Holidays, those rare moments where we allow ourselves to relax and slow down, often turn out to be more stressful than expected. Instead of returning home invigorated, we come back more tired than ever after days of marathon sight seeing. Rather than holding on to places through memories of smell, taste or sound, by being there in the moment, we often just have hundreds of rather meaningless photographs to look at.
So how can we experience our holidays more intensely and truly slow down in the process?
First of all, you can’t do it all, so, why worry about it? Be realistic on what you can and want to do. Going to Rome doesn’t mean you have to see every single Roman ruin. It could just mean spending time in cafes watching the crowd or eating the best pasta you’ve ever head in an amazing restaurant you stumbled across. Pick the things that are most important to you and focus on those.
Next, allow yourself some down time where you do nothing touristy, yes nothing. Set aside some time for a long relaxing bath, taking a nap, reading a book in the sunshine, a countryside walk or a refreshing cup of tea. Remember that holidays should be all about relaxing, and you’re not missing out on anything by not going to every must-see site.
Always remember that to really experience life at your destination, go out, talk to the locals. Leave your camera in your hotel and instead savour local foods, just wander around and try to remember the different sensations: the taste of the lemon ice cream you eat, the smell of the ocean. These memories will have a much more personal meaning than endless pictures of sites and attractions.
image: inventedworlds
