Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources Nature Vacation ideas?

Are you for sure wanting to go to Florida, or open to other parts of the country (or another country even ?). We spent 10 days in Disneyworld in May - and LOVE it - but not exactly a nature vacation. We're heading to the Black Hills over Labor Day weekend - Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Mammoth Hot Springs (VERY cool !), a cave tour....and staying in a (fully modern) cabin in the woods We're planning a trip to England next year (family wedding), and the following year to Yellowstone. I live for my vacations - no way I could survive 5 years without one - hope whatever you plan is the best !!

Are you limiting your search to Florida? We've been there several times, but more for the beaches and Orlando parks than for anything truly educational for that age. If that's where you want to go, I'm sure others can lead you through the wonderful places to visit there.

We're now Northern Californians, and there is so much to enjoy in terms of nature vacations here. We're taking a homeschool "education" vacation with our boys through the Redwoods next month. Tahoe and Yellowstone are beautiful, and Monterey has a world-class aquarium (complete with many homeschool days if you time your vacation right). The gold rush started in Placerville, between Tahoe and Sacramento, and the Pony Express ended in Folsom (also just outside Sacramento). Sacramento still has "Old Town," which is the complete replica of the original town in existence during that time. Again, it's another homeschoolers' paradise for this age group. The "missions trips" down the coast are very popular for the 4th graders studying American history. There are lots of museums throughout the Bay area, too. Best of all, this entire area is scenic enough to make a beautiful relaxing vacation for all the adults tagging along on the educational journey, too.

We are not ready for a FULL nature vacation. I want to stay in a Marriott Hotel and go out their door to the beach. Disney would be fun but not what we need right now. Discovery Cove in Florida looked idea at first glance because there is alot to do so close. Snorkling and lazy rivers sound relaxing.

We are not set on Florida. Infact now that you mentioned the oil spill, we might be better off in another direction.

You folks have some cool vacation idea. I'm looking for as simple as possible that includes meals.

We live in Florida and go frequently to Orlando because the Disney hotels are great and we get the meal plan which takes pressure away from cooking. Plus, my husband is a Disney employee and gets fantastic discounts! We go for the weekend and feel like we are in a different world because everything is done for you...spoiled rotten! It is only if you try to do too much that Orlando will kill you. The breaks we take there are completely mindless and relaxing.

But, I would not call them "nature vacations" by any means! There are lots of real natural Florida destinations, but not so much with Marriot hotels!! More like cabins or camping. One place not Ichetucknee River near Gainsville has relaxing river floats, but the most convenient places to stay are the cabins.

Nan

One thing I've figuerd out when vacationing with family is that it's much nicer if you can get a vacation rental or suite rather than a typical hotel room. Then you have a living room, the option of eating in (eating out every meal gets old after a while), etc.

Hilton Head might be a good option for you guys. Tons of nature, and very civilized, all right next to each other. You should check out this Marriott: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hhhvi-marriotts-grande-ocean (there are others on the island, but that one would be ideal) or stay at Sea Pines (http://www.seapines.com/). You can rent bikes for the entire time you are there, and practically everything you would want to do will be accessible from the bikes, including eat at great restaurants. There are extensive bike trails throughout the island, and you can even ride your bikes on the beach at low tide. You can rent kayaks or horses or go on a boat tour (I recommend http://www.dolphintourshiltonhead.com/trips_3.html). There are a couple of Orlando-style mini-golf places (ie, lush, over-the-top mini golf; very fun), but other than that Hilton Head tends to be a subtle sort of place. I don't think it has a lazy river or snorkling, though. For that, I would recommend the Keys (oil spill isn't affecting it yet, but probably will be soon), or going to Mexico or the Carribbean. If you don't want to mess with passports, you can always do Puerto Rico (or Hawaii...) Let me know if you're interested in Puerto Rico; I can make some recommendations.

Hope that helps.

I think the meals included stipulation is going to be limiting. I don't think this is very common in the US? And the places that do tend to have a meals included option are pricey. Like Blackberry Farm. Really, I think you'd be better off aiming for breakfast included and just doing whatever for lunch and dinner.

If meals included is an absolute must I recommend Cancun. Many all inclusive resorts on the beaches and you can take day trips to Mayan ruins. You can do the dolphin thing there too. Obviously the affordability of this is going to depend upon airfares from your local airport. But if you can get a great deal on the flight (or a package deal) the rest of the trip could be very affordable.

http://www.cheapcaribbean.com/

Colorado in the summer is amazing and so is Vancouver Island. But Colorado will be flights + rental car and transportation to Vancouver Island would be even more involved since it you'd have a flight, then transport to the ferry, then ferry to where you are staying.

I've been wanting to loop around Colorado and hit the Four Corners area and see the ruins there. Maybe Denver - Vail - Telluride - Four Corners - sante fe - Colorado Springs -Denver.

Maybe look at this site for ideas? Your could get ideas for locales and then tailor the exact itinerary to your budget.

http://www.familygetaway.com/

Or a cruise! Doesn't float my boat (ha ha) but it's easy and meals are included.

Jane,

I LOVE Colorado. Have you been to the Great Sand Dunes (http://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm)? If you do the Colorado loop, I would suggest cutting north from Santa Fe and hitting the Sand Dunes on your ways to the Springs. Or, if you've already seen Colorado -- have you done Utah? That's National Park heaven.

And to bounce off the Cancun idea -- the Dominican Republic has all-inclusive resorts and may be a little less congested with tourists than Cancun.

Have you thought about the Bahamas? There's a hotel on Paradise Island call The Atlantis. They have an aquarium that's pretty much second to none. In some places, you walk through tunnels and the animals swim around you. The hotel is also on the beach. You can usually get package deals.

Highly recommended: a day trip to Rose Island. They'll collect you at the hotel in the morning, take you to the island, provide snorkeling gear, paddle boats, flotation vests, and much more, plus a yummy Bahamian lunch.

Val

Actually, you can fly to Vancouver Island--there are airports in Victoria (it's the provincial capital, there are half a million people there, and there's an international airport), Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River, Port Hardy, Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni, Tofino...and a whole lotta nature on the Island! But no Marriotts right on the beach, as far as I know!

If you want a fabulous nature vacation (but no Marriotts at all, on the beach or otherwise), I'd go even farther north, to Haida Gwaii (used to be called the Queen Charlotte Islands). There's an airport at Sandspit, and a gorgeous national park reserve at Gwaii Haanas, and an extraordinary cultural centre at Kaay Linagaay, with all kinds of Haida art. (This is my dream vacation--so I am plugging it to you!!)

peace
mm

Actually, you know, Tofino would be a great idea; here's the webpage for the Wickaninnish Inn:
http://www.wickinn.com/

Can't get much closer to the ocean than that! And the food is supposed to be spectacular (I have a cookbook with some recipes from there, and the ones I've tried are really wonderful).

Edited to add: no dolphin swimming, but lots of whale-watching...and there are dozens of resorts in Tofino, if the Wick looks too pricey...