Holidays

Most working Americans take at least four weeks’ holiday each year, in addition to the few one-day national holidays added to weekends. A new tendency to split the main holiday into two will probably grow, with the development of winter sports and easier access to the winter warmth of the Caribbean and Mexico.

In any one year some stay at home, for domestic or health reasons, or because they want or need to avoid expense. Some of the most ambitious work nearly all the time, and take no holiday at all, or very little. Some return to old homes, friends and relations far away, or go to see old friends who have moved to new homes.

For many people, a holiday of two weeks or more includes several long days of car travel, most of it monotonous. To serve these long-distance travellers there is a wealth of motels beside the roads, more comfortable and convenient than interesting, with heated or non-heated open air swimming pools. Some have self-catering facilities in their rooms, and many have ice-dispensers for customers who bring their drink with them.

Supplementary text. Summer vacations in a post-sept. 11 world

Terror alerts or no terror alerts, American feet are itching again. Travel-industry surveys suggest that most Americans will be taking a vacation this summer – though about 18% have scaled back their plans in response to Sept. 11. More trips will be taken Kerouac-style: on the road, on the cheap and in America. If you haven’t planned you getaway, you’re not alone. Travel agents say people are booking trips later that ever. But now you can take advantage of the trends.

How to Travel

For many, the air is a no-go zone. It’s not just the fear of terrorism, which has heightened in the past few weeks. It’s the fear of long waits at the airport.

So fares are low now, especially to Europe. Shop around, travel extra-light so you don’t have to check your luggage, bring a good book for the wait and wear clean socks, in case you are chosen for shoe inspection.

Because fewer people want to fly, cruise lines are bringing their ships Stateside and offering departures from new ports, including Baltimore, Md., and Norfolk, Va. They're also offering shorter cruises, to such familiar spots as the Caribbean, Alaska and Hawaii.

So more cruises are available more cheaply. Last year’s $700 three- to four-day cruise costs more like $400.

Where to Go

With flying scaled back, the roads will be jammed. Recreational-vehicle sales have soared. According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, nearly 7 million RVs will hit the road this season – all blocking the view of the cars behind them.

So with roads and campgrounds crowded, you best bet is to look into less popular spots. Instead of Yellowstone, try Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.

Because people are driving and taking shorter, cheaper holidays, many vacation spots, like Cape Cod, Santa Barbara and areas around the Great Lakes, are getting mostly “backdoor business” – travellers from neighboring states or towns.

So don’t give up on local fun spots, but you may have to settle for weekdays rather than weekends.

Hawaii has suffered a downturn in business in recent years and has been working hard to curry favor with travellers who want an overseas trip but don’t want to risk Europe.

So It’s safe, it’s exotic without being foreign and, most important, it wants you. We smell some bargains.