Family Vacation with a Baby
Mar 8th, 2016, 05:56 AM
#1
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Family Vacation with a Baby
Hi All,
As usual I am coming here for some vacation advice. My wife and I are in desperate need of a relaxing vacation and have been struggling with where we can go with our 15 month old daughter. We will be travelling from Toronto and generally take a week around this time of year to head down to the Caribbean to relax at the beach and pools. We have been to Ocho Rios, Cancun, Veradero, Punta Cana etc and have loved it, but there is one big problem. We are planning on having a 2nd child in the not too distant future and with the Zika Virus circulating around these areas, we just don't feel comfortable taking a chance, even though the chances of catching the virus are very slim.
Now that any of these tropical areas are eliminated from possible options, we just don't know where we can go. We've thought about some areas in California (like San Diego) that offer resorts which might be baby friendly but again we are having a tough time finding a suitable destination and resort. We want to avoid long car rides and areas that require a lot of travelling around since our daughter gets tired pretty quickly and needs regular naps.
We are open to anything. We just need a fun family getaway suitable for a toddler. Not necessarily California. ANY tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. We are really stumped here...
As usual I am coming here for some vacation advice. My wife and I are in desperate need of a relaxing vacation and have been struggling with where we can go with our 15 month old daughter. We will be travelling from Toronto and generally take a week around this time of year to head down to the Caribbean to relax at the beach and pools. We have been to Ocho Rios, Cancun, Veradero, Punta Cana etc and have loved it, but there is one big problem. We are planning on having a 2nd child in the not too distant future and with the Zika Virus circulating around these areas, we just don't feel comfortable taking a chance, even though the chances of catching the virus are very slim.
Now that any of these tropical areas are eliminated from possible options, we just don't know where we can go. We've thought about some areas in California (like San Diego) that offer resorts which might be baby friendly but again we are having a tough time finding a suitable destination and resort. We want to avoid long car rides and areas that require a lot of travelling around since our daughter gets tired pretty quickly and needs regular naps.
We are open to anything. We just need a fun family getaway suitable for a toddler. Not necessarily California. ANY tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. We are really stumped here...
Mar 8th, 2016, 06:03 AM
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Sanibel Island in Florida. Family friendly and low key. This is not big, fancy resort country but upscale and relaxing. Look for a nice condo by the beach. Your daughter would be fascinated by the beach. There are bike rentals (with kid trailers) and bike paths so you could do some of that. Once you fly into Fort Myers and get your rental car and drive to Sanibel, there is no need to go anywhere.
I haven't been following Zika but assume it is not in the US.
I haven't been following Zika but assume it is not in the US.
Mar 8th, 2016, 07:51 AM
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Yes, Coronado (Hotel Del Coronado) would be a lovely place especially with a young child. It has lovely parks (the one across the street from the Coronado Library which by the way has a wonderful children's area with story times, etc). This park and library are on Orange Ave around 6th Street. On Sunday's they have art in the park exhibits.
You didn't say when you plan to travel. The beach is lovely. But the water will be cold from Dec through May. It'll warm up around July through late October.
Coronado is a family bike friendly town (Hollands Bike has rentals - it's on Orange and 10th).
You can also rent paddle boats to toodle around Glorietta Bay.
There is a lovely Municipal Pool on the Silver Strand it's especially nice for young kids. I take my grandkids there in the summer. But it's open all year long.
Coronado is just a quick hop over the bridge to downtown San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park. The bridge connects to the major freeway in San Diego which is I-5.
You didn't say when you plan to travel. The beach is lovely. But the water will be cold from Dec through May. It'll warm up around July through late October.
Coronado is a family bike friendly town (Hollands Bike has rentals - it's on Orange and 10th).
You can also rent paddle boats to toodle around Glorietta Bay.
There is a lovely Municipal Pool on the Silver Strand it's especially nice for young kids. I take my grandkids there in the summer. But it's open all year long.
Coronado is just a quick hop over the bridge to downtown San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park. The bridge connects to the major freeway in San Diego which is I-5.
Mar 8th, 2016, 07:56 AM
#6
Will, Kate, George and little Charlotte just came back from a ski trip in the French Alps.
The scary thing is that men can pass the virus along to their spouses/lovers that stayed home.
I fear for the athletes and spectators at the Rio Olympics in August.
The scary thing is that men can pass the virus along to their spouses/lovers that stayed home.
I fear for the athletes and spectators at the Rio Olympics in August.
Mar 8th, 2016, 08:21 AM
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Is Hawaii out of the question due to distance?
Personally, I'd choose a really nice Florida beach for this particular type of trip at this time of year. (A different time of year and I would agree with San Diego).
Another possibility would be Scottsdale - great resorts, if that's your primary criteria (obviously, no beaches).
Personally, I'd choose a really nice Florida beach for this particular type of trip at this time of year. (A different time of year and I would agree with San Diego).
Another possibility would be Scottsdale - great resorts, if that's your primary criteria (obviously, no beaches).
Mar 8th, 2016, 11:54 AM
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We have been considering San Diego because the last time we were there it was for a very short 2 day visit and all we really got to see was Seaport Village, Sea World and the Coronado Bridge / Hotel. This was also before we had our child. It's also not too far from LA and there is always tons to do there for a couple of days.
We are considering Florida as well, likely the Kissimmee / Tampa area so we are on the Gulf side. But we are a little worried about Florida as well since it's so close to Cuba and the Caribbean.
Hawaii is a little too far unfortunately but it's definitely on the list of places to go.
We've also considered NY since I have my sister who lives in Staten Island and we can check out some other resorts not too far away from there like in the Poconos.
We are targeting May for this vacation.
We are considering Florida as well, likely the Kissimmee / Tampa area so we are on the Gulf side. But we are a little worried about Florida as well since it's so close to Cuba and the Caribbean.
Hawaii is a little too far unfortunately but it's definitely on the list of places to go.
We've also considered NY since I have my sister who lives in Staten Island and we can check out some other resorts not too far away from there like in the Poconos.
We are targeting May for this vacation.
Mar 9th, 2016, 04:25 AM
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One of the other options we are considering is going to NY for a few days and then taking a 1 week cruise from NY which travels to Florida and Bahamas. These 2 areas don't seem to be affected by the zika virus and even if there is a risk, we are staying on the ship.
Mar 9th, 2016, 06:32 AM
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I am having a hard time matching up "relaxing" with "15 month old daughter". I would think that availability of at least minimal or occasional childcare would be necessary to make it relaxing, since kids that age are like the Energizer Bunny plus require so much monitoring and chasing.
And I wouldn't rule out "long car rides" - as long as they are timed during nap time. Flying with a toddler is often more challenging than with an infant, since they want to get up and run around - obviously not easy on a plane.
A cruise or resort with childcare (check - she may be under minimum age for such) would be my choice - and I might pick based on that and ease of travel to/from rather than the actual destination.
And I wouldn't rule out "long car rides" - as long as they are timed during nap time. Flying with a toddler is often more challenging than with an infant, since they want to get up and run around - obviously not easy on a plane.
A cruise or resort with childcare (check - she may be under minimum age for such) would be my choice - and I might pick based on that and ease of travel to/from rather than the actual destination.
