OK--here's a puzzle. We are exploring the possibility of traveling somewhere the week after Christmas with my husband's parents, our two kids and the DH and myself. This is slowly becoming a bit of a tradition, as this is the third year we would like to try a joint family trip. We did Puerto Rico last year, and San Diego the year before. We have been to Seattle several times, and just got back from Northern California.

Here are our criteria: Warm weather (or at least warmer than Chicago). Something to do besides sit around on the beach--in particular, nifty natural areas, historical sites, local culture. Kid-friendly (no singles resorts, reputation for drunkeness, etc). Does not require a passport (we don't have updated ones & there's no time now). Someplace we can still get in to at this late (ish) date.

I had been thinking about Portland, OR, but don't know much about the weather at that time of year. Disney is probably booked already, and Florida can be coldish then. We talked about the Mayan Riviera, but this is the wrong forum and I think it's too late for that.

Any ideas?

Peg

I do not think it is too late for Disney or Mayan Riveria. However, I think passports may be required 12/31/05...or did that change? I know to the Bahamas it is 12/31. We booked cancun last year arriving 1/1/05 and we did not book until early Dec. I ended up using hotwire for the hotel ($52 got us a 4* 2BR beachfront condo which was the cleanest place I had ever stayed!) We also got great airfare on Spirit. There are deals to be had-you just need to be flexible. How about a cruise?

That would definitely be during our rainy season here in Portland. It also is about the time of possible ice storms. Although we do not get the bitter cold and snow that you get, it definitely is not normally warm during this time. As much as I love it here, I would suggest coming here at another time of year to see it in its glory.

You have plenty of time to get a passport.

I will look into the passport thing--I did not hear about Mexico changing it's "status". And pardon my prejudice, but cruises are boring. I will look into the Priceline thing...

As for Portland, we have visited your lovely city before (before children!) and would like to come back...we were there in early October before and it was just gorgeous!

PC

The trick with the timing for passports is getting them for the children--it's not so much a "government time" thing, as it is finding time for my husband and myself to get to the passport office together to sign the paperwork. From what I understand, for children to get passports both parents have to be present when the application is made and sign jointly or have a notarized permission form --to prevent non-custodial parents from taking kids out of the country without the other's consent. Our schedules are not conducive to finding a convenient time for that. But I will still look into it!

PC

Peg,
Your husband or you can sign the form with a notary then the other parent can take the form to get the passport. At least that was true last May when I renewed my kids'passports. One glitch we incurred was in renewing,we needed to send in birth certificates in addition to the old passport. The agent at the post office did not know this so it took a little longer. You should look at the Caribbean, although you will pay a premium that time of year. We love St. John. What about Hawaii?

I would go to Quebec City. With reasonable weather pattern. It is something you will probably NEVER forget. It could very well provide ALL of you with the kinds of stuff so that your dreams will make you smile in your sleep. I believe you said you ARE from very Cold Chicago? And even though QC does not meet your warm requirement. The "magic" potential would make up for it. Do a web search. ps I'm from Milwaukee and would love to do QC in the winter. I can just see it as a magical place. Fresh snow. Snuggling with my wife. Don't get me started. It is passport free as far as July 2005 anyway.

Someone has mentioned Quebec City to me before--what is there to do with children?

I am also considering Toronto--the DH and I went there a few years back, and although it was cold there was lots to do that week, and we could almost drive it.

Hawaii is a really long plane ride from Chicago. Since I hate to fly (though I put up with it because paradoxically I love to travel), anywhere that requires more than about a five hour plane ride is not on the "A" list.

I also know about the notary signing thing...I will look into it, although after a conversation with my MIL this morning I think finances are going to preclude going anywhere truly warm. I suppose we could drive up to the Dells and get an indoor water-park hotel, though that's only good for a couple of days in the winter. Sigh. One of the impetuses behind these post-Christmas trips is to prevent the kids from getting B-O-R-E-D before school starts again. There's such a huge break between Christmas and when they go back. They run out of ideas by New Years and there's still a week to go! Yikes!

PC