When we dream of a trip, we usually picture ourselves ticking off major landmarks, indulging in local cuisine, and soaking in every ounce of culture the destination has to offer. But let’s be real — traveling can be exhausting. Between the early morning tours, endless walking, and navigating unfamiliar territory in another language, it’s easy to burn out.
Have you ever heard someone come home from a trip of a lifetime and say something along the lines of they need a vacation from their vacation? Or they’re so dead after the trip you don’t even get to hear about it for weeks because they’re exhausted? Sometimes you have no choice, but if you can help it at all try not to need a vacation from your vacations.
So how do you strike that perfect balance between exploring and just being? Here’s what I’ve learned from years of traveling (and occasionally overdoing it):
1. Embrace the Power of the Slow Morning
You don’t have to start every day at 7 AM. In fact, some of my favorite travel memories have started with slow, unhurried mornings: sipping a cup of cappuccino in a quaint, quiet café, where the aroma of fresh pastries fills the air, watching the world outside, or immersing myself in the art of people-watching as the city slowly wakes up around me. These moments are not just about the tranquility; they set a peaceful tone for the rest of the day, allowing for creativity to flow and inspiration to strike. They give your body the chance to recharge, to feel the gentle embrace of the morning light, and to reflect on the adventures that lie ahead. Embracing the luxury of time can lead to unexpected discoveries and deepened connections with the places we visit, ultimately creating lasting memories that can be cherished long after the trip is over.
2. Plan “Rest Days” on Purpose
If you’re on a longer trip, try to assign at least every other day (or afternoon) with no agenda. Treat it like a little vacation from your vacation. Lounge by the pool, wander aimlessly, book a massage, or stay in and catch up on sleep. Read a book, watch a movie, in essence, just relax. It’s amazing what a reset day can do for your energy levels and mood.
3. Alternate Big and Light Days
Climbing that mountain or hitting four museums in one day? Awesome — but maybe follow it up with a light itinerary the next day. Find a quiet beach, a shaded park, or a quaint neighborhood where you can just roam without a checklist. A great way to think about this is that all roads lead to Rome. From Rome, you certainly can take many easy day trips. Day trips are a wonderful way to explore. You can experience a whole different place without moving your luggage and travel companions to a different location. So if you stay in Rome and take a day to go to Florence, don’t take the next day to explore the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre. Spend the next day in Rome having a leisurely breakfast. Enjoy shopping the streets or taking a cooking class. Consider going to a spa or maybe a couple hours guided golf cart tour. This approach resets your batteries. Then the next day you can thoroughly enjoy another day trip or a more active day in Rome taking all the sights.
4. Listen to Your Body, Not Your Itinerary
It’s tempting to pack your days full, especially if you’re somewhere bucket-list-worthy. But if you’re tired, irritable, or just not feeling it — give yourself permission to pivot. There’s no shame in skipping something. The joy of travel isn’t just in what you see, but in how it makes you feel. And if you’re drained, you’re not going to soak in your experiences. Even worse would be if barely remember them.
To this day I can not for the life of me remember being in the airport in Chicago changing planes from my flight from Las Vegas to fly to Tokyo. It was simply part of my travel day and not the focus of my trip. Still, I would really like to remember what the airport in Chicago was like. It’s the only time I’ve been there.
On the flip side, when in port in Montenegro we had planned to go see Dubrovnik Croatia. As the ship cruised into the Bay of Kotor even though we were up early we just didn’t feel up to a long day trip. Instead we took the tender into the port and hired a taxi to take us to Budva. I knew very little of Montenegro and confessed as much to our driver. Our driver was happy to tell us all about his country and people. We had an amazing time learning about Montenegro and going through the ancient fort in Budva. I’m certain we had a much better day than we would have had we spent hours on the road going to Croatia and back.
The whole trip we encountered wonderful people, and had many delightful interactions. That being said, the Serbians of Montenegro stood out as going well above and beyond for us. It wasn’t just our driver, it was everybody there. The driver, his wife, the shopkeepers. The maitre d that took us shopping first at our request, (Yes, shopping on the streets of Kotor!) before seating us for dinner. He even went to all the shops to find the one that had the postcards my mom really wanted. It ended up being their post office! The waiter that went and purchased a drink nearby that the restaurant didn’t carry. He also walked us back to the port so we wouldn’t get lost. I will always think super fondly of Montenegro and it’s delightful people. Had we not been flexible with our plans that amazing day with such kind people would never have happened.
5. Stay Somewhere You Want to Be
Whether it’s a cozy Airbnb with a stunning view, a hostel filled with great vibes and friendly people, or a luxurious hotel boasting a rooftop pool — your accommodation should truly be a place you enjoy spending time in. A comfortable and inviting space not only enhances your travel experience but also serves as a welcome retreat after a day of exploration. That way, staying in doesn’t feel like a tedious necessity, but rather a delightful pleasure that allows you to unwind and recharge.
Search for accommodations that provide compelling reasons to spend a day enjoying their amenities. Ideas would be a beautiful garden to explore, a quaint café serving delightful treats, or a city highlight or point of interest conveniently located next door. This way, you can easily savor the charms of the area you are visiting without expending as much time, effort, and energy as you would if you were staying somewhere else that’s far away from everything and offers nothing more than a clean bed. Additionally, consider accommodations that offer local experiences or guided tours, which can further enrich your stay and immerse you in the culture of the destination, turning your trip into an unforgettable adventure.
6. Build in “Micro-Downtime”
You don’t need an entire day to decompress. Even 30 minutes of rest in a shady spot, a long lunch break, or a scenic train ride can restore your energy. Little pockets of peace throughout the day go a long way. One of my favorite things to do to recharge is find a nearby restaurant with a view. I then enjoy a leisurely meal or a snack with a drink. Observe the people around you, soak in the local culture and atmosphere.
7. Travel Like a Local, Not a Tourist
Locals aren’t sprinting from attraction to attraction — they live at a natural rhythm. Join them. Shop at the market. Sit on a bench and just watch. Get lost on purpose. You’ll get a much richer experience and feel far less frazzled.
One evening while in Venice with my mother we didn’t know what to do and were pretty tired. The Italians generally have pre-dinner aperitif each night. So in the spirit Italy we decided to have a drink before dinner. We made our way down to the little garden along the canal of our hotel to have a drink.
Almost all the seats were taken except two around a table that had two women sitting in the other chairs. We sat down with them with a warm greeting. A genuine connection and conversation with the women ensued. They were on holiday from Brussels and weren’t even staying at our hotel. They noticed our little hotel garden while walking on a nearby bridge. They asked if they could sit there and have a drink. The hotel had allowed them. There was no other space, so I was forced out of my comfort shell. I struck up a conversation as we sat down. What a delight. We had such a good time the four of us ended up walking to a nearby restaurant and having dinner together as well. The girls barely made the last train out of Venice. We had many great evenings in Italy, but this was one of the ones we talk about the most when we reminisce about that trip.
The Bottom Line: It’s Your Trip — Own the Pace
There’s no “right” way to travel as we are all unique individuals with different things that impact us personally. My best advice is be flexible no matter what. Some days will be packed full, and others are peaceful and relaxing. The best trips flow with your energy and group, not against it. So don’t be afraid to rest or change up your plans. Your memories will be better for it — and so will you. You may even pick up a new friend or two.