There’s nothing worse than wasting your precious time off on a trip that falls miserably short of expectation.  When hours of careful planning, giddy anticipation, and depleted savings end in frazzled nerves and deep disappointment.

This often happens because travelers simply fail to see what different types of vacations entail.  Romanced by pictures on Instagram or friends’ Facebook feeds, it’s easy to make assumptions that may or may not be accurate.

In an effort to help, I’ve compiled ten of the most popular types of vacations and the pros and cons of each.

1. A Trip Abroad

Visiting other countries.  My personal favorite kind of travel!  This type of vacation can be viewed as either intriguing or completely terrifying.

Those who would love it are people who enjoy unfamiliar experiences, stepping outside their comfort zones, and learning something new.  Those who would find this type of vacation an exercise in frustration are people who prefer the expected, staying closer to home, and aren’t crazy about gastro-experimentation.

Pros

• The ability to experience other cultures, history, and architecture
• Discovering new foods, traditions, and someone else’s “normal”
• Witnessing things you’ve only ever read about

Cons

• Often involves much longer flights
• You may discover some of the local food doesn’t agree with you (always fun)
• Requires some extra preparation like getting passports, power converters, and learning basic phrases in another language (and no, screaming at someone in English while playing a one-man game of charades isn’t the same as knowing their native tongue)

2. A Trip to the Beach

Oftentimes, when you hear the word “vacation” you instantly think of a white sand beach.  The waves lapping against the shore as the wind gently sways the neighboring palms.

Those who relish in this type of vacation are people looking to relax, unwind, and not have to think about anything but when to re-apply the sunscreen and what magazines to read while they lounge.  Those who might hate this type of vacation (me) are travelers who get bored easily, prefer a destination with intellectual stimulation, and who have the attention span of that dog from the movie Up (squirrel!!!)

Pros

• Recharging the ol’ battery in a tropical paradise
• Great seafood and delicious drinks with little umbrellas
• A fabulous tan that’s the envy of all your friends upon your return

Cons

• While beautiful, there’s only so much you can do (so you’d better settle in)
• Bugs the size of a dinner plate, and humidity that wreaks havoc on your hair (unless you’re one of those fortunate few whose hair looks amazing no matter where you go…  I am not this person)
• Sand in places you should never get sand, and which you’ll continue to find in your belongings for weeks

3. A Camping Trip

Reconnecting with nature is a great way to spend some much-deserved time off.  And an obvious choice for spending time with Mother Nature is on a camping trip.

This type of vacation is ideal for those who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty, enjoy channeling their inner Paul Bunyan, and love the great outdoors.  Those who might find themselves telling Mother Nature where she can stick it are people who prefer a hot shower, a comfy bed, and trips that don’t involve mosquito repellant.

Pros

• Getting back to basics surrounded by stunning natural beauty
• Sleeping under an infinite blanket of stars with the moon as your nightlight
• The opportunity to roast the perfect marshmallow sitting around a crackling fire (assuming there’s no fire ban, of course)

Cons

• Vacation in the lack of luxury (no shower, sleeping on the ground, and peeing in the bushes)
• Being kept up by the frigid temperatures and every little sound you’re convinced is a bear (or any other number of wild animals eager to eat you)
• Testing your patience with the loathsome task of setting up your tent (and the frustrating chore of fitting your sleeping bag back in its impossibly small sack)

4. A Trip to the City

On the opposite end of the spectrum is a trip to the big city.  Car horns, construction noise, and muffled chatter create a soundtrack for an amazing metropolitan adventure.

This type of vacation is perfect for those who love the wilds of the concrete jungle, enjoys dinner and a show, or wants to channel their inner Carrie Bradshaw.  This type of vacation is a nightmare for people who hate crowds, hustle and bustle, or the tiresome pavement beneath their feet.

Pros

• A veritable plethora of activities, from dining to shows to museums and more
• The convenience of plentiful flights and easy transportation
• The awe of feeling impossibly small and endlessly entertained

Cons

• Crowds.  Lots of them (which become exponentially worse around major holidays)
• Like any busy destination, big cities tend to have higher crime rates (so keep tabs on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings)
• The shimmering lights don’t come without a price tag, so be prepared for a little sticker shock when it comes to the cost of things

5. A Road Trip

Ah, the open road.  There’s nothing quite like it.  A trip down scenic byways is the perfect opportunity to enjoy your favorite tunes while the pavement passes beneath you.  And, if you’re like me, keeping my car protected along the way is super important.  So, to ensure it stays as clean as the day you got it, make sure your vehicle has car mats!

This type of travel is ideal for people who love an adventure with a little flexibility, or who live within hours of fascinating destinations.  The people who may despise this type of travel are those who prefer to stay in one place, hate being cooped up, or tend to fall asleep at the wheel (that’s a non-starter).

Pros

• Flexibility to go where you want, bring what you want, and stay wherever the wind blows you
• A more intimate impression of the places you see (and the freedom to go wherever you want when you get there.  No Uber for you!)
• A great excuse to reconnect with some of your favorite music or that book on tape you’ve been meaning to get to

Cons

• Having to deal with bad drivers and road rage
• A lot of time in the car (leading to cramped legs, short tempers, and less-than-ideal cuisine)
• When gas prices are high, it can actually be cheaper to just buy a plane ticket somewhere instead

6. A Cruise

For something a little more nautical, get your sea legs ready and book a cruise!  Chasing the horizon across open waters can be a great way to escape while enjoying the many excursions and activities available.

This type of vacation is perfect for those who love the water, a smorgasbord of options, and are itching to bust out their seafaring lingo (Arr!  Batten down the hatches and beware Davy Jones’ Locker!)  This type of vacation is a terrible idea for anyone with severe motion sickness, a fear of water, or who don’t appreciate the subtle nuances of bingo and a good buffet.

Pros

• Experiencing multiple destinations in one trip, but only having to unpack once (cue angel voices)
• Limitless amounts of activities, both on board and off
• The unique experience of sailing from one place to the next on a floating hotel (there’s really nothing like it!)

Cons

• Possibility of sea sickness (especially in rough waters)
• The risk of catching whatever virus may be sweeping through the ship
• The fear of a Titanic scenario running through your head (though to be fair, only 16 cruise ships have sunk between 1980 and 2012.  May the odds be ever in your favor)

7. A Group Tour

Group tours get a bad rap.  When you hear “group tour” you tend to think of people shuffling off a bus with poor ventilation and an obnoxious tour guide.  But if you book the right group tour, it’s an awesome opportunity to meet new people while visiting far off places.

This type of vacation is awesome for those who love making new friends, are uncomfortable traveling by themselves, or want to learn about an area without reading through stacks of guide books and lots of Googling.  This type of vacation is a nightmare for introverts who have no interest in talking to other people, loathe the idea of an itinerary, or are more interested in doing their own thing than going with the flow.

Pros

• Making lifelong friends who share similar interests
• Learning about the places you see from knowledgeable guides
• Safety in numbers when visiting destinations that may be uncomfortable alone

Cons

• The risk of being trapped with people you want to throat punch from day one
• Needing to follow a schedule so you’re unable to stay longer at sites that interest you (or leave from ones that don’t)
• More likely to visit the tourist traps, and less likely to get an authentic taste of the local culture

8. A Girls/Guys Trip

The ability to connect with good friends on a trip is really something special.  Sharing new experiences in a euphoric vacation haze builds memories that last a lifetime.

This type of vacation is ideal for friends who appreciate each other’s quirks, balance each other out, and never seem to tire of time together.  Or this type of vacation could be the kiss of death for friendships that aren’t well established, buddies that tend to butt heads, or friends with different temperaments and interests.

Pros

• Strengthening existing friendships and forming life-long memories with your besties
• Going halfsies on expenses like hotels and rental cars, making your trip far less expensive
• Having the literal time of your life (read – drinking wine, laughing at nonsense, and taking selfies you’ll shake your head at later… with a smirk on your face)

Cons

• Being less likely to make new friends on the road because you’re so focused on hanging out with each other
• Feeling obligated to do things you’re not interested in because your companions think it’s fun
• Possibility destroying a friendship when you begin to grate on each other’s nerves (has their jaw always clicked when they chew?  Is that them snoring, or did someone just fire up a buzz saw?  Have they always been so pushy?)

9. A Solo Trip

A solo trip is something everyone should do at least once in their life.  It’s liberating, terrifying, exhilarating, and one of the most transformative experiences you can have.

This type of vacation is great for independent souls with a sense of adventure, those who love making new friends, and anyone looking for a way to grow.  I’d argue that while this type of vacation may be a bit much for anyone who still lives by the rule “never talk to strangers” and is petrified of the big, bad world, traveling solo is the best way to confront those fears and move past them towards something wonderful.

Pros

• The ability to do what you want, when you want, where you want, with no one to answer to but yourself
• The simple pleasures of not having to share dessert and sleeping diagonally in bed
• Inevitably meeting fascinating people along the way (many of whom become good friends)

Cons

• Not being able to share experiences with someone else
• While adversity makes you stronger, it also means you’re on your own if something goes wrong
• Travel can be more expensive, and even risky (although the danger is significantly less when you exercise common sense)

10. A Staycation

If there are tumbleweeds blowing through your bank account and jet-setting simply isn’t in the budget, a staycation is an incredible alternative!  Oftentimes, there is so much to see in our own backyards, but we miss it because we aren’t wearing our tourist-goggles.

This type of vacation is great for people trying to save a little mula, or workers who are short on time off, or anyone who needs to stay close to home for one reason or another.  This type of vacation may be a dud for anyone who’s exhausted the list of things to do nearby, or wanderlusters who feel they’d die a little inside if they can’t escape to somewhere new and different.

But, you can always add a little travel inspiration to your everyday life.  For instance, transform your caffeine routine into a daily adventure of discovering coffee and culture from around the world!  With a coffee world tour subscription from Atlas Coffee Club, you can travel to Papua New Guinea, Peru, Burundi, or Brazil, all from the comfort of your kitchen.  No pricey plane tickets necessary!

Pros

• No long flights, exhausting car rides, or cramped train cars
• Discovering hidden gems that quickly become new local favorites
• Seeing things from a different point-of-view, and appreciating them for the first time (or finally checking things out that you’ve always wanted to see, but figured you could go anytime… yet never do)

Cons

• Without a change in scenery, it can be a little less exciting than a traditional vacation
• Because you’re either home or close to it, you may find it difficult to really unplug and unwind
• It can be tempting to just head back home and spend your precious time off on the couch eating pretzels while watching Greys Anatomy reruns

With so many different types of vacations to choose from, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each.  What do you really want to get out of your time off?  Who do you want to spend it with, and where would you like to go?

With a little introspection and forethought, you can plan the vacation of your dreams!

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