It’s the key to making the most of a trip
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Somewhere into adulthood, I started traveling like a dad. Or more specifically, I started traveling like my dad.
As a New Jersey native, I spent most vacations at the Jersey Shore. (Fight me on a better place.) Most mornings when we woke up, my dad had already been up for hours — walking or biking to get fresh rolls from Colonial Bakery for lunch, photographing the sunrise over the ocean or bringing beach gear up to stake out our spot.
By 10 a.m., he might be on his first nap. As a teenager, I was just rolling out of bed.
Dad life gets a bad rep (see those Progressive insurance commercials or any meme on the popular Middle Class Fancy Instagram). But let me tell you, dads are on to something: Getting up early is the key to vacation.
The completely correct guide to traveling like a dad
Wherever I am, I like to enjoy the peaceful morning hours while everyone else is in bed. I probably started this in my early 20s at the start of my career, when my vacation hours were precious. Plus, I’ve never been a great sleeper — especially when I’m not at home — so waking up early comes easily to me. It allows me to reflect and take in my surroundings without the noise of everyone else.
Most mornings when we woke up, my dad had already been up for hours. By 10 a.m., he might be on his first nap.
To be clear, I don’t really want to travel with anyone else who likes to get up early. This is my “me” time.
If there are beach or pool chairs to be saved, I’m saving them. If there’s a coffee shop to walk to, I’m checking it out — and bringing back coffee for everyone. (See, they benefit, too.) If there are people to watch, I’m watching them.
I’ve wandered the streets of Florence and taken in the early-morning sun on the Greek island of Santorini. I’ve enjoyed empty beaches on the Cayman Islands and had practically whole days to myself while friends slept off hangovers in Las Vegas. For me, it’s a way to see a city as it wakes while locals head to work and shop owners prepare for tourists.
When I’m the first person to get up on vacation, I’ve already come up with a plan by the time someone gets up and asks, “So, what are we doing today?” Control freaks — this tip is for you.
So on your next trip, maybe you’ll get up at the crack of dawn, too. As any dad would say: We didn’t come here to sleep.
More travel tips
Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness. Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.
Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare, including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.
Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario, from canceled flights to lost luggage. Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.
Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas, including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed. Submit your question here. Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves.