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Top summer vacation states: State Percent Hawaii 17 California 12 Alaska 10 Florida 10 Source: CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll, July 16-18, 1999 Margin of error, +/- 3 percentage points

July 30, 1999
Web posted at: 1:43 p.m. EDT (1743 GMT)

ATLANTA (CNN) -- Roughly one of two American adults has taken -- or is planning -- a summer vacation that's to last about two weeks and cost an average $1,820, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.

In the survey of 1,031 Americans, 46 percent say they're not taking a summer vacation, compared to 53 percent saying they already have or are planning to take one. That's a notable increase from 1954, when only 37 percent said they took time off for some R&R.

Of those in vacation mode, 14 percent say they've gone or are going abroad. Of the 85 percent who say they're vacationing in the United States, 21 percent say they're remaining in their home states. Sixty-four percent say they're venturing out-of-state.

Regardless of destination, survey respondents say vacations this summer are lasting an average 13 days and costing $1,820. That's pricier than eight years ago, when American say they spent an average $1,368.

So what makes for a perfect vacation? According to the survey results, 67 percent of the respondents say they'd rather be active, while 32 percent say resting and relaxing is the way to go.

Traveling to a new place sounds good to 73 percent of the respondents. Twenty-six percent say they'd rather return to the same spot.

As for activities, 92 percent say they like eating out, 82 percent say they prefer a cultural activity -- such as seeing a museum or a play -- and 72 percent say, "Shop 'til you drop."

Given the choice of reading a book, getting a suntan or exercising vigorously, respondents choose reading by 58 percent of the vote; a suntan by 43 percent; and exercise by 39 percent.

When it comes to who's best to take along on a family vacation, 83 percent of those surveyed say just their immediate family members -- 16 percent of those surveyed say they like being with lots of relatives.