Yes, J Correa, my father was exactly like that also.

And I do have a special vacation place that I return to and own in Michigan many times a year- and for the same reasons. Nothing like seeing the swans from last Fall going through there "growing up" traits. Or to see a crane build a new nest next to the old territory. I treasure that continuity,
and really worked hard to get that opportunity. I've sacrificed many other material goods/new cars etc. through the years, and don't do the expensive gourmet meal either. Sometimes we have to choose.

But I do like the new and adventurous and pick at least one new city each year- and sometimes fit two in. This is because after many years, I can be gone from my job for about 6 weeks total. Many don't have the choice- with so much time restraint.

As I am getting older and realize that the wanderlust will not be fufilled in many cases, I rarely now duplicate cities- even the ones I have liked the most. This includes both USA and passport territory.

I go both ways! Love going somewhere new. Drives my husband crazy because he claims that I never want to go to the same place twice no matter how much we loved it. He likes trying new places too but he also enjoys visiting familar places. As I get older I enjoy returning to the same places more and more. I think my quest for the new stems from having the same summer vacation for years growing up. We never went anywhere except Cape Cod.

I go both ways too bennnie, I take a trip to the Canadian Rockies every single year because they are spectacular and are only 4 hours driving time away from home.

But, every year I now take a trip to a new city also, last year was New York (love, love, loved it too), and this year is San Francisco. I am sure that I will love that also. Planning New Orleans next year. I think a mix of both new and familiar places is what suits me best.

Here's a little different spin on the question. A work associate of mine says he'll travel anywhere, as long he's got a 4 Seasons or equivalent to stay in. If the destination is a beach locale, he rarely leaves the "compound". Well traveled? Yes. Adventuresome? Not at all.

So true, beachbum. I know some people like that. I often wonder, too, about those people who have second homes - do they feel obligated to go there all the time instead of new places? Sometimes I think I'd love an apartment in Paris, then I remember there's so many other places to see...then I look at my bank account :)

This topic has been raised a few times before on various threads, and there was one reply that will forever stick in my head (and I hope to use it one day) - was it Patrick who said this? - Whenever people pooh-pooh your choice of destination when they haven't left the safety of their Starbucks and Home Depot routines in years, just say, "Why? Did you have a particularly bad experience the last time you were there?" Priceless...

Yes, beachbum, exactly. That's why I call my vacations adventures, because they are. And ironically I never hit beaches much either, and it is never for more than 2 days if I do. One relative years ago, told me that she wouldn't go on a vacation withe me because they were to much like "work" to her. She just goes to resorts and lays in one spot. My vacations are all very active ones.

And reading this thread, I suddenly realized that I am getting about 3 new states or cities in a year now. Some of the smaller cities are extremely enjoyable. One of the best times I ever had was Kansas City in summer and almost 100 degrees day and night. But we had a great time, remembered now years later, very fondly.

Thanks for all of your insight and opinions! I still have my annual beach trip every year to Sunset Beach, North Carolina. That is where I stay at the same house, eat at the same seafood place, and don't stray too far from the house or beach. I am in my late 20's, well I'll be 30 in August. I just enjoy traveling. My family NEVER went on vacations in the summer. I was 6 years old when I first saw the beach and I live in NC. I developed the travel bug in my late teens. My Dad saves all is money and tells everyone "She spends hers on Spain and Keywest". I work a full and part time job and I am also a Graduate student. He asked me the other day why I continued to wait tables. I replied I have to pay for Grad school. He said "if you didn't go on all those trips you wouldn't have to work two jobs". My reply, "I sure am happy though"!!!
Audrey in NC

One time Mrs Kal told me "Take me somewhere I've never been before".

So I told her "How about THE KITCHEN"?
:-"
Hey! What do you expect?...It's lunch hour and I got low blood sugar. b(

We do very little resting while on vacation. I live in Florida so have little interest in sunbathing on the beach or lying around a hotel pool. I want to be out exploring, seeing the sights, trying new restaurants, etc. For example last summer we spent about nine days in Costa Rica. We went deep sea fishing, zip lining, white water rafting, surfing, rode horseback in the rainforest and hiked quite a few miles. We did manage to squeeze in a few hours of relaxation but for the most part we were going and seeing.

I figure I can always relax with a few days at the beach when I get home. But if I am somewhere I have never been, I want to experience it all. You will never find me at an all-inclusive! I understand people who just want to lie around and relax on vacation but I am just not one of them!

Audrey
Although you're Dad may not say so, he is very proud of your work ethic! You have done well. A traveling grad student at 29! Ir just dosn't get much better then that. :-)

opps, "YOUR Dad" sorry.....

You all have really given me a lift after reading all your replies. I thought my wife and I were the only ones who felt this way. I might add one little quirk of mine to this. Other than booking the plane tickets for any destination in the U.S. I never book any motel/hotel. I do not like the idea of being in a certain spot on a certain day. What if we find a place that we want to spend 2-3 days at? Our friends cannot imagine traveling like this. I always view it as an adventure and feel it will somehow work out. So far it has. Have stayed in many Mom and Pop motels that were fine and were off the "beaten path"

cd,
Thank you! I think it is hard for him to say that. You brought a smile to my face!
Audrey in NC

Last year the real icee and I went to northern Michigan on vacation. We got all kinds of looks and questions about why we chose to go to Michigan of all places.

It was one of our best vacations (they all are great) ever and we will be returning to northern Michigan again in October.

Yes, cgrk, exactly so. I LOVE the drive vacations where I don't know where I will end up at night. We did one very spur of the moment from Chicago to Biloxi, MS and back just last year and hit 3 or 4 cities on the way. I just couldn't book the hotels ahead, as I didn't want to have to rush to get "there" when I was interested in something "here". Many do think this is nuts, but then nuts is wonderful in my book. Many favorites have been found like this and are not the tourist spots with crowds, that many prefer. And I
really do get to talk to some local people oftentimes with this method. It can have its downsides but not large compared to the upsides, IMHO.

audreyh1, you are never going to regret the grad school or the travel. Kudos!

Hey iceeu2 - my mom and one of her friends went to Michigan on vacation a couple years ago. They had a blast. They wanted to go on vacation, so they picked a place that neither of them had been to before.

I forgot to add to this comment: CAll me crazy, but I get the biggest thrill when my plane is about to land in a city I have never visited!

We live in Southern CA and seems we always get an odd look from everyone when we are going anywhere besides Las Vegas and Hawaii - especially if we are going to the Midwest (which we love). You should have seen the looks when we went to Michigan last Oct. Everyone thought we were nuts. We had been there many times before and knew we'd have a great time. We went from the Detroit Area and then all over Michigan from theLake Huron Side to Northern MI to the Lake Michigan side. The weather was great, the colors were beautiful and the people were friendly. It was great.

Cali, glad you enjoyed your visit to our beautiful state. You came at the perfect time of year too. October in Michigan is gorgeous!

I love going to places I've never been before. Just last weekend I went to St. Louis (I was there once as a child) for exactly that reason (that and it worked out to go with a friend). My grandparents traveled to the same spot in Maine every year, and while I love them dearly, never understood that approach to vacationing. Don't get me wrong, there are a few places I enjoy going back to frequently (I've got relatives in New England, and never get sick of going out there to visit) but I love to visit new places as well. This year I'm planning on finally getting out to that mysterious west coast ;) as I think it is a crime that even though I've been to Europe (on more than on occaision) and South America, I've never been to California ;)