Where Shall I Spend My Spring Vacation?!

Soon the harbingers of spring will appear, and on the branches blossom after blossom will open; and when we think of a vacation to enjoy this year, dreams open in our souls one after another and crowd into our imagination, to play with us in our idle hours.

The magic of these dreams reaches far. This spring I shall spend my vacation on the seashore, delighting in the blue of the sky and the clearness of the waves; I shall be alone, or perhaps I shall choose one of my friends to share my musings — or perhaps we would be merrier in a group... This spring I shall spend my vacation in the mountains of Lebanon, in the arms of nature; I shall fill my lungs with the scent of the green pines... This spring I shall spend my vacation outside my country; I shall visit the holy places in the city of Jerusalem and in Bethlehem, or the historic ruins at Palmyra, or at Jerash and Petra... This spring — what would you say, Madam, to making your dream come true? Here are some suggestions to help you choose a vacation the like of which you have never enjoyed before.

A trip by bicycle

The day I rode a bicycle for the first time, in 1939, I discovered a sport that remains to this day my favorite of all sports. If, Madam, you are one of those who love sport, then a trip by bicycle will refresh you and take you far from the clamor of the city. The first condition, if you want to enjoy a successful bicycle trip, is to make sure that your bicycle is in good order. The ancients said: choose the companion before the road — so choose your companions from among those who love sport, and plan your route with them. Do not choose a road among the hills unless you are a practiced cyclist. Keep your course among inhabited places, and arrange your night's lodging in a town or village every night, for rest is essential; lose it and you lose with it the beauty of the trip. As for your clothes, choose the lightest of them, take along a wool jacket, and do not forget your dark glasses, for the burning sun may cause you discomfort.

If you are one of those who prefer an orderly vacation, do not deny yourself the pleasure of cycling. Take your bicycle with you to the hotel or the house where you will spend your vacation, and use it whenever the chance offers to go out into the environs of the village or town where you are staying.

A trip by automobile

The automobile conquers distances. That is its first advantage, and its other advantages are many.

My advice to you, if you wish to enjoy your trip, is that the car in which you travel be a private one. It may be your own car or your companion's. Then, before you set out, you must make sure that your car is in good order and that you are carrying a supply of gasoline and oil; and do not forget to take a spare wheel — you may need it. Take as many of your clothes as you please; your load in the car will not trouble you, however great it may be. And time is of no account when you are in your car... Rise early, cover the distances at your leisure, and enjoy the sights of nature. When sunset comes, rest in the nearest town or village; and if you do not find a suitable place, continue your journey, for you will find a more suitable one a few kilometers on. And what do kilometers matter, when you will cover them in a few minutes?

A vacation among people

You may be, Madam, one of those who lead a quiet life and meet people only rarely. What would you say, then, to spending your vacation this year among people?... Pack your bags and take a car to the nearest hotel or resort, and after you have registered your name with the hotelkeeper you will find yourself among people. My advice to you in this case is to choose a suitable time and a suitable place for your vacation. Perhaps you would do well to take your vacation this year at the end of winter; and I see no place more suitable for you than the mountains of Lebanon...

Walk, and get to know nature

If you are fond of walking, Madam, then walk and get to know nature at close quarters. My favorite kind of walking is the kind that begins and ends in one place — that is, I prefer to leave my things in a place to which I return every evening to change my clothes and sleep in a comfortable bed. Whatever kind of walking you prefer, you will need sturdy, comfortable shoes; and I have found that a stick in my hand helps me reach difficult places, besides being a great help to anyone who wants to pick blackberries or climb trees.

Try walking in the early morning; take your lunch with you and eat it in the shade of a great tree, and do not return to your base while the sun is still shining in the sky.

Enjoy nature, and you will always remember the beauty of this vacation.