Vacations should be Fun

Most people think of vacations as fun, relaxing times. For many they are, but for others, vacations can be stressful and disappointing!  Why is that?  Too often people are anxious about money, try to do too much, are exhausted by travel, and don’t do what they want. Here are some ideas about vacationing
  
1. Establish a budget and stay within it.  If you can’t afford a vacation, don’t go.
2. Don’t try to do too much. Inevitably the people I meet in Europe who can’t wait to get home have been in “ten countries in ten days”!
3. Make sure there is plenty of time for rest and relaxation. Being is probably more important than seeing.
4. Figure out what you like to do and do it. Often people go places and do things because conventional wisdom says they should.  If you don’t like cities, don’t go to New York.
5. Stop at regular intervals and process your experience. If things are going right, then do something else. It is your time and money. The agenda can always be changed.
6. Be open to new experiences. It can be fun and exciting to try new things and meet new people. Learning about a new culture can especially be invigorating.
7. Figure out what is important for your welfare and peace of mind.  For example driving, bus or train travel can be stressful in certain countries. It may be worth it to hire a driver, even though it costs more than other kinds of travel. The lessening of stress may be worth the extra cost. Only you know what is important to you.
8. Plan ahead. Some people like to head out and develop their plan as it unfolds. That is one way to go, but most people probably do best with good advance planning. Reservations take away anxiety and often save time and money. The Internet makes vacation planning available to all.
9. Be safe. Use common sense about where you go, where you keep your valuables, and whom you trust. Use your instincts. Tourists are usually easy to identify. Be careful. The concierge services in hotels can be most helpful.
If you are rested, stimulated, and even more curious after your vacation, it has been a good one!