Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Empty nesters. Our vacations are so different now.

In some ways, it is more simplified because of age and being able to afford luxury, convenience and comfort, and in some other ways it is more complex because there is more mindfulness and we are more purposeful. Our mortality is staring us in the face.

Also, travelling with kids when we were younger was a totally different experience. The logistics was totally different, what our kids wanted determined where we stayed (hotel must have a swimming pool, no more than 4 hrs of driving, must dig in the sand, are we there yet, can we buy that tchatche ) and we were not that lavish in our spending. We also ate a lot in mid-level stuff (fast food, olive garden, stopping for ice-cream, going to bakeries etc) and bought a lot of crap that our kids wanted.

Now - no beach vacation and baking in the sun, sand and salt. We will visit a beach for scenery, taking walks, parasailing, sunsets-sunrises, cruise, collecting sea shells but no desire to go swimming etc.

Now - we do a lot of research on everything we want to see weeks before our trip, watch documentaries and travel blogs, have the right gear for whatever we want to do, rent 4-wheel drive vehicles and stay in most convenient and comfortable places. Use a lot of AI assistance in planning as well as understanding what we are seeing.

Now - we will go to $$$ and well rated places for dinners, but eat super-healthy for breakfast and lunch. My DH cooks our breakfast and packs our lunch and snacks. No longer going for ice-creams and baked goods.

Now - no AirBnB. no cooking, no cleaning, no dishes, no doing laundry.

Now - will absolutely book a massage in an expensive spa if it is on the property.

Now - no shopping unless it is magnets and something that I will use in daily life. No buying gifts for others.

Now - clothes are simplified, and I am vacuum packing every goddamn thing in our suitcases.

Now - I will use the lounges in the airports, I will take hot showers if I can, I will upgrade whatever comfort I can.

Evolving vacations. Grateful to experience.

Anonymous wrote:Empty nesters. Our vacations are so different now.

In some ways, it is more simplified because of age and being able to afford luxury, convenience and comfort, and in some other ways it is more complex because there is more mindfulness and we are more purposeful. Our mortality is staring us in the face.

Also, travelling with kids when we were younger was a totally different experience. The logistics was totally different, what our kids wanted determined where we stayed (hotel must have a swimming pool, no more than 4 hrs of driving, must dig in the sand, are we there yet, can we buy that tchatche ) and we were not that lavish in our spending. We also ate a lot in mid-level stuff (fast food, olive garden, stopping for ice-cream, going to bakeries etc) and bought a lot of crap that our kids wanted.

Now - no beach vacation and baking in the sun, sand and salt. We will visit a beach for scenery, taking walks, parasailing, sunsets-sunrises, cruise, collecting sea shells but no desire to go swimming etc.

Now - we do a lot of research on everything we want to see weeks before our trip, watch documentaries and travel blogs, have the right gear for whatever we want to do, rent 4-wheel drive vehicles and stay in most convenient and comfortable places. Use a lot of AI assistance in planning as well as understanding what we are seeing.

Now - we will go to $$$ and well rated places for dinners, but eat super-healthy for breakfast and lunch. My DH cooks our breakfast and packs our lunch and snacks. No longer going for ice-creams and baked goods.

Now - no AirBnB. no cooking, no cleaning, no dishes, no doing laundry.

Now - will absolutely book a massage in an expensive spa if it is on the property.

Now - no shopping unless it is magnets and something that I will use in daily life. No buying gifts for others.

Now - clothes are simplified, and I am vacuum packing every goddamn thing in our suitcases.

Now - I will use the lounges in the airports, I will take hot showers if I can, I will upgrade whatever comfort I can.

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.

Anonymous wrote:I think shopping has gotten really global most places: same trinkets, same chain stores, same beauty products you can also get on Amazon. So that isn't so exciting unless you find artisan-owned places.