Have you been longing to unplug from the chaos and travel ? Excellent news! We’ve prepared a concise guide on travelling more, making more memories and going home refreshed.

What on earth is wellness travel?

Depending on the context, wellness travel can mean a few things. Firstly, it refers to travelling to countries like Russia or Turkey to visit natural spas or mud baths. This is your classic spa holiday, with lots of white robes, massages and cucumber water.

On the other hand, you get isolation travel. This doesn’t just mean stepping away from the office, and putting your phone on silent. It means retreating to places that are naturally removed from noise, light pollution and urban congestion. Places of quiet. This includes destinations like the Karoo in South Africa, and the Highlands in Scotland. Or even Monument Valley in the USA and the Bedouin camps in Jordan.

When would be the ideal time to have a relaxed holiday, without the hustle and bustle of crowds? The season you’re looking for is shoulder season, which is the period between high (most popular) season and low (least popular) season. Shoulder season offers mild weather, fewer tourists and lower prices – as well as a lot more for travelers.

Lastly, wellness travel also refers to travelling in a way that leaves you refreshed. Contrary to popular belief, most trips are not very relaxing. If you’re running around to make the most of your tour, you can actually go home feeling more tired! Savvy travellers know that recharging frequently is a part of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Wellness travel is all about coming home recharged rather than exhausted.

That sounds awesome! But how?!

Easy as pie. There’s a recipe and all you need to do is follow it. Here goes:

Ingredients:

• Travel during shoulder season – fewer crowds and time to explore the sights
• Expertly planned itinerary
• Comfortable, pre-booked accommodation
• Exciting, pre-booked outings & exploration options
• Clear, transparent budget

Method:

1.Travel during shoulder season. Shoulder season not only means milder climates but also less hustle and bustle as you want to explore the sights in your own time.

2. Consider an expertly planned itinerary to your favourite destination. Coach travel ensures that all your days are filled with exploring and you make the most of your tour. You won’t have to worry about your day-to-day and how to get from one destination to the next.

3. Go for pre-booked accommodation. This way, breakfast is included so you can grab it on the go and be ready for the day. If you choose an all-inclusive package, you can also rest assured that every venue is checked for quality control before your arrival.

4. Explore like a pro. When you travel by yourself it can be hard to decide which sights to see. If it’s your first time in a given city or country, the choice can be overwhelming. Good tour operators know the lay of the land. They’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly. As such, they can guide you to visit the spots with the highest wow factor.

5. Stick to a budget. The last thing you want is to arrive back home skint. Choosing a tour package makes budgeting easy. The basics are taken care of and paid for. As such, you only have to keep track of ad hoc expenses like extra outings and souvenirs.

When you combine these ingredients according to this tried-and-tested method the result will always be a relaxing holiday. Smooth sailing all the way!

Don’t take our word for it – get it from the horse’s mouth

Jennifer Faye de Jesus (39) from Quezon City, Philippines gave us the lowdown on her Classic Europe Tour. Elenore Giles (23) from Gloucester, United Kingdom shared her experience on the 10-day Europe highlights tour. Both agree that coach travel was the way to go. These ladies are in different age groups and from different parts of the world. Nonetheless, they both enjoyed the convenience of coach travel with Expat Explore Travel.