Family Vacations

[Mach1]

I don't know about every body else but my best child hood vacation memories were not going to fancy places. As a child my parent did that, go to Mexico, Disneyland and a couple other places. None had an impact on me more then just plainly going camping. As boring as it sounds my best vacation memories as a child were formed on simple camping trip's.
Ever consider a canoe trip like the Bawron lakes. I did that with my kid's and today as adults they still talk about it, incredible family bonding time as there is no distraction, just nature at its best and extremely educational that has real impact on young minds.

that is true, I love them also but most kids now if don't have Internet and wifi they will lose there mind, lol

 

[Bnorth]

I haven't been on a disney cruise but I have a few buddies that have taken their families and they have reported it's not worth the extra cost over a regular cruise. We did a Club Med family resort in Mexico once and it was a ton of fun. Lots of kids stuff like a trapeze, archery, kayaking etc.

 

[snochuk]

Kids are 7-7-10.

I kinda want to hold off on the going to Disney land for a few years but will consider the cruise

Mine where 10-12-14 when we drove to Newfoundland and back.
Best vacation ever!!!!!
Mine are now 18-20-22 and they still talk about it.

7 1/2 weeks in our 27.5' fifth wheel.
From school out for summer till 3 days before school started.
20,000km round trip 3000L diesel - $34,000 - let the kids do what ever they wanted plus we had a plan.
So much fun there was not one scrap between the three to break up!
Diaries for Christmas from Godparents and one digital camera each - over 12,000 picture burned on discs - one disc per week for sorting later.
They each wrote total of about 90 page of notes at night with mom and dad.
They were fore ever coming home from school telling wife and I what they were learning in school and they always got to say "we were there!"
RCMP Training depot and museum, Dehavlin plane museum, Canadian Mint, Sudbury nickel mine, Al Capones Moose Jaw distileries and tunnels, CN Tower, swim n great lakes (3), Hockey Hall of Fame, BRP Factory(waste...lol), Canadas Wonderland (twice to really shake our brains loose - 64 rides in one day), African Wildlife Safari (super cool best drive through zoo in Canada-baboons all over my truck - zebra rubbing on fender)Niagara Falls and Marineland to hand feed the beluga whales, Parliament buildings, Plains of Abraham, Upper Old Quebec City horse and buggy tour, Pier 21 - immigration reseach of family, Confederation Bridge, Lunenburg to see the Blue Nose ll and horse and buggy tour, Peggy's Cove and lots of other light houses, Founders Hall and horse and buggy tour, Cape Spear, Anapalis Valley, Terry Fox Memorial, Alexander Graham Bell museum, Basilca of Notre Dam Church and a lot of other amazing Churches, Old Fort William, Fort Louisberg and a whack of other forts and cannon firing, Cabot Tower, and hundreds of other cool stops.
Wife did two years research before we left home.
Why did we do it instead of Mickey Mouse they wanted?
Because I said before we leave Canada we will see Canada!


Your kids are about four years to young......maybe not.
Best trip eeeeeeeveeeeer!!!!
Do it, everybody should.

Not a resort holiday but give it some consideration.
It will be like nothing else - and way educational as a bonus.

Yup, I still get excited talking about it ...can you notice!

 

[S.W.A.T.]

Mine where 10-12-14 when we drove to Newfoundland and back.
Best vacation ever!!!!!
Mine are now 18-20-22 and they still talk about it.

7 1/2 weeks in our 27.5' fifth wheel.
From school out for summer till 3 days before school started.
20,000km round trip 3000L diesel - $34,000 - let the kids do what ever they wanted plus we had a plan.
So much fun there was not one scrap between the three to break up!
Diaries for Christmas from Godparents and one digital camera each - over 12,000 picture burned on discs - one disc per week for sorting later.
They each wrote total of about 90 page of notes at night with mom and dad.
They were fore ever coming home from school telling wife and I what they were learning in school and they always got to say "we were there!"
RCMP Training depot and museum, Dehavlin plane museum, Canadian Mint, Sudbury nickel mine, Al Capones Moose Jaw distileries and tunnels, CN Tower, swim n great lakes (3), Hockey Hall of Fame, BRP Factory(waste...lol), Canadas Wonderland (twice to really shake our brains loose - 64 rides in one day), African Wildlife Safari (super cool best drive through zoo in Canada-baboons all over my truck - zebra rubbing on fender)Niagara Falls and Marineland to hand feed the beluga whales, Parliament buildings, Plains of Abraham, Upper Old Quebec City horse and buggy tour, Pier 21 - immigration reseach of family, Confederation Bridge, Lunenburg to see the Blue Nose ll and horse and buggy tour, Peggy's Cove and lots of other light houses, Founders Hall and horse and buggy tour, Cape Spear, Anapalis Valley, Terry Fox Memorial, Alexander Graham Bell museum, Basilca of Notre Dam Church and a lot of other amazing Churches, Old Fort William, Fort Louisberg and a whack of other forts and cannon firing, Cabot Tower, and hundreds of other cool stops.
Wife did two years research before we left home.
Why did we do it instead of Mickey Mouse they wanted?
Because I said before we leave Canada we will see Canada!


Your kids are about four years to young......maybe not.
Best trip eeeeeeeveeeeer!!!!
Do it, everybody should.

Not a resort holiday but give it some consideration.
It will be like nothing else - and way educational as a bonus.

Yup, I still get excited talking about it ...can you notice!

Actually driving across Canada is on my to do list for family vacations. I'm actively looking for the right deal on a motor home that can accommodate all of us. But yes a excellent idea

 

[arff]

Anyone been to Dominican Republic

Punta Cana or Puerto Plata

Also anyone ever drive this route

Thanks

 

[Joholio]

Anyone been to Dominican Republic

Punta Cana or Puerto Plata

Also anyone ever drive this route

Thanks

I went to a buddys wedding in 09. Resort was nice, everywhere off the resort was sketchy and there was garbage everywhere, cant see it being any better now. Won’t be going back in this lifetime.

 

[armymags1]

Went to punta Cana twice. Took a tour to Santo Domingo the first time but never to puerto plata

 

[skidoo6100]

I went to a buddys wedding in 09. Resort was nice, everywhere off the resort was sketchy and there was garbage everywhere, cant see it being any better now. Won’t be going back in this lifetime.

Same situation, and I agree... would never go back.

 

[eclipse1966]

I agree Joel! Went about 5 years ago and never again. Wasn't expecting 5 Star but found it very sketchy out side the beaten path. Seen worse but seen much better as well.

I went to a buddys wedding in 09. Resort was nice, everywhere off the resort was sketchy and there was garbage everywhere, cant see it being any better now. Won’t be going back in this lifetime.

 

[arff]

Well darn. Was kind of thinking it be fun to go to 2 resorts over a few weeks.

Was hoping someone went last year.
More research is required I guess.

 

[FastFarmer]

Barcelo on the Mayan Riveriera.....parents get a holiday and there is a TON of fun for the kids. If they like water and swimming then this is the best place to take them. It’s huge!

 

[arff]

Barcelo on the Mayan Riveriera.....parents get a holiday and there is a TON of fun for the kids. If they like water and swimming then this is the best place to take them. It’s huge!

I will check it out.

Be no kids,

 

[FastFarmer]

Check out the Palace....worth it. The restaurants there are fantastic, buffets are good but you would want to get reservations each night for dinner...breaks it up. Adults only pool area and cabanas, super chill and service is second to none.

 

[Tchetek]

Well darn. Was kind of thinking it be fun to go to 2 resorts over a few weeks.

Was hoping someone went last year.
More research is required I guess.

I think dominican is like most all inclusive destination trips.

3 options.

-Resort quality, over all niceness, how clean it is.

-friendliness of staff and quality of their service.

-food quality or variety.


But you only get 2 out of the 3 and you don’t get to choose what 2 you get.


when the price is right it makes it easy to overlook the things that are not perfect and just enjoy the vacation.


I was in the Dominican 9 years ago. One thing I remember was a lot of armed guards at doorways to shops or homes we passed when off the resort.

I also don’t drive myself when in sketchy places.

 

[Tchetek]

I don't know about every body else but my best child hood vacation memories were not going to fancy places. As a child my parent did that, go to Mexico, Disneyland and a couple other places. None had an impact on me more then just plainly going camping. As boring as it sounds my best vacation memories as a child were formed on simple camping trip's.
Ever consider a canoe trip like the Bawron lakes. I did that with my kid's and today as adults they still talk about it, incredible family bonding time as there is no distraction, just nature at its best and extremely educational that has real impact on young minds.

I enjoyed Bowern lakes about 25 years ago when I did it with my dad and other dad/kid combos. But I would do it in kayaks if I did it again. The paddling looked effortless as they would pass us in Canoes. They just had a lot more freedom to coast around and look at what they wanted. It could be a good way for somebody with mobility issues (depending on how severe) to experience the true back county. Would not be much extra effort to carry somebody around in a tandem kayak.


When we did it group of 2 guys passed us at the short rapid section. One lost his paddle. They towed each other with one paddle for the rest of the 3/4 way around the circuit and they would sleep in each day, and then still pass us with only one guy paddling.

After that my dad and his buddies all took up kayaking. From white water to ocean adventures. I personally like engine power!

But as Lund mentioned. Memories I’m typing about today.

 

[Tchetek]

When I was 12 my parents drove the family to Disneyland and back. 6 week casual trip.

Lots of deferent memories along the way but a highlight for me was the sand dunes in Oregon. After see it on a tour thing, we stayed extra days and my dad and I rented Honda Odyssey’s and then quads and went rippin! I couldn’t drive worth a **** yet but better memories for me than Disneyland. But my 2 sisters have different opinions!

 

[armymags1]

Well darn. Was kind of thinking it be fun to go to 2 resorts over a few weeks.

Was hoping someone went last year.
More research is required I guess.

We actually did go to 2 resorts in the Dominican last year but they were both in punta Cana we stayed a week at sirenis then took a cab to dreams. It was really nice to get a change of buffet food between resorts

 

[chickenman]

Were looking at taking our boys (3-6-8) on a Disney cruise this year. I guess the big attraction to me is the fact we can drop the kids off for the afternoon and there is stuff scheduled for them and we get to have a bit of alone time. When i think vacation, i don't want to be parenting to the same degree that we do at home. (maybe that makes me a bad parent?)

 

[FastFarmer]

Were looking at taking our boys (3-6-8) on a Disney cruise this year. I guess the big attraction to me is the fact we can drop the kids off for the afternoon and there is stuff scheduled for them and we get to have a bit of alone time. When i think vacation, i don't want to be parenting to the same degree that we do at home. (maybe that makes me a bad parent?)

Barcelo is another option as well, there is everything from swimming with dolphins, amazing pools with easy eye sight to the kids, foods close, everything close even the beach. Worth spending 10 minutes on the website and YouTube.

 

[armascott]

I agree Barcelo on the Mayan side is great, excellent place to go with kids. Only thing do yourself a favor and spend the cash on a shuttle from the airport. We got to resort in about a hour, some friends of ours came in the next day and took a shuttle. They took almost 3 hours from the airport to the resort.