How to Get the Most Out of a Vacation
The key to getting the most out of a vacation is to minimize stress through planning. That may sound like work, but your efforts are almost always rewarded with a truly enjoyable experience. Let’s look at some of the top vacation planning strategies to help you get started.
Decide What Kind of Vacation You Want
One of our best vacation tips is to focus on what you want out of your trip. Figuring out your “must haves” is essential to planning a vacation, so ask yourself:
- Do I want relaxation, adventure, or excitement? Some people want to spend their entire vacation reading by the beach. Others would find that dreadfully boring.
- How long am I comfortable being away? Your budget can definitely influence how long your vacation is, but so can other issues. Being anxious about leaving work for too long or creating a jam-packed vacation schedule will make your trip memorable, but for all the wrong reasons.
- What activities do I enjoy? Whether it’s wandering through an art museum, sampling local cuisine, or hitting the links, identifying how you like to spend your time can help you pick a location.
- What sort of climate do I enjoy? Certain destinations might sound great until you learn how much it rains or how high the temperature gets.
- Do I want travel companions, or would I prefer traveling alone? Solo travel can be an amazing way to explore a new place, but it’s not for everyone. If you decide you want companions, then be sure to include them in the planning.
Another important tip for planning a vacation? Don’t let others determine what’s right for you. People can have very different ideas of what makes a great vacation, so don’t plan yours based on what everyone else is doing.
Set a Budget
For many people, spending money is stressful — even when you’re getting something wonderful for it. These vacation budgeting tips can reduce that stress:
- Identify fixed costs. Start with the costs you know you’re going to spend, such as transportation and lodging. You might also want to add in if there are any activities you are definitely going to attend — like a concert or festival.
- Estimate variable expenses. Variable costs include expenses you’ll likely pay but have some control over how much you spend, like restaurant bills.
- Consider an emergency fund. Adding money to your budget for emergencies can minimize any money worries. That way, you know you have the cash if you need it.
- Start saving early. Rather than dipping into savings, consider setting aside money in a vacation fund over time. Another option may be to earmark cashback rewards from your credit cards to pay for a portion of your trip.
- Look for deals. One of the best ways to save money on a vacation is to go during shoulder season. Traveling to a location either just before or just after the peak is often less expensive.
Pro tip: Whatever you do, be sure to include room in your budget for travel insurance. Yes, it’s an additional expense, but having a policy goes a long way to putting your mind at ease while you’re vacationing.
Research Your Destination
While a vacation is an exciting way to broaden your horizons, it can also force you out of your comfort zone. But you can minimize your discomfort by doing a little research about your destination.
For example, most people want to know what the weather will be like during their vacation because it helps them pack. You might also want to find out what the popular attractions are or if there are any events to attend while you’re there so you can decide if you want to go.
You may also want to look into safety issues. Research the area to find out if there are neighborhoods to avoid. Your research might also help you identify places where you can get assistance if you need it, like a hospital or a police station. Having that information before you go can help you feel more confident as you travel.
If you’re traveling internationally, you also want to find out:
- What currency is used?
- Are there any travel requirements?
- What language is spoken?
- What are some of the local customs?
- Is the water safe to drink?
- What is the food like?
The US Department of State — Bureau of Consumer Affairs website provides country-specific travel information, including details about visas, immunizations, and safety conditions.
Make Arrangements
Making travel arrangements can be the most stressful part of planning a vacation — in part because it’s time to actually invest money in your trip but also because there can be so many details to cover. Luckily, the vacation strategies we’ve outlined help narrow down some of your choices.
For example, your budget and research both play a major role in reserving transportation. The same goes for booking your accommodations and planning your activities.
But these aren’t the only arrangements to consider. You also want to do what you can to secure your home while you’re away. This may mean you need to hire a house or pet sitter, place a hold on your mail, or set up timers for your lights.
Most people also have to make arrangements with their work, such as asking for time off. For a truly memorable — and relaxing! — vacation, you may decide to go the extra step of removing work email and messaging platforms from your phone so you can truly unwind. You might need to spend additional hours tying up loose ends before you leave, but that can be worth it when you’re lying by the pool with nothing on your mind beyond relaxing in the sun.
Written by Virginia Hamill