I generally lurk on questions like this one but have been podering this for some time:

What kind of traveler are you?
Do you like to revist the same location again and again to become familiar with all its wonderful secrets or do you like to go somewhere different all the time and just hit the highlights?

We are "Hit the Highlights" people--I figure it's a big world and I want to see as much as possible. But both DH and I have parents who repeat the same trips over and over--it's comfortable for them (also, I get the impression that those with kids go for the familiarity-factor, but prove me wrong!).

So which do you like and why?

For the first time this year, after 5 years of living overseas, we are doing a "repeat vacation" BUT - we are adding something different to the trip.

We are going back to Cape Town, South Africa at Christmas (yeah, I know this is the US board). We will stay a few days in Cape Town (because we loved it before), but then we are going to do a few things (like touring the Garden Route and going to Victoria Falls) that we didn't do the first time.

Now, in the US, the only "repeat" place we tend to do is Washington, DC. My husband went to school there and we have good friends there - but each time we go (usually every other year or so), our kids are a little older and can appreciate a different set of sights.

We always talk about going back to places, and there are some places I REALLY want to visit again (Salzburg, New Zealand, Beijing) - but it just hasn't happened yet!

About a year an a half ago I returned to Monterey, CA for the first time since 87 when I was stationed there with the Army at Ft Ord. I returned 10 months later for a second trip. I may go again before the end of this year.

I go because, to me, it's very relaxing and I just love it there. So, I'm thinking it will be a yearly get away spot for me. Just a long weekend really.

But I am going to London and Paris in 6 days!!!!!! And I'm already in the early planning for Hong Kong and Tokyo for next year.

Maybe I'm a hybrid then? But I'm single and have no kids to travel with.

"Yes"!

Going to Italy shortly. Testing the Adriatic Coast this trip plus more time in Rome, Venice and it will be the first time in Florence.

We go to Kauai each year to renew our "sense of adventure".

113, baby!

I am one of those "non-inventive people who have no sense of adventure" and like to return to places I have been before.

In one case (Switzerland) it is because I have a dear friend who lives there. And it's hard to argue with a free place to stay with a view of Lac Leman and the mountains.

Another is my winter vacations when I go somewhere tropical. I have a couple of beach destinations that suit me to a 'T', why reinvent the wheel?

Both - I've been going to Holden Beach, NC for 40+ years. Favorites (based on number of visits) would be - NC Mts. (this can be both old & new as there is so much to explore), NOLA, Amelia Island, Key West, Paris & Wine Country in California. We just visited Montserrat for the first time & will be returning the first of the year. We'll also be visiting Saba this time around (which is new). Also spending some time in Paris but also some time in the Champagne region & Strasburg which will be new for us. We never just hit the highlights. We tend to try & spend a sufficient amount of time in an area to not only learn about it, but also its community, people, etc. If you are just "Hitting the Highlights" I'd really be curious as to what you may be getting/learning from the experience ? Or are you a "check it off my list" type of traveler ?

I would say we do both. For spring break every year for 6 years running, we travel to Siesta Key Florida. There is always something new to discover there and we like the traditions we have developed over the years. Favorite place to eat, etc.

On the other hand, we also take a 2nd or 3rd vacation every year during the summer or time other than spring break. This trip is always something new and adventuresome. We like to travel to part of the US that we have not seen or experienced yet. This year was a 3 week trip to the SW that included Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.

We do both.

This year we went to Germany and Austria. It was all new to me. My husband had been to a couple places we went when he was in the army 15 or so years ago, but for the most part, it was new to him too. We also went to Big Sur this year, which we have been to many many times and love it.

Next year we are planning to return to New Orleans for our anniversary - we spent our honeymoon there. We are also contemplating a camping trip next summer along the north coast of California. My husband has never been there and I haven't been since I was a small child.

And of course, the planner that I am, I am already thinking about the year after that. If we can manage to go in spring or fall, perhaps Italy? Neither of us has been there

I'd rather go out and see somewhere new! I know people who return to Las Vegas every year. Same goes for Disney -- relatives go every single year. I feel like kids should get to experience more to the world than a theme park. Go once or twice, great, it's a fun trip. But every year seems excessive to me. Whatever floats your boat though!

The only place I wouldn't mind going every year is Italy. I've been twice so far (different cities each trip though) and gearing up for a third trip soon, I hope

"I think it was determined that non-inventive people who have no sense of adventure keep going back to the same place over & over."

Actually, I think it was determined that different people enjoy different things. Clearly some people enjoy thinking they're "better" because they travel differently.

I do both. New places are great to explore, and my first trip is usually a "just hit the highlights" thing. But, if I like the area, I will go back and go more in-depth. No matter how many times you go somewhere, there's always something new and different - it just takes a special kind of inventive person with a great sense of adventure to find those hidden gems.

I love this thread! I knew it would be controversial...I would say I am "both" as well. I love to try new places but get terribly disappointed if its not up to my expectations or over-hyped by others. I do return to places that my family and I really enjoy--national parks and Hawaii-- because I find them relaxing vacations. However, we do try to add a new "adventure" to the places we are revisiting...

Put me down for both also.

My parents own a cabin on a lake in upper Wisconsin. I've been going there every summer since I was two. It wouldn't be summer without a trip Up North. My kids feel the same way.

Other than that, my list of places I want to visit keeps getting longer, both within and outside of the U.S.

We went to Japan earlier this year and that was our most adventurous trip so far.
I thought Costa Rica was going to be an adventure, and it was, so beautiful. But getting around was so easy and the Ticos are so friendly. I feel more out of place in Mexico - which is our favorite place to go to escape Wisconsin winters. It's easy and cheap.

So many places to go, so little time and money. *sigh*

Wow, so we're unusual in that we don't do both if I correctly assess the posts so far. I can def. see the appeal of returning to a place you now is relaxing and really learning a lot about it.

SAnParis: Yup, we check it off the list (can you see me wince as I type) but also try to schedule some down time days to relax and enjoy local food/culture. Wait, wait--can I increase your "cringe-factor" and add that we actually HAVE a list (the book, 1000 Places To See Before You Die--many of which are questionable choices from what we've seen thus far) but we certainly don't just limit ourselves to "The List"--it isn't gospel to us, just someone's opinion but it's actually fun to check it off.

Uh, oh, what am I exposing myself to here....?

Suffice it to say you travel for differing reasons than we do...Part of the travel experience for my family is to - 1. hopefully relax 2. learn something, particularly if it is someplace new for us, or our children 3. broaden our horizons 4. immerse ourselves in the culture & place (if applicable). I don't have a list, but am constantly seeking out places that most people probably don't go (Montserrat for example) + I'm still trying to get some time in Iceland.

I would say both also. Lately it would be more of the same locally, (SF bay area, central coast), because of both time and money contraints.

I'm going to guess you're not very old either...what your parents are doing may not seem so odd, 10 or 15 years from now...I have 2 small children BTW (4 & 17 months).

DH and I never return to the same old place. When we visit a state we see all that we can, as we are retired so can take all the time we need. Once we have seen it thats it. There is too many places to visit in the world, to boring to go back to someplace we have already been.

Most of the time I am solidly in the "explore new places" side.

But we return to many old favorites sometimes, too. We've been to Cape Cod 4x, Colorado 3x, and Siesta Beach and Sanibel Island several times. We visit Manhattan 2-3x/year b/c we live close (Phila).

And while I not overly fond the Jersey shore, we can't beat a 90 min. day drive to the beach on summer weekend a few times each summer. I would be totally bored spending a week at the beach - anywhere- every summer. But that's just me. For some people, that's the perfect summer vacation. When I say I would hate doing that, I'm not saying people who do that are bad. I'm just saying it's not for me.

You can't see the whole world, it just can't be done...why not slow down & actually enjoy the moment...wherever you are ? Just a thought.

We do both. Most of our repeaters are closer to home, so far, but we have only begun to travel!!

I have really enjoyed reading this thread, schlegal! Fodorites are some really interesting people. And I must say those of you who do the repeat vacations, I applaud you for your choices. Like Kal to Kauai and suze to Switzerland, to name just 2 who posted. What better places to travel as repeat offenders?! ;-) Wow!