Yes of course there is such a thing as planning the perfect vacation! Sure, there might be a few hiccups along the way, but some things are just out of your control. However, to plan for the unexpected is to plan for the best! This is especially true when you want to plan the perfect vacation.
Making your sure your essentials, your itinerary, and most of all, the people going on the trip with you, are on track, indicates your vacation and the vacation planning will be smooth sailing. I’m sharing 8 tips to help you plan the perfect vacation and truly enjoy your time away!
Don’t forget your budget
First and foremost, when planning a vacation, you want to make sure you think about your budget and how much you want to spend for your vacation. You don’t want to go on vacation and return broke and homeless. Check out the article Vacation Planning on a Budget for more details.
Getting together a budget will set the standard for how your trip will go and what will be done. With no budget in place, it’s like the blind leading the blind – you aren’t going to go anywhere. With a number on what you can afford to spend in mind, you will be able to move forward on which flights to book, where you will stay and what you’ll be doing on your trip.
Destination inspiration
After your budget and numbers figured out, the next step is to think about where you want to go. In some cases, traveling to a place you have never been is a great way to explore new things. On the other hand, going somewhere you know will be a great time is a safe bet.
Do you want to stay local, in the United States or go international? How many people will be going with you? Do they have any ideas or issues with your suggestions? If you are traveling somewhere new, a lot of though should go into it – especially when a large group is going.
Whatever is your choice once you figure out a place to visit, you can then figure out airline tickets. Booking your travel in advance will help save you from headaches and spending a lot of money unnecessarily. Similar to the domino effect, once you have the budget you purchase your airline ticket, and then find a place to stay while on vacation.
What will transportation look like?
Figuring out transportation ahead of time can save you time and energy while actually on vacation. Will your hotel be walking distance from everything you need? If not, and locations and food places are spread very far from one another, transportation is required. Will public transportation be an option? What about Uber?
Having that type of information accessible is important to know prior to your arrival. Will you need a rental car? Are taxis readily available? Your transportation choices can you calculate the time it will take to get you from one location to the next. This may change the things you want to do while on vacation. The last thing you need is to be stranded somewhere in a foreign country with no way to get back to your hotel.
Use a booking website or travel agency to save money
In some cases, using a travel agency or booking website can help you save time and cut back on cost. The travel agency will try to find deals to help you save a buck or two in booking a hotel and flight together. A booking website might be able to offer an all-inclusive deal which leads you to not have to worry about food or drinks while at the hotel.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are usually fees when using a booking site or agency, but it could possibly save you money down the line during your vacation. Depending on where you decide to travel, it might be beneficial for you to use one to avoid any scams or fraudulent booking.
Plan your activities
If you’re going on a trip that might consist of some fun things to do, there is absolutely nothing wrong with planning some activities ahead of time. You will want to at least see what your options are and what prices look like for doing activities.
When there is so much to do, you can get caught up with doing one thing for too long and miss out on the others. Creating a plan will help you save your time and money in the long haul. You may not be able to squeeze everything you wanted to do in the trip, but it’s more than what might have gotten done if you hadn’t planned at all. Whether you’re going solo or with a group, planning ahead is the best way to have a perfect vacation.
Read Reviews
Reading reviews is like reading what a movie is going to be about before you waste your money. If the majority of reviews are good, then it’s definitely a great sign to go with it. If the reviews are mostly bad, then there is no reason why you should try and take a chance.
Remember, no business will have consistent flying stars and great reviews but it’s important to use your well judgement to decipher between the two. It’s also good to ask around and get personal recommendations from people who have visited the area you will be traveling to.
Inform your Bank
Informing your bank you will be leaving out of town is very important. It would not make for a great vacation if your bank assumes fraudulent activity and closes your card, leaving you will no money at all. It doesn’t matter how long you will be out of town or if you don’t plan on using your card at all. To be safe notify your bank when and where you will be traveling in the event you have to use your card for an emergency. The last thing you’ll want to do is being hung up on the phone talking to your bank instead of enjoying your time on vacation.
Enjoy your Trip
Once on your trip, enjoy your trip! Make sure your responsibilities are taken care of before you go, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. You’ve planned for this trip, so you know it will be fun. You budgeted for the trip, so you know you have enough money to spend as you please. Lastly, you have a loosely based itinerary to keep you focused. Now is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor and let loose. No matter how long your trip is, be sure to soak up the moment and have a blast.
Related: Maximizing a Vacation, Before to After
Luggage packed, airlines booked, hotel reserved, and fun on the way. Planning any vacation is fun and should make for a stress-free trip. I hope with these useful tips, the next trip you plan is perfect and relaxing in every way possible.
Have you ever planned a trip and it was hassle free? What tips or suggestions would you share with us that you found to be great when you plan the perfect vacation? Check out our Facebook page and don’t forget to like and follow. Also, stay connected with us via our Twitter and IG – we love sharing new materials that help you navigate through life.
