My husband and I really want to take a beach vacation this summer. Our only child is now old enough to stay with grandma and we want a nice beach for just the two of us. We are looking for someplace not too sweltering in mid to late summer, easily reached from the Midwest, economical (Hawaii is out), and resorty yet not too touristy. Suggestions for location and place to stay are much appreciated.

The summer tends to be on season for most beach locations and so prices will tend to be higher. There are still places, though, that will be high but not astronamical. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina would definatly fit this bill. One place we've enjoyed in the past is the Forest Dunes. As you will see, the more days you stay, the more the rates are discounted. It's a very nice place and reasonably quiet. Website: www. forestdunes.com

Cheap is a realtive term. What is the most you want to spend per person. I have been going on beach/island vacations for a long time now and I love them. But I usually go to the Caribbean because I can go there for the same or less than any beach vacation I have priced in the states.

www.marinadunes.com

Myrtle Beach accommodations are not cheap in the summer (my family has a house on Pawleys Island and other rental properties scattered throughout the Grand Strand) and oceanfront rents will be in excess of $200 per night. I know our house goes for $3500 a week.

The summer is off season in South Florida and you can find some deals there.

Any location that is not sweltering will be expensive.

Have you thought of Canada?

How about Nassau? Stay somewhere inexpensive, like the Nassau Beach Hotel (lately Expedia seems to have good prices with or without air). It's a pretty mellow place with a good beach and lots of stuff nearby. They have a website -- nassaubeachhotel.com.

I've heard that parts of Michigan's peninsula are spectacular, not too crowded and just a perfect pace. Apparently Hemmingway spent alot of time there.

I wouldn't recommend Myrtle Beach because it is mostly families in the summer, and it is VERY touristy. You might want to try a Charleston beach. A few years back, I rented a one bedroom condo for $500 during the week of July 4. Charleston has a great mix of beach, classy restaurants and historical places. Of course, it may be a 90 degree high humidity week.

I would recommend that you consider a cruise. If you compare what you would spend for a week of lodging, food, and entertainment, you can't beat the price of a cruise. You may find some deals on summertime airfare, too.

I'd seriously consider either coast of Florida. Yeah, yeah, I know about the summer heat, but I've been to Melbourne Beach (between Vero & Canaveral) in July, and if you're close to the water it isn't bad at all. Plus it's cheap that time of year and probably 5 degree cooler than S. Fla.

A cruise isn't for everyone (especially not for me) so you'll have to consider personal tastes before deciding on that.

Myrtle Beach? I wouldn't, but again I guess it depends on what you're looking for.