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Vacationing

Overview

Vacationing is traveling away from one's home for recreation, tourism, experience, reflection, or other reasons unrelated to work. Historians trace the vacation back to ancient Greece and ancient Rome, where citizens left the major cities to attend athletics competitions and lounge in coastal towns. The modern concept developed further with the "Grand Tour" of Europe, a rite of passage for young English aristocrats, and Thomas Cook's international railroad tours.

In America, vacationing took hold in the late 1800s as developers and religious groups began constructing tourist destinations along the coast and in the mountains. In the 20th century, labor laws guaranteeing time off and the lowering price of automobiles led to the modern American road trip, with families hitting the highways.

The expansion of commercial airlines popularized international vacations, though rising costs have prevented many Americans from taking advantage of the many available options.

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