Washington, Aug 22 (Xinhua) US President Barack Obama Friday started a 10-day vacation, briefly breaking off from debates on the country's health care reform and other key issues.

According to the White House, Obama left the presidential residence in the afternoon aboard a Marine helicopter to Camp David outside the capital with his family and dog, and then they would head on Sunday morning to a vineyard in the eastern state of Massachusetts.

'I think he's going to spend a decent part of his time relaxing with his family,' White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said at a press briefing. 'There are no official events scheduled in the week ahead. I anticipate that he'll play golf a number of times.