What you should prioritise when choosing your holiday destination

THE warmer months are here and many are starting to plan their summer holidays.

With that in mind, here are five tips shared by experts on how to choose the perfect hotel for you this summer.

Family, friends, fun and sun Spending quality time with the people we love should be a priority; because if there’s anything the pandemic has taught us, it’s that we can lose our loved ones in a blink of an eye. Therefore, the holiday season is a good time for friends and family to reconnect and genuinely check up on each other.

Marius Earle, general manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, umhlanga, Durban, says it’s important to take into consideration what works for the family, ‘’from ugogo and umkhulu to baby Lethabo.”

Health and healing

To live a healthy life, physically, emotionally and mentally, taking a break should be a key factor in taking the step to better health.

According to a statement in Everyday Health, holidays are more than just ‘luxury’, holidays play a critical role in our long-term health.

“A large body of research shows that vacations are linked to better health outcomes, like lower rates of heart disease; reduced stress, depression, and anxiety; improved productivity; and overall higher life satisfaction,’’ stated by American Psychological Association.

In South Africa, particularly, we have access to many tourist attractions, from beaches to mountain destinations.

People looking to meet their daily 10 000 steps target can enjoy a guided hike or simple, quality time on the beach, walking the pets or enjoying their favourite ice cream.

And if you’re looking to “wine down”, there is a selection of wine farms. Groot Constantia wine farm is a historic site for oenophiles the world over.

Culture and Food

One of the things people enjoy about travelling is the people, culture and of course, the various flavours and dishes in each place.

Leonie Andereya, general manager at Radisson Red, V&A Waterfront Cape Town, says one of the places to experience culture and colour is in Bo Kaap.

“Named after its population rooted in Malaysian, African, Indian and Sri Lankan culture, the neighbourhood has developed into a blend of styles and identities,’’ she adds.

If you’re in the mood for an adventure, explore by foot and tour its mosques – including South Africa's

oldest – and visit landmarks, historic restaurants and stores. A holiday without retail therapy is not a vacation.

Work while you play

With remote visas taking over the world, people prefer workplaces that enable them to work from wherever they are, even if they are on holiday.

The 2022 Workplace Everywhere report from Ivanti reveals that 71% of the employees they surveyed would choose to be able to work from anywhere over a promotion or a pay increase.

So choosing a destination where you can work while playing is vital.