YOUNG AND RESTLESS's Jack Abbott can't seem to get away from his family, but for portrayer Peter Bergman, family time takes a bit more effort.

Bergman, his father, sister Beth, brothers Bob and Jon and their extended families are scattered up and down the West Coast and over to Virginia, so "An old-fashioned family reunion is just what we felt we were missing," says Bergman, who hit the information highway back in January to plan a July getaway. "Me on the Internet, a wild, wild thing!"

But, apparently, he's got the knack for surfing! The planner extraordinaire played host to 17 members of the Bergman clan, including his kids Connor and Clare, for a week of fun in the sun in Duck, N.C. "[My wife] Mariellen and I rented an eight bedroom, seven bath Generation House on the Outer Banks," he reveals. "There was a pool, a game room and a pool table. Everyone was in charge of one meal and when you're only in charge of one, you do a good job! We ate very, very well, [but it was] really just about hanging out with my family and being on the Atlantic."

An extra special treat was the early mornings. "I would go running with my older brother, Bob, who'd beat me up. He's more fit than I am!" laughs Bergman, who admits the trip was a bit of a time warp. "I'd come back and my brother Jon and sister Beth were sitting on the porch drinking coffee, so the four of us were awake for an hour before everyone else was awake, just drinking coffee and talking. It was great."