Life can often be hectic, right? Family, school, work, hobbies… the list is endless. That’s why we look forward to our next vacation. We want to escape our routines. We go hiking, snorkeling, and sightseeing.
There are plenty of ways to keep ourselves occupied on a trip. When we’re planning our trip, we imagine doing all those exciting activities, putting together action-packed itineraries and compiling long bucket lists. We think this is just what we need to rejuvenate and enjoy our trip.
And we check them off one by one as we get them done.
But what about a trip during which we do nothing at all? Is that even possible?
Yes, it is!
The ability to completely turn the switch off and enjoy where you are without needing to be entertained or stimulated can be an awakening experience for many.
I know it has been for me. This past May 2022, I led a two-week group trip to the UK that included overnights in London and the British countryside. Every day we enjoyed a variety of tours & excursions and it was a lot of fun.
But when everyone went home, I collapsed in exhaustion. Not only was I out of practice as a tour director, but all of my senses were heightened due to pervasive fears of a new wave of illness during the summer.
I was so exhausted that I couldn’t even think of what I should do next. That was probably the first indication that I needed an R&R trip. My next step was to book myself into my favorite wellness retreat center in Ireland.
It was the single most important decision I made for my mental well-being.
The minute I arrived on the park-like grounds my shoulders immediately dropped a couple of inches. The first few days I did nothing but sleep even though there were an endless array of wellness activities available to me. I didn’t even have the wherewithal to walk the colorful gardens, which were well-maintained, gorgeous and healing.
It took a few days for me to get into the rhythm of doing nothing every day. The lack of activity is deceptive because while you are sitting still, you’re actually repairing the damage that stress does to the body. You are literally healing your body, mind and spirit.
This, I believe, is the essence of R&R travel.
Let’s talk about this often-neglected niche in travel: R&R Travel.
What Is A Rest and Relaxation (R&) Travel?
An R&R vacation is a time to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s a time for contemplation, renewal and self-reflection that’s often missing in the grind of everyday life.
An R&R vacation is not an activity you engage in, but a place where you can simply rest and let your mind wander free.
I have had clients who desired an R&R vacation request an itinerary that’s jam-packed with tours & excursions. There was literally no time to relax with such a schedule. It was too busy and didn’t allow for a lot of relaxation.
That is not an R&R trip!
The goal of an R&R trip is to escape from your routine life, find a place where you can do nothing and relax for as long as possible.
In the last 8 months or so, I curated a two-week trip to Tahiti where the most active things my clients did was sleep the day away on the deck of their overwater bungalow.
I also helped an overworked couple reset and relax in Santorini, Greece where they soaked up the healing energy from the Aegean Sea. There’s nothing quite like the seaview from your private balcony in Oia.
My personal favorite was a family villa vacation in Jamaica where my client began every morning by communing with nature on her private patio overlooking the ocean. I was delighted when she told me that she made friends with a very special bird who visited her every morning.
Here are 4 Tips On How To Plan A Rest and Relaxation Trip
Travel to Destinations Where R&R is Part of the Culture.
From my own experiences and those of clients for whom I plan trips (I’m an award-winning personal travel consultant), I have found that true relaxation has become somewhat of a lost art.
For many people, the thought of taking a trip to do absolutely nothing may seem absurd and even a waste of time.
Why would I pay for a 7-night vacation to some idyllic, far away destination to do absolutely nothing?
Well, that is exactly what I encourage people to do. Find a relaxing destination where you can unwind naturally as well as have time to engage in some self-care.
From the Caribbean to Indonesia, island getaways offer the perfect place to unplug from the chaos and frantic pace of normal life. Tranquil beaches, overwater bungalows and wellness resorts — what’s not to like? If you want to reset your life and pamper yourself properly, consider visiting Aruba or the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Maybe you prefer rainy mornings in a cozy cabin in a quiet village in the countryside, where you can relax and connect with nature.
Whatever your heart desires, the world is full of peaceful escapes. I bet you do not have to travel halfway across the world to find your perfect destination if you don’t want to.
Even right in your own country, you can find relaxation options that rival the best in the world.
You just need to know where to look, or better yet, get help from someone who spends every day planning such trips.
If someone else organizes your entire trip and takes care of everything, you have a better chance (and more time) to really enjoy life, pamper yourself and have the time of your life!
Make a Habit Out Of Relaxing at Home
In this day and age of endless distractions and information overload, our minds have become so stimulated that it has become difficult to relax.
The result is that we burn out faster, get sick more often, and have less energy to do what we really want to do. The time we spend chasing all kinds of goals is also time we do not spend doing what we really want to do.
That’s why I encourage everyone to take a break every now and then. Start by taking a full day or two off a few times a year, then once a month, take a week or even more.
You can use this time to relax your body and your mind. A full day of just sitting back and relaxing mindfully (not watching Netflix) can do wonders for your well-being.
Surround Yourself with The Right Travel Companions
Are you someone who has trouble forgetting about the stress at work or in your personal life and just relaxing to the fullest? Here’s where traveling with friends or family members has its perks.
And we are not talking about the adrenaline junkies whose definition of a full-on vacation is bungee jumping or mountain biking.
Nor are we talking about the history buffs who want to exhaust themselves (and you) with sightseeing tours and rushing between museums. Such thrilling experiences have their place, but this is not it.
In this case, you probably want the company of people whose definition of a good trip is lying in a hammock on a beach all day. There’s something about falling asleep and waking up to the waves, soft white sand and a calm ocean breeze.
This also might not be the right trip for your favorite chatty cousin/college roommate/bff who loves to talk non-stop about anything and everything.
What you’re looking for is someone who can enjoy and appreciate complete serenity alongside you.
Unplug From Your Devices
Traveling without technology can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Technology can often distract your attention from being fully present in the moment.
Coupled with research showing that limited internet access is associated with better health outcomes, travel and digital detox should be more closely associated.
Naturally, one of the best ways to avoid using technology is to travel to a remote destination with limited Internet access. There are countless locations around the world that offer plenty of fun and ample time for relaxation. These should help you keep your mind off the news, emails, and social media.
Going completely tech-free may be too big of an ask for some people. The good news is there are ways to reduce your dependence on technology while traveling.
Plan a shorter vacation. A long weekend without technology could be the perfect amount of time away from life to recharge.
Take as few devices as possible. Your phone is a must-have in case of an emergency, but do you really need to bring your Ipad, too? “But I love reading by the pool.” Maybe take an old-fashioned paper book instead? Gasp!
Set limits for how and when you will use your phone or laptop. There are great apps that can help you manage your screen time while traveling.
Apple & Android phones have a cool new feature called Focus where you can set your phone to “Do Not Disturb” during certain periods of day.
Without distractions, you’ll also have time to really connect with your destination, deepen your relationship with yourself, immerse yourself in nature, practice mindfulness, and more.
Planning The Best R&R Trip
By following these simple tips, you can plan an R&R vacation that is guaranteed to be unique and memorable.
However, you should try to plan as much as possible in advance so that once you arrive at your destination, all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the trip.
We all know that this is easier said than done. The hardest part about planning an R&R trip is worrying about all the things that can go wrong on the way to your destination.
Delayed flights. Lost luggage. Hotel room mix-ups.
All of these things can quickly snap you out of your relaxing mood. That’s why having a personal travel consultant who not only knows how to plan these types of trips but is also there for you throughout your trip, is the best & first decision you can make.
