It doesn’t seem to matter how hold we get, the excitement of ‘summer vacation’ seems unavoidable. Even when we have secured 12-month-a-year job commitments, and even after our kids and our grandkids are no longer in school … something about July and August haunts us. Some of us are motivated to spoil the special people in our life, while others have more selfish desires. Some feel they have ‘earned’ a vacation, while others feel they ‘deserve’ a vacation. Regardless, the common theme of a summer vacation is the sense of ‘escape’.

The Great Escape

It isn’t something to be ashamed of, this desire to escape. It can be quite healthy, motivating and refreshing. Maybe you are escaping the mundane routine of your everyday life, or the stressful deadlines of work. Perhaps you are escaping the responsibilities of parenthood, or the loneliness of your apartment. Some of us chase adventure and adrenaline to escape our fears of stagnating or boredom. Others need a reprieve from their urban jungle, or the weather, or their beige wardrobe or medical scrubs. A few days with a change of pace, scenery, expectations, or even just the chance to wake up without an alarm clock, might be all you are searching for.

So whether you are hiking the Camino Trail in Portugal and tasting Luwak Coffee in Bali, or you are camping in Finlayson Point Provincial Park with no wi-fi and packed only flip flops and sunscreen, embrace your great escape!

Some Great Escape Suggestions and Tips

Find a really good book! It has been my experience that nothing helps me escape like a good book… and author John Irving is one of my favourites. From Cider House Rules to The Fourth Hand to The World According to Garp, his tragically flawed characters are both mesmerizing and hilarious. The best part: you can ESCAPE at any time or any place. You don’t need to spend money on hotels, food, sunscreen or worry about your carry-on luggage sizes. With a good book you can be on vacation in your backyard in 5 minutes.

Test your limits! For the adrenaline junkies, the instagram heros and the thrill seekers, the world is a giant playground. Recently members of my extended family took trips overseas and came back with exciting stories and are already planning their next trips. They highly recommend staying in AirBnB’s in northern Portugal and hiking the Camino Trail systems (but make sure your hiking boots are worked in and you have many pairs of socks). And if you dare, try the Kopi Luwak (civet coffee) in Bali (just don’t brag to your friends about it, just keep it to yourself. Trust me, they may not look at you the same way ever again).

Tee off for charity! Turn your vacation and your love of golf into a philanthropic endeavour. Find out what charity tournaments are happening in your hometown, or the locations you are visiting this summer, and sign up! A great way to meet new people and make a difference. Not to mention an opportunity to work on your back swing! Who knows, you may see this guy out on the course (this is Rob Fry at the Hands Charity Golf Tournament in North Bay, Ontario this summer).

Vacations can be educational! Unless you are actively ESCAPING your academic life, why not learn something new while on vacation? Have you ever dreamed your photos could someday grace the cover of National Geographic? The Nature Conservancy of Canada hosts the BioBlitz event (photography competition) during the long weekend in August every year, promoting citizens to learn more about the flora and fauna in their areas. Science fun for the whole family and less terrifying than watching Shark Week.

I would love to hear how you ‘escaped’ this summer. I’ll be sitting on a kayak in the middle of a lake, with no wifi or computer for the next week, so my reply may be slightly delayed :) JULIE