Right now Ken and I are in the UK for a wonderful trip. All our years together we found ways to take the family on vacations, even when we didn't have a cent to our name. The 4 person tent, air mattresses and sleeping bags did the trick as well as taking folks up on their lovely invitations to visit many wonderful places around our country and Canada (prior to 9/11 as we didn't need any passports or special card at that time). I enjoy finding bargains for travel including that this current trip didn't cost anything for the airfare because of our Visa card benefits. We also joined a travel club years ago that has given us 3 and 4 star accommodations in the US and abroad for $200/week. We also never feel the need to eat at 5 star restaurants in the evening. We even make our own breakfasts when we are able. I agree that travel is an education, especially in meeting people from many parts of the globe. I love hearing about their countries, culture and lives and, when I can, communicate in their languages (especially the Romance languages because I speak Spanish although Yiddish helps in Germany and Hebrew in Israel). Just when I think the world is falling apart, it is so nice to meet kind and wonderful people. I feel blessed and grateful to be healthy enough to make these trips. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Right now Ken and I are in the UK for a wonderful trip. All our years together we found ways to take the family on vacations, even when we didn't have a cent to our name. The 4 person tent, air mattresses and sleeping bags did the trick as well as taking folks up on their lovely invitations to visit many wonderful places around our country and Canada (prior to 9/11 as we didn't need any passports or special card at that time). I enjoy finding bargains for travel including that this current trip didn't cost anything for the airfare because of our Visa card benefits. We also joined a travel club years ago that has given us 3 and 4 star accommodations in the US and abroad for $200/week. We also never feel the need to eat at 5 star restaurants in the evening. We even make our own breakfasts when we are able. I agree that travel is an education, especially in meeting people from many parts of the globe. I love hearing about their countries, culture and lives and, when I can, communicate in their languages (especially the Romance languages because I speak Spanish although Yiddish helps in Germany and Hebrew in Israel). Just when I think the world is falling apart, it is so nice to meet kind and wonderful people. I feel blessed and grateful to be healthy enough to make these trips. Thanks for sharing your perspective.