Ah, summer -- the traditional time for vacations. A chance to regroup, re-energize, refresh.

Not always, some experts say. In fact, some people may find their vacations are actually more stressful than their work schedules.

"People think that if they only had more time off, they'd be happier, less stressed and more relaxed," said Joe Folkman, managing director of BT.Novations, a human resources consulting firm. "But relaxation isn't about an amount of time, but about what you do with your time and the choices you make."

You often hear about people who need time to recover from their vacation, Folkman added.

"For employees that need to downshift in their time off, I recommend they take a good look at their vacation plans and ask themselves if the vacation will help or hurt," he said. "If the vacation is just added stress, they ought to look for options that will help relieve stress."

Folkman suggests the following tips for reducing vacation stress:

1. Stay in fewer places longer.

2. Don't pack the schedule. Leave time open for relaxing.

3. Make the vacation affordable and stay within your budget. Nothing is more stressful than spending more than you can afford.

4. When vacationing with a family, find ways to satisfy a little bit of everyone's needs. Help children realize that they have to make some tradeoffs too.

5. If you're stressed because things are piling up at work, take an afternoon and do some work while family members enjoy other activities, Folkman recommends. You'll probably be more fun to be around because you've gotten some things off your to-do list.

6. Take time to genuinely appreciate where you are, what you're doing and whom you're with, and tell those with you what you appreciate.

7. Have fun along the way. Make your time in a car or on a plane special. Listen to a book on tape. When everyone is interested in the story, they can't wait to get back in the car.

8. Plan group as well as "alone" activities. An early morning walk on the beach can be the best part of a vacation.

9. Balance flexibility ("We're having fun; let's do this longer.") with timeliness ("We have to be up and packed by 6 a.m. to catch the plane).

10. Decide to have fun. After all, you're on a vacation!