pgshorty

Hi everybody-

I need your help in a recommendation for an upcoming trip in May 2010. My husband, 8 month old daughter and I are planning a beach vacation in May. Do you have suggestions for a location that is somewhat child friendly. We have been to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Hawaii and Tahiti so we are looking for a new place. We would like a relatively short flight (flying from Milwaukee-less than 5 hours). We normally like to go hiking and just relax but this will be our first trip with our little one so we'll have to see if we can go hiking with her. I would like a beautiful beach with nice ocean-front resorts and good restaurants.

What would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help!

TPAYT

We also fly from Milwaukee. After going to almost every island in the Caribbean, we have settled in to Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos.

You fly to Charlotte--1&1/2 hrs. then to Provo 2&1/2-3 hrs.

www.oceanclubresorts.com Ocean Club West is perfect for us.

The beach is stunning and having a condo with a child would be ideal. They do have a full service restaurant and there are so many restaurants in walking distance.

You can check www.VRBO.com or www.homeaway.com for lesser prices.

If you like something more upscale, there are many choices.

TPAYT

A similar choice would be www.royalwestindies.com or www.thesandsresort.com

Again, upscale---more choices. Lesser cost---probably not.

But after the places you've been, you'd probably love Grace Bay.

KVR

I agree with T & C, but also suggest Aruba for "beautiful beach with nice ocean-front resorts and good restaurants". Not sure of the flight time from your area, but it's about 5 hours direct from Houston, TX.

St. John, USVI would probably meet your critieria also.

Weadles

When in May are you thinking of going? Bermuda could be an ideal destination for the latter half of the month, when it's a bit warmer. It has beautiful pink beaches, lots of great restaurants and many hotels that cater to families. Plus, since it's a very short flight from the East Coast ( about two hours or less) it should not be too bad a flight from Milwaukee.

pgshorty

Thank you so much for all of your replies! We are looking to go during the week of May 16 so Bermuda might still be a little cold. TPAYT thanks for your help I'm going to look at T&C. If anybody else has any other suggestions, please do let me know.

pgshorty

Sorry one other question...is there hiking on T&C? Or other activities to do with an 8-month old?

RoamsAround

While you can technically "hike" anywhere the T&C's, the island of Providenciales (Provo) where you are considering staying, is a relatively flat, arid and featureless island so "hiking" is not a major activity nor are there an abundance of "nature hiking trails" - those trails that do exist are mostly across unpaved roads or sandy dunes. You can, however, spend as much time as you like walking (hiking) along Grace Bay's 11+ mile beach or any of the other beaches on the island.

I don't mean to sound abrupt or unkind but I doubt an 8 month old child can do much "hiking" even if there was a place to do it. Hiking, by definition, usually envolves walking along rugged trails not condusive for using a stroller so you'd end up carrying your child the entire way. If by hiking you actually mean walking along paved sidewalks in a park-like setting with your child in a stroller, well than you are pretty much going to be restricted to walking around the grounds of your resort (or prehaps other resorts) as there are very few sidewalks on the island.

As far as "activities to do with a 8-month old" you are going to be pretty limited to the same type of activities you do with your child "at home". In addition, you can let your child play in the sand (make sure you use plenty of sunblock and perhaps have a beach umbrella as the sun can be quite strong for a child that age), perhaps sit with you at the water's edge or maybe even take the child for a dip in the ocean or pool at your resort (some places like Ocean Club have kiddie pools). At 8 months old your child is much too young for any "organized children's program" so you are going to be your child's main provider of "activities" and/or entertainment.

Kristinelaine

Is the child 8 months old now or will the child be 8 months old in May? Those are two quite different ages. In one case the child could be walking. In the other, not. Big difference!

Lakes97

My husband and I were avid hikers before our kids were born, and we still are (they are both teens now). We took them hiking from a very young age, dressed appropriately for the weather, etc. And they grew up to love hiking and other outdoor activities. We used a good front carrier when they were quite small, and when they were bigger a good child carrier that is like a backpack. Those backpack carriers are wonderful as they distribute the child's weight on your back, the child is comfortable, and everyone can enjoy the hiking. Don't let your child stop you from travelling!! Kids love to travel and experience new things. The sooner we introduce them to life, the better for the whole family. Kids can eat in restaurants, go shopping, wander historic sites, have quiet times in a park, etc. In fact I find that travelling with children gives you a new perspective and you can learn a lot. Yes, there may be more work, but it is worth it thousands of times over. Go and enjoy.