10th Anniversary
 

Where should I go for a reasonable and romantic beach vacation for my 10th anniversary without the kids!

Too vague - budget?, location?, fly/drive?, likes/dislikes?.....

Flying from Dallas....anywhere in Florida or open to other beach destinations in continental us.

Forgot to say - WHEN?

Late July or Early August. Not worried about weather risk...i'll buy trip insurance.

Do you have a budget? Certain amenities youwant?

Beachfront...~$150 a night.

Cape Cod ;)

If budget was not a concern and you have a passport, I'd take the short flight to Cancun and stay just south of the city at Maroma. No kids, gorgeous beach, totally romantic setting. Check it out!

oops, just saw your $150 per night! Sorry...Maroma wouldn't work, maybe the 25th, lol!

For beachfront $150 nightly you would have to go to somewhere that is off season. I think the Cape would be too high! I am not sure what to suggest as that is awful low for most summertime places that are beachfront - I think.

Cozumel, Mexico if you have a passport. Any of the following should be reasonable in the season you mention.

http://www.coralprincess.com/

http://www.playa-azul.com/

http://www.occidentalhotels.com/grandcozumel/index.asp

If no passport, Carmel CA perhaps.

$150 a night for a nice place anywhere near either coast is really a tough one these days.

What about Anna Maria Island on Florida's west coast? It's low season in July/August. The beaches are simply stunning, and the water is gorgeous. There are tons of Gulf-front places - I'll bet you could find a deal.

Another place might be Sanibel Island - we stayed at Forty Fifteen on West Gulf Drive. It was so wonderful - peaceful and quiet. Sanibel is simply gorgeous. Tons of wonderful restaurants. Forty Fifteen is more than $150/night, but the sister resort right next door, Mitchell's Sandcastles, has most of their beachfront cottages for $150/night or less. You are RIGHT on the Gulf of Mexico. As much as I love Anna Maria Island, Sanibel is nicer - more upscale, better dining choices. Mitchell's website is http://www.mitchellssandcastles.com/

For the quintessential summer beach vacation Cape Cod is the place to go. The National Seashore has wide sandy beaches and on the outer cape, development has been limited so there are lots of quiet romantic spots if you just venture off the beaten track. Eastham is only 3 miles wide so you can watch the sunrise over the Atlantic and the sunset over the bay. Here is an article from the Boston Globe from June 6 that might give you some ideas.

http://www.boston.com/travel/article...urself/?page=2

I love 'Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island, FL. They offer rates that fit your budget if you stay for at least three nights (click on Package Values).

http://www.tweenwaters.com/

I looked up the reviews on Mitchell's Sandcastles and they are not that great. I have not stayed there myself, so I wanted to add on to my previous suggestion. There are lots of great places on Sanibel, whether you rent by the week or by the night (more options if you are renting for a full week). Tween Waters Inn is a huge favorite for lots of people. Another good place on Sanibel is Blue Dolphin - it's also on West Gulf Drive, right on the Gulf of Mexico, not many people on that end of the beach. I haven't stayed there but I've walked by it and it looked good. The reviews on tripadvisor.com are also good. The website for Blue Dolphin is http://www.bluedolphincottages.com/rates.aspx and their beachfront apartment is only $159/night during the time period you are looking at, and all their other cottages are less than that.