I have spent alot of time researching where the best place might be to take a 10 year old on spring break. It seems as though I find more negatives the positives on where to stay. Just recently returned from Hawaii,
just a little to long for this trip from Chicago. Anywhere, any suggestions, HELP...

If I were to ask each of my 2 kids, my daughter would say one of those AI resorts in Mexico (PDC area), my son world say Italy (primarily based on food). We also have done the CA coast which is spectacular and a road trip in AZ which is a lot of fun.

We have gone to Tucson from Chicago for spring break; the desert spring is beautiful. Caves, horse riding, hiking, telescopes, cowboys- you get the idea! You can get a break on some hotel's rates, as they tend to change from high season to low or mid-season during late March/ early April. RT airfare for a direct flight was about $250.

My 10 y.o. son told me his favorite vacation was to Atlantis in the Bahamas. My boys loved the water slides and the beach, which really is beautiful. My son went snorkeling for the first time when we went there on our spring break 2 years ago. We did not stay at the Atlantis, though. We stayed literally across the street at the Comfort Suites for significantly less money. I would highly recommend doing this - from what I've heard you really don't get what you pay for accomodations-wise at Atlantis. The the food is exorbitantly expensive, too. Last spring break we went to San Diego and the boys enjoyed that as well.

Playa del Carmen in Mexico -- stayed at the Gala Resort -- all inclusive, beautiful beach, lots of activities for the kids. And a relatively easy trip. A much cheaper, but also great week -- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, right on the water in a small inexpensive, but still nice, motel. Also depending on when spring break is, and if your child skis, a week skiing out west or in Canada is great.

First question would be: how long are you willing to be enroute? Our spring break is always the last week of march and we've done: Tucson(had snow flurries), skiing several times, Aruba, Grand Cayman, St John, Cancun(yuk), Hawaii, Disney(twice). For any of these except Disney and Tucson, you'll end up travelling for a good portion of a day with airport transfers, driving to the ski resort, etc. It really depends on what he likes to do; our boys ski and scuba so we have a lot of options.

We typically visit my parents in Florida during spring break, but are planning to do something different next year. I am considering Arizona/Grand Canyon or Washington D.C. because first and foremost, they are not to be missed, but also because they're not places I would consider going during summer vacation. I don't think they'd would be as fun in the extreme heat.

Don't forget skiing. My family loved going to Keystone for spring break a few years ago. There is a great snow base with milder temperatures than in January or February. My kids were 11 and 14 at the time.

Considering Iberostar Lindo,
any thoughts. Safety, drinking water??