Valentines Day getaways - for families

What's this, an all-inclusive Caribbean-style resort-- in Florida?

And it gets even better: Club Med Sandpiper has terrific kids' programs. Baby Club Med, Petit Club Med, Mini, Junior... all ages and stages. And you won't find kids parked in front of video screens: kids might be learning trapeze, water-skiing, in-line skating, or practicing for the weekly MiniClub show where all ages perform on stage with professional-style costumes, lights, and sound.

For those with a baby: you can get strollers, bathtubs, bottle warmers, potty trainers, and more at the front desk; not to mention that there's a 24-hour convenience room with sterilizers, blenders and bottle warmers. You do pay extra for the Baby Club Med programs, though.

Grown-up activities include daily golf lesson (all-included) and fitness classes from Yoga to Crunch to Pilates.

Note that this Club Med is not on the beach (though a small beach area has been created) ; it's on the Saint Lucie River. And by the way: Orlando is just a 2-hour drive away.

Besides its regular units, Club Med Sandpiper has 27 Marina Family Suites, each with two connecting rooms, turn down service with fresh cookies for the kids, mini fridge stocked with snacks, DVD movies and cartoons, and free access to Siesta service (the evening kids' program, which is usually an extra charge.)

Read more about Club Med Sandpiper.

^{*photo (c) Teresa Plowright}