I just spent the day digging out from about 16 inches of snow here in Michigan. I have to have something to look forward to to get me through winter. Does anyone have a suggestion for a place that my wife and our 12 year old daughter can go for spring break? We did Aruba last year and had a wonderful time. We were drawn there by the very consistent weather and are wondering if there's another place that is equally reliable. <BR> <BR>I'm not interested in going anywhere that requires fighting poverty to get to the resort or hotel area (Jamaica and Acapulco come to mind), and would look for good beaches, etc. Some night life would be nice, but frankly other than nice dining options, we don't have to do too much of the club or casino scene to get our fill. We'd like to snorkel if that's available as we had fun doing that last year. I know this is vague, but anyone have some suggestions?? <BR> <BR>Thanks for any help you can offer.

Anguilla. A very small quiet island with over 32 white sand beaches. Great dining and but not much in nightlife. Its a 20min ferry link to St. Martin as a day trip for shopping or over to St. Barts (1hr). For more info on Anguilla and accommodations, feel free to email me. <BR>

You may want to look into Grand Cayman. It's safe, no poverty, great beach, fantastic water, outstanding restaurants and service, fast food joints if you want some cheaper eats, and great snorkeling that is easily accessable from the shore. One major plus is the water. Its like a swimming pool at the seven mile beach area- warm, clear, and calm. If you consider staying in Grand Cayman, look into the Westin on seven mile beach. Its the best resort on the island hands down. The draw backs to grand cayman are- very little shopping, no historic sites to see, and little nightlife (although some of the hotels have bars and theres a night club across the street from the Westin).

<BR>I agree with above. We just got back from a fabulous vacation in Grand Cayman. We stayed in a villa at Tresure Island resort. This way we saved on food which is expensive. But we walked through town never fearing for our safety in fact most folks were British or Canadian. have stayed lots of places and enjoyed this for the quiet, the beaches, the safety, the lack of poverty.

<BR>I agree with above. We just got back from a fabulous vacation in Grand Cayman. We stayed in a villa at Tresure Island resort. This way we saved on food which is expensive. But we walked through town never fearing for our safety in fact most folks were British or Canadian. have stayed lots of places and enjoyed this for the quiet, the beaches, the safety, the lack of poverty.

Randy: I live in Erie, so I know what you mean. <BR> <BR>Aruba is great, isn't it? <BR> <BR>From what I've been told, Grand Cayman is a good place to go, although it is "touristry". <BR> <BR>I've been digging for some time and came up with some good thoughts on two places: Eleuthera, near Nassau, but pretty, quiet and safe; Provo in the Turks and Caicos islands, fairly close to the Bahamas. <BR> <BR>Take a look at those two. Lots of info on the web. <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR>

Hi Randy: We have a high here of -27c so what better to do than think about Caribbean holidays! We love Aruba too! <BR>We stayed at La Cabana and enjoyed it immensely. It is hard to give a suggestion other than Aruba because it seems like offering second best. However,you may enjoy St Maartens it is lovely, more lush and a little bigger than Aruba so it offers more to do. Renting a car is easy and affordable and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the many lovely beaches esp. Cupocoey and Baie Longue.There are also very good restaurants. We are planning an April holiday and almost booked Blue Bay Village (formerly the Hotel Mont Vernon), decided instead on a cruise from San Juan to St.Thomas (St.John),St Martins, Barbados,Dominica and Martinique for almost the same price. Maybe you would prefer a cruise this time (this will be our third) and some cruises children sail free. Happy planning! Karen <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>w

Lee suggested the Bahamas, and they're great, but one thing to be wary of is the weather. I don't know when spring break is, but it's probably in March, and the weather in the Bahamas can vary widely at that time of year. I spent 5 days down there 2 years ago in mid-March and I sat on the beach in a sweatshirt each day. The temp. could be 80 degrees, but it could also very easily be 65-70, so keep this in mind. Places like Anguilla and St. Maarten offer more reliable warm weather.

Cancun, Cozumel or Playa del Carmen. We did Cancun and PDC with our kids as teenagers and they loved them. You money goes VERY FAR, and the people are wonderful. I'd lean toward laid-back PDC, because it is smaller, but Cancun is an awful lot of fun, too, if you like the "glitz." You can daytrip from either to see the ruins at Tulum, or to snorkel the cenotes (as well as over some of the reefs). Actually, Cancun may be over-run with Spring breakers, so you may well want to head for Playa del Carmen, instead. It doesn't have the party-life that Cancun does.