The Art Of The Stopover: Enhancing Travel With Refreshing Midway Stays
Between home and your destination lies a Hilton property offering you style, comfort and a longing to return
I remember the first time I learned about stopovers — when you spend a night or two in a location between your vacation destination and home. It’s a smart way to manage fatigue when pushing through a travel day that may include: car rides to the airport, airport layovers, managing public transportation and trying to get to your hotel in an unfamiliar location. A stopover breaks travel up into manageable bites allowing you to rest so you can begin your vacation refreshed and ready to go.
Our evening in Helsinki was magical. We hopped on a train that took us directly to the waterfront and spent the evening on an impromptu walking tour of some of the most beautiful architecture. For me, the highlight was the National Library of Finland. I could have tucked myself away into a corner of that beautiful building for hours with a good book!
Whether planned or not, the stopovers in London and Helsinki left us with the urge to return and spend more time exploring and enjoying what they had to offer. Both were brief side-quests on a bigger vacation that gave us stories to tell and a small glimpse into cities that otherwise would have been blips on the travel map to our final destination.
Upcoming: Turks And Caicos Travel And More
We’re planning another stopover on our way to Turks and Caicos next year. Traveling from the west coast to the Caribbean is a long trip and can be exhausting. My husband and I are planning three nights in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to break up the travel and help us acclimate to the time (and temperature) change before our longer stay in the Caribbean. Planning this mini-vacation before the actual vacation has brought me so much joy! I think I have spent more time planning those three days than the remaining seven.
A Genius Stopover Hack
We obviously aren’t the first people in the world to use this travel hack. On our last trip to Hawaii, we spoke to numerous travelers who planned stopovers at Hilton Grand Vacation Club resorts in Las Vegas to break up their travel from the east coast to the Hawaiian Islands. For them it was a way to adjust to the time change in addition to taking a break from the long hours of air travel.
The stopover makes sense as a travel tool when taking those longer flights as part of your vacation. It keeps you refreshed, it helps you manage stress and it’s just plain fun to get a bonus vacation destination as part of your travel plans.
Read “Top 5 Resort Amenities That Make Hilton Grand Vacations Stays Unforgettable, According To A Member” to discover how to make the most of your Hilton stay every time.
Key Takeaways
- Stopovers Are a Strategic Travel Hack: Breaking up long journeys with overnight stays in cities on the way to your final destination helps manage fatigue, making travel days more enjoyable and less exhausting.
- Unique Opportunities for Exploration: Even brief visits can offer memorable experiences, a taste of local culture and leave travelers longing for a longer return visit.
- Stopovers Can Be Planned and Spontaneous: Whether scheduled ahead or resulting from travel unpredictability, stopovers can turn unforeseen circumstances into bonus adventures.
- Are Widely Adopted by Frequent Travelers: Many travelers use stopovers at destinations like Las Vegas to break up lengthy travel from coast to coast, further highlighting the value and practicality of this approach.
- Stopovers Enhance Overall Travel Experience: Stopovers can reduce stress, keep travelers refreshed and add a delightful “bonus” destination to the vacation itinerary, making the journey as rewarding as the destination itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a stopover in travel?
A. A stopover is when you intentionally spend one or more nights in a city along your travel route, breaking up a long journey between your departure point and your final destination.
Q. Why should I consider a stopover during long trips?
A. Stopovers help manage fatigue, reduce travel stress and allow you to start your vacation refreshed. They also provide an opportunity to experience a new city, even if only briefly.
Q. Can stopovers be planned or do they only happen due to flight disruptions?
A. Stopovers can be scheduled in advance as part of your itinerary or can result from unexpected travel changes like flight cancellations. They can add a memorable bonus to your trip.
Q. How can I make the most of a stopover in a new city?
A. Take advantage of airline or hotel perks, such as city tours or easy-to-book accommodations with travel points. Even a few hours can be enough to explore highlights, sample local cuisine and get a feel for the local culture.
Q. Is it common for travelers to use stopovers on long-haul flights?
A. Yes. Many frequent travelers use stopovers, especially when crossing multiple time zones, to break up long travel distances and acclimate gradually to a new schedule or climate.
