As the number of Covid cases continues to drop in many areas across the U.S., the itch to go on vacation trips goes up. More and more Americans are finally getting their chance to enjoy summer vacations after last year’s series of unfortunate events. For many of us, a much-needed vacation couldn’t arrive one moment too soon.
Planning for a vacation isn’t nearly as fun as taking the trip, but it’s a necessary step. Planning takes the headache out of the entire experience.
While you might feel a bit stressed in the days leading up to your vacation, you’ll be glad you put in the effort so you can enjoy some rest and relaxation with no strings attached. One time-tested technique is to reverse-engineer the process. Think of previous vacation problems and take steps to counter those concerns long before you hit the road.
Whether it’s getting your finances together or efficiently packing your bags, getting ready is the best way to ensure a successful vacation. Listed below are six checklist items to consider.
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Start Saving up Early.
Vacations don’t come cheap unless you plan on spending the night at a dive hotel in the next town over or driving to a local campsite. It’s more likely you’re planning a slightly more extravagant trip. This means you probably have to set aside some cash.
Once you’ve entered your vacation days in your calendar you need to set up a savings plan. If you don’t have a vacation savings fund already, start one. To have the funds needed for the trip — and pay bills while you’re gone — cutting out the morning latte and packing your own lunch can help you get serious about saving.
You can also use savings apps and financial planners to help you put your vacation into motion. As just one example, some debit cards include a round-up feature that will help you build up some savings to spend on your upcoming trip.
Set a Budget … And Plan to Stick to It.
You need a target goal for your savings account as well as a limit on your vacation spending. It’s easy to get carried away spending money on excursions and souvenirs if you’re not careful. Don’t leave home without a budget for each location and activity.
Calculate in advance the price of your flight, hotel stay, and any other expenses that are required to make your trip happen. After that, set a limit on how much you want to spend on food, trinkets, and the occasional splurge. That way, you won’t be blindsided by a maxed-out credit card or an empty checking account when you snap back to reality.
Read Up on Destination-Specific Health Guidelines.
Airlines and other travel industries are still being careful with regard to Covid-19 restrictions. Be sure to read up on all applicable guidelines and requirements before you head out so you don’t get caught by surprise and possibly be forced to alter your plans.
If you’re traveling outside the country, take some time to do your research. Different countries are in various degrees of reopening. You’ll be better off knowing what to expect ahead of time.
While travel restrictions might not be in place for several countries, you may still be expected to wear a mask in public areas. For example, this is what’s expected in parts of Costa Rica. Other countries such as France have different restrictions for vaccinated travelers as opposed to those who only have a negative test.
Look Ahead for Events.
Going on vacation can and should be so much more than sleeping in and lounging about all day. To make your trip memorable, look ahead for special events at your vacation destination and add some flair to your trip. Doing so will add to your overall experience and might even end up becoming the ultimate highlight of your vacation.
Conduct a quick internet search of the area you’re planning to visit. You might find a concert, play, or even a farmer’s market that might be worth checking out. Planning for these events ahead of time allows you to accommodate them into your schedule instead of scurrying to buy tickets or make it to an event at the last minute.
Additionally, it’s often true that the sooner you book, the better deal you get. You will also have a wider window to cancel a reservation or get a ticket refunded if something were to get in the way of your original plans.
Put Together a Plan B.
You don’t want unplanned rain clouds to ruin your vacation. It’s always better to prepare for the unexpected rather than crossing your fingers and hoping that nothing bad happens. A good vacation motto is to expect the best but come up with a Plan B anyway.
Start with your itinerary. Getting to the airport a little extra might have you sitting around for longer than you’d like, but nothing’s worse than missing your flight. Adding wiggle room for all of your events and reservations will also keep stress levels to a minimum. Plan activities and games for those times when you encounter long waits.
While overloading your luggage isn’t a good idea, adding a few extra items to your packing list can cover certain emergency situations. Extra pairs of socks, an umbrella, and an additional phone charger are examples of some slightly unnecessary things that might come in handy.
Get Your Work Situation Sorted Out.
Not many people can just get up and take a vacation whenever they want. Make sure you get your request for time off approved far in advance. There might be some tasks that need to be completed before you leave. Meeting times may need to be rescheduled.
Entrepreneurs and business owners have an interesting situation to deal with. On the one hand, they are their own boss and can take a vacation whenever they want. On the other hand, they still want to make sure their business is operating while they’re away. Setting up a delegated point of contact for each area of responsibility before catching a flight can help make that possible.
Many of us are still working from home. Remote workers can choose to take work with them on a trip and creatively balance vacation time with the need to keep collecting a paycheck. Of course, you don’t want work to get in the way of your rest and relaxation. Decide in advance if you’d rather not split your attention or at least how many hours per day work will require.
Putting some extra thought into your post-pandemic vacation will ultimately make it much more fun and open up more opportunities to be spontaneous. It’s always easier to deviate from a well-devised plan when the mood strikes than it is to make it all up as you go along.