With summer right around the corner, many of us are starting to look forward to a summer vacation. Maybe you’re hoping to finally plan some quality family time with the kids out of school, or maybe you’re just trying to escape the stress of work for a little while. No matter the reason, you deserve the trip of your dreams! Some people may have a dream destination in mind, but if you’re anything like me, you don’t always know where you want to go. Here are 4 tips to help you pick the best possible destination for your next vacay.
Determine what kind of vacation you need
The first question that you need to ask yourself is: “What kind of vacation do I want to have?” To narrow this down, consider your interests and the interests of your fellow travelers. Is this a family affair? If so, you may want to narrow your list down to kid-friendly destinations. What type of vacation rental are you interested in? How do you want to keep yourself entertained? Avid outdoors people will look to entirely different locations than those who enjoy museums and nightlife. However, there are no wrong answers here! The goal is to find a location that can provide the right balance of relaxation and enjoyment for you.
Consider your budget
Once you have an idea in mind, it’s time to think about your budget. If you’ve been saving for this trip, you might be able to afford to go all out, which is amazing! However, many of us tend to travel with more of an eye on our wallet. Traveling on a budget may seem difficult, but it’s definitely not impossible. The important thing is to be realistic with what you can afford so that financial stress doesn’t ruin a vacation. While transportation and accommodations may be your biggest expenses, be sure to factor in money for food (either groceries or dining out) and for any outdoor gear you might need. What’s a trip to the beach without your beach essentials? Planning ahead and being aware of the costs will allow you to relax more fully and actually have fun on your vacation.
Look for deals
While this is definitely related to our last tip, we believe it deserves to be highlighted. Everybody loves a good deal! Whether you’re pinching pennies or vacationing in luxury, looking for travel deals can free up more of your money to allow you to do even more of what you want. If you aren’t particularly picky about where you want to go, you can even let certain deals dictate where you travel to. For example, if flights to California are expensive, but flights from Atlanta are cheap, you know which direction I’ll be heading towards! Make sure you check for local deals as well. Many cities such as New York or Paris have deals on combined tickets that let you explore these locations more for cheap.
Double check logistics and restrictions
Although travel restrictions are slowly being lifted all across the world, there are still many vacation destinations that have heightened travel requirements due to the COVID pandemic. For your safety and the safety of other travelers, do some research ahead of time so that you are able to comply with all travel regulations in your destination. It would be no fun to arrive at your dream vacation and be forced to quarantine in your hotel alone! This is especially true for travel abroad. Looking up the travel rules for your airline, hotel, and destination city will help you avoid this potential headache and have a blast! Ensure you also check any rules regarding taking medication you might need and medical equipment such as inhalers or ostomy supplies.
Everyone deserves a vacation that fits their budget and their interest. Follow these 4 tips, and you’ll be on your dream trip before you know it!