Work/Life: What Is Your Ideal Vacation?

“I haven’t always been the best about prioritizing vacations, but like many of us, being home these past few months has made me crave some new and exciting travel adventures. In the past, my dream vacation would always include the beach, however the pull to travel internationally has been growing more and more. My wife and I have started a growing list of destinations that we can’t wait to start checking off: London, Sweden and Italy ­— to name a few. I’m looking forward to the time in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future when we can travel in person instead of having to rely on Netflix to bring us our travel fix!”

– Kellie Braband, account executive, Bostrom

“Friends and colleagues often find this hard to believe, but my ideal vacation is one where I don’t have to plan anything! I’m really okay being in the passenger seat and winging it. That said, it doesn’t hurt if the vacation has sun, water and wine. I like to vacation somewhere new, relax and get to experience what another place, community and culture has in store.”

– Bob Moore, MA, CAE, executive director, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians

“I have always wanted to visit Ireland. I would love to travel there for the scenery, history and to visit the areas my family members emigrated from in the 1850s. A trip like this seems like the perfect getaway to unplug and really enjoy living in the moment.”

– Emily Harris, MBA, CAE, marketing manager, Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals

“We had just traveled to France last fall for the first time: several days in Paris, with a few up in Normandy — all incredible experiences. That trip fueled the plans to travel to other parts of Europe: Spain (my wife taught Spanish in school), Italy, Ireland, Croatia. We have family from those places. Then the pandemic came.

The other longtime desire is to drive through Route 66. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for many years. But most importantly, we have our only grandchild in San Diego. Our son is a naval officer stationed there, so that will be travel priority No. 1 when it’s safer to do so.”

– Bill Grusich, CMP, FASAE, senior vice president, sales, Associated Luxury Hotels International

“An ideal vacation for me usually involves some warm weather, a calm beach and no Wi-Fi. Being able to unplug and reset is usually the goal of my vacation. Whether I’m napping on the beach or hanging out with friends and family, a coastal trip always seems to be the best way to fully relax and get away from the hectic city work life. A frozen, tropical drink is usually a must as well.”

– Gina Orlandi, marketing project manager, CCIM Institute