Vacation advice - Bermuda, Bahamas ...?

8 years ago

DD is overworked, underpaid and stressed! I asked her what she'd like to do if she had a week or 10 days off. Secretly I was hoping she'd request a trip to Europe - but she said she'd just like to sit on a beach and turn her brain off.

There's a possibility that she might not even be able to take an entire week off so to keep travel time short and maximize relaxation time I think we should limit our search to places along the Eastern seaboard.

DH suggested the Bahamas. He thought she might enjoy the activities and entertainment at the Atlantis.

However neither of us have been to Bermuda and I think I might enjoy it more. But is it too sedate? I'm just not sure if it would appeal to a 30 year old. She's not into the bar scene, her boyfriend can't join us since he just started a new job.

I'm open to any ideas and we don't have to leave the US. Ideally we'd go in late June or July.

Any suggestions?

Featured Answer

Sueb20

8 years ago

Ok, mtn and I posted at the same time and contradicted each other! How is Bermuda a PITA to get to?

Hamilton Princess is a great hotel! Stayed there twice in the last several years. Only drawback is that it's not beachfront but they do have transportation to the beach.

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Comments (42)

MtnRdRedux
8 years ago
IMHO, Atlantis is for kids. And it is filled with kids! And it is a complex of several hotels linked together, from really nice to not so hot. And the island itself is built up and not every exotic. To me, it is a thumbs down.

Bermuda ... I used to go to every year for a conference. I think the hotels there are not so great, and overpriced. It's pretty but it's also a PITA to get to. I'd think for the same price (or almost) I'd rather go to a nicer resort on the mainland (Canyon ranch or the like, or South Beach).
Sueb20
8 years ago
I just love Bermuda. I went at age 21, 25, 35, etc...up to age 50 and had fun at every age. And it's so easy to get to from the east coast (at least from Boston). We've gone for 4-day weekends or for a week.

I've never been to the Bahamas.
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MtnRdRedux
8 years ago
I just mean vs., say, a leisurely drive to Canyon Ranch. I guess I just always think of long lines in the airport and passport control; maybe because whenever I was there there were a gazillion of us.

I went to Bermuda at least ten times, so maybe I just got bored with it. To me, it is not really all that special. I find the quality of the dining and the hotels to be less than 4-star or 5-star, but the prices are not. People drink rum and ride mopeds. Shopping - eh, not really. Sites - not really. And then there are always those cruiseships disgorging hordes of passengers.

Just my 2 cents.

But the one thing I have never found on a travel site or in a travel guide is "don't go". SO personally I always find it helpful to hear when people think some place is not worthwhile, since the vast majority of info on an destination assumes you are already going.

Hey, what about the new Ritz Carlton in Puerto Rico? I sent someone else on here to PR, no? I still want to go to that hotel, the NYT raved about it. Or ST Barts. I haven't been in 10 yr but I loved LeToiny. Oh what about 4S Nevis?
grapefruit1_ar
8 years ago
My favorite east coast vacation spot is Hilton Head! We rent a unit through Trident Villa Rentals. We stay in Shelter Cove ( mid island). It is just beautiful. It is not ocean front...but there is a free shuttle. You are also near shopping, restaurants, the harbor, etc. It is perfect....my DD's are now 31 and 32....now with husbands and babies...and they all adore it.
redtartan
8 years ago
Seriously, nobody wrote, "Come on pretty Mama. Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go?"

I've never been to either but both sound lovely. I'm more like you and would rather being doing something than sit on the beach, but if you are gifting your daughter with a vacation, I think it would be nice to choose what you think she'd enjoy the most, but with a few perks for you so you aren't bored on your vacation.
MtnRdRedux
8 years ago
Oh no, LittleMo, we are all going to have that stuck in our head now!
redtartan
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You are welcome. :)

Oh and just seeing my extremely large run-on sentence above. You are welcome for that as well. :)
Nothing Left to Say
8 years ago
I already and it stuck in my head. It's a terrible ear worm. But fun. Sorry no advice.
runninginplace
8 years ago
My own favorite getaway is Sanibel/Captiva, on Florida's gulf coast. Completely relaxing, and you can get a condo directly facing the ocean at a very nice rate in the summer since that's the off season. There are plenty of decent restaurants and for someone who needs to relax and destress, it pretty much is the ideal destination. Days spent with a good book, sunbathing, watching the ocean or wandering along the shoreline looking for shells, a nice nap in the afternoon then out for a relaxing dinner. Lather, rinse and repeat for as many days as you've got to enjoy life in the slow lane :).
Sueb20
8 years ago
At that time of year, there's also no reason to travel far for a relaxing beach vacation. (having said that, of course I have no idea where you live!) How about Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard? Or Block Island? Beautiful beaches, bike rides, a bit of shopping, good food...
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
There are so many wonderful beaches I won't even venture a recommendation. But I agree with mtn's notion that warnings are sometimes more helpful than recommendations, so I'd advise against Atlantis for anyone over, say, age 11. IMO that place is a tacky waste of prime real estate.
diane_nj 6b/7a
8 years ago
I'm thinking the west coast of FL as well: Marco Island, Naples, or Sanibel. Quiet, lovely, beautiful beaches.
Michael
8 years ago
Halifax & Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. Rent a cottage along the waterfront for $125 a night. We do it every other year and can't get enough of it. Bermuda, Bahamas? Meh.
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
Haven't been, but have heard nice things about Turks and Caicos...I agree that Bermuda is lovely but not lovely enough for the price. My favorite was Caneel Bay in St. John, but $$$$.

I completely understand about the need to chill. And it makes no sense, but somehow, if we stayed in the States, there was still too much to see and do, so we went and saw. When we were on an island, we were forced into chill mode so always found those vacations most relaxing.
MtnRdRedux
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I think Maire Cate is in NJ or Phila for some reason. SueB, I too was thinking that for that time of year they can stay more "local". Shelter Island, the Hamptons. As for Block Island, I vote "no" again (and that was where we under contract to buy before we bought our current beach house, so don't get me wrong, I see its charms!). The problem with BI is the hotels are horrible, and I mean DUMPS and there is only one good restaurant (Eli's, FWIW). And there is zero to do. One/two streets of T shirt and fudge shops, no spa really, etc. Very pretty beaches and bike rides.

I guess I am thinking if MC was going to spring for a trip to Europe, we need to send her some place really nice but closer by. : )

White Barn Inn Kennebunkport? Ocean House in Watch Hill?

And if she hasn't been to Martha's Vineyard, i think that is very worthwhile.

A bit further afield, I love, love Prince Edward Island. Hmm, what about Mackinac Island (disclosure; never been).
busybee3
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
if you like the heat, anywhere would be great, but if you're not looking forward to very hot and humid beach weather, I'd avoid PR, Bahamas, south fl etc in july!! It can be too hot to really enjoy the beach at that time of year-- for me at least!!

in july, I would be looking to head up north alittle-- block island, MV, so maine etc would be my choice at that time of year!! :)
tinam61
8 years ago
Agree with busybee - July (in the states anyway) is going to be hot and humid in so many areas. We love many of the islands off the SC coast (love being near Charleston!), and near Georgia (St. Simon's, Jekyll and on down in FL - Amelia), but never, ever do we go in the heat of summer. Spring and fall are best for those. We enjoy just "chilling", enjoying the outdoors, etc. We do love to "investigate" and look for antique shops, but other than that, we don't need stuff to "see and do".
PRO
4Heidesign
8 years ago
We live on the coast near Hilton Head Island, SC, and I do not endorse visits here during the summer months of June, July or August. The heat and humidity are so severe that tranquil enjoyment isn’t possible! We do, however, travel to Turks and Caicos, and this year to Honduras, during the early summer months. Humidity doesn’t seem to be as severe in those climates as it is at home.
busybee3
8 years ago
ugh... the only island I have spent a significant amount of time on in june/july was PR and it can be incredibly hot and humid!!! of course, by the ocean you can get the breezes which are nice, but it's still hot and humid! I don't really know about other islands that time of year...
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
Un-freakin' believable! I just mention Turks and Caicos here and the next thing I know, there's an ad for there on my facebook! Privacy is dead!
alexamorrie
8 years ago
Another vote against the Bahamas. The Atlantis hotel is your standard casino - everything is to drive people to gamble. While the hotel complex is large and has the Las Vegas/Disneyland feel, everything is broken - lights don't turn on, half the elevators don't work. Even worse is the airport - you show up early to the airport only to find out that the people who have to check you through slept in and are coming in late - after your plane is slated to leave the air port - and they don't care that there is a huge room full of people all waiting to get on that plane.

And another vote for Ritz Carlton in Puerto Rico - it's a beautiful, comfortable resort with gorgeous blue water beaches. It's unincorporated territory of the US - so you use US money and unlike the Bahamas, things are more organized and functional.
Bonnie
8 years ago
I would suggest Bermuda over the Bahamas hands down. Too sedate? I would say yes, if your DD wanted a lively nightlife, but from what you describe she wants to sit on the beach. The beaches are some of the best we have seen. We have been a few times and for what you are looking for I would highly recommend the Elbow Beach Hotel:, http://www.elbowbeachbermuda.com/ which is right on the beach and a short cab ride into Hamilton. We have stayed at the Fairmont in Hamilton, which is lovely, but is not right on the beach. You have to take a boat ride over to their sister hotel http://www.fairmont.com/southampton-bermuda/ which IS on the beach and is worth looking at.

The Florida Keys-yes Key Largo-are beautiful. We have stayed at the Westin in Key Largo and have also stayed at what was the Sheraton Suites in Key West. We LOVE Key West, but the beaches are just so-so.

We can fly to Bermuda from Boston in 90 minutes. I don't know where you are located, but flights from any airport on the East Coast are usually reasonable. Bermuda is so lovely and will not disappoint.
debrak_2008
8 years ago
18 yo. DD want to the Bahamas (Atlantis) and said it was great if you were a little kid and was asleep by 8 pm. Nothing to do at night except drink and gamble. She said it is good as a day stop on a cruise but not for a week.
Funkyart
8 years ago
How nice for you and your daughter! It's hard to get time to breath let alone visit with mom when life gets crazy!
I am sure you'll both enjoy whatever destination you choose.. how nice that you can do this for her!
maire_cate
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thank you, thank you one and all. I've been gone all day and didn't want to type a response on my cell phone. I knew I'd get helpful comments here.

Originally I had suggested that we travel to England or Scotland in September. Her boyfriend is from a town about an hour from London and he still has family there. The plan was for the two of us to spend a week to 10 days touring and then he'd fly over and she'd stay and visit with his family while I came back home. Two years ago I took my son to Ireland for 10 days after he passed his bar exams and it was an absolute joy to spend one to one time with an adult child.

I can't believe how difficult it has been to schedule time together. A fall trip is now out because she found out her landlady is selling her apartment so DD will be relocating then. At the same time she'll be running a 3 week program at work.

We are in NJ, across the river from Philly which is why I focused on East Coast sites. The descriptions of Atlantis reinforces my own impression. I told DH that it sounds like an amusement park on steroids. We've been to the Bahamas before - it's OK, nothing special.

When the kids were young we often rented beach front homes in towns along the Atlantic Ocean from the Jersey shore to NC. We've avoided the more southernly states because the heat and humidity can be too oppressive in the summer. Thanks to all of you who reminded me about the heat.

Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are lovely. DD's never been to either but I think they'd be better when she has a longer break.

I'd love to return to Halifax and Peggy's Cove. One year we did a grand tour with the kids - from Philly to Montreal for the Jazz Festival, on to the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, across Maine to Bar Harbor, then the ferry to Digby, and spent several days in Halifax and Peggy's Cove, back to Bar Harbor and along the coast through Camden, Maine, Mystic Seaport and Groton, CT.

I hadn't thought of the West Coast of Florida but that's intriguing. While researching genealogy I re-connected with a favorite childhood cousin who lives near Naples. It would be a nice opportunity to take her out to dinner and catch up.

I spoke with my daughter this evening and she's concerned that she'll only be able to squeeze 5 days off so it makes sense to keep travel time short and simple. That does simplify decision making and is one of the reasons for considering Bermuda.

If she loses any more time we'll end up staying with my girlfriend in Spring Lake, NJ.

Thank you all again. I really do appreciate that you took the time to offer suggestions. I've added them to my notebook for future reference. There have been so many knowledgeable vacations hints posted here recently - I'm thinking of dedtired's Scotland post and the one about where to stay and what to see in Paris. It's the GW's version of Trip Advisor.
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
Given your location, I will recommend a favorite place of mine, though it's not on the beach at all. We stayed at the Eaglesmere Inn. Eaglesmere was a resort town for the rich and famous out of Philly way back when. It is in the middle of nowhere with lots of beautiful scenery, state forests with overlooks and a short walk to Eaglesmere Lake which is nice to stroll around. It's about 30 min to Ricketts Glenn which, if you like hiking, was one of the more rewarding hikes we've been on...you literally hike beside 22 different waterfalls. It's beautiful. The best part of the Inn is that they serve a full breakfast as well as a 5 course dinner which is included. We liken it to getting away from civilization while still living quite civilized. I know it's not a laying on the beach type place, but for close and relaxing, it's wonderful.
maire_cate
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Annie - Eaglesmere is wonderful place. We tried to make reservations once for a weekend after dropping off our son in college in Lewisburg but they were booked. We drove through the area and it is beautiful. We had contemplated purchasing a second home in the area but ended up building one on 130 acres of forest in Pike County which is closer to us.

I'm glad you mentioned it though because I had forgotten about it and now that DH is retired we're spending more time in upstate PA and Rickett's Glen is on our to-do list, along with star gazing at Cherry Springs State park and visiting old friends in Potter County who have an organic herb farm. Eaglesmere would be a perfect resting spot. I should look into that now and make reservations for the September weekend when the Pope comes to town. Perfect time to leave.
MtnRdRedux
8 years ago
I can second Ricketts Glen as a lovely hike, just arduous enough too, IMHO. I don't like hikes that are glorified strolls. Below is where I first heard about it, cant beleive its been 11 yrs since we went!

A great hike
maddielee
8 years ago
If you do decide on visiting Naples, the Ritz Carlton (on the beach, Naples has 2 Ritzs) has never disappointed us.

ML
grapefruit1_ar
8 years ago
I live relatively close to Eaglemere and Ricketts Glen and have done a fair amount of hiking over the years....but " sitting on the beach" and " hiking in the middle of nowhere" are vastly different. My DD's would never consider hiking as a substitute for " beaching"...! :)
diane_nj 6b/7a
8 years ago
Avon-By-The-Sea, NJ is lovely this time of year. My favorite beach in the area. :-)
Funkyart
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
LOL Grapefruit-- I totally agree. That said, Ricketts Glen is lovely and definitely a break from the world. PA does have so many great spots for day (or longer) trips. Would love to learn more about your friends' organic herb farm, Maire-cate-- is it open to the public? We were just talking about looking for a "pick your own" herb farm.. and a little country getaway.

If you have your mind set on a chair on the beach and umbrella drinks, nothing else will do in my experience. That said, for other excursions in the mid-atlantic region, my "getaway and recharge" spots are:
- Ithaca, NY (so many great gorges and hiking trails),
- New Hope (where the biggest worry is-- do I indulge in ice cream or not)
- Chester County/Longwood Gardens (I could get lost in longwood gardens, specifically, but we also love stopping in the little antique shops, Brandywine Museum and Brandywine battlefield. it is all so relaxing-- especially the lotus garden at Longwood).
- Potential additions to the list:
  I would like to explore the laurel highlands more... it also seems like a great getaway.
  Also looking forward to exploring the Eastern Shore area of MD.
Just to bring this back around to the topic-- have you considered Puerto Rico? It is a very easy flight from Phila. What I love about PR is that there's plenty of beach but also great food (street food to luxury dining), history and non-beach activities. You can make it what you want.
maire_cate
Original Author
8 years ago
Ah grapefruit - your daughters sound like mine. "Sitting on the beach" is a definitive statement and little else is included other the bare beach necessities of a blanket, sun block, a few good books, a cooler with ice and beverages, easy, simple meals and a bed ( and that's the least important).

Maddielee - i've never been disappointed with Ritz Carlton's or Fairmont Hotels either no matter where they were.

Diane NJ - The Jersey shore is only 60 miles from my home and we've never vacationed there. We've gone down for day trips and we've had long weekends in Cape May but we usually rent places in Duck or Corolla in NC. Avon is one of those quite shore towns that seems to escape notoriety.

Funkyart - All good suggestions, we must frequent the same areas - my retirement bucket list is growing longer. It's been over 20 years since we were in Ithaca and it definitely deserves a return visit. We have spent a little time at the Eastern Shore because my brother keeps his boat there but we really on the water most of the time and not investigating the charming towns along the water.

We lived in Philly when I worked for the Free Library and then moved to Bucks County . The New Hope- Lambertville area and little towns along the Delaware are favorite haunts for dining or shopping or for exotic ice cream at Gerensers . We cross over the river often to visit my brother in Doylestown or my jeweler in Yardley and my physicians are in Langhorne. We moved to the Jersey side of the Delaware so that our children could attend a specific public school and even though we've been here for 30 years DH and I both still feel like we belong back in PA.

Aren't you near Lancaster? DH and I are both originally from the Pittsburgh area and DH's college was in the Laurel Highlands. You definitely should explore the area. My brothers and I used to fish and water ski on the Monongahela River and Cheat River, raft in the Yough, ski at Seven Springs and camp in Somerset County. We used to shoot clay pigeons near Nemacolin Woods which is a beautiful resort. Then there's Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater and Kentuck Knoll.

It's funny you mentioned that you could get lost in Longwood Gardens. That's literally what happened to my son and future DIL on their way to their wedding. DH was driving them and they had arranged to meet the photographer before the ceremony at Loch Nairn. The photographer went one way and they went the other and they all arrived 45 minutes late for the ceremony. As for the Brandywine Battlefield- my 3rd Great Grandfather fought there in 1777 with the 6th Virginia Regiment and then spent the winter of 1777/78 with Washington at Valley Forge. I finally made it there last month to see the encampment.

Our friend's herb farm (more like a large kitchen garden) is in Genesee, nearly to the New York border. It's a very small home business called Bear Mountain Herbs and they make herbal teas, baths, balms, salves etc. They only sell locally and their web site doesn't even offer online sales.

PR is on short list for a winter getaway. We found a home to rent in Rincon for the entire family this past February - until my eldest son hit a patch of ice in Squaw Valley and ripped his knee to shreds over Christmas. ...Kids ...they never cease to surprise and astonish their parents.

When dedtired returns I'll have to get her impression of Scotland too.
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
How about a windjammer cruise...I've never gone, but a buddy swore by them.
gsciencechick
8 years ago
I enjoyed Bermuda when I went with a friend about 10 years ago before I met DH. I used to get emails from USAirways about last minute fares, neither of us had been there, so we went. We stayed at the Hamilton Princess. It is an easy flight from the east coast, and you fly on a full-size plane. I agree, a good place to relax. It was expensive, but, still, a unique place to visit if you have never been. That friend passed away last summer, so I keep the good memories and photos.
maire_cate
Original Author
8 years ago
Gscience chick - how sad that your friend passed away. You must treasure that time you shared together.

I think my 'where to go' problem is resolved. We will be heading to an island after - a barrier island - Long Beach Island. It's odd how things happen. My girlfriend asked if I would be interested in house and dog sitting while she's in Spain. This actually works out quite well, LBI is only a little over an hour from my home so we'll be able to maximize DD's vacation days. I'll stay for 2 weeks and if DD gets more time off she can easily drive down.

Thanks to all who gave me such great ideas.
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
So glad it's working out so well!
Funkyart
8 years ago
Perfect! It really is about the downtime-- and of course time with you!

And you are right, Maire-cate, we really do travel to a lot of the same haunts! I am just outside Harrisburg but (among other locations), I have lived in Lancaster and Northern Delaware (both pre-GW). I havent had much opportunity to travel in the last few years-- so mini trips have been my key to sanity! Ithaca is a bit more than a "quick getaway" because of the distance but love the region! I look forward to hearing about some of your travels! We're going to do Longwood in a few weeks and also a day trip to Gettysburg-- it is literally just down the road but I havent been since I was a kid!

Hope you have a wonderful weather for the break with your daughter!
User
8 years ago
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Funkyart
8 years ago
Sheilaaus, We were in a similar bind recently when looking for a place to send my parents on their 50th wedding anniversary. My mom doesn't travel well due to some health issues and her mother had just been moved to an assisted living facility and was having some problems. They desperately needed to relax but we knew if we sent them somewhere too far away, they just wouldn't relax. We opted to send them to New Hope because the peace of mind of being within a few hours of home would allow them to actually enjoy the trip and each other.

Chester County and Northern Delaware are lovely-- lots of parks and slow-paced, enjoyable attractions. I haven't stayed at any of them-- but there are a number of small inns and B&Bs in the area. I love the park at the Brandywine Battlefield-- I actually taught my (now passed) dog to swim there (I know that sounds crazy but i had the only retriever in the world who was scared to swim). There are plenty of easy hiking trails and canoeing if you are into that. If not, Longwood, Nemours, Winterthur, Brandywine Museum, Baldwin Book Barn are all great, low stress attractions. It's also a fairly easy drive to Lancaster County if you are into those attractions. .

I think when you are looking to relax, the best vacation is the one that is easiest to get to and easiest to enjoy. I was in a somewhat similar place last year and we ended up spending a week in Phila. I go to phila often--but this trip happened to be during restaurant week so a lot of our activities were around dining at restaurants we might not have otherwise. It ended up being wayyyyyyyyy too focused on food and eating lol.. but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

Hope you come up with a great trip plan-- no matter where you go!
PRO
MDLN
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Another vote for Sanibel Island, FL when you get a chance

http://sanibel-captiva.org/

Sanibel and Captiva islands, including ourbeaches, our Sanibel Florida nature preserve: Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, and many outdoor activities including biking,shelling, fishing, bird watching, boating,golfing, and snorkeling just to name a few.Our islands also feature cultural offerings in the area of theatre, arts and live music.

Vacation advice - Bermuda, Bahamas ...?

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