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5 Steps to a Successful Travel Getaway
Whether I want to get away for a night, a long weekend, or a 10 day vacation, taking a break from the everyday grind is imperative to my sanity! I usually try and get away at least 5 or 6 times a year if I can…more if it’s financially possible. Everyone needs a re-charge and what better way to do that than exploring new places!
Before I decide to go anywhere, I make a decision about where to go, how long I want to stay, who is going with me, and what do I want to do while I am there.
Over the years I have developed a rule of thumb you might say, to help me get the most of my getaway experience. I want to share those tips with you today.
As a teacher, I am used to planning lessons everyday, creating objectives, and carrying out those said objectives in a way that is beneficial to all of my students. I tend to carry over that style of planning when I travel.
I like having a plan! I don’t like to wander around aimlessly and waste precious time. I am 55 years old, my time left on this Earth is very precious to me, so I want to utilize every second I have left.
My husband of 14 years has gotten use to all of my planning. He thought I was nuts when we first got married. He used to be one of those “Let’s just go and we will figure it out as we get there” type of travelers. He learned very quickly that it was not going to be like that with me.
After going with me on several planned trips, he began to see the benefit of putting in a little time and effort to plan out a travel itinerary. He actually enjoys having a trip all planned out for him now…who wouldn’t, right?
I’ve listed 5 steps below that will help you when you plan your next getaway spot. I always use these tips or planning outline…whatever you want to call it…as my husband and I consider our next destination.
1. Choose a Destination That Fits Your Personality and Style
When I am deciding where to go, I think about the things I like, as well as the things my husband likes. When we are fortunate, our 2 grandsons get to travel with us (oh yeah, also their parents) and we keep in mind what they like to do.
I love to be outdoors and hike. It is a given wherever we travel there will be a hike or two thrown in. We are not fancy people, we don’t like to dress up, we’re very casual so we look for places that cater to that type of vibe.
What is your vibe? Big cities? Small quaint towns? The mountains? A laid back beach somewhere? Maybe somewhere where there are lots of art galleries, or maybe lots of adventure opportunities?
When looking for that perfect destination, do a little research to make sure the area you want to go to offers things to do and see that match your personality and interests. Researching different places beforehand does take a little time and effort on your part, but is definitely worth it!
2. Plan Ahead
Go ahead and make accommodation reservations. Rent a car in advance if you will need one. Make those dinner or show reservations. Do it BEFORE you leave!
I have learned from experience driving around trying to find a hotel in a strange new place ,(for what seems like hours), does not put me or anyone else in a happy place. That is not a good way to begin your relaxing getaway.
Having all of your reservations set before you leave lets you start enjoying your time away rather than making it miserable for the first 24 hours.
Hotels fill up quickly. Restaurants are always busy. Amusement parks and museums will only allow a certain number of people before they are at capacity. Even some state and national parks require a reservation. Don’t be that person who misses out because you didn’t want to take the time to plan ahead!
3. Take Your Time
Don’t be in a hurry when you finally get to where you are going. I know there is a lot of things to see and do in a new place, but take the time to enjoy your time away.
I have to admit, sometimes I want to see too much and end up not seeing nothing at all. Meaning, I rush through just to get to the next thing. My husband is always telling me to slow down, enjoy what is in front of you before going off to the next thing. Don’t tell him this, but he is right.
I don’t know about you, but I run all week long for work and around the house trying to get things done. Why should I do that when I take a vacation? Taking a much deserved break should allow our minds and bodies to slow down and rest for a small amount of time. Sometimes its better for us if we just BE.
I said before that I like to plan…I mean plan out everything we want to see, where we eat, what day we are going, and how long we stay there. That’s how my mind works, but my mind also knows that I might not get to all of the things I’ve planned, or might not feel like having tacos on the third day we are there. That’s ok! It’s ok to skip some things on your list and just rest, or spend longer at something you enjoy and miss the next thing planned.
Take time to relax. Take time to explore. Take time to just be near the ones you love. Just take time.
4. Do Something Out of the Ordinary
Sometimes it’s good to step out of our comfort zone. Try new things. Explore other possibilities. Put yourself out there. I know it’s hard to do, but it can be very rewarding.
As a travel rule, my husband and I always try at least one new thing on every trip we take. Whether it’s trying a food we’ve never had before, or visiting a place we normally would never go (art museum, or butterfly aviary) in our everyday life. It can be as simple as those things or more daring like hiking across a bridge platform thousands of feet high.
No matter what your thing is, be open to a new experience. Maybe you’ve never visited a farm, or had dinner overlooking a waterfall, or maybe never bungee jumped off a bridge. Whatever it might be…try it. You might find a new hobby or better yet, a new love of something.
5. Create Memories
Wherever I travel to, I take lots of pictures and collect postcards. That’s my thing. Other people I know collect magnets or stickers from their various travels. I do it because I want to have a memory of the time I spent in that location.
Below is a picture of my “Postcard Wall”. Every now and again I go into the room where the wall is located and just lay on the bed and look at the places I’ve been. Not to brag or be proud of myself, but to remember the good time we had and all of the wonderful memories my husband and I have made together,
My husband likes to take our camcorder or use the video on his phone to record certain “big” attractions we go to. It is a good way to really capture our feelings and emotions of being in a special place.
Most of the time we use our cell phone camera with this selfie stick: https://amzn.to/3URMSiD
Other times we use our camera when we are feeling like being a professional photographer ( Ha! Ha!) ttps://amzn.to/3YOPb7u
Whether you take pictures, collect mementos from your journey, or video everywhere you go, you are creating memories that will last a life time.
