Joy of Same-Old-Place by Pamela Lanier

Travel Tips

THE JOY OF SAME-OLD-PLACE

Sure, it's fun and glamorous to vacation in a new locale each time, but it's also cumbersome and requires a great deal of planning, and then there are no guarantees. That's why many families adhere to the joys of "The Same-Old Place," be it a family cabin, a rental condo on a favorite beach, or a rustic retreat. Both children and parents are heartened by the ease and familiarity of returning year after year.

With people moving at such a fast pace, and everything in flux, it's reassuring to children to return to a favorite spot, and maybe even see some familiar vacation neighbors. The returning friends comes even more into play as children grow older, and as hanging out with their peers becomes an essential part of life.

And this formula works as well for an exotic locale as it does for one closer to home. We have friends who have vacationed very happily each summer at a small rental villa in Jamaica. The cook and housekeeper who attend to the place have become cherished family friends and have added a rich view of another culture to the ease of a same-place vacation.

One thing's for sure, when you don't have to spend time trying to figure out the basics of a new place, it's a lot easier to slip immediately into relaxation mode.

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