Hi- My husband suddenly brought up that he thinks we deserve a getaway in January or February 2010 after spending many months cleaning up a family home. So now I find myself in the very beginning stages of planning with not that much time. So like the title, where would you recommend for a relaxing getaway with a little charm and adventure, wonderful beaches, good snorkeling, and reliably good weather in January and February? If it were a different time of year, I'd be wanting to go to Hawaii- back to Maui and maybe add on Oahu, Big Island since we haven't been there. But I would hate to get there and find it rainy and cooler- it was that way in March one year when we went.
Any ideas? We haven't been away alone together to a beach in quite a while.

Hi, the North of Australia is in the middle of the Wet, very tropical - hot & humid & generally not a preferred holiday destination. If you don't mind the heat, the southern coast of Australia - anywhere from Perth through South Australia (perhaps Kangaroo Island) to Melbourne & even up to Sydney are many great summer destinations.

How long are you planning on being away? The long trip may make a short stay unfeasible.

Enjoy!

Maybe The Keys in FL. Key West is a fun town with decent snorkeling.
Or the Cayman Islands?? a little more exotic but so easy, fabulous underwater activities.

jan

The Keys believe it or not can be too cool for snorkeling in Jan/Feb. The obvious answer, especially for reliably good weather, is the Caribbean, or the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. Of course the Caribbean has a zillion choices and much would depend on your interests--do you want night life? gambling? hiking and nature walks? Excellent dining? Direct flights?

Personally I'd suggest the Mayan Riviera, as it has everything you are looking for--great snorkeling, fabulous beaches, as much adventure as you want (visiting the Mayan ruins, hiking, fishing, etc.) Perfect weather in Jan/Feb. Plus, it is relatively inexpensive compared to many of the Caribbean islands, with very frequent flights.

I agree with Janet. You have a choice or cheap all the way to luxury there as well.

Cancun is a little too developed for my taste,we stayed in Tulum.

Photo in December weather. food Good. Also various mayan ruins etc for culture. RR

We had a great time on the Yucatan one January. We got a car and drove a loop around to the ruins (Chichen Itza and Uxmal) before getting a rental at Akumal south of Cancun. Lots of variety of things to do from the ruins, snorkeling and laying on the beach. It should be very easy to get to also from Colorado. We flew through Houston and Denver on the way back. Lesfaye loves Isla Mujeres and here is a thread with good discussion and pictures.

Belize would be another option. The reef along the Cayes of Belize is part of the reef running from the Yucatan to Honduras. We snorkeled off of Caye Caulker and it was excellent. You can also stay inland at Chaa Creek for variety. Belize is easy to get to from Colorado also.

Koh Samui in southern Thailand fits your bill and has the best food.
But do avoid the Chinese New Year period, when every expat from all over Asia converges on Thailand.
One Chinese New Year day I encountered a customs officer in the old Bangkok airport who was so exhausted from stamping thousands of passports that I actually had to stamp my own passport for him.

I second the Cayman Islands.

The beaches are wonderful, and snorkeling fantastic. It's safe, and easy to drive around. Seven Mile beach is built up, but the east end of the island is nice and remote.

A little pricey, especially compared to Mexico, but you can find good flight deals.

Hope this isn't too late to be useful - but I just received my Jan/Feb 10 issue of National Geographic Traveler, which includes an article featuring 12 off the radar places to find warmth in the winter. Lots of very enticing photos of sun and palm trees!

Judy

There are lots of good choices, depending on your budget and how far you are willing to go. Caribbean and Mexico are the most obvious possibilities for Americans, though if you want to go further afield then Southeast Asia and India also offer great possibilities.

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