Bored of the Beaten Track? It’s Time to Holiday with a Difference

First things first, no one gets bored of holidays. Not having to set alarm, no getting stuck in commuter traffic, no cleaning or washing up – what could be better? But after a while, all the hotels start to look the same. Endless beaches and infinity pools lose their charm. And sitting on a sun lounger reading a book just doesn’t have the same appeal.

If you do the same holiday year-in, year-out, you’re bound to get a bit bored. Luckily for you, there’s plenty of affordable, exciting ways to mix up your yearly vacation.

Choose a different location

This might sound like an obvious statement, but so many of us fall into the trap of choosing locations we feel comfortable in. And while it’s nice to return to similar places, every now and again it’s worth changing things up. If money and time off isn’t a problem, why not try dropping a pin on a map? IT might take you a few goes to agree on somewhere, but it’s great way to get you thinking out of the box.

If you’re constrained by budgets and work responsibilities, then why not pick a different area in your favourite state or country? If you always visit the south, why not explore the north? And if you’re tied to your vacation location, then make an effort to book some day trips to take you out of the area, and off somewhere new.

I recently wrote about a dream holiday to Aruba – if you’re stuck for ideas, why not check it out?

Choose a different place to stay

Since the arrival of sites like Air BnB and LoveHomeSwap, it’s even easier to find gorgeous places to stay, well off the beaten track. You can say goodbye to commercial hotels and holiday villages packed with tourists, and fully immerse yourself in a different lifestyle. If you choose to stay in someone’s home, whether they’re there or not, you’ll have an access all areas pass to the place you’re staying. Use your host’s experience to your advantage – you’ll get the best insider tips on places to eat, and the best ways to beat the queues and the traffic.

From modern, luxury Miami condos, to treehouses sheltering in forests, you’ll have a blast browsing through Air BnB’s offerings. And if you’re still stuck for ideas, read this article for some inspiration.

Choose different activities to book in

Some people love nothing more than stepping off the plane, and settling down by the pool for their entire holiday. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you’re looking to reinvigorate your holiday experience, it’s time to step out of your comfort zone. Before you go, do some research into the place you’re staying, and see what other visitors recommend doing. This might be a snorkeling expedition if you’re by the sea, or a hike up mountains or through fields. You could even incorporate a mini-trip into your holiday – many agents will offer two or three day excursions to sites too far to do in a day.

There are many ways to spice up your holiday – it just takes a bit of research and planning, and not just giving in and sinking into the nearest sun lounger!