The songs on On Vacation were inspired by the films Paris, Texas (1984) and Three Colors: Red (1994).M. Preister, Alec (February 9, 2016). "The Remix Grammy: For the Art and Science of the Musical Cocktail". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 2, 2017. Resident Advisor critic Andrew Ryce wrote that On Vacation has a similar intention to Paris, Texas in that it "invites you to get lost in its incredible backdrops." Ryce wrote that "even the rhythmic parts can feel motionless, with metronomic beats that induce contemplation more than movement." On Vacation, as a reviewer for International DJ magazine analyzed, is "an album inspired by places and spaces - some imaginary, some real." As journalist Paul Simpson wrote, "On Vacation isn't CFCF's most focused work, but it isn't supposed to be. As the title states, this is music for escaping day-to-day life and getting pleasantly lost."
