Sunday, April 18, 2010

Summer plans?


I want that summer vacation. Those blissful couple of weeks I can spend with my family all together, intact. I crave these days that now seem so hard to replicate. I want them with every fiber of my being.

But I don't know where to go. We don't have a lot of extra cash floating around these days so I was wondering if I could get suggestions from my friends out there.

We have to be in Atlanta in early July for a fencing tournament. Are there southern beach towns I should know about? Should I do a house swap or rent an apartment or small house?

I really want to go to Capri or St. Tropez, or Santorini but the plane flights are so expensive. And perhaps the ash hanging over Iceland will still linger for months to come.

So, my friends, fellow readers, travelers, adventurers what shall we do as a family? I am trying hard, too hard to hold on to the past. I want those lazy days when my sons were small, where time seemed to stand still. Or am I just imaging that?

Any great trips you have taken? I can't wait to hear.

Anyways, suggest away. At least I can armchair travel.

9 comments:

  1. In honor of National Parks week, what about one of the national parks in the Southwest (not such a hike for you, right?). I also remember a wonderful family trip to Colorado Springs when I was a kid.

    If you're looking for a more urban experience, how about Chicago? Lots of free and fun outdoor events in the summer and the weather is usually pretty good. Plus great food, wonderful museums, the lakefront...

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  2. Thanks Kristen and one of my dear friends lives in Chicago...

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  3. I highly recommend Dauphin Island if you want to add on to your Atlanta visit. (I think it's about a six-hour drive from Atlanta.) Gorgeous beaches, small town, not too touristy, good prices on nice houses (or hotels, if you prefer), delicious local food, an old fort nearby, a ferry ride away from Florida if you wanted to day-trip ... I can't say enough good things.

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  4. The summer is off-season in Florida. A lot of great deals are to be found on the west coast of FL. Check out this web site: www.sarasotafl.org.

    I'm longing for summer vacation too. I haven't been out of the state of Florida in 5 years! In June we're going to a relative's cabin in the mountains of North Carolina.

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  5. I went to Dauphin Island as a kid and still remember it well. Nice idea.

    One of my favorite times with our teens was over a year ago when we took the ferry over to Governors Island in NYC and rented bikes to ride the sidewalks that circle the island. The views were amazing but more than that we had so many laughs just riding around together.

    We rented some regular bikes but also one of those four person bikes and it was a hoot. I can't wait to do it again.

    So my advice is that the place doesn't matter nearly as much as the activity does. We've found that renting bikes (or kayaks, or canoes or whatever) is an activity that brings out the fun in teens, esp. boys.

    Good luck with your planning and if you want a free place to stay that's 2.5 hours from NYC, 2 hours from Boston and 2.5 hours from Montreal, come stay at the Berna Inn! :)

    Judy
    justonefoot.blogspot.com

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  6. Ah, Atlanta, my favorite city! Take your boys to the Varsity to eat - it is a true institution! Also Bacchanalia (but maybe just for you and Tom).

    Have fun!

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  7. Also, it's a short 7 hour drive to New Orleans (which is really my favorite city)!

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  8. I've heard really nice things about the coast of South Carolina, like Hilton Head Island, and it's not too far from Atlanta (well, at least you'd be on the same side of the country!)

    Hey, if you ever want to vacation in 115 degrees, you tell me, Terry! We'll do a house swap for Scottsdale. Every year we end up in Oceanside!

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  9. Had a fabulous rafting trip on the Rouge River. Stayed at Morrison Lodge, gourmet breakfast. The River guides are fabulous and cook all meals. One night at Morrisons, one sleeping under the stars, one at a private lodge only accessable from river or helicopter. Such amazing fun. Guides do most of the rowing, so although quite exhilarating, not too scary. Teresa

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