Heading away for the weekend? Here’s how to make the most of the short-term getaway.
Now that summer vacation season is behind us and work is in full-swing, it can be hard to find time to get away. But as we looked at last week, the weekend offers plenty of fantastic opportunities for quick but awesome trips. However, when it comes to weekend trips, time is short and you have to take the right steps to ensure your well-deserved weekend is put to good use. Here are a few tips for helping plan a successful weekend trip.
Consider your mood.
Picking the right destination is essential for a solid weekend trip. Because these trips tend to be so off-the-cuff, this crucial decision can sometimes be made in haste. However, a major factor that can help you make the right decision is simply asking yourself what you want from this trip. Do you want to enjoy the great outdoors? Explore a new place? Indulge in good food? See a show? Let your mood set the theme of the trip and the decision will be much easier from there.
Pick a realistic destination.
Unfortunately, the destination you pick needs to fit in to the significant time-restrictions of weekend travel. You don’t want to be stuck in a plane or in a car for the whole weekend. Choose somewhere that allows you to minimize the travel time and maximize the fun time.
Pack sensibly.
Packing is a very important part of any travel experience, but it becomes even more critical to get right during those short trips. You don’t want to be bringing too much but also don’t want to forget anything important. Luckily, with a short trip you can determine what the weather will be like pretty well the whole time. Plan ahead, pack what you’ll use and leave the rest at home.
Make a game plan.
With short weekend trips, some people think it’s a good opportunity to have a totally unstructured adventure. If you’re only looking to relax and not much else, then you probably can take a relaxed approach. However, if there are things you’d like to see and do, it’s essential to go in with a plan. You only have so many hours in a weekend so make sure your schedule lets you get it all done.
Choose appropriate accommodations.
Where you stay on your vacation is an important decision even if it’s not a long stay. For weekend trips, you probably want to choose the accommodations that are easiest to handle for your particular trip. If you’re heading into the big city, a hotel is a safe choice. But if you’re going somewhere more remote, you might consider camping. Also, be aware of check-in/check-out times for certain places. You want accommodations that fit around your schedule for the weekend.
Get recommendations.
When you’re struggling with your weekend plans, it’s always a good idea to get recommendations. Friends and family who know your likes and sensibilities can guide you towards an ideal short getaway. Also, the internet can be a handy guide for just about any type of trip.