By Steve Price
We all love to take vacations: the sights, the sounds, the new experiences and the old jaunts that remind us of past trips. Vacationing is a rite of passage that frees us from the stresses of daily life and gives us a reprieve from the trials that we face on a daily basis at home. But have you ever wondered to yourself if you are maximizing your vacation experience? Sometimes trips can seem less like escapes from the daily grind and more like bland, passe experiences. Is there a way to maximize your vacation experience without breaking the bank? You bet there is! It is all in being mindful about how you plan your vacation experience and present yourself at the locale you have chosen to travel to. Let us take a look at some tips and pointers for getting the most out of that vacation, whether it is a weekend layover or a weeks-long adventure!
Before You Go…
When planning out your vacation, make sure that you set an intention for your trip and for yourself while traveling. Instead of just ‘going on vacation’, think about what you want from your trip: rest, cultural connectivity, adventure, gratitude? Parse out the meaning for your trip before you go, and allow yourself to plan accordingly. Also, try packing light for your trips instead of bringing half your wardrove and your appliances from home. Carrying less keeps you present and less stressed, and it also makes moving around easier when you get to where you are going. Practice a ‘minimalist’ approach to luggage and allow yourself to break free of the monotony of the daily life at home.
On the Journey
A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that they have to rush everywhere and get to their final destination more quickly than they should. The reality is that traveling to and from the destination is as much a part of the vacation as anything else, so slow down! Take your time heading to the airport, the railroad station or the bus terminal. Instead of rushing through airports, train stations or highways, notice the people, the sounds, and the rhythms around you. Long flights or bus rides are excellent opportunities for reflection, journaling or meditation. Car rides are excellent chances to strike up conversations with people traveling with you; if you are heading out by yourself, consider making a travel playlist of music to enjoy while heading down to pass the time. The journey need not be a utilitarian tool to get to the destination alone!
Seeing New Places
When traveling to new places, practice using ‘soft eyes’ – take in the whole scene without focusing only on what is Instagram-worthy. Notice textures, smells, and the pace of daily life. Get a feel for how the locals move around the city you have chosen to travel to, and reflect on the local experience instead of the kitsch of tourist traps. Savor the meals that you enjoy and try local dishes, do not be afraid to experiment with different food choices that may differ from your usual fare back at home. Open up your ears to conversation with locals or fellow travelers, glean from their experiences what you can see and experience for yourself while on vacation. One of the best tools in your arsenal is to take mindful walks around the travel destination; walk without headphones or distractions. Just observe the architecture, nature, or how people in the location interact. There is so much to be gathered simply by getting lost around a new city, finding local favorites that can create a lifetime of memories.
Other Tips and Tricks
By far, the number one rule when you head out on vacation is to unplug from your electronics. Allow the world to fade away and the digital grind to cease; spending too much time on your phone keeps you from getting the full local experience. Snap pictures of your trip but stay away from social media apps like Instagram during your trip. Let friends and family know that you are unplugging from normal life for a few days and experience the world as it was before our digital revolution turned people into zombies for their electronics. If you want to really shine on vacation, consider buying a digital camera to capture the memories without relying on your smart phone.
Take a day or two out of your trip itinerary to simply immerse yourself in the locale without worrying about ‘must have’ travel spots. Find time to explore meaningfully on your own without fear of missing out on tourist hot spots, all of which are usually less interesting than some of what you can experience when searching out spots on your own. When in New Orleans, get lost in the gothic cemeteries and the back streets away from the French Quarter. Wonder away from Times Square in New York and get a feel for the city life outside of the tourist traps. There are more places to visit in Key West than Duval Street, many of which offer cheaper prices than you will find on the main drags.
Vacations are wonderful experiences that create a lifetime of memories. When you take your trip, do not be afraid to explore and adventure! Do your research ahead of time if you wish, or leave things up to the whim of fate when you decide to wander through a locale. Be mindful of yourself and your surroundings, and always go prepared to enjoy new experiences from what you are used to at home. More than anything, just enjoy the ride to and from, and allow the full vacation experience to overwhelm your senses. No one ever wants a vacation that leaves them underwhelmed and feeling dreary about returning home. We are always looking for that indelible high that makes us yearn to return in the future, getting us started on pre-planning a vacation back to the locales that make life worth living in the first place.
