GTKY: Vacation Edition

[bookworm87]

I thought a GTKY thread might be fun for overnight feedings and the holiday tomorrow.

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation?

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids?

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations?

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why?

5) What is your favorite vacation memory?

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation?

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer?

[bookworm87]

I thought a GTKY thread might be fun for overnight feedings and the holiday tomorrow.

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation? Paris, France. I've actually been there but I didn't know much about Paris at the time. Now I've read a ton about the history and I feel I would appreciate it so much more.

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids? Disney World and San Francisco.

]3) Do you drive or fly on vacations? We always drive. I love car trips.

]4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why? Philadelphia. We went to visit my sister who lived there and even she couldn't come up with anything to do besides visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

]5) What is your favorite vacation memory? We were in Times Square when the blackout happened in New York City in 2002(?). That was awesome. All the lights just suddenly went out. It was surreal.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation? We collect coffee mugs from everywhere we go. They probably are my favorite souvenirs because we actually use them and think of the place we went.

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer? We are going to Wisconsin with my mom's family. My grandma rented cabins and we go up there for a week. I don't love the whole outdoors thing but there is a restaurant called the Norske Nook that makes pie to die for.

[gradschoolmama]

fun thread and great timing LO just woke to feed
1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation?
I had a dream a couple years ago that I went to the Great Wall of China. When I woke up and told DH, he said he'd be up for it someday. Also I found out they run a half and full marathon on the wall so that would be amazing.

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids?
Honestly I'm pretty disney obessed and super looking forward to taking LO. But my more worldly answer would be Barcelona, Spain.

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations? Fly but I enjoy a good road trip. We drove to toronto last summer and had a blast. Now that I said I'm Thinkig LO might change up the atmosphere on drives.

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why?
I felt pretty blah about Nashville. But really, I think it was because I don't drink and Nashville had a pretty big nightlife.

5) What is your favorite vacation memory?
Pretty much all the Disney. My family is super dysfunctional and somehow managed to get along when we're in disney world, this makes it one of my favorite places to be. Not sure what they put in the water but it totally tames my people.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation?
When I went to London in Highschool I bought a pair of Mary jane doc martens that I was pretty sure were the coolest shoes in the whole world. I still own them.

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer?
Not really. Stayig at my parents w LO for about bc they live by a beach.

[kboyet]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation?
Hmmm bora bora or Greece

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids?
Maui

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations?
Fly for sure. Hate driving. Wondering if that will change with a LO.

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why?
Cozumel, Mexico

5) What is your favorite vacation memory?
I have so many awesome memories it's hard to choose. Last year DH and I snorkeled with nurse sharks and stung rays in Belize and that was pretty neat!

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation?
We always buy something to remember our time. My favorite is a plate that was hand painted by finger- it's beautiful!

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer?
Trying to decide where to go. I want to wait until LO is 6mos do he can wear sunscreen. Probably some place in the states like Hilton Head, Golf Shores or some place in FL.

[seerealsky]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation?
Europe in general. I can't choose between any of them. So many beautiful places steeped in culture and art, and all the delicious food and wine...

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids?
I haven't traveled much, but I'm excited to take Mina to the caves here in Missouri. We have some doozies for caves, and they still fascinate me.

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations?
Both. It depends on the distance. I wouldn't want to spend more than 4 days in a car with a bored kid...

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why?
I must be really easy to please, because I can't think of any!

5) What is your favorite vacation memory?
My husband and I went on a road trip for our honeymoon last May (yes, knocked up lol). We got to our camping site near Pueblo, Colorado, and it started snowing. We camped anyways, and snuggled all night around a fire, and there was a cute blanket of snow when we woke up the next morning. Amazing.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation?
Not a very big souvenir person. Post cards do the trick if there's nothing that stands out. I did find a garter from Dodge City, Kansas. That was a fun one!

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer?
Not really. Husband's family lives far enough away to curb any adventuresome spirits we have in us with a little one in tow. We'd like her to be a little bigger before we drag her out on our camping adventures.

[gdaniels77]

This thread is make my me itchy to go to all those places! I have serious wanderlust and haven't been on a vacation (besides my honeymoon) in years.

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation?
Bora Bora!

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids?
Italy. Definitely the coolest "historical" vacation I've ever been on. I want the kids to experience the home of the Renaissance and all of the beautiful art/architecture/culture that is characteristic of the country.

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations?
Mostly fly. Though in the past couple years we've only driven.

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why?
Hollywood. I always pictured it so glamorous and sparkly, and finding out that it's a lot more seedy really disappointed me when I went there as a kid.

5) What is your favorite vacation memory?
Driving to Sedona, AZ from Las Vegas. I had never been in the flat out desert before and I was so struck by its beauty that I had this amazing surge of creativity and filled up half a notebook with writing and drawings.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation?
I really hate souvenirs and only get them for other people. The best "souvenir" I've ever gotten was our half sleeve tattoos in New Orleans

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer?
Not sure about summer yet, I would love to go to the beach if we're able to. But I know we're going to California for a wedding in the fall, so I'm looking forward to that.

[bookworm87]

seerealsky I will say that my parents drove me and my sister everywhere when we were kids. We did two trips out west, including one all the way to LA, with stops at many national parks. The car trips are some of my favorite memories. We each just packed a travel bag filled with books or toys or CDs and we were able to entertain ourselves. We also listened to books on tape as a family. My parents say we were having so much fun in the back of the car, they couldn't get us to look out the window at the scenery. However, my parents live in Illinois and both sets of grandparents lived in Iowa, so we were programmed for car trips at a very young age since it was an 8 hour trip whenever we visited them.

[jessielynn]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on vacation?
Dubai !
2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids?
Jamaica, most of DH family still lives there and we always have an amazing time.
3) Do you drive or fly on vacations?
Definitely fly, for my own sanity me and DH in a car for extended periods arguing over how to get where we're going doesn't sound like fun times.
4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why?
Cuba , awful food no matter where you go.
5) what's your favourite vacation memory ?
Six weeks in Italy , unbelievable food! Gained more weight then in my 9 months of pregnancy . Well worth it and id do it again . Yummy food baby : )
6) Favourite souvenir?
Don't have one
7) Do you have any vacation plans for this summer?
Jamaica

[seerealsky]

bookworm87 Then there may be hope! Husband's family is strung from Illinois to Kentucky, and we are in Missouri, so maybe all that traveling will be good practice for LO.

[ainslie325]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation?
The British Isles.

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids?
Skiing in Colorado.

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations?
It depends on the vacation.  Our car trip limit since kid has historically been about eight hours.  I wouldn't do one that long with an infant because of the frequency of stops it would require. Our families live far from us (we're in Chicago with our respective families in Omaha and Boston), so we travel a lot.

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why?
I'm not terribly interested in Vegas.  I don't enjoy gambling, and everything seems way too expensive for me to rationalize the trip.  I also prefer active vacations.  If I can't explore, hike, bike, whatever, I'm not into it.

5) What is your favorite vacation memory?
So many.  We were in Mexico during the World Cup a few years ago for our honeymoon.   We really enjoyed watching the Mexico games at the beach bar with the resort staff because they are such great fans of the sport. There were also lots of European guests, so the clientele made the event way more fun to watch because the people around us really cared about it.  Oh--and we were drinking on a beach while watching it, so that helped.  Before we were engaged, MH and I climbed Mount Washington in New Hampshire and got caught in a June snowstorm.  It was not good.  We did eventually make it to the top, but it was pretty dicey.  It cemented our relationship, and left us with quite a story to tell.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation?
The best souvenir I have came from our trip to Napa the summer before last.  We were at Jarvis, a cave winery in the hills.  We were allowed to seal bottles of a special chardonnay in wax by hand and take home the bottles that we sealed.  We're still saving ours for a special occasion.



Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer?
In July, my mom is flying here and driving back to New England with me and the two kids.  I'll spend a week in my hometown in suburban Boston, then my husband and his parents, brother, sister in-law and baby niece are joining us.  The party will then shift to my grandparents' guesthouse outside Newport, RI where we'll stay for another week. Woot!

My husband is skiing in Telluride this week from Thursday to Sunday, so I'll be one my own for four days. Gulp.

[kimmie7714]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation? I would love to visit Hawaii and London someday.

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids? San Francisco, Portland, OR, and South Dakota.

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations? Depends on where we are going. I prefer to fly for longer distances. My mom and I took the train to visit my brother in Portland. That got a little long!

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why? Chicago. I was younger though, it would be more fun to go now.

5) What is your favorite vacation memory? My husband and I went to San Francisco/ Napa Valley for our honeymoon. On my birthday we went to Fisherman's wharf and had fresh crab and sourdough bread. Then we went to Ghirardelli and had a ice cream sundae. That was awesome!

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation? I usually get a t-shirt or things I can use. We brought some sourdough bread back from San Francisco and jelly beans from Jelly Belly factory. It was nice to enjoy them when we got back home. Pictures are important too!

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer? Not sure yet. We may go to Duluth or somewhere up in Northern MN to go to the lake. We probably won't go too far away this year.

[erien22846]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation? Right now I really want to go back to Hawaii. For somewhere new, I'd say Galapagos Island and the Amazon.

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids? This is a hard one. So many places I want them to see! But one location that sticks out to me is Yosemite National Park.

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations? DH and I typically fly but I imagine family vacations will be mostly road trips.

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why? I hated NYC and London the first times I visited them. I was in high school and didn't understand the appeal of big cites. They were dirty and I was intimidated by all the people. Now I enjoy visiting both cities.

5) What is your favorite vacation memory? My favorite vacation was a two week trip to Greece a few years ago with my DH. We rented a car a drove around the mainland for a week and then visited Crete and Santorini. It was amazing to really immerse ourselves in the culture and not hide behind a tour guide.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation? I collect thimbles. DH collects Hard Rock shot glasses.

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer? We will spend 4th of July at the Lake of the Ozarks with my family. That's the closet thing to a vacation we'll probably have. DH and I are long overdue for a vacation together but I don't see us leaving the kids this summer, especially if I'm still nursing.

[emilypk]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation? Spain and Italy are two countries I've always wanted to visit

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids? There are lots! One is Door County, WI which is where my family always vacationed when I was growing up

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations? Usually fly

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why? I agree that Hollywood isn't as nice as I expected! But I love other parts of Southern California (Ventura, Santa Barbara)

5) What is your favorite vacation memory? MH and I visited New Zealand a few years ago and it was amazing!

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation? A case of wine we picked out while touring Napa and Sonoma

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer? My best friend is getting married in Colorado this summer, so we'll spend at least a few days there. It will be LO's first flight!

[2jelplus1]

I am a travel addict, loving this thread!


1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation?
The Maldives, we visited one resort and are dying to go back. My ultimate dream though is Antartica, the last continent I have to get to!


2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids?
Agree with everybody who said Disney World, aside from that Australia-- it will be a nightmare flight but it's so full of gorgeous landscapes, open skies and crazy animals!

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations?
Typically fly if more than a 4 hour drive, but DH is freaking out about taking LO on a plane. If it were a logistical option, I would pretty much always cruise!

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why?
I didn't love Phuket. It's nice but not 1/2 way around the world nice. I should caveat that I am not a diver here.

5) What is your favorite vacation memory?
I really don't think I could pick one, it's like having a favorite child. The best story is the time I was in Bermuda and happened to see a giant barrel of rum being carted up the driveway to Bacardi headquarters -- boyfriend and I followed it up, there was a garden party and I just started making conversation asking if someone could tell me why Bacardi Breezers weren't sold in the US. We were invited to join the company party (great drinks and food) and I actually got an answer to my question (sold licensing rights for Bacardi soft drinks in U.S. to Anheiser Busch (sic)).

Oh ship. I was married in Hawaii, I bet that was supposed to be more favorite vacation memory.


6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation?

Photos! We also generally get magnets.

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer?
We have booked an Alaskan cruise for late summer and are hoping to make it to Lanai this spring, but with my current energy levels doing both seems unlikely.

[danisgossipgirl]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation?
Iceland or the Galapagos are the next ones on my before I die list

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids? St. Croix, where we got married.

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations? Drive lately. I've had awful plane anxiety for several years now. I'll need heavy meds next time, I've been pregnant/ BFing for ages so no planes.

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why? Myrtle beach. It was too built up, garish, kinda dirty. I don't like beach vacations where the shore is completely blocked by condo/hotel towers.

5) What is your favorite vacation memory? Kayaking in a bioluminescent bay in St. Croix. Walking all over Paris. Bicycling around the canals in Amsterdam.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation? Not really I don't like clutter. We do get a pint glass if we visit a brewery but that's only been a couple of trips. I may start collecting christmas ornaments that I'd pass down to each kid when they leave the nest.

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer?
No. No big trips this year because of the cost of 3 in daycare. We'll do weekend camping trips but that's about it.

[apsalartoll]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation?
New Zealand and Bora Bora

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids?
Hawaii. We usually rent a cottage, so taking a kid shouldn't be too much more trouble.

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations?
Depends on where we're going.

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why?
Los Angeles. It's just a big city with really terrible traffic. The beaches are OK though.

5) What is your favorite vacation memory?
A few years ago, DH and I went backpacking in Europe. We did a bus tour of Tuscany, and we had lunch at a farm/winery where we got a little drunk because our tablemates were non-drinkers, and we couldn't let that yummy wine go to waste! After we went to San Gimignano and walked off the alcohol and had gelato. That was a fantastic day.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation?
We do Geocaching when we're on vacation, so we find something somewhere and log it as our souvenir. We've done some great geocaches, but one of my favorites was at a park on a hillside in Seattle with an amazing view of the city and Mt. Rainier.

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer?
We're going to visit DH's family in Canada.

[twocheeky]

Feb 16, 2015 3:13:26 GMT -5 bookworm87 said:

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation? I'd love to take a year and go around the world with the kids.  I can't imagine anything more awesome.

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids? Europe.  DH and I are birth history and travel crazy.  I really hope we can pass that on to our kids and that they enjoy it as much as we do.  

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations?  Both.  We take a lot of short weekend road trips.  Otherwise we fly. 

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why?  It wasn't the place really.  We took a cruise down Mexico's pacific coast and the cruse was just kind of a bust.  I definitely wouldn't do it again.  I like getting to know a place for longer then just a few hours.  

5) What is your favorite vacation memory? That's impossible.  I have so many.  One of my favorites is a many course meal that we enjoyed with some Italian friends at their house.  It was a traditional meal with the whole progression of dishes and table wine from the family vineyard.  Amazing.  

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation?  I like to buy art.  Not expensive or anything but something from a local artisan.  I have a painted map of a small Italian town that I framed.  I love it.  

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer?  We haven't decided what we want to do.  We definitely need to head to Wisconsin to visit family but we want to do something else fun, too.  

[kathytav]

Feb 16, 2015 3:13:26 GMT -5 bookworm87 said:

I thought a GTKY thread might be fun for overnight feedings and the holiday tomorrow.

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation? Bora Bora -- probably never going to happen but you did say DREAM vacation ;-)

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids? Disney when she's older

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations? Whatever is required. I wouldn't really want to drive more than 6 or so hours, though.

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why? Vegas. Although while there we visited the Grand Canyon which was AMAZING, Vegas overall was overpriced, extremely hot, smokers everywhere and did I say overpriced?

5) What is your favorite vacation memory? On our honeymoon we visited Antigua and took an excursion to the "Devil's Bridge." It's a land formation where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea that looks like a bridge with a natural whirlpool. We did snorkeling nearby. The whole experience was amazing.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation? Christmas ornaments -- we have one hand painted ornament from the Bahamas that's my favorite

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer? We have an inflatable pool that I plan on filling up -- does that count??

[gatoreng]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation? Portugal. I have a friend from there and it sounds wonderful. Also, I'm a horse geek and want to ride the gorgeous horses.

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids? Rockford, IL. Not because its a really cool place, but they have cousins there and I think they would all have a blast.

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations? In Europe we almost always take the trains. In the US we drive unless the road trip is longer than 20 hours.

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why? Athens. After you visit the Acropolis and other monuments, there is not much else to do and you need a taxi or car to get around. The Greek islands, however, are great.

5) What is your favorite vacation memory? Before kids, my husband and I would drive down to Key West. We would hang out with his friends, go fishing and just be lazy.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation? Just photos. I have photo books for each of my kids to document their travels.

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer? Not really. We will go to Florida for awhile and enjoy some time with my family before moving to TX. If it wasn't for needing to move, we would probably only take weekend trips closer to home.

[alycat]

1) Where is your dream location to visit on a vacation?
I would love to travel trough Italy by car with no set plan.

2) Where is somewhere you've been that you can't wait to take your kids? Hawaii is the first big trip I want to take them on, then I would love to take them to Europe, anywhere in Europe.

3) Do you drive or fly on vacations? Usually drive

4) Where is somewhere you've been that doesn't live up to the hype and why? Mexico at an all inclusive. I am not a big drinker and it seemed like getting completely wasted was the only pastime. I learned I am not much of a resort person

5) What is your favorite vacation memory? Getting lost in London and ending up off the tourist track in a little pub. I had the best lemon balm icecream there.

6) Do you have a favorite souvenir to get on vacation (ie shirts, shot glasses, commemorative spoons)? And/or what is your favorite souvenir you've ever gotten from a vacation?
I collect rings from each place I visit - except Rome, somehow I missed getting a Rome ring. I don't know that I have a favourite though. I love to wear each one, they always remind me of my travels.

7) Do you have any fun vacation plans for this summer? I am hoping to make the most of my summer off Of work. I will drive out to visit my mom for a week, hope to do some camping and also spend a week at the family lake cabin. Nothing wildly extravagant, but should be fun.