage...soo that's out....hmm, do you need a nanny to go along??

I love the sound of the trip that Princesa's Mama wrote about. That sounds wonderful. I think I need to add that to the list of future vacations.

Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it will be fabulous...afterall, the family being together is the most important part of any vacation!

Lisa

[Anne1377]

Hi friends!

What wonderful ideas you have!

I love to hear about places that you have traveled.

I would love to have anyone come and join us( and you wouldn't even have to carry my bags or babysit the kiddies!!)

Michele....I absolutely agree with you about Disney...is there really ANY other place to vacation?? I am definitely a Disney junkie but we have gone there for the past two years and although I would go back in a heartbeat, I think hubby is a bit "Disneyed-out" ( silly guy, huh?)

Guatemala is a very special place for us and we actually just came back from there and have plans to go back again in a few months but because we have spent so much time down there ( 15 times in 3 years!!!), we are looking for something different.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.....please keep them coming!!

Diane

[linda512]

I did a cruise to Alaska with my extended family, including my 6 month old niece (she loved it) and my 3 and 6 year old nephews. If you've cruised before, you know the benefits of the kid's clubs on the ship. Alaska was amazing and it is certainly different. We had a blast.

[ncurry3]

I've been to the Mayan Riveria twice and stayed at the all inclusive Barcelo Maya and LOOOOOVED it!!!
Barcelo Maya - unofficial the last time we went was with my sister and her family (one nephew who was 1 1/2 at the time) and we all had a fantastic time. I can't wait to go back!!!!!