The "Vacation Problem"
 

We have about 1 weeks' worth of vacation to use around the US Labor Day holiday in September this year, plus or minus a day or two. This may be our last big trip for a while, as we may be experiencing some major life changes. We are trying to lock down plans, and we find ourselves paralyzed with the choices. In a nutshell, here is our train of thought.

Spouse: accepts that we should make this a solid vacation, as we will possibly not be traveling for a while. Enjoyed playing in the water in Cancun, but does not want another lay around and veg all day vacation. Open to anything I want if it's really my dream to go. Does not want to feel isolated in the sense of not having many activity options, limited flight options in and out case of emergency, etc. Has some concerns about traveling to areas with current political turmoil, and also feels bad sailing the Mediterranean when so many in that area have died recently with the migrant crossings.

Me: I pulled out my bucket list that I made a while ago: Portugal, Morocco, Tunisia, Victoria Falls and South Africa, Finland and Russia, Canadian Rockies, Pompeii, Vietnam and Cambodia, Greece, Indonesia. Looking at pre-existing trips yields a very limited selection around the time we have off. My spouse has never been on a cruise, I think it would be good to go together but the few options seem lukewarm. Looking into individual itineraries seems uninspiring and daunting at this point. Preliminarily looking at airfare seems expensive for the few places I checked out around this timeframe.

The vacation problem: when you know you have limited time off together, and it may be your last solid time off together for a while or the last time you may be able to go someplace really different or exotic, how do you put together a vacation when you just don't feel inspired or can't find any good options out there? How do you force yourself to get away and relax? This seems like such a ridiculous problem, I mean, who struggles with trying to go on vacation? Really? Just trying to do some soul-searching and seek any words of wisdom from you all out there. Thanks.

If I had just 1 week, knowing what I know, I'd spend it in Morocco - either Marrakech with an overnight in Essaouira, or in Fes with an overnight in Chefchaouen. You mention "exotic" and that they are. I'd go there, rather than Tunisia, on the grounds of political stability and excellent tourism infrastructure.

1 week sounds too short a time for most of the places on your bucket list.

What is your departure airport?

Where do you live? I suppose if you're on the east coast you might justify the flight to Europe for only a week, equally if you're on the west coast, maybe Asia. Personally, with only a week I'd probably head to Canada - Vancouver or the Rockies or Montreal. And/or the train trip from Vancouver to Toronto.

For Europe I would opt for Portugal - Lisbon plus Coimbra or Lisbon plus Porto. For Asia, Siem Reap for Angkor plus Luang Prabang. No tour needed for any of that.

I know, I know. Like I said, it seems like such a dumb problem to be stressing out about vacation, doesn't it? We just don't want to do a staycation, we want to go somewhere but are feeling utterly unmotivated to endlessly research train schedules, reasonable day trips, etc.

Departure is flexible from any major US airport. We have no delusions of seeing the entire countries listed, just picking someplace nice to base and maybe branching out short trips from there. Oh, I forgot Petra on my bucket list, but we aren't going there. I really wanted to find a cruise that goes to Finland and Russia, or one that allows access to Naples/Pompeii but possibly also the Greek Isles (there is one Mediterranean cruise that covers Rome, Cannes, La Spezia, Barcelona, Naples, Mallorca, not in that order), but I am just surprised by the lack of options, must be the time of year? Also considered Vietnam with a side trip to just Angkor Wat and not all of Cambodia, but I feel this is a trip that might exhaust us just getting there and also the question of time of year?

Does anyone else have this much trouble deciding on a location for vacation? And after that decision, mapping out the details? We just feel so wishy-washy right now.

Thanks all for the feedback thus far.

<Departure is flexible from any major US airport.>

I don't (have trouble deciding) but I don't have a bucket list.

My "problem" with your "problem" is that I wouldn't want to spend a huge percentage of the vacation time getting somewhere myself. When I only have one week I just head to Mexico or Hawaii (from Seattle) because those are each 5-6 hour non-stop flights.

I find most of the places on your list fascinating, but would want a 2-3 week window minimum for that type of a trip.

Have you looked at the National Geographic cruises?

I have an extremely hard time believing you can't find suitable cruises at the beginning of September. Where have you looked? Of course, trying to combine Pompeii and Santorini at any time of year is likely to be difficult, especially if you only have a week.

Thanks suze! I had forgotten about National Geographic. A little pricey, so we'd have to discuss. There are a couple private expeditions that might work. Looking around also helps us get basic itinerary ideas, even if we don't buy their trip, we do okay with getting around and choosing accommodations and meals ourselves.

As for the cruises, I just looked on cruise.com, because you can plug-in the exact criteria via advanced search. Surprisingly, it's true, just not that many options! I have to play around with whether we could leave one day earlier, extended by one day, things like that, but I was also surprised. I'll look again and let you know if this has changed.

I'd be more inclined to go directly to the cruise line sites, or to the tour company sites. At the other end from Nat Geo (and Smithsonian, and Geo Ex and Tauck...) see http://www.intrepidtravel.com

http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/ but the Canadian Rockies sound good that time of year. I have been to all of the provinces but Newfoundland and I saw a picture ad today in travel and leisure and said I need to do this.
A Balkans tour is on my to do list. I was in Cinque Terre and we had a lot of cruise people on board the boat that takes you from La Spezia to the villages. I will go check it out for you.

I have no idea!

That said, friends with a similar "how can we possibly have THIS dilemma" quandary went for the Galapagos, I think with National Geographic, but could be wrong. If this destination holds any appeal for the two of you, it might be worth looking at your touring options -- I've heard that small tours / boats are MUCH more enjoyable than the larger ones, but again, I don't know.

Good luck -- sounds like you DO need to find some time AWAY from your daily routines! ;-)

Unless you were plannign on planting yourself at a resort, I would reconsider Tunisia at the moment.

Look at vacationstogo.com. There are many cruises during that time, but many are longer than 7 days. Plug in your dates and choose the area in which you are interested and you can see what is available.

You said you could fly out of any major US airport, but wouldn't getting to some of them be a bigger hassle than others? With only a week, you probably want to minimize travel time.

It might help to know the exact dates available and the major airport nearest to you.

Turkish Air has direct flights, DC to Istanbul, usually at very good rates. I mention that because, even though you did not list Turkey, you seem interested in more exotic places and Turkey is an exciting country. It would still use a day coming and going.

You say 'any major US airport"- which coast are you near? I'd say Europe if you're in the Northeast, Central/South America if you're in the south, and Canada/Alaska if you're in the Northwest- because otherwise you'll spend 2-3 days of your 9 (guessing weekend, 5 day week, weekend) day vacation on planes/in airports.

I'm in the US, so I understand limited vacation time! I try to stay within a few timezones when I have a week, if I have 2 weeks I'll go overseas.
Of course, I broke my own rule last year, and did a trip to Kenya from DFW. On the ground in Kenya for 4 days, plus about 40 hours in Dubai- and I was gone Friday-Sunday.

Departing from Venice, on August 29
1. Norwegian Jade
2. Royal Caribbean Splendor of the Seas,
Both seven nights and they both look like great cruises.

From Rome, on August 30, seven nights with some great stops.
Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the seas.

All three show up on VTG vacationstogo when you do August to September, Med or Greek cruises, Seven nights.

Like needmorevacation, I would always prefer to have more time on the ground and less travelling, and try to avoid crossing too many time zones. But sometimes, you can make the time change work for you.

I would probably focus on the destinations no further than 14-16 hours away, and ones with the possibility of a nonstop flight to save some time. Even from the West Coast, you'd probably have to change somewhere for Cambodia, Vietnam, or Indonesia, and after a 20 - 24 hr flight, I would want at least two weeks on the ground.

Morocco, Portugal, Greece are all easy reach of East Coast.

I've done a South Africa trip on a super limited time basis flying from New York. Here's what I did and how I did it:

-flew nonstop New York to Johannesburg on an all day flight (15 hrs), and back on an overnight flight (16 hrs 30 min)

If you can power thru jetlag, overnight flights are your friend to save time and hit the ground running. For South Africa, I flew Friday morning and landed Saturday morning, and flew home Sunday night landing Monday morning and going immediately to work - not super fun, but it gave me 8 nights to work with. Taking off Friday + a full week would give you 9 nights.

-4 nights Cape Town, 2 nights winelands, 3 nights safari

Time of year for you might be a bit cool for Cape Town's beaches, but the other numerous attractions of the city are always fantastic. I would skip the winelands if I were to go again, and put the extra nights on safari or city, or add a day/night for Jo'burg before flying out

Thanks all... you've given me a lot to chew on in terms of the possibilities... getting some clarity, but I think the most puzzling and interesting "problem" hasn't necessarily been WHERE to go, but WHY planning and executing vacation for some in today's working world is such a struggle!!

I've been to and from South Africa in a week (from DC). Like the poster above said, if you're ok with the jet lag, totally doable. It's an amazing place. We split our time between Cape Town and a safari near Kruger and it was a magical trip.

Another idea (especially if you're coming from the east coast): Iceland! It's a short trip, amazing landscape, very safe, everyone speaks English, and tons to do. Personally, I plan to rent a car when I get a chance to return.

Enjoy!