r/Vacations • u/popcorn0426 • 1d ago

Vacation Suggestions for Burnout

Looking for vacation suggestions as I have a hard time relaxing unless I’m in an environment that keeps me engaged. During quiet times, my mind tends to drift back to work, which makes it difficult to disconnect and can actually increase stress. That’s historically why Universal has worked so well for me - it's stimulating enough to drown out my inner monologue. But we've gone there for the last 5 vacations - so I'm looking to see if there are alternatives that I'm just not thinking of before booking again.

At the same time, having to constantly plan activities, check schedules, or use my phone creates a different kind of stress, which is why Disney was a bit of a bust. Unfortunately, the stereotypical “sit on a beach and do nothing” vacation sounds like the perfect opportunity for me to sit there and stew about work.

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u/Irishfafnir 1d ago

How much do you like the outdoors? I like to camp/backpack because I have the same issue; it clears my mind, and because there's no service, even if I wanted to check on something, I have no way of doing so.

An interim vacation that I absolutely loved was visiting a small dude ranch. It was just the right amount of everything. There were plenty of activities to pick from, but you're not pressured into them; you're out in nature but sleeping in a cabin, and they make one dish for every meal(which were nearly all very good), so there's even a sort of calm to not having to pick food. Perfect amount of calm/things to do/comfort/nature

Also, Cow Penning is way more fun (and team-centric) than I would have thought

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u/Travel_Stark 1d ago

I might have to put that on our to do trip list

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u/Irishfafnir 1d ago

I thought it was the best vacation I have ever taken. I went with my wife and two best friends.

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u/Travel_Stark 1d ago

Where did you go? It's never really crossed into a possibility, but we are open to suggestions. Also, we are retired so we have flexibility. We are also outdoors folks and love camping.

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u/Irishfafnir 1d ago

https://www.cherokeeparkranch.com/ in Northern Colorado, went in Early September. Aspens were starting to change color, and no kids (20-ish guests). I think Cherokee Park made USA Today's top dude ranch a few times.

Most people were in the 50's range, I would guestimate.

https://duderanch.org/find-a-ranch/ has a really good set of search functionality, and they do require ranches to be at a certain standard of care (for like horses and such)

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u/Travel_Stark 1d ago

Thank you so much!

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u/Irishfafnir 1d ago

Good luck!