Hawaii is one of the more popular vacation destinations in the world. Why? It’s beautiful, natural, friendly, a part of the US (assume ‘safe’), with naturally pleasant weather. Where do folks who live in Hawaii vacation? Somewhere else.

Hawaii residents live in a tropical paradise. That’s exactly what most people think of when considering an extended vacation.

By ‘extended’ I mean more than a couple of weeks. One month. Perhaps two. More if you have the money and the time. Sadly, most of us don’t have either.

Where is this so-called ‘somewhere else’ for Hawaii residents to vacation?

High on the list is Las Vegas. A number of Vegas hotels cater to the local populace with food and scenery.

Think of the Americans who can’t wait to try McDonald’s while visiting Paris or Tokyo. There’s something wrong with vacationing to a place that reminds you of home.

I’m originally from the hill country of Northeast Missouri but I’ve had the pleasure of living in a number of other beautiful and distinct locations. Illinois doesn’t count, though I went to college there.

The US Army sent me to Japan for a few years during the Vietnam war. I lived for a few years in Florida. It’s too hot in Florida. Too humid. Too many retired people who don’t drive as well as they did when they were younger.

In 1992 our family took a seven week vacation of the mainland US and we drove through and visited 33 states. That doesn’t qualify as an ‘extended vacation’ though it extended beyond one month and into many locations.

If I could take an extended (one month) vacation, I would choose two destinations.

Sapporo, Japan
The city is larger and more modern than San Francisco, yet retains the charm of a Japanese city far removed from the maze of congestion and complexity of Tokyo, or Osaka.

I taught English at the IAY School in the mid 1970s and was privileged to attend two of the famed Sapporo Snow Festivals held in February each year.

That’s the quandary an extended vacation provides for a vacationer. The Snow Festival is a week long event. Add a week to get settled, shop, tour.

February is the dead of winter on Hokkaido and not worthy of a full month. Three weeks would be a challenge for someone who’s live more than a few years in Hawaii.

Spring would be nice. The weather is pleasant. People in Sapporo and on the island of Hokkaido are friendly and peaceful. I miss that in people.

England, France, Italy, Germany
Obviously, this selection is not my own idea. We do many things for the sake of peace.

An extended stay to this much of Europe requires more than a few weeks to really enjoy. In fact, two to three weeks each in London, Paris, Rome, and German (Switzerland) in the late spring and early summer would suffice.

That is to say, ‘keep peace’ in the family.

Where would you take an ‘extended vacation’ and why?

I’ve seen enough of the world to know it’s best not seen through a windshield or from a Shell gasoline station. In fact, the destination may be less important than the time to enjoy it.

At my age, truly ‘extended vacation’ days are probably at an end. If I could, I would.