I'm giving away one set, here on this blog. Brand new. And all you have to do is leave an entry in ...
A Quiet Spot Vacation Sweepstakes!
Why am I feeling so expansive? Oh, well, it might have a tiny bit to do with the fact that I met this afternoon with a very sweet, very wise older friend, sister in Christ and travel agent who is helping us plan our graduation celebration trip in December. It's true, friends. The Aspiring Professor is finally finishing his course, and less than two months from now, he'll be parading down the aisle in his fancy pants suit while I snuffle back tears, wiping away mascara tracks.
Hearing Pomp and Circumstance does that to me. It's a psychiatric disorder. I'm currently in therapy.
Wait, where was I? Oh yes. The trip and the contest. So, for four years we've planned that when he graduates, we will celebrate by selling some stocks and taking a family vacation. Now we're considering the options, all involving sun and water and adventure (for me) and vegging on the beach (for him). I think we're leaning toward Mexico. Oh, the kids are coming. We will be sure to all don our matching snow white outfits and stroll along the shore hand in hand, all laughing in unison, like good American vacationers in a tropical paradise.
This is where you come in. Leave me a comment telling me either 1) where we absolutely MUST go, or 2) the condensed story of your favorite vacation ever, with or without kiddos. Hey, leave two comments if you want! Enter as often as you like! Tell your friends, your pets, your blog readers, the girl at the Starbucks drive-thru! I'll randomly draw a name after 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, 10/13.
Here, I'll start. My favorite vacation Before Kids was Kauai in 1999 with my husband. Even though it rained half the time, the whole experience was just so far removed from our daily life in the grey underworld of MIT, and the setting so lush and beautiful, that we had an absolute blast. Did the helicopter tour, the snorkel boat trip with a fellow passenger heaving over the side for hours, the whole nine yards. Still have in our shower a large pumice stone given to us by a friendly hitchhiker. No doubt about it: we will return some day, when an airline decides to fly us there for free. With Kids: Probably Fripp Island, SC, a lovely place where you forget your car and zip around on golf carts, dodging deer and toting your boogie board. Did it with the extended fam in 2003. One among many treasured trips to the South Carolina shore.
So tell your story and maybe you'll get to tote along one of these on your future travels, wherever they may be!
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13 comments:
Oh Hannah, too bad it is not a summer holiday - then without a doubt you should go to Banff and Jasper. The most beautiful places on earth.
Have a wonderful vacation, wherever you go!
Have you ever considered the American Paradise in the Caribbean? The US Virgin Islands has awesome white sand beaches, breathtaking views where mountains unfold into the sea and an added bonus is - no need for passports- it's part of the USA.
The best vacation ever was spread out over 1/2 the year. Several years ago we visited my husband's family in India with a stop over in Paris where we nearly misplaced our son (long interesting story but he still loves us - I think). That autumn we took the Auto Train from Florida to Virginia and did the fall leaves tour of the Northeast US, drove into Canada, encountered snow in New York (first time for the kids) and drove back to Florida. Then around Christmas time we took some relatives to Disney World and then to Key West - the southern most tip us the mainland US.
It was a crazy year with way too much driving but those trips hold a very special place in our heats.
Congratulations on the graduation and have a wonderful trip.
PS: Pomp and Circumstance also leaves me fighting to keep my composure - it's not a psychiatric condition! Or at least I chose to believe it's not.
I'm having a hard time with this post. I keep looking to what it portends. Graduation. Job. Sniff.
Have you thought about Bermuda? It's only about 3 hours off the East Coast, I believe. Haven't been there. Haven't been much of anywhere with beaches. Never had a honeymoon. Feel sorry for me yet? Will you feel sorry for me when you move away and leave me with a heartbroken kid? Sniff.
For beachy fun, I think you're on the right track with Mexico. Here is where NOT to go: Disneyworld.
By car. Yes, we really did that. And Ziyah had the time of his life. The rest of us however...
Now, you know I hate the beach, so I'm not the best one to recommend beach vacations. In fact, I'd recommend a non-beach vacation. ;) I've always wanted to go to Australia...not the beachy part, obviously. ;)
I'm still dying to go to Puerto Rico... Heard there's lots to do on the Island. :D
but i'm also going to have to put in a plug for Banff & jasper... even in the Winter (but a lodge with nice large fireplaces is a must!) ...totally agree with Raji on it being, ok, one of the most beautiful places on earth.
http://vacations.travelzoo.com/mexico-vacations/669581?utm_source=top20_us&utm_medium=email_top20
My favorite vacation: Leaving my 2 kids at home with my husband and heading to New York City with one of my oldest and dearest friends for 3 nights...Broadway, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Times Square, pizza, tiny hotel room that just barely squeezed 2 twin beds and 1 nightstand from wall to wall. The best of times, in spite of my horrendous cold upon arrival. Definitely the best of times. (Not that I don't love being with my now 3 kids, but...well...you know.)
OK, best vacation(s). . .as a kid, a road trip of Texas, yes it's true! Best vacation as a single woman--Europe! Best vacation as a couple--NYC and D.C combined in one week. We took the Chinatown bus from DC to NY, did all you could possibly do and eat in three days, then back to DC to eat and see all the sights. . .total blast with my husband! Favorite vacation with kid: Seattle--B was 18 months and we did all that we possibly could in a week with a toddler and a fantastic travel guide (Ben Shih)--so much fun!!! Sam and I think the best trips are always when we visit with the saints wherever we are :) Go figure!
Hannah, Beautiful interesting blog! Congratulations to Tim!! and you!. My favorite vacation (before kids) was one month Jon and I took to travel in Europe. It was just perfect! The company, the weather the food, the people but what made it so especial and perfect was that we were able to take my parents and we just had such a wonderful time. Unforgettable memories. It was not too long after my father had heart surgery and he did so wonderful and he and my Mom were so happy. We enjoyed not only the company but of course the food and wonderful scenery. NO tour involved but months of planning. We went to the public library and took home some videos and books on the different places we were interested in visiting. We made our own schedule. We bought a road map at B&N rented a car and "voila". Made only 3 hotel/villa reservations Paris, Tuscany and Venice and between these places we stayed wherever we felt like staying usually small towns in France or Germany.
After kids my favorite vacations are always going back to Colombia the trip is long especially when you travel with a newborn but now is a little easier that the kids at least do not wear diapers anymore. It is always wonderful to visit family and old friends and NO household chores!!! none zero nada, but playing and relaxing. You all are welcome to join us next year if you feel that adventurous so it is a good thing you are getting passports :-)
For your trip I vote for Mexico. Not too far from where you are and there are always wonderful packages, lots of family beaches to choose from. You may want to visit the CDC website and get updated about the status of H1N1 and some safety and security information and vaccines if you and your kids need any.
JP
I want to go to Kaui. Did I win?
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