weekend trip | Travel

Thank God for Friday—the gateway to a new weekend adventure. Celebrated in movies and songs, the weekend looms large in the imagination. It seduces us with the heady possibilities of recreation, relaxation, and romance. It’s our eagerly anticipated escape valve, a release from the daily grind. “Be in the habit of getting up bright and early on the weekends. Why waste such precious time in bed?”

Here are some exciting ideas:

Rent a house: It has all the comforts of home but provides the excitement of something new. Renting a house for the weekend gives you plenty of freedom—cook, watch movies, take naps on the couch, play board games…the possibilities are endless
Cruise to Nowhere: A cruise is always a great vacation option, but a week-long affair is a big commitment. Try a cruise to nowhere—a quick one- or two-night getaway on a cruise ship that goes, literally, nowhere. There are no ports of call, so you can focus strictly on relaxation and enjoy the ship’s amenities, including restaurants, spas, entertainment, shopping, swimming pools, and more. Sign up for a yoga class, watch a movie, hit the midnight buffet, and take in a comedy show—it’s all right there under one roof.
Go Camping: A weekend in the woods communing with nature is the perfect antidote for your hectic daily life. First, decide how much you want to rough it: You can stay in a rustic cabin, book a site with room for your car or RV or just sling on a backpack, go for a hike, and pitch a tent. Whatever your style, once you’re ensconced in nature, there’s usually plenty to do—hiking, swimming, fishing, and the all-important s’more-making around the campfire.
Be adventurous: Try for new adventurous sport which you have never tired. Options are many. Go for scuba driving, trekking, para-sailing, paragliding, rock climbing, river rafting. Discover yourself!
To be a tourist in your own town: Want an easy escape without going too far? Check into that quaint bed-and-breakfast or fancy hotel that you’ve always been curious about in your very own town. Let someone else cook breakfast, then explore the quirky sights and stores that you’ve passed by millions of times without stopping for a second look. Feed the ducks at the pond, drive around unfamiliar neighborhoods to admire the architecture. Ignore your usual haunts and reminders of the daily grind—no stopping into the grocery store or picking up a coffee. Instead, read the paper in the local park, and check out that little Thai place down the street—and fall in love with your hometown all over again.