Others who are watching their pocketbooks more carefully are planning their own "staycations," exploring places that are closer to home, sometimes for the very first time.
"Real discovery," wrote French novelist Marcel Proust, "comes not from seeing new landscapes, but from having new eyes."
Set your sights on nearby hotels, attractions, restaurants, and small businesses that are offering special travel packages this season, beginning with National Tourism Week May 10-18. Why not check into a local bed-and-breakfast, make reservations at a swanky restaurant, or pamper yourself at a luxurious spa? Lounge around the pool, hike a forgotten forest, or rent a scooter. Turn a day trip into a relaxing weekend getaway and pretend you're far, far away. This time, nobody's going to lose your luggage.
Best of all, you'll know that while you stayed put, you kept the economy moving. Nationwide, the U.S. travel industry directly employs 7.5 million people, generates payroll of $178 billion and tax revenues of about $110 billion. Visitors to the U.S. spent more here than U.S. residents traveling abroad, creating a positive balance of trade of $8.3 billion for the national economy. Travel expenditures within the United States total $740 billion.
Where will you go this summer?
The Culinary Tourist appears twice a month in Gather Essentials: Travel. Go exploring with award-winning documentary producer Lisa Gensheimer as she discovers the fun, food and people she meets along the way. Whether you're visiting the home of a faraway friend, stopping for directions at a roadside market, or on holiday in an exotic location, richly layered experiences await. Read more about Lisa's work at Main Street Media or join Lisa's gather network.
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Comments: 49
Seriously, though we're going to do some traveling this summer, we also do plan to explore a bit more around the area too. There are always new restaurants to be discovered. This past winter we'd gotten a bit comfortable at our usual haunts. I think we want to branch out a bit for the summer.
I'll post a story on Lancaster's upcoming FlavorFest sometime tomorrow. Hold the hamburgers and hotdogs --one of the most fertile farmlands in the U.S. will serve up three days of food, drink and fun.
"Real discovery," wrote French novelist Marcel Proust, "comes not from seeing new landscapes, but from having new eyes."
WELL SAID ~ I'll keep Marcel's words posted around somewhere.
Blessings ~
Rene
I am sure those in other cities can offer similar tips.
The place we rented in Hampton, New Hampshire was sold, so we have to find another place to go. Believe it or not, I live in one of the most beautiful places on the East Coast. I suppose, the only way I have survived all the hard work I have to do to be able to afford to stay here, is to take day trips and get renewed in these beautiful natural surroundings. That said, I need to get away when I'm on vacation. Plus, when we go on vacation, everything costs so much less. I'm still looking for some place to go but I haven't had much time to do so. I just finished another final today. I have two more to go before the end of June. Thanks for your support.
state. Rhode Island. Them ferry our to my other sister's summer home in Nantucket. I also,
do not have a car...I ferry, fly (ugh), and should brought the coolest bike in the world. I am having so much fun getting around Rhode Island on my bike. they have the greatest bike paths as does Nantucket...Come & visit!! ~mo-zy
I loved the Proust quote and think it spot on.
I know my home area very well. Edinburgh is home to many tourists, including members of my own family from overseas - we conduct tourist visits every year, including the Military Tattoo at the castle.
This is a fabulous idea. There are still places in Boston and the surrounding area that I need to check out. And I can get to most of them via public transportation, or in some cases, just walk there.
We are going to Vegas in Sept. Nowhere this summer due to high gas prices.