How to Turn a Quick City Trip Into a Truly Restorative Getaway

Choose Where You Stay Carefully

Where you stay is really important if you want a truly restorative experience. Instead of staying at a generic hotel, look for somewhere that supports relaxation and comfort at every turn. This boutique hotel in downtown Chicago is a good example of what to look for — a thoughtfully designed environment that feels like a peaceful retreat, but centrally located so you never have to travel too far to experience the city. Spaces that prioritize atmosphere, comfort, and convenience make it so much easier to unwind between outings.

Staying somewhere centrally located is also great for reducing travel time and allowing you to move at a slower pace. You can return to your room easily, take breaks when you need to, and avoid the stress of long commutes when you’re out sightseeing.

Plan for Quality Over Quantity

When planning your itinerary, focus on quality over quantity. Choose a few experiences that genuinely interest you and allow time to enjoy them fully. This might mean spending a whole afternoon exploring one neighbourhood rather than rushing through several.

Building in downtime is just as important. Schedule moments where you do pretty much nothing at all. Sit in a cafe, walk through a park, or simply spend some time relaxing in your room. These pauses are what transform a busy trip into a restorative one.

Start the Morning Slowly

Come up with a daily routine that allows you to ease into the day instead of rushing out almost as soon as you wake up. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, take your time getting ready, and let the morning unfold at its own pace. This sets a calmer tone that tends to carry through the rest of the day. Our packing tips guide has advice on setting yourself up for a stress-free trip from the moment you leave home.

Be Mindful of How You Move Around

Walking is often a wonderful way to explore a city, but if you overdo it, you can get tired quickly and won’t enjoy things quite as much. Try to balance walking with using public transport so that you can keep your energy levels up. There is no medal for covering the most ground on foot in a single day.

Pay Attention to What You Eat

You will want to sample the best of what the city has to offer in terms of cuisine, and you absolutely should. But try not to go overboard on rich restaurant meals or heavy street food at every sitting. Sometimes a simple dish cooked in an authentic way is more satisfying and more likely to leave you feeling good. How you eat on a trip has a real impact on your energy and gut health, and it’s worth being thoughtful about it. Our guide to maintaining gut health while traveling has practical tips on eating well away from home.

Avoid Overstimulation and Let Go of the Need to Document Everything

Cities are full of noise, crowds, and activity, which can become overwhelming quickly. Taking breaks in quieter spaces such as parks or less busy neighborhoods can help you reset and come back to the experience feeling present again.

Letting go of the need to document every moment with photos and follow a strict plan will also really help. When you are not constantly looking at the world through a screen or checking off a list, you are far more likely to actually feel the benefit of being somewhere new.

“The best moments from any trip are rarely the ones you photographed. They are the ones where you were too present to think about reaching for your phone.”