by Effie Moore Salem

Created on: July 17, 2007   Last Updated: February 03, 2012

Visiting the Berkshires in the summertime, sunning and lounging at the Keys in south Florida in winter, or some other place close to home is far a better idea for vacationing. If you happen to live in the United States, that is. But truthfully, go where your heart desires to go. If you have an opportunity to travel to Europe, take it. Another chance may never present its self. 

The idea is to see and learn your own country first and then see the others. That's logical, but travel isn't exactly the most logical thing going. Staying put and taking care of matters at home is logical. Yet, there are exceptions, even to logic. As already said, if a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presents itself to study in London, to sing in Paris, or to visit friends in India, or just go to visit grandma in Italy. Go. If you don't you may live to regret it.

It all depends. But before you just pack up and go to any of these places, learn about them first. Know something of their history, what their best features are, how best to approach them, and how to be courteous and friendly. To blindly travel without at least a few expectations or adventures to look forward is, at best, taking a chance on never wanting to go there again. Often, the best vacations are the places close to hand that others from distant places travel to see. You, being so near, yet so far away, have no idea what the fascination is.

If undecided, draw a circle on a map, the cente  radiating to only an hour's drive in each distance. Check to see how many places you hae never visited. This could prove to be an exceptional and an affordable vacation. Stay at home and go somewhere new each day. Enlist friends and carpool. Think of the fun you could have and the money you could save by pick-nicking on some days when good eating places are not guranteed.

Whatever, have fun, and deposit the money in a savings account for that vacation of a lifetime one of these days. That way you will feel you're finally treating yourself to that long desired trip and expense will be no worry. That is you will not be running up debt and and your credit card managers will be basking in the sun at your expense.

Whether one travels far or near, it matters little. What does matter is varying your habits from time to time and giving yourself a refreshing change.  even if you're stuck at home because of illness or the illness of another, for lack of money, or whatever. even thinking about traveling to a far off country is good. One good way of doing that is signing on to Netflix and and for a mere fee of less than ten dollars you can tour the world and never leave your living room.     

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