Why You Should Leave Your Resort When on Vacation

Although it is so much fun to lie around the pool or beach at your resort, I find it so disheartening when I hear someone say they didn’t leave the property.  When you are at an all-inclusive resort, the urge to stay on property may keep you from experiencing some memory-making moments.  So what could possibly be gained by leaving the resort?

1. Restaurants:  No matter how good the restaurants are at your hotel they are bound to get old after a few days. Do some research and find unique spots to dine.  If we are on an island, I always try to find a restaurant with an amazing view of the water.
2. You can see what real life is like.  When we were at the Turks and Caicos Beaches Resort my girls turned to me and said, “This island is so beautiful!” And while I agree with them, it hit me that they actually think this is how people in the Turks live.  The next day we rented a car and drove all around the island to show them what life was like for kids here.  We saw schools, houses, markets, and playgrounds.  It was a huge difference from the fancy digs we were staying at.  We make a point to do that on all our trips now.
3. Attractions:  Although I’m not a huge fan of tourist traps, there’s usually a reason all those people want to go there.  Would you really want to vacation in NYC without seeing any of the sights?  Take at least part of a day to see a few popular attractions.
4. Get a new perspective: When we are on an island I like to get out onto the water to see what the island looks like.  In the Azores, the most memorable times include views from atop their mountains.
5. Go off the beaten path:  My favorite parts of vacation are when we rent a car and find a private beach or a restaurant that’s in some back alley.  We ask locals where the best place is to eat or which beach is the best for a sunset.  These tips often lead to our favorite spots.
6. Experience the culture: When you are away from home it’s great to experience the language, food, and customs of where you’re traveling.  A trip to the farmer’s market or street festival can show you a whole new perspective on where you are visiting.
7. Shopping: You don’t have to twist my arm to shop and vacation is a great excuse to do it!  Whether you’re shopping for souvenirs or local art, it’s a given that you are going to have lots of better shopping opportunities off property than at the gift shop in your resort.  We always pick something up that will remind us of our trip.
8. Meet the people:  My husband is a huge fan of talking to cab drivers.  They are a wealth of knowledge and most are friendly enough to engage in a great conversation during your drive.  We’ve gotten great tips from them as well as warnings of places to avoid.  The same goes for waiters and staff at the hotel.
9. Drive around:  If you feel comfortable renting a car, it is the best way to see the area you are visiting.  A car equals freedom and you can go when you want and where you want.  It also leads to last minute change of plans, which occur pretty often when I travel.
10. Build your confidence as a traveler:  There’s no better feeling than pulling back into your resort after spending the day exploring.  I feel like I could travel anywhere and it makes me more confident in where I will travel to next.

Do you leave the resort when you go on vacation?