Theme trips—they’re all the rage in the travel world. Travel buzzwords like voluntourism, agriturismo, glamping, worldschooling, etc….join the likes of mother-son trips, senior class trips, family reunions, etc.

What about the well-loved R & R trip? the “vacay” as we now call it? The trip just to recharge, relax and let the mind do nothing but the sweetness of doing nothing-la dolce vita.

 

I’m calling it the milestone trip in my case. Friends turning the big 5-0 seem to want the beach vacay. Hitting that mid-century milestone means you’ve thrown all the big fiestas in life and now, you want to reward yourself with the ultimate gift–appreciation, relaxation, celebration and vacation. The “-ations” of life. You’ve earned it.

Here’s how friends and I did it– find an inexpensive flight, like to the Caribbean islands  or a similar destination. Split condos on the beach. Stay a week or in my case, 5 days suffices. Eat in if you want in your handy condo kitchenette or dine out some nights. The choice is yours.

Itinerary: no required sightseeing, necessarily; no culture. What??? This is a travesty for a travel writer to suggest but it’s a possibility considering you may have done several intense cultural trips in the last few years. Sometimes you need a languid trip with girlfriends. If you’ve done the voluntourism trip, the altruism, slept on the bunk bed, immersed in culture, danced and participated in an Indian wedding, wore the henna, drank the hot cocoa in the Guatemalan tour guide’s village home, etc. ….now, you might just need a margarita and a novel on the beach. The only thing on your packing list is the following: bathing suits, cute cover ups, sunscreen, novels, a beach bag, a beach hat, a passport and some sunnies. You’re going to deeply analyze lapping waves on the shore, cotton-candy clouds and an endless expanse of sky and sea while enjoying witty banter with girlfriends. That’s right; no clients, no colleagues, no children who require motherly wisdom, no pets’ needs of the circadian rhythm world, no volunteer group good deeds….just you celebrating a milestone. LIFE.

How often do you find yourself on your day off not even knowing how to fully relax? You feel like you have to read something, write something, clean something, organize something, exercise, stretch, pray for something, namaste for something or something…..But you know what else you need to do? Sometimes you just need to let your mind wander, staring at nature and what’s bigger than us. Crashing waves, erosion of rocks into sand, sea breezes, excitedly selecting sundresses to pack, supportive bonding with friends, downsizing your camera lens choices and just “getting away.” From. It. All. 

What did this kind of trip format provide for me?  It provided a respite from to- do lists, looming deadlines and details of a son’s college graduation, career goals, etc. No travel visas, no change in currency, no foreign language, just a destination that is both Caribbean and UK-owned. No massive jet lag and no list of desired souvenirs, other than that duty-free bling, maybe.

Lodging: condos are a great idea if you like having roommates; hotel rooms if you need more privacy.

Dinner: seafood restaurants are going to be the logical choice because of the fresh seafood. Most restaurants are going to have a diverse menu that will offer several options, though.

Excursions: boat ride, snorkeling, daydreaming, scuba diving, paddle boarding, reading, napping, planning the next vacay. Swimming with stingray, starfish, lion fish, conch shells, sea turtles, dolphin discovery centers.  You get the idea!Caribbean islands like Cuba, Aruba, Grand Caymans, etc…are excellent choices for milestone vacays. Depending on what vibe you’re looking for:  culture and arts immersion? voluntourism and history? or a beach vacation for rest, relaxation, total pleasure and bonding, boating and sea and marine life exploration. Domestic destinations for a milestone vacay can be a resort, something in your home state, a cabin at the lake or a resort spa and hotel for treats like massages, salons, yoga classes, great shopping, etc. For me, I’d rather save up for an experience than spend it on “things” at home.  Some friends recharge with golf trips, others with painting + wine classes, yoga retreats, art crawls, jewelry making classes, etc. It doesn’t have to be expensive; get creative. But start jotting down what you want to do to celebrate your milestones in life.

It may be corny to say it, but it’s true—“it’s not the years in your life that count but the life in your years.”

© Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

photos by Gina