Why I Always Make Time for a Beach Vacation

I love traveling. Over the years, my passport has collected stamps from New York and LA to London and Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai to Italy and India. I have travelled to most major cities in North America (NYC, LA, Chicago, Vegas, San Francisco, Miami, Toronto… ). I’ve traveled for business, for pleasure, for inspiration, and while every city has given me something unforgettable, there’s one ritual I never skip: a beach vacation.

At least once a year, sometimes two or three now that I’ve leaned into the rhythm of it, I make it a point to head south. Whether it’s the Dominican Republic, Mexico, or Jamaica, that week by the water is more than a holiday. It’s a reset button for my mind, body, and spirit.

1. The Luxury of All-Inclusive Simplicity

There’s something about an all-inclusive beach vacation that instantly strips away decision fatigue. You arrive, you unpack, and suddenly everything is taken care of—meals, drinks, entertainment, the works.

For destinations like Cancún, Punta Cana, or Montego Bay, the resorts are built for effortless enjoyment. You can spend your mornings sipping coffee with the ocean breeze, your afternoons floating in turquoise water, and your evenings enjoying fresh-cooked seafood under the stars. And Expedia’s app makes it easier now to book everything right on the app, before arrival and after arrival (restaurant reservations at the resort can be booked on Expedia, and I also get the concierge service during my stay)

✨ Browse All-Inclusive Beach Vacations on Expedia

✨ Find Resorts & Hotels on Hotels.com

2. The Healing Power of Sunlight, Ocean, and Nature

A hand holding a bright mango drink with chili-salt rim while relaxing by the ocean. — Moments like this — sun on your skin, ocean in front of you, and a cold drink in hand — remind you what it feels like to truly unwind.

The beach is a natural therapy. The moment you step onto warm sand, the world shifts. The salt water softens your skin, the sun kisses you with a golden glow, and the steady rhythm of the waves slows your heartbeat.

Walking barefoot along the shore grounds you in an almost meditative way. Breathing in fresh ocean air feels like cleansing your lungs. Sunlight boosts your vitamin D, which strengthens your immune system and lifts your mood. It’s no wonder we come back glowing, not just in appearance, but in spirit.

3. Fresh Food, Local Flavors, and Nourishment

A plate of tropical fruits and an omelet served with coffee and green juice at a beach resort. — Mornings at the beach feel different — fresher fruit, lighter food, and a slower rhythm that nourishes you from the inside out.

One of my favorite parts of any beach vacation is the food. Resorts in the Caribbean, Asia, and coastal Europe take advantage of what grows naturally around them. Breakfasts are filled with ripe papaya, pineapple, and mango. Seafood comes straight from the ocean to your plate—grilled, spiced, and seasoned with local flavors.

Eating this way: fresh, seasonal, colorful, reminds me of the way food is meant to be enjoyed. There’s a lightness to it that nourishes not just the body but the soul. And somehow, fruit tastes better when you’re standing barefoot in the sand.

🌴 Related Read

Caption:
If you love elegant, relaxing beach escapes, you’ll enjoy this story of my stay at a boutique all-inclusive in Mexico. The views, the food, the atmosphere — everything about this trip reminded me why beach vacations belong on every bucket list.

4. Reconnection With Yourself and Your Family

A group of smiling women enjoying an evening by the pool at a beach resort. — This is what we bring home — laughter, connection, and moments we never get in the rush of everyday life.

As much as I love the solo moments of a beach vacation, reading a book by the water, taking a prolonged water session, it’s also the time I connect most deeply with my family.

At home in Canada, even though we celebrate birthdays and get together regularly for dinners, BBQ, and picnics, the everyday pace of life doesn’t allow for the same depth of togetherness. On vacation, it’s different. We play cards on the balcony while the ocean breeze moves through. We laugh together at silly things that become inside jokes for years. We take long walks together, share meals without rushing – our favourite time, and spend entire days without anyone looking at the clock.

That one week becomes a memory bank of joy, the kind that stays with us long after the suitcases are unpacked.

5. A Glow That Follows You Home

A woman sitting on a white terrace overlooking the ocean at sunset during a beach vacation. — There’s nothing like a quiet moment by the ocean — the kind that reminds you how peaceful life can feel when you slow down.

The funny thing about a beach vacation is how it lingers. Weeks after I return, people often tell me, “You’re glowing.” And they’re right—it’s the ocean air, the sunshine, the laughter, the food, and the feeling of having truly lived for a stretch of days.

That glow is more than skin deep. It’s the reminder that we’re meant to balance ambition with relaxation, and that sometimes the best productivity hack is a piña colada on the sand.

🌴 Love beach escapes and elegant travel? Follow me on my Instagram to see more of my trips, moments, and behind-the-scenes stories.

Making It Your Ritual

Life gets busy. But I’ve learned that carving out at least one beach vacation a year is a maintenance for the soul. It keeps me grounded, re-energized, and inspired to return to my everyday life with a fresh perspective.

So the next time you’re planning your year, don’t just think about conferences, city breaks, or mountain hikes. Make space for the beach. Because sometimes, the most essential journey is the one that leads you back to yourself—and to the people you love most.

✨ Plan Your Next Beach Vacation HERE