Yet, despite these real and perceived benefits, many of us return home with a feeling that our last holiday was just okay - but not great.
How do we change this? A trip that looks good on paper may not deliver us what we truly need.
We worry about tactical issues, such as how to find a good flight deal, how to get from A to B, or which destinations to add or subtract from our itinerary.
These issues may seem important, but can, in fact, besecondary to a successful holiday. Our psychological state of mind is far more important.
A classic mistake for holiday planners is attempting to maximise value for money by planning trips that have too many components.
Perhaps you're planning a trip to Europe, seven cities in 10days, and you realise it will cost only a little more to add two more destinations to the list.
Sounds fine in theory, but hopping from one place to the next hardly gives an opportunity to experience what psychologists call mindfulness, this is the time to take in our new surroundings, time to be present and absorb our travel experiences.
Instead, you should love where you're at and stay engaged in what's going on around you.
You should also do less, enjoy more.
Don't add stress to your life with a complicated travel plan; you will take in more by doing less.
Together with co-author Rod Cuthbert, I have developed an eBook called Vacation Rules for maximising holiday well-being.
The rules are simple, but grounded in science.
The book draws directly on research into leisure travel, positive psychology and effects on well-being, health, relationships and work performance.
It contains 36 easy-to-follow rules for travellers and we have made them accessible to the general public.
Here are some of my top rules:
- Who you go with matters more than where you go. Choose your travel companions wisely. Nothing enhances a trip more than the right companions.
- Don't visit champagne destinations on a beer budget
Spending holiday time in a place where everything is too expensive will quickly kill your positive mood.
- Shop for meanings, not just things
Shop wisely. Meaningful experiences provide more long-term happiness than physical possessions.
- Kindness pays
Perform random acts of kindness for locals and other travellers to boost your positive emotions.
- Your guidebook is your friend, not your master
A truly happy holiday is one where you feel in control and see yourself in a positive light. Guidebooks can help with the former, but may get in the way of the latter. Don't let your guidebook completely dictate what you "must see" at your destination.
- Be optimistic
Remaining optimistic about your holiday in the face of unexpected glitches, like flightdelays, really matters. Optimists live longer and achieve more than pessimists.
- Dr Sebastian Filep is a lecturer in the University of Otago's Department of Tourism.
- Views expressed here are the writer's opinion and not the newspaper's. Email: editor@hbtoday.co.nz
