You CAN Go Home Again
I am recently back from a class reunion (it's a round number more than 10 less than 50) and am fondly remembering a great time seeing old friends, making new friends, remembering simpler times, and viewing old photos of myself and other friends who were - well, much thinner then.
To the best of my knowledge, everyone had a great time. Great band, people looked fantastic, awesome venue - in all, no complaints.
There was a common theme though, in talking with friends, and that was- we should get together more often. If I heard in once, I heard it a dozen times. Great sentiment, but not really practical, as so many people are scattered across the country - and even overseas.
Another suggestion was to incorporate other classes (a year or 2 on either side of ours) since so many of us had friends in other classes at the same school.
Great ideas!
Since I am in the travel business I have been giving this a great deal of thought over the past several days, and have a few ideas for additional get-togethers that might bring people back together for fun and reminiscing.
Without question, there is no way to get everyone together - but there are ways to get some people together to reconnect, either with or without families-
All-inclusives
All-inclusive resorts dot the Caribbean and Mexico. With excellent pricing right now, it is possible to arrange a flight and 4-5 nights at a great destination for well under $600 per person. So what does that include?
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
- Beverages (even alcoholic beverages)
- Use of facilities (water sports, tennis, sometimes even golf...)
- Entertainment - all-inclusives are famous for themed parties. games, etc)
With diverse islands including Jamaica (and their Meet the People program), Virgin Islands, Cozumel, The Dominican Republic & many more offering different vibes, it could be a great destination for including families, or keeping it "adults only"
Maybe it could even be a girlfriends getaway - say somewhere like Hedonism where "threesome is a freesome" promotion can help you save big!
Las Vegas
20 years ago Las Vegas was a destination for gambling, partying, seeing fabulous shows, eating cheap and not much more. Today it is all that and more. There is still a party, but now there are many attractions appealing to the whole family
- Excellent restaurants encourage top chefs from around the world compete for your attention
- World-class Spas pamper at many resorts on h Strip and stand alone spas off-strip
- Swimming pools have become attractions of their own
- Ghost tours are available
- CSI Experience
- Ever think of going zip-lining in Las Vegas? Well, you can!
Luxury Villas
Obviously, as the name might imply, luxury villas are not budget villas, but they can be surprisingly affordable - depending on location, size, staff, and most importantly - time of year.
For a small group of compatible people, sharing a luxury villa with several bedrooms can be an unforgettable experience that would otherwise be out of reach finanically. In addition, the villa would provide a much more intimate setting in which to visit, and potentially could even save money if most of the cooking were done on site. Dinners and cocktails do add up in nicer restaurants even in Mexico!
Cruise
Not everyone wants to go on a cruise, but for those that do, it's tough to find a better value in travel today. There are a great deal of port options now - not just Florida or California. Cruises to The Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda can be embarked from -
- New York
- Baltimore
- Charleston
- Galveston
- Mobile
- New Orleans
- to name a few. Departing from a city like New Orleans can add an entirely new dimension to the experience in spending a day or two seeing the city pre-cruise. With all food and entertainment included, and cruise prices starting from under $60 per person per day you can see how affordable a cruise can be. For example, the same 5 night cruise I went on last December is now starting at just $269pp (nearly $200 less than a year ago).
Golf, Spa & Resort Close to Home
It's amazing really, how close everyone is to a high quality resort and spa. There are wonderful properties across the country. For instance, I live in Indiana. The French Lick Resort & Spa (Hometown of Larry Bird) in southern Indiana is a fantastic old property located in a beautiful and remote part of the state, and has been recently renovated. I remember going there about 15 years ago and it wasn't anything to write home about - but now, lovely. With a wide range of activities ranging from hiking to bowling to golfing world class courses to enjoying the shopping, spas or casino, this type of resort is perfect for a weekend reunion / getaway.
Outer Banks of NC or other Coastal Destinations
It might not seem to be the stuff that class reunions are made of, but vacationing for a week at The Outer Banks of North Carolina could be another great opportunity to spend some quality time with family and old friends. There are a wide range of large rental homes that, like luxury villas in the Caribbean or Mexico, can be surprisingly affordable if shared amongst several families. The coast is driveable for most people, and with the opportunity to load up the bikes, coolers, scuba gear, golf clubs & whatever other gear & groceries you might need - a large Coastal Rental Home may be just the thing for your next "mini-reunion"
Things vs. People
The point is, many of us are learning - or remembering - that they can take your things, but they can't take your experiences. Your new car or computer or X-box will depreciate rapidly, but the memories you share will only appreciate over time. These days it's more important than ever to re-connect, remember the best of the past, and develop lasting relationships for the future. Make memories!
In short, you don't have to wait anothr 5 years to enjoy the people that made you who you are today - be they family or old friends
Can't Afford THAT!
Money IS tight for many people, but some people do still have a great job - have disposable income and just need a good reason to vacation, yet others need to prioitize what is important - here's a few money saving tips that might pay for your next vacation!
So what you YOU think?
Do you have a great reunion story, or idea, or a desire to try to get something together to reunite?
Share it here!
