We’ve been having an ongoing discussion (not quite a debate) about the best way to vacation. I’d like to know where you stand on this.
My family vacations as a child included visits to relatives, of course, but generally, we would just pick up and go someplace we had never been. One summer, we toured New England, hitting Boston, Cape Cod, Maine, and Vermont. Another year we went to St. Louis. Sometimes we would set out unsure of our destination. We would always stop and examine interesting things along the way. It was a series of great adventures — and a real learning experience.
Meanwhile, BJ’s dad loved the beach. They would go to the same condo at the same beach in South Carolina every year. I’ve been to the beach; my grandparents walked off 50 paces from high tide and built their house in Largo, Florida, back when almost nobody lived there.
Maybe it’s because I always burn to a delicate crisp in the sunny, salty, sandy air, but I’m not a big beach fan at all. If my family vacations meant what BJ’s did, I would have been bored stiff. Ditto for the friend who goes to Disney World every single year. Why?
Sure, repetitive trips are a lot easier to pack for, and I suppose there’s a certain comfort level in pre-arranged reservations and familiar landmarks. I can even see the value of checking out some land for sale to build a vacation home. But I think vacations are about relaxation, spontaneity, and no schedules. I also enjoy seeing new things. What’s your ideal vacation, and why?
Well I have two that stand out. A 14 day
trip to Italy. Wonderful new things to
see everyday. Venice, Florence, and Rome.
Would do it again in a heart beat. We went
without a tour and saw all the high points
of each city. There were things we didn’t
get too and things we got to that we have
no idea how we got there. It was wonderful.
And of course my trip to Africa with Amanda.
14 days of ruffing in surrounded by grass huts
and little ones running everywhere. The
exploring of the wilds was great. Yep I’d
do that one again too.
course, I am a beach baby too!!!!
I’m one of those people who returns to the same place often. I also go off on other trips. I guess the comfort and familiarity is one thing. LBI/Long Beach Island in NJ feels like a second home. I’ve been going for 40 years, and seeing things change, sitting on the beach to relax, swimming in the ocean..it’s soothing.
On the other hand, i’ve done Disney 3 times, and am going for a 4th and last time in November. It’s fun, we do different things each time, but now it’s getting old. LBI never gets old to me, Disney is starting to…maybe it’s the emotional attachment of one over the other? Don’t know…
I also like to try new things….I don’t have enough time to do all of them! Next year, i decided to do the tried and true with my husband at LBI, because we find peace and relaxing times there…it soothes our souls…and I’ll do something NEW with my son. I’m thinking maybe Tennessee, since we haven’t gone there before…we’ll see.
I love new, I love old, and sometimes…..I want both. Convenience, money and my feeling at the moment decide.
I would return to London in a heartbeat — but that’s because there was so much to see and do that time restraints prohibited.
Deb, I know what you mean about watching loved places grow and change while keeping the parts you fell in love with in the first place. But I know a guy who takes his family to Myrtle Beach every year. Granted, it’s been awhile since I was there, but isn’t it pretty much condos and mini golf?