You've worked hard all year long.  You've put up with the stress, the office politics, the long hours, your boss, and getting paid less than what you're worth.  You've put in your time, done your job, and given your all.  At night, when you're fighting your way home through the stop-and-go traffic, the sounds of horns honking, people yelling and construction rumbling becomes just so much background noise.  Already exhausted, the heat rising off the asphault in long, shimmering waves slams into you like a fist, and you feel a headache coming on that has a little demon banging on drums behind your eyes.  In desperation, your thoughts turn longingly towards planning your upcoming vacation and going to some far-off, exotic destination.  Where would you like to go this year?  Paris?  Rome?  The Carribean?

Due to the high cost of traveling, taking a vacation overseas is something many people may only get to experience  a handful of times in their lives.  And it's only natural to want to see and do as much as possible in the short time you've got.

But think about your last vacation...if you're like most people, once you arrived at your destination, you had a travel itinerary that meant you spent a long, tiring day doing all the "touristy" things, listening to the practiced speech of your guide, walking up and down huge staircases, standing for long periods of time under a hot and unforgiving sun.  Then after 7 or 8 hours of being constantly on the go, eating cardboard food for lunch, and not having the time to really look at some of the things that interested you, you got back on the bus and went to your hotel, where you ate - something - before going back to your cramped, impersonal room and falling into an exhausted, but restless sleep.  Only to wake up bleary-eyed when the arlarm began to shrill at six-thirty the next morning. You slowly dragged your stiff and aching body out of bed, so you could begin the process all over again!  You took more buses, trains or planes, never staying in the same place for more than a day or two.  You saw lots of sights, took lots of pictures, probably bought a few souvenirs that are gathering dust on a shelf somewhere.  And when you got back on the plane to go home, you felt like you needed to have a vacation to get over your "vacation!"

Because it may be the only time you visit a particular country, your first impulse is going to be to try and get "the most bang for your buck."  But rather than spending all your time going from place to place, seeing this, walking around that, a slight shift in your perspective could save you a lot of money - and give you a truly unforgettable vacation as well!

If you've got at least two weeks (or longer), consider immersing yourself in the country of your choice. Rather than staying in a hotel (which in Europe is charged by the person rather than the room), think about renting an apartment or (depending on which country you're visiting) even a villa.  Short-term rentals of furnished apartments or houses (some with live-in help) are common, and offer many advantages - including the ability to cook "at home" when you want to, sleeping in the same bed every night, and having a "home base" from which to travel around the countryside. (And if you have the flexibility to schedule your trip during "low" season, you'll find the savings are even more significant.)

Think of the incredible opportunity you'll have to actually "experience" the culture, rather than just "seeing" it...You'll also be able to get to know the people, perhaps making new friends and actually living like the locals - giving you a first-hand look at what it would be like to actually "live" there.  You'll learn where the best (and cheapest) restaurants are, where to shop for local bargains, and enjoy local entertainment that is seldom, if ever, enjoyed by tourists.

Imagine sleeping in late, waking up to see a brilliant blue sky bathed in golden sunlight, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet scent of bouganvalia wafting in through your open window.  After enjoying a hot, flaky croissant and a cup of dark, rich coffee on the terrace, take a leisurely stroll to the old part of the city.  Meander down narrow cobblestoned streets to a busy and colorful open-air market bustling with the sounds, and scents and flavors of the area.  Choose from a wide variety of fresh, ripe fruits and vegetables for today's lunch and dinner.  After a quick stop at the fishmonger or butcher's, head back for a quick swim before lunch at the village's private beach. In the afternoon, let your curiosity guide you.  Take a leisurly drive to some of the local sights - a castle built during the middle ages, a tiny art museum, a gothic cathredral, or explore a quaint village clinging to the tops of rocky cliffs. 

Around 6 or so, stop in at one of the local sidewalk cafes, where you're greeted with smiles and nods from the locals, exchange a few pleasantries, and listen as smiling old men spin tall tales while you sip an aperitif - a speciality of the house.  After a delicious dinner made from the freshest ingredients and cooked to perfection, take a walk to the local club that one of your new friends told you would be "the" place to spend the evening - and not too many "tourists", either!

You've earned your vacation time - this year, make it something to remember!

Cheryl Antier