Is a Weekend Getaway Better than Travel Overseas?

Posted on March 6, 2014 by lesleycarter

Although we didn’t travel to a new country in February, we did move from North Carolina back to California. While it’s a dream come true, it was exhausting. Packing, unpacking, saying good-bye to friends, traveling, settling in, figuring out a new community, setting up services, and creating a routine for Athena has left us tired and a little stressed. Is it possible that we need a break from our new place already? With empty walls and a few boxes still left to unpack, we decided to get away and leave the rest of the work until next week.

In less than two hours, we arrived at Kona Kia San Diego Resort & Marina with breathtaking views, easy access to great attractions, and newly renovated accommodations and amenities that transcend the ordinary. With all that San Diego and Kona Kai have to offer, a weekend getaway might be better than travel overseas… at least for right now.

The well decorated room with island style and SoCal energy was a breath of fresh air. We unpacked our bags and took a stroll around the property before relaxing on the patio. Every area was equally well decorated and the bold colors left me feeling revived.

As the sun began to set, we got Athena ready for bed and rested while she fell asleep. Now, she’s in dreamland in the crib and we’re in dreamland on the patio. The ocean, a pool, perfect temperatures, and my family; I couldn’t ask for anything more, except for maybe a Pina Colada.

Reminder: pick up Pina Colada mix for tomorrow.

I am anxious to get back on a plane and explore a new country, but for right now a weekend getaway was better than travel overseas. Low stress and great rewards was exactly what we needed as a family.

50 thoughts on “Is a Weekend Getaway Better than Travel Overseas?”

JW Sayre on March 6, 2014 at 9:31 pm said:

Beautiful pictures. Where were y’all living in North Carolina?

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 7, 2014 at 11:33 pm said:
  
  We were just north of Charlotte in Huntersville. Do you know the area?
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - JW Sayre on March 8, 2014 at 6:26 am said:
    
    No-I’ve been to Charlotte once, other than that just been back and forth on I-40 a few times. Asheville, Hickory, Statesville, Greensboro etc. Enjoy sunny California. Be well
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
Ray Laskowitz on March 6, 2014 at 9:36 pm said:

Neither is better. Neither is worse. It all depends on what you need and want at the time. It sounds like you really needed this break, so it was better… for today.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 7, 2014 at 11:34 pm said:
  
  Yep 🙂 I don’t think I would have wanted to sit on a plane for hours this weekend. I wanted a quick, simple getaway, which is exactly what we found at Kona Kai. 🙂
  
  Have you ever been to San Diego before?
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
priyacv on March 6, 2014 at 9:41 pm said:

Superlike…….great clicks….

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply ↓
Timothy Price on March 6, 2014 at 9:47 pm said:

I’ll give up weekend getaways to save for trips to Europe. After living in Spain for almost 4 years, and our trips to Portugal, Italy and France, I really love traveling in Europe. The culture, the museums and the great local foods are just delightful.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 6, 2014 at 9:49 pm said:
  
  I’m traveling to Latvia and Austria next week so this short vacation was exactly what I needed, but I do love travel in Europe. What is your favorite European country?
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Timothy Price on March 6, 2014 at 9:55 pm said:
    
    It’s hard to say. We spent 5 weeks in southern France and Paris last summer and that was not enough time in the least. I really love Paris, Rome and Madrid, but I would like most to spend a lot more time in Paris and Marseille.
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - lesleycarter on March 6, 2014 at 10:01 pm said:
      
      I visited Marseille a few months ago and loved every second of it. It was a different kind of vacation but so beautiful and culturally rich. Out of your top choices, I love Rome the most. I think I could live there and never tire of the place. Have you visited Ireland as well?
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
      - Timothy Price on March 7, 2014 at 6:00 am said:
        
        Have not been to Ireland.
        
        LikeLike
      - Aoife on March 29, 2014 at 1:36 pm said:
        
        Have you been to Ireland Lesley?
        
        LikeLike
      - lesleycarter on March 29, 2014 at 1:37 pm said:
        
        I have; it’s one of my favorite countries, especially Galway. 🙂
        
        LikeLike
      - Aoife on March 29, 2014 at 1:44 pm said:
        
        I’m from County Cork myself but living in Newport, RI. for the year. Not sure if you’ve been here but its amazing!.
        
        LikeLike
  - go Mama O on March 7, 2014 at 5:04 am said:
    
    Where are you going in Austria? I love Vienna! It’s where I studied in college. Have a great trip! Viel Spass!
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - lesleycarter on March 7, 2014 at 11:36 pm said:
      
      I’ll be in Vienna for part of the trip. I’m also visiting Salzburg and Innsbruck. Have you been there as well?
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
John on March 6, 2014 at 9:51 pm said:

Welcome back to the west coast!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 6, 2014 at 10:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks John! It’s great to be back! I’m taking Athena to the zoo tomorrow and I don’t know who is more excited. I love this place! 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - wildraceafrica on March 7, 2014 at 12:39 am said:
    
    Love your stories and determination… You are more love a traveler, you enjoy traveling and have great love for adventure. Don`t be afraid of the overseas travel, to me it is the best of all though weekend gate ways are also pretty cool.
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
Valerie on March 6, 2014 at 10:04 pm said:

Both are great because it’s just great to get away! It’s nice to throw some things in a bag and go rather than worrying about traveling internationally and not being able to find what you need when you get there. I have a couple of short trips coming up within driving distance but I’m still anxious to get away. Everone needs a chance to relax and regroup.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply ↓
- wildraceafrica on March 7, 2014 at 12:34 am said:
  
  Lovely advice you are a genius madam… In one way or the other both of as need to take a rest… They say in Africa “sometimes even the big five need to take a rest” and so do we…:)
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - lesleycarter on March 7, 2014 at 11:37 pm said:
    
    I have two international trips coming up and there is a lot of planning, and a lot of rewards, involved. I look forward to both of them but this was exactly what I needed this weekend. Quick and simple 🙂
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
crazyguyinthailand on March 6, 2014 at 10:46 pm said:

Beautiful Colors 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Pingback: Is a Weekend Getaway Better than Travel Overseas? | Nutrientscure's Blog
irenedesign2011 on March 6, 2014 at 11:46 pm said:

I like both kind of travelling. Until now most of my travels have been in Europe, I didn’t afford to go any longer yet.
Irene

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Stephanie on March 6, 2014 at 11:57 pm said:

The resort looks amazing! I love the decor. While you’re living in my home state, and I am living in Italy…I can say that as much as I love Italy, I still miss California with all of my heart. While I am in the land of delicious Pizza Margherita , you’re still able to enjoy awesome mexican food, some days the trade off just seems unfair…enjoy your vacay 😉

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 7, 2014 at 11:40 pm said:
  
  I love traveling and going on vacation but I’m happy to call California home again. I missed almost everything about it. 🙂
  
  I’m sure Italy is still as breathtaking as I remember it though. Enjoy 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
wildraceafrica on March 7, 2014 at 12:29 am said:

These is so amazing, great pictures, weekend gate ways are always more interesting and enjoyable most so it all depends with the time when you really needed it the most, I do think traveling overseas is most interesting just imagine yourself in the middle of all events, warm well come, The culture, the museums the great local foods,a taste of night life,drinks,life style in another which just make you feel like you are in you exist in another world most so where other activities are involve for example world wildebeest migration in kenya Masai mara… these are just but more than delightful. .

LikeLike

Reply ↓
ChickenandBiscuits on March 7, 2014 at 7:53 am said:

Wow! I haven’t been to Kona Kai in a while. It really looks like they have done a great job updating the place. Great idea for my next “stay cation”! Thanks! I still can’t wait to get more overseas travel in though.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Let's CUT the Crap! on March 7, 2014 at 7:56 am said:

My kind of place! Relax and regroup. Good for you. You know how to balance work and play.
😀 😀 😀

LikeLike

Reply ↓
just4crafters on March 7, 2014 at 8:23 am said:

Moving can be exhausting. The pictures from your getaway are beautiful!! Enjoy and relax!! ~Sophia

LikeLike

Reply ↓
FatFreeFashion on March 7, 2014 at 10:13 am said:

Beautiful resort, wow! I think that neither are better or worse, it all depends on how much time you have to relax and explore.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Becky on March 7, 2014 at 11:46 am said:

I love these little week-end get aways! I hope you had a wonderful time, and that my city didn’t let you down 🙂 It’s a great place to live…and visit too!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
mamoon82 on March 7, 2014 at 12:26 pm said:

Wow, that looks like a gorgeous place – I’m just up in LA, think I might need to make a road trip soon!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
thefolia on March 7, 2014 at 12:32 pm said:

Sweet dreams!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
l1brarygrl on March 7, 2014 at 3:51 pm said:

I love everything about that bedroom. The wallpaper is to die for and I’m not a fan of wallpaper 😉 Of course, I’d be in the pool or by the ocean most the time (absolutely with a pina colada in one hand and keep ’em coming) but could be enticed to take a little afternoon siesta with that room. lol

LikeLike

Reply ↓
talesfromthemotherland on March 7, 2014 at 7:53 pm said:

Sound great… but guess who’s now planning her trip to Fiji this fall? (with Denmark and Iceland in the summer). SO excited! Bula!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 7, 2014 at 11:26 pm said:
  
  I’m so excited for you! You’re going to have an amazing time. It’s still one of my favorite countries. I can’t wait to read all of your posts and relive my Fiji vacation 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - talesfromthemotherland on March 8, 2014 at 6:55 am said:
    
    I can’t wait to give you something to relive! We’re looking at resorts now, and hope to book the flights this week (already spoke to Louise). 😀
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
pastedreams on March 7, 2014 at 7:56 pm said:

That gorgeous new house!!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Zachary @zacharykreid on March 7, 2014 at 9:27 pm said:

Love being witness to your travels. I think it’s so amazing you’ve created a life out of documenting awesome adventures. Congatulations 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
colonialist on March 7, 2014 at 11:12 pm said:

Interesting that the name Kona Kia means ‘Have a house’ in Zulu. Only it would normally have a concord such as Ngikona or Ukona or si-, ni- or ba for I, you, we etc.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Egypt English on March 8, 2014 at 6:43 am said:

I love a good weekend trip just to get away!
Peace & Love!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
donnajeanmcdunn on March 8, 2014 at 7:00 pm said:

I’d settle for a weekend away, especially this place!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
louisejedwards on March 9, 2014 at 12:08 am said:

I would love to visit San Diego alrhough it would be a vacation for us as we are in the uk! You can’t beat a short break though. Hope you are getting settled into your new home xx

LikeLike

Reply ↓
rudyhou on March 10, 2014 at 4:02 am said:

a weekend get away can be equally good as an overseas trip somewhere, especially when one is in need to get away BAD. but nothing beats sampling foreign food in an overseas country. it’s the reason i travel.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
lorlyn63 on March 10, 2014 at 1:25 pm said:

I believe that anywhere away from one’s normal routine is a vacation – it is all in how you view it. Honestly it is change of scenery even if it is 50 miles down the road – you are still away from your norm and I would welcome that kind of vacation right about now! 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
LA Travel Mom on March 11, 2014 at 1:53 pm said:

I’m craving a trip abroad right now, but Cali is awesome for it’s weekend getaways! So true!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
paranoiasnfm on March 21, 2014 at 8:04 am said:

Wow!!!
❤

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Carmelle's Treasures on April 7, 2014 at 5:13 am said:

San Diego is a must-visit! I used to live there many centuries ago. Sounds like a new visit is in order since winter hated and abused the East Coast this season. Glad you escaped for a bit.

LikeLike

Reply ↓