If you think the only way to travel is to pack in as many things to do as possible, it’s time you learned a little bit more about slow travel. This method emphasizes fewer, more authentic experiences over packing your day with as many activities as possible.
However, just knowing what slow travel is doesn’t mean you know how to have a slower vacation. After all, if you’ve spent a lifetime over-planning your vacations, it can be particularly hard! With these tips, you can slow down a little or a lot, finding a new pace that allows you to return home rested and rejuvenated.
Plan Just One Thing to Do Every Day
When you’re planning activities for the family to do on vacation, it’s easy to underestimate just how long those activities will take, or how much energy they require. It isn’t uncommon for families to think they can visit two Disney parks in one day, or pile on a trip to the museum in addition to a special dinner, shopping, and a show.
Instead, slow down and plan just one thing to do each day. For example, a day in Myrtle Beach should include one big activity, and that’s it. Plan a dolphin sightseeing cruise, then relax by the pool at the hotel, or spend the day on the beach outside your hotel room and enjoy a dinner cruise.
Only planning one activity has another benefit. If you discover something unexpected, you have plenty of time to check it out when you only plan one thing to do every day.
Schedule Time to Do Nothing
If you have a hard time planning just one thing to do because you’re always piling on activities until you have a full day of activities planned, take a different tact and schedule time to do nothing at all.
Literally, pencil in a few hours in the afternoon or the evening to do absolutely nothing, and treat that time as if you planned something important to do. That way, you don’t have to commit to a do-nothing vacation if you still have things you want to do, but you don’t end up over-planning your vacation either.
Use How You Relax at Home as Inspiration
There are many wonderful ways to relax while you’re on vacation, and yet, so many people are confused by exactly how to do it while they’re away from home. There’s no need to complicate how you relax on vacation. You can find ways to unwind in just five minutes, and you can find inspiration from your everyday life.
A few ideas include:
- Soaking in the bathtub inside your hotel room
- Taking a short walk after dinner
- Eating a little chocolate
- Watching a little TV
- Meditating first thing in the morning
- Writing in a journal
- Doing a little people watching
Sleep In
One of the best ways to relax while you’re on vacation is to sleep, and yet, so many vacationers feel like sleeping is a waste of time when there’s so much to do. Nothing could be further from the truth.
It may take a little bit of work to create an inviting sleep environment in your hotel room, but once you do, you’ll find you get the best sleep of your life. Without the stress and distractions of everyday life, you may find that you’re truly able to relax for the first time in a long time.
Take advantage of that and sleep in! Everything you want to do will still be there after you get up, so have breakfast in bed and enjoy a late coffee before you start your day.
Don’t Be Afraid to Split Up
If you’re traveling with family or friends, you probably expect to spend all of your time together. That will likely leave you feeling tired, stressed, and it’s a sure way to over-plan your vacation. Making sure everyone gets to do what they want means there’s a lot to do!
Instead, consider splitting up. That includes allowing everyone to do different activities throughout the day, but it may also mean separating how you travel. For example, some couples find that vacationing together is better when they fly alone!
You want to do and see as much as you can while you’re on vacation, but that mindset will leave you feeling drained and stressed when your vacation is over. Slow down a little with the tips on this list, and you’ll return home feeling like you actually had a vacation!