After more than a year of being safer inside of our houses, the world is slowly starting to open back up. If you’re feeling cooped up, it might be a great time to plan a vacation. Taking a good vacation can help you relax, manage stress, and come back to work refreshed and ready to be productive. But how can you plan the trip that is best for you? If you’ve never planned a summer getaway before, the prospect can seem intimidating. Read on for our quick tips for planning an amazing trip this summer.
Make a budget
Our first piece of advice for planning your upcoming vacation is definitely the least fun, but the most important. To start your planning, it is helpful to make a budget. Whether you have been saving money for travel for a while, or you’re planning this trip at the last minute, a budget can help you think through all of the ways that you will spend your money. Because, let’s be honest: When you’re travelling, you will spend money. Flights, accommodations, activities and gear all cost precious cash. Planning now will help you be prepared for that spending so that you can let go and have a good time.
Pick a destination
Now onto the fun part! The next part of planning your perfect summer getaway is picking a location. To do this, you’ll need to answer a few questions for yourself. What kind of vibe do you want for your vacation? Are you hoping to relax or do lots of activities? Are you hoping to explore a new city or get away to hike and swim as part of your healthy lifestyle? Answering these questions will help you hone in on the type of vacation that will make you the happiest.
Look for the best deals
Once you’ve selected where you want to go, it’s time to do a little detective work to find yourself the best possible fares for your trip. Airlines have sales often, and many websites will help you compare different prices for you across companies. It is also helpful to look at nearby airports, because the tickets for regional airports are typically much more expensive. For example, even if you live in a more rural part of Arkansas, flights out of Little Rock AR will almost always be significantly cheaper. Knowing bits of information like this can be the difference between a reasonably priced flight and an expensive one.
Check travel restrictions
Even though much of the United States has resumed activity back to pre-pandemic levels, the restrictions on travel still vary greatly from state to state. Airlines and airports are still requiring masks across the board, but many states have guidelines regarding vaccination status and quarantining. Save yourself a headache by looking up the relevant information ahead of time, so that you can be prepared and keep yourself as safe as possible.
Pack efficiently
Now that everything is booked, it’s time to get ready! If you’re flying, it’s important to pack well to make airport travel as easy as possible. As a new traveler, it can be tempting to bring everything you own, but trust us, you’ll be miserable lugging all that around. Accessories like packing cubes can help you keep your luggage organized, as well as help you limit the amount you bring when you travel. Be sure to look up the specific regulations of the airport and airline on which you’re traveling, especially if you’re traveling internationally. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than having to deal with airport security!
Have an amazing time! Now that you know how to plan the perfect summer trip, get out there and explore!