Like most of us, we have that one vacation that stands out. It was perfect. Maybe you were 10 and your parents took you camping or possibly it was your honeymoon and you cruised your way through the Caribbean. Alright, now let’s focus on your worst vacation. That time you forgot to pack underwear on that 3 week long European trip, or when the airline lost your luggage and you only packed a swim suit on your carry-on; almost everyone has a uniquely horrifying travel story!
We want to make sure you have less terrible travel experiences (even though they may be entertaining) and more delightfully unforgettable ones. Here are our 10 ways to better enjoy your travels:
Research Your Destination
Do some research about your destination before heading out. This one may seem obvious, but it’s often overlooked, especially if you’re cruising to multiple places. Knowing the basics, like what is the primary language and what currency is used is one thing, but try to make learning apart of your traveling experience. Examples could be: what kind of wildlife do they have, popular local cuisine, and/or a little background into their history. You may feel more connected to your time spent there, plus if you have kids, it could be a really fun learning experience.
Be Prepared
Know what you’re getting into, even the most basic vacations can go wrong. It could rain almost the whole time, your flight might get delayed, or the hotel’s restaurant might be closed during your entire stay; the options are endless. Make a mental list of what may go wrong and for one, don’t dwell, and two, get prepared. Things do and will go south all of the time. Pack a raincoat if you plan on doing a lot of outdoor activities (even if the weather says it’ll be fine) and pack snacks just in case you get stuck in a traffic jam on your annual family road trip. There’s no need to overdo it, but if you can make life a little easier for your future self, why wouldn’t you?
Give Yourself a Budget You KNOW You Can Work With
I think we may all be guilty of overspending from time to time. Budgets can be a pain, but the pain of not having enough money to do that excursion you wanted to do because you spent too much at the hotel bar is much worse. Take some time and make a travel budget. Break it down into different categories. Examples of these categories are:
a) Cocktails
b) Food
c) Souvenirs
d) Excursions
e) Travel
f) Other
Also, leave a contingency for those unexpected travel expenses. You can always make adjustments to the budget as your vacation plans shift, but having a base plan is way better than not having one at all.
Don’t Stress The Small Stuff
We as humans have a tendency to panic over the little things in stressful situations… such as traveling. Maybe you have everyone’s matching outfits all picked out, but little Billy spilled his breakfast all over his white shirt and now all of those beach photos you planned are ruined! Don’t panic! Take a step back and really think about what’s going on. Is everyone okay? Yes. Traveling is going to be stressful at times, but we do it to have fun, see and experience new things, and relax. React in ways 10 years in the future you can look back and say “What a great trip!”, instead of cringing with embarrassment.
Leave Room for Error
Maybe control is your thing, but trying to control every minute of your travels can seriously backfire! When is the last time your travel plans went exactly the way you expected them to? You wake up late one day and miss the time you allotted for breakfast so now you’re day is already starting out behind schedule. I get it, you want to do as much as you can during your trip, but this isn't scheduling your workweek; it’s exploring new territories. Go ahead, plan and set tour times, but always leave room for error. Traffic jams, sleeping in, slow service at restaurants, just about anything can make the perfectly constructed vacation itinerary crumble. Oh, and don’t forget about island time!
Pack Smart
Some of us have a tendency to over or under pack, but few know the secret of the “Goldy Locks” zone. Don’t be hesitant to write out a packing list of the items you’ll need so nothing will be overlooked. Also, and possibly more importantly, don’t pack things that don’t make the list. There is nothing more frustrating than lugging around a heavy, oversized bag. Visit our Caribbean Vacation Packing Tips for more on how to pack smart.
Eat Well
Eating well means something different to all of us. This is important for comfortable travels because digestion problems are common during vacations. The mixture of stress, dehydration, different sleeping and eating patterns, your body doesn’t know what to think! By all means, try new foods and be culinary curious, but be cautious as well. Eat around when you usually do and even visit a local market to buy some food you are used to for packed lunches during your days lounging on the beach, after exhausting excursions, or when you aren’t in the mood to go out.
Get Active
Vacations are a time to take naps on the beach and sip on cocktails at hours you wouldn’t dare to back home, but adding some physical activity to your travels can be very rewarding. I’m not saying take a jog or go to the gym (unless you’re into that sort of thing), but going on a hike on St. John or that complementary yoga class that your resort offers can be just what you needed. Getting a little fun physical activity in your day can better help you relax and unwind. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s a great way to keep them occupied and make memories… like zip lining for example!
Try New Things
Trying new things and traveling go hand in hand. You’re in a new place and outside of your comfort zone. It’s the perfect time to test your limits with zip lining, or learn how to windsurf. For more on this, check out our 6 Reasons to Try New Things on Vacation.
Experience Local Culture
Arguably one of he most captivating things about traveling is experiencing the local culture. One that is unlike your own, but rich with history and vibrant with their unique art, food, and music that you can’t help, but to want to experience it all. Many popular tourist destinations have cliche tourist traps that can be pretty entertaining for an afternoon, but for a truly enchanting experience, seek out things such as local festivals, hole-in-the-wall cafes, and live entertainment. In St. Thomas, a great way to get a taste of the local culture is our annual Carnival that happens in April. It’s a time where both local and visitors can come and enjoy some of St. Thomas’s traditional festivities.
Traveling is a lot of things: stressful, exhausting, intimidating, but it is also eye opening thrilling, and some of the best experiences we can have in our lifetime. We hope these tips can help you enjoy your travels just a little bit more!
