Most of us will be doing at least some traveling during the holidays to see family and friends. And, some will also take a vacation during this time of gratitude and renewal.
According to MarketWatch, “Despite current economic challenges, 60 percent of people who will travel during the holidays strongly feel the time and money spent is a small price to pay to be with people they love, it was revealed in a unique survey quantifying why people take trips during the holidays.” This finding is based on a Harris Interactive survey of 2,256 adults conducted recently for the Travel Industry Association.
The holiday season is often a time for celebration and anticipation of a new start in the New Year. According to the Harris survey, people visit family or friends during the holidays for several reasons:
- Creating memories;
- Maintaining traditions;
- Reconnecting and building relationships; and
- Improving a person's sense of overall well-being.
In addition to visiting family and friends, many people spend some time between Christmas and New Year’s Day on vacation to play, introspect about their lives and get motivated for even fuller lives in the coming year. One of my favorite holiday getaways was spending a few days in Carmel-by-the-Sea, http://www.carmelbythesea.com/, between Christmas and New Year’s Day while my husband visited his father. I parked in front of my favorite inn in town, La Playa, http://www.laplayahotel.com/, and did not get back in the car until leaving for home. I spent time at the beautiful beach five blocks away writing in my journal about my life that year and my expectations for the following year, especially my niece Erin’s visit in the coming summer.
Basically, I spent my few days in one of the most beautiful places in the world just quietly being. This was a wonderful time of renewal for me. Although I won’t be going to Carmel this year, I will take the time – whether close by home or further away – to appreciate myself and all that is joyous in my life as I look forward to living an even fuller life in 2009.
Please share your travel stories and photos on the 50+Fabulous Community forum, http://www.50fabulous.com/forum/.
Happy Travels!
Susan
