Message: Message: We are planning a vacation for early June. This is our first real vacation, after college and with real jobs. We are in our mid 20s, and are very flexible on destination. Places we are looking into include islands in the carribean (aruba, st maarten, any others that you are considering), US (carolinas, hawaii, california, florida etc), and we'd consider traveling oversees to europe for the right spot also.

Here's what we're looking for....We want to be near the beach. We'd like to do a lot of outdoor activities such as snorkeling, horseback riding, and hiking. Good night life entertainment and clubs is a plus. It'll probably be a relaxing vacation with half day excursions.

Overall cost is not a big issue, but we don't want to go overboard. We're not sure what we're willing to spend because we're not sure how much it should cost until we narrow it down. We're figuring for 7-10 days it will probably run us around $2,000 - $3,000 including spending money and expenses beyond accomodations and airfare.

Need help and would appreciate an advice/suggestions for good beach spots for that time of year.

bradykp: you should definately go to Negril, jamaica!!! My husband and I have traveled to many islands and have found that negril beaches are incredible! the hotels have tons of watersports-most included in your hotel stay--we stayed at Grand Lido negril and have a private room literally 20 ft from the beach with a private outdoor hot tub (well worth the extra money for it) We went bareback horseback riding in the water (highly recommend) At the hotel they have bars and shows at night so you are never bored...
good luck.

topping

I have to second the recommendation for Negril, which meets all your requirements. But you're looking at the right places in the Caribbean. I'm sure St. Maarten or Aruba would also do. You might also consider the Dominican Republic, but I'd suggest you look a bit beyond the regular haunts and try Cabarete or Sosua, which are big windsurfing destinations and party spots; your budget will go a long way there. Also consider the western end of Puerto Rico, particularly the surfing town of Rincon (there are also some good hotels here); or you could split your time between San Juan and Rincon.

If your young and have a decent budget and no kids, go to Hawaii. It is far, but a fun trip with all of the things above. You can take your kids to the caribbean later. It will be a long time till you go back to a place like Hawaii or a place like Europe. Going to the carolinas,you can do anytime.

My husband and I loved Hawaii, specifically Kauai! We feel like we know that isalnd like the back of our hand these days.
Things we enjoy there:
**kayaking to a hidden waterfall
**rope swing where they filmed a scene from Indian Jones
**Hiking the Napali Coast
**snorleing at Ka'a Beach
**Relaxing in Poipu
**Drinking lava flows!!

It is a wonderful vacation and you come back so refreshed!

We also went to Oahu recently and spent time on the eastside of the island (Waimanalo/Kailua/Lanikai) and it was wonderful as well. Bellows beach in Waimanalo is one of my favorite beaches in Hawaii hands down. And the beauty of it...there was no one there and it was Spring Break!! We renetd a hosue on that side of the island and really enjoyed it!!

One draw back to Kauai is the lack of nightlife. That is one plus for the eastside of Oahu...you can drive to it in Honolulu, but leave it and go back to seclusion and beauty when you are done.

Have a wonderful time!

good recommendations so far!

i know i can go to the carolinas any time, but in my mind, i can go anywhere anytime if i put my mind to it. i've been to italy twice (once for 6 weeks and once for 1 week). i've been to germany for a few weeks, 4 weeks in prague. a week in ireland, a weekend in munich, a week in acapulco, i go to the deleware beaches almost yearly. i've been to florida numerous times in both orlando and tampa. i'll be going to anaheim in a few weeks for business.

so i get to travel. when i plan vacation, i'm not worried about how far away it is. if i dont get to hawaii this time, i'll get there sometime, but i'll definalely consider. I'll do some research this weekend, but for now, keep thew suggestions coming!

Wow -- you are definitely in your 20's! Yeah, I remember travelling too once long, long ago -- Europe (including East and West Germany and Yugoslavia, which should give you an indication of how old I am!), Asia, the Middle East, & Central America. But alas, there is nothing to put a damper in the ol' travel plans like grad school, a real job, and kids! Now going to Duck, NC is a big damn deal (no offense to you Outer Bankers --we love it there, but it isn't exactly exotic!) Anyway, enjoy your trip (I'm drooling over all of your options), and enjoy your youth!!

My husband and I own a Marriott timeshare in Phuket, Thailand and just received a letter from the resort. They are really pressing us to come back and send our friends. They said that the resort is fully operational and more beautiful then ever. They said the best way we can help them out (people hurt by the tsunami) is to patron their establismenst again.

Phuket is beautiful beyond words! There are unbeleiable deals to be had and way to give our support to the tsunami recovery effort.

Are you finding good deals on airfare to Thailand - I guess I should go to the Thailand board. I considered Thailand for spring break but airfare is still really steep.

I would consider Thailand but the girlfriend doesn't want to do that this year. I know we'll be getting over to that area of the world sometime, she has family in the phillipines.

For the Caribbean you'll find the best hiking on the green lush islands like St. Lucia, Tobago, St. John etc. The best snorkelling Bonaire, St. John, Tobago, though aside from the latter two generally good snorkelling, nice beaches and clearer water is found on the flatter dryer islands. With the exception of bonaire, spectacular water and amazing snorkelling diving this island has no beaches worthy of any mention....strictly a divers/snorkelers paradise and that it is, hands down. Aruba I think you'll be disappointed from your experiences abroad you'll find Aruba too much like the US and way too overrun with US tourists and its very windy there. St. Maarten is also busy but very diverse, this might be your best of both worlds though snorkeling and hiking are not all that great.

Other places to think about. Costa Rica, beautiful and generally cheap to get to and stay there...you can do a mix of beach and inland (rainforests)...very diversified vacation potential and gorgeous tourist friendly country.

For Europe, Italy is of course my favorite but you've lived there and don't necessarily want to go back! However as you probably know great hiking on Cinque Terre and gorgeous views, not great beaches but deep blue water...dive off a cliff type thing. Heavily touristed but Manarola or Corniglia especially after dark are great. A spot in NE Lazio is a great too, Casperia the Sabine Hills and Umbria less touristed than Tuscany though not much so these days...all great hiking. If you've not been to Switzerland, try Zermatt and Grindelwald or Wengen...hikers paradise, it really doesn't get better than that.

Or try Peru, do the Inca Trail...remarkable experience.

Hawaii is ok, of course Americanized do the Big Island.

The South Pacific is great too some of the French Polynesian islands like Moorea or Bora Bora...though very expensive. Less expensive and great too are the Cook Islands.

Lastly and my favorite is Malta/Gozo. What a gem, steeped in history and beautiful water, but few "sandy" beaches. Incredibly friendly people and great food. You'll find Gozo probably more appealing geographically its got some interesting coastline (Azure Window) and historically the oldest manmade structure on earth the temples which predate the pyriamids in Egypt.

Lots of ideas, you could also consider Canaries, Madiera or Balaerics.

Have fun wherever you go!

you could consider the riveria maya. your budget would allow you to stay in very good hotels which will offer tons of activities and nightlife. good beaches,very good snorkeling and scuba. and you can slip in some culture with a trip to tulum or assorted other ruins.