Beech Tree News Network

Traditionally, summer has been a popular time to vacation – a time to relax and play. Laura Marano said, “Chilling out on the bed in your hotel room watching television, while wearing your own pajamas, is sometimes the best part of a vacation.” When vacationing, I enjoy the flexibility to rest or read or walk with little purpose.

Thinking about how vacations look different, I asked friends and family. “What was your favorite vacation and why?” Their responses are listed below:

-That’s a hard question – so many to choose from! Any vacation with our children and/or in-laws would rank up at the top.

-I would say the beach. Nothing is better than the warm ocean breeze on your skin and the sounds of waves to remind you that you are just a speck in time – not to worry about things you cannot control or change. I guess it renews my faith.

-I went with my daughter and the kids to the Smokies. The weather was great. It was so much fun being there to share it all. Good memories!

-Holbox or Cozumel. We spent a month in each. I couldn’t pick.

-The Holbox vacation when I was 7 because there were so many great experiences.

-Holbox was an incredible experience and an adventure from start to finish, and Cozumel was a true vacation in every sense of the word because we stayed so long.

-Fall break with extended family because we can spend some quality time together.

-They all rate about the same.

-When my dad and I went to Florida bass fishing because we had a blast!

-Out west when we went to Wyoming and Montana. We visited Jackson Hole, the Grand Tetons, and the small part of Yellowstone that was open. The views were amazing, and the ranches were cool to see.

-I’m not sure I can decide. I’ve been able to have some really incredible ones. I think any of the European ones are my favorite with Italy being the top of the list. I think they have fabulous history, scenic country beyond belief, and some good cheese and bread.

-I went to California at age 6 to see my aunt. We visited the San Francisco zoo, and I sat on a sea turtle. I saw the Golden Gate Bridge, and we visited a family in Fresno who owned a raisin ranch. We also spent the night in Yosemite National Park.

-The Viking River Cruise. We went to places we had never been and met many nice people. It was relatively easy to do, and I had a great traveling partner.

-Exploring the eastern mountains on motorcycle with friends. The shared experience created valued memories for years.

-My favorite vacation is always the beach. It’s relaxing and a nice break from reality.

-My favorite was when I was 12. My aunt and uncle took us out west. We saw lots of stuff.

-My favorite vacation so far would be my last vacation to Gulf Shores. It is the first vacation that my granddaughters have gone on. Therefore, it is my favorite so far.

-I don’t have a specific vacation that comes to mind as my favorite, but all of my favorite ones include family or friends who are like family with some sun and water mixed in. Lots of laughter, good food, and sweet memories.

-Washington, D.C. when I was a kid was my favorite vacation. We all went and stayed with cousins in Maryland while my mom was having a checkup at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda. This was the first big vacation we had ever had, and it was great seeing all the sites with family I had never met as tour guides. After it was over, we learned Mom was cancer-free.

-We love the beach. It’s so relaxing and fun.

When we vacation, we usually want to relax. Michael Pollan said, “Europeans fought for shorter workdays, more vacation time, family leave, and all these kinds of things. Those haven’t been priorities in America: it’s been about money. You see, in the countries that fought for time, they cook more often; they have less obesity. There are real benefits to having time.” The vacation factors of who, where, and when are important, but having time to relax a bit can make or break vacation memories.