Vacation Ideas needed

[DoubleEagle]

Kiawah Island S.C. about 17 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina.

It is a private Island which you can actually drive on to.

I was there in '94 and it was still being developed.

No Fastfood or Commercial stores were going to be allowed .

Had a beautiful Hotel w, 3 outdoor swimming pools, Tennis courts .

At that time there were 3 Golf Courses designed by famous top notch Golf Course Architects but I know they have built more , like the famous Ocean Course which hosted one of the Rider Cup Matches between the US and Europe.

The Island is mostly left in it's natural habitat with Alligators , Deer and other wild animals.

The Island is the only one in the Atlantic that lays E and W to the Ocean and there are these great high Dunes with Sea Oats growing on them.

The beaches are wide from the water to the Dunes.

The Island is almost entirely flat and has an Asphalt bike path that runs pretty much the entire length of the 12 miles of the Island. Bikes are for rent.

Some very expensive beachfront homes and most of the other homes are built in small Cul -de -sacs . There are Restaurants , there's a Straw Market where native women make baskets by hand and there are other shops .

All this in 1994 so I'm certain there is more on the Island now.

The idea of the the Island is privacy with natural undisturbed beauty around nature.

A feeling of seclusion ...but downtown Charleston is just 30 to 45 minutes away if you feel the need to leave the Island.

Much less Commercialized than Hilton Head.    Dolph     

[herm]

Kiawah Island S.C. about 17 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina.

It is a private Island which you can actually drive on to.

I was there in '94 and it was still being developed.

No Fastfood or Commercial stores were going to be allowed .

Had a beautiful Hotel w, 3 outdoor swimming pools, Tennis courts .

At that time there were 3 Golf Courses designed by famous top notch Golf Course Architects but I know they have built more , like the famous Ocean Course which hosted one of the Rider Cup Matches between the US and Europe.

The Island is mostly left in it's natural habitat with Alligators , Deer and other wild animals.

The Island is the only one in the Atlantic that lays E and W to the Ocean and there are these great high Dunes with Sea Oats growing on them.

The beaches are wide from the water to the Dunes.

The Island is almost entirely flat and has an Asphalt bike path that runs pretty much the entire length of the 12 miles of the Island. Bikes are for rent.

Some very expensive beachfront homes and most of the other homes are built in small Cul -de -sacs . There are Restaurants , there's a Straw Market where native women make baskets by hand and there are other shops .

All this in 1994 so I'm certain there is more on the Island now.

The idea of the the Island is privacy with natural undisturbed beauty around nature.

A feeling of seclusion ...but downtown Charleston is just 30 to 45 minutes away if you feel the need to leave the Island.

Much less Commercialized than Hilton Head.    Dolph     

the contradictions in that description................

[Bun-bun]

While the OP is from Minnesota, and just about anything will be warmer in February than that, I suggest that SC is nowhere near far enough south for any type of outdoor watersports, leaving aside the pastoral beauty of professional golf courses and beachfront homes. . .

[tcspeedfreak]

why even leave the state just go up to lake of the woods, or up the north shore, do some skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, why would anybody want to go on a warm vacation and leave all the rest of us poor Minnesotans to freeze in the cold when theres plenty of vacation type things to do up here in the cold. [wheres the shivering smiely]

[Bun-bun]

why even leave the state just go up to lake of the woods, or up the north shore, do some skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, why would anybody want to go on a warm vacation and leave all the rest of us poor Minnesotans to freeze in the cold when theres plenty of vacation type things to do up here in the cold. [wheres the shivering smiely]

There speaks a true devotee of the land of the wind chill factor.

Tell me, O denizen of the frozen north,

Where you live,

Do people know how to drive when there's no snow on the ground?

[red baron]

Resort Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

[gojira]

Depending on how aggressive you approach it, you can get passports in very short notice.

St Thomas is a good choice. It offers a balance of both a commercial, hustle-&-bustle tourist stop along with secluded beaches. Plus it's probably the most "exotic" locale you may get without use of a passport (save for maybe PR). If you want more of a (relatively) quiet, secluded getaway, I'd consider the other islands. Relatively because they, too, suffer the occasional cruise ship tourist infestations.

Key West is nice but forget about finding beaches. Alternatively you could daytrip over to the other Keys for the beach needs, and if you're a diver, stay in the underwater hotel on one of them for a truly unique experience.

And to broaden the horizons, you may consider Hawaii. Although a little more distance to fly, there's plenty of nonstops out of the inventor and king of the layover called Chicago O'Hare.

[gojira]

If you had a passport, I'd hope a flight to Tortola.

Talk about an island where there isn't much but a few places to eat and beautiful unpopulated beaches.

I second Tortola. No visit is complete without a stop at Pusser's! 

St Vincent also fits the bill. Very laid back and simple. And very *cough*green*cough*.

For serious uppity-ness: Mustique. Hand them your credit card upon landing and run an open tab during your entire visit. Say hey to Mick and the Stones.

[tcspeedfreak]

There speaks a true devotee of the land of the wind chill factor.

Tell me, O denizen of the frozen north,

Where you live,

Do people know how to drive when there's no snow on the ground?

people dont know how to drive up here period snow on the ground you better just watch out.

[duccarlos]

Resort Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Requires passport.

Make sure that if you go to St. Thomas to stay within the tourist area. Friends of mine that lived there were saying that it's not as safe as it used to be. Goes opposite for PR. Be careful in San Juan.

[Langanobob]

First, get passports anyway so you have them for next time!

And here is a suggestion sort of out of left field and maybe not so exotic.   I haven't been there for years but my sister just spent a week in San Diego, rented a car and had a great time.  Went whale watching, to the zoo (sounds corny but she really enjoyed it) plus there are lots of other things to do and see there.  Not sure if you need a passport these days to visit Mexico but it's close.  Maybe someone from San Diego can chime in and give the San Diego idea a yay or nay.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I hear there is Trouble in San Diego 

[somegirl]

San Diego is a nice place for a vacation, but this time of year I doubt they will be hanging out at the beach (which it sounds like they want to do).  It'll probably be in the 60's most of the time.

[cyrus buelton]

South Carolina isn't much fun in February.


It isn't that warm.

[duccarlos]

If you have ever watch Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, he went to PR and almost immediately left San Juan after having a Pina Colada in a tourist trap. Once you're out of San Juan, you get to see the "real" PR. Do not go to Ponce.