Planning the Perfect Vacation: 9 Tips
Did you know that around 40% of Americans take at least one vacation per year? If you are in the middle of planning a perfect vacation, you are in the right place. We have put together this guide to share our top planning tips to make your life easier while planning the perfect vacation.
Read on to learn more.
1. Choose Your Destination
One of the first things you need to do when planning your next vacation is choose where you want to adventure to. There are endless options from tropical destinations to locations full of snow.
If you’re having trouble making a final decision you can start by narrowing down the type of weather you prefer to vacation in. Starting with a more vague idea of where you want to go might be better so that you can adjust your travel plans as needed.
2. Budget
You will also have to set a budget when planning the perfect vacation. Setting your budget doesn’t have to be an obstacle instead this is the piggy bank that will make your vacation dream a reality.
The money you set aside as your budget will be used to fulfill your travel plans. We also recommend using online vacation planning tools or holiday fulfillment services to help you with comparing the costs of different travel destinations.
Comparing prices and not rushing will help you find deals where instead of vacationing in sunny Florida you can spend the same amount to explore Madrid or Barcelona.
3. Choose Your Date
The date you choose to travel will affect how much money you will need. Traveling in non-peak season can save you thousands on transportation and accommodations.
If the only time you can take off from work is during peak season, just make sure you have enough money set aside for inflated prices. Traveling during busy seasons means that you should start planning as soon as possible.
4. Choose Your Accommodations
Nowadays, you don’t only have to decide between hotels. There are also unique accommodations you can select from, on sites like Airbnb or Vrbo. You can also choose to compare hotel prices on sites such as Kayak, Booking.com, Expedia, etc.
If you are traveling with more people, you also need to keep others needs in mind when deciding between where to stay.
5. Research the Area
Once you are aware of where you are staying you want to take the time to research what there is to do in the area. This can be a really fun part of the planning process because you can compare all the things you can do and choose the activities and adventures that sound most appealing to you and your travel companions (if there are any).
It is best to do as much research as you can so that you feel prepared and not nervous once you arrive in your destination. This is especially important if you are traveling to a foreign country you have never been to before.
Laws and customs can be very different in other locations, so you want to make sure that you are well versed and familiar with the local area.
6. Plan Your Itinerary
Once you do your research, you can plan out your itinerary. Grab your list of the sights you are interested in seeing and narrow the list down to fit the number of days you will be vacationing. It is best to start with the things you really want to do, then edit the list based on the activities that fit your budget.
If you are more of a go with the flow person then make a list of the must-see attractions and see how you are feeling once you’re on vacation. Don’t forget that vacations are meant to be enjoyed, so if one day you wake up feeling like you simply want to sit around and have a drink, then do just that.
7. Gather Your Documents
Depending on where you are traveling to, you will need to gather all of your documents. If you are traveling overseas then you will need to get your passport in order, airline tickets, etc.
Make sure that all of your documents are kept handy to ensure you don’t lose or misplace them. If you are flying, it is best to have them where you can easily access them to avoid scrambling through all of your items at the airport.
8. Pack Your Bags
As the date gets closer, take the time to start packing and get your things in order. This is not something you want to do the night before you are supposed to leave on vacation because it can lead to forgetting something.
Make sure you pack enough clothes and shoes so that you don’t run out and pack a versatile amount of clothes in case the weather changes, or you need something a bit more casual or formal.
9. Consider Unplugging
If you are always connected to electronics because of work, you might want to consider going tech-free for your vacation. This will help you if you’re feeling burnt out or attached to your laptop and phone.
Consider only using your computer or phone if it’s truly necessary.
Ready to Plan the Perfect Vacation?
Now that you have our top tips on how to plan the perfect vacation, it is time to start planning your perfect vacation or holiday.
Did our article help you out? Please continue browsing the rest of this section for more tips and tricks for your next getaway.
