Advice To Help Improve Your Travels
Travel is a magical plethora of experiences woven through timeless cultures, traditions and periods that are ingrained in each place that you visit. There are lush green rice fields in Bali and tranquil teal waters in Belize, while the iced snow of the Canada mountain scapes and the dry arid deserts of Egypt are swept into one picturesque fantasy, where time seems to be a non-existent concept, save for the faint heartbeat of nature that croons softly in the distance. There is nothing like losing yourself in a city you have never heard of before or taking a trip into the unknown where the only routine is the schedule you clutch so eagerly to your chest, half smudged from the rainforest droplets that pool in your hand.
But for some travel isn’t the stress free, tranquil memories that I remember so well, but one that is plagued with anxiety, worry and stress. You remember issues with passports and the stress of being kept back at borders. You worry about money endlessly, and even the thought of a dip into mermaid land can’t blur the turbulent emotions that try and take over your mind. It’s possible that travelling isn’t that appealing to you because you haven’t had the best of experiences in the past. Be glad to know there are ways for how you can improve your travels and have a better time overall.Learn from your past mistakes and also be willing to listen to advice and tips for what changes you can make going forward. Try not to let one disappointing trip deter you away from planning another wonderful holiday in the future. You’ll find that with a few modifications to your usual travel routine that you’ll be able to have a much more enjoyable and rewarding experience the next time around. So forget being drenched in the rain, go forward knowing that the sun will shine on you always, no matter where you choose to go.
Pick A Location That Has It All
They say that the key to stress free travel is to choose a location that ‘has the it factor’ or has it all, although a person’s definition of ‘having it all’ is entirely down to interpretation. For example ‘thrill seekers’ who enjoy climbing, swimming and surfing might look at active holiday destinations like Australia, whose sunny climate, stunning vistas and beautiful beaches are ideal for those who like to live life on the wild side, while those who love walking, flowers and gardens might choose the gorgeous Madeira (yes I know I am biased) which is renowned for its levada walks and picturesque botanical gardens . So determining what holiday location has it all is all dependent on what you seek from a holiday. For example as someone who is a history enthusiast, foodie and loves natural vistas, locations like Greece and Italy are ideal because they combine all of my common interests into one culture soaked, fun laden trip that will have me smiling from ear to ear.
Ideal For Adventure Seekers Who Want To Be Active On Their Travels
For others who crave some time away soaking up the glorious golden rays of the afternoon sun, you may want to look at a destination renowned for its ‘temperate sunnier climate’, such as Spain or France, where you can spend hours basking in the glory of a sunworshipper’s paradise. And if you are looking for an island getaway what could be better than a delicious trip to Mallorca, a Balearic island surrounded by an artisan and cultural scene that will leave you feeling invigorated. Wander around the maze-like Alcúdia and marvel at the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture. From coast to coast get lost in secluded bays, soft golden sands and sapphire seas. Make a splash at an aqua park, or dive in to wet and wild watersports. Leave the coastline and head inland for an away-from-it-all adventure. Or simply do it all and discover just how much there is to do on this beautiful Balearic island. Mallorca Holidays are a fun idea for the whole family and have a lot to offer depending on what you want from your holiday. This island has both options for when you want to seek adventure or when you’re in the mood to have a laid-back day. Mixing up your days and routine will help keep your holiday feeling fresh and unique, and it’s very unlikely that you’ll become bored. Make sure that there’s plenty for you to do and also a lot of sunshine to soak up so you can also work on your tan.
Plan Ahead And Make Safety A Priority
Another piece of advice to consider if you want to improve your travels is to get in the habit of planning ahead. While you don’t have to have, every last detail mapped out, at least take the time to come up with a tentative itinerary you can follow. This will help you stick to a schedule and make sure you get out of your hotel at a decent hour each morning. It’s also a wise idea to book reservations for any excursions or tours well in advance so that you’re guaranteed a spot. While you don’t need to follow your schedule down to a t, it will enable you to make the most of your holiday and help you have the holiday experience that you have always dreamed of having. From kayaking to museum pursuits, the possibilities really are endless. Planning ahead will not only enable you to feel organized, less stressed and more active but it will also mean that you can create holiday memories that will last a lifetime.
Additionally, you’re going to be able to improve your travel experience when you make your safety a priority. For instance, leave your expensive jewellery at home, lock up valuables like your passport and never walk alone at night. Take these precautions, and you’ll be less likely to encounter any trouble or unfortunate situations. It’s especially important to understand how you can be keeping yourself safe if you’re travelling by yourself. Your safety is a priority so its important that you do everything in your power to keep yourself safe at all times.
Take Care of Yourself
It can be all too easy to indulge in old habits when it comes to going on holiday, whether that be eating junk food, smoking or anything else that you might do in moderation. And while it is ok to have a treat and have fun on holiday it’s also important to do things that have a positive impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. You’ll feel a lot better in general when travelling if you take care of yourself and continue to focus on your wellbeing. For example:
Try to eat healthy meals and snacks
It can be all to tempting to source out your local holiday fast food outlet, stock up on the greasy and fatty snacks or overload on calories but the effect on your mental and physical wellbeing can be negative. And while you should never deprive yourself of treats, the importance is to do everything in moderation, so ensure that you also add healthy meals and snacks to your holiday diet so that you strike a balance between the two.
Make Time For Meditation, Mindfulness And Breathing Exercises
Recently I have been attending Mindfulness session as an extension of my CBT, which has enabled me to think more mindfully about how I focus on self care, and to be more kinder to myself, and I couldn’t recommend it enough Meditation is a state of mindfulness which enables you to stop and think, allowing you to change how you react towards certain situations and aiding you to control negative or anxious thoughts more effectively. But who says that these meditative exercises must stop when you are on holiday? You might get so caught up in holiday planning, packing your holiday with as many activities as possible and being active than you can forget how to breathe and just hit pause on time. But even when we are busy, we need that moment of mindfulness to help ground us and keep us centered.
Go To Bed At A Decent Hour
While as an insomniac I am not one to talk about going to bed at a ‘decent hour’ I also know that too many days without sleep can leave you feeling irritated, grumpy and ready to throw your entire wardrobe out of your window.You’ll find your trip is that much more pleasant when you put your needs first and don’t allow yourself to slip back into poor habits, so ensuring that you get enough sleep is so important for your emotional wellbeing. After all if we don’t have energy on holiday, that can lead to us not enjoying what we have planned ahead, so make sure you get enough shut eye.
Ask the Locals for Restaurant Recommendations
Another way to improve your travels in the future is to make it a point to ask the locals where they recommend you eat. They’ll have the best knowledge of why certain restaurants are better than others and will know which foods you might enjoy the most. Tasting new foods is a great way to learn more about the culture and challenge yourself to live outside your comfort zone. In addition, get creative with where you eat your meals such as checking out a local festival or a cafe that’s known to be popular. Besides, as a vegetarian who is a massive foodie, asking the locals for recommendations will not only enable you to try ‘authentic local food’ but will also allow you to try something that is a little different and less mainstream.
Be in the Moment & Stay Curious
Commit to being in the moment and staying curious, and your trip is sure to take a turn for the better. When you’re disengaged and always on your phone, you won’t be getting the most out of your travel experience. Being curious will help you to challenge any assumptions or stereotypes and truly appreciate where you are and what you’re doing. If you’re always distracted, you’re likely to miss out on all your destination has, and the people have to offer. Try to remain flexible and go with the flow so that you don’t get frustrated when your plans don’t go accordingly. I always find that sometimes my greatest travel memories or those that were in the moment ; a trip to Madeira saw me wandering around the mountains with my cousin, where we stumbled among this sub-terrenean climate where rainforests collided with deserts in one microcosmic location and it was beautiful. It was made more beautiful by the fact that these walks were a ‘local’s secret’ and couldn’t be found in the tourist guides making it a holiday experience that was truly special.
Conclusion
Travelling and exploring new lands can be a nerve-wracking experience, but it’s also a chance for you to learn and grow as a person. Use this advice as guidance to help you improve your travels and keep an open mind. Be proud of yourself for giving it another shot and being willing to adjust your approach a bit.
What Are Your Tips For Having A Stress Free Holiday?
*Disclaimer
Please note this is a collaborative post but all thoughts are my own and are not affected by monetary compensation.
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