Greek holiday - not Corfu

In reply to Niki's suggestion that Americans should "take their vacations to one place and stay put for 2 weeks instead of trying to fit in all European countries in 10 days...it's like 'ok it's Monday so this must be Belgium!'"

Perhaps if most Americans GOT vacations, that might be a good idea.  However, there is no law mandating ANY vacation time for a working American, and of those who do get any vacation at all, they are allowed to take from -0- to 10 days' vacation per year.  This is versus the 5 - 6 weeks common in Europe.  And let us not forget that anyone living in or near Europe doesn't have to spend much actual travel time to get to another European country, vs. the 1.5 DAYS a Californian must spend just to get to a European destination!  Please see chart below:

The reason it's so hard to get a vacation and so hard to enjoy one when you manage to squeeze part of one in is that the U.S. is the only country in the industrialized world without a minimum paid-leave law. As you can see from the chart below, we've got a death grip on last place in the paid-leave standings.
			Australia	20	25
			Austria	25	30
			Belgium	20	24**
			Brazil	24-30
			Canada	10
			China	15	15
			Denmark	25	30
			Finland	24	25
			France	25	five to six wks
			Germany	24	30
			Greece	20	23
			Ireland	20	28**
			Italy	20	30
			Japan	10	17.5
			Netherlands	20	25
			Norway	21	30
			Portugal	22	25**
			Spain	25	30
			Sweden	25	five to seven wks
			Switzerland	20	five to six wks
			United Kingdom	20	25
			U.S.	0	10.2*
	Sources: European Industrial Relations Observatory, World Tourism Organization; Los Angeles Times; *Bureau of Labor Statistics, paid-leave after three years; **Economic Policy Institute

I'm sure many Americans would be more than happy not to stress themselves out trying to plan for a very far away trip to Europe by planning on staying in one place but, unfortunately, Americans, like most folks, want to see lots of distant places before they die!  And since 26% of Americans get NO vacation, the ones who do get one want to cram as much in as they can in the very very few days they do get (those lucky ones who do get a vacation, that is). 

America is, actually, quite isolated.  All we've got near us is Canada and Mexico, and after you've "done" those 2 countries, it's normal to want to try Europe, which is infinitely more difficult to get to!  And since they, unlike Brits or anybody living in Europe, can't just "pop over" to Europe on, say, a Friday night for a weekend of fun, Americans have to plot and plan for many many many months just to even GET a vacation, however little, to Europe. 

Also, the idea that most Americans still book those "see Europe in 10 days" vacations is really rather old hat.  Most Americans are a lot more savvy nowadays and do pick a smaller region to stay in.  Who needs the stress?  Jeez.  All of Europe in 10 days?  Who does that anymore?  No one I know!

If we Americans got 5 weeks of vacation per year AND lived only a couple hundred miles (or even only a couple thousand miles) away from Europe, you would see much more in-depth traveling by Americans.  They would NOT be flitting about from place to place!  But since they in fact do not have many opportunities to travel, they have to do the best they can with the paltry time they do have.

I don't know about others on this site, but I had to work 19 years before I got my last vacation.  And I don't honestly expect I'll get another one for another 19 years (IF I live that long!).  Can any Brit say that? 

I understand Niki's frustration with the ignorance of Americans regarding Europe.  I'm an American and I, too, am deeply frustrated over this.  She is perfectly correct:  We Americans ARE ignorant about MOST other countries (and continents!).  I think it's because in school, they teach a kind of U.S.-centric vision of the world, as if all other countries are inconsequential in comparison to the U.S.  This is a lethal strategy and is now, as we see in the news, backfiring on the educators.  Yes, I agree:  This is really scary! 

As for the Brits' penchant for wanting to go someplace sunny, and Niki's comment:  "I am sure if Portia lived in England for a few years she would realise the importance of getting away to the sun for a few weeks each year," I kind of laughed.  Why?  Because the few times I have been in England, leave it to fate!, it was so bloody hot, I was DYING!  I was SO looking forward to gloomy skies and cool breezes, and even rain.  But it was not to be!  (What?  Does searing heat FOLLOW me?  Ach!)

Anyway, please, have some pity on the poor Americans:  They are undereducated and certainly under-vacationed!  I don't know anyone from the EU who would trade places with an American in the vacation department!

Lucky you guys!

Portia