Whether you struggle with finding time to take off from work or have exhausted all of the personal time off for this calendar year, I bet you could use some travel tips on how to make the most of your weekend. As I, too, want to learn from other adventure travelers, I contacted my friend and peer writer, Liz Houston, to give us her tips for an immersive weekend break.
Enjoy Liz’s tips!
Weekend breaks are a funny business. A short trip is, of course, better than no trip. But, it can be difficult to relax when you’re only away for a weekend. By the time you arrive, you’re looking at going home again. You barely have a chance to settle in your hotel before you’re packing up. As such, it can be difficult to achieve an immersive experience. Home is never far from your mind, and with it remain the worries you’re attempting to escape.
But, we’re here to tell you that a weekend break can be immersive. There’s no denying that you won’t achieve the long and luxurious relaxation you’d get on a week vacation. But, you can still dip your toes in the world of no worries. You just need to go about things the right way. And, here’s how.
A destination far from home
Okay, not literally. When spending a weekend away, the majority of us stick close to home. It makes sense. You don’t want to spend what little time you have on the road. But, it’s still important to choose somewhere that doesn’t remind you of home. If you visit a town like yours, how can you relax? You won’t feel like you’ve even gone anywhere. Instead, look for a nearby destination far from your everyday experience. This won’t be as difficult as you think. If you live in the city, look for a countryside retreat. Those accustomed to the quiet of nature should look for a buzzing city break.
Add a touch of luxury
You can take your break further from the every day by adding a touch of luxury. As you’ll only be staying for a night, why not book a five-star hotel? Sure, it would get pricey if you were staying for the week. But you aren’t, so make the most of it.
Think, too, about luxurious things to do during the day. You could rent a boat for a few hours, or book in for an afternoon at the spa. Whatever you choose, do something you would never normally do. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to eat in a top-quality restaurant but were unable to justify it. Now’s your chance!
Leave technology at home
Technology is terrible when you’re attempting to have an immersive experience. You’re sunbathing by the pool when you get a call from your boss because they forgot you were away. Even after they’ve apologized, the mood is ruined, and your head is back at work. Stop this from happening by leaving technology at home.
This may seem like a radical step to people who use their phones often, but you’ll be glad you did it. You’re only away for one or two nights, so you can rest pretty easy that no one will need you urgently. If it makes you feel better, you could give your loved ones the hotel number for emergencies. But, leave laptops and phones at home. The weight this takes off your shoulders will be unbelievable.
**Guest post contributed by Liz Houston, a peer travel writer who is currently working in Europe.**