My husband and I are looking to take a quick 4 day trip in mid-March. We are from the Philadelphia area and don't want to spend too much time on an airplane. Our main requirements are a nice beach, hot weather, and a quiet relaxing environment. Any advice on where to go? Thanks!

We just got back from a quick 4 night trip to Sandals Royal Bahamian in the Bahamas and loved it. The Bahmas are a direct flight under 3 hours from Philly and the Sandals resort is just 15 minutes from the airport. It doesn't get really hot there at that time of the year. We were there from 2/19 to 2/24 and it was in the mid 70's everyday. The water was cold but we went snorkeling anyway and had a great time. Jamaica is another option. You can take a direct flight and it's a little warmer there this time of the year.

Was it warm enough to be comfortable laying on the beach?

Puerto Rico will be warmer and a direct flight. Check into it.

Well, we both came back pretty tan! It was a little chilly but most people found it warm enough to lay out. Do bring warm clothes if you go, at least one or two light sweaters and maybe a warm sweatshirt. I wish I had a warm sweatshirt on the beach. It was a little windy and sometimes the sun would hide behind the clouds. If you really want HOT weather, you might be disappointed in the Bahamas uless you go in April.

provo in turks and caicos! gorgeous beach. you can fly usair for $431/pp in 31/2 hours nonstop. quiet island. great food mostly served on patios. most of the hotels are condo so you can dine in if you wish. there is even a service called restaurants to go. they bring you menu items from a list of spots
i grew up in valley forge and berwyn.

virginia - that looks interesting, can you recommend a place(s) to stay? Thanks.

You should also consider Puerto Rico. The only reason we didn't go to PR or Jamaica is that we have already been to Jamaica and I'm going to PR on a business trip later this year. We'll go back to the Bahamas, but probably won't go from Dec to March because it's not really hot there during the winter months. My boss was in PR last week and said it was in the low 90's.

Any details on Puerto Rico (e.g. places to stay, what the beaches are like -- whether they are crowded, etc)? Thanks!

We stayed at the Caribe Hilton, but that was a long time ago. People here call it a convention hotel. I thought it was very nice when we stayed there. It has a private beach. Most of the hotels on the strip at the condado area (which you can walk to from the Caribe)are public beach areas. I understand the Hyatt Dorado is a great hotel, have heard good things about the Wyndam or is a Westin. Check into these. Puerto Rico would be warm and a fun destination.

Puerto Rico is a good choice--I stayed at the Wyndham El SAn Juan and flew direct from NY--it was a quick direct flight, and the hotel was 10 minutes from the airport. The beach was nice--but not the most quiet and relaxing--more happening, and quite busy. This year, we've just booked a trip to Provo--also a short, direct flight. Hoping to find even more beautiful beaches and a quiet place to relax.
good luck!

hi travelbeck, i would like to suggest 2 web sites. first go to www.provo.net this site list every hotel on the island.(and everything else on provo too) then you might take a look at www.travelhop.com this site has virtual tours of most of the hotels.
without knowing more about you and your budget it would be hard to recommend 1 place. royal west indies, the sands, and coral gardens are all very popular. cg is the most on the beach place (others set back slightly - like 50-100 yds) but also fairly pricey. really for 4 days you can't go wrong with any of the hotels directly on the beach. you will be outdoors all day.
if you can find the sites for the very last minute traveler you might find a very good deal. good luck !!!

Message to Virginia - Berwyn, Illinois?

lola -, berwyn, pa. i mentioned it because travelbeck indicated they are in the phila area; as are berwyn and valley forge.

Turks and Caicos beaches are far superior than puerto Rico's beaches, and a little bit shorter flight. T&C's resorts are all about 10 minutes away, you could lose time getting to resorts in Puerto Rico, and for 4 days, you want as much beach time as possible.