There is nothing more exciting to me than exploring a new place! I work tirelessly before a trip to determine how to see and do everything I can in my limited time. It is very tempting to run run run and go go go the entire time I am away. But I have determined that sometimes, the best way to experience a place is to take time to relax when on vacation.
Here are 5 ways I have learned to relax when on a run run run vacation.
Sit and Sip at a Sidewalk Café
There is no better way to watch people than to sit and SLOWLY sip (or dine) at a sidewalk café. Your feet will thank you for the break. Plus, you will learn things about the people and their daily life you could never learn at a museum. I particularly loved doing this in Prague. They had wonderful cafes in the heart of town where I could see and talk with locals.
Too hot or cold to sit on the sidewalk? Go inside but ask for a seat by the window. This is a great way to relax and enjoy life when on vacation.
Have Fun in the Sun at the Local Beach
Take part of a day to explore the beach or coastline. The sound of waves and feel of water is extremely soothing and is a great way to relax on vacation. I had a wonderful time watching the amazing surfers from the beach in South Africa. You may not want to spend all your time there, but taking a little time to relax and soak up some Vitamin D will enhance your touring time. Be sure to pack sunscreen so you don’t suffer the rest of your trip!
Pop a Squat for Lunch in the Park
One of my favorite things to do in Paris was to grab a baguette and pop a squat in one of their lovely green spaces. Baguettes are an inexpensive and yummy meal. Plus I was right there with the locals enjoying the beautiful day and watching the world go by. I encourage you to grab a sandwich and find a good park for lunch. It is a great way to relax on vacation (or even at home)!
Soak Your Tired Body in the Hotel Pool
Touring can lead to tired feet and sore muscles. One of my favorite ways to relax on vacation is to spend a little time at the hotel pool. I am a swimmer, so my body misses the water when I am away from it too long. While I can’t swim laps, I can enjoy the soothing water of the hotel pool or whirlpool. Especially on a starry night after a long day on my feet.
Get a Massage
I am a massage junkie. I love a good massage, but I rarely indulge in them as they don’t exactly come cheap in the US. But I have often gotten a massage for less than the price of lunch when traveling abroad.
The best massage of my life was a 90-minute full body massage in Hanoi, Vietnam. That girl worked out every kink and muscle in my body as she literally crawled all over me. Yes, I do mean crawled. At one point she was using both her hands and her knees on my back (needless to say, she was tiny). And talk about cheap! I gave her USD 10 and she was amazed that I was willing to overpay so much. I now regret not forking over a $20.
Massages are a Cultural Experience
Massages aren’t just my very favorite way to relax on vacation though. They are also cultural experiences in and of themselves. That massage in Hanoi was on the 5th floor of someone’s home. Their personal possessions were crammed behind a curtain (which I peeked behind to make sure there was nobody with a camera).
International massages really get me out of my comfort zone and help me experience the life of a local. In Morocco I visited the local hammam where a very strong Moroccan woman scrubbed off a layer of my skin before the massage. It sounds awful, but I was very soft and silky after that.
Deidra and I visited the local bath house in Tokyo to experience a soak and get a massage. It was weird to move from pool to pool with nothing but a washcloth to cover myself with. But the Japanese women were unfazed by this. It is just a part of life in Japan. Oddly enough they gave me a robe to cover myself with for the massage.
I know some of you may be horrified by these experiences. But why travel if you aren’t going to try new things? And trust me, the awesome massages I have received on trips are totally worth breaking out of my comfort zone.
What do you do to relax on a run run run vacation?
We want to connect with you! Leave your stories and questions in the comment section and sign up for our newsletter below. Check out our website for more travel posts. You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post!
