Matt

My great grandmother died and left me and my sister $3,000. ($1500 each which we are willing to combine). We thought it would be fun to spend it on a vacation for all of us (really we did not want to bring our parents at first but that is not an option). I am seventeen and my sister is 12 and my parents are both 45. We get a break off of school in Dec for Christmas holiday.We would go away for 6 days. I don't want to go to Disneyworld and both my parents don't want to go on a cruise. I don't know what is left. We live in Wisconsin and have never been to the beach. Please tell me what to do! Thank you!!!

Kevin

First off, the only warm beaches in the US in late Decemeber are in South Florida.
You can go to SoCalifornia, but you won't want to go in the water and it's really not all that warm feeling.
Second, most of the popular places have already booked up for the holidays.
For tropical type atmosphere and waterscapes, look into Key West. Not a good place for beaches (there are virtually no real beaches there).
If beach is the key, try Sanibel Island, Captiva, aslso in SoFlorida. Miami beach is fun to visit and the small area around Collins Avenue (which you'll see in many music videos) is interesting to see at night. But I wouldn't visit Miami just for that if I were you.

The best you could arrange for beaches, economically, would be to go to Mexico: specifically Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Airfares won't be cheap for the holidays, though. These are really great beaches, soft light colored sand, really blue water, and it's very warm in December.

steve

Sounds like the beach is the place to go. Problem is Christmas is the busiest travel time of the year. Much more expensive, much more hassle. Why not put the money in the bank until school is finished in June. Then take the family to a beach. You will have beach choices all over the country in June. It wont be as crowded or expensive.

xxx

I just want to say I think that is a lovely idea for you and your sister to do. Not sure about how "we didn't want to bring our parents? comment. Hmmmmm!!Well I will let that one ride. I have to agree if it is possible to save it for early spring might be a good idea. You are approachng a very busy time that week in Dec. If you can contact a travel agent I would do so and ask for there input. Start thinking early spring or summer. Then go to a wonderful beach. A beach you will never forget. You and your family could go to a great AI in the Caribbean. Punta Cana, or Playa Del Carmen in Mexico. That would be ideal, many activities for the entire family. Good luck.

tjc

It might be tough to wait - but if you can , bank the money.Then when school is out in June/July look to go to Ocean City, Maryland or Rehobath Beach , Delaware. Look for your flights soon(for better savings).You can make the money go further by renting an oceanside condo(probably for a whole week).
An example of a condo in Ocean City would be The Quay at about 101st Street.It is on the ocean,has an indoor pool for evenings or rainy days,a nice outdoor pool deck and pool, a game room and a mini-market in the building.
Going to the beaches in Florida will be fun too - just go before it gets ultra hot. Have fun.

jill

6 days is too short to really have a good time. Wait until spring break or some time when you have a full week off from school. Then, combined with the weekend prior and the weekend after, you'll have a great 9 day trip.

charlie

Man, don't go to Ocean City or Rehobeth Beach. What a waste! Why would parents allow their school-age kids foot the bill for a vacation? Isn't it their responsibility to teach you to be financially savvy with your money (windfall or not)? Especially the 12-year-old. Like stealing candy from a baby. Good luck, man. You're gonna need it.

These parents

Charlie makes a good point. The parents are probably saying this is your money and you can do with it what you want. What they should have done was let them spend half and save half. And the parents should definately be paying for their share of the vacation.
Other ideas are to encourage the kids to research different places so they can get a good value - a lesson in there.

Leslie

What about a trip to Mexico? Or Ireland, Paris, or London. Check out the packages at www.go-today.com.

growup

You're too young to wisely spend this money - and before anyone argues with me just read the typos in the heading and the whiny tone of the post. If you can't even proof read your own post, how are you responsible enough to make a good investment decision? Put the money on the bank (or CD, etc.) wait a few years and THEN decide where you really want to go. Pretty much what you are doing now is blowing your inheritance on a "freebie" winter break. It took Great-Grandma a long time to come up with that money, maybe she should have left it to someone who appreciated it a little more than you seem to.

And who in their right mind would let a bunch of strangers tell them where to go to fritter away $3000?

Souette

I here you! I can understand you not really wanting your parents to go...you're 17!
My advice. You and your sister take $200 a piece and check into a very nice hotel for the night/weekend (with your parents). Go swimming, go out for a really nice meal and then shop for something that you've been wanting to splurge on. Put the rest of the money in the bank.
After YOU graduate, you've still got $1300 left for a really nice vacation after you turn 18...and don't really have to take your parents with you. Maybe a spring break with your friends.
$1500 is a lot of fun money and you're itching to spend it! Just don't spend it so soon on something so quick.
You're asking strangers to help you to decide. Won't it be neat to have the money there in the bank when you truly have an idea of somewhere YOU would actually like to go?
Good luck and have fun!

Liz

Well said Souette!

Matt

First off, sorry about the typos. I was in a rush to get this out.

Second, I don't know why you're surprised that I would ask for travel advice from "a bunch of strangers." I mean, isn't that what this website is all about, basically?

Third, my great grandma, when she was still alive and able to talk, suggested we use the money for a family vacation.

Reason being, our family has gone through some tough times in the last few years and she wanted us to have some happy times to balance things out, I guess. My father got lung cancer four years ago (even though he does not smoke at all and never did), it was in remission, but now it is back and things don't look too good for him in the long run. He used to be a very fit and big man, and now he weighs less than me. It's cold in Wisconsin, and because he's so skinny, he feels the cold more than the rest of us. I guess my great grandma thought we should take a vacation all together while he's still around. The comment I made about going without my parents was a joke. I pray every night that my dad will get better. I don't know why some of you are so nasty. Maybe you're the immature one.

Judy

Matt, you sound like a wonderful young man, and I bet your parents are very proud of you. I think your post just goes to show what many others have said: we shouldn't always reply with judgmental responses to questions we're not asked. You didn't owe anyone an explanation, but since you did give one, I can only offer my hope that things will work out for your family. As for a practical suggestion, I'm concerned that you might be too late to book something for the Christmas holidays, and anyway, since it's high season, it would cost a fortune. Your best bet for warm and inexpensive would be Mexico. Good luck, and please come back and tell us what you decide.

klam

Let up on the typos will ya guys! My goodness, this board is for travel advice so why do posters need to comment on typos or grammar as long as the OP is understandable? Geesh!

When I first read the OP, I thought that it was very giving and considerate of the great grandson to do. Instead of hording the $$ for himself and buying something that would be really cool, he decides to share it with his family. What an unselfish gesture. How many kids nowadays would do that? And then the frumps bag on him for spending the money right away. Of course, now that I know it is to honour your gr.grd.m., it seems even more suitable.

And you're right this is a travel board, and you ask for advice here. Adults do it all the time and no one bags on them. I think you're getting an unduly hard time here. I think it's really smart to get advice from somewhere rather than just call up a travel agent and say you have $3000 for them to spend on planning a trip for your family.

To answer your original post, I'd suggest Playa del Carmen or maybe San Diego (tho I don't know about beaches there).

Best of luck to your dad; I hope he's very proud of you as he's lucky to have a wonderful son like you.

Cindy

Skip the beach, go to NYC. Stay someplace great (reasonable rates in some hotels, or holiday specials), take a tour, art museums, Broadway show, Tavern on the Green, Rockettes, ride through Central Park ... Do a long weekend instead of 6 days. Try to save SOME of that money! -- Cindy

Ellen

17 and 12 and you have never been to the beach! You must do a beach vacation. Someplace where you can relax and be a family. But, airfare for 4 people over Christmas is going to wipe out your funds in a hurry. You might also have a hard time getting flights on the dates you need. I would either wait until the spring and then head to Mexico or Puerto Rico. Your first beach should be a beautiful one.

Danny

I would drive into Chicago, get 2 rooms at the Fairmont (after thoroughly web-searching for the absolute *best* rate) for 5 days and have a blast seeing all the sights. Easy-schmeazy! I know it's not balmy but there is much to do in the warm confines of buildings - and it is very convenient for where you live. Much less hassle than flying during the holidays.

>footnote to poster "growup": 'proofread' is one word, not two.

orgy7

may'be try out Puerto rico..