There are so many different types of vacations to choose from. There's nothing worse than planning out time off to a location, and then being disappointed with what it has to offer. Not to mention, the hours of careful planning, anticipation, and money spent.
Many travelers fail to see what different types of vacations entail. This is especially true when scrolling through the images and hashtags of Instagram. These may or may not always be the most accurate representations.
To help you find the perfect travel plans, here's a list of 17 of the most popular types of vacations, along with the pros and cons of each.
1. A Trip To The Mountains
Visiting the mountains offers fantastic views of natural landscapes. This type of vacation is a great choice for those who want to visit national parks, or spend time doing outdoor activities.
If you aren't afraid of the cold, then this could be the right pick for you. Many times people will go hiking, skiing, or visit small mountain towns in the local area. The most common place to stay on a trip to the mountains is to rent a cabin.
Pros
- Surround yourself with natural beauty
- Peace and quiet away from the bustling city
- Enjoy outdoor activities unique to the mountains
Cons
- The risk of a bear or other wild animal attack
- Frigid temperatures depending on the season
- Long drives between destinations
2. A Road Trip
There's nothing else quite like getting out on the open road. You get the opportunity to visit the far reaches of the country cruising with your favorite music on.
This kind of travel is ideal for those who love adventure with a bit of flexibility. If you live within a few hours of major destinations, then this can be a perfect option. This type of vacation may not be enjoyed by those who prefer to stay in one place or not to be cooped up for several hours at a time.
Pros
- Flexibility and freedom to do whatever, whenever
- Time to yourself to listen to music or catch up on podcasts
- The ability to make random pit-stops along the way
Cons
- Dealing with bad drivers or road rage
- Many hours in the car
- If gas prices are high, it can be cheaper to buy a plane ticket somewhere instead (depending on how many people you're traveling with)
3. A Cruise
For those who enjoy the open ocean, get your swim suit ready and book a cruise. Chase the waters for a great escape and enjoy the many different excursions and activities available.
If you love the water, then this type of vacation is perfect for you. You get endless food, pools, and activities to keep you plenty busy the entire duration of the trip. Although if you have motion sickness, or a fear of water then this may not be good for you.
Pros
- Unlimited activities, both on board and off
- Interesting ravel from one destination to the next
- The ability to experience multiple destinations while only unpacking once
Cons
- Sea-sickness (amplified if in rough waters)
- Fear of the open ocean
- Risk of catching a virus
4. A Trip To The Beach
When you hear the word vacation, you think of white sands and a sea breeze. A good day at the beach is one of the most popular vacation destinations. As long as you can find some warm weather and sand, you've got yourself a good time.
Those who enjoy this type of vacation most like to relax, unwind, and not have to think about what's next on the agenda. The only thing to think about is when to eat and apply sunscreen. (Or for some, in combination with tanning oil).
Pros
- Cheap, depending on driving distance
- Warm and pretty locations
- Plenty of activities for any age
Cons
- You can often feel dirty after the beach from the sunscreen, saltwater, and sand
- Seasonal in certain locations
- Risk of skin cancer (if not using ample sunscreen)
5. A Camping Trip
If you like nature, then going out for a camping trip can be great option. Many state and national parks offer activities for all ages and any type of traveler. You can look forward to hikes, backpacking, group camping at campgrounds, and scenic tours that explain the park's history.
It's always nice to get out into nature without phone service where you can escape from reality and relax. Camping works well with friends, your partner, kids, or family. You can camp in a tent, RV, or other options with the different types of camping.
Pros
- Escape reality without phone service
- Campgrounds are inexpensive compared to hotels
- Plenty of activities for any age
Cons
- Limited amenities such as running water, showers, and clean toilets (depending on the campground you stay at)
- You'll need to purchase many of your own supplies ahead of time
- Sanitation may not be the best
6. A Trip Abroad
International travel can open you up to whole host of new cultures, cities, and people to meet. A trip abroad is the perfect type of vacation for those open to new ideas and not afraid to try something new.
Yet, if you're not fond of distant travel or uncertainty, then this may not be for you. An international vacation provides for access to special locations very different from your day to day scenery.
Pros
- Experience new cultures, food, and ways of life
- See unique sights from the location
- Learn and meet new people with different perspectives
Cons
- Travel farther distances, more expensive
- Requires longer vacation time (usually a good thing, although if you have limited days off this can be a challenge)
- Communication barriers where English isn't spoken or the primary language
7. A Trip To The City
New York City, Paris, London, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando... the list goes on and on. It's no secret that cities are the most visited locations across the globe. There's so much to do in a city from the historical sights, fantastic places to eat, activities within walking distance, and more.
Each different city you choose from has a list of special and unique things to do. City vacations work best for almost any traveler. There are options for all different age groups to explore the city during their trip.
Pros
- Perfect for foodies
- Lots of diversity
- Unique things to do
Cons
- Crowded with lots of people
- Spend money on each activity (museums, tours, shows, restaurants, etc)
- Hotels are generally more expensive due to the higher cost of living in cities
8. A Family Vacation
Of all the places you can visit on your vacation, it's always a unique experience when traveling with family. These kinds of trips focus more on building stronger relationships with the your loved ones. You may be planning for a family vacation with your kids and significant other, or to put together an entire family reunion.
This could be at a beach house, resort, theme park, or a road trip. The primary goal is to do activities together, and build memories while away from the day to day grind.
Pros
- Enjoy time with those you don't see everyday
- Build stronger relationships
- Create long-lasting memories
Cons
- You can get sick of family
- Must plan far ahead to rent accommodations with large groups
- Can be difficult to get everyone together at the same time
9. A Theme Park Trip
Traveling to a theme park is one type of vacation that will create lasting memories for years to come. With all the rides, shows, food, and entertainment—you're bound to have a good time. The parks offer a wide array of activities for both adults and kids.
With each theme park to choose from, whether it be Disney, Universal, Sea World... there's plenty of things to do. If you live close to Orlando, FL or Los Angeles, CA you've got a much easier time getting to these destinations. Of course there are other theme parks as well located all across the globe.
Pros
- Activities for all ages
- Unique rides and attractions
- Specialty foods
Cons
- Crowded with lots of people
- Not great if you don't like kids
- Park tickets can be expensive
10. A Solo Trip
This can be intimidating at first, as it's not something easy or for the faint of heart. Traveling alone gets you out of your comfort zone and forces you to try new things and meet new people. Through this experience you can discover a lot about yourself.
Pros
- Self discovery
- Do whatever you want
- Meet new people, try new things
Cons
- Intimidating to solo travel
- Extra alert to maintain safety
11. A Group Trip
Group vacations offer the ability to excellent deals while traveling. Not to mention, they can be easy to plan if you go with flow of the group's itinerary. Many resorts, airlines, and activity packages also offer group discounts when planning vacations, which can help you save money.
These kinds of trips work best for activities you wouldn't want to do alone. If you plan to travel to a foreign country, you can also help to keep each other safe.
Pros
- Minimal planning (unless if you're the organizer)
- Cost effective to save money with group discounts
- Participate in group activities
Cons
- Need to plan farther ahead for adequate accommodations
- Limited flexibility for choice beyond the group consensus
12. A Last-Minute Flight Trip
There's many different kinds of ways to find cheap airline tickets on last minute flights. As long as you're willing to drop what you're doing, this can be a way to make for a "spur of the moment" trip.
For this type of vacation, it works best for those traveling solo since many times they're only a single ticket discount for an extra seat.
Pros
- Save money on airfare
- Go somewhere you've never been
- Spontaneous
Cons
- Can be difficult to find time to take advantage of it
- Often times limited to solo trips (not necessarily a con)
13. A Volunteer Trip
Volunteering trips offer the opportunity to help those in need while trading your time to experience a new location, instead of money. Many missionaries or churches offer trips for volunteers to help out local communities while covering for your hospitality while you're away.
These types of vacations can be very fulfilling and rewarding. A couple of my friends did one of these trips in Colombia with their church and were able to help build a school for children.
Pros
- Travel for free or at a large discount
- Help others in need
- Meet new people, create lasting memories
Cons
- Not the most relaxing vacation as you're likely doing physical labor
- Accommodations might not be the nicest or luxurious
- Volunteer vacations typically do not go to the most exciting destinations
14. A Resort Trip
Like a beach vacation, the classic vacation image that comes to mind is you at a luxurious resort pool sipping margaritas. A resort vacation is the ultimate getaway for those who want to lose track of reality and simply relax. Resorts can range in all different shapes and sizes and cater to any need you may have.
Pros
- Many are in warm locations (besides ski resorts)
- Activities for all ages
- Can be all inclusive, depending on the resort
- Short and long stay vacations
- All amenities to provide you with everything you need
Cons
- Somewhat touristy, hard to break away and experience the culture of the region
- Can be expensive with all the resort fees
- Depending on the country you're in, you may not want to drink the water or stray too far from the premises of the resort
15. A Staycation
Opposite to many vacations on this list, a staycation gives you the ability to try new experiences in the city you live. You get a break from reality to relax on the couch, go for a bike ride, or visit local restaurants you've never been to before. You can often be surprised by what you find close to home.
Pros
- Cheap, not spending any money on airfare or hotels
- Explore local hidden gems
- Find new things close to home
Cons
- Difficult to relax if you're the kind of person finding things to do around the house
- Not as thrilling as an international vacation or another type of vacation
16. A Sports Trip
If you're a sports fan, then a sports vacation may be perfect for you. With the endless amount of tournaments there's plenty of games to attend and visit a city. This can be a nice getaway while getting to see your favorite team play. As long as you're interested in sports, this appeals to every type of traveler.
Pros
- Experience the game with other fans
- Visit to a new location to see your team play
- Explore the city before or after the game
Cons
- Location dependent on events
- Can be expensive
- Restricts travel dates based on the season
17. A Trip To See Friends or Family
If there's a group of friends or family that live far away you can go to visit them! This type of vacation gives you the opportunity to see people you don't see everyday and make for an adventure. You can plan to do activities together or even simply stay at their home to relax and catch up.
Pros
- Save money if you stay at their home
- Visit an old friend or family that lives far away
- Get a personal tour of their favorite things to do
Cons
- Go by their schedule
- Not always the nicest accommodations (could be sleeping on a couch)
To Conclude
No matter which type of traveler you are, there are plenty of types of vacations to match a perfect fit to what you want. We hope this list helps you weigh the pros and cons when planning out your next vacation.