Why I Don’t Go On Summer Vacation During The Summer

What you’ll learn in this story:

• The most popular US destinations
• Big city destinations can be hot, crowded and expensive
• Australia and Africa offer great summer deals (it’s winter down under)

I don’t travel on my summer vacation during the summer. Traveling during the summer, especially this year, will be expensive and a hassle. If you’re a bargain hunter you’ll never find an airline, hotel or all-inclusive tour package at a reasonable price. Planes will be cramped, the roads will be jammed and no matter where you go (well almost) it’s going to be hot.

Wow, that was a Debby Downer.

People need to get out

This year people need to get out (without blue masks). They have pent-up energy and money in their pocket. People want out. They’re done with national parks and staycations. Travelers want a night out on the town, attend a Broadway play and eat in a real restaurant.

The most popular destinations

People want to see Cheers in Boston, pretend they’re Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant from An Affair To Remember while at the Empire State Building (please don’t get hit by a car. Just go to the 102-floor and enjoy the view) or buy an outrageously overpriced sweatshirt along the Frisco Bay (more on that later. But please, it’s San Francisco or the Bay Area. Use of the name Frisco makes us cringe).

Spend big or stay home

Travel in 2022 will be a lesson in “go big or stay home.” The Word Travel & Tourism Council predicts that this summer, travel will infuse more than $2 trillion into the US economy. After two years of masking up and social distancing, people are signing up to pay two-to-three times more than normal to sit next to strangers.

But there won’t be any deals. Every seat on every flight and every hotel room will be full. Some airlines will be flying with a smaller fleet because so many flight professionals either quit or lost their jobs during Covid.

Travel during shoulder season

Because everything, and we mean everything, is going to be at premium this summer it’s probable that you’re going to blow your entire 2022 travel budget on one trip.

Ah, but there are ways to stretch your travel budget. If you are able to travel during shoulder season (April/May and September/October) you could get two or three trips out of the same amount of money and you may get some surprises along the way.

Chances are if you only travel during the summer months you’ve never seen the cherry blossoms in Washington. If you’ve never been to New England between mid-September and mid-October you’ve never experienced the changing of the seasons. Of course, every town has some form of autumn but New England is different. You’ve never seen leaves that are ruby red or mandarin orange as those in New England. And the Cape? It’s welcoming, uncrowded, populated with locals and affordable to boot.

I left my heart…in San Francisco

I actually didn’t leave my heart in San Francisco. I’m still here. I can always spot a tourist. You’re the one with the newly minted sweatshirt that cost $55 and I know you bought it at about 3:00 pm because “it’s so dang cold here.”

For those who might be tempted to quote Mark Twain, no he did not say, “The coldest winter I ever spent is a summer in San Francisco.” But it is cold here during the summer.

The origin of the famous line is a little unclear but it’s believed that Twain asked James Quin if he had ever seen such a bad winter and Quin replied, “Yes, just such an one as last summer.” I’m not sure what Quin said but I like the Twain quote better, even if he didn’t actually say it.

I probably shouldn’t tell you this but if you come in October, it’s the only month when we have real weather. Warm, sometimes hot, days and cool (but largely fogless) nights. There are concerts all around town, the Blue Angels fly overhead one weekend. October is the best time to visit the Bay Area. If you come in October it will save you at least $55.

Deals in Australia

There are some great deals if you’re willing in Australia (it’s their winter). Summer travel doesn’t mean you have to restrict your travel to the US, Europe or Asia. Remember it’s only summer in the northern hemisphere. Below the equator it’s autumn/winter. If you’re looking for a less expensive place to take the kids, think about Australia or Africa as a destination.

Round trip airfare to Australia during our winter/their summer can run as much as $3,000 for a non-stop. During the off-season (our summer/their winter) it’s possible to get a package deal (air and hotel) for about $3,000-3,500 depending on where you go.

The downside of visiting Australia is that you might feel as if you’re in a time warp. From a Covid perspective rules can change very quickly. One day you might need to wear a mask the entire time you’re on the airplane. Upon arrival you’ll be asked to present your digital record of Covid vaccinations and if you haven’t met the guidelines you may need to quarantine based on the rules of the state or territory where you entered.

African Safaris

If you head the other direction – to Africa – safaris are relatively inexpensive during our summer months. Travelers to Africa in August-to-mid September will find that temperatures aren’t quite as hot, and if the goal is go on a safari, the animals tend to congregate around bodies of water so you’re likely to see a wider variety of animals than if you went in Africa’s summer months. The other plus, it doesn’t rain as much in Africa’s winter.

If you head out on safari be sure to pack your camera gear as it will be the trip of a lifetime and you’ll want to document it.