Over the past 5 years, my family has been blessed enough to take a vacation every year. And every year I am faced with the challenge of putting together a fun, memorable vacation that everyone will love and that is affordable.

When our family was smaller, this process was a little easier because it seems like the whole world is based on your family size not exceeding FOUR! Well, we are now a family of 6 and the standard hotel room with 2 double beds is just not an option; at least not for stays longer than 2 nights. Airfare would eat up more than 1/2 of our budget, food would take up the other ½, and I will not even start on the theme park tickets. So what is a family to do?

Step 1- Choose the theme of your vacation: adventure, relaxation, beaches and sun, theme parks, or history and culture. Adventure vacations and sandy beach vacations are by far the most cost-friendly vacation themes.

Adventure vacations include low-cost outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, bike riding, and camping. This vacation theme is perfect for older children.

Top Adventurous Destinations

Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington

New Paltz, New York

Mount Hood, Oregon

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Park City, Utah

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Yosemite National Park, California

Moab, Utah

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California

Glacier National Park, Montana

Olympic National Park, Washington,

Hood River, Oregon

Acadia National Park, Maine

Sandy beach vacations are also extremely affordable and include surfable waves, sandcastle building, great dining, and mile long boardwalks. This vacation theme is great for all ages especially babies and toddlers.

Best Family Beaches in US

Coronado Beach, Calif.

Nantucket Island, Mass.

Newport Beach, Calif.

Santa Barbara, Calif.

Panama City Beach, Fla.

Siesta Key, Fla.

Poipu Beach, Hawaii

Duck, N.C.

Hilton Head, S.C.

Kiawah Island, S.C.

Myrtle Beach, S.C.

South Padre Island, Texas

Waikiki, Hawaii

Wailea Beach, Hawaii

* If you decide to take a theme park vacation, find out if your bank or employer offers discounted tickets. Avoid purchasing tickets on eBay or Craigslist, unless it is from a reliable seller or broker. Also, many theme parks now offer the convenience of child swap. With child swap, one parent can wait in line with the older children while the other parent goes up the handicap ramp with the smaller children. When the other parent gets off the ride, you swap and get right on the ride without waiting in line again. GENIUS!

Step 2 - Choose your means of transportation: fly, ride the train, or load up the car.

Your most affordable option would be to drive. Even if you find a great deal on air fare, chances are you will still need to rent a car once you land, so cut out the middle man and drive. However, if you do decide the fly and rent a car, go to www.priceline.com where you can 'Name your Price' on airfare and car rentals and save money, many times more than 1/2 the regular price.

Step 3 - Choose when to travel: peak or off peak

Of course you will get the best deals off peak. Orlando's busy season begins around May/June and ends August 10th. I use that as a guide to plan may vacations. Avoid holiday weekends; take the day off the following week and keep that extra money in your pocket.

Step 4 - Accommodations: vacation home, hotel, or condo

Vacation home are perfect when traveling with a large group. Not only do you get a huge home to hang out in for a week, but you also have the company of other adults and hopefully other children to keep your children busy. Vacation homes, generally, need to be book several months in advance and you have to clean up after yourselves daily. Standard hotel rooms are more readily available and perfect for smaller families. However, parents don't have any privacy and you have to eat out every night, which can quickly total up to over $500 just for food. If you are looking for a standard room, Hotwire or Priceline (Name your Price) are your best options. Some people are leery of using these sites because you don't know where you will stay until you have purchased the room. I have used Priceline many, many times and have never been disappointed. With a condo you have the best of both worlds. Parents have a room and the children have a room. Most condos have a full kitchen and you can prepare simple meals for breakfast and dinner saving you hundreds of dollars. Condos also have a washer and dryer in the unit, perfect for when little Katie or Kevin make and big mess. You can also use the washer and dryer to wash all your clothes before leaving making it much easier to unpack when you get home. Icing on the cake, housekeeping is available!

Another option is to take a time share tour; I know it sucks spending 2-3 hours of your day on the tour because it never only takes 90 minutes. But you can get a great 1 or 2 bedroom condo at an unbelievable rate.

Every family is different and must decide what is most important for them, location, transportation, entertainment or accommodations. Whatever you choose, spend the most money on what is most important and skimp on everything else. So if you want to go to Hawaii, you will spend the most money on airfare and you will have to skimp on entertainment and accommodations, but at least you made it to Hawaii. Happy Travels!

Products Currently Available at Amazon:

Here's a Video about caribbean hotel in myrtle beach:

Otis Traction Elevators at the Caribbean Resort in Myrtle Beach -- Dominican Tower

Many people love traveling to various tourist destinations during holiday seasons and vacations. A plethora of options are available to travel consumers from many different travel resorts, hotel companies and travel agencies. One such popular option is the all inclusive vacation resorts.

Many resorts and hotels in America offer all-inclusive vacations during the holiday season. As the name suggests, these resorts offer a fabulous package inclusive of all charges and fees for all the amenities provided in these resorts. Many people have no idea about the exact service offerings at these all-inclusive resorts. Some travel related websites have dedicated teams who research and survey the market and compile guides for prospective vacationers. Various travel related magazines as well as travel related television channels constantly update their readers and viewers with the latest information on the travel front. Most of these guides are free of cost while some may be charged.

Vacationers need to identify their needs and preferences before selecting a vacation destination. For example, couples would have different needs than family members. Couples are most likely to choose a romantic vacation spot with a beautiful ambience and peaceful atmosphere whereas family vacationers prefer fun filled amusement resorts with activities and amenities suitable for all members of the family.

All-inclusive resorts typically offer a consolidated package that includes all charges for meals and drinks throughout a person's stay, return airfares, lodging and accommodation, on site entertainment and activities, gratuities and all applicable taxes. Such packages are very convenient for leisure travelers as after selecting a resort and paying the package amount, they can forget about all kinds of hassling logistics of the holiday. These are taken care of by the resort management thus facilitating the guests to enjoy a stress free vacation.

All-inclusive resorts also offer competitive deals as they combine all the charges and thereby manage to give a discount on their services. This works out cheap as compared to taking all these facilities individually and from different providers. It is advisable for vacationers to refer to free travel guides online to know more about all-inclusive resorts and the packages available.

Products Currently Available at Amazon:

Caribbean family destinations?

my family wants to go on a vacation but can't decide where to go. some where tropical with beautiful beaches. so I an asking to see if any one has any stories to share about an amazing trip they went on.

if you went to an
*all inclusive
*scuba diving
* swimming with dolphin encounters
*kid friendly ( 12 and 15 year old)
*nice beaches
*nice pools
*horseback riding
*nice food and Hotel rooms

*not to expensive (like Hawaii Fiji or St.Lucia)

so if anyone knows of a good place that has all or most of theses things i'd love to hear about your experience

(if you know that website for the resort please tell me)

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE NAME OF THE RESORT IS CALLED
thank you can't wait to read,

kendra

I would suggest.... Aruba.... Dominican Rep... Antigua .... Guadelope ...

Here's a Video about all inclusive caribbean resort family:

Tamarind Cove Hotel Barbados - All Inclusive Caribbean Beach Resort

A vacation is something we all need or think we need at one point or another in our lives. Life may be getting stressful or you might have time away from work. Maybe you came into some money and want to get away to relax. A Caribbean vacation is the perfect thing to do with it. You will have the experience of a life time and memories that will last forever through photographs and in your mind. There are a few important steps you need to follow in order to get ready to go and everything set into place.

Get a passport. You cannot travel in and out of the country without having one. You also want to make sure you have it ahead of time so that you're not stuck waiting for it to arrive and stressing whether it will or not. Some places also require a visitor's visa along with your passport so check ahead of time. This will ensure that you're not stressing out at the last minute.

Pick where in the Caribbean you want to travel to. There are a few different islands that are available to travel to and each of them has their own recreational opportunities. People who want common locations will probably hit up Jamaica while those who want some seclusion and privacy can hit up St. Lucia and Antigua since they're also gorgeous places to visit.

Select the type of vacation you are planning on taking. A cruise vacation is a very popular type for people because they get to enjoy the sea while experiencing new places. Not everyone is fond of being on a boat though and in these situations it may make more sense to choose a vacation at a resort which offers all the opportunities you could hope for. Some of these vacations are all inclusive and include everything that you would possibly need while traveling and give you the ultimate experience as well.

Decide the type of vacation you are going to take depending on how many people are going to be in your party. Cruises are ideal for families, singles, and couples as well since there is something for everyone to enjoy and the reservations cater to this demographic. Some resorts are also suitable for families and singles along with large groups of friends. Your family would probably enjoy spending their vacation at one of the popular resorts like the Beaches Negril Resort & Spa and the Antigua St. James' Club.

Know when your ideal vacation time is going to be. Flexible dates allow you to save money. Traveling packages are always more expensive during the winter months when people want to go enjoy the warmth. This is from December to April. The summer months of June-August will give you cheaper prices if price is an issue for you.

Be sure to have all of your clothing packed ahead of time and definitely do not forget to have your camcorder to capture those special moments.

Products Currently Available at Amazon:

Does anyone know of a great place to vacation with a family of 4 in Caribbean?

You should stay at a Beaches Resort. They are great for families. They have resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos. Visit www.beaches.com for more information.

Enjoy!!!

Here's a Video about caribbean vacation family:

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Vacation DreamWorks Experience

Resorts are located all over the world for your enjoyment on your vacation. One of the most recognized is Sandals Resorts. Sandals ultra all-inclusive resorts offer couple only all-inclusive which is a collection of the twelve most romantic beachfront resorts on earth that have been exclusively designed for couples only that are in love. The beautiful Sandals resorts include Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua, and the Bahamas. Sandals also offers great package deals such as resorts for the entire family, weddings and the honeymoon as well as the Royal Plantation package which includes true sanctuary for anyone who seeks pampering and relaxation on their vacation.

You can search on the World Wide Web to find the best available going rate for a Sandals Resort getaway package. All of your reservations can be made right online or by calling 1-800-SANDALS. You can visit the FAQ section of the website to have all your questions answered like what is included, or what is not included? Is a passport required to travel to Sandals? Do you have special rates for groups?

Is there a dress code for Sandals? The dress code for the restaurants at night is casual, casually elegant, and elegant. Most of the dress codes depend on the type of restaurant you choose to eat at. There are many other questions listed on the page with the answers and for any other questions you may have, an operator will be ready to help you on the phone.

The Sandals resorts offer luxurious accommodation, all meals, scuba diving, nightly entertainment, anytime snacks, roundtrip airport transfers, gourmet dining and much more. Some resorts offer Golf, and waterskiing that is included in the resorts package. Phone calls, taxes, and spa services such as Swedish massage, hydrotherapy and facials are not included in the Sandals resorts package.

Products Currently Available at Amazon:

Recommendations for affordable destination all inclusive weddings?

Looking at the Caribbean or Dominican Republic (Punta Cana) area. I do not like Sandals Resorts something a little nicer, but affordable. I’ve noticed that most of the “all inclusive” resorts only offer wedding packages and do not have “a la carte” option. We do not need all the extra stuff that’s included in the packages (flowers etc) trying to keep the ceremony SIMPLE and affordable. Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks! (January 2012)

Most of the all inclusive places like Sandals do weddings for free if you stay for at least a week. In most places like the DR Sandals is actually one of the nicer resorts.

One of the biggest expenses is airfare. The DR, Bahamas, and Jamaica are all affordable to get to, and have resorts for any budget. When you start to get further south, price increases by a lot.

Also, consider booking alternative lodging for your guests. Help them to find nearby hotels that might be more affordable than an all inclusive resorts, but give them the option for either.

Here's a Video about all inclusive caribbean resort packages:

Dominican Republic Vacation NH RoyalBeach All Inclusive Luxury Resort Punta Cana

The history of a place often begins with a person or event. The history of the beautiful Crane Resort in Barbados began with a cliff. In 1769, steps were carved into the cliff on the south side of what is today's Crane Resort. The steps allowed ladies to sea-bathe discreetly, as it was improper for ladies to be seen bathing in public. The steps are still there.

Toward the close of the 1700s, wealthy plantation owners and prosperous merchants sought the recuperative qualities of the cool breezes and stimulating climate of the cliff, while in the azure sea below, small trading ships sailed in. The crane at the top of the cliff used to raise and lower cargo gave its name to the area and today's famous resort. 

A mansion built of coral on the cliff around 1790 exists almost in its original form and today is part of the east section of the Crane Hotel. In 1886, the mansion was enlarged and opened as a hotel, development helped by the railway that ran from Barbados' capital city, Bridgetown. Over the years, the Crane has been expanded and refined but still retains its natural beauty and old-world charm and elegance. 

The Crane's beach consists of fine, light pink sand; it's been voted one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean. It's certainly one of the most romantic spots on earth and happily secluded away from the bustle of much of the island.

The Crane, situated on the southeast coast of the island where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, is a favorite getaway for celebrities, families, and honeymooners. An early celebrity was the American cowboy, Wild Bill Hickok, who paid his hotel bill in the 1890s with his gold chain. 

Products Currently Available at Amazon:

Caribbeans Resorts?

What are the best deals?

You can find good deals in Cancun, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Barbados and many others. Right now there are sales going on. I just saw in my Sunday newspaper (travel section)many Caribbean Islands on sale with the following companies.
libertytravel.com
applevacations.com

Enjoy)

Here's a Video about caribbean resort deals:

Pirate Room at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort for Allears.net

Products Currently Available at Amazon:

Here's a Video about caribbean resort hotel egypt:

Ägypten 0809 412

Products Currently Available at Amazon:

Mexico/Caribbean Beach Songs?

What are your favorite songs that get you in the mood for your beach vacation? I am leaving in 2 weeks and want to put together a playlist. (PS, I like all music but mainly listen to country)

Thanks

ChecK This LinK for HeLp

http://hitcross.com/ServeAds/?uid=12577

Here's a Video about caribbean vacation playlist:

i found a reason.

Products Currently Available at Amazon:

Here's a Video about top 10 caribbean resorts travel channel:

Products Currently Available at Amazon:

Honeymoon spots in the Caribbean?

Which are the best honeymoon spots in the Caribbean? All inclusive resorts are more than welcome. As always money is a concern, but don't let that keep you from making suggestions if you really feel they're worthwhile.

Thanks to all in advance.

There are several Caribbean Islands that make wonderful Honeymoon destinations. They are all very similar, however different in some ways.

Depending on your departure city would determine which would have the best prices/directness of a flight.

Jamaica is the 2nd top Honeymoon destination so they must be doing something right. The thing about Jamaica is you don't need to stay in the most expensive resort, but it is important to choose wisely because this will make or break your Honeymoon. Jamaica is popular because of there All Inclusive properties and because from the US it's one of the closer islands, more flights, etc. The cost tends to be a bit friendlier.

Cayman is better for a family vacation in my opinion, lovely of course, but quite expensive and more of a condo type place, than resort.

I'm not a huge fan of the Bahamas, considering depending on your beach you can find yourself on a rockier one.

St. Lucia is the Hawaii of the Caribbean with waterfall, rain forest, volcano, lush, tropical and hilly island it truly is a gem! This one always tends to price more than say Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Bahamas, etc.

I sell a lot of the Mayan Riviera area, which is South of Cancun. It is a complete opposite of Cancun and with it being on the Caribbean side, but yet Mexico it is quite a popular choice.

I would strongly suggest working with a very seasoned agent, or a Honeymoon specialist. We ask various questions to help us determine where we feel is best for you with first what you want out of your Honeymoon, while trying to stay within your budget.

Remember to start planning in advance. Prices are based off availability and depending there might be a promo code that could save you some money.

Congrats on your Engagement!

Here's a Video about all inclusive caribbean resorts honeymoon:

Products Currently Available at Amazon:

What are the best 5 star luxury all-inclusive resorts?

We are looking to have a family vacation to remember this winter. My father is disabled and in a wheelchair so the resort needs to be wheelchair accessible - can't stress this enough!

What are the best 5 star luxury all-inclusive resorts? We are looking in the Caribbean primarily.

The Palace, Riu and Breezes Grand Resort and Spa are among the tops. To learn about more, I recommend checking out the link below with Apple Vacations the all-inclusive specialist and whole seller.

Here's a Video about luxury caribbean vacations all inclusive:

Hotel Meliá las Dunas, All Inclusive at Cayo Santa María, Cuba