| Beach vacations with my family were an annual ritual | | | | islands, Grand Cayman, which is also the location of |
| of packing and planning for my parents, and | | | | Seven Mile Beach. This much-loved destination for |
| daydreaming for me. I grew up in England, a small | | | | snorkelers offers clear water, and the chance to |
| country where you're never more than an hour or | | | | explore reefs and shipwrecks. The wrecks are a |
| two from the beach, but we used to go a little | | | | reminder of the Caribbean's pirate history, celebrated |
| further afield. Our beach vacation destination was | | | | each year at the Pirates Week Festival with |
| always Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands off the | | | | fireworks and pirate landings! |
| coast of France. My parents went there on their | | | | South Carolina's Myrtle Beach may be less exotic than |
| honeymoon, fell in love with it, and returned every | | | | the Caribbean, but it's very beautiful -- and much |
| year to spend the summer there. | | | | easier on the wallet. There are a range of hotels that |
| When I was in college I spent my junior year in | | | | cater to families, some which offer suites, and many |
| Santa Barbara, where I discovered a whole new | | | | of the hotels have organized activities for children. |
| world of fun on the beach. I was used to the cold | | | | The nightlife can be a little wild during Spring Break |
| and grey days that so often marred the English | | | | season, so you and your family may prefer to avoid |
| summer, so the clear blue skies and warm water of | | | | that time. Throughout the year, however, Myrtle |
| California beaches were a revelation. Sadly, my pale | | | | Beach has a great nightlife with clubs, bars, and |
| and puffy-looking English skin was a similar revelation | | | | restaurants to suit every taste. |
| to Californians, but I quickly bronzed up in an attempt | | | | Laguna Beach in California is midway between San |
| to blend in. Alas, I never did learn to surf though. | | | | Diego and Los Angeles. There are many |
| Now I'm older I still enjoy family beach vacations, but | | | | family-friendly hotels along the seven miles and thirty |
| now it's my job to make the plans and preparations ... | | | | beaches that make up this lovely beach vacation |
| including the choice of destination. Particularly if you | | | | destination. The Montage Resort, the Ritz-Carlton |
| have kids of various ages, it can be a challenge to | | | | Laguna Niguel, and the Laguna Riviera Resort are |
| find the perfect spot to please everyone. You and | | | | amongst the nicest, but spend some time looking |
| your spouse want a tucked-away cafe to share a | | | | online, where you'll find many tempting choices. You |
| leisurely meal; your teenagers want some nightlife so | | | | and your family will have a wonderful time playing on |
| they can work on their socializing; and your young | | | | Laguna's beautiful beaches, and for a change of pace, |
| ones want to splash in the ocean all day and then | | | | explore some of the art galleries in town -- there are |
| eat ice cream till it comes out of their ears. Where | | | | more than 100! If you visit during the summer |
| can you go that will be fun for everyone? | | | | months don't miss the Pageant of the Masters, a live |
| There are hundreds of beach vacation destinations to | | | | recreation of famous works of art. |
| explore, but let me suggest three that will keep the | | | | Wherever you choose to visit, you'll be making |
| whole family happy. | | | | memories that will last a lifetime. Talk to your family |
| The Cayman Islands aren't the biggest islands in the | | | | about what they want from the trip, plan ahead, and |
| Caribbean, but their intimacy only adds to their allure. | | | | you can be sure that your family's beach vacation is |
| Most of the hotels are on the largest of the three | | | | one to remember. |