We vacationed just an hour from home. It was more relaxing than our bigger trips.

The author rented a house only an hour away from their home for their vacation.

Courtesy of the author After a packed spring, I didn't have the energy for an elaborate family vacation.

We rented a house an hour away and deliberately made almost no plans.

My older kids loved the slower trip and unanimously said they'd do it again.

My family had an exceptionally busy spring.

This year, we threw in an early college graduation , a high school graduation, and a wedding.

Each week was full of senior events and wedding plans.

I was tired.

My kids were tired.

As much as we wanted a family vacation, the idea of planning something felt overwhelming.

Instead of our normal weeklong road trip to someplace like Niagara Falls or Maine or even the adventurous cruise we took to Bermuda, I decided to plan a vacation that would truly feel like a rest.

I'd never done anything like this.

We needed a place that felt like a break I started by deciding what we needed.

I'd be traveling with my husband and my three kids, plus a spouse and a girlfriend.