Katie_H

Beginning in January, Fodor's will be highlighting warm weather vacation destinations and trip ideas throughout the site in an effort to connect travelers with their ideal "80 Degrees" winter escape. We'll also be introducing a travel planner that can recommend a sunny locale in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Hawaii, or Florida that suits your travel style, budget, and desired vacation activities.

The travel planner won't officially be live on the site for a few more weeks, but we have a sneak peek version that Fodor's members can try out now. After you answer a few questions related to the type of trip you'd like to take, we'll serve up a destination that best matches your preferences, along with a list of top alternatives.

For those of you scratching your heads for a quick post-holiday getaway, our travel planner might be just the thing to jump start that trip. You might even find that your "best match" is a destination not previously on your travel radar.

We're looking forward to hearing about your experience with the planner. If you have any comments or questions, just click on the feedback form in the top left-hand corner of the planner's screen.

You can try the travel planner here: http://www.fodors.com/80degrees/

ejcrowe

Well, I just tried it and so far I'm not impressed. It told me my best match was Acapulco, with Cozumel, Aruba, and Grand Cayman all in the top suggestions. These are place I would never consider traveling, especially since I generally prefer, and indeed selected on the survey, more off the beaten path kind of places.

I think the planner would be better if more ranges could be selected for various things, such as the budget (I'm willing to pay UP to this price) or if more choices weren't simply either/or. Being on a beach/having a kitchen/having a pool are all fairly important to me, but no single item is a breaking point for me, for exanple, but the survey asks for what are considered must-haves.

Patty

I had the same issue http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...ut-24524-2.cfm

Katie_H

Thanks for the feedback ejcrowe and Patty; it's definitely helpful.

sharie

I got excellent results. It told me Costa Rica (north, south and central), the islands of HA, Florida keys, and Mexican's Caribbean coast were good matches.

I wish I had lots of money, I can only take 1 trip a year!

blamona

While it's wrong, it's still fun to do!

I played around with it, and once it gave me excellent choices (undiscovered, upscale, pool, gave me Eleuthera, Virgin Gorda and SVG, all excellent for my tastes.)

Other times, I put undiscovered, great beaches, gave me Miami! (undiscovered?) and Costa Rica (beaches? more like adventure)

But even with the wrong choices, it's a fun idea to have on the website!

PS some of the fun is that it gets it wrong! ;-)

schmerl

It worked pretty well for me!

Katie_H

Thanks for the feedback. I think the logarithm behind the tool equally weighs travel style, activities, and flight convenience.

Would you personally weigh those factors differently? As in, what would be your first priority? A destination that matches your style (like popular vs. undiscovered), a destination that best offers the activities you're hoping to do, or a destination that is conveniently located for flight ease?

Knowing

It was easy and picked spots that were really "me" The first choice was Costa Rica which I think looks beautiful and I have been trying to talk my husband into for several years now! I think you did an excellent job!

Katie_H

Topping for the weekend crowd...

caribtraveler

It didn't work out that great for me. The top destination was Antigua.. and frankly we have no desire to go there. The places that I would put on top of my list ended up towards the bottom: Eleuthera/Exuma, Grenada.
To answer your question Katie, I would weigh those factors differently. At least for me, I've finally figured out that the places I like the most are a pain to get to. So I'm willing to endure the long flight. Therefore flight ease would rank much lower than my vacation style which is undiscovered.

ejcrowe

I tried it out again, playing around with slightly different answers. I wanted as far off the beaten path as I could get, I was willing to spend up to the maximum budget for accommodations, and that I was willing to travel all day to get there. The suggestions were mostly the same as the first time 'round for me, with Aruba, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Acapulco all in the top 5.

screen_name_taken

I did not like planner at all. Miami is not what I consider "undiscovered".

Undiscovered would be something like Biras Creek. It can't be beat for relaxation, fabulous beach, impressive location, fantastic service. Off the beaten path, upscale, near Virgin Gorda ... paradise!