A friend and her husband want to go someplace warm for 5-7 days and want to bring along their 7-year-old -- preferably someplace with a kids' program or reputable babysitting service so that they can have an occasional evening to themselves. They don't want anyplace terribly expensive, and would prefer someplace with nonstop flights out of the NY/NJ area. Does anyone have any first-hand recommendations?

Here's the web address for a very good agency that I found on the Family Forum website: <BR> <BR>http://www.travelunlimited.com

Here's the web address for a very good agency that I found on the Family Forum website: <BR> <BR>http://www.travelunlimited.com

Lisa-You can fly nonstop to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Here is a list of resorts with good kid's programs. Bahamas-Atlantis Resort, Nassau Marriott Resort and the Radisson Cable Beach Resort. Puerto Rico-El Conquistador Resort, Hyatt Cerromar Resort and Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort. Jamaica-Beaches Negril, Boscobel Beach Resort and the FDR Resort. These hotels reduce their rates mid-April.

I'm also looking for a reasonable resort with RELIABLE,fun kid activities. My husband and I are also divers so we're looking for a place with good dive sites. So far I've heard good things about Boscobel in Jamaica if you don't mind seaweed on the beach. Caneel Bay and Little Dix have good but expensive programs. We're now looking at Prospect Reef in Tortola and The Bitter End in Virgin Gorda. Anyone with any experience out there? Biras Creek has a nice package but no specific children's activites. For your friend's needs, i.e., someplace warm, occasional evening to themselves, one of the Jamaican resorts might be the ticket.

Karen-The Turks and Caicos has great diving. There is a resort called Beaches that has a good kids' program. I think scuba diving is included in their rates.

We just returned from Club Maeva in Manzanillo Mexico. It was the first trip for our 8 year old twins and 5 year old. It was wonderful. There was so much for the kids to do, very safe, very clean, no one got sick , perfect weather and a great kids club. The only draw back was the undertow at the beach, which was great fun for the 8 year olds but a bit strong for the 5 year old. Would recommend it. We had a suite for the 5 of us and the kids called it the castle as it was on 3 levels and all stucco sort of. Not too expensive and a good all inclusive. If anyone wants to know more, please e mail me.

Just back from a week at Cozumel, stayed at El-Presidente resort. Very wonderful and congenial staff, swimming pool, beautiful beach, and a nanny service with kids activities planned. <BR>

Laurie's response about direct flights from NYC was right on. I write for a family travel newsletter and have kids almost 5 &7. We have checked out tons of kids programs in the Caribbean. Have been to the Hyatt in Cerromar & Dorado. Cerromar has a big river pool that you tube through. It meanders through the property and ends up in an area with a big two story waterslide the 7 year old will love, (height requirement for the slide part). Nice, but big sprawling resort. Older kids love it because it offers plenty to do. Little Dix Bay has a phenomenal kids program but a very pricey place. Let me know if you need more info. Good luck!