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Post by genny on Jul 8, 2014 0:21:33 GMT
DS will be graduating next year and we would like to take a great vacation next summer before he starts college. DD will be 15 then, so I'm not looking for Disney type vacations.
DH and I have been on a cruise and I have considered that, because I think the kids would love it immensely, but once we started talking it out I think we want to go another route for this trip.
We are thinking the kind of vacation the kids will remember forever - we want to do something amazing like walk Mayan ruins or hike up to a tropical waterfall...something kind of awesome, an adventure.
Problem is 1) I don't know much about anyplace other than the bahamas and I don't really want to go there and 2) we aint' rich. This is why we are talking about it now - I plan on using a travel agent most likely (we used one for Disney a few years back and it was far better than anything I could have planned myself, and for less money). Another reason for an agent is that you can typically make payments - which will make this a lot easier for us to handle. But before I go see her I'd like to at least have some ideas about where to go. I am researching online, but with such a diverse and intelligent group here, I know y'all have some suggestions.
So I'm thinking Caribbean/Mexico - I don't think we can afford Europe or anything across the ocean, but probably out of the country, and different. Key West looks cool, but maybe not quite what we have in mind. Turks and Caicos? Jamaica?
If anyone has suggestions or would like to share their awesome vacation please do! Thanks!
genny
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Jul 8, 2014 1:06:35 GMT
There are just so many choices. Mayan Riviera is very inexpensive, has ruins and the cenotes are really cool. St. Lucia is more expensive but worth it if it's in your range. Ditto Belize. My suggestion is start exploring tripadvisor, set your budget and narrow your choices.
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Post by genny on Jul 8, 2014 1:32:00 GMT
Thanks, I actually just added St. Lucia to my list of possibilities and just got off of trip advisor; this is my first time using it. DH mentioned Belize as well. I've never heard of Mayan Riveria, I will check that out now.
Thanks for the tips and information!
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mjmone
Full Member
Posts: 441
Jul 3, 2014 2:58:29 GMT
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Post by mjmone on Jul 8, 2014 1:33:08 GMT
you could look at Costa Rica...my sis took her daughters there @the same age, though I think it may have been with a group...but the pics look wonderful and they all had a good time.
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,521 
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Post by jayfab on Jul 8, 2014 1:37:41 GMT
I also would suggest the Mayan Riviera. It's not super expensive and lot's of things to do.
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Laura
Full Member
Ruby Slippered Pea
Posts: 139
Jun 25, 2014 19:55:02 GMT
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Post by Laura on Jul 8, 2014 1:43:08 GMT
My favorite place in the world is Cozumel. It is so very beautiful there;
We've been there twice and we always stay at the El Cozumeluno. It's an all inclusive resort and they have the best beach for snorkeling right off the sand. There are so many fun things you can do there. There is a ship that comes right to the dock outside the hotel that you can take to go on half day snorkeling tours. There are several nice pools, and at least two poolside bars. They offer free scuba diving lessons in the pool each morning and they have a show each night at dinner time. They also have nightly activities for the guests like musical shows and an outdoor movie nigh(bring mosquito repellant though!) It's a very affordable vacation if you can get good plane tickets. The hotel is a short fifteen minute taxi from the airport. Prices are about $120 a night at this hotel.
www.elcozumeleno.com/
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Post by genny on Jul 8, 2014 1:50:50 GMT
Thanks so much everyone, I'm checking out all of these places. I appreciate the input!
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Post by ahiller on Jul 8, 2014 2:10:57 GMT
Turks & Caicos is great, but there's not a ton there that I would consider an "awesome adventure". Don't get me wrong - we loved it, but there are the typical things to do there: snorkeling, diving, Snuba, catamaran sails, beautiful beaches, very relaxing, etc. It's a total foodie's paradise though if you are into that. I did just run across this blog post about hiking waterfalls in the Dominican Republic. It might fit the bill for what you are looking for: Waterfall hiking |
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Post by queenofshoes on Jul 8, 2014 2:10:57 GMT
My favorite place in the world is Cozumel. It is so very beautiful there;
We've been there twice and we always stay at the El Cozumeluno. It's an all inclusive resort and they have the best beach for snorkeling right off the sand. There are so many fun things you can do there. There is a ship that comes right to the dock outside the hotel that you can take to go on half day snorkeling tours. There are several nice pools, and at least two poolside bars. They offer free scuba diving lessons in the pool each morning and they have a show each night at dinner time. They also have nightly activities for the guests like musical shows and an outdoor movie nigh(bring mosquito repellant though!) It's a very affordable vacation if you can get good plane tickets. The hotel is a short fifteen minute taxi from the airport. Prices are about $120 a night at this hotel.
www.elcozumeleno.com/
Your pictures are amazing! Dh would love it there. Lesa |
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Post by ahiller on Jul 8, 2014 2:13:14 GMT
Another suggestion would be a sail through the BVI's (British Virgin Islands) - the sail itself would be the adventure. I know someone who just did it and *loved* it!
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Post by SockMonkey on Jul 8, 2014 2:55:40 GMT
Mexico is really affordable, even if you go all-inclusive, and there are tons of things to do and see (excursions, ruins, nature parks, etc.). USVI and Puerto Rico are also fun and affordable. Key West is one of my favorite places, but the beaches are not good, and it's more about the drinking and chilling in bars than anything, so not good for kids/teens if you ask me. Based on what you've posted here, I would do Mexico. You could go to Tulum or Chichen Itza, Xel-ha / Xcaret (adventure/nature parks), do fun stuff at your resort (lots of the all-inclusive shave things like paddle boats or mini sailboats or jetskis to use/rent). Here's a link to that park complex/series: Xcaret/Xel-Ha |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 5:07:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2014 2:56:30 GMT
I've been to the Riviera Maya 4 times in the past 3 years...and I can't wait to go back. It's VERY reasonable to travel there and there is SO much to do! I can recommend the Gran Bahia Principe Tulum as a great place to stay. For excursions, I now use Mexico-Kan tours. They take only small groups, and their guides are fabulous. I have also hired a private guide while I was there. I can give you his info if you decide to go. He's a certified guide, and for about $150 you can hire him for the day. He has taken my friends and I to climb the ruins at Coba, hiking in a monkey preserve, zip-lining over a lagoon, snorkeling in underground rivers and swimming with the sea turtles at Akumal Beach. I would also recommend X-Caret, an eco theme park and Xel-Ha, an adventure park.
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Post by genny on Jul 8, 2014 15:51:03 GMT
Thanks so much for all the suggestions! After reading more on Key West, I think that will wait until both kids are off to college and DH and I will go that one alone! I'm think I'm going to plan a cruise for when DD graduates, but I have 3 years to worry over that one.
I am heavily leaning towards Riveria Maya now, also just found out that my SIL and BIL went there a couple of times- she has since passed away, but I am in touch with BIL getting the low down from him as well.
bgpa, i am definitely interested in getting the information on that guide from you - that sound absolutely amazing and exactly what we are looking for! SockMonkey - XCaret and Xel-Ha look amazing. I am really getting excited about planning this trip.
Thank you all again!
genny
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Post by omarakbt on Jul 8, 2014 16:15:38 GMT
My DD and SIL went to Phuket Thailand for their honeymoon and LOVED it! For less than going to Hawaii they stayed in 5 star resorts, did excursions from the hotel including elephant rides, canoe out to an underground, sort of, beach. The resorts are superb according to DD. www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293920-Phuket-Vacations.html |
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Post by dazeepetals on Jul 8, 2014 18:33:46 GMT
What about Hawaii? You won't need passports and it can be done on a budget if you plan wisely.
One thing to consider, even when traveling anywhere, is renting a house/condo off of VRBO. We found a 3 bedroom condo on the Big Island in Hawaii for $180/night. It was brand new and was very nice! This allowed us to cook our own meals which saves a ton on food expenses. We were a 5 min drive to a private beach (for condo/house owners only).
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