Expert Tips to Make Your Vacation Truly Relaxing

After saving for an entire year to enjoy a weekend at a beach resort, I was disappointed to discover that most rooms were booked for a wedding. The celebrations stretched late into the night with boisterous guests singing from the hot tub and some becoming ill in the bushes, leaving me with little sleep.

Since then, when booking accommodations at smaller hotels or resorts, I always inquire about any scheduled weddings during my stay. If there is one, I opt for a different location. While not every wedding is disruptive, I prefer not to feel like a bystander in someone else’s event.

Though certain travel challenges, such as flight delays, are beyond control, there are numerous ways to ensure your vacation remains genuinely relaxing. Travel experts share their best recommendations.

Preparation Before Departure

If your job requires setting an “out of office” message, consider extending your return date by one day to allow a smoother transition back to work, advises travel expert and licensed pilot Kellee Edwards. This approach lets coworkers know you have returned, while others can wait until you’re fully ready.

To avoid the stress of coming home to an empty fridge, preparing and freezing a homemade meal in advance—such as a comforting soup—can serve as a welcoming treat upon your return.

During Your Journey

When traveling with a companion, especially for the first time, it’s important to establish ground rules early to prevent misunderstandings or hurt feelings, says Edwards. For example, agree beforehand if you need some alone time during the day.

Even seasoned flyers can feel uneasy when turbulence occurs. Learning techniques to stay calm can make a significant difference.

Settling In Upon Arrival

Always request an extra hotel room key at check-in, as it often ends up misplaced when you’re away from your room, notes Taylor Garland, communications director for the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

Travel writer Rick Steves recommends personalizing your hotel space to create a peaceful environment. This involves removing clutter such as unnecessary pillows and brochures, storing them out of sight, and rearranging furniture if needed to enhance comfort and lighting.

Steves also advises avoiding expensive minibar purchases by stocking up locally with snacks and drinks to keep in your room.

Edwards suggests that one of the quickest ways to acclimate to a new destination is to rise early and observe the local routine—watching shopkeepers prepare their stores and residents begin their day. This immersion helps foster relaxation and a sense of belonging.

Ravi Roth, an LGBTQ travel expert, recommends keeping your first day light: choose just one activity, enjoy a great meal, and take a walk to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Avoid the urge to over-schedule, which can lead to unnecessary stress and diminish overall enjoyment.

Roth also reminds travelers that no trip is entirely free of hiccups. Flexibility and a positive attitude are key to managing unexpected challenges.

For example, on a late-night arrival in Kauai, Hawaii, Roth and friends discovered their car reservation had been canceled. They ended up taking a ride with an Uber driver who was shirtless and driving a jeep filled with 500 oranges — a memorable story to share later.

When travel plans go awry, viewing the experience as a future anecdote can help maintain perspective and reduce stress.