Spring Break season is here, and whether you’re a student, parent, or just someone who needs a little getaway, now is a great time to be traveling. One of the main things that prevents people from traveling more is the expense and the stress, so we have compiled this list of some helpful ways to help make sure your trips is as perfect as can be!
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Pick Dates Early – Knowing when you’d like to get out of town is a huge help in planning any trip. This helps you compare hotel and airline rates and gives you a chance to plan around your trip. Always be sure to let bosses, friends, etc. know you’re leaving town sooner rather than later so they can adjust their plans accordingly and knowing when exactly you’ll be traveling is obviously key here.
- Check for Free Activities – Nothing beats free stuff, and lots of hotels, resorts, and other destinations have a host of free activities (or rather, included in the cost of staying) to choose from. Always look into these to make sure you don’t fork over extra money for something you could be doing completely free!
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Don’t Overextend Your Schedule – Especially when traveling to major destinations like New York, London, or Rome, it can be tempting to cram your schedule with as many activities and tourist stops as possible. But over extending yourself will wear you out faster and enjoy each destination less. Make sure your schedule is reasonable, so you can get the most out of your trip!
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Learn the Local Language – This one seems like a no brainer but making an effort to learn the basics of the local language is a huge advantage when traveling abroad. It will make ordering food, asking for directions and reading signage much easier, and the locals will definitely appreciate the effort! Don’t be the stereotypical American tourist and put in that little extra effort!
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Skip Hotels – Let’s face it, hotels are crazy expensive and sometimes not worth the price point. Cut hotels out of your trip altogether by using services like Airbnb! This will end up saving you big time in the long run, plus you’ll discover new, cool neighborhoods you might not have explored otherwise!
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Don’t Be Afraid to Indulge – We’ve been talking about saving money a lot in this post, but you shouldn’t be afraid to indulge yourself for those once in a lifetime experiences. You’re on vacation, and if something sounds absolutely irresistible, do it! People tend to be happier when they spend their money on experiential endeavors, rather than material things, so you won’t regret it!
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Pack Realistically – We all know that person who packs everything and the kitchen sink on vacation, and we all know someone who packs three t-shirts and one pair of jeans for a two-week trip. Think realistically about what you’ll need, and what you’ll wear. It’s always smart to pack a few extra pairs of socks/underwear just in case, but packing five pairs of shoes, three different button-down shirts, and twelve pairs of pants may be excessive.
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Know Your Bank’s Travel Policy – This one is an absolute must: call your bank at least 48 hours before you leave town, even if you’re just going out of state. Most major banks automatically flag transactions from a certain distance away as suspicious and will shut down your bank cards for your protection. Make sure this doesn’t happen by calling your bank, telling them where you’ll be traveling, and for how long, and noting which cards you will be using. Cash is also a safe way to avoid this issue, but should you need to use your card, make sure you’ll have access to it!
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Broaden Your Horizons – Travel is all about exploring new places and new ideas, so don’t stick with what you know! Try that crazy new food! Go on that insane outing! Whatever you do, get out of your comfort zone and out into the world! It will make your trip more exciting and more memorable! You won’t regret it!
- Relax – The most important part of any trip is finding time to relax, so make sure you do it! Don’t overstress about the details, let things unfold as they will and know not everything will go 100% to plan. Make sure you find time to take a few deep breaths and actually enjoy the experience!
