What would Americans give up for a fully paid vacation?

Two in three Americans say the anticipation of their next trip is as good as, if not better than, the trip itself (68%), according to new research.A survey of 2,000 adults who have traveled within the past year explored the appeal of the days leading up to vacation, along with the post-vacation blues that inevitably come after.Results found that throughout all of the stages of being on a trip, no feeling compares to actually being at the destination (54%) — although 28% said planning the trip is the most fun and 78% agree that traveling back home is the worst part.Conducted by Talker Research in partnership with the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard, the survey also found that one in 10 experience “post-vacation funk” before they even leave the trip, while another 22% feel it kicking in on the way home.Those who experience “post-vacation funk” said this feeling overcomes them, leaving them missing the destination (41%), missing having something to look forward to (35%) and are thinking about the next trip (34%).The funk puts these respondents down more than being stuck in traffic (36%) or more than their favorite TV show being removed from streaming (18%).As a result, a quarter admit that they crave the “buzz” of having a trip planned most of the average week (26%).The feeling is so unmatched that respondents shared some of the things they’d give up right now if they were able to go on a paid trip, like “a week’s pay,” “eating out for a month” or “listening to music for a week.”The urge to see more is ever-present, as 31% plan their next trip while still on a trip already, and another 47% haven’t done so yet, but would in order to help ease their “post-vacation funk” (47%).Nearly half of Americans who have traveled in the past year would book a “last-minute” trip just to satisfy the urge to travel (47%).How soon is too soon to start planning? According to those surveyed, planning fewer than two weeks out is too late.Many are alre...