- Growing up, my family went on regular vacations to Mystic, Connecticut.
- I still value these trips for their simplicity. We were able to really connect.
From when I was around eight years old, my family visited the same place over and over again every summer: Mystic, Connecticut.
At just a little over two hours away from my hometown of New York City, Mystic was the perfect destination for a fun, stress-free, easy family vacation.
It was a small town with New England Charm. It wasn’t too far away. It had great attractions, nice locals, beautiful nature, and history. Oh, and there was always delicious food. What more could you want?
We had more time to connect and relax
Looking back now, at 35 years old, the summers we spent in Mystic were some of the happiest memories from my childhood. I see how simple these vacations were, but to me, they meant everything.
Vacation always began from the moment we got in the car. With my dad behind the wheel, my mom in the front seat, and my brother and me in the back, we would blast music (often The Beach Boys or The Beatles) and stop for fresh bagels and iced coffees to have in the car.
These family trips weren’t extravagant, but they were perfect.
We would stay at the only hotel in town at the time, The Days Inn. It wasn’t fancy, but it was clean and comfortable, and it had spacious rooms and a big outdoor pool.
We would spend our days exploring the town. We might take a trip to the famous aquarium, go on a visit to the seaport, or have a stroll through downtown Mystic to go in and out of the charming local shops.
Most afternoons, we went back to the hotel for a swim (and perhaps a nap) and would head out again at night to explore, usually ending the night with dinner at one of the local seafood joints. One of our favorite places to dine was at Abbott's which offered picnic tables right on the water where you could chow down on fresh lobster or crab. It was ideal.
I look back and see that these vacations were very simple. They weren’t over the top. They didn’t take months of planning. Heck, they didn’t even require a plane ride. They were sweet and simple. And you know what? That’s what made them great.
I remember breathing the fresh air in Mystic and loving everything about it. These were moments when I could connect with my family and just enjoy being together. Mystic also first gave me the feeling of small-town life, and it was a feeling that stayed with me, up until I made the decision to move to a small town in Italy.
Luxury vacations are on trend, but I still prefer simplicity
It seems these days that everyone wants to have some grand, over-the-top vacation. And you know what? That’s fine. I’m not judging those who choose that.
But for me, vacations are about really connecting and creating long-lasting memories with my family. For me, going on a vacation that includes a huge, jam-packed itinerary, four plane rides, and moving from place to place is not ideal. I want to keep my vacations simple. And that’s what I plan to do.
My summers in Mystic were magic, and now I see that it’s because they were so simple. They are some of my most cherished memories. I’m married now with a five-year-old daughter and a four-month-old son. I have no plans of going on wild vacations with them. For me, a vacation is about spending time with my family and having fun. You can do that anywhere — whether you’re a 10-hour flight from home or just an hour away.