Peace. It’s not always an easy thing to achieve, especially when you’re dealing with a stressful job and home life. Travel is your chance to get away from it all, but even that can be stressful on occasion. If you want to return from your travels feeling refreshed and relaxed, then the following tips might help you out. Learn more about how to enjoy stress-free traveling and look forward to restful, energizing experiences wherever you go.

1. Choose the right destination.

Choosing the right destination can be crucial to ensuring peaceful travel. If you pick a densely populated city setting, you’ll find it more difficult to relax than in somewhere a bit more open or remote. Think about the sorts of places you enjoy visiting and have happy memories of, and try to visit those sorts of destinations. That’s not to say that you can’t enjoy a city break if that’s what you want, but if you’re uncomfortable with crowds and urban noise, then you might want to give these destinations a miss. 

2. Make the journey as easy as possible.

The first thing you’ll want to do to ensure peaceful travels is to make the journey as stress-free as possible. Book everything as far in advance as you can and make sure you note down all of your details. If traveling makes you anxious, try to avoid situations where you’re likely to feel on edge. If you hate flying, for example, you could take the train (if possible to your destination. Alternatively, there are ways you can help yourself to conquer your fear of flying to make it easier for you to travel to where you want to go.

3. Book accommodation that you’re happy with.

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination and finding that the accommodation isn’t quite what you expect. It’s important to do your research on all sorts of areas before you book your room. Factor in considerations such as what facilities are included, if the property is within easy reach of the places you want to visit and what the on-site catering facilities are like. Check out TripAdvisor, travel blogs and other sources to get good insight from other people before you confirm your booking. While it’s tempting to go with the cheapest option, it can be worth paying the extra for better accommodation that will help you to relax.

4. Ensure you’ve got enough money.

It can be easy to misjudge your travel budget, which is why some thorough research is essential to stop you either running out of money or having to live on a tight budget when you’re there. There are some great tips on how to make a travel budget that could help you work out how much you need, while it’s worth looking at typical menu and drinks prices while you’re there to see how much you’ll need for food during your stay. It’s always better to over budget while traveling, and any money you come home with can always be put towards your next adventure.

5. Pack everything you need.

If you’re the type of person who leaves packing until the last minute, throwing things in a suitcase and hoping for the best – you might want to think about changing your habits. Make yourself a packing list that includes everything you’ll need for traveling. You can start with a more generic travel packing list for and add things to it that are more personal to you. Start packing as and when you have those items to hand, you can start packing weeks or even months in advance if you’re not going to need those items before you go away. As a side note, remember to invest in some good luggage that you are comfortable carrying around – it’s worth inspecting after booking your travels to make sure that everything still works and is secure, avoiding any last-minute packing dramas or having to buy new (expensive) luggage at the airport.

6. Plan some things to do when you’re there.

Traveling offers many possibilities, and you’ll want to see the best of the places you visit. Even if there are just one or two places of interest that you’d like to check out, it can help give you some structure to your travels. You’d hate to miss out on something that’s important, so take a look at Lonely Planet and other travel websites in advance so that you can make sure that you see the best bits. Planning in advance avoids disappointment by turning up on days where something is closed or needs pre-booking, and you could even save yourself money on admission costs by booking in advance.

7. But don’t plan too much.

While it’s good to plan some things to do during your break, you also don’t want to plan too much. Sticking to a packed travel itinerary can actually turn out to be quite stressful, so it’s important to allow for some time to relax or take things at your own pace. On your first day/night, it makes sense to take the time to adjust and to get your mind and body ready for a break. Take a stroll to figure out your surroundings or make the most of the hotel facilities. If you’ve travelled a long way, your body is going to need a chance to catch up – so a break at the beginning can help get you ready to enjoy the rest of your travels.

8. Go with the flow.

The great thing about traveling to new destinations is the chance to discover new things. From different cuisines to breathtaking landscapes, you never know what you might discover while you’re away. Some people will book accommodation for their first night away and then take the rest as it comes – seeking out local recommendations or just enjoying exploring their new surroundings. If you’re more of a free spirit when it comes to travel, you could invest in a camping hammock and just pitch up under the stars. Sometimes the most peaceful and restful breaks are the ones where you just learn to let go, soaking up your surroundings and enjoy being away from real life – even if just for a little while.

Remember that local residents are a good source of information for places to explore, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation – you never know what new friends you might meet along the way.

9. Let others know your plans.

Whether you’re traveling alone, with a partner or with your family/friends, it’s good to let someone back home know what your plans are. Give them photocopies of your passport, your insurance details as well as information such as your flights, accommodation details and where you’re going to be on different days. It may seem like you’re being over-cautious, but it could actually save a lot of hassle if something were to happen while you’re away. If it’s easier, you could save your information electronically to make it easier for multiple people to access.

10. Get travel insurance.

“Do I need travel insurance?” is a common question amongst travelers. The answer is simple – yes you do. Travel insurance not only protects you from theft or loss while you’re traveling, but it can also ensure that you get speedy, efficient treatment if you were to become sick or injured during your stay. The cost of travel insurance is minimal versus what you stand to lose, so never take the risk of traveling without it. You can never predict when bad weather, worker strikes, delays and other events might occur that could ruin the enjoyment of your vacation. There are different levels of cover available for different budgets, so don’t let yourself be caught without.

11. Put your safety first.

Your safety is the most important thing while traveling, and too many people take risks that lead to bad consequences. Whenever you’re in a potentially dangerous situation or faced with a risky decision, ask yourself, ‘would I do this at home?’ If the answer is no, then perhaps you should reconsider. Never let yourself be alone in a potentially dangerous area, and don’t participate in anything illegal – even if others say it’s ok. Your trip should be a relaxing time, so don’t put yourself into unnecessarily stressful situations that could ruin your it.

12. Leave your troubles behind.

You won’t be able to enjoy your trip if you’re too concerned about things happening at home. The purpose of your break is to relax and recharge, so do what is necessary to stop home from interfering. Leave unnecessary technology at home, turn your emails off and limit the time that people can contact you (unless you want no contact at all). Prepare for your trip by taking care of everything that needs doing before you leave; anything else will just have to wait until you’re back. Try to limit how much you use the internet or check social media – swap your devices for books instead that will help you relax and forget about real life for a while.

However you like to travel, make sure that you make it as stress-free for you as possible. Find inspiration for your next travel adventure and book the getaway you deserve. It’s important to get away now and then to help you recharge, and a relaxing break will leave you refreshed and ready for your next challenge.