How to Beat Travel Boredom
We all look forward to our holidays, and usually, they end up providing much-needed respite and a breath of fresh air for our souls. However, this doesn’t mean that every holiday is going to be action-packed and entertaining every second of the day. Sightseers’ fatigue is a thing, as are unpredictable weather patterns that can disrupt holiday plans. As such, it’s a good idea to have some activities stored away for if and when the holiday boredom kicks in.
Play Games
One thing that you’re bound to take with you on your holiday is your phone. We use our mobiles so often that it’s easy to forget how many different uses they have. Not only are these devices a lifesaver when it comes to finding your way around a new area or translating the language, but they can also offer hours of entertainment to a bored holidaymaker through the thousands of games available on the App Store. Why not browse the games before your holiday and download ones that seem interesting to you? You could even create a folder on your home page dedicated to ‘Holiday Games’ and not try them out until you’ve reached your destination.
If you’re not sure where to start with mobile gaming, one of the most popular types is casino apps. These games bring the vibrant world of a casino to your pocket, giving you almost instant access to casino favorites like slots, poker, and blackjack. PokerStrategy’s insights on VPN friendly casinos highlight how many casino apps allow VPN use, meaning you can keep playing on your favorite site, no matter where you have travelled to, by changing your IP address with a VPN.
Read a Book
Many of us can admit that we don’t read as much as we should. In such a fast-paced and digital world, the humble paperback often gets left behind. However, alongside sightseeing, trying new things, and general excitement, holidays are also about slowing down and taking time for ourselves. As such, reading a book can be a great way to experience this and beat holiday boredom at the same time.
Books are also fantastic poolside or beach accompaniments, as using them doesn’t require the use of a screen, which can be difficult to see in bright sunlight. Also, since many holiday activities take place near water, books are much safer to have on hand, as if they do get wet, they are much cheaper to replace than digital items.
Try to Learn the Language
Another great way to pass the time while on holiday is to attempt to grasp the language basics of the country you are staying in. Of course, you’re not going to become fluent in the two weeks or so that you are living there, but learning some useful phrases and simple requests might really help you out on your travels.
There are many ways to do this, you could buy a beginner’s book while staying in the country or grab one before you go and get some practice in early. Of course, if all else fails, there are many digital resources, such as the apps Duolingo and Babel, that can help you get to grips with the language and also avoid any chance of becoming bored while you’re away.
Try the local food
Traveling is all about new experiences, but not every new experience has to be about seeing the huge, tourist-filled, hot spots of a particular country. Why not head out and sample some local cuisine at a restaurant, bar, or even on street food. Doing so is a great way for you to get out and see the local area, and you might even find a food that you adore and would never have tried otherwise.
Make an Itinerary
One of the most effective ways to both make the most of your holiday and avoid boredom while you’re away is to make an itinerary. This involves sitting down with whoever you will be travelling with and making a list of what you plan to do each day. Make sure you take into account how much time you have, how long it will take to visit certain places, and also include rest time for you to recuperate from all your busy sightseeing.
It’s also a good idea to vary the kind of activities you are doing each day. For example, follow a day of culture and museums with a day at a theme park and a night out. By doing this, you will be ensuring that every day of your holiday feels different and exciting and avoids stagnation.
Don’t be afraid to make your own way
Many tourist attractions offer guided tours to all attendees. Although this may be beneficial for some, it can become quite tiresome being stuck with a group of strangers and being forced to listen to a tour guide’s info-dump their expertise. If tour guides are your thing, and you enjoy listening to intelligent people talk about their passions, then you should absolutely go for it, but it is not the only option.
Don’t be afraid to say no to the guided tour and make your way around the attraction on your own. This means you can travel through at your own pace, take time to reflect when you want, and move on when you are ready. You also don’t have to worry about missing out, as the majority of these attractions will have masses of information boards which you can read at your own leisure and learn the story of the place in this way.
Also, if you are visiting attractions that invite quiet contemplation, such as art galleries, don’t be afraid to split off from your own party and move through it alone. You can arrange to meet up for coffee afterwards and share your thoughts, but it’s okay to want time to reflect without having to engage other people, even the people you love, at the same time.
Know What You’re Getting into
One of the best ways to ensure you don’t become bored during your travels is to take some time beforehand and research the places you intend to visit. Many websites will offer advice on how to make the most of your visit, and even if they don’t, you’ll likely find guidance from other people who have attended and written about their experience.
For example, if you’re visiting a theme park, do some research on the queues you might expect to run into and decide if a fast pass ticket could be a good purchase for you. See if there’s a most effective way to move around the park and which rides absolutely cannot be missed. By doing this, you will ensure that your day trips remain new and exciting and boredom stays away.
