I want a gorgeous beach and tropical warmth, my husband wants a charming, colonial city with culture and interesting architecture and possibly some museums. Where can we find a place like this? Most of the cities don't have great beaches, and most great beach resorts have no charming cities close by. Does such a place exist? Where? Help, we can't agree on a vacation destination!

Hi Nina,<BR>San Juan, Puerto Rico is an excellent choice. The beaches are beautiful and Old San Juan has great architecture, art galleries etc.

You're right John, trouble is we've been there 3 times, and want to try someplace new. You've got the right idea though!

Hi Nina,<BR>Check out Merida, Mexico. It's a colonial city with museums, near the Mayan ruins and also near nice beaches.

Thanks John, will do. Can you recommend any lodging in that area?

Hi Nina, I haven't been to these destinations but I am planning on it in the near future and it sounds like something you might want to look into. We are planning on going to Oaxaca for a few days for the culture, art, ruins, food and then a short flight to the beach at Huatulco for an additional few days. Staying at the Camino Real in both places. If anybody has any info on these places I would love to hear about it.

In Merida, it is hard to beat the Fiesta Americana. Beautiful hotel!<BR><BR>Just behind it you'll find a little place that sells "cochinita pibil". It has to be tasted to be believed.

Just got back from Merida this week. Without arguing the comforts of the Fiesta Americana it is not in the historic district of the city. You would have to find transportation (albeit a short distance) to the area around the Zocalo and Calle 60 where the cathedral, museums, and colonial center is located. This area is chock full of smaller european-style hotels. With the beach a short ride to the north and many Mayan sites a short ride to the south, this city is enchanting.

San Juan, Puerto Rico has beaches?????

Haven't been to Huatalco but you will love Oaxaca City, and the Camino Real, which is in an old convent. Beautiful courtyard gardens and a super pool area, right in the heart of the colonial center of town and in easy walking distance to the zocalo, the Cathedral and Santa Domingo museum, which are stunning. There are two walking streets, a variety of museums and restaurants, and many fascinating shops and markets. Wonderful excursions to the ruins at Monte Alban and to the indigineous villages for crafts and markets. My favorites are pottery (be sure to visit Josefina Aguilera's workshop-saleroom, I'm drawing a blank on the village name, but she is quite well-known) and rugs, in Teotitlan. The economics are obvious after visiting potters and rug-makers--there is WAY more money in rugs!

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions, I'll start researching them.<BR><BR>xxx, yes there are beaches in San Juan! We stayed at the Ritz Carlton San Juan, which has a small beach but it is a very nice hotel. The Caribe Hilton in San Juan also has a small beach. The nicer beaches are outside of San Juan.

How about Salvador de Bahia, Brazil? Wonderful beaches to the north of the city; UNESCO named it a world heritage site, or somesuch. Much history, much architecture, extremely interesting. Plus wonderful food.

I just saw a travel show on Granada, Nicaragua, that has all that and more.

In Oaxaca regarding the pottery, the village is Coyotepec. Many people combine a trip to Coyotepec followed by San Martin Ticajete for Anamalitos (carved wooden painted animals) followed by the market in Ocotlan on market day which I think is Thursday. All of the above are a good day trip. Also the Camino Real in Oaxaca is really nice. It is close to the Zocalo and right by Santo Domingo church in the center of Oaxaca City- you will enjoy it. Have not stayed at the Camino Real in Huatulco. I have been there however and enjoyed it. The beaches and bays are great. The place, in a way, has kind of a strange feel because the area, and its service town Las Crucecitas were created soley for tourism so everyone is a transplant and everything doesn't feel quite finished. I would however, return again. I would also definateley opt for flying. 11 hours on the bus each way to and from Oaxaca city on mountain roads definateley required some dramamine.