Do You Want A More Restful Vacation? - Lisa E Betz

Do you wish your vacations were more restful? Are you tired of working your butt off for a week of fun and relaxation that didn’t turn out all that fun or relaxing? Perhaps it’s because you’ve assumed doing vacation-y things is all you need to rest and recharge.

But what if they’re not?

These travel tips will help you plan a vacation that is more restful and satisfying.

Don’t lose sight of your primary goal

A restful vacation doesn’t happen by default. If you want to recharge, to strengthen relationships, or to experience the beauty and wonder of this magnificent world, you must plan destinations, activities, and schedules that accomplish your goal.

Instead of assuming the standard touristy stuff will do, be intentional about designing a vacation that provides you and your family with the activities you find refreshing at a pace that works for you.

Create margin

When we’re traveling, you shouldn’t be surprised by delays, detours, and the occasional cow (or camel) standing in the middle of the street. These things happen. Knowing you have extra time built into the schedule will help you face the inevitable delays with calm instead of frustration or panic.  

Margin also helps us make the most of your trip. We spend enough time rushing around at home. When traveling, why not give yourself a break and add an extra half-hour (or more) to get from one place to the next. That way you have time to pay attention to the sights along the way. You’ll probably never be at this location again, so give yourself time to stroll and enjoy the view instead of running past to get to your next reservation.

Slow down

If we want our vacation to be restful and rejuvenating, we must slow down. We modern people aren’t good at resting. We’re better at staying busy and trying to cram too many tasks into our day—even when we’re on vacation. This habit can result in a marathon of frenzied “fun” that leaves little room for downtime.

We’ve become so accustomed to the relentless pace of modern life that we’ve forgotten the benefits of taking time to be still. Even the most extroverted extroverts benefit from occasional time alone to reconnect with their soul and with God. A restful vacation should provide opportunities to spend quiet time alone or with a loved one. And it should have a relaxed pace that allows plenty of time to savor experiences, whether you’re tasting a delicious meal or viewing a priceless work of art.  

In addition, intentionally planning fewer activities on the schedule leaves room for serendipitous discoveries. You’ll have time to explore the quaint little village you stopped at for lunch, or to take a side trip to an interesting sight you didn’t know about until you chatted with the taxi driver.

Do a reality check

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Keep your trip within the limits of your budget, the ages and abilities of family members, and your current level of fitness. You can’t enjoy a restful vacation if you’re constantly squabbling about money or in pain from trying to do activities you aren’t in shape to handle. Being honest about limits up front will help your vacation go more smoothly.

Make wise tradeoffs

No two people find rest and relaxation the same way. Some people love active sports while others prefer museums. A well-planned vacation includes opportunities for everyone to enjoy what they love (even the people pleasers).

The key is making intentional compromises. Here are some examples of the kind of tradeoffs you may need to consider.

• A packaged tour means someone else worries about transportation, lodging, and tour tickets, but in return you are locked into that itinerary. Will a tour give you a rest from the anxiety of details, or cause frustration at your lack of control over the day’s agenda?
• Do you like urban nightlife or wilderness hiking? Maybe you can arrange a little of both. Many cities have nature areas that are close enough for a day trip. Or you could split your time between a city destination and more natural surroundings.
• Do you want to see the highlights and move on, or have time to explore a single place for multiple days?  The more time you give to any one location, the fewer destinations you can see in one trip. You’ll have to find the right balance between the two.   

Do your homework

When it comes to traveling, especially outside the country, it pays big dividends to do your research so you’re as prepared as you can be for what you’ll encounter. The fewer unexpected disappointments you face, the happier and more peaceful your vacation will be, right? Do a little work up front so you know what to expect.

For example, google the average temperatures for your travel dates so you pack appropriate clothing. And read the list of amenities for your lodging carefully, or you may be unpleasantly surprised to discover you’re sharing a bathroom, they don’t provide off-street parking, or there’s no wi-fi.

For overseas travel, get a good guide book. I recommend the Rick Steves guides for those traveling in Europe. In addition to great tips on what to see, these guides explain local customs and warn you of rules you might not know about. (For example, some European cities have zones that are permit only. Tourists in rental cars could accidentally incur big fines if they didn’t know this.)

Be intentionally unconventional

Every popular travel destination has a handful of Most Famous Attractions. The ones everyone claims you “must” see. But guess what? That’s where the biggest crowds will be.  And the longest lines. 

For a more restful and unique trip, consider skipping some of the famous spots and heading to lesser-known places instead. Your destination will have other museums, churches, parks, quaint towns, or scenic wonders that are not quite as famous, but just as enjoyable. Why not check them out?

To sum up:

 Plan wisely.

Do less. Savor more.

Focus on what recharges you.

Check out the road less traveled.

That’s how you return home from a vacation feeling rejuvenated and content.