Hi, I am just preparing for an upcoming vacation and was thinking of the return trip home.Is there anyone else out there who gets the blues when a vacation is over and they are at home again?I feel kind of let down even if i have a good time.Its like Christmas,when there is this big build up and then around 12:00 or so you think "thats it?"Any comments?

betsy, the best way, I think, is to have your second trip in planning stage before you leave on your current trip. Even if the second trip is over a year away, you then have something to look forward to. There is a thread here about this very traveling blues subject, but I'm not sure how you would bring it up. I believe it was started by dr. betty, so you might try to find it that way, or try some other creative wording. People gave lots of good suggestion on the thread, one being to immerse yourself in cultural aspects of the country you've just visited to in order to bask in the afterglow, if you will. I say, just plan another trip! Also, understand that the let down is natural, and we all feel it. What a nice problem to have.

Annette, fabulous advice!

Annette thank you very much for the advice.I was afraid it was just me and I would get a bunch of nasty responses.

Annette is 100% on target, before we ever leave on a trip, we have the next one started, even if it's only 'well where should we go". The anticipation is in quietance while we are away but as soon as we step foot on the plane home it's "where next"" it doesn't matter if it's 2 or 3 years down the road you just have to know that someday you will be off again!Live for the moment!!!!

On the plane, returning home from Paris or London or some wonderful spot in the world, my husband and I start discussing where the next place will be -then we throw out a few ideas, and spend time playing with different ideas, an cottage in Cornwall next time? a villa in the South of France-how about inviting the kids and take a big apartment in Rome-so many places, before we know it -we are home and ready to go again~ This has never failed to chase away that let down after the fun is over, actually for me-a lot of the fun is the planning~

In proportion... <BR> <BR>My travel blues are usually in proportion to the gap between the wonderful vacation and returning to the god-awful place I live. Flyover. I usually want to move to the place I just visited and had such a great vacation at. Most notably, California. <BR> <BR>Looking at my beautiful photographs or slides of the vacation help ease the pain.

Betsy-I can relate!!! Spent 11 months planning a trip to Ireland, London and Paris with friends-had a great time! When we came back I was so depressed!! <BR>I really was. I even kept thinking "gee, back in March I was just planning the trip-it wasn't over like it is now".... <BR>Now, it is 3 months since we've been back and life does go on and I am not so depressed but I miss having that trip to plan for sure. And- <BR>1)I realize that there are more important things in the world to feel about now. (Sept. 11 puts things in perspective) <BR>2)Glad we went when we did and not put it off until THIS year. <BR>3)Thank God that we have that trip to remember and cherish. Thank God to be alive at all. <BR>These things help alot. <BR>But, I do have to have some other trips to look forward to-even though they are not big trips like that one was. <BR>No, Betsy-you are NOT alone. <BR>Shadow

Betsy, <BR>We're like Candice and her hubby, we start planning the next trip on the plane ride home from the current trip. It doesn't 100% cure the vacation-is-over blues, but it sure helps alot!! Of course, I have two or three vacations planned in advance. You never want to run out!!

I don't start planning my next trip until maybe a couple months before, but I strongly second the idea of getting your photographs done ASAP -- I then sort them and choose which ones to put in the album and then get to look through all my previous trips at the same time...

JOdy and others are so right! We start planning while still away. If I didn't know I was going back I couldn't get through some crummy days! <BR> <BR>Also, close your eyes at night and put yourself there. A bed's a bed--you can be in your hotel room at the end of the day ANY day! Review the sites you saw that day. <BR> <BR>The good thing about "planning being half the fun" is also the bad thing about it. When you go, that part's over!

Hey Betsy, <BR> <BR>I used to get that feeling when travelling was new, but fortunately, I've been able to get around quite a bit so now I enjoy coming home!! It's like.... that was nice.... glad to be home..... wonder where the next place will be. Of course it helps if you live in a city you love!!

Hi, Betsy! <BR>Yes, I'm VERY familiar with the post-vacation blues, especially after travelling in lovely foreign lands where the wines, cheeses, foods cannot be found here (or when they are found, can cost an arm and a leg). I try to plan something extra special for the weekend after my return...maybe going out to that restaurant I've always wanted to try or planning a get-together with good friends. That's what I did this last time and it really helped to have something special to look forward to. <BR>I also always make sure my house is clean before I leave. Sounds silly I know, but coming home to a dirty house after seeing so much beauty is gloomy and depressing. <BR>

You've raised a very common issue, Betsy! I feel the same way after each trip. This last one was particularly sad (to return) because I planned it for over a year....then poof.....it was over! <BR>The worst part for me is trying to explain how things were different there. Sometimes people don't understand.