How to Fully Relax on Vacation—Even If You're a Type A Personality

After years of jam-packed travel-writer trips trying to see every must-do at a destination, that became my default setting for every vacation I planned. And even though it was a ton of fun following up a surfing lesson in Hawaii with snorkeling and a hike, that do-or-die vacation mode often left me and my traveling crew exhausted—and even, sometimes, sick—by the time we headed home. So after one too many "I need a vacation from my vacation" trips, I've embraced a kinder, gentler travel-planning style.

If you're trying to create a vacation plan that leaves you feeling renewed and refreshed—while still giving your Type A, do-it-all monster a little space—incorporate some of these tips into your next getaway.

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Choose Your Destination Wisely
If you're the type to be tempted by all the activity in a destination (and Type A folks are definitely the type), avoid locations that are jam-packed with too much to do—like bustling cities or massive theme parks. (If you've found a way to make a Disney World vacation relaxing, you're a better travel planner than I am!)

Fewer activity options equals less FOMO.
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Minimize Travel Headaches
Getting to and from your travel destination are the least enjoyable and most stressful parts of every vacation. But there are things you can do to ease the pain—and maybe even add a little fun to the proceedings.

Avoid peak travel times and days—so you can spend more of your time off relaxing than in rush-hour traffic or a long airport security line.
Choose flights that require minimal layovers or are direct, if possible. Every time you have to change flights is a bit of a drag on your energy, and any delay along the route could increase your chances of stressful missed flights and lost luggage.
Break up a long road trip. Have I driven 11 hours with minimal rest stops? Yes. Was it fun for anyone? Nope. We've started making the journey part of the vacation by seeking out fun stops along the way, like a cool ice cream stand or a scenic overlook.
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Embrace JOMO, Not FOMO
If you're Type A, you're probably looking for ways to "win" at vacation—ensure that you see all the must-dos, get that perfect Instagram shot of that eye-candy scenery, and eat at the best spot in the area. But rather than being afraid of missing that one last detail that'll make your vacation a thrill, look for joy in picking and choosing more mindfully to ensure plenty of down time.

To that end, we have everyone we're traveling with list their one must-do event, and that's our itinerary. We don't find ourselves missing those to-the-minute itineraries of the past—and we're finding there's a lot of joy in missing out on all that crowded "must-do" nonsense.

That's exactly what Kayla Inserra DeLoache, consumer travel trends expert at KAYAK, recommends. "Keep it simple by planning one main thing to do each day. When you don't cram too much into your schedule, you can enjoy your vacation without feeling rushed or anxious about time. It's the perfect way to kick back, enjoy every moment, and truly make the most of your time off."

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Leave the Laptop at Home—and Minimize Your Phone Time
Another major source of stress on a Type A person's vacation? The things you can't leave behind at home. In fact, about 68% of people actually work on vacation, according to a 2023 survey by ELVTR—and my guess is that number is much higher among Type As.

That means you need to put in roadblocks to make it harder for you to be on call or check in at work. Leaving the laptop at home makes it tough to draft long emails or work on time-suck projects, so you're less tempted to spend a lot of time catching up with the office.

DeLoache recommends keeping the phone tucked away as much as possible. "Nothing disrupts relaxation more than constant notifications pulling you out of the moment, whether it's work emails, group chats, or random distractions. By putting away your phone, you can fully enjoy the present moment and make the most of your experience without any interruptions."

Even if you can't give up your smartphone entirely, silence notifications, put time limits on the use of work-related apps, and turn the phone completely off when you're not using it so it's harder to stay in touch with the stress of work.

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Set Aside a "Wing-It" Day
We reserve our last day of vacation as the Anthony Bourdain Day, in honor of the late culinary writer's encouragement to wing it for a more authentic travel experience. "Letting the happy accident happen is what a lot of vacation itineraries miss, I think, and I'm always trying to push people to allow those things to happen rather than stick to some rigid itinerary," he said.

Our Anthony Bourdain Day is when we do whatever we really want—like relaxing on a pool float at a country house rental, or people watching with baguette sandwiches on a Parisian park bench—and those are often ranked among our best vacation memories ever.

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Add Buffer Days Before (or After) Your Vacation
If you can afford the extra time off, consider adding a day off on either side of your vacation that doesn't involve you traveling or doing anything stressful. That'll help ensure you're more relaxed when you arrive on vacation, or allow you to ease back into your daily life.

DeLoache also recommends making the first day at a destination your buffer day. "There's no need to rush into a packed itinerary the moment you arrive. Instead, embrace the gradual transition, which can help you unwind and settle into a more relaxed state of mind."

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Work in a Spa Treatment
If I'm at a destination that offers a massage or a facial, I'm booking it! I've found that having a spa event a few days into a vacation gives me more time to enjoy that relaxed vibe while I'm still on my getaway.
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Don't Be Afraid to Change Plans—or Opt Out
With our past high-energy vacations, we often soldiered on, even if we (or our kids) were exhausted. But now, if someone's not up to an activity, we make space for that—whether we all opt out of the excursion for a plan B (i.e. napping at the pool), or split up so some can chill on the beach while the others go paddleboarding.

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Get Back to Nature
Even in the largest cities, you can find parks or botanical gardens where you can bask in the natural beauty. But as we've shifted toward more relaxing vacation plans, we've found that nature destinations—whether it's a lovely beach rental or a spectacular visit to a national park—have really allowed us all to unwind.