Ah, vacation. There’s nothing like it. A good vacation can be incredibly refreshing. In fact, studies show that taking vacations is good for your mental and physical health. Vacations even make us more productive at work.
But, of course, not all vacations are the same. Each of us probably has at least one vacation horror story; and if not, our bad vacation may be in our future. But we have a lot of control over how great our vacation ends up being. Making the right choices can help us craft a trip that’s sure to leave us feeling happy and revived. And few decisions are bigger than the most basic vacation decision of all: where to go.
So where should you go? We have some ideas that might help you narrow down vacation destinations.
Fun in the sun
Beaches and sunny spots are vacation classics for a reason. Wherever you’re going, whether it’s a tropical island or a foreign city, you need to consider the weather.
Guidebooks will help you here. Read up on the climate of your potential destination, and make sure that it’s suited to your tastes and that you’re traveling at the right time. Off-season travel could mean lighter crowds, but don’t get stranded in a Moscow winter or a brutal Middle Eastern summer.
Breaking a sweat
Relaxing on the beach is all well and good, but a really good vacation will have a few activities to break up your lounging. And it’s a great idea to get some exercise while you’re unwinding, say experts at Paddle Boarding Palm Beach who offer snorkel tours in the waterways of West Palm Beach.
Maybe your exercise plan is as simple as walking around the European city that you’re visiting instead of taking the metro from place to place. Or maybe your exercise plan is an adventure, like a watersports activity or a high adventure hike. Whatever the case, make sure that your prospective destination offers you ways to enjoy some exercise, so that you stay active and don’t end up restless and bored in paradise.
The comforts of civilization
Remote vacations can be wonderful things, but don’t mess up your plans by choosing a place that lacks the comforts you want. This means things like beds and bathrooms, of course. If you love camping and hiking, more power to you, but if you want a relaxing beach vacation, then you may want to look for a comfortable resort. Also check out proximity to towns and other signs of life and culture. Some resorts are cities unto themselves, but other potential vacation destinations will require you to go hunting for options if you want to dine out, enjoy some nightlife, or even just run to the liquor store.
The big city
If your interests lie in museums, botanical gardens, plays, concerts and an array of restaurants, choose a big city to explore. They often have something for just about everyone. Check out Google Maps and research your destination in guidebooks to make sure that the amenities, attractions, and shops are what you expect and want for your big trip.
These are just a few things to consider, of course. You’re sure to have priorities and ideas of your own. The point here is to be careful and consider all of your options. You should be taking lots of vacations in your life, but you’re only taking this one once, so make it count. Choose the ultimate vacation destination and get everything that you’d hoped to out of this trip. If you do things right, you’ll end up happier, healthier, and ready to get back to daily life. Well, back to it until next year, that is.
