families who love to travel question

[Anonymous]

I don't think any vacation is relaxing with a 2 year old - or two 2 year olds - yikes! I guess it depends on what type of beach you go to and if there is a lot of other stuff to do there. We went to Cape Cod last summer with our 2 year old and then 3 month old and we did go to the beach, but we also went to the playground, the children's museum, and walks around town. We did decide that if we go back again this summer, that it would be much nicer to get a house very close to the actual beach, so that if one child was bored, we could leave and go back to the house, or go somewhere else. The other thing we decided is that if we ever stay in a hotel, we need to stay in one with 2 rooms (like a Residence Inn) so that when the kids go to sleep, we do not also have to sit in the dark! Makes it much easier with naps, etc! I really think it depends on what you prefer and how much you want to "do" on the vacation.

[Anonymous]

OP - much depends on the temperment of your child. We have done a few city trips with DS and napping can be a bit of an issue depending on where our hotel is, etc. Ours was not that intereested in musuems and while playgrounds are a great diversion they are pretty mcuh the same all over so not really what I want to go to different cities to see.

There are a few hotels that offer family friendly options - we go with other family memebrs to Marriott timeshares every other year and they have some kid friendly stuff and some have babysitting. So do some cruises.
The important things for me with family vacations were that I only wanted to pack / unpack once and I wanted options for meals (i.e. kitchenette or 24 service).

May/ early June is not too bad for southern beaches / towns - Duck N.C. is one of our favorites, also Hilton Head - besides days at the beach we go biking, short sight seeing, etc. I also like the Maine Coast, though the water can be cold and so can temos pre-June.

[Anonymous]

It will be pretty hot during the summer, but we really love going to Jamaica with our two year old. We have stayed at the Half Moon in Montego Bay. The property is beautiful (sometimes you may catch a glimpse of a minor celebrity there) and you can get a suite (I think Hibiscous) with two rooms and it is on the beach so during naps, you can lay out on the beach with the monitor or just sit on the patio. Also, you can hire a Nanny to sit in the room (after they go to sleep for us because my son was so exhausted from playing all day that he went down early each night) while you do dinner. They have an all inclusive plan if you choose and they are very family friendly and they seem to really love kids. But it is not just a kid's place so there is a lot of stuff for you to do as well. They have direct flights from BWI on Air Jamaica.
Also, I have never been before, but a close friend highly recommends FDR resort in Jamaica because each family gets their own Nanny for their entire stay! May be worth checking it out.

[Anonymous]

Bermuda/Exuma Four Seasons, extremely child friendly-- love Four Seasons for kids
Florida Four Seasons (Palm Beach)
Vancouver-- city for a few days, a close in island for a few days
California/San Diego
Nemacolen (PA) or Greenbriar (WVA) for a 4 night or so stay -- Greenbriar has great sitters
Cape/Vineyard/Nantucket

[Anonymous]

Bermuda