Anonymous wrote:Which is better for a beach vacation with kids: Puerto Rico, DR, Aruba, Bahamas, or Mexico? Talking about staying at a resort the whole time and really want nice sand and clear water.

Not DR (crummy beaches)

Aruba: check out Divi. The high rises further down the beach are nice, but crowded.

Mexico: might be what you’re looking for. Splurge for a nice resort.

Bahamas: like Mexico, but closer and with better beaches. Crowded unless you go with a higher end, boutique resort.

PR: can you afford Ritz Dorado or another villa in Dorado? Or Four Seasons? Rent a car. The island is fun and safe. Don’t stay put at the resort. Explore! FTR, we’ve stayed at a mix of hotels (not high end), and still have a blast.

Plenty of islands in the Caribbean are better than the ones you listed, fwiw.

Which is better for a beach vacation with kids: Puerto Rico, DR, Aruba, Bahamas, or Mexico? Talking about staying at a resort the whole time and really want nice sand and clear water.

Travel is completely subjective and largely dictated by your personal experience—and personality.

I just asked my ten year old if he’s ever been disappointed by any of our travel, and his response was that he has fun wherever we go.

Having said that, I’ll still throw in my two cents:

Aruba - They literally (over) built one side of the island they call the American Zone. It’s like Ocean City with a better beach. Too crowded and commercialized for my taste, but you can find less crowded resorts (Divi is further down the beach and doesn’t have high rises).

Hawaii - Dont stay in Waikiki; it’s a crowded city with the attendant issues. It’s a schlep from the east coast, and not my cup of tea since I prefer the calm turquoise water in the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico - If you didn’t like PR, I’m curious where you stayed and what you did. PR is a lot of fun if you rent a car and explore. We always have a blast! Great food, nice people, and we always enjoy beach days off the beaten path.

Quebec - Magical in winter! Fun in summertime! Great trip with kids.

San Francisco and Seattle - The most overrated American cities imho. Don’t like the weather. Both cities feel depressing. Both cities lack the energy and fun vibe of literally every other city I’ve ever visited.

New Orleans - I eat my way through that city, and it’s always awesome!

Charleston - My kids commented that Charleston is like a less tropical, less colorful Old San Juan ;0) We like it. Great food, charming architecture, easily accessible beach towns.

Paris - I was on guard for pickpockets after almost being mugged twice. That colored my impression of the city. Crowded, dirty. I’ll say it: the international crowd of tourists seem incapable of forming lines and respecting personal space. Those same people are rude. But I did love the food and some of the architecture.

Tip: do your research before you travel. Stay someplace special. Eat at foodie places and off the beaten path hole in the wall dives. Get out of the city. Walk. Enjoy the outdoors. Book interesting excursions (private tour, fishing, etc.). Have fun!

Cinque terre - when we went it was sooooo crowded

Interesting thread, my first day in Paris I was very underwhelmed so I can relate, but just made a point to get down into the neighborhoods and loved it. I’m not a city person so that makes sense.

I also don’t love Rehoboth. So cheap, touristy. I do love Bethany though go figure.

Not a big LA fan either but again, not a city gal.

People who like New Orleans - would you recommend going with tweens for a long weekend trip? What would be your suggestions for activities with 10-12 year olds? When is the best weather?

Anonymous wrote:Did someone say Aruba or am I thinking of another thread? Would like to hear feedback on Aruba since we have a trip booked there this year.

If Aruba was unimpressive, what other nearby beaches would be better in July?

Turks and Caicos is a lot nicer in my opinion. Also Barbados

Anonymous wrote:Costa Rica. I didn't realize how big of a sex tourism destination it was. Lots of older white men and young prostitutes. It was beautiful scenery interspersed with weird creepy old man vibes. I ended up running into the seemingly nice middle-aged med we'd sat next to on the plane at a restaurant. Turns out they were with some prostitutes and their pimp. One complained when they didn't laugh enthusiastically enough at his jokes and weren't flirty enough. We got out of there fast.


Key West. It's beautiful but very expensive and the beaches suck. I don't like Jimmy Buffet music and Duval street is overrated. There are much better places to go.

Did you mistype Dominican Republic or Phuket, Thailand?

Anonymous wrote:New Orleans - what a disgusting pit. I felt like I needed to delouse after visiting. Gross half dead addicts everywhere.

Yes. The only worthwhile appeal to the state of Louisiana are the beignets and the Whitney Plantation Museum.

Pp here (talking about the US side of the NF

Niagara Falls.
The falls itself are beautiful but the town itself looks like a strip mall along Rockville Pike

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paris, for a reason that hasn't been mentioned yet. There is a ton of racism against anyone perceived to be Arab or Middle Eastern there (which I'm not, but I look like I could be). I would never go back.

Mackinac Island. I thought it was boring AF, and it takes forever and a day to drive there from civilization.

Las Vegas. So tacky and gross and smells like cigarettes everywhere. Completely depressing to see all the compulsive gamblers feeding their money into slot machines. I thought there would at least be something redeeming about it, but I liked pretty much nothing about it.

The Berkshires. Boring. What is the appeal?

+1 Totally agree. Go on a hike, see a concert at Tanglewood - that's about it. You're done in 12 hours.

I love the Berkshires. Visit all the different little towns. New England-y charm. Great farm to table restaurants. Crisp air/nature. Thick sweaters. Warm cozy lodges/fireplaces. Wine tasting. Cider donuts. But I’m coming from NYC so open/quiet/uncrowded spaces are like a sanctuary to me.

+1

And Mass MOCA and The Clark!!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Great Barrier Reef. Washed out corals.

+1
It must have been something 30 years ago. So much of it is dead now.

Although I went all around Australia and had some wonderful moments, I felt like it wasn't *that* different from the US & was disappointed by it.

I've traveled quite a bit and lived overseas for 15 years but have never made it to Australia mostly because it is a big trip and I'm pretty sure this would be my takeaway.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t say I loved the Outer Banks. It’s such a popular vacation spot in this area but I was surprised at how dirty and run down it felt. Was also expecting better restaurant options—nothing fancy, just better quality. By the end of the week I was bored and ready to go home. I can see it I guess if you really love just sitting on the beach all day and cooking at your rental.

+1

+2

Anonymous wrote:Hawaii.

My own fault for poor research, but I was expecting something quieter and less developed...more exotic. Instead I got traffic jams and Walmarts. It felt like Florida with better scenery. Which makes sense since it's a state.

Where in Hawaii. Hawaii is made up of a cluster of islands with different vibes. Honolulu Waikiki is the pits. Maui and and Kauai are absolutely beautiful