Holiday Road: Salem Family Vacations

Where should we go this summer? Who would make the best travel companion? And what storylines do we really need tracked down? Join us for a very special Two Scoops on summer vacations.

Editor's Note: Tony and Laurisa are both off this week, but they'll be back next week with their regular Two Scoops columns -- and they'll be sure to cover everything that would have been talked about in this week's column. Until then, please enjoy this special, all-new summertime column.

Ahh, summer. Time for endless sunshine, hot weather, and planning a vacation. From European getaways to beach bashes, we've got a special column this week where we explore what people, places, and things we'd love our adventures to look like this summer.

Of course, there are some dangling storylines here, too, that we are dying to get answers on. So, pack up your carry-on. Charge the iPad. And grab your trusty neck pillow. Let's go on vacation.

1. With John to Europe to check on our Bo/Hope, Ciara/Ben, and Max/Chelsea/Billie

We're still not sure John needs to do this soul-searching for Konnie's long-lost daughter. But while he's over in Europe, can he check on a few of our faves for us? His first stop would be to visit Bo, get an update on Bo's condition, and see if there's anything he can do to help Hope. Yes, they're hiding from Megan Hathaway, but that's nothing for our favorite super secret spy.

Next up, stop in on Ciara, Ben, Baby Bo, and Baby....um.... what's-his-name. See! We need to find out what Ciara and Ben named their baby. (Though, come on, that kiddo's name is Dougie.)

Finally, if he could pop over to London for a visit with Max, Chelsea, and Billie. Considering Billie's history with security systems, perhaps she can help John finally uncover the secret to just what is in that Horton time capsule.

2. With Gwen to Alamania

She's got fortunes at her disposal, no commitments to anyone, and a mission on her mind. This almost resets Gwen to where she was when we met her -- a scrappy schemer. Only the fortune means that we can say goodbye to the desperation that made her, you know, shack up with mob hitmen. Now, she can enjoy the finer things in life while meeting up with some people who also share her distaste for all things Von Leuschner.

3. To New York to see Chloe and Philip

We love a city vacation -- museums, theaters, restaurants, and galleries. So, why not experience it with one of our most cultured couples? Sorry, "non" couples. Because they left as friends. Yup. Whatever their romantic status, we know they'd be fantastic tour guides!

Plus, we want to see if Nancy and Mike actually went out on that date! How's that been going? Did Craig find someone who isn't trying to scheme him for money? Does Parker check in with Maggie and Sarah? We've got tons to explore in the Big Apple.

4. With Julie and Chad to Hawaii

Julie and Chad are the dynamic duo we didn't know we needed but can't get enough of! We adore that they team up for adventures to solve capers, and we have another one we'd love to join them for. That is, discover what happened to Tommy Horton once he went to Hawaii. Sadly, we learned that he passed, but did he leave behind an estate, another puzzle box, or an even bigger secret!? Given this guy once returned to Salem with a new face and no memories of his family, we bet drama followed this eldest Horton son to paradise. Mai Tais and mysteries with Julie and Chad? Yes, please! Come to think of it, Mai Tais with Julie and Chad would be a series we'd watch!

5. To Dollywood to reunite with Hattie Adams

It's been a while since we got an update from the amazing Ms. Adams. She left Salem some time ago to find herself, and we want to know what she found! We're sure Dollywood would be the perfect place for that reunion.

6. To South Africa to see Claire, Theo, and J.J.

A long, long time ago, it was once teased that Alice Horton had a mysterious bank account in Africa. This was never fully addressed, and we think it's time to see if there's any truth to the rumor while visiting three of our favorite former Salemites. It doesn't hurt that Claire Bear is cunning and connected to the family, or that Theo is an expert techy who can likely hack, or that fellow Horton and former police officer J.J. has sleuthing skills. Even if it turns into a dead end, we think these three could show us a good time in Joburg.

7. A family vacation to Star Island with the Price-Carvers

While Mayor Price-Carver's permanent residence seems to be in Salem now, we highly doubt the real estate maven would let go of her spectacular seaside showplace on Star Island. And we want to join Paulina and the entire Price-Carver crew there for a very, very much needed vacation! From several family members overcoming medical issues to Abe's regained memory to Lani regaining her freedom to celebrating Eli's new job -- and to help Chanel and Johnny heal -- everyone could use some down time together in nirvana. Okay, Jules and Carver are also adorable and at a fun age! It would be great to spoil them and have some fun in the sun.

Hopefully, Tamara Price can join, too! Maybe the melody maker can even sing us a few tunes. And if she's back from Hawaii in time, Julie needs to be there for a dance or two with Eli and a duet with Tamara.

8. To Maison Blanche with Celeste Perrault

Long before Susan Banks was Salem's soothsayer, that position was filled by Lexie Carver's mother, Celeste. She was not only Stefano's right-hand woman with a sixth sense, but she was also downright fabulous, darlings. We'd not only love to catch up with her but also see if she can steer us toward any unsolved Phoenix-sized mysteries there (or elsewhere). We know she still knows secretive things, as Stefano's secrets had secrets that had secrets! And now, with E.J. vowing revenge on "Stabi" and Stefan losing his leverage over Eej, we bet that anything Celeste might conjure up could be sold to the highest DiMera brother bidder (and pay for our trip).

Perhaps Celeste could even lead us to Peter Blake!

9. To Bay City with the Spectator crew

This may fall under "work trip" rather than "vacation," but we'd gladly tag along for the perks of possibly catching up with some old friends in Bay City should Cory Publishing host some sort of journalism or media shindig. We're sure rookies Xander and Chad would be eager to learn from such legends in the industry, and Leo would likely love getting the scoop on all the city's colorful citizens. We suggest that he start with the one and only Felicia Gallant. Always surrounded by scandal and sparkle, she could surely give Lady W something sensational to wet his whistle over.

We also wouldn't be upset if star reporter Vanessa Hart-Bourne and glitzy gossip columnist Bette Katzenkazrahi from Sunset Beach joined the festivities in Bay City. We're sure classy Vanessa would have wisdom to share with the Spectator crew, and Aunt Bette would surely share the sordid story of Virginia Harrison (Vanessa's archenemy who once assaulted her with a turkey baster). There's no doubt we could learn, laugh, and spill so much tea in the city by the bay, which seems like another world away from Salem -- but a place many of us would love to visit again.

10. To Paris for the Olympics with Tony and Anna

We'd gladly meet Tony and Anna anywhere on earth, but we suspect Paris during the Olympic games might be mighty fun, especially if we're invited to stay at some fabulous DiMera flat with views of the Eiffel Tower. We'd have a hoot watching some of the events with Anna, who'd surely share her color commentary. We'd love shopping with her, too. We'd likely be impressed by the galleries and gourmet meals Tony would introduce us to. We'd love it if Carrie, Austin, and Noah joined us for a few days. And we already know we'd get into some sort of shenanigans with Anna that would likely garner a disapproving glare from Tony and possibly a lecture from him, too. It would all be trs fun!

11. To Chicago with Timothy, John, Paul, Andrew, Brady, and Tate

Even if one isn't a Cubs fan, we wouldn't want to miss Timothy taking his brood to the ballpark. The sheer delight of watching the exuberant Mr. Robicheaux, John, and Paul singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch would be worth the price of admission alone. We bet that Brady and Tate couldn't stay tense with one another around such a gleeful lot. We also wouldn't mind taking Andrew aside under the guise of getting more snacks to ask him what the heck he was thinking when he gave Theresa a free pass regarding Konstantin and the kidnapping video. Sans the last part, it would certainly be a jolly 'oliday!

12. To Salem with Sami and Sydney

Summer vacations are a time to go back home to reunite with family! And no one is more needed for a Salem visit than one Sami Gene Brady. Sami must have some opinions on Sloan. We certainly want to hear her opinions about Gabi's explosive press conference and watch Sami confront them all one by one for various reasons (a tongue-lashing toward E.J., a fist-bump to Gabi, hugs for Eric, and what's sure to be an uneasy exchange with Nicole). And considering the danger her son was in, I'm sure Sami has some opinions on Paulina. I bet Tate would have some questions for Aunt Sami about having parents who "don't care about them."

Plus, let's bring Sydney home, too! What if she's developed a relationship with stepsister Holly? Can you imagine Nicole and Sami's daughters being best friends? We know that Sydney's grown up abroad, and it would be fantastic to see what she thinks of her hometown.

That's it for this week! We'll be back with a regularly scheduled column next week with tons of thoughts on Ericole and a salute to Bill Hayes's last show. Hopefully, you're all having a great summer and enjoying your vacations or staycations!

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