[disneysteve]

mtsen - Travel can be a financial killer but it doesn't need to be. It can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. Lots and lots of ways to have great travel experiences on a reasonable budget.

I think this article makes a very good point. We never visit family on a vacation. Recently, though, we attended a family wedding in NY state. My daughter, who recently turned 14, met some of her cousins who she never sees and ever since has been asking when we can go visit them. I grew up living in close proximity to most of my family and seeing them regularly. Now, my family is scattered around the country and I hardly ever see anyone. I'm sorry that my daughter hasn't had the same childhood I had as far as being close with lots of her extended family members. Perhaps incorporating family visits into our travels could correct some of this.

The one cousin she wants to visit lives in the Springfield, Mass. area, about a 5 hour drive, easily something we could do on a long weekend. Another cousin lives near Hartford, CT but is moving soon to N. Carolina. Our niece moved to S. Carolina 2 years ago. We are thinking about planning a trip south and spending half a week with each of them.

I think as we get older, there is a natural inclination to renew some of those family ties that drifted apart while we were busy starting our own families and careers.