How To Slow Down and Actually Enjoy Travel

After spending hours, days and maybe even months planning a relaxing getaway, the last thing any traveler wants to do is spend time cramming valuable vacation days with non-stop activities, tours and attractions. Some cities like Rome and New York are impossible to see in just a few days, but the point of a vacation is to not only engage in new surroundings but also to take a break from life and spend some time partaking in enjoyable activities, whether those involve sightseeing and hiking or just sitting in a beach chair and doing nothing. Here are a few more ways to get the most out of a long-awaited holiday.

Avoid itineraries. Type A travelers love a good itinerary in which each day is planned out in terms of activities and attractions. But in other travelers’ eyes, vacations should not have plans. Instead, it is an opportunity to decide what to do based on moods or feelings. This allows travelers to follow their intuition and removes the stress from adhering to a rigid regimen, especially when facing jet lag and culture shock.

Leave your map behind. Maps can serve as great resources to get to know a new place, but some visitors tend to rely too heavily on these directional drawings and neglect to notice the sights around them. Keeping a map in your day bag is a wise tactic but only take it out in the case of an emergency. Instead, rely on your sights and senses to lead you in the right direction.

Let yourself relax. Travel has the capability to make some people anxious and tense. From airports to waiting in line to crowds of fellow tourists, the journey can be just as stressful as the actual experience. Try to remember travel is meant to be enjoyable and scout out cherished moments of leisure.