help me plan the next family vacation

I'm a big fan of the National Parks, great active and out-doorsy sort of stuff to do at all of them.  In the Four Corners area in the Southwest, there is Bryce, Zion, Arches, and my favorite, Mesa Verde.  You might be able to rent a camper and have a really fun time.  Check the weather at these places though - it could be cold depending on the elevation.

I really like Mesa Verde - the cliff dwellings are very interesting, its fun to climb around on the ladders and junk to see the various "houses."  Plus, the people who lived there just disappeared, so that's a little freaky too.  There are Ranger led tours, kids tours (usually, I don't have kids so I don't always check), and its near Cortez - which has some nice restaurants.  The west is really different, especially when you are coming from the East.  Its huge - even great pictures cannot convey the scale of what you will see.

I have to get back out there.

If Mexico wasn't such a problem now, there was a beautful All-Inclusive place my family and I went about 8 years ago through Apple Vacations -

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=5908609956076744288&q=Hotel+Riu+Palace+Riviera+Maya&hl=en&dtab=2&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=23.875,57.630033&ie=UTF8&ll=20.650856,-87.11566&spn=0.00008,0.000086&z=14&vpsrc=0

Maybe check out the U.S. or British Virgin Islands?  I think for the U.S. Virgin Islands you don't require a passport -
http://www.virginislandsmap.com/

x2

never been there but maybe check the Mediterranean? i have friends who have gone and they always espouse how great it is almost anywhere there.

personally I am also a fan of the national parks or state parks. if you have never checked them out try a few, I like redwoods and Yosemite for that time of year though the southwest may be a lot better weather wise. if you were going in the summer i would aim you to some in the PNW.

...and Disney cruise lines lets you bring your own booze on board.

I'm your lone Italy vote.  The reason is because of your sentence "Something that gets us outside (aka warm and sunny) but not on a hectic schedule... our own pace."  There is a caviat to my suggestion though:

We've done the stereotypical all inclusive thing and if you haven't, then maybe that's a good idea.  Everyone should probably do it once.  I wouldn't go to Mexico for it, right now though.  They have them in Jamaica or Dominican Republic, etc......  I'd go to one of those places right now.  They are ok, but you tend to spend all your time AT THE HOTEL.  They have kids clubs, beach activities, snorkeling, and stuff like that, but you won't really get a sense of any different culture, which to me, is part of reason to travel.  Why spend all that time and money to go somewhere and not see anything new or different??????????  You really won't be saving all that much money and you can get a beach vacation with about the same type of stuff here in the states........   If you are there long enough, you also get tired of the food.  They serve everything on about a 7 day rotation and it just gets old to be honest.  You also HAVE to pay attention to the reviews of the food.  it's real easy for a bad buffets to ruin your stay. I'm just saying.

I'm suggesting Italy because Europe in general is VERY family friendly.  VERY.  They are probably more accommodating to kids than adults.  At least that's been my experience.  Italy moves at a slower pace, much more relaxed and has a much deeper sense of culture.  I'm suggesting places like Amalfi, Matera, Positano, Capri, Cinque Terre.  You can make trips to Rome or Florence from any of these cities if you choose (other than Cinque Terre, that's better for Venice).  There is also the island of Ischia that has a bunch of resorts.  This is a different type of vacation though.  For me, these types of vacations relax my soul.  The all inclusive's just takes my mind off of things for a while, about the same as your average weekend just more fun.  IMO a trip to Italy is going to be a little more memorable than an All Inclusive. 

I don't know what exactly you are trying to accomplish on the vacation, but if your choices are between an all inclusive and a trip to Italy....... I'm sorry but I just don't think there is even a question.  just my 2 cents.

I'm with Jgaither and Dave with the Italy suggestion.  I have to admit that i'm a little biased because i spend a lot of time there, but from what you described you would like you won't find a better place.

The area of Positano or Pescara if you go to the other side are great suggestions.  Weather will be very nice, and you will be able to relax, or spend an entire day discovering things.  I would recommend you to look to the Livorno area to the North but keep in mind that in the south they are more family oriented and more kid friendly than in the north.

I would only go with the all inclusive if budget is a big concern, but if its not and you can spen a little more go with Italy, you wont regret it.

M2C...with the age of your children, the Disney Cruise sounds like the way to go.

Please tell your husband we are greatful for his service!

Come to my Luxurious 4 bedroom home in Minnesota.  I will let you spend the week with my Two kids, use or Fabulous blow up blue pool in the backyard (Not after 7 P.M. though, mosquito's are too bad).  There is a lovely lake nearby, but you will have to rent your own boat.  Oh, My wife also has two cats that need attending to.  one pukes in the kitchen, and one brings dead animals in.  What more could you want ?  Meanwhile, my wife and I will go check out one of these places for you...

Seriously though..

Hawaii would be my first choice.  I've been there a few times.  I vote for Kauai.  less nightlife and quieter for the kids.  Also a lot to see Look up waimea canyon 

Italy is fantastic, we've gone back a few times.  (Before kids).

We took a 4 and 5 year old on the Disney cruise, and they really know how to do it.  They also have "Private" clubs for Tweens and teens.  We are not cruise people, but this really worked.

Good luck, where ever you go PLEASE Thank your husband for us! and Thank you too!!

With kids those ages I would do something like a resort or the Disney cruise. Disney is fun for younger kids, my parents tried to take us again when we were teenagers and it was boring as all heck (Disneyland in CA). Might be the best time to take your kids on a Disney cruise if that is really something you want to do.

Italy is great, but my wife and I are architecture and museum admirers so dragging kids along would be a nightmare for us and for them. Also I'm not sure that a kid could really appreciate Italy as well as they could a Disney adventure. I hated museums and buildings when I was a kid, love them now.

Just MHO with a large grain of salt as I have no kids.

tri-mama - 2011-08-23 11:46 AM

japarker24 - 2011-08-23 7:25 AM I was at Beaches Turks & Caicos for Memorial Day weekend this year.  Great Place!  Very child friendly.  Lots to do!  Good Food, lots of options.  Check it out, for sure.

I was just looking at this 1 the other night... what was your room like?  clean, comfortable beds/pillows.

The problem I'm finding right now is that with online pricing they want to charge me for husbands airfare when i don't need that - I just need his accomdations (aarrgg)

Still looking and taking suggestions!

This is pretty common.  I've done the all-inclusive thing on several occasions.  The way I've done this in the past is to try to coordinate your flights to arrive at roughly the same time.  You will have to call the resort directly and explain your situation to one of the managers.  They will set you up a rate for just your husband (should be discounted).  part of the All-inclusive thing is that it's "all-inclusive", meaning Airfare, food, drink, room, transportation to/from airport (the inclusiveness of amenities can vary) so you'll have to make different arrangements.

When shopping for resorts I would just start with yours and your kids info, get the pricing and all the amenities, etc......  then when you settle on a place, call the resort direct for your husbands arrangements.  As I stated before, you will be very well served to pay attention to food/buffet reviews when picking a destination.  I know it sounds trivial, but the food can make or break a vacation.  consider that you will be eating it 3 times a day for the duration of your stay.  A lot of the resorts will have themed restaurants on site that will let you change it up, some will give you 1 free night per 3 nights stayed, some it will be a la carte, so check that out if finances are a consideration.  Additionally, there are different activities at the resorts like swimming with dolphins or eco tours or aquariums or what not.  For most of them, you don't have to stay AT that particular resort to take advantage of those activities, you can stay at one close by and travel to and pay the entry fee for whatever day you want to go.  Sometimes they charge it whether you stay on property or not.

Pay attention to hurricane season and if you plan to go during hurricane season ask what strength the hotel is built for.  We were going to have our wedding at one and a category 5 hurricane (wilma) squatted over us for 3 days during our wedding.  Needless to say, we didn't get married that day.  But the hotel was built to withstand a cat 5 and we never lost power and had food, plumbing, movies and water the entire time.  Afterward during the evacuations, we were sipping pina coladas on the beach eating steak and lobster, while virtually every other hotel was severely damaged and people were sleeping at the airport or convention centeres with backed up toilets and low water supplies and at staging areas for days.  It only makes a difference if it happens, but when it does, trust me you'll be glad.