When this joyful time arrives and we are all planning our vacation during any period of the year, the common outcome we seek through our any-kind-of getaway type is that of relaxation and rejuvenation. This is the common ground every traveler share with the other and comprise the main “umbrella” of the whole concept of holiday excursions.
The hotels and complexes they are about to welcome us to their premises are oriented in providing the best possible amenities to complement in creating a unique context of special experiences that will snap us off our daily routine and introduce us to a world of dreams. But what is the definition of relaxation? Is it also a shared view among travelers? This a rhetorical question rather than a philosophical.
When I think about vacation and getting some time away from anything would stress me in any manner, I think of sports. The classic, frequent approach regarding exercising and sports is the idea that we should go to the gym or participate in a sport during our daily routines in order to blow off the steam of the everyday problems and keep ourselves calm and tranquil through our lives. Additionally, we keep our body healthy and fit, filled with positive energy and brimming with sentiments of well-being and euphoria. And all these are true.
However, I cannot ignore those times I force myself to go to the gym or to play a sport (I am not a gym guy) in weekdays just because of the benefits exercising brings and the calmness I will experience later. The thing is that during our routine schedule and the literally numerous responsibilities and obligations at our home and work, there is one fundamental ingredient which is usually missing. Τhe fun!
See, vacation for me is getting sweaty and super tired while playing my favorite sport, or trying and new one all out from the beginning without having in mind that I have to get back to take a shower, eat and sleep so as not be exhausted tomorrow morning. These are the times you can focus on you and enjoy playing with your partner and/or your kids as I continuously did while my stay in Creta Beach hotel when visiting the gorgeous island of Crete.
The complex featured various entertainment options for us to choose and I cannot forget the endless mornings in the beach playing beach volley, getting sun-burnt and laughing so loud I thought my abs will explode!
Neither can I forget the all day tennis battles in this wonderful Cycladic hotel of Folegandros, Anemi, which hosts a professional tennis court with tartan floor, floodlit during the night so you could play literally day and night. Furthemore, they provided us with all the necessary equipment as bringing rackets and balls with you during a trip it is not the easiest thing in the world.
The epic battles with my wife ended in many occasions with me drinking a dozen of rakomelo shots as token for my lost, or forcing her to enter the local, relatively dangerous, geological monument of the island, the Chrissospilia Cave the next morning during our domestic expeditions in the island. The bets along with the fun and my wife’s gestures when she was losing is something you cannot experience outside vacation context.
Having said all that Ι could not exclude my latest expedition in Corfu and Capo di Corfu, a family paradise resort where a world of (water) sports popped up in front of us with limitless choices. Pool table, tennis, table tennis, beach soccer goals are only some of the different sports we tried with my children and surely not just one time.
My mind literally escaped from any thought that could attenuate the feeling of happiness and euphoria coming from my heart. Impeccable moments of fun combined with exercise of body and mind, simultaneously building strong, meaningful bonds with your loved ones. If you have achieved all these in a vacation trip, how else can you define relaxation?