How to successfully plan the best time of the year

Even during the most wonderful weeks of the year, sunshine isn't always guaranteed. Travel also involves risk. Many return penniless, some without their suitcases, and a few without their illusions: a little disappointed, but richer for the experience. The number of vacationers who lose their holiday dreams while traveling is greater than the ever-increasing travel enthusiasm of German citizens would suggest.

This is according to a representative survey conducted by the BAT Leisure Research Institute. The survey found that for one in three vacationers, the journey to their destination becomes stressful, 30 percent of travelers experience significant adjustment problems, and as a result, 2.1 million Germans had to admit: "To be honest, my vacation was different from what I had imagined.".

And most people know the primary reason: it's themselves – not the travel agency or tour operator. In the jet age, the vacationer's mindset has often remained stuck in a rut. Their own behavior lags behind the diverse range of vacation options available.

But how to take a proper vacation can be learned. Prof. Dr. Horst W. Opaschowski, the scientific director of the BAT Institute, has compiled 10 tips into a roadmap for unadulterated vacation enjoyment:

1. Start your vacation in everyday life

A vacation can't make you forget eleven months of everyday life. And those who don't show initiative in their daily routine won't be able to achieve anything remarkable on vacation either. You can't suddenly become a different person on vacation. You remain the same – just in a different environment. Everyday life catches up with everyone again. Extended periods of time off need to be learned and practiced – ideally starting at home, during a long weekend, or on a short break. Letting the vacation begin in everyday life means practicing the holiday together at home, making Sunday a vacation day.

2. Don't work until the last minute.

Those who work until the last minute have the greatest difficulty adjusting, suffer from the change in climate, and risk getting sick on vacation. A vacation shouldn't begin abruptly with the trip itself. The enjoyment is always greatest when the vacation begins two or three days before departure: slowly but steadily getting into the vacation mood, enjoying the free time beforehand, and looking forward to the change of scenery. This requires good time management, the ability to set priorities in the days leading up to the trip, and not feeling indispensable until the very last minute.

3. Don't let the journey become an ordeal.

Many people simply take on too much. And some believe they can make up for in two or three weeks what they've missed over eleven months. They're bound to fail in their role as holiday Tarzans. The journey shouldn't become a stressful ordeal, a nightmare of traffic jams and long lines. Sometimes less is more. And those who allow themselves more time for the trip end up saving time – it saves nerves, avoids hassle, and leads to a more refreshed return.

4. To be pleasantly disappointed

Even vacations have their low points. Vacationers can't be happy 24/7. Those who avoid unrealistic expectations can only be pleasantly disappointed: they know what to expect. The world of travel brochures isn't reality. It may awaken hopes, but not illusions. Above all, one shouldn't confuse a travel brochure with a guidebook. Even in the south, it's not always sunny, and the sky can be overcast. And those who travel where others are drawn must expect overcrowding. Peace and quiet and hustle and bustle can't be found at the same time.

5. On the third day, take it easy.

The crisis threatens on the third day. For two days, the body can cope with the change of location and climate. On the third day, however, the natural reserves of activity and resistance for stressful situations are depleted. Strenuous activity should be avoided on this day. Body and soul need rest and relaxation. Anyone who attempts to climb a mountain or embarks on a long sailing trip on the third day of vacation risks accidents and must expect cardiovascular problems. On the third day, one should take things easier and even sleep in for breakfast.

6. Maintain a balance between experience and relaxation

The desire for adventure and the need for relaxation are equally important. One shouldn't be sacrificed at the expense of the other. A tailor-made vacation means that both are in balance. A vacation certainly isn't just for rest and relaxation. But the stress of excessive activity is just as detrimental. Ultimately, everyone has to find the right balance for themselves.

7. Find time for yourself and for each other

„"We do everything together." This is a promise that a vacation can't keep. If the mother hovers the family like a mother hen and the father tries to systematically work through his guilt towards the family during the holiday, the best weeks of the year aren't exactly beginning for children and teenagers. Family squabbles can be avoided if everyone follows the principle: travel with the family, but don't have to constantly focus on the family. Children and teenagers should have plenty of freedom on vacation. Their ideas about a "successful vacation" differ considerably from their parents' wishes. The basic principle is: choose the destination together and give each other plenty of space during the holidays.

8. Be picky about your holiday companions

Anyone who's afraid of traveling alone should probably skip a trip altogether rather than rushing off on vacation with the wrong people. Vacations are certainly an opportunity for partnership and togetherness. They can strengthen harmony, but they can also exacerbate existing crises. And those traveling with friends should bear in mind that different lifestyles, leisure interests, and income levels will influence their vacation style. And seeing each other all day long can quickly lead to getting on each other's nerves. You can't be too selective when choosing your travel companions.

9. Soul bathing is more important than sunbathing

A successful vacation isn't measured by the number of kilometers driven or hours of sunshine. Instead of taking a vacation from everyday life, it's better to take a vacation to reconnect with yourself, to find yourself and not run away from it. On vacation, you can afford to do whatever you feel like. Above all, to laze around. To let your mind wander and blissfully sink into the "time warp" of vacation. A challenge even for untrained idlers: to leave the clock at home and relearn how to live according to your own internal clock.

10. Plan a post-vacation break to readjust.

Even a vacation needs time to adjust. After returning from vacation, readjusting to work can be difficult. A three-day break is necessary to readjust to daily life and to carry the relaxation, experiences, and memories sustainably into the new work year. Work should be enjoyable again, without losing the anticipation of the next vacation.