EnTrends

Opposites do attract and true to form they
can have very different interests. This can
wreak havoc on a relationship when it
comes to planning vacations. Sometimes
the only answer appears to be separate
vacations. Some couples surveyed say this
is necessary to maintain their relationship,
but they aren't happy about it. Julie and
Stuart Miller are a classic example; she is
an art and history buff and he is a sports
enthusiast. While they share a similar
sense of humor and love of music, each
has little interest in their other pursuits.
Julie doesn't mind Stuart's Saturday golf
game-she uses the time to visit a museum.
When it comes to vacations, "It is the once
or maybe twice out of the year that we
leave it all behind-work, kids… the only
time we as a couple have to truly be alone
with each other. So the idea of going it
alone, seems, well wasted."

A better solution, is a joint, dual vacation-
where both partners get to do the activities
that they enjoy, while still spending some
of their time together, according to Penny
Sheldon, an expert travel planner with
WeBeenThere.com. "I have found that
when two people want to vacation together
and yet each has a passion of

their own, then the all-inclusive resorts
usually takes care of their needs. With this
type of vacation couples often take the
time to explore their mates interests since
they don't have to pay anything additional
because professional equipment and
instruction for all levels from the novice to
the advanced are included. They come
together at the end of the day, sharing the
intimacy of the evening, each feeling
fulfilled from experiencing their desires. It's
a 10 for everyone!"

Lorene Stone, another Webeenthere travel
expert offers another alternative, a custom
planned dual vacation. For the Millers she
would recommend the following vacation:

"A golf based vacation to Spain with a
typical day such as this: Alcaidesa links,
one of the most spectacular links courses
that you will ever play, with magnificent
views over the Mediterranean to Gibraltar.
For non-golfers a suggestion would be to
visit Seville, with its, a 15th Century Gothic
Cathedral with its magnificent carvings and
paintings. Also, visit the Almohade Aljama
Mosque (12th Century), with it striking
minaret is the slenderest tower in Muslim
architecture,

The Giralda, to which an exquisite bell
tower was added in the 16th Century. The
couple would meet back at the end of the
day at the Gran Melia Hotel to share their
evening."

For those couples who do want to
vacation together there are a number of
options. A good way to begin planning is
for each partner to make a wish list of
important points, identifying those that
are negotiable and those that are not.
Whittle it down to 3 key points for each
and then compare lists. To select a
destination there are number of tools
available from the advice of expert travel
agents to resources on the internet such
as WeBeenThere.com and
Vacationcoach.com.

Vacation is supposed to be a time for
couples to enjoy each other's company
and renew their passion for each other.
Whatever type vacation a couple decides
to take, they should make the most of the
time they have alone and together.

- Julia Jenson

We BeenThere Editor At Large