So you’re going on vacation for a week. This is something to get excited about, but it can also be an overwhelming prospect. You’ve got so many things to do and not enough time: how are you supposed to prepare? Transport like Uber or plane tickets, and accommodation like cabins for rent or AirBnB are just the basics.
Well, let’s get started
First things first: you need to figure out your transportation options. You can drive, fly, take an overnight bus or train, or some combination thereof. Once you’ve figured that out, it will be much easier to plan everything else on this list.
If you’re going on vacation in a car, make sure your documents are in order and that there’s enough fuel in your tank. Road trippers recommend planning for at least one extra day than what you need if your trip is delayed.
Also, you might want to consider hiring a car from an Uber-like service that handles all the insurance for you. That way, there’s no need to deal with annoying rental agencies and taxes when you get back home.
Most importantly, make sure you have a backup plan if something goes wrong on the road—a flat tire or dead battery can completely ruin your plans if you don’t have a spare ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Once you’ve figured out how to get there, it’s time to focus on where you’re going
As you might expect, you’re going to need someplace to sleep. There are tons of options available based on your budget and how long you intend to stay at your destination.
If you want to save some money, Airbnb is probably the best option for you. It’s easy to use, especially if this is your first time renting something other than a hotel room. There are also many different accommodations available: bed-and-breakfasts, family homes, condos, or even castles!
Of course, there may be times when it makes more sense to book yourself into a cheap motel instead—for example, if the rental place requires minimum stays longer than what you needed. Motels can also be an excellent option for when you’re in a country that doesn’t have much in the way of Airbnb—for example, Germany.
Most likely, wherever you are going has enough accommodations available that you won’t need to worry about this stage at all—but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
But there is more, you’ll need something to eat and something to do
Food
Without a doubt, food will be a big concern for you during your trip. You don’t want to spend money on overpriced airport food, and you don’t want to break the bank with some fancy restaurant meal or gourmet food truck specialty either—but eating out five times in seven days can add up quickly too. Your best bet is probably going to be cooking all of your meals yourself.
Be sure to check out some travel blogs before going so you know what food options are available at your new destination. Some of them even have a whole section dedicated to budget-friendly traveling for those times when your wallet is feeling a little too light.
Activities
As for activities, you’ll need to figure out what you want to get up to while you’re away. It’s important not to assume that there will be things for you to do—that way, if there isn’t anything on offer, at least you can feel free to take some time off and relax instead. Plus, the process of researching options is sure to entertain you for at least a little bit, no matter what kind of activities are available.
If you’re going to be doing any sightseeing, make sure to check the hours of operation before heading out. Some places close earlier than you might expect, and it can throw off your plans if all of the exciting landmarks are closed when you were supposed to visit them.
If you’re going somewhere for a short amount of time, it’s probably best to buy a multi-day pass for as many activities as possible—you’ll save money that way and still get your fill of fun. If you’ve got plenty of time on your hands, though, then why not just take everything as it comes and see where the week takes you?
Once you’ve got all the essentials taken care of, you need to focus on the little things that can make a big difference to your vacation. For instance, bring extra pillowcases and towels in case of spills or accidents.
And don’t forget the necessities: toothbrushes, deodorants, and any other grooming products you might need. But if you forget anything, we recommend cheap overnight shipping from Amazon Prime, so it will be there for when you get back home.
With all that done, you’re now ready to set off on your epic vacation. Before you leave, remember to look at the weather forecast so you’ll know what clothes to bring.
Finally, have fun!
That’s the essential part of it all—soak up every moment of the trip because that’s what traveling is all about.
Header image source: https://unsplash.com/@pfista
