We currently have a deposit down for G Adventures Family Journeys trip to Japan for this December. The deposit is only $300/person, PIF isn't until 90 days out, for the 6 of us, plus my parents. We haven't got tickets yet as we had just really started looking when the pandemic hit. We should be able to transfer the deposit to something further out.
So, I'm pretty sure that financially it would be irresponsible to spend that much on a trip right now. We're fine, but with 3 kids in college next year, and the economy doing who knows what, we'd really rather keep a large cushion in the bank (thank goodness, since I drew no pay for 5 weeks during the initial shut down.) I'm also not sure I want to be on a plane that long and in a big city, assuming Americans will even be let into foreign countries any time soon.
I still want to do something in December, as that will be the last year that the oldest girls will still be in college, so everyone has guaranteed time off. (well, presumed guaranteed, who knows what schools will be doing )
To add another layer of complexity, if my parents come with us, we can't do too many really active things - they're 78 with so, so knees and healthy but not athletic (so no skiing, snowshoeing, etc.)
We live in Texas and no experience with driving in snow, etc.
All of you experienced travelers, any ideas on economical vacations in the US? I'd actually love Yellowstone, though unsure if I can sell that to the family. I was also thinking the Florida Keys. We're not huge beach goers in general (lots of red heads) and like off the beaten path things, and we love trying new foods. We could do some more active pursuits and leave the parents for a day, but wouldn't want to make a whole trip of that. I'd love to go to Hawaii but I'm afraid over Christmas it will be very expensive.
I know we can't really plan much for certain now, but I thought if I had a few ideas, we could see how things look 6-8 weeks out and decide then. That is so NOT my usual way to plan, but life isn't normal right now, is it??
So, I'm pretty sure that financially it would be irresponsible to spend that much on a trip right now. We're fine, but with 3 kids in college next year, and the economy doing who knows what, we'd really rather keep a large cushion in the bank (thank goodness, since I drew no pay for 5 weeks during the initial shut down.) I'm also not sure I want to be on a plane that long and in a big city, assuming Americans will even be let into foreign countries any time soon.
I still want to do something in December, as that will be the last year that the oldest girls will still be in college, so everyone has guaranteed time off. (well, presumed guaranteed, who knows what schools will be doing )
To add another layer of complexity, if my parents come with us, we can't do too many really active things - they're 78 with so, so knees and healthy but not athletic (so no skiing, snowshoeing, etc.)
We live in Texas and no experience with driving in snow, etc.
All of you experienced travelers, any ideas on economical vacations in the US? I'd actually love Yellowstone, though unsure if I can sell that to the family. I was also thinking the Florida Keys. We're not huge beach goers in general (lots of red heads) and like off the beaten path things, and we love trying new foods. We could do some more active pursuits and leave the parents for a day, but wouldn't want to make a whole trip of that. I'd love to go to Hawaii but I'm afraid over Christmas it will be very expensive.
I know we can't really plan much for certain now, but I thought if I had a few ideas, we could see how things look 6-8 weeks out and decide then. That is so NOT my usual way to plan, but life isn't normal right now, is it??