Summer Vacations on the Rise for Alpharetta, Milton Residents

As the school year comes to a close and the hot weather approaches, many families are preparing for summer vacations.  In fact, according to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), there has been a 4 percent increase in vacationing from last year to this year. 

"We plan to have a vacation over Memorial Day going down to Longboat Keys, the Sarasota area, and then we plan to take a cruise later in the year with the families," said one Milton couple.

Vacationing with family members is key.

"We are going to the beach in South Padre, to a water park with my two kids, and then to a beach in Florida with my extended family," said Joellen Lengefeld. "Those are pretty much the same plans that we do every summer because we have extended family here and extended family that lives in Illinois and in Texas, so we try to spend summer vacations with them."

Vacationing with groups of friends has also increased in popularity.

"I'm going to Aruba with my husband and my sister and her significant other for a week," said Patricia Champ. "My daughter's getting married in August.  I actually have more plans than I thought! And in July I'm going to a reunion with four of my friends from college. And I graduated in 1970, so we've been friends for a long time."

Some, such as Ann Blevins, opt out of week-long vacations in favor of shorter day trips.

"My husband and I, we just got married in February, and we went to Hawaii, and so this summer, we're going to kind of take it easy. We're going to make maybe short day trips. And we will be going to Florida, Amelia Island, things like that, and also Myrtle Beach. "

Of course, as exciting as vacations are, there is something special in simply relaxing at home.

"[My summer vacation plans for this year and last year] differ only so far as the location is concerned because last year–we love going to the beach–we went to Saint Kitts, and this year we're going to Aruba," said Jutta Johnson. "We enjoy Aruba quite a bit.  We like the weather there; it's always consistent. It's breezy but always hot. And no tornadoes, no hurricanes, so guaranteed lots of sunshine! So we'll be going there for a week, and then when we come home, I'll just be spending time with family, with my kids. My dog's going to be excited since I'm there and he won't have to wait all day for me to get home. That's it–just relax and have a good time and take it easy."