One of the hardest decisions when we travel is not when we go, but where we stay and how we stay! I mean, we have to think about the budget, the vibe of the trip, locations, etc. Even as a ‘seasoned-traveller’ knowing what to choose is difficult. Then you also need to think about how you want to enjoy your trip as well. I’ve stayed in nearly every type of accomodation, aside from ultra-luxury (though I hope to in the future!). I’ve relaxed in all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Stayed in Airbnbs throughout Spain. Backpacked in hostels all over the world. Sometimes it’s fantastic finds but at times it’s check-out-immediately. At this point I like to think I’ve gotten good at making the trip great.
Trip Types
Now let’s talk about some of the different types of trips. There are a few main styles of travel, each with their own pros & cons. Some I’d say are in a way better than others. Though there is a time and a need for every type of trip; and of course personal preferences at play. I’ve tried various styles of travel. Some I’ve loved, and some I’ve hated.
Nowadays most of my trips are what I call ‘relaxed touring’. Where we spend a bit longer in an area. And take a couple days to see the main sites while also exploring around more. Typically when we do trips within Spain we only go for 4-5 days and visit 1-3 cities/areas. I like this style because it’s not so rushed that you can barely catch your breathe. I also find you can see more of the city than just the most famous spot. A downside to this is that sometimes you’ll book yourself for more time in a city than needed. Being flexible with your plans is essential if you are going this route.
In the past I did higher-paced trips. Only spending a single day at most in a city. Personally, I think this way is stressful and overrated. Though this type is super popular among a lot of backpackers, since they get to tick of more places they’ve visited. This can be good if you are really in a time crunch on a long distance trip. It’s easy to see a lot more cities in exchange for seeing more in the city. This is also a good route for those that enjoy tour groups like Contikis. Contikis and similar generally do only 1-1.5 days in a city then move on. You’ll spend a lot of time travelling if you travel like this.
Before I left Canada, I loved my winter vacations. Coming from the cold, dark, wintery weather; a beach vacation was what I needed. Do I like these as much now that I live in Spain? in all honesty, not really. But there is still something great about getting to have 7-10 days just to relax. I’ve always chosen places to go which have things near the resort to do. Whether it be nice towns close by, or beautiful natural areas, or historic sites. I find it best when I can have a balance between beach days and busy days. Otherwise I find they can get a bit boring when you spend the whole time sitting on the beach drinking.