Rising temperatures and blazing sunshine make summer the perfect season to break from daily routine and take a much needed vacation. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a solo getaway, here’s how to make the most out of your summer vacation.
Choose the right destination
Planning your dream vacation starts with choosing the perfect location. If you’re unsure where to start, grab a pen and paper and start writing down places you’ve been wanting to visit. In addition, make sure to write down why you’ve been interested in visiting each place, as well as sites and activities you want to see and try while on vacation.
After drafting your list, consider how long your vacation will be, who you’ll be traveling with, your vacation budget, and the purpose of your vacation. Use these factors to narrow down the list of potential destinations until you find one that best meets your vacation criteria.
For those traveling solo, treat yourself by visiting somewhere you’ve been wanting to go for a while. On the other hand, if you’re looking to adventure with a significant other or with family, a trip to Florida is budget-friendly and will enable you to try out new things, like parasailing near West Palm Beach or embarking on a romantic dinner cruise.
Book a room in advance
Once you’ve chosen the perfect destination, it’s time to book a place to stay. Booking a hotel in advance helps save you money and will ensure that you have a room secured for your vacation. In fact, according to Booking.com, travelers who plan in advance spend approximately 47 percent less than those who wait.
If you’re looking to stay somewhere that doesn’t break the bank, consider booking a room through Airbnb. Airbnb allows users to book a room in a shared living space or book an entire house at nightly rates that are often cheaper than hotels. In addition, users can filter their search by amenities, location, date, and property type.
Plan your itinerary
Planning your day-to-day vacation itinerary in advance helps eliminate stress and allows you to truly enjoy your vacation. After choosing a destination and booking a place to stay, grab a planner or log onto Google Calendar to start planning your itinerary. Google Maps can help you find local dining and entertainment options close to your hotel, while a simple Google search can show you events in the area.
Since it can be easy to start feeling overwhelmed when drafting an itinerary, start by making a list of the top five or 10 things you want to see or do. Prioritizing what you want to do during your vacation can give you a sense of how much you’ll be able to fit in. After choosing your favorite things, start mapping them out onto your calendar.
If you’re interested in specific activities or places, be sure to plan around your vacation time frame. For instance, the museum you want to visit might only be open a few days a week, or the brewery tour you want to go on might require advance booking. Researching activities you’re interested in and booking accordingly will save you peace of mind and ensure that you’ll be able to do everything you want to.
Summer is the most popular season to plan a getaway, with Americans spending nearly $2,000 each year on summer vacations. Although choosing the perfect destination can be overwhelming, booking a place to stay and planning your itinerary in advance can help you save time, money, and peace of mind this summer.