All inclusive Christmas 2009
 

Where would you suggest six adults and one infant go December, all inclusive with sandy beaches and nice weather. Someplace that would be nice, but would not cost a fortune - although I certainly know that it will be expensive this time of year no matter where we go.

Well, we need more to go on - tell us about the type of vacation you are considering, what type of island you want (big, small, arid & Flat, lush and hilly), whether you need nightlife, lots of watersports or shopping, etc. It will help us steer you in the right direction. The thing is you canm find "sandy beaches and nice weather throughout the Caribbean.

You already know that Christmas is "peak time" in the Caribbean so expect to see the highest room prices (compared to "off-season prices at the same resort) of the year regardless of where you decide to go. Give us an idea of how much you want to spend for accomodations as terms like "won't cost a fortune" are somewhat meaningless without a point of reference - $100 is a fortune to some while $1,000 could be pocket change for others. Also, you may encounter minimum stay requirements if you are travelling between Christmas & New Year's so factor that into your budget & travel plans.

Lastly, you've indicated a desire for All Inclusive that "won't cost a fortune" - if that's what you want check out resorts in the Dominican Republic - there are hundreds of AI's on the island and, on average, it is considered one of the lease expensive destinations in the Caribbean. Other destinations with an abundance of AI's are: Jamaica, Cancun and Cozemel and to a lesser extent Antigua.

Help us help you, give us more information about you and your group.

Sorry - didn't mean to be vague. I am looking at spending around $10,000-$15,000 for the five days. We would like a relaxing vacation, but I know some of them want parasailing and snorkeling. I know some places want a minimum but we can only all get 5 days off of work so that will have to be our limit (5 nights).

I would really like a villa so we can all be together but I am finding all inclusive villas very hard to find.

I would like an island that is not too long a flight from the southeast US because, as I have already said, we don't have too much time and we don't want to be flying for two entire days.

Hope this clarifies some things - thanks

All-Inclusive villas are difficult to find - period. Other than ones associated with a major All-Inclusive resort I don't think they exist. Check out Jumby Bay on Antigua, Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda as I believe they offer rental villas and may do either All-Inclusive or a meal plan.

If you are able to easily reach Antigua from your departure city and don't mind taking a short 12 minute flight (you'll be met band escorted to the plane by a resort representative) look at Coco Point Lodge on Barbuda. This is a true All Inclusive Resort that has 3 and 4 bedroom cottages directly on a spectacular white sand beach that stretches for as far as the eye can see (if you walked to that point you'll see miles and miles of more beach) - probaly more than 15 miles long with literally no one on it but the 50 or so guests staying at the resort. You get 3 gourmet meals a day, all the drinks (everything from soft drinks to champagne) and snacks you want, deep sea fishing, sailing, snorkeling, waterskiing, windsurfing, sea kyacking, island tours, skeet shooting, etc., all included in your daily rate. The only thing missing from your list is parasailing.

If that doesn't work for you perhaps you might want to consider renting a condo or villa on Providenciales (in the Turks & Caicos). It most likely won't be All Inclusive but with your budget you could provision and hire a chef or cook to prepare your meals and you'd have enough left over in your budget to pay for plenty of activities.

Lastly, you can should be able to find rental villas on St. Thomas (an easy destination for many US Gateway airports). Here agai, they won't be all inclusive but your budget should allow you enough to purchase provisions and hire a cook. find

i believe both of these are pretty much exactly what you're looking for:
http://www.tryallclub.com/
http://www.moondancevillas.com/
actually almost all the private villas on jamaica come with full staff. the cooks will even do all the shopping.

or if you'd consider mexico, you might contact locogringo.com and ask them to suggest one of their many villas. the maya riviera coast (south of cancun to tulum) has great houses. almost all come with housekeeper/poolman and have a cook avail for fee. there is tons to do within an hours drive from all locations. be very specific if you e them. tell them dates, price range, pool or not, that villa must be on swimming beach with snorkeling, and have staff.