Vacations are an important part of life, whether you realize it or not. Taking time off will refresh and reset your mind, making you able to return to work with a clear head, ready to take on what lies ahead. Many people don’t take all of the vacation time they’re allowed, if they take any at all. Well, we need to remedy that and realize how amazing time away can be! If it’s been a while since you planned a vacation or you just want a few guidelines to make sure you get the most out of the time you take off, we have some friendly advice to share with you. These 10 tips on how to plan the perfect vacation will get you started on making your next getaway a reality!
1. CHOOSE A REGION & TIME OF YEAR
The first step in how to plan the perfect vacation is deciding where you want to go. Don’t overwhelm yourself at first by thinking you have to pinpoint a destination in the first step. First, decide what time of year you want to get away and then identify the region you want to visit. Do you want to see the mountains? Are you longing to lounge on a California beach? Do you want to explore a big city? Maybe you’ve always wanted to visit some of our nation’s National Parks. Answering these questions will help get you on your way.
2. NARROW IT DOWN TO A SPECIFIC DESTINATION
Once you know which region you want to visit, you can narrow your choices down to a single destination. Consider the activities and atmosphere of the places in the region, then pick the town or city which best fits your desires. It can also be helpful to consider accommodations in the area. Finding a Select Registry property can definitely make deciding where to visit easier.
3. FIND THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF TIME AWAY
You might think that more time away is better, but that’s not always the case. If you stretch out your getaway for too long, then you might tire of being away from home and nerves may begin to fray. If traveling with family, sometimes there is such a thing as togetherness. So plan enough time to enjoy your destination and do the activities you want with out lingering too long.
4. START A COUNTDOWN
Anticipating the vacation is actually a big part of the fun of a trip! Planning a vacation well ahead of time not only means that you’ll have a better chance of getting the reservations you want, but offers peace of mind when it comes waiting for the trip. You want the trip to be fun, so don’t let yourself get caught up in making last minute plans. Then you can look forward to the good times.
5. TAKE CARE OF THE PRACTICAL
Another tip on how to plan the perfect vacation is to get practical things out of the way as early as possible. This includes making arrangements for pets or getting someone to watch your home. This is also the time to make sure you have everything you need for the trip such as special clothing, any medications you’re going to need, tickets to special events, etc.
6. PLAN OUT ACTIVITIES
Make a list of what you want to do while you’re on vacation, and make a loose schedule of what days you want to do them. It doesn’t have to be regimented, just a general idea of what you want to experience and when.
7. OR PLAN TO DO NOTHING!
Maybe the whole point of your getaway is to do nothing but relax. Having no schedule at all is what works for most people when they consider how to plan the perfect vacation.
8. CONSIDER GOING TECH-FREE
We’re often reliant on technology for work, so if you’re burnt out, consider only using your phone or computer when completely necessary. Unplugging can do wonders for you in regards to refreshing and resetting your brain.
9. SAVE SOMETHING FUN FOR THE END
End the vacation on a high note. Try not to pack in the activities in the beginning of the vacation. Save something that you’ve been looking forward to until the last day of your trip to end it with a bang.
10. STAY SOMEWHERE AMAZING
One of the biggest tips we have on how to plan the perfect vacation is picking the right place to stay. With hundreds of Select Registry properties around North America, it isn’t hard to find premium accommodations in a variety of destinations!