Thoughts about a Christmas destination

[rayinpenn]

Decided in lieu of retirement for the next year to help keep me going and make life interesting we would take some awesome (hopefully) vacations. We look forward and have scheduled going to Hawaii shortly.

Now I want to plant something for the Christmas holidays and was thinking Australia, Sydney in particular and maybe up the coast (I like warm weather) but 20 hours in a plane?

All Thoughts and alternatives would be appreciated
A. good for 2 teenagers (19 & 15)
B. Warm weather
C. We enjoy the water, fishing, snorkeling, food, reading/lounging in the sun,
D. Oh the wife has an irrational fear of all of Mexico.

RayinPenn.

[jerome len]

I've visited the Cayman Islands each Thanksgiving or Christmas for years. It has everything you're looking for and I would suggest a condo on 7 mile beach. You can get a 2 or 3 bedroom with Kitchen and porch facing the ocean, you'll be less than 100 yards from a sandy beach, great diving snorkeling, many very good restaurants, very safe and fairly expensive. They have hotels on 7 mile beach but with teenagers I'd suggest a condo. LaCovia is mid range, Meridian is higher mid range. Cost will be close to $1000 per night, go direct and you could save travel agency fees. I've found comparable accomodations in Hawaii as expensive IF you have similar size and beach access.....but Cayman is far better in my opinion. We love it!

[45th Birthday]

I second the Grand Cayman idea. We have been going around Christmas/New Year's for 20+ years. As stated above, extremely safe but expensive. Lots to do, weather then is usually perfect. Easy to get certified for diving in a week-the diving there is unbelievable. A condo is the way to go-more space and you can do some meals there. You might have difficulty at this point for Christmas 2014 in terms of availability.

[hakuna matata]

We live in Seattle and Christmas here is wet and dreary, so at least twice now we have headed to San Diego. Temperatures in the high 60's and low 70's. Not crowded, etc. We usually stay at the Hard Rock there and it is a lot of fun. The first time was great as we almost have the whole hotel to ourselves and the prices are fantastic that week. Second time it was busier as one of the bowl football bands was staying there. That was also interesting in its own way. Lots of restaurants in the immediate area as well. Last year we went with two teens and they enjoyed the rock theme of the hotel and shopping in the area. Pretty safe area to let them roam by themselves too. There is often a football bowl game there too (if you are a fan) and that is fun to watch too even if you don't have a favorite team in the game.

[Kimo]

The Disney resort at Ko Olina on Oahu?

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