Do you struggle to strike the right balance between relaxation and exploration on holiday? Follow these four tips to find the perfect formula so you have plenty of extraordinary experiences but return to your routine feeling fully rested.
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Embrace slow travel
Traditional multi-stop tours leave little breathing space. They jump from attraction to attraction, often involving early starts, late nights and long journeys by road or air which can leave you feeling exhausted.
Rather than following the well-trodden tourist trail, embrace slow travel instead and focus on exploring a smaller area at a more gentle pace. This gives you the chance to rest and relax as needed and a more intimate insight into the country’s scenery and culture. Opt for a city break, go on a hiking or cycling trip or take one of the world’s greatest railway journeys.
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Choose a diverse destination
Finding a destination with a little bit of everything enables you to balance your time between relaxation and exploration without effort.
Beach spots where you can lye in hammocks and daydream to your hearts’ content are a great choice. You can combine water sports and coastal walks with lazy days in the sunshine, but don’t overlook cities surrounded by countryside or wildlife parks with luxury stays. You could also opt for a smaller country blessed with great diversity where everything is within easy reach such as Scotland, Slovenia or Sri Lanka.
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Consider a cruise
Take all the effort out of planning by going on a cruise for your next holiday. You can unwind on board as you travel along your route enjoying the wide range of facilities available, and go on adventurous experiences at each stop.
Cruises come in all shapes and sizes so don’t be concerned that this method of travel will be limiting. You could take Caribbean cruises that dot between islands, multi-country journeys along the Mediterranean or months-long global cruises on large ships boasting world-class entertainment, cuisine and amenities.
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Plan your itinerary mindfully
Whether you want to embrace outdoor adventure, family-friendly experiences or cultural attractions, planning your itinerary mindfully is the secret to a balanced holiday. Consider the energy levels and essential needs of your group and use these to direct how much you do each day, building in plenty of additional time to ensure you’re not rushed.
A good rule of thumb is to have one full rest day for every two days of activities – not including travel days which can be exhausting in themselves! If you’re feeling indulgent, you could end a busy week with a few days at a luxury spa and pamper your mind and body with tailored treatments.
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