I am coming off of a 4 day weekend and having a difficult time getting back into the groove. I'm really a creature of habit and it doesn't take much to throw me off balance. I like routine. I like "normal". I like schedules. I like planning. My husband jokes about me planning our vacations years in advance. I sorta do. I'm always thinking about places we can go...things we can do. Some people thrive on the spur of the moment plans but not me. If I'm going to a place that I've never been before or even a place I love, I know that I'm there for a limited time and I don't want to miss anything. I do tons of research when we set out on an adventure. It doesn't matter if it's a weekend trip or an extended vacation. I'm going to Google the location and find out what there is to do. Then I read reviews from other travelers to see what they thought of places I'm considering. I've always done this. For as long I can remember taking vacations as an adult, I've researched and planned. It used to be I went to my local AAA office and got Tour Books for all the states I would be visiting. Back in the early 1990's, I planned a 7 day Civil War vacation for a friend and me. With no Internet, I was totally dependent on those Tour Books and Trip Tik from AAA. But I did it. I knew exactly how far we had to drive each day to get to all of the places we wanted to go to in our 7 days. Thankfully the Internet makes it much easier to do my research. Now I can see videos, pictures and read current reviews. I planned a trip to Montana and Wyoming for my mom and me in 2006. Neither of us had been but we sat in front of the computer for hours looking for places to go, eat and stay. I remember the absolute thrill I got one year when my brother asked me to plan three different vacations for them to choose from. I thought I had died and gone to vacation planning heaven! When we are going on a cruise, I research the ship and find out all about the ship. I study and excursions to see which ones we want to do. I think I love the planning almost as much as I do the traveling. So what are some things to consider when planning a trip?
The feelings & desires of others: I am a leader by nature so I do have to be careful that my plans do not infringe on others or that I do not come off as controlling. It's important that I consider the feelings and preferences of others in my planning. I like spending time relaxing on the beach but that is not my husband's idea of fun at all. It would be incredibly selfish of me to plan an entire vacation around lounging on the beach.
The unexpected: Plans also need to have some wiggle room. Inevitably, the unexpected happens. When they do, allow yourself time to laugh a bit and regroup. Don't allow yourself to be a prisoner of your plans. If you planned to go to the beach one day but you wake up to rainy day, allow yourself the freedom to enjoy an indoor day. Make that the day you visit a museum or an indoor aquarium. There is no rule that says you can't make it a "stay in your room all day" day.
Time & Budget: This is especially important when planning trips. Don't try to pack 7 days worth of activities into a weekend. It will only frustrate you and anyone else along on the trip. Pick the top two or three things you would like to do and plan the rest of trip accordingly. Budget is also important. Decide BEFORE the trip what your budget is and stick to it. Be sure you account for every expense including food, snacks, admission fees, parking, souvenirs as well as gas and hotels when considering your trip budget. We have a vacation budget and put some money aside each pay period to cover our vacation expenses. This way we are not tempted to put anything on a credit card. If you decide early enough where you want to go, you can begin researching airfare, car rentals, and housing expenses. This will help you determine how much you will need and you can save a little at a time. Twenty five dollars a weeks doesn't hurt as much as $1200 all at one time.
Weather/Activity appropriate clothing/shoes: When we took our recent trip to Maggie Valley, NC, I knew there was no need to pack a skirt and pantyhose. I would be wearing neither of those during that 7 day trip! I did need some clothes for warm and cool weather and shoes comfortable for a lot of walking. When my mom & I went to Wyoming and Montana, I did not take sunscreen. I mean who thinks of sunscreen in Wyoming? Not me for sure...at least not then. I got the worst sunburn I've ever had while we were on a floating raft trip down the Snake River topped off by sitting out in the sun for 45 minutes waiting for Old Faithful to erupt. That day followed a night in which temperatures dropped into the 40s in Yellowstone National Park...in July! Didn't see that coming either! Do your research. Check the weather websites. You can get a pretty accurate forecast up to 10 days out for most areas in the world.
Pets: While David & I love to travel, Hannah is not much of a traveler. She's good for the 5 minute trip to my parent's house but that's about it. We never take her with us but this is a great time for her to spend with her grandparents. My parents always keep Hannah for us when we travel. If you have a family friend or relative who keeps your pet, make sure you check dates with them before making all of your other arrangements. Do not assume they are available. Don't forget to pick them up a small gift of appreciation while on your trip. If you need to board your pet, make your kennel reservations early. This is especially important during high travel seasons: Thanksgiving to New Years, Spring Break, and Summer. Also, be sure to include those boarding expenses in your budget! If you are planning to take your 4-legged children with you, be sure you check to make sure they are permitted. It would be a real drag to spend 10 hours in a car driving to a beautiful beach side bungalow only to find out your cat or dog is not welcome. You also want to consider what you will do with your pet while you are inside restaurants eating during the trip to and from your destination. You certainly CANNOT leave them in your car! Your ability to get out and about while at your destination could be hampered by the pooch who does not want to shut up inside a strange room or house all day while you are having a great time. Be considerate of your pet's feelings!
Capture the memories: While in the moment, you may think "I'll never forget this!" but chances are that a few years down the road, you won't remember the name of that waterfall or exactly where it was you found the best huckleberry pie in all of Montana. Plan for pictures and video! Most cell phones take both still photos and videos. We found small lenses for our iPhones that allow us to take fisheye, zoom and wide-angle pictures. Digital cameras make is so easy to capture literally hundreds of pictures. It is so easy to forget what the name of that waterfall was that was 712 pictures ago! If possible, take your computer and cable with you on the trip and upload your pictures each night when you get back to your room. That way you can label them while the events and names are still fresh in your mind. I have tons of pictures of various waterfalls and lakes from my Montana trip but honestly cannot remember which waterfall or which lake it is for most of them. For big trips, invest in one of those hardback books with all of your vacation pictures. Some drugstores have them and there are many vendors online as well.
Check for travel documentation: If you are planning a cruise or a trip to another country, you will need certain documentation for the trip. Do your research early to avoid major stress and headaches just before the trip. Word of advise, even though many cruises do not require a passport, it is wise to get one. In the event of a medical emergency in a foreign country, you could have a lot of trouble getting out of that country by any means other than the cruise ship. For your own peace of mind, invest in passports.
Time for relaxation and fun: Remember, it is a vacation so be sure you allow time to relax and have some fun. You don't need to be on the go from sun up to sun down. Seriously, who wants to come home from vacation to get some rest? Your time away should be a time of renewal.
So, whether you are considering a trip to see the fall leaves, Christmas in New York City or are starting to think about the family vacation next summer, start laying some of the groundwork now. Start talking to your family to see what they would like to do. Do your research. Determine your budget. If done properly, the planning can be almost as fun as the vacation. So my friends, happy planning and have a wonderful vacation!
Blessings,
Teresa
