Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 18:50     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
Anonymous wrote:I don't want to be a sucker waiting in line for anything hip and viral and trendy. If there is a line outside the door I will not be joining it.


+1
Nothing with a line, ever!
I was in Honolulu this summer and there was a line 1000 people long outside the hotel. These people were spending their entire morning in this line. What was it? “The Stussy store.” A shirt you can only get in Hawaii. WTF!! Who travels to spend time this way?
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:52     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I will never, ever again go on a “beach vacation” anywhere in the world. I am a working stiff so my time off is limited and spending it like a blob in the sand is a hard boring “no”


I believed this vehemently until I moved to CA. I couldn’t stand east coast beaches, even the nicer ones in Massachusetts or North Carolina. Didn’t like the Caribbean.

I’m not a fan of the Southern Californian beaches but love the ones in Northern California. Big Sur, Point Reyes, Monterey and the northern/western ones in Santa Cruz.


What do you love about them? If it's for the scenery or you are a surfer, I get it. Northern California are stunningly beautiful, but I don't think it's what most people picture when they think of a beach vacation. The water is freezing and people frequently underestimate how deadly/dangerous the surf can be in many places, even during casual wading. Much of the coastline is far more exposed than East coast beaches with fewer barrier islands and natural protections to buffer the surf, so we have stronger rip currents, steeper drop-offs, sneaker waves, heavier shore break, etc.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:33     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
I'm not running myself ragged trying to see everything anymore.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:14     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
I would do beach vacations if I weren’t so pasty. I burn too easily to make it relaxing.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:10     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I will never, ever again go on a “beach vacation” anywhere in the world. I am a working stiff so my time off is limited and spending it like a blob in the sand is a hard boring “no”


So sad and depressing


I agree that sitting on a beach for more than a day is a waste of vacation time. It's a non vacation.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:09     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
We usually aim for 1 museum. Or I’ll hit up a museum on my own while my family does something else.

I like to pop into a church for a few minutes. It’s nice to sit and I love to stumble into music or relics or gorgeous stained glass.

DH is pale so if we do a beach, we get a chairs with umbrellas. DCs love snorkeling so we’ll happily spend hours in the water.

I like vacations where we can do a combo of nature plus city. And magnets are usually the only things we buy. Traveling light is the way to go!
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:08     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
Anonymous wrote:I don't want to be a sucker waiting in line for anything hip and viral and trendy. If there is a line outside the door I will not be joining it.


Not no beaches poster, but share a similar sentiment. I also hate lines with a passion so you won't see me doing that either. Now that my kids are tweens/teens, we just explore a ton on foot//public transportation in great cities. Our last 3 trips were Montreal and London in the summer and Madrid this past new year. They've started to really appreciate all the great local cuisine options so we mix in some nice meals after the exploring. I realize this isn't for everyone, but works for our family at this age.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:07     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
Recently came to the realization that when I am reading a travel article and they about your “strategy”’for visiting a place - get there early, buy tickets in advance, go later in the day to avoid crowds, hire a guide or whatever- I will always decide not to go. I don’t want to go anywhere I have to have a “strategy” to visit.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 16:51     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
Anonymous wrote:We stopped buying souvenirs. Sure, I might buy a purse, clothes, etc. but I’m not buying traditional souvenirs. I do still pick up a Christmas ornament if I come across something unique.


Same. And now we’re running out of space on our tree so even that is limited to more special ones now. Ditto scarves. I’ll still add jewelry like nice earrings. I might buy a cute pen.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 15:32     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
Anonymous wrote:I love how we travel now - its all about walking and exploring and meeting people vs. an action packed day full of "experiences" and activities when we travelled with our kids. Yes, we will rent bikes, but go out by ourselves- the internet or chat GPT is the most amazing resource for off the beaten track places to avoid the crowds. Yes we will go to a vineyard but skip the tour and the VIP tasting or whatever. We wander - it's so romantic and we are older - in our 50s - but still fit and able to do many active things. It's amazing how many people you meet and talk to when you are not with kids or a big group, and that has become the beauty of travel. It's amazing how liberating it is to not have reservations or a strict agenda for every moment. We stay at properties with pretty sunsets and just enjoy a snack and sunset at home many nights. The best!


Aspiring to be this person in 10 years or so when we're empty nesters!
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 15:30     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
I don't want to be a sucker waiting in line for anything hip and viral and trendy. If there is a line outside the door I will not be joining it.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 15:22     Subject: Re:Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
Anonymous wrote:Those of you who are hating on “beach” vacations—what beaches are you going to? We’ve done a lot of vacations that incorporate beaches but so many other things. Croatia, Corsica, France, Spain—all have lovely beaches, cafes, museums, places to hike, churches, national parks and monuments….many things to do besides lying on the sand, but also that if you feel like it.


I am the “no more beaches” poster. I have been all over. I don’t consider flying to a coastal region that happens to have coastline within driving distance a “beach vacation.” Like Naples or Majorca or Palermo. If you’re spending your days inside churches and museums, touring monuments, hiking in national parks etc, you’re not on a “beach vacation.”

Meanwhile, sure, Tulum and Phuket probably have a little museum and lots of cafes but sitting on the sand staring at water is the point


Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 14:03     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
I don't bother buying trinkets or souvenirs. Even for myself.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 14:01     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
Anonymous wrote:I will never, ever again go on a “beach vacation” anywhere in the world. I am a working stiff so my time off is limited and spending it like a blob in the sand is a hard boring “no”


I believed this vehemently until I moved to CA. I couldn’t stand east coast beaches, even the nicer ones in Massachusetts or North Carolina. Didn’t like the Caribbean.

I’m not a fan of the Southern Californian beaches but love the ones in Northern California. Big Sur, Point Reyes, Monterey and the northern/western ones in Santa Cruz.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 13:55     Subject: Anything you DON'T bother doing anymore on trips?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I will never, ever again go on a “beach vacation” anywhere in the world. I am a working stiff so my time off is limited and spending it like a blob in the sand is a hard boring “no”


Same! One day is enough
So boring


Also agree. Beach vacations are so boring.


Only boring people get bored.