What I Look For In A Vacation
When it comes to vacations, we all picture our ideal versions of them slightly differently. Some of us want to dig our toes in the sand and order drinks from under an umbrella, find peace in a good book by the pool, and relax into the feeling of truly going with the flow. Some of us are seeking adventure on hikes through the forest, wanting to explore the histories and terrains and cultures of the locals. Some of us picture a perfect balance of both relaxation and adventure, something that surrenders to calm in moments and forges ahead with adrenaline in others. Whatever your ideal holiday looks like, it’s crucial to decide what priorities are important to you in bringing this vision to life.
If you’ve read a few of my earlier posts you’ll understand when I say that I have never been good at relaxing in the traditional sense of the word. This is obviously something I am working on as I get older and live alone — finding peace in boredom or not being “productive”—, but I do love a good planned, structured, activity-filled day! (*side note*: I am absolutely that meme that’s like “if I finished the day with 9,936 steps then I didn’t move at all, I didn’t make it”). I find it very difficult to shut my brain off and truly do nothing by the pool. Maybe you’re raising your eyebrows at me for that last sentence, and that’s okay! What I’m getting at is that we all have a different version built up in our heads about what it would feel and look like to have the *chef’s kiss* perfect days off.
What I look for in a vacation boils down to three main priorities:
What fun things am I going to eat?
What fun things am I going to do?
What are non negotiables I have in order to maximize my time and money while feeling comfortable, maybe a little fancy, and like the trip was overall worthwhile?
What Fun Things Am I Going to Eat?
I’m totally serious when I say that one of my priorities when I travel (and let’s be real, in general) is centered around food. In reminiscing about places I’ve traveled, my core memories often feature what I ate and how I felt in those moments. I went to Germany with my high school choir group and remember my hilarious, generous, and fun host family making spätzle and German potato salad for dinner on a night we had a late rehearsal. When I went to Oregon, I found every vegan donut shop, pizza place, and taco joint possible to go to. In Puerto Vallarta, I spoke my best Spanish and ordered lots of incredible tacos con papas y cervezas y frijoles con arroz y ceviche de champiñones. Last year when I was on tour with the professional choir I’m in, a friend and I stuck together as the only vegans on the trip and were served 3 courses of salad at Munich’s famous Hofbräuhaus because they didn’t know what to feed us. #Saladgate (Don’t worry, we got a pretzel AND I found a bunch of other cool vegan places for us to eat). On my most recent trip to Joshua Tree to see the meteor showers in August, I still cannot get over the massive and amazing sandwich I ate at my campsite under the stars, or the way my girlfriends and I stocked the fridge at the Air BnB the next night as if we were staying for a week instead of less than 24 hours. In all honesty, the first things I plan trips around are food and where I’m sleeping, in that order. I’m also absolutely guilty of snapping food photos like it’s 2010 and Instagram just came out. I think there is a lot to be said about a place by its food. From hole in the wall spots to Michelin star restaurants, exploring a city through food is a way of also exploring its people, its history, and its culture. Besides, you’re going to be just ravenous for an incredible meal after all of the fun activities you’re doing throughout the day!
What Fun Things Am I Going to Do?
Personally, I am a balanced itinerary type of gal, probably leaning more towards activities than down time. On my vacations, I would love nothing more than to go on a tour, see a museum, hike, visit a local market, ride ATVs — all back to back except for the carefully crafted meal times in between. Even if you’re not like I am and would much rather sit by the pool and be doted on by cabana boys all day (go off, queen), I think there is definitely truth in that the perfect itinerary has ✨variety✨ in its options. We’re not always one hundred percent sure about how we are going to feel once we get there, what kind of mood we’re in, if there are fun local events that come up that weren’t originally on the radar, or if the weather wants to cooperate with us or not. All of the maps and lists I make have more choices than would be humanely possible to try and get to in one trip (I’m not a doctor, but I wouldn’t recommend it). When crafting an itinerary I typically choose one big activity per day or every other day, or in some cases maybe I’ll pick several small activities that are close in vicinity or not too taxing to do in one day. I’ll book the non-negotiable activities as the big items on the itinerary (yes, eating counts as an activity) and leave some wiggle room for changes or additions depending on the vibes.
Non Negotiables
This brings me to the non negotiables: experiences that I am not willing to compromise on. Vacations should make us feel luxurious, like we’re spending our money doing the things that we love with the people that we love. No one wants to take a vacation that feels like a waste of money for not that great of a time. Heck, I don’t want to do anything that feels like a waste of money for not that great of a time! That being said, we all have certain priorities when it comes to activities, food, and where we want to stay. Non negotiables are so important in considering the entirety of the experience you want to have. Do you want to stay in an all-inclusive resort? Is there a pool/hot tub? Are you willing to share a bathroom and possibly a bed with one or more family members? Is the whole purpose of your trip because you want to see a concert or a show at a very specific venue? What does the transportation look like, and can I use Lyft? Are you vegan or gluten-free like I am? Whatever yours might be, I’ve got you covered.
At the end of the day, what I look for in a vacation may not be what you look for in a vacation, but hopefully this post gave you some insight on where to start. Define your priorities by deciding what you truly don’t want to miss and clearly outline the things that are absolutely non negotiable for you. Still not sure where to start? Check out one of my Weekend Getaway PDFs to see samples of itineraries I’ve already made, or take the Travel Quiz, where I’ll ask you specific questions to help you nail down your travel priorities.
Safe travels to wherever you’re going next. I can’t wait to travel vicariously through you.
Jess
