Christmas family trip ideas?

[ownsmany]

My mom wants to take all the kids and their families somewhere starting right after Christmas (12/27th or so). I know it is the most expensive time of the year but it's tough getting everyone off school, and work. That week works for all.

Requirements - Beach - warm weather.

Flying from NY, NJ or Phl.

DS got prices for all inclusive in DR. Seems really high when we could do timeshares somewhere.

Any advise? Will be around 20 people (including kids) and 6 or 7 rooms.

DS wants to book right away - as travel agent says can't hold rate.

[LUVourMarriotts]

With a crowd that size, I would recommend a cruise. It may be difficult to exchange into enough timeshare units to accomodate everyone. I believe you can also get a group discount with 20 people.

[ownsmany]

Originally Posted by LUVourMarriotts

With a crowd that size, I would recommend a cruise. It may be difficult to exchange into enough timeshare units to accomodate everyone. I believe you can also get a group discount with 20 people.

That's possible - although DH isn't a cruise fan. We've done Alaska (w/o DH) and Disney Cruise - both with the entire extended family. Hope I can talk DH into it, if a cruise is decided. He can't stand the cruises - "all you do is eat, and wait to get somewhere".

[gmarine]

Thats tough because of the time of year and amount of people. I doubt you could secure enough timeshares in a warm location during Xmas week.

Pretty much anywhere you go during that week that requires airfare is going to be expensive. Cancun probably will have rates similar to DR and is more desirable IMO, than DR.

[beejaybeeohio]

How about renting a huge villa on some tropical island with maid service, pool & beach?

The Vacation Rentals by Owner (www.vrbo.com) is a good place to start searching. There are some beautiful places available!

[Talent312]

Originally Posted by beejaybeeohio

How about renting a huge villa on some tropical island with maid service, pool & beach? The Vacation Rentals by Owner (www.vrbo.com) is a good place to start searching. There are some beautiful places available!

I echo this. One of my brothers rented a house on Montserrat (B4 the volcano blew) for his familty vacation. I'm looking at villas on Aruba.

[dms1709]

You might have better luck the 12/20/08 to 12/27/08 period vs the 12/27 to 1/3 week. I have a place on hold (there are 13 of us) and looking for airlines has been a challenge. The better rates are the 12/20 period, the 12/27 period is over the top. I have talked to a few people and they are experiencing cancellations due to the airfare. If you can be flexible as to the dates, (meaning 12/24/08 to 12/31/08), you can get a bit better rates on the airlines. A cruise or a vacation package that includes the airfare, could be the best bet. It's a great time to get everyone together. Good Luck

Donna

[ownsmany]

Great suggestions - please keep them coming.

A tugger pm'd me and from that I was able to get a bunch of villas in Hilton Head, SC. I sent a note to my siblings to see if they would consider Hilton Head. I know they all want warm beach weather - and I know it's not the right time of year in HH for that. That said - has anyone stayed in HH over the holidays. Was it enjoyable?

I sent an email to the vro person that a couple of you mentioned. I can't figure out how to sort by date and not location. I could spend hours (when I should be working) looking thru the site. Thanks for that info also. Maybe I'll have my sister who is off for the summer check that site out.

Other ideas? it is a large family and one of them isn't so easy to please.

TIA.

[wackymother]

It's not beachy at all...but would you consider Williamsburg? They're supposed to have wonderful Christmas displays and celebrations. We were considering it for this year, and on the Colonial Williamsburg site you can see all the entertainment and activities they will have available.

[talkamotta]

I did Thanksgiving week a couple of years ago in Orlando. I was able use my timeshare for 2006 in 2005 and move them both to Thanksgiving. It was with Westgate and they only charged me one trade fee. They put me in units next to each other and both units were 2 bedrooms with lofts.

It worked well for us. Monday half of us went to Disney and the others went to a Tampa for a football game. Tuesday some went to Universal and the others hung out at the condo. Thursday was the only day we all stayed at the condo; I made Thanksgiving dinner. Two of my dils wanted to learn how to make a turkey dinner. Wednesday we went to Cocoa Beach and Friday we went to Clearwater when the parks would be mroe crowded.

Orlando can be as expensive or cheap as you want. Parks are expensive and beaches are free.

[luv2vacation]

Originally Posted by ownsmany

I know they all want warm beach weather - and I know it's not the right time of year in HH for that. That said - has anyone stayed in HH over the holidays. Was it enjoyable?

We have traveled to HH for the Xmas/NY week for the past 5 years - I love it that time of year. No, it is not 'swimming' beach weather, at least not for me - we do ALWAYS see a few people in the water. It is, though, great weather for hanging out on the beach - walking, riding bikes, playing volleyball, football, etc. All the resorts we have been to have outdoor heated pools and hot tubs and many also have indoor pools. It is also a great time of year to enjoy the fabulous bike trails, golf, tennis, and walks around the harbors. There are TONS of great restaurants but nothing is crowded. Daytime temps usually run low-to-mid 60's, with an occasional 70-degree day.

So, no, not traditional beach weather, but beautiful sunrises, lots of water activities (you're on an island), tons of great places to eat, mild (but not hot) temps, plenty of beautiful resorts to choose from, and lots of activities to keep everyone occupied.

[ownsmany]

I'm out voted - they want beach weather - especailly the person footing the bill - so ideas still needed.

Beach location
warm weather
they prefer all inclusive

looks like timeshare is out? Any reasonable all inclusive timeshares out there?

I hate to stay in a hotel sized room - when I'm used to timeshares. They don't get it.

[geneticblend]

We went to Williamsburg last Christmas and it was wonderful. They had a lot of Christmas activities scheduled for the weeks prior, during and after. The weather was very warm, but not beach weather. Of course there are indoor pools. And there was a lot of availability. If your beach plans don't work, this could be a great fall-back plan.

[ownsmany]

DS booked the reservation at allinclusive at DR. Of coure the travel agent said the price went up - so DS booked a for Dec 29th to get same price.

Way too overprice - but JMO.

I know we will have a great time.

Thanks everyone for the ideas.

Now we have to figure how to thank dear Mom for her generous gift to us all.

[pcgirl54]

What a great thing to have the entire family together. Your mom will be happy having all of you with her.

[gmarine]

Originally Posted by ownsmany

DS booked the reservation at allinclusive at DR. Of coure the travel agent said the price went up - so DS booked a for Dec 29th to get same price.

Way too overprice - but JMO.

I know we will have a great time.

Thanks everyone for the ideas.

Now we have to figure how to thank dear Mom for her generous gift to us all.

The travel agent should thank her too, for generating her a generous commission.

[irishween]

[
Now we have to figure how to thank dear Mom for her generous gift to us all.[/quote]

Take lots of pictures and tranfer them to a digital frame. Your mother can revisit the wonderful gift she gave to you.

What part of PA do you live?

[Twinkstarr]

Originally Posted by luv2vacation

We have traveled to HH for the Xmas/NY week for the past 5 years - I love it that time of year. No, it is not 'swimming' beach weather, at least not for me - we do ALWAYS see a few people in the water. It is, though, great weather for hanging out on the beach - walking, riding bikes, playing volleyball, football, etc. All the resorts we have been to have outdoor heated pools and hot tubs and many also have indoor pools. It is also a great time of year to enjoy the fabulous bike trails, golf, tennis, and walks around the harbors. There are TONS of great restaurants but nothing is crowded. Daytime temps usually run low-to-mid 60's, with an occasional 70-degree day.

So, no, not traditional beach weather, but beautiful sunrises, lots of water activities (you're on an island), tons of great places to eat, mild (but not hot) temps, plenty of beautiful resorts to choose from, and lots of activities to keep everyone occupied.

Would you talk to my DH?
I think HHI would be a great Xmas/NYE trip and did see a 3br at Surfwatch(in case the "boat anchor" aka my sister wanted to come). Well perhaps he will be a bit more receptive after spending another Xmas with his sister and her family.

[luv2vacation]

Originally Posted by Twinkstarr

Would you talk to my DH?
I think HHI would be a great Xmas/NYE trip and did see a 3br at Surfwatch(in case the "boat anchor" aka my sister wanted to come). Well perhaps he will be a bit more receptive after spending another Xmas with his sister and her family.

I would be glad to have a chat with him. BTW, we stayed at Surfwatch that week the year before last. That's when I fell in love with that resort. We had an oceanview room that also looked out over the pool (top floor) and I spent a large part of every morning sitting on the balcony, having tea and watching the ocean. We also rode bikes a lot and took many long walks on the beach.

I also have the same sister - funny thing is she's my older sister. She has been tagging along on our TS vacations for 10 years (for free). Four years ago, I finally talked her into buying her own TS. Two years later. I finally got a freebie tagalong on her trade to Newport Coast Villas in Cal. I don't know what was more exciting - my first trip out west or my first chance to travel on HER dime!