Favorite Family Vacation Round Up

Finally, it's time for a family vacation. But where to go? Why not take the advice of people who know best: other parents? Below are six vacation suggestions from our regular writers, parents Claudia Gryvatz Copquin, Julie Vecchione DeSimone, Jeanne Muchnick, Diana Erbio and Liza N. Burby. From the resort life to the historical, every one of their trip reviews has family appeal. If you haven't yet made summer reservations, you'll want to move fast on what these writers have to say.

Tradewinds Island Grand Beach Resort

St. Pete Beach, FL
866-JUST LET GO (587-8538)
www.JustLetGo.com

Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, the island of St. Pete Beach located on the west coast of Florida is perhaps the antithesis of present-day congested Cancun. Just an easy half-hour drive from Tampa International Airport, families will find just a sprinkling of hotels and resorts lining the beach. The underdevelopment is a welcome relief for those of us who prefer a peaceful locale for a family vacation.

So where to stay? For a family with children of various ages, a great choice is the AAA Tradewinds Island Grand (with amenities shared by its sister property, Sandpiper Hotel & Suites, just minutes away). The lushly landscaped resort includes a meandering waterway, which guests can explore via paddleboat. Renovated in 2005, all guestrooms and suites are decorated in a crisp, tropical motif and include kitchenettes. The makings of breakfast and lunch can be purchased at a nearby full-service supermarket. But if eating in isn't your style, the Sandpiper offers a good array of restaurants sure to satisfy any palette, from the contemporary fare at the elegant Palm Court Bistro to the much more casual nachos or chicken wings found at the Flying Bridge. There's even a Pizza Hut on the grounds, as well as a deli, ice cream shop and for adults, a tavern. For beachfront convenience, Salty's tiki bar provides cool, tropical drinks and snacks such as burgers.

Speaking of the beach . . . Forgo the five heated swimming pools and relax at a beach cabana while the children play with buckets and shovels provided by the Grand. But there's plenty of recreation via tennis courts, mini-golf, beach volleyball, waverunners, kayaks, water trykes, parasailing and the like.And for complete relaxation, sign up the little ones to the KONK Club children's program (Kids Only, No Kidding) for ages 4 11. Rates: May through December, standard hotel room starts at $188 per night; Gulf-front suite (sleeps 6) with balcony starts at $376 per night.

-- Claudia Gryvatz Copquin

Atlantis

Paradise Island, Bahamas
888-528-7155
www.atlantis.com

When my daughter was in kindergarten, her best friend talked endlessly about swimming with the dolphins at Atlantis in Paradise Island. Naturally, Elizabeth developed a near-obsession with the idea of her own porpoise encounter on the tropical oasis, and I gently explained that sometimes we have to wait for things we want in life (knowing full well that the five-star Atlantis resort wouldn't be in our budget until long after both she and her brother had graduated from college).

But then a wonderful thing happened. My sister- and brotherin- law purchased a time share unit at Atlantis Harborside -- and invited us to join them for a week. So after 10 years of hoping and praying, my daughter got her wish and nine of us -- both families along with Grandma and Grandpa -- boarded a plane for paradise.

The vacation was perfect from beginning to end -- it's not hard to have a good time when you're with three generations of cherished family in a setting like Atlantis. We were all enchanted with the tropical gardens and lagoons that wind through the resort, and especially loved gazing at the 50,000 sea creatures in what is the world's largest open-air marine habitat. And the kids couldn't get enough of the water slides and rides, especially the "Mayan Temple's Leap of Faith," a 60-foot fall into the water.

We had a three-bedroom villa that offered just enough personal space for everyone (each family had a separate living area and kitchenette in addition to the bedroom). Not that we spent much time in the villa. Each morning, my sister-in-law had me up bright and early, off to reserve our "spot" at one of the prime pool locations. Most days we grabbed lunch poolside, either from the snack bar, or when we were feeling particularly lazy, ordering from one of the eager-to-please waiters who strolled the pool decks. We sampled a different culinary delight each night -- from sumptuous seafood while overlooking the underwater ruins of Atlantis at Fathoms restaurant, to traditional fine dining at the Bahamian Club.

While most of our crew lounged at one of the many pools, my husband, daughter, son and I preferred the beach--with the beautiful blue waters and the natives who were always eager to chat and sell us their local wares.

One day we rented a powerboat with a driver -- Captain Danny took us far into the ocean waters, dropping anchor along the way for us to snorkel and fish. A few days later we ventured to Blue Lagoon Island for -- drum roll, please -- our dolphin encounter. Although my little girl had become an adolescent, the look of pure delight on her face when she kissed the two dolphins, Chippie and Dot, is forever etched in my mind. Rates: One bedroom deluxe villa (7 nights): $4,100. Various dining plans are available for about $100/day per adult.
-- Julie Vecchione DeSimone