Vacations, long and short, have been a staple for Americans since the country’s foundation. While some take advantage of a long weekend by hosting a barbecue or going to a parade, others prefer to leave town for some well-deserved R&R. The good thing is that you can have a successful trip even if you don’t have a long time to plan.Â
If the time for your trip is sneaking up on you before you’ve planned a getaway, don’t worry—BNB Specialist has got you covered. Here are some last-minute trip planning tips that won’t require you to spend a fortune.
Prepare for Your Absence at Work
If you run your own business, it can be very difficult to get away, even for a short vacation. But not to worry; this can be done! With a careful approach, you can unplug while the wheels of your small business keep turning. Alert any clients to your absence, and move meetings to a few days after you return.
Work with staff, and delegate responsibilities that can be tackled when you’re away. While you may not be able to completely unplug, have a plan for how to handle emergencies.Â
Go Somewhere Within Driving Distance
First of all, you don’t want to spend half your trip in transit. Think of places you love to visit or research great destinations you can drive to in a few hours or less. Not only is this a cost-effective option, but you can leave on Friday evening or early Saturday morning and get the most leisure time out of your trip.
If you choose to fly somewhere, try to get direct flights (though they are typically more expensive); otherwise, you might literally spend half your trip in transit. MoneyUnder30.com notes that you can often find better deals on flights by shopping midweek.
Go Where Others Aren’t
It’s also helpful to choose a destination where everyone and their mother isn’t going. For instance, if you want to go to the beach or mountains, opt for a place that doesn’t have a lot of tourists. This will allow you and your family to have a more relaxing time, and hotels will probably be less expensive.
Keep it Fun for the Kids
If you’re taking kids on your trip, you will need to make sure they stay entertained. The days will keep them pretty occupied (with traveling, sightseeing, etc.), but you may need to have something prepared for nights. For instance, Family Vacation Critic points out that card games and board games are great for family vacations.
Look for Package Deals
If you’re planning to fly somewhere, try to find a package deal. These usually come with airfare, hotels and activities. Not only does bundling all these prices into one save you money, but the search itself can reveal what areas have the best deals available, thus simplifying your search for a destination. Plus, seeing the flight and hotel prices together will help you stick to your budget.
Remember Your Budget
Lastly, don’t forget about your budget in the midst of planning your trip. When you’re pressed for time planning a last-minute trip, it’s easy to splurge on this and that, and before too long, you’ve gone way over your budget. Don’t settle for the first deal you find if it’s too much; keep looking until you find something reasonable so that you can relax and not stress about how you’re overspending. Furthermore, make sure you remember your budget during the vacation.
There are many ways to enjoy your well-deserved downtime, but going on a short trip may be the best one. Consider going to a destination within a reasonable driving distance, and look for somewhere that doesn’t see tons of travelers.
Also, remember to bring some activities and distractions for the kids, and search for good package deals to save money. Finally, stick to your budget during the planning process; that way, you can kick back and relax, knowing that your vacation isn’t putting you in the hole.
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