How to Successfully Plan Your Next Vacation
Going on vacation is always fun but sometimes making the plans can also be exciting. As you begin planning your next trip, consider these five elements in your decision making process to ensure that you will have the best possible vacation.
1. Where do you want to go?
Obviously, the first choice you need to make is where you want to go for vacation. Are you ready for sunning yourself on a beach somewhere in the tropics? Maybe you prefer a luxurious resort like Rosewood Mayakoba with its winding lagoons and powdery white beaches? Or perhaps you have sightseeing and exploration adventures in mind? When you think about what you want to do, then you can start deciding where you want to go.
In today’s crazy world, we all need a break sometimes but we also want to be safe in whichever destination we choose. So when deciding where you want to vacation, you may also want to read about the safest and most attractive areas to stay. Whether you decide to go camping a few hours from home, travel across the country or around the world, or embark on an exciting sporting adventure, having a detailed plan in place will help make your vacation go smoothly for minimum stress and maximum enjoyment.
2. What time of year do you want to go and for how long?
Once you have decided on your vacation destination, it is time to decide when you will be traveling and how long you plan to be away. Are you planning a long weekend trip, a one or two week long vacation, or an extended international excursion? Once you have determined the location and duration of your trip, you may want to consider pricing during peak and off-peak seasons. Depending on your budget, it may be more cost effective for you to plan your trip during the off season. However, you may also be bound to school schedules and work vacation time that will influence when you are able to travel and for how long you can be away. Perhaps you are a snowbird who flees to a warmer climate for the entire winter season. If so, consider one of these REBL vacation homes in Scottsdale for all of your extended stay rental needs in sunny Arizona. The Grand Canyon State offers the healing power of beautiful skies, soaring mountains, and endless summers, making it a desirable vacation destination any time of year.
3. Do you require any additional or special requirements?
Once you have determined where, when, and for how long you will travel, you must now think about any special requirements that you may need during your trip. It is important to keep in mind that not all travel companies or vacation resorts and destinations can meet all the special needs and requirements of every person. Therefore, doing your independent research for your own special requirements will be most beneficial for ensuring a smooth and comfortable vacation.
For example, if you are looking for kosher or affordable Pesach programs, Leisure Time Tours offers kosher hotels and stays while other travel programs may not be able to guarantee this. If you have special travel needs or additional requirements to consider for your vacation, be sure to factor them into the early stages of your planning process.
4. What is your travel and spending budget?
Vacations can be very expensive even for a short weekend trip so it is important to keep an eye on the costs during your planning to avoid breaking your budget. Your overall budget should include the cost of travel as well as the cost of any experiences you may want to enjoy or things you may want to purchase during your trip. You also need to account for food and dining costs. Once you have set your travel and spending budget, then you can begin to prioritize what you want to do and see on your vacation based on what you can afford. Maybe you want to spend a day aboard one of these Tamarindo fishing charters? Or perhaps you would rather spend the day enjoying a food and wine tour. Whatever you decide you want to do, be sure to plan your budget accordingly.
5. Who is traveling?
The people traveling with you are probably the most important part of your plans because you want to make sure that the vacation is suitable and enjoyable for everyone in your group. Consider the ages of all the people in your group as well as their likes, dislikes, and special needs and requirements. This is especially important when traveling in large groups. The more organized you are, the easier your traveling will be and the more fun everyone will have. Vacation is all about the fun, after all, so the more organized and well planned it is, the more time you will have to enjoy the experience.
Do you have any travel plans this summer or this year?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
16 Comments
Jennifer
I want to plan another vacation! I really want to go to Turkey in the fall!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oooh, you should do it, Jennifer! I am planning a trip to the Netherlands to visit Nancy in 2024 for my 50th birthday!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
We just came back from a short holiday in own country. We never go for long, so we don’t need a lot of planning. But if you do you definitely need a plan!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I can’t wait to hear about your trip, Nancy! I have a big one to plan for 2024!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Oh, I am so ready for a vacation! Ten years ago, my husband surprised me with a trip to London to celebrate my retirement. Since then, we’ve discovered the joys of train travel. I’m hoping next year will be the year we make it to Crater Lake. My other favorite destination is the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island…I could live there! Well, if I had oodles of money I could!! It is amazing how quickly the costs add up for even a short two or three day trip! But, that’s life right now, isn’t it?
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am so ready for my summer travels, too, Marsha! And yes, even a weekend trip costs hundreds of dollars these days. Heck, a date night out costs hundreds of dollars these days! Other than our small weekend trips this summer, my net big trip will be in 2024…the year I turn to 50. We are planning to visit Nancy in the Netherlands! I am so excited. Planning will begin this January!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Having just moved relatively recently, I don’t have the urge to go anywhere. LOL! That said, I do hope to explore the coast in our new state somewhere down the line.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I totally understand that feeling, Michelle! It’s kind of like you are on a long vacation right now in your new place, why go somewhere else?! You are going to have so much fun exploring North Carolina!
xoxo
Shelbee
Hazlo Emma
Planning for a vacay is so fun!
Travelling is a way to explore new frontiers for entrepreneurs.
Surprisingly, it is a live classroom for the those still in school.
Yes, vacation please – not yet decided because there is so much family stuff going on!
H E
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, my friend! Travel is absolutely one of the best ways to learn and grow. Immersing ourselves in different cultures, exploring different places, and being open minded to different experiences is how we really grow and we can find all of that within the activity of travel. The more people we know, the more we grow…we can all learn so much from each other! I hope you get to plan a vacation soon!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sam
Some fabulous tips X
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Sam! Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma T
Great basic tip reminders. We tend to stay in the UK so it’s easier to plan, but next year my son wants to go abroead. More planning needed, especially as none of us have passports that are in date.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Emma! We don’t travel abroad either but are planning a trip to the Netherlands in 2024 to celebrate my 50th birthday. I need to get our passports in order soon, too!
xoxo
Shelbee
Helen Fern
What a great post!! I’ve always started with, lets go here, then tried to fit it (not always successfully) into the other categories. I like your outside in approach. Thanks for sharing at My Big Fat Menopausal Life’s Share the Wealth Party. Hope your week is amazing!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Helen, thanks so much! I am generally much more spontaneous about planning trips but for big ones, I definitely need to be a bit more strategic in the planning.
xoxo
Shelbee