Hi - Request for suggestions from all you Fodorites. We live in England, and will be visiting relatives in San Antonio at the end of March/beginning of April. My wife is pregnant and I would like to take her away for one last holiday together before our lives are changed forever. At the end of the family visit, we would like to go somewhere alone for about a week, hopefully somewhere sunny and warm, with a beach and warm water. We would like somewhere fairly scenic, not too built up or overly touristy, and not too expensive. We were thinking maybe somewhere in the Caribbean, but it seems really pricey for anywhere nice. Any ideas or suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks

Drive down to Padre Island.

He is to late. He has already "Padred".

Ok, anyway...

How about the Gulf Coast of Florida. Its beautiful there, white sand and green/blue water. Check out www.seasidefl.com. But if this is too pricey there are TONS of places to stay in this area.

Dear Frank:

Good heavens, you've picked the perfect time to visit San Antonio - the weather will actually be good, and bluebonnets and other wildflowers should be in full bloom in the Hill Country (which is just outside San Antonio). Whatever you do, don't neglect going for a scenic drive through the Hill Country while you're in San Antonio.

As for your other question - it should be okay for you to venture to a beach destination by early to mid April since most of the "Spring Break" traffic (huge crowds of wildly partying American college students)should be over with by the end of March.

The MEXICAN Caribbean will fit the bill as far as incredibly gorgeous beaches and lots of sun, but places like Cancun are certainly built up (other places in Yucatan like Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Isla Mujeres are more laid). But it is very easy to fly to the Yucatan from Texas (several flights a day to Cancun out of Houston for example) and there are hotel/flight packages to suit every budget. Plus plenty of all-inclusive resorts on the Mayan Riviera (as it's called) between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

For more info about these places, go to the Fodor's Latin America (Mexico) board. There are also several travel boards entirely dedicated to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Mayan Riviera
(can't think of the web site names - just do a Google search).

Another option with stunning, white sugar sand beaches is Aruba in the Netherland Antilles - but this would probably be a bit harder to get to - probably would have to connect in Miami or some place.

PS I have been to Padre Island, Florida, Hawaii, the French Riviera, and the Costa del Sol, and none of these
have beaches as beautiful or water as clear as those of the Caribbean.