Fun and Meaningful Vacation Tips

With the increasing pace, pressure, and stress of work, vacations have now become one of humanity’s needs. We are willing to spend time, money, and energy to go on vacation. Hoping that when we return from vacation, we will feel more refreshed, happy, and excited.

But did you know that there are many things you can gain from traveling, besides having fun? We can make our travels enjoyable and meaningful, and even let them change our lives afterward. How?

Tip #1: Prepare Yourself to Learn New Things

Do you want to learn new things while on vacation? Ask God to open your heart and mind for that. Every time I go traveling, one part of my prayer is: “Lord, help me learn a lot from this traveling .” And this has proven effective. 

When I went to Thailand, from above the plane I saw a landscape shaped like neat squares. Very orderly. On one side there was the city center, and on the other side stretched farmland and plantations. Industrial and business areas were carefully arranged alongside agricultural areas. This taught me that planning is very important. Without a plan, everything will end up in disorder. 

But ask the earth, and it will teach you; even the fish of the sea will tell you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of God has done this? – Job 12:8-9

When traveling, do you pray to God that you may see beyond simply admiring the beauty of the place? Ask, and you will return with important lessons that are meaningful for your life.

But wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His. – Job 12:13 

Tip #2: Wake Up Earlier and Spend Time with God

For some people, traveling is a time to enjoy sleeping longer in a different place, and to wake up late! There is nothing wrong with that, and it is perfectly natural for us to want to do it. 

However, you will have a unique experience by waking up earlier and spending time with God in a new place.

When I traveled to Nusa Penida, Bali, with several friends from India, I had many worries. First, I was the only Indonesian in the group. Second, before we left, we had already faced many conflicts because of differences of opinion. I was afraid this trip would become a nightmare instead of a vacation. Thank God, our vacation finally went well.

When I found out our hotel was near the sea, I made up my mind to wake up early, before my friends woke up, and go to the beach to pray. I spent time in intimate fellowship with God, giving thanks for a smooth vacation. I cried, gave thanks, sang, prayed, and had my quiet time. It was one of my best moments with God that I will never forget. 

I recommend that you apply this tip, which is actually very biblical. Wherever Jesus was, He always made time to wake up early so He could have special time with His Father. 

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up and went out. He went to a solitary place and prayed there. – Mark 1:35 

Sleeping late while on vacation is certainly enjoyable. However, setting aside special time with God in a beautiful place is far more enjoyable. Try it and see the result! 

Tip #3: Try Something New

Traveling is the right time to try something new that you have never done before. You can taste new foods, explore new experiences or attractions, and much more. However, make sure you do it within reasonable limits and always stay alert, okay.

In Nusa Penida, my friends and I went down a cliff leading to Kelingking Beach. Unexpectedly, the trail was quite difficult. Because I had left my hiking sandals behind, I was forced to climb up and down the steep cliff barefoot. I had barely started when I already fell and got scraped up. By the time I returned, I had bruises here and there, and I was worn out and sweaty. 

That trip became one of my proudest memories. It turned out that we, who had no experience in this kind of nature trek, were able to complete a fairly difficult trail. I also learned that sometimes it is our own minds that hold us back, not the situations or conditions around us. However, by breaking our limit,  we will be able to do more than we think we can. 

Think about what new things you want to do while traveling. If you are always afraid and anxious about everything, far from learning something new, you may not even be able to enjoy your vacation, right?

Tip #4: Take It As a Restart 

A vacation can be an opportunity torestart our lives. Like a slow computer whose operating system is updated so it can work optimally, we too can be renewed through a vacation. When you return from traveling, it is very possible that you will come home with new mindsets and habits, new ideas, and fresh enthusiasm to begin new things. 

For example, because I trained myself to wake up earlier for prayer and quiet time (point 2), after returning from vacation it became easier for me to wake up early. Even though before that, it had been very hard for me to wake up early. So, use your vacation as an opportunity to create good new habits.

Tip #5: Enjoy and Evaluate!

Every trip gives us bitter and sweet experiences. Even though the vacation photos displayed on social media look beautiful and fun, in reality, believe me: no trip is perfect. Behind every cool photo there may be missed flights, departure delays, forgotten belongings, getting lost, sickness, pickpocketing, conflict, and other unexpected events. 

When this happens, do not focus only on the shortcomings of your traveling experience. If you want to enjoy your vacation, make the decision to enjoy your journey fully. Note what was lacking or what went wrong, then use it as evaluation material so that on your next trip you will not repeat similar mistakes. 

Resolve to make your next trip better by learning from experience. Maybe you need to be more careful, more cautious, take more time to pack, and so on. Be thankful for the good things that happened and do not keep complaining about or regretting the shortcomings of your vacation. Take the lesson, and know this: no trip is wasted, because afterward, you will become a more mature person.

See, what I have found to be good and fitting is this: that one should eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the labor done under the sun during the few days of life God has given him, for this is his portion. Everyone to whom God has given wealth and possessions and the power to enjoy them, to accept his portion, and to rejoice in his labor, this too is the gift of God. – Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 

So, are you ready to have a more meaningful vacation? Come on, practice the five tips above so that your traveling will be more beautiful and meaningful! Happy holiday!

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