6 Tips for an Ultra-Relaxing Holiday Close to Home

Sometimes, planning a holiday can feel like juggling work, whānau, and everyday commitments. Between finding the cheapest flights, coordinating accommodation, and deciding what to do every hour of every day, it’s easy to end up more frazzled than before you left. But this doesn’t always have to be the case. In fact, a relaxing break doesn’t need to involve international flights or over-the-top planning.

If you’re living in New Zealand and want to recharge without the fuss, there’s no need to go far. From a serene lake to a quiet coastal town, the country is packed with natural wonders and peaceful pockets that make it remarkably easy to unwind.

So if you’re craving a getaway that’s all about slowing down and not overthinking every minute of your day, this guide is for you. Here are some practical, low-stress tips to help you plan an ultra-relaxing holiday—one that doesn’t require a passport, just your jandals and a laid-back attitude.

1. Stay Where the Views Are – Let Nature Set the Mood

If you’re aiming to unplug and unwind, your choice of accommodation can make or break the mood. Staying near natural beauty automatically adds a layer of calm to your holiday. Imagine waking up to birdsong and morning mist rather than traffic or construction. It’s like your own personal nature documentary, minus David Attenborough’s narration (though no one’s stopping you from doing the voiceover yourself).

In the North Island, finding a fantastic accommodation Taupo visitors can appreciate is refreshingly easy. You’ll discover lakeside chalets and cosy cabins, many of which are family-friendly, and some even welcome pets, so you can be sure the entire whānau gets to enjoy a proper, relaxing break.

2. Choose Smaller Towns to Embrace a Slower Pace

When planning a relaxing getaway, it’s tempting to default to the biggest name on the map. However, the real magic often lies just off the beaten track. Smaller towns in the North Island are where time seems to stretch, locals wave at strangers, and queues are a thing of the imagination. Towns like Taupō, Raglan, Whakatāne, or Martinborough, for instance, offer everything from charming cafés to geothermal wonders without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds you’ll find in bigger centres.

3. Avoid Overpacking the Itinerary

One of the quickest ways to ruin a potentially relaxing holiday is by trying to do everything at once. It’s tempting, especially when you feel like you “should” make the most of every minute. But there’s a huge difference between making memories and sprinting through a checklist. A jam-packed itinerary can leave you feeling more worn out than before you left home.

Instead, embrace a slower pace. Allow for plenty of downtime in your schedule. Start your day with a long breakfast, followed by a peaceful walk around the lake or through a native bush trail. If you feel like visiting some scenic spot, great—but if not, that’s fine too. Spontaneity is a luxury we rarely allow ourselves, so take advantage of the chance to follow your mood. If you fancy an afternoon nap, take one. If you stumble upon a charming bookshop or artisan market, explore it at your own pace.

4. Keep an Eye on Road Updates

Nothing puts a damper on your well-laid plans quite like an unexpected road closure or a sudden change in weather. Whether you’re on a classic Kiwi roadie or cruising the State Highways, it’s worth checking travel and weather alerts before you hit the road. Services like Waka Kotahi NZTA for road updates and MetService for weather forecasts can help you avoid major delays or disappointing detours.

However, flexibility is your best friend. Even if plans change due to the odd downpour or a landslip closing a hiking track, it’s no reason to panic. Use it as an opportunity to try something else—perhaps a rainy-day soak in a geothermal hot pool or a leisurely lunch in town while the storm passes. The key is to roll with it. After all, some of the best travel stories begin with, “Well, we didn’t plan to end up here, but…”

5. Pack Light

If your suitcase requires its own seat on the shuttle, you’re doing too much. For a relaxing, local getaway, there’s no need to bring your entire wardrobe. A few comfy outfits, some warm layers for those cooler evenings, your trusty trainers, and togs for the hot pools should cover most bases.

Packing light also simplifies your holiday. Fewer choices mean less stress. Plus, leaving room in your bag means you’ll have space for local treats, whether it’s a block of Whittaker’s chocolate, a Central Otago pinot noir, or a cosy wool throw from a nearby artisan market.

6. Give Your Brain a Breather

We live in a world where we’re always “on,” and our phones have become an extension of our nervous systems. Holidays are a chance to gently peel away from constant notifications and give your mind a proper rest. You don’t have to go full digital detox (unless you want to), but try setting some boundaries. It can be no work emails, no social media rabbit holes, and switching off for a bit—maybe just checking the cricket scores or the weather.

Instead, use your device intentionally. Take scenic photos, find a good walking track, or search for the best local bakery. Otherwise, look up from your phone and let your senses take over.

At the end of the day, the most relaxing holidays are the ones where you allow yourself to simply be. No pressure to see everything, no expectations to come back with a dazzling slideshow of every sight in your itinerary. Instead, you return home feeling refreshed and maybe even a little more connected to the land and people around you. So take it slow. Sometimes, the best way to get away is not to go far at all, but to go deep into rest, right where you are.

Ready to unwind? Discover your perfect lakeside escape at The Retreat, Taupō. Book a lakeside chalet at The Retreat today.