Planning can take over all aspects of our lives.

Family. Social life. Friends. Relationships. Marriage. Children. In this day and age, it’s so easy to get carried away and let our anxiety for the future control our life, forcing us to over-plan. How often do you stress about a plan B or a worst-case scenario instead of just going with the flow?

As John Lennon once said:

“Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.”

Traveling is one activity that can require meticulous planning, with flights, hotel reservations and itineraries all begging to be organized in advance. But if you get too caught up in planning, your relaxing holiday could turn into a stressful, inflexible experience. This begs the question: how do we keep travel fun, challenging and spontaneous?

Here are a few tips for enjoying an unplanned trip:

1. Be spontaneous! Follow an interesting sign and change your plan

We think the ability to abandon your plans and venture into the unknown is directly proportional to your enjoyment of traveling (and life) in general. So, even if you have a plan, the next time an unexpected sign or an intriguing place name piques your interest, follow your intuition!

2. Thinking of turning something down? Say yes at the last minute!

We challenge you to accept the next travel suggestion that you would normally say no to. Spontaneity goes hand-in-hand with an open mind!

3. Take the random stop challenge

Forget the destination – we challenge you to set out on a journey with nothing more than your starting point planned. This is your chance to be spontaneous and leave the rest to fate. We promise it will be a trip to remember!

How to do it:

By train – Go to the station and catch the next train. Get off at the third (or fourth, or tenth…) stop and explore.

By car – Take a friend, then once you hit the highway ask them to close their eyes and give you random directions, such as “take the third exit, then turn right after four streets”. Who knows where you’ll end up?

By plane – This option is for advanced travelers only! Go to the airport and get on the next available flight to anywhere. Have your luggage packed. You can go alone or with friends (if they’re brave enough to accept the challenge). The destination is not important, so you can aim for the cheapest or the most exotic – whatever tickles your fancy. Spend the weekend there and see what fate has to offer!

4. Embrace the slow return challenge

This challenge is all about taking the easy way there and the scenic route home. That could mean taking a flight to your destination then meandering back over several days by bus, train, or even sticking your thumb out on the side of the road. If you’re driving, take the highway there and the back roads on your return, stopping at every town or landmark on the way to really get a feel for the area. We’re sure you’ll enjoy every place, every encounter and every moment on the road!

5. Spend a weekend in the wilderness without bringing food or a tent

Mountain tourism is incredibly popular these days, partly because even the most casual mountaineer can find good equipment, tents and waterproof clothes. If you’re really in adventure mode, however, you might challenge yourself to spend two days close to nature without all of the creature comforts. Search for food and water, hunt, build a shelter, and start a fire the old-fashioned way without matches or a lighter.

6. Get lost on purpose

Getting lost in an unknown city is the best way to be spontaneous, to find exciting things and to meet interesting people (away from the crowds of tourists). You’ll be amazed how quickly you stumble upon unexpected treasures and off-the-beaten-track experiences.

7. Trust a friend to organize your trip

Set a budget and leave the organization to a close friend. Before you leave, you’ll simply receive an envelope with reservations, GPS coordinates and a list of necessary things to pack. Sounds quite spontaneous, doesn’t it?

8. Close your eyes and spin!

Still haven’t got plans for the weekend? You don’t need any. Just spread out a map of the country/continent in front of you, or, if you’re feeling particularly brave, grab a globe and give it a spin. Close your eyes and let your finger be the travel agent – wherever it lands is your next destination! We should point out that if your finger lands in the middle of the ocean, you might want to take a second stab at it…

9. Cure your boredom with an adventurous challenge

Stop. Take a deep breath. Grab “203 Travel Challenges” (it was designed as a travel book but it also acts as a random challenge-generator). Open the book to a random page and complete the challenge waiting for you there. Prepare to get out of your comfort zone and leave the rest to serendipity!

How many of these challenges have you done? Share your experience and become an inspiration to others. Send a story and a couple of photos to office@203challenges.com.

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An introvert or an extrovert?

First of all, your vacation shows how much you like being around people. The Journal of Research in Personality and scientists from the University of Virginia conducted a study in search of the connection between the place college students like to vacation and their type of character. Results show that introverts prefer the mountain, while extroverts – the seaside. The theory was further confirmed when they checked where the participants lived – it turned out that those who lived in mountain areas possess more introvert features compared to those who lived in lower areas.

Which is the exact type of vacation that makes us happy?

There are plenty of studies on vacations and the joy they bring. For example, a research conducted by Applied Research in Quality of Life magazine shows that people derive more joy from the planning phase than from the travel itself. In other words, you should devote more time to planning instead of going on holiday without a plan.

Still, moderation is important here. Another research, cited by Harvard Business Review, indicates that people do not feel happy during trips, which they perceive as stressful. Busy schedule, long queues and little time to catch the next train/plane means that you will not come back from your holiday happier than before. Only people who take a simple, calm holiday, show higher levels of happiness after the trip. In other words, you need to choose between being happy before the holiday or after.

Another research, devoted to the International Happiness Day, shows that half of the people spend about an hour a day dreaming about travelling. Mostly while at work.

Holidays and promotion

In the US there is something we can easily call workplace martyrdom – a huge number of workers do not use all days of paid annual leave in the name of their position at work. The lack of rest, however, leads to overwork, increased stress levels and in the end – to lower results. In a recent research, conducted in the US and Canada, it became clear that for every 10 days of holiday, the employee demonstrates 8% higher results.

How long is the perfect holiday?

A study, published in Psychologist magazine, reveals how long the perfect holiday is. The participants were asked to evaluate how satisfied they were with their holiday. Most satisfied were the ones, whose holiday lasted between 3 and 6 days.

The post What your vacation says about your personality appeared first on 203Challenges.

You can download a printable version of the list here.

Summer vacation fun challenges list

IN NATURE

1. Immerse yourself in a lake (or the sea).

2. Bathe in a waterfall.

3. Make up a camping ‘team name’ for you and your group of friends.

4. Organize a night hike.

5. Plan a themed picnic.

6. Practice the Swedish nature concept gökotta.

7. Practice shinrin-yoku.

8. Try your hand at kayaking or sailing.

9. Test your nerves by cliff jumping.

10. Walk barefoot.

11. Sleep in a tent.

12. Pick berries.

13. Try rock climbing.

14. Venture into a cave.

15. Visit a national park.

16. Light a campfire.

17. Learn how to use a compass.

18. Go cycling.

19. Hug a tree.

20. See an animal you haven’t met in real life before.

21. Organize a treasure hunt.

22. Find a high place with a view (a rock, a skyscraper etc.) and enjoy the scenery with a drink.

23. Go stargazing (or hunt for shooting stars).

24. Spend a day in hammock.

IN THE CITY

25. Swim in a pool.

26. Visit a water park.

27. Taste all the ice cream in the city and judge which is the best.

28. Repeat for pizza.

29. Grab a book and spend an afternoon reading in a cafe.

30. Choose a book you’ve already read and give it to a random person.

31. Organize a surprise trip for a friend – just tell him or her what clothes to pack.

32. Visit a summer festival.

33. Walk through your neighborhood and choose a house at random. Jot down the address and send the owner a postcard with a kind message.

34. Take a photo on the stroke of every hour.

35. Visit a gallery. Prepare by looking up information and fun facts about the painters whose works you are going to see.

36. Join a volunteer organization.

37. Invite a friend from another city/country and play guide during his/her stay.

38. Pretend to be a tourist in your own city.

39. Research the history of your street and neighborhood.

40. Cook a foreign meal.

41. Say “yes” to every offer you get for a whole day.

42. Start learning a new language

43. Embark on a mystery trip. Let one friend drive while the other, with their eyes closed, navigates by saying something like: “Turn left, go right at the second exit”.

44. Get lost on purpose.

45. Close your eyes, turn the map of your region a few times and then point to a random place – your next destination!

46. Go on a solo day trip. Enjoy your own company.

47. Walk every street in your neighborhood or city.

48. Research your family roots.

49. Hitchhike to a neighboring town.

50. Looking for more creative travel ideas? We’ve compiled a book with 203 travel challenges for you to mix, stir and tweak to create your own personal adventures! No matter whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned traveler, you’ll find some inspiring ideas within.

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