I have a general questions for all you travelers??
How many times a year could you or do you take a vacation???

Average 12-15. Often just 3 or 4 day long weekends. 1-3 weeklong trips. Half plane trips, half drive trips.

And while you're answering Jan - why is it that Americans get so little vacation - I understand 2 weeks is normal, is that right? How did that come about?

I take 5-6 vacations ( typically 7-10 days each time ) a year.

Remember that the people who post here are generally not representative of average America -- they have more money (on average, although not universally), probably are high enough on the career/business ladder to be able to dictate their own schedules, and are committed travellers.

My husband and I, who must be strictly budget travellers, get away perhaps 3 or 4 times during the year and only one of those trips is for as much as a week or more. Otherwise, it's a matter of tacking a day or two onto a holiday or business trip and pretending it's vacation. To be honest, some of the time I spend on this forum is a substitute for actually traveling -- a great break from my regular work (which only gives me a total of 20 days/yr. off, 10 holidays and 10 vacation days.

Couldn't agree with you more, Norm! We usually get 2 weeks of vacation per year. Last year we did one "big" vacation to the Virgin Islands. This year will be 2 smaller vacations, one week each. Friends in France tell me that the French are baffled at how the Americans "only" get 2 weeks. They get so many weeks--I've lost count of them all! I also use this Forum as my Surrogate Travel Escape.

That's an interesting point, Rob. The French in particular view Americans as being too obsessed with work, material things and one-upsmanship (and I'm of the opinion there's a kernel of truth in there). Most other cultures are less work-obsessed. Japan is certainly an exception, though.
Some argue that the US wouldn't be the country that it is without the prevailing attitude toward the value of work. Probably true. Trade-offs do exist, however.

I couldn't agree with you all more.
It does seem like we Americans get so little time for vacation. I usually try and stretch my time as far as I can and carry over vacation days for the following year. I also stretch the holidays for longer weekends. That can be hard when everyone at work tries to take off the holidays too. We ususally try and take 2-3 vacations a year. With the rise in Airfare/gas this will definetely make traveling more expensive! But I LOVE to Travel, so what can you do...
Jan

At least two major trips each year of 10-14 days each, preferably to places I've never been before, plus as many little weekend getaway trips as I can manage -- usually about six to ten of those shorter ones per year.

It's true that on average Americans get less vacation time than Europeans, but there are a few employers here that are quite generous!

Lisa, I suspect you have one of those generous employers! I get 15 days a year, plus 2 floating holidays (I use those for religious holidays) and many, but not all, federal holidays. We try to take 1-2 longer vacations with several weekend getaways. However, with a 15 month old, the way we travel has changed. I, too, use this board as a vacation substitute!!

Couldn't agree more about the 2 week thing. Fortunately, I work for an investment bank that gives 5 weeks vacation to management. That allows my husband and I to try to take 2 vacations a year, and still have time for long weekends or days here and there. But of course, you never know when the vacation policy will change so we try to enjoy it while we can. 2 weeks in this day and age, and the amount of hours the average American works is about as close to slave labor as one can get!!! Ridiculous.

This is a very interesting question and has elicited very interesting answers. My husband and I are in our 40's and are very much middle class America. We both have demanding jobs, but we do not work in excess of 45 hours per week. I am also a part time student. We own a home. Therefore, we have other priorities beside work which often fill our time off. I get 15 paid days off per year. Period. My husband gets two weeks plus the normal 5 sick days. If we could, we would travel four times per year. This year, we went on a cruise and have gone to Las Vegas. Considering that we have a home which we must maintain, friends and out of town family to visit, earn a decent living and live well, I'd say that we feel very lucky to be able to actually "get away" as often as we do. I love to read this forum as it provides an escape for me, too.

Yes, indeed - Fodors is a handy substitute when travel isn't possible.

For most of the years of our working and married life, the spouse and I were able to do one good US road trip a year (two weeks), also worked in a 3-week trip to UK and a two-weeker to Ireland. Since embarking on a 'semi-retired' lifestyle four years ago, we've been fortunate enough to do a trip each spring and fall, and are hoping we'll be able to maintain that skedule! (Semi-retired, b/t/w, means you work twice as hard for half the money.....but it sure beats the 5-day/job life we left behind)

Most of the people who post on this forum have much more than average "off work" time in their lives than the average American. I can get 4 vacations in at the most and none for longer than
7 days. Actually only two of those 4 vacations can be longer than 5 days. Like my children, most young Americans who are having the babies and buying their first houses, have much less time than that, even if the funds are there for that purpose. No job that I have ever had has given me more than 4 weeks of paid vacation. I wiggle out two more than that by extending academic breaks which are really "unpaid" time.

I am a 45 year old single male living in the US and get 6 weeks vacation per year. Typically during a year I will go to Europe for about 10 days, someplace in North America for about 10 days, visit my elderly parents 2500 miles away 3 times (esp. at holidays) and take a few long weekends with the remaining days for personal things or short excursions. I am not wealthy by any stretch of imagination. Making the most of my time off is a priority for me -- who knows what tomorrow may bring; I want to see some things before I get 'old' and perhaps can't.

Great discussion - love this board! "Clark" and I have taken our kids on a long road-trip for the past five summers, and have also been fortunate to go somewhere each spring-break, also. We also try to get away for the weekend as much as our kids' schedules allow. "Clark" and I also try to get away by ourselves or with another couple for a weekend or two.

Our philosophy is that we can't afford NOT to travel! You can't put a price on memories!

We try to getaway as much as possible.
Usually Florida once a year (love disney world).. My thing is also the money... It's so easy to charge a vacation..So we try to save our pennies... It is easier to travel not having children. Me and Hubby can pick up and travel anytime without worrying about kids, more expenses, sitters etc...
Rada

Hell, if you're a college student you're lucky to get 1 vacation!!!!! We dont have money like some of you. We have to spend ours on tuition. I'm assuming most of you are homemakers, or white collar workers that make a pretty decent living. Vacation time depends on the person's situation.

I would love to travel 365!! In reality, it actually depends where my boyfriend and I decide to go. We are fortunate, he has 5 1/2 wks and I have 3 wks. We are fortunate on time but not always money. If we do a two weeker one year then we may only go on day trips or 3 day trips a couple times. If we do a one weeker one year then we may take 3 other long weekend trips. After our 10 day Florida trip this year, we won't be taking any trips for the rest of this year because all our money is going towards Alaska Aug 2001 (YIPPEE!)
I think every employer in America should allow at least 3 wks.! Travel is important for the mind, body, and spirit!

Lisa

I totally agree... Some employees are only given 5 vacation days during the year??? That sucks!!!I think every employee should be allowed 1 day a month off and 3 or more weeks vacation a year... You feel so refreshed after a vacation...Fortunatlly I've been working at my job over 10 yrs so I earn 1 PTO day (paid time off day) per pay period. Which equals out to be 2 days per month... Me and DH love to travel often.. I can't imagine only receiving 5 vacation days a year...
Jan