I would like some advice, please. The family has gone through much stress lately, and we need a vacation. Since our son is eleven, we have to take it during spring break.

Any recommendations for a spring break vacation that includes palm trees, a beach, and some stuff to do, that will not be crowded by college kids at that time? Nothing against college kids, we just want peace and quiet. We live on the east coast, and have saved some money for this. Thanks for any help.

Sanibel/Captiva, Longboat Key would be good choices.

I second Sanible/Captiva.We went there for years when our children were younger, there are a lot of condominiums that you rent, and tennis courts,beautiful beaches, and that is about it! We went fishing with our son, it is a good place to unwind, and the peace will help heal frazzled nerves.

We've done this a few times with our school-age son and we like to stay in the areas just north of Fort Lauderdale: Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach (we esp. like Pompano because it's inexpensive and fairly quiet).

Ft Laud isn't the spring break scene it used to be, but it's still a bit raucous for our taste. If you would prefer the FL Gulf Coast, Naples is nice, but Ft. Myers Beach is a spring break place. At all costs, avoid the Panama City and Daytona areas in March and early April.

I love the Keys but the beaches aren't good there.

If you can afford to go farther, SOME of the islands in the Bahamas are OK - but don't go to Nassau or Grand Bahama. The US Virgins are nice and spring breakers are not a problem there.

Lots of college kids in Jamaica (esp. Negril) and the Cancun area.

Another for Sanibel/Captiva. A great place for families to unwind. But please, get going on making reservations, especially if you're going during March. Try www.sanibel-captiva.org. Good luck.

My sister went to Port St. Jo (southeast of Panama City last year during spring break. They had a lot of beach to themselves and found lots of fun things to do in the area. Seemed like a reasonably priced area too.

Thanks for the advice. I have stayed in Sarasota, but never Sanibel. My wife loves shelling so that may be the place.