Here’s a question … why would you go back to the same place twice (or more)? My husband and I love to travel and loved the PDC area where we honeymooned. That said, every year when we start looking at vacations, my husband wants to go back but I want to find a new place that we haven’t been before. As much as I want to go back to PDC, I also want new experiences while we are young enough to enjoy them. What am I missing? I would like to hear why you go back to one island or area year after year. Is it because you've been everywhere else and now you've settled on the one you enjoy the most? Just Curious.

I feel your pain. LOL We feel the same way, my husband sums it up well when he says, "there are a lot of places I haven't seen once, after that we'll work on twice." But....we have made an exception for a couple islands. We do go back to them every other trip. One trip we try to go somewhere new, next trip we pick a favorite and it works out well for us. Then maybe every third trip we'll do a Windjammer cruise. That takes us back to islands we have been to before, but they are so much fun we can't resist! Good luck!

LOL ... I was an addict of Caneel Bay/Little Dix for years and years and would not even give another spot a look! After all, it was comfortable, it was "perfection!" - it felt like going "home." In the last 10 years or so tho, I have become adventuresome and all those places that I always thought about for a second or two but never went to and kept on my "someday" list - well, we are hitting one after another right down the list and it is great! I don't regret that all those years were returning to the same ol' same ol' but there are so many wonderful places and so little time now!

LOL...not to mention what it's doing to our funds too!

We're having that same quandary right now. <BR> <BR>We make so many friends and enjoy our vacations so thoroughly it's hard not to want to go back (the Baja got our vacations for many years in a row). <BR> <BR>We made a break last year and went to Roatan - the Bay Islands and had an equally wonderful time. Now, we're torn between the Baja, Roatan AND exploring new places. ;&gt; <BR> <BR>So here are some thoughts I've been working through(BTW, this is a morphing kind of philosophy -- i.e. not hard & fast). <BR> <BR>1. If you have more than a week, go to a new place. This will give you time to explore AND relax. If you have only a week then go to a place that is familiar. <BR> <BR>2. If you're curious about adventuring vacations (i.e. kayaking, diving, moutain climbing), take the time to do it now. It doesn't mean you can't do it later, but having those experiences under your belt will be a plus when you're older. Also, these opportunities may become limited depending on health conditions (i.e. back problems, etc.) <BR> <BR>3. Make a list of things you want to do/see/experience in your lifetime. Do you want to hug a tree so big you can't get your arms around it? Do you want to see an iceberg calving while you're in a kayak? Do you want to see a volcano? <BR> <BR>(We went to Roatan because I wanted to see some *outrageous* waterlife! And boy did I! We'd always had great snorkling in the Baja, but the coral reefs in the Caribbean are incredible.) <BR> <BR>So, hope these thoughts help. I totally understand what you're going through. It's not easy, but at least it's an embarrassment of riches. <BR> <BR>sainsusan <BR> <BR>(BTW, I think we're going to Hawaii for our March vacation.) <BR>

Just curious what is the PDC area? I have been all over the Caribbean and I have never heard of the PDC area, please let me know. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR> Jen

PDC is Playa del Carmen in Mexico. Now being marketed as the Mayan Riviera or Mexican Riviera. Lovely area includes Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and the shoreline south of Cancun to Belize.

My husband and I first went to Hawai'i on our 25th wedding anniversary. When I stepped foot off the plane, I felt as if I had returned home for the 1st time in my life. I love Maui and have been there several times since. I decided to quit my job and live there for several months in 1996. It was heaven every day. Lack of money and a patient husband who stayed back in Michigan brought me back to the mainland. I would go there in a minute's notice if possible with just the clothes on my back. I had hoped to go there this winter, but I promised my friend we'd go diving off the island of Ambergris Caye in February and am planning a spring vacation break to the BVI. However, Hawai'i is my favorite place. I never tire of seeing the whales breach of listening to the waves slap the volcanic outcroppings, of listening to the great Hawaiian music. BTW, I bought tickets to the Keali'i Reichel concert(Maui Arts and Cultural Center) for February 18th on the chance I might go. If anyone wants them, let me know.

The Mexican Riviera is actually on the west coast, between Cabo and Acapulco I believe

Karen is correct. They now refer to everything south of Cancun as the Mayan/Mexican Riviera. It is a fantastic area with lots to do or nothing to do. Is was largely undeveloped when we were there but I am afraid it may become just another Cancun. As you can see, I really do want to go back before this happens but I am hesitant to spend the money I save for what I consider to be the one MAJOR vacation/yr going somewhere I have already been.

So what are they calling the original Mexican Riviera these days?

I believe the Mexican Riviera is still the Mexican Riviera. The area below Cancun that they are talking about is referred to as the Mayan Riviera.

So, you are saying the area on the West Coast of Mexico around Cabo is referred to as the "Mexican Riviera?" Learned something new then!!