If you’ve ever returned from a vacation saying “That was good, but it wasn’t great” you will find plenty to like about Vacation Rules. Co-authored by an academic who researches travel happiness and a travel industry veteran, this compact book explores the psychology of vacations and the effects they have on our emotions and well-being.
The authors use the PERMA model of positive psychology to propose 36 “rules” to assist readers plan and enjoy their vacations better. It suggests that rather than concentrating on the mechanics of travel—who we fly with, where we stay, which car we rent, which tour we take—we should first consider exactly why we want to go on vacation, what our current state of mind is, who we are traveling with, how we manage expectations and interruptions, and other issues of a strategic nature.
From the first rule, "Vacation more, live longer" to the last, "Accept your fate", Vacation Rules offers advice that impacts directly on everyday vacation issues and decisions. It provides insight into the importance of autonomy and why being in control of your day to day activities, rather than being completely guided by a travel companion or a guidebook, is so important to achieving happiness.
