Five Paths To Vacation Zen

For the average American, a vacation from the daily grind yields incalculable benefits: 1) remedies a bad case of burnout, 2) rejuvenates, refreshes and reinvigorates, 3) offers a mental break, 4) improves productivity, 5) provides an opportunity for introspection, and 6) improves stress-coping capacities. Most importantly, a vacation- defined as one continuous week away from work- positively impacts health to a significant extent. According to one study, taking a vacation and getting away from it all lowers the risk of heart attack by 30 percent in women and 50 percent in men. So, whether you are celebrating a honeymoon, a college graduation, an anniversary, or a family reunion, go ahead and indulge in a bit of rest and relaxation and leave behind any guilt trips.

Here are some popular, adventurous, and hassle-free leisure and travel categories and styles:

1. Tours

Travelers will find numerous companies offering enticing vacation packages with discount tours. They may choose from among a wide range of tours:

• Car and hotel tours - Typically, the vacation package includes hotels and rental car. A travel car rental may be either a budget car rental or a luxury car rental. Meals, scheduled sightseeing and guides are not included. Customers must provide their own transportation to their destination.

• Escorted tour - This type of tour is usually managed from beginning to end by a tour director. Hotels, transportation, flights, sightseeing, commutes to the airport and hotel, as well as most meals are included. An escorted tour is accelerated, with usually a maximum stay of two nights per location.

• Guided tours - This shares many of the features of the escorted tour, with the exception that a local representative, not a tour director, greets the passengers. Also, passengers are not escorted to all functions and activities. Travelers can address their questions to the local guides. A guided tour may include accommodations, some meals, and sightseeing.

• Rail tours - A rail tour is similar to a hosted or escorted tour, with the exception that the mode of transportation is rail.

• River cruise tours - This type of tour is undertaken via rivers, and the transportation utilized is a small or medium-sized boat or ship. 

• Cruises - With 17 percent of Americans having recently taken a cruise and a cruise industry that has reinvented itself by offering both traditional and alternative cruise vacations, this travel option continues to grow in popularity. Travelers can choose from a number of different cruise lines. Some of the top cruise destinations include the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico. Customers will usually pay for shore excursions and drinks. Aboard a cruise, they may climb a rock wall, practice their golfing skills, partake in wine sampling, attend cooking demonstrations, receive pampering at a spa, or obtain scuba diving certification.

Numerous websites offer cruise discounts, and many companies extend free deals for children. Prospective travelers can also find ship ratings, cruise reviews, and cabin photos on the different cruise companies' web pages.

3. Resort

The travel industry defines a vacation rental as a home or furnished apartment that is rented on a short-term basis by tourists. This hotel alternative is available at diverse resorts, including:

• all-inclusive resort
• golf resort
• beach resort
• lake resort
• luxury resort
• spa resort
• tropical resort
• theme park resort
• ski resort
• mountain resort
• island resort

4. Trailer

An RV or trailer appeals to many travelers because of its affordability, convenience, comfort, and ease. According to a study recently released by PKF Consulting, "typical RV family vacations are on average 26 to 74 percent less expensive than other types of vacations" such as those involving cruise ships, commercial airlines or a private vehicle. A trailer also offers consumers the opportunity to spend quality time with their loved ones and to enjoy the scenery up close and personal.

5. Hot air balloon

Consumers can find numerous balloon ride companies listed in online directories and in their local phone books. Each year, a large number of balloon festivals are held all over the world; most take place in the fall or summertime. Air balloon flights usually take an hour; however, consumers should set aside 3-4 hours for the whole adventure. The rides occur near dusk and dawn due to the fact that the wind is calmest during those times.