Plan a Summer Vacation in 6 Steps
Signs of summer vacation are officially in the air. Imagine sipping a frozen drink on a Florida beach, hiking breezy canyons at Yellowstone, or eating appetizers on a New York City rooftop. While summer adventures are enticing, coordinating it all can seem like a daunting task. Between booking travel, getting a group together, budgeting expenses, and packing, you are sure to need a vacation after all the planning is complete. We understand the stress, and we took the liberty to help simplify planning for the best summer vacation ever.
1. Choose the Location and Time
Choosing the perfect amount of time away will depend on the purpose of your trip. Are you looking to recharge and ask off as little days as possible? A short trip would be your best bet for a quick recharge. Planning a larger trip may end up stressing you out more, which would defeat the purpose of your trip. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in a new culture or learn something new, treat yourself to a trip overseas. Not only will you learn about new foods, cultures, and traditions, but you may also find out a thing or two about yourself.
2. Pick Your Travel Group
If you’re traveling with a group, their opinion on the destination is just as important. If you’re traveling with a bunch of nature lovers, it probably wouldn’t make sense to take them to New York City. Picking your travel group plays a big role in your vacation, as you want everyone to be happy and flexible on your trip. When planning activities and tours, it always helps to travel with people who have the same likes and dislikes as you. Traveling solo can be intimidating for most people, but there are numerous travel group websites that can help you find the perfect mix of single travelers.
3. Make a Budget
Let’s talk about the most important aspect of traveling: money. Some major things you should take into account when budgeting is travel fare, which includes: flying, driving, public transportation, or rideshare services. Another money pit while traveling is your hotel. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount- especially for longer stays, and always ask what deals they are offering. Little items, like snacks, shampoo, and sunscreen, can also add up on a trip. If you choose to purchase these items in touristy areas, prices tend to be double or even triple the price. If possible, bring necessary items from home and try to eat smaller meals like breakfast or lunch in your hotel to save some extra cash.
4. Book as Early as Possible
The early bird gets the worm is an accurate statement for travel planning. The earlier you book tickets, the cheaper they will be. The prime time to book flights domestically is between the window of four months to three weeks before your trip. For international flights, you should start looking as early as six months, although international airfares are less fluctuating than domestic flights. Also, be sure to clear your browser every time you look for flights, as the airlines like to raise prices based on how much traffic the sites are receiving online.
5. Bring Emergency Supplies
Being prepared for bumps in the road on a vacation is key to the trip running smoothly. Before your trip, take vitamin C and zinc to prevent illness from taking over your vacation. Some small emergency items to keep on hand are sunscreen, pain medicine, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, travel snacks, and bug spray. Wherever you go, it is a good idea to take a reusable bottle to stay hydrated all day. It is also smart to have a bad weather backup plan. You will want to consider travel insurance if you are concerned about plans being changed.
6. Pack Smart
The right clothing is essential to feeling confident and comfortable while in a different location. Instead of tossing a bunch of miscellaneous items into a bag, start first by organizing your daily activities with a list. Packing based on day-to-day activities will get you to answer more specific questions like: will you need to dress in layers or not? Make sure you pack items that you can use multiple times, and check if your hotel has laundry facilities. The main thing to consider when packing is the weather. Always pack a backup outfit in case plans change due to rain or snow.
Life is extremely busy, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a break. Planning your vacation is just as exciting as it is tedious. Through thoughtful planning, your trip will be much more enjoyable and will prepare you for the unexpected. You’ll be able to rest knowing that all of your hard work will allow room for time and money flexibility, and more importantly, new experiences.