Vacations, while enjoyable, can hardly be considered purely relaxing. It may seem like a much-needed break, but out-of-town trips can take you away from the creature comforts of your daily routine.

I went because: My wife, Alison, had a qigong retreat in the Philippines, and we chose to visit Palawan afterward in part due to an article in The Chronicle ("Philippines Green," Nov. 18, 2007). Don't ...