Brentastic Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Me and the wife decided we'd like to go on a beach vacation sometime this year - hopefully in the spring, possibly in the fall. We never had a honeymoon and we've only been on 2 short vacations. The goal is a leisurely trip (spas, dining etc...) with maybe some fun activities mixed in but stress the leisure. I don't want to google stuff and get a less than stellar deals and I know huddlers are the most knowledgeable people in the country. Ideally, I'd like to go to Hawaii but I'm open to Florida, Carolinas, Bahamas, West coast etc... The only requirement is a beach and warm weather because we'd like to escape the Chicago cold. So, can anyone point me in the direction of an excellent vacation deal(s) that you have used/know from experience (or someone you know has experienced). TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Go to Bermuda, preferably in May/June, stay at Cambridge Beaches and bring your wallet. Less expensive option, Del Coranado Hotel in San Diego, CA. Another Option, is St. Lucia one of the Sandals resorts, great and lovely place. Head to the Tampa/St. Pete, FL Area, very nice and gets over looked by a lot of travelers. I hear Maine is nice from July 18 through August 2... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiggieFries Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Look into cruises in the Caribbean. I'm pretty sure there are several threads here about it but I'm lazy and don't feel like doing the search. About as leisurely as you're going to get. Most ports of call have beach related activities and if you don't feel like getting off the boat you can just chill by the pools. Just another option for you. But, as SEC stated about the place he suggested, don't forget to pack your wallet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentastic Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 FYI, I'm not interested in cruises and I'm not interested in Mexico. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Me and the wife decided we'd like to go on a beach vacation sometime this year - hopefully in the spring, possibly in the fall. We never had a honeymoon and we've only been on 2 short vacations. The goal is a leisurely trip (spas, dining etc...) with maybe some fun activities mixed in but stress the leisure. I don't want to google stuff and get a less than stellar deals and I know huddlers are the most knowledgeable people in the country. Ideally, I'd like to go to Hawaii but I'm open to Florida, Carolinas, Bahamas, West coast etc... The only requirement is a beach and warm weather because we'd like to escape the Chicago cold. So, can anyone point me in the direction of an excellent vacation deal(s) that you have used/know from experience (or someone you know has experienced). TIA If you want to save money and have access to really nice beaches, I'd suggest Destin or Clearwater, FL. Temps are perfect by mid-May, which is a couple weeks before the Memorial Day crowds arrive (and prices get jacked up). Destin is more family friendly -- lots of chain restaurants, mini-golf, your typical shore town. In Clearwater you can drive to Tampa which has the Hard Rock Casino and more fine dining. In both places we rented condos across the street from the beach which had pools and outdoor grills, and cooked most of our meals ourselves, going out a few times for nice dinners. It keeps costs down and makes it feel like a home away from home. For my money the Gulf beaches blow both coasts out of the water in terms of water clarity and nice fine white sand. Also the fishing is incredible if you're into that -- one year I caught 20+ fish, mostly red snapper, more than we could eat in a week. We used this site to book the condo rentals: http://www.vacationrentals.com/ Now obviously Florida is not as exotic as Hawaii or the Caribbean islands, but you won't find a better deal for a relaxing beach vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentastic Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 If you want to save money and have access to really nice beaches, I'd suggest Destin or Clearwater, FL. Temps are perfect by mid-May, which is a couple weeks before the Memorial Day crowds arrive (and prices get jacked up). Destin is more family friendly -- lots of chain restaurants, mini-golf, your typical shore town. In Clearwater you can drive to Tampa which has the Hard Rock Casino and more fine dining. In both places we rented condos across the street from the beach which had pools and outdoor grills, and cooked most of our meals ourselves, going out a few times for nice dinners. It keeps costs down and makes it feel like a home away from home. For my money the Gulf beaches blow both coasts out of the water in terms of water clarity and nice fine white sand. Also the fishing is incredible if you're into that -- one year I caught 20+ fish, mostly red snapper, more than we could eat in a week. We used this site to book the condo rentals: http://www.vacationrentals.com/ Now obviously Florida is not as exotic as Hawaii or the Caribbean islands, but you won't find a better deal for a relaxing beach vacation. You're the 3rd person to mention the gulf side of Florida - there must be some truth to it. Thanks for the input!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpwallace49 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I rented a house in Key West a few years ago . . loved it. However the beaches are limited in Key West, you can get better beaches on another island like Islmorada (sp?) in the keys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Places on the east coast I would avoid, unless you're into golfing: Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach. But, speaking of the EC. If you just want beach and water. Try St. Simon's Island. There is a place, not on the beach, but very near, 1 block, the beach and "village" area, Oean Inn and Suites. The rooms are relatively nice and at 89 -150 a night it is very affordable for that area. Not a lot to do in SSI except hit the beach, drink, and eat. You can make a day excursion to Jekyll Island and tour the old mansions and stuff. The water is a little darker, due to being on the Atlantic. If you want ot spend a little more coin, you can always stay at the King and Prince, great hotel on the beach, good dining there, etc. If you're interested, let me know and I can give you a rundown of the bars, restaurants and other hotels to go to around there. They do have golf there as well. If you go there, watch out for a bald dude in a dark blue VW Touareg, he is most likely drunk... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiggieFries Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 If you want to save money and have access to really nice beaches, I'd suggest Destin or Clearwater, FL. Temps are perfect by mid-May, which is a couple weeks before the Memorial Day crowds arrive (and prices get jacked up). Destin is more family friendly -- lots of chain restaurants, mini-golf, your typical shore town. In Clearwater you can drive to Tampa which has the Hard Rock Casino and more fine dining. In both places we rented condos across the street from the beach which had pools and outdoor grills, and cooked most of our meals ourselves, going out a few times for nice dinners. It keeps costs down and makes it feel like a home away from home. For my money the Gulf beaches blow both coasts out of the water in terms of water clarity and nice fine white sand. Also the fishing is incredible if you're into that -- one year I caught 20+ fish, mostly red snapper, more than we could eat in a week. We used this site to book the condo rentals: http://www.vacationrentals.com/ Now obviously Florida is not as exotic as Hawaii or the Caribbean islands, but you won't find a better deal for a relaxing beach vacation. Since you're not interested in cruises I will do a +1 on Matt's suggestion. FL is a great place to go and with the economy the way it is you could get some pretty good deals. One other place you could look into is Longboat Key. It's near Sarasota and has great beaches on the Gulf and is also near one of the nicest beaches I've ever seen (Siesta Beach). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theprofessor Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Me and the wife decided we'd like to go on a beach vacation sometime this year - hopefully in the spring, possibly in the fall. We never had a honeymoon and we've only been on 2 short vacations. The goal is a leisurely trip (spas, dining etc...) with maybe some fun activities mixed in but stress the leisure. I don't want to google stuff and get a less than stellar deals and I know huddlers are the most knowledgeable people in the country. Ideally, I'd like to go to Hawaii but I'm open to Florida, Carolinas, Bahamas, West coast etc... The only requirement is a beach and warm weather because we'd like to escape the Chicago cold. So, can anyone point me in the direction of an excellent vacation deal(s) that you have used/know from experience (or someone you know has experienced). TIA Sign up for weekly emails from Travelzoo.com - I have taken 3 different vacations through their website and have saved a ton of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Just one thing if you are thinking about the Fall season for the gulf or east coast, that is hurricane season... I'd opt for going no later than mid/late august. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Oven Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 We go to Destin pretty much every year. Good family vacation spot, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrumjuice Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 He's thinking hawaii and you give destin? I love destin, been there a bunch, but it's not the same league as hawaii. I would also look to the islands in the Caribean, st.thomas, etc. There are a ton down there, a lot closer to the east side of the coast vs. HI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeteebee Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Is this adults only or are you taking the kid? If you just want to lay on the beach, I'd go here or here. If you want to do some hiking, see cool waterfalls, etc., then I'd go here. If you are going with kids, then go to a beaches resort. And for those recommending Destin, I'd kind of agree, but I'd recommend going 30-40 minutes east along 30A and hit Rosemary Beach, Seaside or Watercolor instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentastic Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Is this adults only or are you taking the kid? If you just want to lay on the beach, I'd go here or here. If you want to do some hiking, see cool waterfalls, etc., then I'd go here. If you are going with kids, then go to a beaches resort. And for those recommending Destin, I'd kind of agree, but I'd recommend going 30-40 minutes east along 30A and hit Rosemary Beach, Seaside or Watercolor instead. No kids, just me and the wife and possibly some other couples (also no kids - at least that's my desire). Not into anything that will tire me out (hiking, mountain climbing) but I am into more leisure fun (parasailing, jet skis etc...). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 No kids, just me and the wife and possibly some other couples (also no kids - at least that's my desire). Not into anything that will tire me out (hiking, mountain climbing) but I am into more leisure fun (parasailing, jet skis etc...). Caribbean, look at the all inclusives in the Cariibean. Sandals, St. Lucia. Travelzoo, as said above, I believe has good deals for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentastic Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 So, Sandals is a vacation provider? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 So, Sandals is a vacation provider? Resort - http://www.sandals.com/?WT.srch=1&utm_...and&esv_ppc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 The mrs. and I used Liberty Travel back in 08 when we went on our honeymoon to Europe. The total price was no different than if we booked flight and hotel through expedia/travelocity/etc. (we priced comparison shopped a lot) and we had an agent to talk it all over. We'd use our agent again if we even get to go on an extravagant vacation again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Go to Bermuda, preferably in May/June, stay at Cambridge Beaches and bring your wallet. Less expensive option, Del Coranado Hotel in San Diego, CA. Another Option, is St. Lucia one of the Sandals resorts, great and lovely place. Head to the Tampa/St. Pete, FL Area, very nice and gets over looked by a lot of travelers. I hear Maine is nice from July 18 through August 2... If you ever make it here let me know and Ill buy you a beer. You could also head a tad south of the Tampa area to Sarasota/Venice beaches. They are a little nicer and a little less touristy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.K.Trey Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Been to Sandals 3 times, loved it(also been to other all-inclusives). No kids allowed , They just added a new one in the Bahamas, it used to be a Four Seasons resort. Better food then almost all other all-inclusives. Prices are higher then other aal-inclusives but worth it. Did the Bahamas, Jamaica and my honeymoon in Antigua. Bring your drinking shoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Been to Sandals 3 times, loved it(also been to other all-inclusives). No kids allowed , They just added a new one in the Bahamas, it used to be a Four Seasons resort. Better food then almost all other all-inclusives. Prices are higher then other aal-inclusives but worth it. Did the Bahamas, Jamaica and my honeymoon in Antigua. Bring your drinking shoes. We don't wear shoes when we drink in GA. But, what G.K.said is true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I've got Destin on my mind now:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentastic Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share Posted January 25, 2011 If you ever make it here let me know and Ill buy you a beer. You could also head a tad south of the Tampa area to Sarasota/Venice beaches. They are a little nicer and a little less touristy. Will do, brother. Will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.K.Trey Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 We don't wear shoes when we drink in GA. But, what G.K.said is true. as long as you wear pants ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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