DH and I have different vacation "personalities"

[Anonymous]

I've always known this and have managed to drag him twice to the Carribbean but he has not enjoyed himself. He loves visiting European cities and going to museums and historical sites. I like those things, too, but occasionally need a beach fix. With two kids, I now want to explore closer-to-home options like mountains, hiking, resort spas, etc. but he is very negative about spending our vacation time in this way. He agrees that we are not going to Europe with two young children and will take them to Disneyworld in about a year.

Any advice for reconciling future vacations? Oh, and btw, he does love Vegas. I can only take so much of Vegas. I would say the one domestic trip we both loved was San Fran/Napa.

Based on the above, any particular kinds of vacations you could recommend to us with children? Would love to hear from others who have conflicting ideas about what constitutes a "good vacation."

[Anonymous]

San Diego? Lots of gorgeous beaches and museums/historical sites, and spas/hikes, as well as stuff for the kids like SeaWorld/Zoo.

[Anonymous]

We loved Panama. My husband found the Panama Canal and the colonial ruins fascinating. (The kids and I found it interesting but that was his favorite part of the trip.) We went to Gamboa rain forest and saw monkeys, sloths, and crocodiles. Then we all went to the beach for a few days to relax.

[Anonymous]

Charleston SC? Spend some time at the nearby beaches, hit some historic sights.

Boston -- you can take public transportation to Revere Beach.

When your kids are ready for Europe, Nice and environs?

[Anonymous]

Can't you just alternate picking/planning vacations? That said, what about some national parks? Many if them have interesting histories. You could even stay at a historic lodge. Or what about Canada? Banff is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Our solution - I stay home, DH takes the kids on the vacations I don't like or can't/won't get away from work for, anyway.

Everybody wins!

[Anonymous]

Try to find places where you can do both, such as:
-- When you are ready for Europe, go to Portugal and spend 3 days in Lisbon and 3 days at at the beaches in the south. Or go to Venice and see the city but stay on the beach area.
--For a shorter domestic trip, maybe Miami Beach, 2 days sightseeing in the city and 2 days at the beach.
--A resport outside of Cancun would be great, the Mayan ruins are fantastic and you can get plenty of beach time there too (and direct flights are easy).
--Atlantic City is *much* nicer than it used to be, spend 2 days there and 3 days at Ocean City or Cape May.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our solution - I stay home, DH takes the kids on the vacations I don't like or can't/won't get away from work for, anyway.

Everybody wins!

How much vacation does he get that he's willing to vacation without you? How old are your kids? How many kids do you have?

[Anonymous]

We have not only different ideas but different vacation "pacing" my DH just wants to go, go,go all the time and see everything. I enjoying seeing things but I don't feel the need to come home from vacation more exhausted than I left. Our compromise has been to find the balance between our two needs. Just as PP mentioned Portugal had the best combo for our family. We spent 5 days at the beach (now we didn't actaully spend the whole day at a beach we had to explore multiple beaches but it was so beautiful and hot that was fine.) Then we spent 4 days in Lisbon. We've done that in Italy with kids as well. Beach and city. Although our kids are less interested in Museums but love to hike and explore a city. Once we started to compromise we find a location and find things that everyone will enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Northern Italy might be fun for you, there is Milan, Genoa, the Val D'aosta has roman ruins, great hiking or skiing, I really enjoyed Cinque Terre and the Ligurian coast and it's a short train trip to Nice or Provence. Maybe DH would like Amalfi Coast if it included Pompei? I want to do that trip when the kids can all swim and are more interested in history.

[Anonymous]

We tend to alternate between cultural and outdoorsy vacations. You are lucky to not have to be always visiting relatives!
How about a trip back to California and this time do the Sierras, Yosemite, Tahoe as well as San Francisco

[Anonymous]

Same problem. Our solution is to go on separate trips. I take DC always; DH takes DC most of the time (but not to Vegas)

[Anonymous]

I find the vacationing separately strange and wonder what message it sends to the children and says about your ability to compromise in your marriage. Doing this for weekend trips is fine....

[Anonymous]

Spain, Greece, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, the options are amazing! countries. Tons of history and gorgeous beaches.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who moved to Albania and says it is amazing, the prices are low, there are Greek and Roman ruins everywhere and you can just stroll around them i.e. not the crowd control you find at other sites, and lots of beaches and waterview cafes. Food is very Med style with touches of Middle East. Also heard good things about Slovenia and Croatia.