expressions - Going to the seaside and going to the sea


The British say "go to the seaside" (meaning I'm going to spend some time at the beach, swim, sunbathe etc.) It's like "going to the mountains" or "going to the lake." However, I once heard an Aussie saying: "I'm going to the sea" not the "seaside" meaning the same.


My question: Are both possible and common? How about Americans? As far as I know Americans don't "go to the seaside" because they do not live in a small seaside country. So an American would say "go/take on vacation at the beach" or just "I'm going to Hawaii" "I'm going to the lake and so on. Am I right? Or maybe "going to the sea/seaside" is a phrase used by Americans as well? I remember I read a Canadian text once that used this phrase. Please leave your comments.




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