Is it too early to start thinking about summer vacations? Nah. It takes some planning! Some foresight! B and I took the plunge the other night into: 1. Where should we go? and 2. Where should we stay? and 3. How on earth do we find a place to stay? That's always the hardest part it seems, for us anyway.
Neither of us are feeling motivated (at the moment, anyway) to take a big trip this year with the kids involving major time changes and travel time. And let me tell you: you need some motivation if you're going to undertake something like that with three small ones! So, we are looking closer to home (but not too close!) and trying to figure out where to go. It's a wee bit overwhelming as there are so many incredible places to visit. I would personally rather come across an awesome place to stay and have that be the driving factor. You know, one of those "my friend's aunt has this beautiful house on the lake that never gets used, and you should really see it...." In other words, I hate going on VRBO and trying to find somewhere to stay. Too overwhelming! Too untrustworthy!
Also, where is your ultimate summer vacation? A house on the lake? A beach rental? Camping in the Sequoias? A lodge somewhere? Tell us, please!
all photos on my pinterest "places i'd like to be" board
Don't tell anyone else, but for getaway planning (and vacation-dreaming) I get lost in this curated collection of unique holiday homes: http://www.boutique-homes.com/vacation-rentals/
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love international travel, for us, summer vacations are all-american :) The past few summers we've visited Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Banff/Jasper/Lake Louise (I know it's not technically the USA). Yellowstone and Yosemite both have super fun "villages" and a variety of cabins or hotels you can stay in. Now is definitely the time to make reservations! There's so much to do in either park, the scenery is beautiful, and my kids love the animal sightings! We always end these more "rustic" vacations with a couple nights at a luxury hotel. After Yellowstone we stayed in Jackson at an amazing hotel, and after Yosemite we stayed several days in Santa Cruz at the Dream Inn. In both these parks you can also find condo rentals on the outskirts of the park. Have fun planning!
ReplyDeleteCome to the Pacific Northwest! We stayed at Sunlight Seascape on Whidbey Island and loved it. In fact my sisters, their families, my parents and my family took over the entire property.
ReplyDelete(So many posts from you. Fun!)
jbhat
I second jbhat's advice. Pacific Northwest in the summer is enchanting. It might just lull you into fantasies of living there, but then, there is every other season: rain. Summer adventures are a plenty up there. I say GO! Plus Seattle is very kid friendly.
ReplyDeleteI second jbhat's advice. Pacific Northwest in the summer is enchanting. It might just lull you into fantasies of living there, but then, there is every other season: rain. Summer adventures are a plenty up there. I say GO! Plus Seattle is very kid friendly.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I'm always keen to go where I've never been before, so that makes things easy. :) Since you have the freedom to choose anywhere, let your heart lead you where you need to be.
ReplyDeleteCoronado! Wait, too close :)
ReplyDeleteSince everyone's mentioning the NW, it makes me think of one of Toby's vacations as a child (sadly, i wasn't there)... they rented a house on Orcas Island for a couple weeks. I've ALWAYS wanted to go there.
As for place I've actually been... one of my favorite vacations as a child was a horseback expedition / easy camping (we were young) trip in the Tetons. Kind of adventurous, but not too hard. Staggeringly beautiful scenery. I still have warm memories of that trip.
if you do head up our way, you have got to go to the san juan islands...it is a super must in the summer. VRBO can be overwhelming can't it? I have started using Airbnb www.airbnb.com and am debating on whether to try a house swap at some point...could be fun.
ReplyDeleteWe have had wonderful experiences with several home exchanges, and I think it is a particularly nice way to travel with kids. homeexchange.com is a great resource, and I'm sure that your beautiful home would be in high demand. It's really nice swapping with another family with children, trading cars, carseats, toys, etc.
ReplyDelete-Shira
I have friends that do home exchanges and vacation rentals with 3 gorgeous homes. Here are the numbers to look up. You would LOVE them and they would love your house too if you wanted to do an exchange...check them out!
ReplyDeleteHomeaway: 901167, 203233 (steph blogged about this house a while back, 267424
Homeexchange: 68553, 216097, 69417
Plus, it would get you up to Seattle! Same time zone... :)
Well since it looks like I can't talk you into coming to Australia... this place in the Sierra Nevada Mountains has been on my radar for a while: http://far-meadow.com/
ReplyDeletejora i FEEL you.
ReplyDeletewe have been loving yosemite the last few summers, but i want something even MORE relaxing. like, a porch an a beautiful house over a lake. but finding a lake front house is HARD. non existent in southern california (for lakes that are good for swimming anyways) so we were looking to rent something in NY since we will be there this summer. but DUDE the number of ugly ass non special lake front vacation rentals is so overwhelming i give up before i get very far.
so, let me know what you find. i will do the same.
australia!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Maine?? We spent a crazy, dreamy trip there about 6 years ago...one of my all time faves...Acadia Ntl park - great bike trails, fresh blueberries, lobster pounds, beautiful coastal scenery (which I know you already have but a different kind...)...
ReplyDeleteUsually we do VRBO but just used Air bnb for LA and it worked perfectly ;)
I definitely suggest coming up here to the PNW! We live in Seattle and it is usually really lovely during the summer. The islands are great and Seattle itself is really kid-friendly.
ReplyDeletePretty Mommy Michelle: Where did you stay in Maine? We want to venture away from the NW this summer.
Vinalhaven is a neat place in Maine - an hour and a half ferry ride but beautiful and tons to do.
ReplyDeletelake winnipesaukee in new hampshire is seriously amazing. the most relaxing, down to earth, lovely vacation is to be had there. it's our go-to every summer and not just cause it's close. it'll continue to be, even if we move, i think. loons in the morning, sunsets over the mountains (small ones, but nevertheless!) in the evening... it doesn't get crazy crowded and its huge and clean. do it!!!
ReplyDeleteLake George, NY. My family has spent every summer there for as long as I can remember. My husband and I were married at the Lake George Club, a century old sailing club on the water. It's a magical place in e Adirondack mountains.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the ocean view and breezes while you sample frozen ice cream treats and Maine lobster rolls at the picnic tables on the grounds.
ReplyDeleteVacation Rental North Shore