Holidays are meant to be relaxing, yet, we often hear people say they must go back to work to rest up from their holiday. Anytime you are more exhausted when you return from your holiday, you may have been defeating your purpose.
Holidays do not necessarily have to be whirlwind trips with schedules, timetables and hundreds of hours riding in the family car. When families travel together, it should be a time of fun, relaxation, and enjoying each other’s company. However, too often, the stress of rushing through an exhausting week or two of travel only leads to frustration and tension.
Plan ahead and reserve a spot for a week or two where you can view new scenery while at the same time enjoying a permanent base where you can unpack your bags and settle in for a relaxing family holiday.
Pick a location near points of interest where you can take short trips to sightsee and then return to your lodging each day. If you have small children, this is especially valuable since it gives them a sense of settling in, even for a week or two, and keeps them on a relaxed schedule.
If you like nature and long for a relaxing, laid-back family holiday, rent a cottage in some scenic spot in the woods or on a lake, or a combination of both. Most of these cottages are no longer an adventure in roughing it. They have air conditioning, TV, and all the usual hotel amenities, only in a rustic setting.
Many of these resort cottages offer canoeing, fishing, and horseback riding, so that families can pretty much choose whether to kick back and enjoy the view of the lake, or take part in some activity.
Taking the kids fishing or paddling around the lake in a canoe is a great, relaxing way to do something together without the stress of rushing to meet a deadline or standing in line for some event.
If you run into rainy weather on your trip, have a ready supply of games you can play together as a family.
Go to the beach. Beach cottages, like wilderness cabins, have all the necessities, with the added benefit of sand and water. Long walks on the beach, sea shell hunting, and, for the kids, building sand castles are relaxing, fun and creative.
If your cottage doesn’t include outdoor cooking facilities, take along a grill and make your time there as easy as possible with simple cooking. Get the whole family involved with meal preparation so everyone can enjoy their holiday.