Vacations are a time to relax, recharge, and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. However, it can be difficult to truly relax and make the most out of your tour if you don’t know how. Here are six tips for mastering the art of relaxing on vacation:
1. Set aside your work and other responsibilities.
It can be tempting to check your work emails or stay connected to your daily routine while on vacation, but it’s important to disconnect and fully relax. Set aside your responsibilities and focus on enjoying your vacation, including indulging in local wine, beer, and food. Hopefully, work won’t be on your mind as you drive along the Atlantic Coast of South Africa, blend your very own wine in Washington, or engage in truffle hunting and a cooking class in Tuscany, but it’s easier said than done.
2. Take it slow.
Vacations are not about rushing from one activity to the next. Take the time to savor each experience and allow yourself to relax and enjoy your surroundings, including talking with locals and your fellow travelers. There is nothing better than a sunny afternoon sipping delectable wine in Sonoma, or taking a quick trip from Bordeaux to taste fresh oysters in Cap Ferret—also known as the oyster capital of France, (a skinny, 11-mile-long line of sand bordered to the east by the waters of Arcachon Bay and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean).
3. Disconnect from technology.
It can be tempting to stay connected to your devices while on vacation, but this is one of the key components of the art of relaxing. Consider setting them aside and disconnecting from technology for awhile so you can focus entirely on the experience in front of you. One of the positives about taking a tour is you don’t need your phone for directions or language translation. Your local guide is responsible for all of that, and you can relax and take in the sights, sounds, and smells around you, knowing everything is under control. For example, your local guide on the Belgium Beer Tour, Yannick de Cocquéau was born and raised in Belgium and knows every Belgian brewer personally along with the stories behind the breweries and their beers. It’s truly a special experience to travel with him.
4. Embrace the unfamiliar.
Part of the joy of traveling is experiencing new things and stepping out of your comfort zone. Try to be open to new experiences and embrace the unfamiliar. Maybe you’ve never tried African-Peruvian food, but on our Peru Food Tour you visit the community of Chincha, taste their food filled with Peruvian, Spanish, and African flavors, and find it’s your new favorite cuisine.
5. Learn about the culture and history of your destination.
Researching the culture and history of your destination can help you to better understand and appreciate the place you are visiting as well. You can read books, watch documentaries, or visit local museums and cultural centers to learn more. This starts even before your vacation. We will send you recommended books and movies to watch before your tour that we think will enhance your experience and get you excited for the adventure to come.
6. Talk to your guide.
If all else fails, talk to your guide. They are there to make sure you have an incredible vacation. Maybe you want to skip an activity and get a message, or you want to try a local dessert you researched. Our tour guides are crucial to your vacation. They are with you from breakfast through dinner, introduce you to the food and drink experiences in your tour location, and serve as your advisor, guide, and often friend. All our guides are experienced in both the regions in which they lead tours and the food or drink of that tour. However, we hire our guides as much (or more) for their personality as we do for their credentials. Check them out here!
There are many different ways to master the art of relaxing, and what works for one person may not work for another. Experiment with different relaxation techniques and find what works best for you. If you would like to schedule a tour and try one of these techniques, we are happy to help.
