Your bags are packed. You’re ready to go. You’re standing there outside the door. No emails to check, no work obligations, no volunteer gigs, no family events.
Now what? What will you actually do with your time?
If you’re wondering what to do on vacation, you’re not alone. In fact, surprisingly, this is actually a phrase commonly searched on Google. And fair enough!
If you’re used to having a million items on your to-do list, it can be easy to freeze when your plane touches down and you’re left without obligations.
So, let’s take the pressure off with a few tried-and-true suggestions to help you make the most of your well-earned holiday, whether you’re looking to explore a busy, bustling city, or just kick back and learn to relax.
Explore like a local
If you’ve got the energy to get some steps in, take some strolls through the surrounding neighbourhoods. Skip the tourist traps and instead head for the local scene, where residents actually spend their time.
Visit markets and ride around on public transit. Chat with your Airbnb host or hotel concierge for the inside scoop.
Download an eSIM so you can navigate without needing WiFi, including looking up transit schedules on the fly or snagging some last minute tickets for a show. You won’t regret having reliable mobile data to help you find hidden gems wherever you end up.
Relax (no, really)
Step one is to simply do nothing for a little while. Give yourself permission to keep your agenda blank. Remember that there’s no competition to see the most sights and, unless you’re a full-time content creator, no one is waiting on your most Instagrammable photos.
Sometimes you can just take in the experience of a new place with no other goal in mind.
Try local delicacies
You have to eat, and with a little sense of adventure, tasting the local cuisine can be a highlight of your trip. Trying new dishes is one of the best ways to experience a new culture. Keep your mind open and your taste buds will thank you!
Ask the locals where they go to eat themselves—not just where they send tourists. Tourist heavy restaurants often tend to be overpriced, and the food often isn’t all that good.
The best food often comes from humble kitchens with unassuming menus (but a line out the door). Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try a dish you’ve never even heard of!
Book a unique experience
Nearly every destination has something that makes it unique, no matter how small. Do some research and find an experience you wouldn’t normally have at home—a cooking class in the local cuisine or a hike to experience the local landscape. It can be outside of your comfort zone or not.
Not only does this present an opportunity for a vacation highlight but it invites the chance for more stories to share once you arrive back home.
Be a tourist
It’s okay to be a cliché (we won’t judge you). Sometimes you just need to do the once-in-a-lifetime iconic experience. Climb the Eiffel Tower. Ride a gondola in Venice. Just remember that you can take in these moments without your trip becoming a checklist.
Once you’re done with the must-see spots, allow for some spontaneity. Wander aimlessly and get a little lost (but don’t worry, your eSIM will always help you find your way back).
