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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 03:37 PM
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Might be last family trip

Hi all, we are a family of 6. Two oldest kids live in nyc on their own, and two youngest are atill at home at 10 and 12. It is getting hard to travel together, so we want to plan one last trip befor the grown kids have kids of their own. We have 10 days at the end of March. We have always gone to beach destinations as the whole family can have fun together. have all done athens and santorini, and the big guys have both been to Italy. So my question is where to go? We have had suggestion for London with Dubai, what do you all think. We will be traveling from NYC. Thanks
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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 03:45 PM
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End of March is iffy weather in most of Europe. You might consider Sicily for both ancient ruins and perhaps (if you are lucky), good enough weather for the beach
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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 03:47 PM
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Hi et,

PARIS

Because if you die and go to Heaven, you will be very disappointed that you never went to Paris.

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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 03:55 PM
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Ira, I always imagined Heaven to be an express elevator to Paris? Hm...

You could never go wrong w/Paris or Rome (and some Italian countryside--if the older two agree since they've already been). Why Dubai? Temps/resorts/shopping?

I think picking a place w/nightlife for the older two could be key. Why not let everyone choose their top 3 places and majority rules? Best of luck!

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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 06:05 PM
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Australia!!! 3 days of travel getting there and a great week of beaches and surfing! Hope you make it!
Tara
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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 06:09 PM
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How about Provence?
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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 06:11 PM
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In March? Why not do an eco-tour in Costa Rica? Weather in London will most likely be miserable.
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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 06:13 PM
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By the way, Sicily does NOT have warmer weather than the rest of Europe. I was in Sicily two Aprils ago and it snowed in Palermo.

Andalucia in Spain is worth considering for a tour of the Alhambra and horseback riding. Just don't book over Easter weeks. It's a mob scene.

But personally, I'd go to Costa Rica.
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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 06:15 PM
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I'd go to Southern Spain. Good chance of good weather and a great destination you haven't been to yet.
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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 06:23 PM
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some suggestions:

Sicily
Turkey
Andalucia
Crete

However, I'm pretty sure the sea won't be warm enough for swimming in any of these places in March.
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Old Jul 13th, 2006, 06:29 PM
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We went to London one March (not a time we picked) and the weather was delightful, sunny and in the upper 50's to low 60's. You can never tell.
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 06:10 AM
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We went to Costa Rica for spring break and had a terrific time. The weather was great.

Of course, Paris is fantastic if the kids haven't been.

We're considering Spain.
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 06:37 AM
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Fix your parameters, because otherwise you're going to get the kind of answers you're getting: Paris! Costa Rica! Turkey! Australia! (My vote in this vein: pin up Mercator map of world, select dart, throw.....)

What's the goal of this trip - and are the two independent kids behind it - and I mean, enthusiastically behind it? I'd be inclined to let them choose the destination, providing they bear in mind the needs of two young kids. ( Dubai might be a glamourous destination, but it is a long hike from NYC, especially on a trip just 10 days long. Unless, of course, you have special reasons (family?)
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 06:40 AM
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We've been to Paris in March twice. Next time we'll return when it is actually warm enough to comfortably stroll outside & enjoy the outdoor cafes.

My vote is for Andalucia. We had beautiful weather in early March. In the rural areas we were hiking in the orange groves in shorts & t shirts. Seville can provide a taste of all the nightlife the older ones need.

Actually having just travelled with my kids in their 20s, it seems once they get in the routine of jobs & getting up in the morning, the kids are more on the same type of time schedule you are. Maybe you won;t need to be so concerned about the nightlife scene.
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 06:45 AM
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Forgot to add that when I was investigating places for our March trip this past spring, I looked into Turkey. Apparently one of the joys of Istanbul is taking the boats up the Bosporhus to the various suburbs 7 palaces. Weather in march did not seem conducive to this.
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 06:53 AM
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But there is ever so much more to do in Istanbul than that cruise! I might cast my vote for Turkey....I would guess Cappadocia would offer good weather in late March. You could split between Istanbul and Cappadocia and also investigate what the weather along southern coast would be....the height of early spring should be good.
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 07:10 AM
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Late March can be rather cold in the UK and northern Europe, so I would recommend staying south. Not sure where you got the Dubai idea - but if you want a Europe/Other combo what about Spain and Morocco? Both countries get oppressively hot in the summer so March/April would be a wonderful time to travel there. And both have some great beach towns along with loads of culture and scenery.
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 07:13 AM
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I just saw your other post on this topic - and of your list I think that both Hawaii and Costa Rica would be great choices for a late-March beach trip. Though I think you all would get much more than just sand fleas out of a Spanish or a Spain/Morocco vacation.
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 01:03 PM
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Wow, thank you all so much. The beach destinations have been our choice in the past because of the small kids, but now they are older we are looking for more. I am also concerned about the weather in northern europe. As far as dubai we heard it is a safe place for travel as this is a concern for our oldest daughter. My fist choice is Egypt but she is fearful. Night life is not important since we all settle into family time and they do not venture out at night, save that for frinds in NYC. Costa Rica is under consideration, how is the bug situation? so many wonderful places, and i always want to please all. I love to plan and dream, dh and I are off to Amalfi Coast next mo. with the littles at sleepaway camp. Please keep your thoughts coming, I know we have to decide soon
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Old Jul 14th, 2006, 02:06 PM
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I've not been there but have a friend who lives in the Canary Islands & loves it. I've seen lots of photos she's taken & it looks very interesting.
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