The Travel Lifestyle

Pete Says...

Article: The Perfect Vacation

Pete, how do I have the Perfect Vacation?

A question for the sages, certainly!

Infrequently debated, yet at the heart of what we all strive for, no? Certainly, nobody asks to go on the worst vacation of their lives.

The answer itself is deceptively simple. It's whatever you make of it. Practical execution, on the other hand, is much tougher! It's not easy to relax when you're in a foreign country, don't have the right money, can't speak the language, and have a list of Top 10 things to see in the next 24 hours!

First, look at what a vacation means to you. Do you conjure images of sitting on a beach with a Mai-Tai relaxing? Do you see yourself scavenging around an archaeological dig? Or, do you see yourself as most of us do, with a bit of relaxation, a few good sites, some great food, and no StReSs?!

If you're the first category, find a beach and stick there. If you're in the second, get thee back to school. If you're the third, why, that's a bit more difficult. Here's some bump-removing tips for the road:

1. There is no "perfection" as Webster defines it. Avoid thinking everything should be like Casablanca. Expect to see and dig into the reality of another society's everyday world. This isn't Disneyland, it's real life; and it's better!

2. What do you want to get out of your trip? Consider whether it's practical. If it is, make sure you effectively prepare to live that experience (planning, planning).

3. Make planning half the fun. Lots of folks fret about getting prepared, but this is not only the best catharsis to ensure you DO enjoy a stress-free trip, it's fun to get excited about your vacation! At the same time, plan ahead, but not to death.

4. Experience, that's what travel's all about, not finding the neatest or most expensive trinkets in each country. Take your mind, your camera, and a journal. Window shop Europe, and leave with your mind full! Spending money won't make you happy, and it won't be part of what you most remember about your trip.

5. Go with the flow. Museums will be closed, weather will be uncooperative, restaurants will be hot and busy. So what? You can ruin your trip by complaining about everything in a loud voice (sometimes called the Ugly American Voice). Or, you can decide that sitting at a cafe watching life is better than a museum; bad weather is a great chance for an inside view with locals; and find a grocery store and have fun deciphering strange foods while puttin' on a raucus personal picnic, no lines!

6. Stay up? It's hard to be positive 100% of the time, but planning and flexibility are great tools for giving you a shot! Know what you're up against and you reduce the stress which so often ruins a good attitude (and a good time). By the same token, don't plan so much you can't be spontaneous or stay somewhere when you're having a blast. It's bad juju to leave a hot party because you're schedule is ticking like a time bomb!