Vacations are exciting and something to look forward to. Most people save money for an entire year so they can spend a holiday in some faraway place to relax and get away for a few days. What some people don’t realize is that a vacation that is not well planned can go wrong in many ways. Although you can “charge it to experience”, it can’t return the money, time and efforts wasted. Don’t let that happen. Here are 10 tips to get the most out of your vacation.
1. Choose a destination
The first thing to do when you plan a vacation is to choose your destination. Deciding the place can be helpful in many ways, especially with the details of your trip.
Although random can be good and a road trip with no definite destination is an adventure, you can get the best experiences and your money’s worth from planning.
2. Choose a place you have never been to before
It’s easy to understand why you should choose a new place every time you go on a new vacation and that is to experience something new. Even though many of us can be nostalgic and would want to experience the joy from our past vacations, new experiences are equally or even more valuable.
Remember that experience is a treasure no one can take from you.
3. Far is not always “best”
A common misconception of people who plan vacations is that the farther you go, the more great things you will see. This can be true, but not always. In fact, there can be great places to discover and see near you.
All it takes is a good research to find the best vacation spots in your area.
4. Research about your vacation spot
An essential thing to do before you put on a “final” stamp on your vacation spot is to research about the place. Every place has its own stories and culture, it is only a matter of your interests and if the place fits yours.
This is also a good venue to research about the sights and tourist spots to check out when you go to your chosen vacation spot.
5. Learn a thing or two about their culture
If you want to get the full experience on your vacation, the best thing to do is to learn a thing or two about their culture, especially on countries with a rich preservation of their history and culture.
You can learn the local language of basic words such as “good day”, “let’s eat” or “how much”. You can also research about their dishes and try them out.
6. Plan your itinerary
When you have decided your destination you have done your research, it’s time to plan out your itinerary. This is where you list down the places you would like to visit, and create a timeline to ensure that you get to visit all the places without wasting much time.
For instance, you can spend one day and visit the sights in this area, and tomorrow you can visit the sights in the next area so that you can visit all the tourist spots.
7. Save money
Ah, of course, an important factor for your trip. Even if money may not be an issue, it would be best to have a specific amount saved for the trip.
This can give you an overview of your budget especially when planning on bookings, activities and meals. This can also ensure that you get the most out of your money saved.
8. Book your hotel
Your accommodation is an important factor to consider.
Although you will only mostly use the place for rest and to leave your luggage, you should also prioritize your comfort and sleep so that you can be energized during the day.
9. Book your flight way before
Airline tickets are usually cheaper when you book them long before your scheduled flights, as compared to booking them a few days or weeks before.
Book your flights at least two months before your trip to avoid the hassle of no available flights and pricey airline fares.
10. Pack your stuff
Now that you are all ready with your plans and itinerary, days before your trip, it’s time to pack your stuff. Pack only the essentials such as clothes, toiletries and other basic needs.
Avoid bringing valuable items like jewelries or gadgets – cameras and mobile phones will do. Create a checklist to ensure you have everything you need before you go.
It is practical to plan your trip at least two months before you go. This can give you enough time to think of the details and activities so you will not have to waste time or money. Vacations should be fun and hassle-free. So if you want to get the most out of your vacation