Vegas would be fun....

 

I've been to Punta Cana. It was my least favorite part of the Caribbean we've visited. Beautiful place, not much to do outside of the resorts. If you're content with sipping drinks on the beach all day, the place is wonderful.

 

Aruba is beautiful, probably a little more than what you are wanting to spend though.

 

I can't recommend the Riviera Maya, Mexico enough. Specifically the Playa Del Carmen area. We've been 3 times and prefer it over Cancun. The beaches in Cancun are terrible. The Riviera Maya is a little more laid back. If you get the right flight, you can leave Lexington, Cincinnati or Columbus early in the AM and be on the beach by the early afternoon.

 

The RIU Palace Riviera Maya is a great resort. Just keep in mind with All Inclusive resorts, you get what you pay for.

 

I'll post some pics shortly.

 

Is there anything outside of the resort to do?

 

Pictures look amazing btw.

Is there anything outside of the resort to do?

 

Pictures look amazing btw.

 

Plenty to do outside of the resort. 5th Avenue is close and a really fun area full of bars, restaurants and shops. You can also set up a ton of excursions in the lobby of the resort. Tour the ruins...deep sea fishing...snorkeling.

 

We just stay drunk the entire time. People seem to enjoy the excursions though lol.

Plenty to do outside of the resort. 5th Avenue is close and a really fun area full of bars, restaurants and shops. You can also set up a ton of excursions in the lobby of the resort. Tour the ruins...deep sea fishing...snorkeling.

 

We just stay drunk the entire time. People seem to enjoy the excursions though lol.

Thanks for the info. Will definitely look into this.

Thanks for the info. Will definitely look into this.

 

No problem. Let me know if you have any more questions or want to see more pictures .

 

One piece of advice... if you do decide on an all inclusive vacation, take the time to research the resort. I recommend TripAdvisor.

 

I know a few couples who have chosen resorts based only on price and all of them had terrible vacations.

Where are you flying out of? Allegiant has a lot of affordable flights to Florida, as well as some out west (i.e. Denver, Vegas, Phoenix, etc.).

 

I've heard good things about Asheville, and I think that's within driving distance. A couple buddies have taken weekend trips there, and evidently their breweries are top notch.

I know you said cruises are out, but we are going in one in Dec and it was pretty affordable for a 5 day cruise.

I'm pretty much strictly a beach bum. I love all inclusive beach vacations.

 

Bout the only thing I can help with is sitting on the beach, walking on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and drinking beer.

 

So if you need help with those let me know.

 

Other then that, I do really like San Diego and the great micro breweries there. Heck Alesmith is worth the trip all by itself.

 

You could combine Phoenix/Sedona with San Diego. They're 5 hours apart. Fly into one and fly out of the other.

I love the all inclusive resorts in the caribbean in January/February. Like some others have said read up on trip advisor before booking, some of the posts can be misleading as one will be great and the next terrible. I personally haven't had any complaints about the RIU's we've stayed at in several countries. The excursions I've been on have been really nice, and the people at the resorts are always really helpful and seem to have an excursion for everyone. The wife and I are actually looking right now at trips for January, as we go every year. The destination usually doesn't matter to us, as long as we stay in a RIU. I know some others have said Dominican and other places aren't that good for exploring, however I've never had any problems traveling outside the resorts.

I would say to check out Sandals Resorts if you're looking at all-inclusive in the Caribbean.

You could come down here, nice beaches, theme parks, tourist attractions, warm weather that time of year.

 

Besides, we need the tax revenue. I like having no state income tax. :banana:

My kids and I had a blast in Chicago during the winter.

My kids and I had a blast in Chicago during the winter.

 

A blast of arctic air off the lake, I'm sure.

My son and his wife honeymooned in Punta Cana and loved it. I'm not sure where they stayed, but they did 3 excursions outside the resort and loved the. They went snorkeling, zip lining and shopping. I know it was 2K or less, including airfare, when they went in June 5 years ago.

Shoot them at me. Quick background, this is for my girlfriend and I (possibility of another couple). Cruises are probably out but other than that open to most anything.

 

Have about $2K to spend but I'm obviously ok with spending less than that.

 

Prefer warmer locations but can be persuaded.

 

Quebec at the end of January or beginning of February is awesome. Winter festival, dog sledding, an ice hotel, amazing history. It's awesome.

You may want to avoid anywhere near where Patricia visits this week.